UNITED STATES COMMISSION OF FISH AND FISHERIES
K E\ B-A-IRD, COMMISSIONER
THE FISHERIES
FISHERY INDUSTRIES
UNITED STATES
PREPARED THROUGH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES
AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE TENTH CENSUS
BY
GEORGE BROWN GOODE
ASSISTANT SECRETAET OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
AND A STAFF OF ASSOCIATES
SECTION V
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES
IN TWO VOLUMES, WITH AN ATLAS OF TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIVE PLATES
VOLUME II
WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1887
ASSOCIATE AUTHOKS.
J'>"L A. ALLEN Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge.
TARI.ETON H. BEAN U. S. National Museum, Washington.
JAMKS TEMPLE. BROWN U. S. National Museum, Washington.
A. HOWARD CLARK U. S. National Museum, Washington.
CAPTAIN JOSEPH \V. COLLINS Gloucester, Massachusetts.
R. EDWARD EARLL U. S. Fish Com mission, Washington.
HKNIIY \V. ELLIOTT Cleveland, Ohio.
ERNEST IMJERSOLL - New Haven, Connecticut.
DAVID S. JORDAN Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
LUDWIG KTMLIEN Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
MARSHALL MCDONALD U. S. Fish Commission, Washington.
FREDERICK MATHER N. Y. Fish Commission, Cold Spring, New York.
HARNET PHILLIPS Brooklyn, New York.
RICHARD RATIUU-N U. S. National Museum, Washington.
JOHN A. RYDEK U. S. Fish Commission, Washington.
CHARLES W. SMILEY U. S. Fish Commission, Washington.
SILAS STEARNS Pensacola, Florida.
FREDERICK W. TRUE U. S. National Museum, Washington.
WILLIAM A. WILCOX Gloucester, Massachusetts.
ill
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
VOLUME I.
Page.
List of illustrations (see also Atlas of plates) XI
PART I.— THE HALIBUT FISHERIES :
1. The Fresh-Halibut Fishery. By G. BROWN GOODE and J. W. COLLIXS 3-89
2. The Salt-Halibut Fishery. By N. P. SCUDDER 90-119
TART II.— THE COD, HADDOCK, AND HAKE FISHERIES:
1. The Bank Hand-Line Cod Fishery By G. BROWN GOODE and J. W. COLLINS 123-133
2. The Labrador and Gulf of St. Lawrence Cod Fisheries. By G. BROWN GOODE and J. W. COLLINS. 133-147
3. The Bank Trawl-Line Cod Fishery. By G. BROWN GOODE and J. W. COLLINS 148-187
4. The George's Bank Cod Fishery. By G. BROWN GOODE and J. W. COLLINS 187-198
5. The Cod Fishery of Alaska. By TARLETON H. BEAN 198-224
G. The Gill-Net Cod Fishery. By J. W. COLLINS 225-233
7. The Haddock Fishery of New England. By G. BROWN GOODE and J. W. COLLINS 234-241
8. The Hake Fishery. By G. BROWN GOODE and J. W. COLLINS 241-243
PART III.— THE MACKEREL FISHERY. By G. BROWN GOODE and J. W. COLLINS:
1. The Mackerel Purse-Seine Fishery 247-272
2. The Spring Southern Mackerel Fishery 273-275
3. The Mackerel Hook Fishery 275-294
4. The Mackerel Gill- Net Fishery 294-298
5. Early Methods of the Mackerel Fishery 298-300
6. Legislation for the Protection of Mackerel 301-304
7. Statistics of the Mackerel Fishery 304-313
PART IV.— THE S WORDFISH FISHERY. By G. BROWN GOODE 315-326
PAUT V.— THE MENHADEN FISHERY. By G. BROWN GOODE and A. HOWARD
CLAEK 327-415
PART VI.— THE HERRING FISHERY AND THE SARDINE INDUSTRY. By R.
EDWARD EARLL:
1. The Herring Fishery of the United States 419-439
2. The Frozen- Herring Industry 439-458
3. The Pickled-Herring Trade with Magdaleu Islands, Auticusti, Newfoundland, and Labrador 459-472
4. The Smoked-Herring Industry 473-488
5. The Sardine Industry 489-524
v
VI TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PART VII.— THE SHORE FISHERIES OF SOUTHERN DELAWARE. By J. W.
COLLINS :
Page.
1. The Squetoagne or Trout Fishery 527-S33
2. The Spot Fishery 533-538
3. The Rock and Perch Fishery 538-540
4. The Sturgeon Fishery of Delaware Bay 540-541
PART VIII.— THE SPANISH MACKEREL FISHERY. By E. EDWARD EARLL .... 543-552
PART IX.— THE MULLET FISHERY. By R. EDWARD EARLL 553-582
PART X.— THE RED-SNAPPER AND HAVANA MARKET FISHERIES. By SILAS
STEARNS:
1. The Red-Snapper Fishery 585-592
2. The Havana Market Fishery of Key West, Florida 592-594
PART XL— THE POUND-NET FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC STATES. By
FREDERICK W. TRUE 595-cio
PART XII.— THE RIVER FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC STATES:
1. The Rivers of Eastern Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. By MARSHALL MCDONALD 613-625
2. The Rivers and Sounds of North Carolina. By MARSHALL MCDONALD 625-637
3. The Fisheries of Chesapeake Bay and its Tributaries. By MARSHALL MCDONALD 637-654
4. The Fisheries of the Delaware River. By MARSHALL MCDONALD 654-657
5. The Fisheries of the Hudson River. By MARSHALL MCDONALD : 658-659
6. The Connecticut and Honsatouic Rivers and Minor Tributaries of Long Island Sound. By MAR-
SHALL MCDONALD 659-667
7. Rivers of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. By FREDERICK W. TRUE and W. A. WILCOX 667-673
8. The River Fisheries of Maine. By C. G. ATKINS 673-728
PART XIII.— THE SALMON FISHING AND CANNING INTERESTS OF THE
PACIFIC COAST. By D. S. JORDAN aud C. H. GILBERT 729-753
PART XIV.— THE FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES. By LUDWIG KUMLIEN.. 755-769
Index.. 771-808
VOLUME II.
List of illustrations (see also Atlas of plates) six
PART XV.— THE WHALE FISHERY:
1. History and Present Condition of the Fishery. By A. HOWARD CLARK 3-218
2. Whalemen, Vessels, Apparatus, and Methods of the Fishery. By JAMES TEMPLEMAN BROWN 218-U9I!
PART XVI.— THE BLACKFISH AND PORPOISE FISHERIES. By A. HOWARD
CLARK 295-310
PART XVII.— THE PACIFIC WALRUS FISHERY. By A, HOWARD CLARK :m-3ia
TABLE OF CONTENTS. vii
PART XVIII.— THE SEAL AND SEA-OTTER INDUSTRIES:
Page.
1. The Fur-Seal Industry of the Pribylov Islands, Alaska. By HENRY W. ELLIOTT 320-393
2. The Fur-Sea,! Industry of Cape Flattery, Washington Territory. By JAMES G. SWAN 393-400
3. The Antarctic Fur-Seal and Sea-H'ephant Industries. By A. HOWARD CLARK 400-467
4. The Sea-Liou Hunt. By HENRY W. ELLIOTT 407-474
5. The North Atlantic Seal Fishery. By A. HOWARD CLARK 474-483
G. The Sea-Otter Fishery. By HENRY W. ELLIOTT 4H3-491
PART XIX.— THE TURTLE AND TERRAPIN FISHERIES. By FREDERICK W.
TRUE 493-504
PART XX.— THE OYSTER, SCALLOP, CLAM, MUSSEL, AND AB ALONE INDUS-
TRIES. By ERNEST INGERSOLL :
1. The Oyster Industry '. 507-565
2. The Scallop Fishery 505-581
3. The Clam Fisheries 581-615
4. The Mussel Fishery f>l.rj-tyx!
5. The Abalone Fishery tWi-Gdt;
PART XXL— THE CRAB, LOBSTER, CRAYFISH, ROCK-LOBSTER, SHIUMP,
AND PRAWN FISHERIES. By RICHARD RATHBUN :
1. The Crab Fisheries 629-658
2. The Lobster Fishery 658-794
3. The Crayfish Fishery 794-797
4. The Rock-Lobster Fishery 798-799
5. The Shrimp and Prawn Fisheries 799-M10
PART XXIL— THE LEECH INDUSTRY AND TREPANG FISHERY. By RICHARD
RATHBUN sn-sic
PART XXIII.— THE SPONGE FISHERY AND TRADE 817-841
Index. 843-881
LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V.
* [Engraved by the Photo-Engraving Company of Now York City.]
(Page references to Volumes I and II of text.)
THE FRESH HALIBUT FISHERY.
VoL Page.
1. Halibut schooner under jib, foresail, and double-reefed mainsail; nests of dories on deck amid-
ships; rigged for fall and winter fishiug I,
Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
2. Halibut schooner in summer rig, two topmasts up and all sails spread .. I,
Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins. (Engraved by Photo-Electrotype Company.)
3. FIG. 1. Sectional plan of halibut schooner. (See page opposite plate for explanation) I,
FIG. 2. Deck plan of halibut schooner. (See page opposite plate for explanation) 9
Drawings by Capt. J. W. Collins.
4. Sectional plan of well-smack employed in the fresh halibut fishery ou George's Bank, 183G to 1845.
(See page opposite plate for explanation)
Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
5. FIG. 1. Bait chopper
FIG. 2. Bait slivering knife
FIG. 3. Halibut killer and gob stick I,
FIG. 4. Woolen hand nipper
FIG. 5. Halibut gaff I, 1'
FIG. 0. Trawl buoy and black ball I>
FIG. 7. Canvas skate for section of trawl I>
FIG. 8. Dory scoop 10
Drawings by Capt. J. W. Collins.
6. FIG. 1. Hurdy-gurdy to haul trawls in deep water I, 10,11,10
FlG. 2. Dory showing mode of attaching and using the hurdy-gurdy I, 10, 11, 10
FIG. 3. Trawl roller attached to dory gunwale for hauling trawls in shoal water.. I, 10
Drawings by Capt. .1. \V. Collins.
7. Cutting bait and baiting trawls on halibut schooner at anchor ou the fishing grounds. . ... I, 12
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
8. Dories and crew ou the way to haul the trawls; the schooner at anchor under riding sail I, 13-10
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. "W. Collins.
9. Halibut dory and crew hauling the trawl, gaffing and clubbing the halibut I, 10
Drawing by H. VT. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
10. Dory and crew caught to leeward in a storm while hauling the trawl ; trawl-buoy and line drifted
astern of the vessel for their rescue I, 10,80
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
11. Halibut schooner at anchor on the Grand Bank in winter, riding out a gale I,
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
12. Halibut schooner "lyiug-to:) in a gale on the Bank, under riding sail and doublti-ivrfrd foresail. I,
Drawing by El. W. Elliott and Capt. J. \V. Colliua.
13. Halibut schooner tripped by a hi ;i\ \ si a
Drawing by H. TV. Elliott and C:ij>t. J. W. Collins.
14. Halibut schooner in winter, head-reaching under short sail I,
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
X LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V.
Vol. Page.
15. Old-atyle halibut schooner, hand-line fishing from deck, 1840 to 1850 I, 29-43
Drawing by H. \V. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
Hi. Dressing hadibut on deck of schooner for icing in the hold I, 19
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
17. FIG. 1. Halibut cutting knife I, 19
FIG. 2. Scraping knife to remove muscle and flesh from backbone after cutting I, 19
FIG. 3. Squillgee for pushing ice iu pen I, 19
FIG. 4. Oak mallet for breaking ice I, 19
FIG. 5. Oak broom for scrubbing halibut I, 19
Drawings by Capt. J. W. Collins.
18. General view of schooner discharging fare of fresh halibut at Gloucester, Mass I, 21
Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
19. Hoisting halibut from hold of schooner at Gloucester, Mass I, 21
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
20. Weighing and selling halibut on deck of George's Bank hand-Hue cod schoouer I, 22
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. T. W. Collins.
21. Handling fresh halibut at Gloucester, Mass.; weighing, unheadiug, and packing in ice for ship-
ment by rail I, 22
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
22. Packing fresh halibut at Gloucester, Mass.; preparing ice with pick and grinding machine ; nail-
ing covers on the boxes; use of devil's claw I, 22
Drawings by H. W. Elliott.
THE BANK HAND-LINE AND TRAWL COD FISHERIES.
23. Old style Grand Bank cod schooner ; crew at rails hand-line fishing I, 125,126
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
24. Hand-line dory cod fishing on the Grand Bank I, 126
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
25. Deck plan of schooner Centennial, of Gloucester I, 149
Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
20. Dory and crew setting cod trawls on the Bank I, 152, 17G
Drawing by ff. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
27. Underrunniug cod trawls ; two methods of setting trawl for underrunning I, 177
Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
28. Newfoundland fishermen catching squid for sale as cod bait to United States vessels I, 152,184
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
29. Dory crew of cod fishermen catching birds for bait I, 152
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
(For illustration of cod schooners discharging cargoes see Section on Preparation of Fishery Prod-
ucts.)
THE GEORGE'S BANK COD FISHERY.
30. Gloucester schooner at anchor on George's Bank in winter ; hand-Hue fishing for cod ; rigged with-
out topmasts for rough weather I, 190-193
From painting by Paul E. Collins, Boston, Mass.
31. Cod hand-line gear I, 192
FIG. 1. Lead sinker with brass horse and swivels.
FIG. 2. George's Bank gear with sling-ding, &c.
FIG. 3. Hand-Hue gear for shoal water.
Drawings by Capt. J. \V. Collins.
32. George's Bank crew hand-line fishing, gaffing fish over the rail, cutting out tongues 1, 194
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
33. Dressing cod on deck of fishing schooner I, 156, 180,
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins. 195
34. Discharging fare of George's Bank cod at Gloucester wharf. . . I, 195
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1882.
35. Splitting and washing George's Bank cod at Wonson's wharf, Gloucester, Mass I, 195
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1882.
THE COD FISHERY OF ALASKA.
36. Natives in boats fi.shing with hand-lines I, 220
LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V. XI
THE GILL-NET COD FISHERY.
VoL Page.
37. Method of hauging cod gill-nets in Norway. (Explanation with plate) I, 227,228
From Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, Vol. I. Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
:'.-'. FIG. 1. Method of attaching glass floats to top of nets I, 228
FIG. 2. Method of fastening sinkers to foot of nets. (Explanation on plate) I, 228
From Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, Vol. I. Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
:iS). Norwegian method of sotting gill-nets at bottom. (Explanation on plate) I, 228
From Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, Vol. I. Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collina.
