Brian Sanders (British, B. 1937) "Side Trawler -- Fishing Boat" Watercolor on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the Great Britain 18p Side Trawler stamp issue of September 23, 1981. Just off North America's Atlantic Coast extends a wide continental shelf, in some areas reaching as far as five hundred miles from the shore. Large areas of this shelf form underwater plateaus where the fishing grounds are among the best in the world. Annually, fishermen from Canada, the United States and Europe take about nine billion pounds of fish from this area. The Trawler pictured in this artwork is one craft which sails the icy waters of the North Atlantic in search of fish. Once the men locate their prey, they lay out their trawler nets. A huge flat funnel net is dragged on rollers along the seabed while the net's mouth is kept open by water pressure on two door-shaped objects called otter boards. The noise of the net disturbs the fish and they attempt to escape. However, they soon tire and are hopelessly trapped in the net's funnel. Because areas the men fish are so treacherous, they equip their boat with steam hoses and axes which they use to remove ice from the decks and riggings. Should the heavy ice be allowed to build up, the craft would surely capsize. Even though modern trawlers are fitted with many safety devices which offer some protection, it is still quite common for a vessel to be lost at sea without a trace. Although working in the North Atlantic is a dangerous life, the fish are so plentiful that men gladly brave the fearsome hazards of icy, storm-tossed seas to reap great catches. Image Size: 12 x 14.25 in. Overall Size: 16 x 22.25 in. Unframed. (B06850)