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Sicilian coast
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The technique of fishing along the coast of the Sicilian Straits was effectively described by Placido Reina, Messina dcl historic seventeenth century: ". . . Therefore keep land near surte two boats on the anchor, one off the other, how a puff of hand, and on the antennae of them, which are eighty palms high, and made sure that piroli ladders to climb with ease, we are the guardians. They should not look at the surface, but in the body of the sea, if passed swordfish, which ordinarily flows soles eight palms underwater, and tal'ora much insino to twenty-five, and discuoprendone icuno, co deono 'screams and with my hand to show luntre of those who, in having the word rattamente piglian vogue reverse the fish, following him for all the ways in quell'oblique spin, he his doing. This technique will remain unchanged over time for more than four centuries, that is up to a couple of decades ago, as do the countless descriptions faith after the Reina, from which it is clear that fishing dcl swordfish with "luntro" and "feluca" has always done in the traditional way, without any variation. The craft by mail or by sighting worked in Sicily for this fishery has come to this day with the name of feluca typical, and even today the motorized boat equipped with walkway and tree sighting (very different from 'boats on the surte 'anchors' of the seventeenth century) is called "feluca" by fishermen and seafarers. This designation, however, does not indicate the way Arab origin on the type of fishing in speech (as someone), sibbene the fact that the warning certainly was I used hull of its boat, which, between the sixteenth and eighteenth was widespread in Sicily for small boats and passenger traffic in the short haul. It was just that, in our opinion, the vessel used by the fishermen of Sicilian Straits to create the characteristic "floating" observers are indispensable for the sighting of swordfish and for his capture. To this end the feluca presented at the most appropriate characteristics: size somewhat contained and at the same time sufficient to provide suitable space and equipment to the crew of fishing; large capacity for storage of prey until their transport on earth firm; excellent stability even in the boat and heavy tree sighting (18-22 meters long), although facilitated by consists of ballast stones and sandbags; cost quite content being widespread and hull built with timber poor " "(especially pine forests Bagnara) by calabro-equipped yards Siculians of the Strait. In this regard, we must not forget that the "cost" factor of 'boat-observatory was crucial to make economically profitable fishing for swordfish: the boat, in fact, once turned to the task, was obviously not suitable for other activities, so its period of usability was limited to only two months a year (that is, as long campaign of fishing for swordfish). Even today, the rest feluche power (or "bridges") are used by fishermen of the Strait for a long period of very limited, albeit somewhat longer in antiquity. The transformation of a feluca from vessel traffic from "post" was quite simple: it was depriving it of its original structures Forces and navigation, munendola therefore an integral pontatura from bow to stern. On deck, starting with half going to ship and the stern was practised almost a triangular opening through which one could hold it for a very modest height (also used only for the riporvi ballast); for this opening then passed along tree, tall palms 80, which ended in a scassa consists of a solid block and robust set at paramezzale oak. The tree was equipped with a rudimentary scale consists of a series of wooden pegs (50 cm seats. From each other), each retained on the ends of two peaks annodate, which the post down to the observation deck . The half was certainly uncomfortable but safe for avvistatore (called "antenniere") that had to climb up on top of the tree "and remain there for four hours following the discovery to fish ...», no rest if not a sip of water, being forbidden to eat during customary round of the guard. The antenniere held its difficult task with exceptional care, well proud of their physical talents, his feet resting on a wooden table placed transversely the mast, which stretch the terminal served as support in order not to fall. The tree (or antenna) was finally secured with large peaks connected (bow, stern and side) to special ankles wood from the falchetta included, which in turn, with a height of about 20 cm. , ran throughout the boat. The feluca by mail had no means of self-propulsion, partly because it was intended to well moored stationed in specific areas of the sea (known for precisely placed) assigned to her by drawing lots. To achieve these, feluche were towed by the same luntri service (typically two for each of them), but if soffiasse particularly for wind direction and intensity for the movement is conducted in a small sail hoisted on large central tree. By similar means, such as simple effective, the Straits fishermen have for centuries given their hunt for "spadaccino sea, with the same weapons, with the same spirit, always with the same technique with courage, strength, patience and Expertise: almost a rite whose mysterious secrets jealously were handed down from father to son, to the present day. Today, the engine - ruler of the modern era - was applied to feluca with surprising results and unthinkable. Svanita every shade of romance and mystery, the "hunt" has now lost its ritual character to take on the much more practical simple commercial business, the poor showing swordfish, already the subject of poems and literary disputes, its only true Destination: raw material for a good roast!
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