10. Norwegian methods of setting nets to get position of fish. (Explanation on plate) I, 228
From Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, Vol. I. Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
41. Norwegian method of attaching stone anchors and huoy lines to end of gangs of nets. (Explana-
tion on plate) I, 228
From Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, Vol. I. Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
42. Way in which cod gill-nets are set at the bottom on the east coast of Newfoundland. (Explana-
tion on plate) I, 230
From Bulletin TJ. S. Fish Commission, Vol. I. Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
43. The ordinary way in which cod gill-nets are set floating at Newfoundland. (Explanation on
plate) I, 230
From Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, Vol. I. Drawing by Capt J. W. Collins.
44. Way in which cod gill-nets are set for underrunning in Ipswich Bay, Massachusetts. (Explana-
tion on plate) I, 232
From Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, Vol. I. Drawing by Capt. J. W. Collins.
45. Uudeminning cod gill-nets in Ipswich Bay, Massachusetts I, 232
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. ~W. Collins.
THE INSHORE COD FISHERY.
46. Block Island boat and crew hand-lining for cod
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
47. Pink stern schooner anil boats hand-line tishing off Cape Ann, Massachusetts
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
THE HADDOCK FISHERY.
48. Baiting trawls on deck of Gloucester haddock schooner Mystic, Captain McKiuuou I, 237
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
4!'. Baiting trawls at night in hold of haddock schooner I, 237
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1882.
.">0. Setting haddock trawls from schooner under sail; set at right angles to course of the vessel I, ij:1.-1
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. 3. W. Collins.
THE HAKE FISHERY.
51. Fishermen's dories on the rocks at Folly Cove, Cape Ann, Massachusetts I, 241
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
52. Fishermen in dory hauling trawl ; a dogfish caught I, 242
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
53. Overhauling trawls in fish-house at Rockport, Mass I, 242
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
THE MACKEREL PURSE-SEINE FISHERY.
54. Mackerel schooner under full sail, bound out I, 248
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collina.
.V>. The cabin of mackerel schooner John D. Long of Gloucester, Mass I, 247
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
~.u'. Deck plan of mackerel schooner. (Explanation on plate) I, 248
Drawing by (.'apt. J. W. Collins.
~>7. Seine boat ; purse davit and blocks ; oar-rests; purse weight and purse blocks; bow fittings.... I, 250
5.-1. Seine boats in winter quarters at Gloucester, Mass I, 250
From photograph by T. \V. Smillie.
."•'.'. FIG. 1. Diagram showing the different, sections of a purse-seine I, 252
FIG. 2. Diagram showing the form of a purse-seine when spread in the water I, 252
Drawings by Capt. J. W. Cull in-.
xii LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V.
Vol. Page.
60. Mackerel schooner cruising in Massachusetts Bay; lookout at foretop on the watch for schools .. I, 255
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
61. Lookouts aloft on schooner on the watch for mackerel I> 255
Drawing hy H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
62. Mackerel seine-boat and crew "paying out the seine" - I. 256
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
03. Mackerel seine-boat and crew pursing the seine I, 256
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. "W. Collins.
04. Mackerel schooner with crew at work bailing mackerel from the purse-seine I, 258
Drawing hy H. W.Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
65. Mackerel schooner with pocket or spiller shipped at sea . . . , I, 265
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt J. W. Collins.
66. Mackerel schooner just arrived from cruise ; crew dressing and salting the fish I, 207
From photograph bv T. W. Smillie.
67. Culling.and packing mackerel at Portlaud, Me I, 267
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
THE MACKEREL HOOK FISHERY.
68. Surf-fishing in boats for mackerel I, 275
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
09. Mackerel jigs and jig molds. (Explanation on plate) I, 278
70. Jigging mackerel over the vessel's rail I, 284
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt J. W. Collins.
71. Gaffing mackerel over the vessel's rail I, 279
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
72. FIG. 1. The old method of choppiug mackerel bait I, 279-283
FIG. 2. The modern mackerel bait-mill I, 279-283
Drawings by H. "W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
73. Throwing bait to toll mackerel alongside the vessel I, 284
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
7-1. Deck scene on mackerel hand-line schooner; jigging mackerel, slatting in the barrel, throwing
toll-bait I, 284
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
75. Mackerel-packing on shipboard I, 2S7
FIG. 1. Splitting, cleaning, and washing.
FIG. 2. Pitching, salting, and plowing.
Drawings by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
THE MACKEREL GILL-NET FISHERY.
76. Mackerel drag-nets set at night off coast of Maine I, 2D4
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J W. Collins.
77. Cape Cod mackerel drag-boat lying to at night I, 294
From sketch by J. S. Ryder.
78. Dory fishermen picking mackerel gill-nets I, 294
From photograph by T. W. Smillie. "
THE MACKEREL FISHERY— EARLY METHODS.
79. Old style Chebacco boats drailing for mackerel I, 299
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
80. Angling with poles for mackerel from an old Noank, Conn., sloop — I, 299
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt J. W. Collins.
STATISTICS OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY.
81. Diagram showing the catch of mackerel by citizens of Massachusetts between the years 1804 and
1881, inclusive I, 312
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, Part IX, 18S1.
LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V. Xlll
THE SWORDFISH FISHERY.
Vol. Page.
82. Sword fishermen in position for action I, 318
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, Part VIII, 1880.
83. Methods of swordfish capture in the Mediterranean Sea I, 318
From Report TJ. S. Fisli Commission, Part VIII, 1880.
THE MENHADEN FISHERY.
84. Map illustrating geographical distribution and periodical movements of the menhaden ; also
the locations of the fishing grounds and oil and guano factories in the year 1878. (No
factories now in Maine; many in Chesapeake Bay) I, 331,343
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, Part VI, 1878.
85. Menhaden steamer Joseph Church approaching oil and guano factory at Tiverton, R. I I, 334
From photograph hy T. W. Smillie.
86. Menhaden steamer William Floyd cruising for fish I, 334
From sketch hy Capt. B. F. Conklin.
87. Lookouts at mast-head of menhaden steamer watching for schools of fish I, 338
From sketch by J. S. Ryder.
88. Fleet of menhaden 'steamers en route to fishing grounds on south side of Long Island, N. Y I, 338
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
89. Fleet of menhaden steamers on the fishing grounds ; seining crews at work I, 338
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conkliij.
90. Crew of menhaden steamer surrounding a school with purse-seine I 337-339
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
1)1. Pursing the seine around a school of menhaden I, 337-331)
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
92. Menhaden crew at work ; pursing of the seine nearly completed I, 33'.)
From sketch by H. W. Elliott, 1878.
93. School of menhaden surrounded with purse-seine and fish striking the net I, 339
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
94. Bailing menhaden from purse-seine into steamer's hold I, 337, 340
From sketch by J. S. Ryder.
95. Menhaden steamer bailing in the catch I, 340
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
96. Haul-seine fishing for menhaden at Long Island, 1790 to 1850. Setting the seine I, 341, :UK
371
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
97. Haul-seine fishing for menhaden at Long Island, 1790 to 1850. Hauling thes eiue on the heach
by horse-power I, 341,308,
371
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
98. Haul-seine fishing for menhaden at Long Island, 1790 to 1850. Taking out the fish I, 341,368,
371
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
99. Menhaden purse and mate boats and two carry-away hoats starting for the fishing grounds I, 334,368
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
100. Menhaden purse and mate boats I, 334,368
FIG. 1. Going down to the fish.
FIG. 2. Working to windward of the fish.
From sketches by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
101. Purse and mate boats encircling a school of menhaden ; carry away boats in waiting I, 334,368
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
102. Menhaden boats and crew pursing the seine; the fish striking the net I, 334,368
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
103. Menhaden sloops cruising for fish. One of the sloops is for the crew to live on and to tow the
seine-boats; the others to carry fish to the factory I, 331,368,
375, 376
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
104. Menhaden sloops and steamers in Gardiner's Bay, Long Island I, 399
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
105. Menhaden carry-away sloops bailing in the catch - I, 376,37?
From sketch by Capt B. F. Conklin.
106. Menhaden fishermen signaling to shore-crews the approach of a school of fish I, 367
LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V.
Vol. I'ago.
107. Crew of menhaden schooner, in old style seine-boat, throwing the purse-seine I, 336,338
108. Carry-away boat with haul of menhnden on the way to oil factory I, 373
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
109. Meudadeu steamer discharging its catch at oil and guano factory, Tiverton, K. I I, 337
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
110. Gang of Portuguese in hold of menhaden steamer filling the hoisting tubs I, 337
From photograph by T. "W. Suiillio.
111. Fish pens on top floor of menhaden factory ; the fish are led through a trough to the cooking
tanks I, 337
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
113. Menhaden steamer discharging its catch at oil and guano factory. Incline railway to carry Msh
to cooking tanks I, 337
From sketch by Capt. B. F. Conklin.
113. Menhaden floating factory. An old vessel fitted as an oil factory and moved from place to place
near the fishing grounds I, 345,378
Drawing by H. L. Todd.
114. Slivering menhaden for bait
From Report TJ. S. Fish Commission, Part V, 1877.
llii. Menhaden oil and guano factory at Milford, Conn.; steamers unloading fish at the wharf: inclino
railway to carry fish to cooking tanks on upper floor of factory; oil tanks and storage
sheds in foreground; platform for dry ing scrap in rear of factory, connected with building
by elevated railway I, 342
From a photograph.
(Interiors of oil factories will be illustrated in Section on Preparation of Fishery Products.)
THE HERRING FISHERY AND SARDINE INDUSTRY.
116. Herring schooner bound for Wood Island, Maine ; outfit of salt and barrels on deck I, 426
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
117. Herring pinkey bound for the fishing grounds ; nets hangiug over bowsprit and stern ; net dories
on deck I, 4'JO
From photograph by T. W. SmiUie.
118. Torching at night for spnrliug or small herring in Ipswich Bay, Massachusetts I, 428
From sketch by J. S. Ryder.
111). Torching herring at night near East port, Me I, 429
From photograph by T. W". Smillie.
120. Fishermen mending lierriug gill-nets at House Island, Casco Bay I, 430
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
121. Irish fishermen of Boston picking their herring nets in Gloucester Harbor. The typical " Irish
market boat" I, 430
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
122. Cape Ann herriug fishermen landing their gill-nets after a night's fishing I, 430
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
123. Fishermen in quoddy boat hauling herring gill-nets I, 430
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. "W. Collins.
THE SMOKED HERRING INDUSTRY.
124. Boat landing; fish houses; herring smoke-house ; fisherman's dwelling and farm I, 470
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
125. Old style herring smoke-house (without roof ventilators) at Lubec, Me I, 476
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
12(>. Herring " horse" loaded with smoked fish on sticks I, 478
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
127. Herring smoke-house at Eastport, Me. ; sinoke ventilators on roof ; sticks of herring inside I, 4&n
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
THE SAKDIXK INDUSTRY.
128. Shore herring weir near Easlpnit, Me. ; the common form of brush weir I, 501
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
129. Bar herring weir near Eastport, Me. ; escape of fish prevented by receding tide I, 500
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
LIST Ol'1 PLATES TO SECTION V. XV
Vol. Page.
130. Channel herring weir near Eastport, Me. ; controls channel between islands I, 501
From photograph by T. W. Sinillie.
131. Section of ballasted weir near Eastport, Me. ; for rocky bottom I, 502
From photograph hy T. W. Sinillie.
132. Fishing a herring weir at low tide, near Eastport, Me I, 503
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
133. General view of sardine cannery at Eastport, Me I, 508
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
134. View of sardine cannery at low tide, showing the employe's at work I, 508
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
135. Herring boat landing fish at a sardine cannery, Eastport, Me I, 50!)
From photograph hy T. W. Smillie.
lob'. Sardine steamer for collecting herring and towing weir boats I, 510
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
KIT. Children al sardine cannery cutting oft" the heads and tails and cleaning small herring for can-
ning I, .MO
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
]'•'•*. Washing, draining, and flaking herring at sardine cannery, Eastport, Me I, 5)'.!
From photograph by T. \V. Smillie.
13SI. Spreading herring on flakes for drying in the sun or in an oven I, fill
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
140. Herring drying on flakes in the sun ; landing, cleaning, washing, &c., at sardine cannery, East-
port. Me '. I, 513
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
141. Fish-drying frames on roof at sardine cannery, Eastport, Me I, 512
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
1 1','. Frying room in sardine cannery, East port, Me. ; herring frying in pans of oil I, ,M4
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
143. Packing room at sardine cannery, Eastport, Me. ; packing herring-sardines in tin boxes I, f>lo
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
144. Soldering room at sardine cannery, Eastport, Me. ; solderers sealing the cans I, 51(i
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
145. Bathing room at sardine cannery, Eastport, Me.; bathing vats at the left ; men at right venting
cans I, 51?
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
146. Making sard ine cans at Eastport, Me I, 518
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
THE SPANISH MACKEREL FISHERY.
147. Methods of setting Spanish mackerel gill-nets I, 546
FIG. 1. " Straight set."
FIG. 2. Circle set.
FIG. 3. Crooked set.
FIG. 4. "Hook set."
FIG. 5. "Tset."
FIG. 6. " Square set."
FIG. 7. "Triangle set,"
FIG. 8. " Harpoon set."
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, Tart VIII, 1880.
148. Chesapeake Bay Spanish mackerel pound-net I, 548
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, Part VIII, 1880.
THE MULLET FISHERY.
1 I'J Camp of mullet fishermen, North Carolina I, 5C2
From a photograph.
THE POUND-NET FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC STATES.
150. Diagram of pound-net at Bald Head, Maine. (By Capt. J. W. Collins) I, 598
151. Diagram of pound-net at, Small Point, Maine. (By Capt. J. W. Collins) I, 598
LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V.
Vol. Page.
152. FIG. 1. Diagram of pound-net at Wood's Holl, Mass I, 601
FIG. 2. Diagram of heart or ponnd net as set in Rhode Island I, 604
FIG. 3. Diagram of slat weir at East Dennis, Mas8 I, 599
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, Part II, 1872-'73.
153. FIG. 1. Diagram of pound-net at Waqnoit, Mass I, 601
FIG. 2. Diagram of heart or pound net at Quissett Harl'-r, Massachusetts I, 601
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, Part II, 1872-73.
THE RIVER FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC STATES.
154. Fishing with hack and square traps in the Savannah River I, 620
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
155. Shad gill-nets in the Eclisto River, South Carolina I, 623
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
156. Fish-nets in the Pedee River I, 6'J4
From a photograph.
157. A sturgeon camp on Wiuyah Bay, South Carolina ; catching sturgeon in gill-nets; the pound for
keeping fish alive ; unhcading ; saving roe for caviare I, 025
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
158. Drag-net fishing in the Neuse River, North Carolina; " footing up the net " I, 628
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
159. Skim-net fishing for shad in the Nense River, North Carolina I, 629
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
1GO. Haul-seine fishing at Sutton Beach, Albemarle Sound, North Carolina ; boating the seine I, 6o<>
From a photograph.
161. Haul-seine fishing at Sutton Beach, Albemarle Sound, North Carolina; a large haul of alewives. I, 636
From a photograph.
