“Proud Mary” – the US Tuna Trawler

In 1955 structural changes occurred in the tuna fishery in the United States. The first trans-trawlers in Europe led to a new development in the trawling sector, and in the USA, the transition from pole-and-line fishing to purse seine fishing took place. This new American method spread very quickly. The main feature of this method is the use of the so-called power unit. The purse seines, which are 800 to 1000 meters long, are attached to floats at the top, and the lower edge is pulled by chains to a depth of 100 meters. These purse seines are lowered under the stern of the trawler and, with the help of a special boat, are spread out in a large circle around the detected school of fish. After closing the circle and transferring the other end of the phallus from the boat to the trawler, a hydraulic winch pulls the lower part of the net, creating a huge bag (similar to a purse, hence the name), from which the fish cannot escape. The trawler now stands on the outside of the ring and begins to lift the net onto the ship with the help of a hydraulic winch. For this purpose, a power unit is attached to the end of the derrick-phallus, which, using other hydraulic winches, also lifts heavy chains onto the ship. Finally, another smaller derrick-phallus pulls the fish onto the ship with large grab nets. 

A small model of a small 19.8 m long, 5.3 m wide and 2.4 m draft fishing trawler "Praud Mary", but complex, well-designed and richly detailed, intended only for medium-experienced and experienced modelers. The model perfectly depicts the hull, underwater part, deck equipment, fishing, rescue equipment, superstructures, masts, there are even several fisherman figures. Where necessary, double-side printing was used. The assembly of the model is illustrated in a large textual instruction in German and English. The graphical instruction is very large, clear, informative, easy to read - in short: any modeler's dream. Of course, there is no color reserves in this publication, but it completes with 3 sheets of 1 mm thickness A4 cardboard for gluing the frame details.