FISHERMAN'S LUCK

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 103, 3 May 1919, Page 11

FISHERMAN'S LUCK

FINE INSTEAD OF EEWARD.

A South Devon fisherman who shot his net in what proved to be a minefield and landed a mine- was summoned under the Defence of tho Realm Act, at Plymouth for trawling in a prohibited area. Defendant was Edwin F. Nicholls, owner of the motor drifter "Auld Lang Syne."

It was explained for the prosecution that Nicholls, on New Year's Day, reoortod to the Customs officer that he found" a mine tangled in his nets. He. cut away . tho nets and the mine sank. Nicholls thought ho was entitled to some compensation for losing his nets and sinking the mino. 'Nicholls should havo known he was within tho prohibited area-, for the notices to fishermen showed it.

The local Assistant Mine Clearing Officer said there were 640 mines where defendant was. Ho could not have been in a worse position. Great difficulty was experienced in keeping fishermen out of these lines of mines. When they were disturbed like this great difficulty was experienced in sweeping them up. As they wore laid big merchant ships could pass over them without danger. If disturbed they might come nearer the surface. Nicholls stated they must have been i drifting with the mine for four miles. The Chairman: Your Aul Lang Syne might havo been blown to smithereens. Nicholls was fined £20 and costs. Nicholls replied: I don't think it is justice, when I reported the mino. If I had not reported it ou." sailors might havo struck it.