162. Shad-fishing in Albemarle Sound ; laying out the seine I, 630
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
163. Shad-fishing at night on the Susquehanna River; laying out the gill-net I, 652
From a photograph.
104. Diagram of salmon weirs in PenoLscot River, Maine I, 680
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, Part II, 1872-73.
165. Plan of salmon-net, Peuobscot Bay, Maine I, 682
From Report CT. S. Fish Commission, Part II, 1872-73.
166. Ideal perspective of salmon-net in 1'enobscot Bay, Maine I, 682
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, Part II, 1872-73.
167. Diagram of shad weir, Kennebec River, Maine. (Explanation on page opposite plate) I, 684
Ki8. Bag-net fishing for smelts uuder the ice, Penobscot River, Maiue. (Full explanation on page
opposite plate) I, 691
From sketch by C. G. Atkins. •
THE PACIFIC COAST SALMON FISHERY.
169. Salmon cannery at Astoria, Oreg. '. I, 745
From a photograph.
THE FISHERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES.
170. Kelley's pound-net near Carpenter's Point, Lake Erie, for capture of whitefisb, herring, &c.
(For description of parts see plate) I, 758
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
171. Lifting the pot at Kelley's pound-net, Lake Erie I, 760
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
17'J. Green May pound-net oft' Ingersoll's Fishery I, 758
Drawing by L. Kumlien.
173. " Driving the pound." Stake-boat and crr\v nil' Marblehead, Lake Eric, driving stakes for pound-
net. At close of season the other end of the same boat pulls the stakes I, 760
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
174. Deck plan of stake-boat. Stake-puller of Lake Erie. (For description of parts see plate) I, 760
175. Pouud-uet at Detroit River I, 758
From sketch liy L. Knmlirn.
17(>. Bailing out the pot of pound-net at Detroit River I, 758
From sketch by L. Kumlien.
LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V.
Vol. Page.
177. Camp at South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan. Fishing-boats; gill-nets on reel ; shanty for
cleaning fish .- j( 762
From a photograph.
178. Gill-net drying on reel I, 764
From a photograph.
179. Type of fishermen's summer house. Seine shed, tarring-box annexed I, 765
Drawing by H, W. Elliott, 1882.
180. Hauling in herring-seine at Herbert's Fishery, Detroit River. Inclosure for keepingtinh alive.. I, 7C6
Sketch by L. Kumlien.
181. Pond fishery, Detroit River; inclosure for keeping fish alive I, 766
Photograph by U. S. Fish Commission.
182. Overhauling the seine at Grassy Island Fishery, Detroit River . I, 766
Photograph by U. S. Fish Commission.
THE WHALE FISHERY.
183. Map of the world on Mercator's projection, showing the extent and distribution of the present
and abandoned whaling grounds. (Prepared by A. Howard Clark in 1680) II, 7-23
184. FIG. 1. The sperm whale (Pltyseter macrocephalus').
FIG. 2. The California gray whale (Ehachianectes glaucug).
FIG. 3. The North Pacific humpback whale (Meyaptera versabilia).
FIG. 4. The sulphur-bottom whale (SibbaMius sulfureus).
FIG. 5. The finback or Oregon tinner (Balamoptera velifera).
FIG. 6. The Pacific right whale (Eubalaiiia cullamach).
FIG. 7. The bowhead whale (I>al(e»a mysticetus).
From Report U. S. Fish Commission, 1876. Natural History in Section I of this report.
185. Whaling vessels fitting out at New Bedford wharves II, 232
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
186. Whaling schooner Amelia, of New Bedford, Mass II, 232
Drawing by C. S. Ealeigh.
187. Steam whaling-bark Mary & Helen, of New Bedford, Mass, (afterwards the Rodgers, of the Jean-
nette search expedition) IT, 236
Drawing by C. S. Ealeigh.
188. Deck plan and side and interior plan of whaling-schooner Amelia, of New Bedford, Mass. (Ex-
planation on page opposite plate) II, 234
Drawings by C. S. Ealeigh.
189. Deck plan and side and interior plan of whaling-bark Alice Knowles, of New Bedford, Mass.
(Explanation on page opposite plate) II, 234
Drawings by C. S. Kaleigb.
190. Starboard quarter of a whale-ship, showing the manner of transporting the captain's boat and tho
spare boats. (Explanation on page opposite plate) II, 243,244
191. Deck view of whale-boat equipped with apparatus of capture and boat gear. (Explanation on
page opposite plate) II, 241,258
Drawing by C. S. Kiileigh.
192. Side and interior plan of wh;ilo-l>oat equipped with npp.arat.iis of capture, &c. (Explanation
on page opposite plate) II, 241,258
Drawing by C. S. Ealeigh.
193. Articles of whale-boat gear '. II, 240,25^
FIG. 1. Lantern keg containing matches, bread, &c.
FIG. 2. Boat compass.
FIG. 3. Water keg.
FIG. 4. Piggin for bailing water.
FIG. 5. Waif for signaling.
FIG. 6. Tub oar crotch.
FIG. 7. Double oar-lock.
FIG. 8. Large line in line-tub.
FIG. 9. Knife to cut line when fonL
FIG. 10. Row-lock.
FIG. 11. Hatchet to cut line when fonl.
FIG. 12. Grapuel to catch line.
FIG. 13. Drag or drug to retard whale.
FIG. 14. Canvas nipper to protect hands from running lina
SEC. V, VOL. II II
LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V.
VoL Page.
194. Whalemen's harpoons II, 250
FIG. 1. Improved harpoon or toggle-iron now in general use.
FIGS. 2, 3. First form of toggle-iron made by Lewis Temple.
FIG. 4. One-flued harpoon with hinged toggle.
FlO. 5. One-flued harpoou.
FIG. 6. Two-fined harpoon.
FIG. 7. Toggle-iron invented by I'rovincctown whaleman; not in use.
195. English harpoons II, 250
FIG. 1. Old-style hand-harpoon ; now little used.
Fio. 2. Hand-harpoon in general use about 1857.
FIG. 3. Hand-harpoon now in general use on Scotch whalers.
Drawings by Capt. William Adams, Dundee, Scotland.
196. FIG. 1. English harpoon-gun and gun-harpoon now in use on Scotch whalers II, 252
FIG. 2. An early form of English whaliug-guu II, 252
FIGS. 3, 4,5. Mason and Cunningham mounting boat-gun; a recent invention. (Explanation
with plate) II, 252
ICY. FiG. 1. Pierce and Cunningham darting-gun ; a combined harpoon and lance used largely by
Arctic whalemen. (Explanation with plate) II, 254
FIQ. 2. Cunningham and Cogan gun ; length, 33 inches; weight, 27 pounds; used by Arctic steam
whalers with bomb lance II, 253
FIG. 3. Brand muzzle-loading whaling-gun and bomb lance II, 253,254,
255
198. FIGS. 1,2,3,4. Pierce boruh-lance. (Explanation on page opposite plate) II, 254,267
FIG. 5. Pierce and Eggers breech-loading gun. (Explanation on page opposite plate j II, 253,^67
199. Whaling rocket. (Explanation on page opposite plate) II, 254
200. Boat fastened to whale by harpoon and line ; killing the whale with bomb lance II, 262,207
From painting by J. S. Ryder.
201. Natives harpooning the beluga, or white whale, at Cook's Inlet, Alaska II, 61
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1883.
202. Aleuts planting glass, ohsidian, and jade darts in a school of humpback whales at Akoon Island,
Bering Sea II, 61,62
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1883.
203. Makah Indians whaling at entrance to Fuca Straits II, 62
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1883.
204. Cutting in the bowhead and sperm whales. (Explanation on page opposite plate) II, 277,286
Drawings by Capt. C. M. Scammon and Capt. W. M. Barnes.
205. FIG. 1. Boat spade to stop running whale II, 204
FIG. 2. Narrow cutting spado or thin boat spade II. 'J-l
FiG. 3. Flat or round shank spade II, 281
FiG. 4. Cutting spade for scarfing blubber II, 281
FiG. 5. Cutting spade for leaning up II, 2£1
FIG. 6. Half-round spade II, 281
206. Cutting blocks and tackle. (Explanation on page opposite plate) II, 277-281
207. A ship on the north west coast of America cutting in her last right whale II, 277
Drawing by H. W. Elliott from a French litho-^rapb designed by B. Russell, of .New r.i-dford.
208. "Bailing in the case" of a sperm whale II, 277
Drawing by H. W. Elliott from a French lithograph designed by B. Russell, of New Bedford.
209. FiG. 1. Blubber mincing-knife.
FIG. 2. Boarding-knife.
FIG. 3. Monkey-belt.
FIG. 4. Wooden toggle.
FIG. 5. Chain-strap.
FIG. 6. Throat-chain.
FIG. 7. Fin toggle.
FIG. 8. Head-strap.
FIG. 9. Blubber-hook.
210. Whale-ships at New Bedford wharf; ship hove down for repairs ; oil-casks II, 289,290
From photograph by U. S. Fish Commission.
THE BLACKFISH AND PORPOISE FISHERY.
211. Capture of a school of blackfish in Cape Cod Bay II, 295,307
Drawing by H. W. Elliott from a sketch by J. S. Ryder.
LIST OF TLATES TO SECTION "V.
VoL Page.
212. Indian porpoise hunters of Passamaqnoddy Bay. Canoe, rifle, and lance for capture of porpoise. II, 308
From jihntu^ruph by T. W. Sinillie.
21H. Psssainaciuoddj Hay Indians lancing and securing a porpoise........... II, 308
From photograph by T. W. Suiillie.
THE PACIFIC WALRUS FISHERY.
214. Innuits of Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska, surprising and harpooning a herd of walruses II, 313
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
215. The walrus "coup." Eskimo lancing the exhausted walrus, Saint Lawrence Island, Bering
Sea. Mahlemut dresses, bidarka, baidar, &c., of Alaska .- II, 313
Drawing by H. W. Kllioit.
216. Iiiunits of Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska, hoisting a walrus II, 313
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA.
217. Map of Saint Paul's Island, Pribylov Group II, 322
Surveyed and drawn, April, 1S73, to July, 1874, by Henry \V. Elliott
218. Map of Saint George Island, Pribylov Group II, 322
Surveyed and drawn, April, 1873, to July, 1874, by H. W. Elliott
-11). Profiles of the east coast of Saint Paul's Island II, 322, IMG
Drawing by H. W. Elliott
220. Ordinary attire of nieir on the killing ground and of women and young children in the village. .-II, » 320
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
221. The north shore of Saint Paul's Island, looking W.SW. from the summit of Hutchiusou's Hill.. II, 336
Drawing by H. W. Elliott
222. The North Rookery, looking west to Starry Ateel, Saint George Island, village of Saint George. II, 348
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
223. Natives selecting a " drive." View overhauling grounds of "holluschickie" or bachelor seals at
English Bay, looking west from Tolstoi sand-dunes II, 363
Drawing by II. W. Elliott
224. Natives driving the "holluschickie. " The drove passing over the lagoon flats to the killing
grounds, under the village hill, Saint Paul's Island II, 363
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
225. The killing gang at work. Method of slaughtering fur-seals on the grounds near the village,
Saint Paul's Island II, 365
Drawing by H. W. Elliott
226. Preparing fur-seal- ski us for shipment II, 369
FIG. 1. Interior of salt-house, Saint Paul's Island ; natives salting and assorting the pelts.
FIG. 2. The flensed carcass of a fur-seal and the skin as taken therefrom.
FIG. 3. A bundle of skins ready for shipment.
THE ANTARCTIC SEA-ELEPHANT FISHERY.
227. Sketch map of Herd's Island. Antarctic Ocean. Lat. 53° 10' S., Long. 73° 30' E II, 419
228. Working sea-elephants at northeast point, Herd's Island II, 419, 435
Drawing by H. "W. Elliott after Capt. H. C. Chester.
229. Stripping sea-elephant blubber and rolling it in barrels to try-works ; southwest beach, Herd's
Island II, 419,435
Drawing by H. W. Elliott after Capt. H. C. Chester.
THE SEA-LION HUNT ON PRIBYLOV ISLANDS, ALASKA.
230. Natives capturing the sea-lion ; springing the alarm n, 468
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1873.
231. Shooting the old males; spearing the surround; the drive II 468,469,
471
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1872.
232. Natives corraling sea-lions at the Barrabora, under Cross Hill, northeast point Saint Paul's
Island II, 469
Drawing by H. W. Elliott
233. Oil-pouches of sea-lion stomach; seal meat frame; bidarrah covered with sea-lion skins;
sealer's houses II, 471,473
Drawing by H. W. Elliott
XX LIST OF PLATES TO SECTION V.
THE SEA-OTTER FISHERY OF ALASKA.
Vol. Page.
234. Aleuts sea-otter hunting south of Saanak Island ; the bidarkies waiting for the otter to rise
again II, 490
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
THE TURTLE FISHERY.
235. Diving for loggerhead turtle; Morehead City, N. C II, 495
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1883.
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY.
236. Oyster dredging steamer at work in Long Island Sound II, 523,535
237. Chesapeake Bay oyster dredges II, 523
From specimens iu H. S. National Museum.
238. Oyster tongs and nippers II, 551
•J.!'.i. FIG. 1. lut-Iosed dock for oyster vessels at Perth Ainboy, N. J II, 546
FIG. 2. "The Creek" at Key port, N. J., with oyster boats, skiffs, and scows II, 546
Drawings by Ernest IngersolL
240. A Lake's Bay shipping-house and " platform " for freshening oysters, Smith's Landing, Lake's
Bay, New Jersey II, 546
Drawing by Ernest IngersolL
241. Oyster-bar*ges at foot of West Tenth street, North River, New York City II, 555
Drawing by Ernest Ingersoll.
242. Opening or shucking oysters in Baltimore packing-house II, 560
From a photograph.
243. Baltimore oyster-shucking trough. Oyster knives of diverse patterns, used in New England,
New York, and the Chesapeake region II, 559
THE CLAM INDUSTRY.
211. Clam-diggers' boats and shncking-honses at Esses, Mass II, 585
From photograph by T. "W. Suiiliie.
245. Opening or shucking clams at Essex, Mass II, 565
From photograph by T. W. Siuillie.
THE CRAB FISHERY.
246. Negroes trawling for crabs on the Virginia and North Carolina coasts II, 633
Drawing by H. W. Elliott
THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
247. Dory fishermen hauling lobster pots off Cape Ann, Massachusetts II, 686, 677,
773
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
248. Lobster fishing-boats of Bristol, Me II, 669,677,
759
Drawing by H. W. Elliott and Capt. J. W. Collins.
249. Lobster Cove at Lanesville, Cape Ann, Massachusetts, showing fishermen's boat-houses and gear. II, 666, 773
From photograph by T. W. Smillin.
•jr.O. Summer village of lobster fishermen at No Man's Land, Massachusetts II, 781
Drawing by H. W. Elliott, 1882.
251. Lobster fishermen's gear at No Man's Land, Massachusetts. (Explanation on plate) II, 665,672,
781
Drawing by H. W. Elliott.
