Operations were commenced, but so soon as the English fishermen put to sea in their boats, the Claddagh men fell upon them, and they were glad to escape with their lives.[12] Unfortunately, the Claddagh men have no organization, no fixed rules, no settled determination to work, unless when pressed by necessity.

The appearance of the men and of their cabins show that they are greatly in want of capital; and fishing cannot be successfully performed without a sufficiency of this industrial element.
Illustrations of this neglected industry might be given to any extent.
Herring fishing, cod fishing, and pilchard fishing, are alike untouched.

The Irish have a strong prejudice against the pilchard; they believe it to be an unlucky fish, and that it will rot the net that takes it.

The Cornishmen do not think so, for they find the pilchard fishing to be a source of great wealth.

The pilchards strike upon the Irish coast first before they reach Cornwall.