luggers, which sailed for the western waters were even more successful, one of them having caught nearly 40,000 herring in one night. The boats of Yarmouth also commenced the season with marked success. In a single trip, one of the Hastings boats was said to have caught the extraordinary number of 90,000, which realised £135. This better herring season would have enabled the men to pay off some of their indebtedness caused by the bad mackerel season. Although the success was a varied character, it continued off and on till November, when in the last week when the catches were very large, some of the boats netting as many as from 15,000 to 25,000. The largest quantity landed was on Sunday, Nov. 23rd. when the glut of fish created quite a consternation, particularly among visitors, who watched the rare event, with much interest.
Shipping Arrivals.
During the week which terminated on Aug. 1st, the arrival of vessels was as follows:-"William" (Fisher, maser) from Seaham with coal; "Perseverance" (Dunk) from Newcastle with coal; "Midge" (Baker), ditto; "Elizabeth" (Freeman) from Hartlepool, with coal; "William" (Kent), ditto; "Ealing Grove" (Norris) 84 days from Algoa Bay, Cape of Good Hope, with 12 passengers and a bag of letters; "Phoenix" with gasometer for Gas Company from Grimsby; "Rock Scorpion" with coal from Seaham; and "Pelican" (Phillips), ditto.
The Price of Coals
At the present time (1899) when so much is being said about the vastly greater cheapness of sea-borne coal when the harbour is finished it may be interesting to know what the price was in the year under review (1856). In Brett's Gazette appeared an advertisement worded thus:-"Reduced Price of Coals"-"Stewart's Wallsend coals delivered into cellars, at Hastings or St. Leonards at 28s. per ton. Thos. Breeds & Co. High Street."
Maritime Casualties.
On the night of Wednesday the 19th of December, the "Royal Standard" fishing-boat, belonging to Mr. John Webb, was run into by a brig and sustained damage the smallness of which was thought to be almost a miracle. So violent was the concussion that the hands on board (who had "turned in") were instantly aroused, and supposing their boat was sinking, made a general rush for their lives. Five of the crew succeeded in getting on board the brig, but the sixth - a lad - was not so fortunate. Subsequently, however, both boy and boat were found in the same position in which they were left, and but little the worse for the mishap.
In the following week, two similar casualties occurred, the first off Hastings, involving the death of a Brighton fisherman, and the other off Folkestone, resulting in the loss of a Hastings fishing lugger. The boat alluded to was a new one, belonging to Mark Swaine, jun., and-