252. Lobster-boiling apparatus at Portland, Me II, 684
From photograph by T. W. Smillie.
THE FLORIDA SPONGE INDUSTRY.
253. Sponges as lauded by the fishermen at Key West, Fla., and ready for sale II, 826
From a photograph.
254. Sponge-loft at Key West, Fla II, 828
From a photograph.
255. Sorting, trimming, and baling sponges at Key West, Fla II, 828
PART XV.
THE WHALE-FISHERY.
1.— HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITION OP THE FISHERY.
By A. HOWARD CLARK.
1 . General review,
a. Whaling-grounds.
3. Early history of boat-whaling in New England.
4. Boat-whaling during the presmt century.
5. Development of the sperm-whale li.ihery.
(i. Development of the North Pacific and Arctic whale-
fisherv.
7. History of the American whale-fishery from 1750 to
1815.
8. The whale-fishery of Provincetown.
9. .Statistical review of the American whale-fishery.
10. List of whaling voyages from 1870 to I860.
11. Review of whale-fishery by foreign nations.
2.— THE WHALEMEN, VESSELS, APPARATUS, AND METHODS OF THE FISHERY.
By JAMES TEMPLEMAN BROWN.
1. The whalemen.
2. Whaling vessels.
3. The whale-boat.
4. Apparatus of capture.
5. Methods of capture.
6. The products and their preparation.
7. Homeward passage and arrival.
8. The whalemen's share or lay.
SEO. v, VOL. n-
THE WHALE-FISHERY
1.— HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITION OF THE FISHERY
By A. HOWARD CLARK.
1. GENERAL EEVIEW.
THE WHALING FLEET. — The American whale-fishery in 1880 employed one hundred and
seventy -one vessels, aggregating 38,63:;. MS tons, and valued with outfits at $2,891,650. Additional
capital, aggregating $1,733,000, was invested in wharves, store-houses, and oil refineries. The-
number of men employed on the vessels was 4,198 and in shore whaling about 250. The largest
vessel was the steam bark Belvidere. 440.12 tons, and the smallest one employed in ocean whaling
was the schooner Union, 66.22 tons. Most of the schooners and the smaller vessels of other classes
were employed in Atlantic Ocean whaling, while the liirgest and best equipped craft were in the
Pacific and Arctic fleets. The distribution was as follows : Five vessels in Hudson Bay, one hun-
dred and eleven in the North and South Atlantic, twenty-five in Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean,
twenty-two in the Pacific Ocean, and eight hauled up at home ports.
The greater number of vessels belonged in Massachusetts, one hundred and twenty three
hailing from New Bedford, twenty from Provincetown, seven from Edgartown, six from Boston,
two from Westport, two from Million, and one from Dartmouth. New London, Conn., owned five
vessels and five hailed from San Francisco. Cal. The interest of San Francisco in the whale-
fishery cannot be measured by the number of vessels owned there, for almost the entire North
Pa. ific and Arctic fleets are accustomed t<> make that place a fitting port and the headquarters
for reshipment of nil and bone to the Atlantic sea-board.
The Provincetoun fleet was composed almost entirely of schooners employed in Atlantic
Ocean whaling. The whaling grounds of Hudson Kay and Davis Strait are favorite resorts for
New London whalemen, while New Bedford vessels are scattered over all the seas.
Besides the vessel fishery then- is a boat or shore whaling industry, which at times is quite
profitable. The principal stations are on the California coast and are manned mostly by Portu-
guese. On the coasts of Washington Territory and Alaska whales are taken by the Indians and
Kskimos. The only points on the Atlantic coast where boat-whaling is carried on are at Prov-
ineetown and one or two places in North C.'aiolina; at Provincetown the business in some years is
of considerable importance, as in 188(1, when 4S \\hales were taken, yielding 29,925 gallons of oil,
and 8,750 pounds of bone. The principal species taken at the Atlantic stations is the fin bacfc
4 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
whale, and on the California coast the gray whale. Neither 6f these species yields bone of great
value and both furnish but a limited quantity of oil. Humpback, sulphur-bottom, and right
whales are occasionally captured at the California and Alaskan stations, but seldom on the
Atlantic coast.
THE PRODUCTS.— The products of the fishery in 1880 were valued at $2,323,943, and included
37,614 barrels of sperm oil and 34,626 barrels of whale oil ; 458,400 pounds of whalebone, worth
$907,049, and $5,465 worth of ambergris and walrus ivory. The Pacific-Arctic grounds were the
most productive, yielding oil and bone worth $1,249,990. From Atlantic Ocean grounds oil and
bone were taken worth $908,771.
The principal products of the whale-fishery are oil and bone, the former obtained from the
blubber and the latter from the jaws of the animal. The minor products are ambergris from sperm
whales and guano and glue made from bones and other refuse matter. Oil as it conies from the
animal is classed as sperm oil and whale oil, the former being derived exclusively from sperm
whales, and the latter from the right whale and other varieties, as also from blackfish and porpoise.
Walrus oil, taken by the northern fleet, is also generally classed as whale oil. Sperm oil is worth
about double the value of other whale oil. Northern whale oil is slightly higher than southern
oil and blackfish higher than either. From sperm oil is made refined oils for lubricating, and
spermaceti used chiefly for candles. The jaws of blackfish and porpoise yield a very superior
oil, employed for lubricating watches and clocks.
Crude or unrefined sperm oil is little used, though about half the entire production of ordinary
whale oil is used in a crude state in the manufacture of cordage.
The oil is prepared at the refineries and sent to market under various trade names, as Spring-
mal-e natural. Spring-make bteached, Natural winter, Bleached winter, and Double-bleached winter.
These names indicate the grades of oil and the processes of refining. The results of refining
sperm oil are three or more grades of oil and two qualities of spermaceti. From whale oil are pro-
duced several grades of oil, whale-foots, which is a tallow-like substance, and oil soap used by
scourers.
The refining of whale oils is carried on almost exclusively at New Bedford, which port is
practically the headquarters 'of the American whaling industry. When the business was
extensive there were several large refineries in active operation, but for some years past three
establishments have been enough to care for the entire production.* The process of refining varies
according to the kind of oil, yet in some essentials the methods are alike for all.
When landed from the vessels the oil is in wooden casks, varying in size from a few gallons to
a hogshead or more in capacity. If not sold at once to the refiners it is stored on the wharves or
in sheds, being covered with seaweed and boards to protect the barrels from leakage by exposure
to the sun. It sometimes remains in this condition for many months or even years.
At the refinery the oil is drained into vats and the casks rinsed out with hot oil, recoopered,
and made ready for another cruise, or sold to be sent to Africa for shipping palm oil.
In the refining process the oil is first heated, when pieces of blubber and foreign matter settle,
and the clear oil is again put in casks to be packed in ice pits and subjected to the freezing
process, which partially congeals or granulates it. The next step in the refining is to strain the
oil through woolen cloths to separate the foots, and it is then put in cotton bags, and submitted
to heavy pressure, which further separates the oil from the solid matter, leaving in the bags, if
sperm oil, spermaceti, which is further heated and refined, or in the case of whale oil leaving
whale-foots, extens' ;vly used by tanners for softening leather. The various grades of oil are
obtained by further heating and pressing, and by the admixture of chemicals to clarify or bleach it.
* Refineries have recently (1885) been established at San Francisco, Cal.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 5
Sperm oil is used chiefly as a lubricator, for which purpose it is unsurpassed. Whale oil is
employed in niaiiy industries, but chiefly by tanners iu the preparation of leathers. Blackflsh oil
is specially good in preparing morocco. Whale oil, mixed with black lead and paraffine oil, is
used for lubricating car axles and wheels.
Spermaceti is used in medicine, in laundries, and for other minor purposes, but is used
chiefly for the manufacture of caudles ; a patent candle of superior quality is made from paraffine
and spermaceti mixed.
Whalebone requires comparatively little preparation to fit it for use by whip-makers, dress-
makers, and numerous other tradesmen. It is received from the vessels in bundles of slabs vary-
ing from a foot to 15 feet iu length. These slabs are scraped, steamed, cut, and split into suitable
sizes for use.
The whalebone workers of the United States recognize five varieties of bone ; (1) Arctic, from
the Bowhead or Polar whale; this is the largest bone, and is used principally in the manufacture
of whips and dress bone ; (2) Northwest, which is the heaviest bone, and is used for whips and
canes; (3) South Sea, which is lint' and short, used for whips and dress bone; (4) Humpback,
short and black, specially suitable for corsets ; (5) Finback, short and coarse, used for corsets.
Some slabs of bone have longitudinal streaks of white or light yellow. The white portion is of
greater value than the black, and is thought by the workers to be caused by disease.
Ambergris, when pure, is worth more than its weight in gold. It is used in the preparation
of fine perfumery, having the property of thoroughly and permanently uniting the ingredients.
It is found in the intestines of the sperm whale, and is a very uncertain article. Many whalers
have cruised the seas for years and never found an ounce, while fortunate ones hare secured a
hundred pounds or more of the precious substance iu a single year. It is supposed to be a
product of a disease in the animal similar to indigestion. This theory of its origin is supported
by the fact that particles of cuttle-fish, the chief food of the sperm whale, are often found in the
ambergris, and the location of the substance in the intestines also supports this theory. In 1858
a New Bedford vessel secured GOO pounds of ambergris, worth $10,500; in 1878 the Adeline Gibbs,
of New Bedford, brought home 136 pounds that sold for $23,000. The total quantity received
from the American whaling fleet from 1836 to 1880 was 1,667| pounds.
A full discussion of ambergris and the manner of obtaining it, is given in the section of this
report treating of the Preparation of Fishery Products.
DECLINE OF THE FISHERY.— Starbuck, in 1877, thus discussed the causes of the decline of the
whale-fishery :
"On the 1st of January, 1877, the entire fleet was reduced to 112 ships and barks, and 51 brigs
and schooners, having a total capacity of 37,828 tons.*
" It will be well to see to what causes this decline is attributable. Many circumstances have
operated to bring this about. The alternate stimulus and rebuff which the fishery received as a
short supply and good prices led to additions to the fleet and an overstock and decline in values,
were natural, and in themselves probably formed no positive impediment. The increase in popu-
lation would have caused an increase in comsumption beyond the power of the fishery to supply,
for even at the necessarily high prices people would have had light. But other things occurred.
The expense of procuring oil was yearly increasing, when the oil-wells of Pennsylvania were opened,
and a source of illumination opened at once plentiful, cheap, and good. Its dangerous qualities
at first greatly checked its general use, but these removed, it entered into active, relentless com-
petition with whale oil, and it proved the more powerful of the antagonistic forces.
* The lowest ebb was reached on the 1st of January, 1875, when the fleet consisted of 119 ships and barks, and 44
brigs and schooners, with a capacity of 37,733 tons.
6 lll«TOi;V AM) METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
"The length of voyages increased from two years for a cargo of sperm and from nine to fifteen
mouths for a cargo of whale oil to four years to till the latter, while the former was practically
abandoned as a separate business* after it became necessary to make voyages of four, five, and
even six years, and then seldom return \\ith a full cargo. As a matter of necessity the fitting of
ships became far more expensive, a rivalry in the furnishing adding perhaps considerably to the
outlay. Vessels were obliged to refit each season at the various islands in the Pacific, usually at
the port of Honolulu when passing in its vicinity, and the bills drawn upon the owners on these
occasions were so enormous as to call forth loud and frequent complaints; and in later years the
only available western fishery was in the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans, where, disasters were
the rule and immunity from them the exception, thereby incurring, when the vessels were not lost,
heavy bill for repairs, besides the ordinary ones of refitting.
••Again, during the later days of whaling, more particularly immediately after the discovery
of the gold mines in California, desertions from the ships were numerous and often causeless,
generally in such numbers as to seriously cripple the efficiency of the ship. In this way large
numbers of voyages were broken up and hundreds of thousands of dollars were sunk by the owners.
During a portion of the time many ships were fired by their refractory and mutinous crews, some
of them completely destroyed, others damaged in amounts varying from a few hundred to several
thousand dollars. Crews would apparently ship simply as a cheap manner of reaching the gold
mines, and a ship's company often embraced among its number desperadoes from various nations,
fit for any rascality which might best serve them to attain their end. They took no interest in
the voyage, nor cared aught for the profit or loss that might accrue to the owners. In order to
recruit, it became necessary, particularly during the ten years next succeeding the opening of the
gold mines, to offer heavy advance-wages, and too often these were paid to a set of bounty -jumpers,
as such men were termed in the Army during the late war, who only waited the time when the ship
made another port to clandestinely dissolve connection with her and hold themselves in readiness
for the next ship. Unquestionably there were times when men were forced to desert to save their
lives from the impositions and severity of brutal captains, but such cases were undoubtedly very
rare. Formerly the crews were composed almost wholly of Americans, but latterly they were
largely made up of Portuguese shipped at the Azores, a mongrel set shipped anywhere along the
western coast of South America, and Kanakas shipped at the Pacific islands. There were times,
when the California fever was at its highest, that the desertions did not stop with the men, but
officers and even captains seemed to vie with the crew in defrauding the men from whose hands
they had received the property to hold in charge and increase in value.
"Another source of loss was, strangely enough, to be found in the course of the consular agents
sent out by our Government to protect the interests of our whalemen. Many and bitter were the
complaints at the extortionate charges and percentages demanded by many of these men.t
"As another important source of the decline in this business must be regarded the scarcity and
shyness of whales. Prior to the year 1830 a ship with a capacity for 2,000 barrels would cruise
in the Pacific Ocean and return in two years with a cargo of sperm -oil. The same ship might go
to Delago or Woolwich Bay and fill with whale-oil in about fifteen mouths, or to the coast of
* Always excepting, of course, Atlantic whalers. Sperm-whaling in th'e Atlantic has always been pursued by the
bulk of the Provincetowu vessels and by quite a ileet of schooners ami brigs from other ports. There isan occasional
revival of this pursuit in larger vessels at intervals of a few years, at present some of the most successful voyages
being made by ships and barks cruising for sperm whales in this oc<
tin many cases justice (f) semis to U:i\ v been meted more in accordance -with the requirements of the income of
our representatives than witb ihose of ab^traet. right, and it lias happened that the case of an arbitrary, cruel cap-
tain against, Mime unfortunately weak and impecunious sailor has l>rm decided on the time-honored (among barba-
rians) maxims that "might makes right," and "the king can do no wrong."
THE WHALE FISHERY. 7
Brazil and return hi iiine mouths full of the oil peculiar to the whales of those seas; but, as has
been previously remarked, this has all changed, and the length of the voyage has become entirely
disproportioned to the quantity of oil returned.
"Briefly, then, this is the case. Whaling as a business has declined: 1st, from the scarcity
and shyness of whales, requiring longer and more expensive voyages; 2d, extravagance in fitting
out and refitting; 3d, the character of the men engaged ; 4th, the introduction of coal oils.
