Drifters Preparing to Set

oil, 20” x 30”

$38,000

The herring drifter "Fidelity" beats to weather as the crew prepares to set her nets. The bowsprit has been run in and the mizzen is down, preparatory to heading off and running downwind as much as possible across the tide as the nets are shot. With her nets out, she will ride with the warp over her bow and her mainmast lowered until the change of the tide, when she will haul aboard the catch.

"Fidelity" is known as a zulu, so named because the type became popular while the Zulu wars were in the news in Great Britain. She incorporates many of the advantages of earlier designs and the improvements made this design immediately successful. Built in 1907, "Fidelity" was one of the largest “zulus’ with a length of 78' 10 ½.” She carries the black barked sails, characteristic of Scottish fishing
boats.