“Line fishing and seine fishing now and then make a little variety in the sameness of a sailor's life, besides giving him a fresh meal, which he could not otherwise procure. When on ground for trawling, getting a good haul of fish occasionally tends much to dispel the monotony of being at sea. Only those who have heard the merry stamp and go of the watch on deck walking the trawl up to some lively tune, and seen the general excitement of the crew to know if there was a good or bad haul, can tell how much even such a little break as this enlivens a ship's company.”
[Friendly Hints to the Young Naval Lieutenant, Liardet, 1858]