"Of late years sperm-whaling in the Atlantic Ocean has been revived with some success, but
the persistency with which any Held is followed up makes its yield at least but temporary. It
may perhaps be a question worthy of serious consideration whether it is policy for the United
States Government to introduce the use of coal oils into its light-house and similar departments,
to replace the sperm oil now furnished from our whaling ports, and thus still further hasten the
ultimate abandonment of a pursuit upon the resources of which it draws so heavily in the day of
its trouble,* or whether this market — the only aid asked from the Government — may still continue
at the expense of a few dollars more per year."t
2. WHALING-GROUNDS.:):
DISTRIBUTION OF WHALES. — A whale-ship leaving her home port mans her mast-head as
soon as she leaves soundings, and from that time is in constant hope of seeing whales. There are
certain portions of the ocean where whales abound, and many large tracts where vessels rarely
make a stop; still it is not unusual even in the more barren spaces to hear from aloft the welcome
cry "there she blows." Many of the grounds where vessels were formerly very successful are now
entirely abandoned and others are but seldom visited. There are now no sperm whalers from the
United States on the Indian Ocean or North Pacific grounds, and very few cruising in the West
Pacific Ocean, but nearly all of the vessels at present engaged in this branch of the fishery resort
to the grounds in the North and South Atlantic and the eastern part of the South Pacific Oceans.
At an early period in the development of the whale fishery there was little difficulty in
securing a cargo in a short time. Whales were abundant near shore and in very many parts of
the ocean. They were taken in great numbers by the Dutch and by the English at Spitzbergen
and off the east coast of Greenland, upon grounds that have not been frequented for many
years.§ Later they were abundant in Davis Strait, where they were pursued by a considerable
fleet of vessels. They are still taken there in limited numbers by a fleet of about a dozen Scotch
steamers. Toward the close of the last century began the discovery of prolific grounds for right
whales in the South Atlantic, and of the famous South Pacific sperui and right whale grounds. In
the present century important fields have been discovered in the North Pacific and Arctic Oceans,
* The London Mercantile Gazette, of October 22, 1852, said: "The number of American ships engaged in the
Southern whale-fishery alone would of themselves be nearly sufficient to man any ordinary fleet of ships-of-war
which that country might require to send to sea." Instances are not wanting, indeed, where whalemen have under-
taken yeoman's service for their country. Thus, in November, 1846, Captain Simmons, of the Magnolia, and Capt.
John S. Barker, of the Edward, both of New Bedford, hearing that the garrison at San Jos6, Lower California, was
in imminent danger, landed their crews and marched to its relief. Nor were their good services toward foreign gov-
ernments in peace less houorable to the country than in war, for when the Government buildings at Honolulu were
burning some years ago, and entire and disastrous destruction threatened, American whalemen rushed to the rescue
and quenched the flames, already beyond the control of the natives. During the rebellion, of 5,956 naval officers,
Massachusetts furnished 1,226, Maine 449, Connecticut 264, New Hampshire 175, Rhode Island 102, and Vermont 81.
t Report U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries for 1875-'76.
{Special acknowledgments are duo Capt. H. W. Seabury, of New Bedford, Mass., and Capt. William M. Barnes,
of Nashua, N. H., for information on this subject.
$ The east coast of Greenland has recently again become a cruising ground for the whalers of Norway and Scotland.
8 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
among which are the Japan, Northwest, arid Okhotsk grounds, now well nigh abandoned. The
Arctic grounds north of Bering Strait were first visited in 1848 by the Superior, under Captain
Eoys, and these grounds have since been by far the most important for the production of whale,
bone and a superior quality of whale oil.
RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF VARIOUS GROUNDS. — The relative importance of the various
oceans to the whale-fishery during recent years is shown by the following facts: Of the sperin
oil taken by the American whaling fleet from 1870 to 1880, 55 per cent, was from the North and
South Atlantic grounds; 33 per cent, from the Pacific; and 12 per cent, from the Indian Ocean.
Of the whale oil taken during the same period, 58 per cent, was by the North Pacific fleet from the
region north of the fiftieth parallel, including the Arctic, Okhotsk, and Bering Seas; 24 per cent,
by vessels cruising in the North and South Atlantic; 10 per cent, from the Pacific grounds; 5 per
cent, from the Indian Ocean ; and .'1 per cent, from Hudson Bay, Cumberland Inlet, and Davis Strait.
Of the whalebone .secured in ihe .same time 88 per cent, was by the North Pacific fleet; 5 percent,
by the Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet fleet; 4 per cent, from the North and South Atlantic
grounds ; and 3 per cent, about equally divided between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The num-
ber o! !'vo\;i ^es commenced by United Star.es vessels from 1870 to 1880 was 810, which includes
the A\. ;ie whalers annually relit! ing- at San Francisco and other ports. Of these voyages, 382
were ,-, ;he North and South Atlantic, 254 to the Arctic, Okhotsk, and adjacent grounds, 98 to the
Pacific, 45 to the Indian Ocean, and 31 to Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet.
(«) SPEEM-WHALE GROUNDS.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF SPERM WHALES. — The sperm whale is very widely distrib-
uted in the oceans of the temperate and the tropical zones. They have been taken as far south as
56° south latitude iu the Atlantic and in the Pacific, and as far north as 56° 12' in the North.
Pacific. Early authors mention them as numerous on the coast of Greenland, but Beale* says
that, they are seldom or never seen there by recent navigators. They are generally taken off
soundings, though they are sometimes abundant in comparatively shallow water, especially along
the edge of the ocean banks. Within the limits included between 30° north and 30° south latitude
they are generally of smaller size than in higher latitudes. There are certain cruising-grouuds
especially frequented by vessels in search of sperm whales, and these will be described in order
beginning with those in the Atlantic Ocean, proceeding then to the Pacific and Indian Ocean
grounds.
The Atlantic grounds, from which more than half the entire production of sperm oil is taken,
are visited by both large and small vessels, the latter cruising chiefly north of the equator and
remaining out about nine months, while the former make voyages lasting one, two, or even three
years, cruising over various parts of the North and South Atlantic and sending oil home from the
Azores, St. Helena, and other convenient ports. Vessels visiting the Pacific and Indian Oceans
are usually barks and ships, and fit out for long voyages.
NORTH ATLANTIC GROUNDS.— Profitable sperm whaling has been found in the Caribbean
Sea, off Chagres, Blauquilla, and in other parts of the sea ; in the Gulf of Mexico, particularly in
latitude 28° to 29° north, longitude 89° to 90° west ; in various parts of the West India seas,
especially iu the Mona Passage and off the coasts of Cuba, Porto Rico, and St. Domingo, north of
the Bahama Islands, in latitude 28° to 29° north, longitude 79° west; on the " Charleston Ground,"
iu latitude 29° to 32° north, longitude 74° to 77° west, and on the " Hatteras Grounds," extend -
* BKALE, THOMAS: Natural History of the Syerrn Whale, London, 1836, p. 88. He says that sperm whales are
found from 60° uorth to 60° south latitude.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 9
ing along the edge of the Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras.* Vessels cruise on the more southern
of the above grounds during the winter mouths and early spring, and work north and east as the
season advances. Their next resorts, after leaving the Charleston Ground, are in latitude 36°
north, longitude 74° west ; latitude 32° north, longitude 68° west ; latitude 28° to 33° north,
longitude 48° to 57° west, and from latitude 33° to 45° north, longitude 50° to the east of the
Azores.t
Among the favorite resorts in the North Atlantic are the "Two Forties" aud "Two Thirty-
sixes," the former being in latitude 40° north, longitude 40° west, and the latter in latitude 36°
north, longitude 36° west. Vessels cruise here throughout the summer and fall months and often
into December. The whales taken are of all sizes. Ships of late years have cruised from lati-
tude 43° to 46° north, longitude 25° to 32° west, also from latitude 48° to 50° north, longitude
21° to 24° west; and on the "Commodore Morris Grounds,"}: in latitude 52° to 54° north, longi-
tude 23° to 25° west. Sperm whales are often seen and taken near the Azores. Good cruising
places, known as the " Western Grounds," are situated in latitude 28° to 37° north, longitude 40°
to 52° west. Another resort is the " Steen Ground," in latitude 31° to 36° north, longitude 21C
to 24° west, where vessels cruise from August to November. Sperm whales are sometimes found
quite numerous along the southern coast of Portugal and Spain from Cape St. Vincent to the
Straits of Gibraltar; also near the southern side of the island of Tenerifle; north and west of the
Cape Verde Islands during the winter months; from latitude 10° to 14° north, longitude 35° to
to 40° west in March. April, and May, and in latitude 5° to 7° north, longitude 18° to 20° west,
during the winter season. Good whaling has also been found in the Gulf of Guinea near the
Island Fernando Po; also on the " Cornell Ground," in latitude 5° to 9° north, longitude 22° to
27° west.§
SOUTH ATLANTIC GROUNDS. — On the west side of the South Atlantic, sperm whale grounds
were formerly found on and near the Carabellas banks in latitude 17° to 19° south from the coast
of Brazil to longitude 35° west ; also in about latitude 23° south, longitude 39° to 42° west. The
smaller class of vessels cruised on these grounds, capturing mostly large bull whales, while large
* " Iu IS:;?," says Captain Atwood, of Proviucetown, "the 'Edward and Rienzi'was bought for blackfisbing,
and went on the ground south of the George's Bank and towards Cape Hatteras. No whaling vessels had ever been
there before, and she found sperm whales abundant, and since that time the ' Hatteras Ground' and the ' Charleston
Ground ' farther south, have been favorite cruising places for the Provincetovvn fleet."
t On the northern edge of the Grand Banks and the Gulf Stream where the Labrador current meets the Stream,
making an eddy and a strong current, sperm whales were reported in the months of September, October, and November.
The geographical position of this spot, as given by Messrs. Swift & Allen, of New Bedford, is latitude 41° to 48° N.,
and longitude 45° to 50° W. Care should' be taken to keep a medium temperature of water. — J. T. BROWN.
I This ground was first visited by the American fleet about the year 1859 and was then called the Camilla Ground,
after the bark Camilla. It has been cruised upon by many of the best vessels of the sperm-whale fleet.
§ Captain Tripp, of the bark Pioneer, makes the following condensed report of a cruise for sperm whales in 1873
and 187 1 mainly in the North Atlantic.
On July 12 he found sperm whales in latitude 38° 05' N., longitude 67° 45' W., aud on the 30th killed a large
whale in latitude 35° 45' N., longitude 45° 50' W. August 4 he again saw sperm whales in latitude 35° '27' N., longi-
tude 4.V 1C' W. On the 27th took a large one in latitude 34° 37' N., longitude 39° 41', W., and found them on the 31st
in latitude 34° 37' N. and longitude 39° 41' W. On September 12 he killed two whales iu latitude 35° N. and longi-
tude 39° 50' W. He crossed the equator, but again worked to the northward and finished his cruise.
On March 'J9 he killed two whales in latitude 13° 58' N., longitude 37° 28' W., and another on April 28 in latitude
13° 20' N. and longitude 44° 25' W. Sperm whales were seen on the 1st, 2d, 3d, aud 4th of May in the latitudes of 13°
36', 13° 34', 13° 28', and 13° 22', and in the longitudes of 44° 51', 44° 34', 44- 24', aud 44° 20", respectively, but no catches
were made ; on the 5th he killed four whales in latitude 13° 28', longitude 44° 28'; two on the 8th iu latitude 13° 18'
and longitude 44° 49'; three on the 10th iu latitude 13° 08', longitude 44° 'J.V, and four on the 12th in latitude 13° 56',
and longitude 45° 22'. On the )3th sperm whales were seen iu latitude 13° 08' and longitude 45° 14', but none were
killed. From that time on he had "greasy luck." On the 19th he killed three whales in latitude 13° 06', longitude
46° 25'. One was killed July 21 iu latitude 34° and longitude 44° 12' ; two on August 1 in latitude 34° 45' ; one on the
10th in latitude 34° 13', longitude 40° 17' ; two on the 20th in latitude 31° 26', longitude 50°, and one large one on
the 25th in latitude 31° and longitude 50°. He cruised in this locality fourteen months and obtained 1,100 barrels of
sperm oil.— J. T. BROWN.
10 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
vessels tbuud good whaling on the '-River La Plate Ground" extending from latitude 30° to 40°
south, and from 30 to 250 miles off-shore. The season here was from September to May, and the
whales taken were of all sizes. A few vessels continue to cruise on all these grounds, meeting
with moderate success. Large whales have also been found quite plenty in latitude 45° to 47°
south, longitude 00° to 60° west, where ships cruise from November to May.
Passing across to the east side of the ocean we find good whaling grounds along the coast
of Africa, also around the islands of Ascension and St. Helena. The principal resorts are in
latitudes 4° to 23° south, longitude 9° to 10° west; around St. Helena; latitude 34° south,
longitude 0° to 7° west ; also a few degre es east of the meridian iu the same latitude; and on the
"Carroll Ground" iu latitude 32° south, longitude 7° east. The time for cruising on the more
southern of the above grounds is from September to May, and farther north during the whole
year.
SOUTH PACIFIC GROUNDS. — Sperm whales are often seen off Cape Horn, and it is the opinion
of most whalers that they pass from one ocean to the other in their migrations. Captain Seabury
writes that he has himself on two occasions taken large sperm whales within sight of land off this
cape. The grounds in the Pacific have been exceedingly profitable. From the time of their dis-
covery in 1788, by Nan tucket whalemen in an English whale ship, dates the great prosperity of
the sperm-whale fishery which reached its climax in the year 1837.
One of the most important and extensive grounds in the South Pacific lies off the coast of Chili,
extending from latitude 35° to 40° south, and from the coast 200 miles off shore. Within these
limits there are some specially favorable spots, as around the island of Huafo, near the south end
of Chiloe Island, off Mocha Island, and off the port of Talcahuano. Around the islands of Juan
Fernandez and Masafuero, and from these islands to longitude 00° west, are good grounds. Ships
cruise here and farther south from September to May, and sometimes throughout the year, find-
ing mostly large whales.
Passing farther north we come next to the Archer Ground, which lies in latitude 17° to 20'
south, longitude 84° to 90° west, where ships cruise throughout the year, capturing large whales.
From the Archer Ground, all along the coast to Panama Bay, in latitude 8° north, from the
shore to 90° west longitude, many sperm whales have been taken. Along the coast from latitude
12° to 18° south, also from latitude 10° to 14° south, longitude 80° to 911° west, were formerly
noted cruising places. The latter is called the "Callao Ground," and is still visited by a few ships
that cruise throughout the year, taking medium sized bull whales, yielding from 40 to GO barrels
of oil each.
One of the most important grounds iu the South Pacific extends from latitude 5° south to
2° north, and from the coast of Peru to longitude 93° west, embracing the Galapagos Islands.
