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In 1877, tug-0wner, William Purdy was credited with introducing steam trawling to the Tyne. During the herring season, steam trawlers and liners were converted into drifters. Each boat could carry between forty and seventy nets. The nets were about 50 yards long and made of cotton. As many as two hundred fishing boats have been known to land their catch in one day. In 1846, John Woodger claimed to have invented kippers.