In most large fisheries for certain species numerous changes occur at
intervals in the apparatus used, owing to changed conditions, etc.,
but in the lobster industry changes have been few, and at an early
period the fishermen fixed upon a uniform apparatus, which has been in
use ever since with but slight modifications, and these generally only
temporary.
The earliest form of apparatus used to any considerable extent was the
hoop net. This consisted generally of a hoop or ring of about 1/2-inch
round iron, or a wooden hogshead hoop, from 2-1/2 to 3 feet or more in
diameter. To this hoop was attached a net bag with a depth of 18 to 24
inches as a bottom, while two wooden half hoops were bent above it,
crossing at right angles in the center about 12 or 15 inches above the
plane of the hoop. Sometimes these half hoops were replaced by short
cords. The bait was suspended from the point of crossing of the two
wooden hoops and the line for raising and lowering the pots was
attached at the same place. As there was no way of closing the
mouth of the pot after a lobster had entered, these nets had to
be constantly watched, the lobster being in the habit of retiring
after he had finished his repast. In using these the fisherman would
generally go out in the evening and at short intervals he would haul
in his nets and remove whatever lobsters they might contain. The
constant attention necessary in attending to these hoop nets led the
fishermen to devise an apparatus which would hold the lobsters after
once entering and would require only occasional visits, and "lath
pots" were found to fulfill all requirements. They acquire the name
from the use of common laths in their construction. They are usually
about 4 feet in length, with a width of about 2 feet, a height of 18
inches, and in Maine are usually of semicylindrical form.
The following description of this apparatus is from the Fishery
Industries of the United States, sec. v, vol. 11, p. 666:
The framework of the bottom consists of three strips of wood,
either hemlock, spruce, or pine (the first mentioned being the
most durable), a little longer than the width of the pot, about
2-3/4 inches wide and 1 inch thick. In the ends of each of
the outer strips a hole is bored to receive the ends of a
small branch of pliable wood, which is bent into a regular
semicircular curve. These hoops are made of branches of spruce
or hemlock, or of hardwood saplings, such as maple, birch,
or ash, generally retaining the bark. Three of these similar
frames, straight below and curved above, constitute the
framework of each pot, one to stand at each end and one in the
center. The narrow strips of wood, generally ordinary house
laths of spruce or pine, which form the covering, are nailed
lengthwise to them, with interspaces between about equal to
the width of the lathe. On the bottom the laths are sometimes
nailed on the outside and sometimes on the inside of the cross
pieces. The door is formed by three or four of the laths
running the entire length near the top. The door is hinged on
by means of small leather strips, and is fastened by a single
wooden button in the center, or by two buttons, one at each
end. The openings into the pot . . . are two in number, one at
each end, are generally knit of coarse twine and have a mesh
between three-fourths of an inch and 1 inch square. They are
funnel-shaped, with one side shorter than the other, and at the
larger end have the same diameter as the framework. The smaller
and inner end measures about 6 inches in diameter and is held
open by means of a wire ring or wooden hoop. The funnels are
fastened by the larger ends to the end frames of the pot, with
the shorter side uppermost, so that when they are in place they
lead obliquely upward into the pot instead of horizontally.
The inner ends are secured in position by one or two cords
extending to the center frame. The funnels are about 11 or 12
inches deep, and therefore extend about halfway to the center
of the pot. They taper rapidly and form a strongly inclined
plane, up which the lobsters must climb in their search for the
bait. A two-strand manila twine is most commonly used for the
funnels. Cotton is also used, but is more expensive and less
durable.
[Illustration: Lobster pots]
A change in the shape of the funnel was first made at Matinicus
shortly before 1890. This has been called the "patent head." Large
lobsters are said to always go to the top and small ones to the bottom
of the pots. By going to the top in the "old-head" pot large lobsters
made their escape through the hole, but in the pots with "patent
heads" instead of finding their way through the hole the big lobsters
slide over it. The "patent head" has not been used to any extent,
however. The sketch shown on the following page gives a good idea of
the difference in shape.
[Illustration: Old style of head (in general use) and "patent" head]
In the center of the ordinary pot is a sort of spearhead of wood or
iron from 8 to 12 inches long. This has one large barb and is set
upright in the middle of the center frame. The bait is placed on this
spearhead. Several large stones or bricks are lashed to the bottom of
the pot, on the inside, in order to furnish weight enough to hold the
pot at the bottom.
As it was noticed that a lobster generally crawled over a pot before
entering by the end, some pots of a square form and with the opening
at the top were constructed, but they were not successful.
Another variation had a length of 7-1/2 feet and five supporting
frames inside instead of three, as in the old pot. These were set at
equal distances apart, and had two more funnels than the other, one
funnel being attached to each of the frames except the center one,
and all pointing inward. In order to reach the bait the lobster had
to pass through two funnels, and its chances of escape were thereby
lessened. This style is rarely seen now.
Still another variety in vogue for a short time had a trapdoor, on
which the lobster had to climb in order to reach the bait; the door
then gave way and precipitated the lobster into a secure inclosure.
A few pots are made with a funnel of laths in place of the net
funnels. They are the same as the ordinary pot in every other
particular.
The ordinary pots cost about $1 to construct.
During certain seasons the pots are badly eaten by "worms," the
shipworm (Teredo) or one of the species of small boring crustaceans.
Pots are also frequently lost during stormy weather, and the fishermen
therefore have a reserve stock on hand in order to replace those lost
or temporarily disabled.