" Most of the whales found here," says Captain Seabury, "are cows and calves, though occasionally
a large bull whale is captured. The large whale is quite often found 3 or 4 miles from the school
of small ones. After striking > of a school the o;hers sometimes slop around the fast whale.
which is called 'bringing to' or ' brought to,' when each of the lour boats may fasten to a whale.
More frequently the rest start off after the first boat strikes and are pursued by the boats,."
Many ships have cruised on the Offshore Ground, extending from latitude 3° 30' to 5° 30'
south, and from longitude 100° to 120° west. The season here lasts during the whole year, and
the whales taken are of all sizes, though the majority are young bulls. These whales go in schools,
and the larger the size of whale the, smaller is the number. This ground was discovered in
the year 1818 by Capt. George, \V. (larduer iu the ship Globe, of Nantucket. The whalers had
been cruising along the coast of South America when Captain Gardner concluded to find new
THE WIIALK FISHERY. 11
fields, and in his search he cruised over the ground extending from latitude 5° to 10° south, and
from longitude 105° to 125° west, where whales were found in great numbers. This new field
was christened the li Offshore Ground," and continues to this day a favorite resort of 1'anlic
whalers.
On a belt of ocean from latitude 2° north to 2° south and extending across the Pacific from
the west coast, of South America, large numbers of sperm whales have been taken, especially
from longitude 110° to 130° west, and also around Jarvis Island and the King's Mill Group. The
whales taken near the equator are generally of the smaller kind.
Vessels have cruised with some success around the Marquesas Islands, Low and Societies,
Navigator's Islands, the Fiji group, and around New Zealand and Australia. The most noted
part of the New Zealand Ground is 20 miles southeast and southwest from French Rock, which
lies in about latitude 31° 30' south, lougitiule 179° west. Other resorts included on the New Zea-
land Ground are on the Vasques Ground, iu latitude 36° south, longitude 165° west ; from lati-
tude 36° to 38° south, longitude 104° to 166° west ; around the Three Kings, in latitude 32°
south, longitude 170° to 175° east; 40 to 80- miles off shore east-northeast from Mouganui and
east-southeast from Cape Bret; around Stewart's Island, the Snares, and Chatham Islands.
Sperm whales have sometimes been found abundant all around New Zealand. Large schools of
great sperm whales abounded here more than on any other whaling ground. Captain Seabury says
that " several ships often get into a school of these whales at one time, each vessel taking
one or more whales that yield 100 barrels of oil. The season for cruising at the extreme south is
in the summer months, or from September to April, and on the northern ground vessels cruise
throughout the year. Hurricanes are sometimes encountered off the Navigator's Islands and French
Rock, so that only the best of vessels are sent there."
Sperm whales were once abundant all the way across from New Zealand to Australia, and
around Tasmania ; also along the shores of Australia, and near Wreck Reef, around New Ireland,
the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, Kermadec Islands, New Caledonia, and New Georgia. Banker
Bay, New Ireland, was a noted place.
NORTH PACIFIC GROUNDS. — The most important ground in the North Pacific for many years
was off the coast of Japan, first visited by whaling vessels in 1820. Around the Bonin Islands, in
latitude 27° north, longitude 140° west, was also a noted ground. Vessels cruised all the way
from latitude 2S° to 32° north, and longitude 165° west to 165° east. The Japan Ground
included the region from the coast of Japan southeast to Bonin Islands, across to 165° west
longitude. The season was from May to November, during which time great quantities of oil were
frequently taken. The whales were mostly large bulls, and many of them very old. as was shown
by their teeth.
Capt. William M. Barnes, formerly of New Bedford^, writes : ''There is now (1881) not a single
sperm whaler in the North Pacific Ocean, and in certain parts of.it, as on the old Japan Ground, the
Arctic cruisers in crossing ha ve lately seen sperm whales in increasing numbers." During the winter
season in the northern hemisphere the Arctic whalers occasionally spend a few months among the
islands of the Western Pacific, but otherwise these large grounds are now seldom resorted to by
whalemen. In many cases the sperm whalers find it difficult to fill their casks with sperm oil, and
so assist in making up their cargo by spending a few mouths in " humpbackiug."
Sperm-whaling was formerly carried on with good success around the Ladrone Islands, also
in the Sooloo or Mindora Seas, and around the East India Islands, where ships continued to cruise
until within about three years. The whales were generally very small, and mostly cows with
calves. A great deal of calm weather and strong currents are found around these islands and seas.
12 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
We corne now to the grounds on the eastern side of the North Pacific. In former years many
ships cruised around Cape San Lucas,.near the Gulf of California, and along the coast of Lower
California from 10 to 50 miles off shore. Whales of large size were taken here in the winter months
by vessels that had spent the summer on the Japan Ground. Around the Maria Islands, near San
Bias, on the Mexican coast, whales were quite often found ; also in the Bay of Panama from the
coast to 90° west longitude, and farther west in the ocean from latitude 4° to 8° north, longitude
100° to 110° west. In the vicinity of Owhyhee and other parts of the Sandwich Islands vessels
met with fair success.
INDIAN OCEAN GROUNDS. — The principal resorts of vessels in this ocean were off' Port Dauphin
and around Madagascar in the Mozambique Channel ; around the islands of Mauritius and Bourbon
and the island of Roderique ; around the Amirante Group, and Seychelle and Comore Islands ; off
Zanzibar and along the east coast of Africa to the Red Sea; off the island Socotra; along the
Arabian coast ; around the Laccadive Islands and the island of Ceylon. Other resorts are along
the west and south coasts of Australia, especially in the vicinity of Cape Leeuwiu and off Shark's
Bay, on the ground extending from latitude 20° to 23° south, longitude 107° to 110° east. From
March to July ships cruise several degrees off shore to the west of Australia and from October
to May near the land. The number of American whaling vessels visiting the Indian Ocean has
.been gradually diminishing for several years, and in 18SO not a single vessel from the United
States went there for sperm oil. A fleet of about eleven sail of vessels, belonging at Tasmania, is
engaged mostly in sperm whaling, and some years they meet with good success.
SPEEM- WHALE GROUNDS IN 1840. — The principal grounds visited by sperm whalers about
the time of the greatest prosperity in this fishery are thus described by Commander Wilkes, of the
United States Exploring Expedition :
" The following embraces all the different grounds in the Pacific visited by our whalers :
" (1) The on-shore ground; that includes the whole extent of ocean along the coast of Chili and
Peru from the island of Juan Fernandez to the Galapagos Islands.
" (2) The off-shore ground ; being the space between latitude 5° and 10° south, longitude 90°
and 120° west.
" (3) In the neighborhood of the Hawaiian Islands.
" (4) In the neighborhood of the Society Islands.
" (5) In the neighborhood of the Samoan Group.
"(6 In the neighborhood of the Fiji Group.
" (7) In the neighborhood of the King's Mill Group.
" (8) Along and to the south of the equator, from the coast of South America to the King's Mill
Group.
" (9) Across the South Pacific, between the parallels of 21° and 27° south.
" (10) Across the North Pacific, between the parallels of 27° and 3.5° north.
"(11) In the neighborhood of the east coast of New Zealand.
<;(12) In the middle ground between New Holland and New Zealand.
" (13) The coast of Japan, and between it and Bonin Islands.
'•(14) The northwest coast of America.
" (15) Coast of California.
"These, it will be seen, embrace a large field, and it might be supposed that a ship could
hardly miss finding the animals. Such, however, is not the case. A vessel may visit all these
places, and yet return home a ' clean ship,' if she happened to be out of season. It appears from
experience that whales, in their migrations congregate in the above-named places at certain times
THE WHALE FISHERY. 13
of the year, and those who are acquainted with the business endeavor to be early on the cruising
grounds. I shall now point out the times, according to the best information, at which the whales
visit the several grounds, and, although not a whaler, I hope to £ive such information as may be
useful to this class of my countrymen.
" For convenience of description, the cruising-grounds may be considered as included within
four sections or belts.
" These belts are from 20 to 25 degrees of latitude iu width.
" The first of which I speak is that between the equator and the northern tropic ; the second,
between the tropic and 50° north ; the third, between the equator and the southern tropic and
latitude 50° south.
" Within the tropics whales are almost always to be met with. There are, however, particular
places within this zone where they chiefly congregate. Whales are found iu the first belt on the
north side of the equator, to the southward of the Sandwich Islands, and thence westward as far
as the Mulgrave Islands, for the greater part of the year ; but the only spot or space they are
known to abound in at any particular season, within this belt is to the westward of the Galapa-
gos; they pass and repass over the rest of this space in their migrations, and may generally be
found near to or around the small islands.
" In the second belt they range from the coast of Japan to the northwest coast of America and
California; this they frequent from May till November. In the month of July they are found off the
Boniu Islands, and between them and the coast of Japan. They frequent the space lying to the north-
ward of the Hawaiian Islands, and comprehended between the parallels of 28° and 35° north ; and
within the meridians of 145° and 156° west, from June to October ; and resort to the northwest
coast of America in August and September, and to that of California in November and January.
" The third belt comprises the ocean from the coast of South America to the King's Mill Group,
including the Marquesas, Society, and Friendly Islands, the Samoan and Fiji Groups. Within
these are spaces known as the on-shore and off-shore grounds. The latter the whalers frequent
from November to February, and along this belt they are found until the mouths of July and Au-
gust, by which time they reach the King's Mill and Fiji Groups. There are, however, stragglers to
be met with in this space during all seasons.
"The fourth belt extends from the southern tropic to the latitude of 50° south. The most
profitable time for cruising within it is in the months of March, April, and May, to the eastward
of New Zealand. After that date, along and between the parallels of 22° and 28° south, from the
coast of New Holland to that of South America. The portion of sea between New Holland and
New Zealand is called the 'middle ground,' and is frequently found very profitable.
"From an examination of the particular localities iu which whales are found most at certain
seasons, and connecting these with my own observations on currents, I am induced to believe the
places of their resort will point more correctly to the neutral points or spaces of no current, than
any other data that we yet possess.
"These must necessarily become the rendezvous, or feeding-places, of these animals. The
determination of these points will, therefore, throw additional light on the systems of currents iu
the ocean, by pointing out the neutral spaces. The chief resort of whales will be seen on the map
at one view ; and when these are connected with the currents shown to exist by the observations
of the expedition and others, they will be found to correspond in a remarkable manner with the
neutral spaces.
" I have myself paid much attention to acquiring information in relation to the position of
these grounds from the masters of whale-ships, but have usually found their reports at variance
14 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
one with another, and they have sometimes differed as much as 5 degrees in assigning their limits.
Their position, no doubt, varies much in different years ; but even this will not explain all the
discrepancies of the statements. t
" If we examine the seasons of the appearance of whales at certain islands, they will generally
be found to be between the beginning and the end of the summer of the climate, during which
time animal life is most prolific, and the food of the whale consequently abounds near the par-
ticular group. I have frequently been told, and it is generally believed, that whales are partial to
warmth, and frequent few places outside the tropics. This, if true, would be singular enough;
but the main reason for their frequenting the summer seas at particular seasons is the procure-
ment of food, which is there to be found in greater abundance ; and there appears to be little
doubt that iu migrating these animals move with the currents until they find their food in plenty,
and then continue in such locality until it is exhausted.
"A number of instances are known, * * in which, at certain seasons, strong currents have
been experienced iu places where three months afterward they were found to have ceased altogether,
or even to have changed their direction. I have now particular reference to the northwest coast.
"Having pointed out the different belts iu the Pacific, I will now refer to the localities in the
Atlantic and Indian Oceans where the sperm-whale fishery is most successful.
" These, in like manner, are found to correspond, and are connected with the obstructions of
the submarine currents, or the places where, from opposing currents, they become lost.
" In the Atlantic Ocean : (1) Off the Azores or Western Islands ; (2) off the Cape de Verdes;
(3) north of Bahama Banks ; (4) Gulf of Mexico; (5) Caribbean Sea; (G) to the eastward of the
Windward Islands ; (7) north coast of Brazil ; (8) south coast of Brazil ; (9) Carrol Ground, or a
space of ocean lying between St. Helena and Africa.
" In the Indian Ocean : (1) Off the south end of Madagascar, and between it and Africa ; (2)
off the north end of Madagascar; (3) the coast of Arabia; (4) west coast of Java; (5) northwest
coast of New Holland ; (6) south coast of New Holland, and between it and Van Diemen's Land.
" The periods of time allotted to these fisheries coincide with the time at which it might be
expected that the food of the whale would be most plentiful if brought by the polar streams.
"The Atlantic fishery is, for the most part, carried on in a smaller class of vessels than those
used iu the Pacific ; the voyages are of less duration, and less capital is therefore required in this
business than the other. In speaking of the cruisiug-grounds, I shall follow the order in which
they are visited.
" The first in point of time is that near the Azores. This ground does not extend more than
200 miles from these islands, and lies principally to the southwest of them. Here whales are
found during the summer mouths, and as late as October. These islands, it will be well to
remark here, lie in the route of the great north polar stream, and form an obstruction to its passage;
consequently the food is arrested iu its progress, and is accumulated here.
" The next ground visited is off Cape Blanco and the Cape de Verdes, and it is also searched
by the outward-bound ships of the Pacific fleet. The whalers of the Atlantic next pass to the north
coast of Brazil, in the months of October, November, and December, aud thence to the Brazil
Bank, and off the mouths of the Rio de la Plata, where they fish in January aud February ; after
this they .seek Saint Helena aud Carrol Ground, which lies from 50 to 200 miles south of that
island, toward the Cape of Good Hope. On the latter ground they remain during the, mouths of
.March, April, and May; and thence they pass to the westward along the South American coast,
to the eastward of the Windward Islands; thence to the Bahama Banks, Cape Hatteras, and
along the coast of the United States, home.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 15
"The smaller class of whalers seldom extend their cruising to the south of the line, but after
they have visited the first two whaling-grounds they usually pass to the westward toward the
island of Fernando de Noronha, and thence along the South American coast until they reach
the Windward Islands. They frequent the Caribbean Sea in the months of January and Feb-
ruary, and farther to the. westward off the peninsula of Yucatan and Cuba in April ; after which
time they proceed through the Gulf of Mexico to cruise off the Bahama Banks and Cape Hatteras
in May. Thence they pass northward, on either side of the Gulf Stream, to the eastern side of
the Grand Banks.
" In the Indian Ocean, the south part of Madagascar, off Point Dauphin, is visited in March
and April ; in May, June, and July the ground off the southwest coast of Madagascar, in the
Mozambique Channel, and upon, both sides of that channel. The whalers usually recruit iu Saint
Augustine's Bay, where supplies are to be had in abundance, and both wood and water are easily
procured. After this they usually spend some time off Cape Corrientes. with the cape and head-
lauds on either side, and visit the Comoro Isles. Sperm whales are frequently found in numbers
among these islands, and ships usually do well in their vicinity. The African coast, from Mozam-
bique to Zanzibar, is good ground, and the latter is also a good port for repairing.
