Trawlers

Sketch of a Trawler (Alford 1990:26)

Trawlers are the modern-day commercial fishing vessels seen along the Carolina coasts. These vessels are designed to pull large nets called ‘trawls’ through the water that catch fish and shrimp. However, these vessels have been adapted for many other purposes beyond their original design.

Trawlers are typically large boats (up to 65 feet) and have a deadrise or v-bottom. Although today they are commonly made of steel, some of the earliest trawlers were constructed of wood and had a round bottom. (Alford 2004:25-26).

By Caleb O’Brien