" Some ships extend their cruising during the northeast monsoon, from October to April, to
the Arabian coast, but the African is generally preferred. The Chagos Archipelago at times
affords some success, but it is very doubtful ground, and has not often been frequented. The
proper season is during the southwest monsoon.
" The most profitable ground iu the Indian Ocean is the west and northwest coast of New
Holland, as far eastward as the islands of Timor, Lomboch, and Angier, and westward to the
Keeling Islands, including the coast of Java.
**********
" It wilt be perceived how nearly these grounds coincide with the places wherein, according
to the views already stated, the polar streams are obstructed by land or islands, so as either to
interrupt their course or create such an impediment as to change it.
" The Sooloo Sea is the only place that remains to be noticed. American ships, however, have
seldom gone thither, but English vessels are reported as having met with much success there."*
(b) EIGHT-WHALE GROUNDS.
GEOGRAPHICAL, DISTRIBUTION OF RIGHT WHALES. — The right whale (Eubalcena) is found
in various parts of the world as far north as latitude 61° 30', at the mouth of Hudson Strait, and
south to the Antarctic Ocean, though it is rare in the warmest latitudes. This whale, of which
there are several species in the different oceans, must not be confounded with the bow-head,
or polar whale, which is called right whale by many whalemen, though quite distinct from it and
inhabiting much colder waters, the bow-head being an ice whale and the right a temperate whale.
The principal right-whaling grounds east of America are in the South Atlantic, while in the
Pacific Ocean they are of about equal importance both north and south of the tropics.
NORTH ATLANTIC GROUNDS. — The North Atlantic grounds for this species are few iu num-
ber. They are taken during the summer mouths off the southern end of Greenland and to a
limited extent in the lower part of Davis Strait, near Resolution Island. Along the eastern
coast of the United States they are occasionally captured by shore, whalemen, especially at the
whaling stations in North Carolina. During the winter mouths whalers find them on the Hatteras
" Narrative of Wilkes's U. S. Exploring Expedition, vol. v.
] 6 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Ground, in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the Caribbean Sea. A few small vessels have cruised with
indifferent success for right whales along the west coast of Africa, in latitude 15° north, and in
Center Bay, about latitude 23° north. At no particular place in the North Atlantic are they now
abundant, though they were formerly taken in great numbers close to the New England shore,
and eastward of the Newfoundland fishing-banks.
SOUTH ATLANTIC GROUNDS. — The most noted grounds for right whales at the commencement
of the right- whale fishery iu the last century were off the coasts of Brazil and of Patagonia, on what
were called the "Brazil," or " Main," and " False Banks," and especially between the thirty-sixth and
the fifty-fifth parallels from the coast to 30° west longitude. The most important spots were on and
about the above banks and from latitude 38° to 45° south, and longitude 38° to 45° west. Right
whales were also quite abundant in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands, which were first visited by
our whalemen in 1774; near the Tristan Islands, between latitude 28° to 42° south, and from the
meridian to 20° west longitude, was called the "Tristan Ground," and was a favorite cruising
place. Good whaling was also found from latitude 34° to 43° south and longitude 24° to 28°
west. Other important grounds were along the west coast of Africa from latitude 22° to 32°
south, or to the Cape of Good Hope. Ships met with great success on the South Atlantic grounds
for many years, and it was not an uncommon occurrence for vessels of from l/iOO to 2,500 barrels
capacity to fill up and return home from the South Atlantic in one season, making the voyage in
from seven to ten months.
The grounds more particularly visited at the present day in this ocean are around the Tristan
Islands in latitude 36° to 38° south, longitude 10° to 25° west, from September to January; on
the east coast of South America in latitude 30° to 35° south, from May to August ; and from
September to June along the coast of Patagonia in latitude 42° to r<2° south. The whales caught
are of the regular right-whale species, the bull when full grown yielding from 40 to 60 barrels of
oil and the cow from 60 to 80 barrels, or about 60 barrels on an average. The whalebone aver-
ages about 300 pounds to 100 barrels oil in the bull, and 400 to 600 pounds to 100 barrels oil in
the cow whale.
INDIAN OCEAN AND SOUTH PACIFIC GROUNDS. — We now pass the Cape of Good Hope to
the right- whale grounds in the Indian Ocean, all of which are at present entirely abandoned by
the Americans. On many parts of the ocean lying between the parallels of 20° to 50° south, and
from longitude 18° to 80° east, right whales were found abundant in former years, and a few
ships continued to cruise there up to 1879, though most of the whales have been killed or driven
from the ground. The most important places within these limits of latitude and longitude were
at Delago Bay, in latitude 26° south, longitude 32° east ; east of Cape of Good Hope, in latitude
35° to 38° south, longitude 30° to 35° east ; around the Crozette Islands, in latitude 45° to 47°
south, and longitude 49° to 52° east ; in the vicinity of St. Paul's Island, in latitude 32° to 38°
south, longitude 70° to 80° east; and near Kerguelen Island, in latitude 48° to 50° south, longi-
tude 69° to 700 West.
The season for cruising in the Indian Ocean is the same as in the South Atlantic. The best
mouths for whaling offshore are from September to May, and when inshore more whales are
taken in the winter months, when they can be found around the islands, near the rocks, and
among the kelp or seaweed. The whales in this ocean are smaller than those taken in the South
Atlantic, averaging 40 barrels of oil and 240 pounds of bone for the bull, and for the cow whale
60 barrels of oil and 360 pounds of bone, or 600 pounds of bone to 100 barrels of oil.
In former years right whales were found quite plenty on the west and south coasts of Australia,
especially at Cape Leeuwin, Geographe Bay, and King George Sound. They were also taken
THE WHALE FISHERY. 17
around Van Diemen's Land, or Tasmania, which place, for the past ten years, has employed a fleet
of eleven vessels, principally in the sperm-whale fishery in this vicinity. In the year 1872 nineteen
vessels, measuring 4,017 tons, belonged at Tasmania, and produced 112 barrels of whale oil and
2,712 barrels of sperm oil.
The vicinily of New Zealand was once an important right- whaling ground, and is still occa-
sionally visited by vessels, that meet with moderate success, taking both right and sperm whales.
The grounds are both inshore and offshore ; the most noted of those offshore, from October to
March, are from latitude 38° to 48° south, and longitude 154° to 162° east. Commencing the
season to the north, vessels work south with the whales. Around the Auckland Islands and in
the vicinity of Stewart's Island, from the laud to 100 miles offshore, are good cruising grounds;
also from 36° to 45° south latitude, and KJIP east to 160° west longitude.
Right whales were takeu in abundance off the coast of Chili about forty years ago, and a few
vessels still cruise in that vicinity, making mixed voyages for sperm and whale oil. The season is
from September 1 to January 1, on the grounds from latitude 42° to 47° south, and longitude 75°
to 80° west. After the beginning of the year vessels work along shore toward the north as far
as latitude 35° south, occasionally anchoring in the bays and cruising back and forth between
the thirty-fifth and the fortieth parallels until 'May. The most noted grounds are Concepcion and
St. Vincent bays, near the port of Talcahnaua, where they formerly caught their whales and tried
out their oil while at anchor, sometimes taking 1,000 barrels of oil in a month. Some vessels used
to winter in these bays, though they were not very successful in the winter months.
NORTH PACIFIC GROTTNDS. — One of the principal cruising places for right whales in this
ocean is that known as the "Northwest coast right- whale ground," or the "Kadiak ground,"
situated near an island of that name off the Aliaska peninsula, and extending from latitude 50° to
GO0 north, and longitude 130° to 160° west. The best portion of this ground lies between
latitude 55° to 58° north, and longitude 140° to 152° east, and the most profitable cruising season
is from April to October. The first whaling vessel to cruise here was the ship Ganges, of Nan-
tucket, commanded by Capt. Barzillar Folger. This was in the year 1835, from which time until
within a few years past the Kadiak was the most important ground north of the Japan ground.
The whales taken on this ground average about 125 barrels of oil each, the male or bull making
from 60 to 100 barrels, and the cow whale from 100 to 250 barrels. The bone will average about
1,000 pounds to 100 barrels of oil, and is much longer than the South Sea bone. A full-grown
whale here has about two hundred slabs of bone, varying in length from 1 foot to 11 feet. Some
ot these whales, though apparently good when taken, prove to be " dry skins," making no oil, and
many of them sink after being killed. The blubber varies in thickness on different parts of the
body, being from 5 to 15 inches on a 100-barrel whale, and on a 200-barrel from 5 to 18 inches.
The lips, from which oil is also taken, sometimes yield from 8 to 10 barrels.
Right whales are found and have been captured around the Fox Islands and in Bristol Bay
north of the Aliaska peninsula. In Bering Sea, along the coast of Kamchatka, there is good
right whaling ; also at the entrance to Okhotsk Sea, and in the southern part of that sea during
the months of April and Jlay. They are also taken in the Japan and the Yellow Seas. "In
former years," says Scammou, "the right whales were found on the coast of Oregon, and ocea-
sionly in large numbers ; the few frequenting the coast of California are supposed to have been
merely stragglers from their northern haunts. Some, indeed, have, been taken (from February to
April) as far south as the Bay of San Sebastian Viscaino, and about Cerros Island, both places
being near tin- parallel of 29° north latitude."*
* Marine Mammalia, ji. Wi.
SEC. v, VOL. ii 2
|g HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEE1ES.
(C) BOWHEAD-WHALE GROUNDS.
GEOGRAPHICAL DisTinr.rrioN OF BOWHEAD WHALES.— The bowhead or polar whale is the
spi-Hes ibnucrly taken in great numbers by the Dutch and English whalers at Spitzbergen,
•Greeuliind. nnd Davis Strait. It is the whale captured by the American fleet in the Arctic Ocean,
and is the most valuable of the right or whalebone whales both for the quantity and for the quality
of its oil and for the length and the thickness of its baleen. In the English whale fishery it is
not distinguished from the right whale, but is not the same us the species commonly known to
American whalemen under that name, The American right whale lives in more temperate waters,
while the polar or bowhead whale inhabits only the icy regions of the northern seas. The home
of the bowhead is in must of 1 he waters north of the sixtieth parallel of north latitude. It is found
in lower latitudes on the Asiatic than on the Greenland side of America, being taken in the
Okhotsk Sea as far south as the fifty-fourth parallel and in the Bering Sea as far south as the
fifty-fifth parallel, which is the southern limit of the winter ice in that sea. In the Greenland
Arctic the bowhead is not found south of Cape Farewell on the sixtieth parallel. The northern
limit of this whale is undefined.
TLe capture of the bowhead whale began at Spitzbergen in the early part of the seventeenth
century; it soon extended to the east coast of Greenland, and early in the eighteenth century
they were taken in Davis Strait and adjoining waters. It was not until the year 1848 that the
whalers pushed their way through Bering Strait and established the very profitable fishery for this
species in the Pacific-Arctic.
The principal grounds visited by the whaling vessels of the United States in search of the
bowhead are as follows:
ATLANTIC-ARCTIC GROUNDS. — Off Cape Farewell, at the southern end of Greenland, from
June to August; also in Hudson Strait and Hudson Bay, especially in the vicinity of South-
hampton Island and near Cape Fullerton, that lies in about latitude 64° north, and longitude 86°
west. The vessels are accustomed to work through the ice in Hudson Strait about the middle
of July, arriving in the bay about August 1, and if intending to return home the same year
they leave the bay by the 1st of September. Many of them go into winter quarters about Sep-
tember 15, and spend the winter in the ice, taking advantage of the early and the late appearance
of the whales, as also occasionally capturing seals or walrus in the winter months.
In Davis Strait the vessels cruise near Northumberland Inlet in about latitude 65° north,
and longitude 68° west. Cumberland Inlet has also been a favorite resort for whaling vessels of
the smaller class, and they frequently winter there. Eesolution Island, at the entrance to Cumber-
laud Inlet, is a good ground for both bowhead and right whales during April and May.
The whales taken in these bays and inlets in former years would average about 120 barrels
of oil each, the bull 100 barrels, and the cow 140 barrels ; but of late years they have been smaller
and scarcer. The yield of bone is usually about 1,300 pounds to 100 barrels of oil.
American vessels at present cruise no farther north than the sixty-fifth parallel, though the
Scotch steam-whalers, that carry their blubber home to be boiled out, frequently take their whales
as far north as the seventy-fifth parallel. The American vessels formerly went as far as Pond's
Bay, in about latitude 73° north.
A further discussion of the movements of the Scotch whalers is given below under the head
of Foreign Whale Fishery.
In the seventeenth and eighteenth and first part of the nineteenth centuries there were very
profitable whaling grounds for the bowhead in the vicinity of Spitzbergen and off the east coast
THE WHALE FISHERY. 19
of Greenland, where extensive fisheries were curried on by the European nations. These grounds
were not visited by vessels of the United States until within the past thirty years, and then only
in a lew instances. The first American whaler sailing for Spitzbergen Sea was the ship Han-
nibal, Captain Kovee, that left New London May '21, 18.3.3, and returned March 21, 1856, with
only twenty eight barrels of whale-oil. A second attempt was the, voyage of the bark Tempest,
Captain Allyn, that left New London May HI, 1857. Captain Allyn states that he had under-
taken this voyage to the Spitsbergen regions by the advice of Hon. Thomas W. Williams, a
successful whaling agent, who furnished him with Scoresby's journals and information obtained
by correspondence with whaling agents in Scotland, setting forth the frequent appearance of
whales in the region of ocean north of Knssia. During the month of July these seas were cruised
over by the Tempest, but, "although we sought diligently for whales," says Captain Allyn, "our
search was totally unsuccessful, and on the 9th of August we concluded to proceed to a more
congenial climate."* The vessel then cruised clown through the North and South Atlantic
Oceans, round Cape of Good Hope, on to New Zealand, and thence to the Okhotsk Sea, and
after cruising with moderate success for two or three seasons in these waters returned to New
London in 1861. In 1865 a third attempt was made to establish an American fishery in these
seas, this time at Iceland by the bark Reindeer, of New York, principally for sulphur-bottom
whales. The first year's work was unsuccessful, and the second season resulted in such little
profit that the project was abandoned. Tbese three voyages are the only ones, so far as known,
that have been made by American whaling vessels to the oceans east of Greenland or north ot
Europe.
The Eussians and Norwegians carry on profitable whale fisheries, mostly for the fin-back, at
one or two points along the coasts of Norway and Fiurnark. One of these stations is on an island
in Varangar Fiord, opposite Wadso, in Fiumark. In recent years a few Norwegian vessels have
visited Spitzbergeu in search of whales, as in the season of 1873, when six vessels, with fifty-seven
men, were frozen in the ice at the island, and seventeen of the men perished before assistance
reached them.
PACIFIC-ARCTIC GROUNDS. — The fleet of whaling vessels cruising north of 50° north latitude in
the waters between the Asiatic and the American coasts is called the North Pacific fleet. It has
been the most important branch of the American right-whaling fleet since 1835, when the famous
Kadiak ground, lying between latitude ,3<P and 60° north, was discovered. Here were taken only
the right whale, but in 1843 the fleet pushed farther north, and began capturing bowheads on the
Kamchatka coast. In 1848 a whaling vessel entered the Arctic in pursuit of these large animals
and met with good success. In 1839 there were only two vessels in the North Pacific fleet. From
that date to 1880 the total number of voyages m ale to these grounds by American vessels was
4,300, and the total catch of whale-oil (including oil of the right whale, bowhead, and walrus) was
3,994,397 barrels, or 60 per cent, of the total production of whale-oil by the American fleet in all
oceans during the same period.
The North Pacific right and bowhead whale fishery has always been peculiarly an American
enterprise, very few foreign vessels having participated in it. The principal grounds were
discovered by American vessels bet ween the years 183,3 and 1S48. The, most important whaling-
grounds for the bowhead in this region are the Okhotsk Sea and tiie Arctic Ocean. The former-
is at present of little importance, but lew vessels having visited it dining the past five or ten
years, nearly all of the fleet preferring the hazardous, though profitable, whaling in the Arctic. The
•TheOld tJ:i.ilnr'.sSi,.i-.\, l,.\- Cimlm, L. All n 1879, p. 85,
20 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
bays iu the Bering Sea are visited by the fleet oil its way to the Arctic, and large numbers of
whales are sometimes taken in these waters before the ice permits the vessels to pass through the
Strait.
The North Pacific whale fishery was at its height in 1846, when 292 ships cruised in the region
north of the fiftieth parallel, between the Asiatic aud the American shores. In 1868 there were
but 68 vessels in the fleet, of which number 41 were in the Arctic Ocean, 8 in the Okhotsk Sea,
and 19 on the Kadiak ground. In the season of 1SSO the fleet was reduced to 19 vessels, all of
which cruised in the Arctic and captured a total of 2(>f> whales.
"The principal herding places of the bowheads in the Okhotsk," says Scammou, "were at the
extremities of this great sheet of water, the most northern being the Northeast Gulf (Gulf of
Ghijigha), the most southern Tehauter Bay. The whales did not make their appearance in
Northeast Gulf so soon as iu the bay. Whalers endeavored, as soon as possible, to get to the head
of Tehauter Bay, where they found the objects of pursuit in the intermediate water, between the
ice and the shore, long before the main body of the congealed mass was broken up, and before the
ships could get between the ice aud the shore, even at high tide, the boats being sent forward
weeks previous to the ships. Soon after the ships' arrival the whales avoided their pursuers by
going under the main body of ice, situated in the middle of the bay, where they found breathing-
holes among the floes. The boats cruised about the edge of the barrier, watching for them to
emerge from their covert, which occasionally they did, when chase was instantly given. Fre-
quently, in sailing along this ice-field, yon could hear distinctly the sound of whales blowing
among it, where no water was visible at the point whence the sound came. The first of the season,
before the ice broke up and disappeared, when there were no whales about, the question was
frequently asked, 'Where are the whales?' and as often answered, 'They are in the ice'; and, 'When
do you think they will come out?' was answered by, ' When the ice leaves.' It has been established
lieyond question that this species pass from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or rather, if we may be
allowed the expression, from the Atlantic Arctic to the Pacific Arctic, by the north ; and, too, it
is equally certain that numerous air-holes always exist in the ice that covers the Arctic waters,
even in the coldest latitudes. These fissures are caused by the rise and fall of the tides, and con-
traction and expansion of the ice. Storms acting upon the water hundreds of miles distant also
have their influence in rending asunder the icy fetters of those frozen seas. It appears to us
not improbable that the bowhead has a feeding and breeding ground iu a polar sea. And as
they have never been seen during the winter months in any other quarter of the globe, except as
before mentioned, it would appear that they nmst remain among the rough water and broken ice,
at the southern edge of the winter barrier, or migrate to some remote sea unknown to man." *
The whaling vessels enter the Okhotsk as soon as the ice leaves, which is usually about the
last of May, though sometimes it is as late as July. Having anchored the vessel in a convenient
bay or inlet, the boats are sent out in search of the whales, and the animals, after being captured,
are sometimes towed ashore and cut up there, the blubber being rafted off td*"the vessel. This
mode is made necessary from the fact that the boats may be absent several days or even weeks,
and be quite a distance from their vessel. The difficulties incident to whaling in the Okhotsk are
told by Captain Scammon in his history of the whale-fishery. The whales found here during
recent years have been much smaller than those taken at the beginning of the fishery, when the
largest sometimes yielded 250 barrels of oil each, and the smallest about 80 barrels. The cow
whales gave the most oil, averaging about 130 barrels, and the bulls about 90 barrels, the yield of
bone being about 1,500 pounds to TOO barrels of oil. The M-ason closes in the Okhotsk about the
.ION : lljiriue Mammalia, y. 59.
THIO WHALE KISIIKKY. 21
latter part of October, though vessels sometimes continue musing throughout November at great
risk from the ice, and they have occasionally wintered in the ice in order to take advantage of the
late and early seasons.
Ships that cruise in the Arctic Ocean generally arrive in the Kamchatka and the Anadyr
Seas about the beginning of May, and continue cruising south of Bering Strait until the ice per-
mits them to pass through the .Strait into the Arctic, which is usually about the first of June.
Before entering the Strait a considerable number of whales are sometimes taken in the bays and
gulfs along the Siberian coast and about St. Lawrence Island. Captain Barnes, in the bark Sea
Breeze, of New Bedford, in the. season of 1S77, passed the. Aleutian chain on May 4, and three
days after came up to the ice in latitude f>(P 30' north. Until May -',', the ice was skirted toward
the westward, and frequent iuell'ectual attempts were made to penetrate it. Laud was sighted on
the iMth, l-'.JO miles west -sout Invest from Cape Xavarin, and on that day the ice was entered. On
June 18, whales were seen off Cape Chaplin. The. whales usually pass through the Strait about
the beginning of June, and are followed up by the vessels that cruise along the western side of the
Arctic during the, first part of the season, while waiting for the ice to open NO that they may pass
to the eastward to 1'oint Barrow. This time of waiting usually lasts from the middle of June till
the 1st of August, and is called the "summer season" or ''between seasons." It is spent princi-
pally in capturing walrus which herd on the ice floes in immense numbers in the vicinity of Cape
Serdze-Kameu. During specially favorable 4; summer seasons,1' as that of 1880, many whales are
taken, and little time is spent in wall-using, but these weeks are usually quiet ones with the fleet,
the killing of walrus being considered a pastime by the whalemen.
As soon as the ice will permit, at, the beginning of August, the fleet follows up through the
openings, capturing whales wherever they can be found. Most of the vessels reach Point Barrow
by the middle of August, and begin to push farther to the eastward, creeping along the edge of
the ice or entering the openings in search of their prey. Some of the vessels in the season of 1877
went as far east as Return Beef, and early in September they had all returned to Point Barrow.
From this time until the ice begins to close tip the fleet cruises back and forth westward of Point
Barrow, reaching some seasons as high as the seventy-second parallel, which is about the most
northern cruising ground in the Arct ic. The period from the middle of August until about October
1, when the fleer leaves the ocean, is the real Arctic season, and an exciting one it is.
Ships quite often anchor along the shores in thick weather, as also to " cut in" the whales, or
to "try out" the oil. Most of the ships leave the sea about the 1st of October, though sometimes
they stay later, at the risk of being caught in the new ice. "The general breaking up of the ice in
this region," says Captain Hooper, ••commences in May or June in the vicinity of Bering Strait,
and continues until the first part of .September, after which time new ice begins to form, although
the sea is not entirely close. 1 for some weeks later. The heavy j;ales keep the larger floes in motion,
and prevent them from unit ing in one mass. After October 1 the water is so chilled that a general
closing up of the sea is likely to occur at any time. Formerly the whale-ships did not remain in
the Arctic later than the middle < mber. but as whales grew scarce they prolonged their
stay each year, until last year (ls7'.h they did not leave until after the middle of October. This
resulted in the loss of three vessels and two entire crews; a fourth vessel, the bark Helen Mar,
Captain Bauldry, barely escaped, bringing with her the crew of the bark Mercury, one of the lost
vessels. Her escape was effected by carrying all sail with a strong, fair wind, and forcing a passage
through the new ice, which was so t hick that at times her headway was entirely lost until a strong
puff of wind started her again. In this way the vessel worked on a few miles each day, reaching
Bering Strait about the 1st of November."*
* Corwin's Cruise, 1880.
22 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
(d) nTJMPBACK-TVHAI/E GROUNDS.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OP HUMPBACK WHALES. — Humpback whales (Negaptera)
are found within the parallels of C0° north and 70° south latitude. They are seldom seen far
from laud, but me generally caught in mild climates, within certain bays and along coasts where
the water is shallow.
The most noted places lor taking them in the Atlantic Ocean are in the vicinity of the Island
of Trinidad and in the Gulf of Para, irom 10° to 11° north latitude, and 01° to 63° west longitude,
also around Cape Verde Islands during the winter months, and on the coast of Africa from 3°
north to 7° south latitude from June to October.
" Some, of the Provmcetowu whalers,'' sa\ s Captain Atwood, " prosecute both the humpback
and the sperm whale fishery. They sail from port about the middle or last of January and go
direct to the West Indies, where they whale near the shores of these islands for humpbacks.
Their whaling-ground for this species is from Tobago, latitude 11° 20' north, longitude 60° 27'
west, thence northward around the shores of the islands as far as the Island of Mariegulante, in
latitude 15° 52' north, longitude Cl° 18' west. These vessels stop there until the latter part of
April or early in May, when they leave for the Western, Charleston, or Hatteras grounds in pur-
suit of sperm whales, and usually return home in September. Another favorite ground is around
the Cape Verde Islands, where these vessels cruise near the shore for the humpback during
the winter mouths and then go north to the sperm whale grounds."
In 1879 humpback whales were abundant on the coast of Maine. One of the most successful
whalers out of Provincetown that season was the Brilliant, an old pink-stern schooner of 17 tons,
which hunted this species off Deer Isle, Maine. Up to October 1 she had taken four whales, yield-
ing one hundred and fifty-five barrels. The Brilliant carried but one whale-boat, and tried out the
oil on shore, towing in the whales as they were killed. Capt. J. W. Collins reports that on May
17, 1877, when in latitude 44° 16' north, longitude 58° 59' west, he noticed an unusual number
of whales and porpoises. " There were more humpback whales than I had even before seen in
that locality ; appeared to be entirely fearless of the vessel; played around her all day, sometimes
coming up alongside within 15 or 20 feet, their heads out of water 10 or 12 feet. At other times
they would lie on top of the water and lash it into snowy foam with their long, flexible fins."
In the Pacific Ocean humpbacks are taken all along the coast of Ecuador and Colombia, from
Guayaquil to the Bay of Panama and on reefs around the islands of the Friendly Group, also
occasionally around the New Hebrides and the Fiji Group. They are also found in considerable
abundance around the Rosemary Islands, on the northwest coast of Australia, and around Bramp-
tou Shoals. The liesi -rounds on the South American coast are in the Gulf of Guayaquil, which
lies in about latitude o° south, and from here along the shore to the north as far as 3° north lati-
tude, off the villages of Tacaroes and Esmaraldas, in Ecuador. Ships occasionally anchor and send
out their boat for the whales, that must- as a rule be killed in shoal water, as most of them sink and
must be hauled up. The season for whaling ou this coast is from February to August, beginning
at Esmaraldas in February, and working along south until, in June, the whales appear at the Gulf
of Guayaquil, and continue until August. The season ou the Australian coast and around the
Western Pacific group of islands begins about the 1st of June and continues into November and
December.
Humpback whales are taken along the coast of California at the shore-whaling stations,
especially at Moniei-ey Bay. They are also seen and captured at Magdaleua and Balenas Bays.
In many bays and around islands in the Alaskan territory and the Aleutian Islands they are
taken by the Indians atid the Eskimos.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 23
Captain Scammon records the following observations on this species of whale : " In the years
is.li! ami 1853 large numbers of humpbacks resorted to the Gulf of Guayaquil, coast of Peru, to
calve, aud the height of the season was during I lie months of July and August. The same may
be said of the gulfs aud bays situated near the corresponding latitudes north of the equator; still,
instances are not infrequent when cows and their calves have been seen at all other seasons of
the year about the same coast. In the Bay of Valle de llanderas, coast of Mexico (latitude 20°
30'), in the month of December, we saw numbers of humpbacks, with calves but a few days old.
In May, 1855, at Magdalena. Ray, coast of Lower California (about latitude 24° 30'), we found
them in like numbers, some with very large calves, while others were very small. The season at
Tongataboo (one of the Friendly Islands, latitude 21° south, longitude 174° west), according to
Captain Beckermau, includes August and September. Here the females were usually large,
yielding an average of 40 barrels of oil, including the entrail fat, which amounted to about 6
barrels. The largest whale taken at this point during the season of 1871 produced 73 barrels,
and she was adjudged to be 75 feet in length." *
In the year 1872 humpback whaling was successfully prosecuted at Panama Bay; Harper's
and Tonga Islands; Chesterfield Shoals; coast of Africa; West Indies; Crozet and Desolation
Islands. The last two islands have been visited more especially for the capture of right whales
and sea elephants, though humpback whales were taken here aud in other parts of the Indian
Ocean.
(e) FINBACK, SULPHUR-BOTTOM, AND OTHER WHALING GROUNDS.
SULPHUR-BOTTOM WHALES. — The finback and the sulphur-bottom whales are found in most
parts of the different oceans and in some places are very numerous. The sulphur-bottom is the
largest whale known, varying from 60 to 100 feet or more. It is, like the finback, exceedingly
swift in its movements, aud can be captured only by the whalingrocket or the bomb-gun. Captain
Seabury states that "they sometimes follow the vessel for miles." There can hardly be said to be
any special grounds where the sulphur-bottom is captured, comparatively few having ever been
taken. On the coast of California the shore-whalemen have taken a few, and several were taken
some years since by the schooner Page, of San Francisco, off the port of San Quentin, Lower Cali-
fornia. An attempt was made about 1865 to establish a fishery for this species at Iceland. " Two
or three small screw steamers," says Captain Seabury, "were sent there from England to whale in the
bays, using for the capture a whale-gun and a large line to go through the bottom of the boat.
They were quite successful in taking the whale, aud followed up the business for two or three years,
but the expense being greater than the income, it was abandoned. Beyond those taken by this
expedition off Iceland, there have been but few sulphur-bottoms captured."
FINBACK WHALES. — This whale is taken principally by shore-whalemen, vessels preferring
more profitable game, as the finback has but little blubber, no valuable bone, and withal is very
difficult to capture. They are taken by the California boat-whalers, aud for two years past have
been captured in considerable number along the coast of New England, especially at Proviucetown,
where forty-eight were secured in the spring of 1880. The shore-whaling stations on the coasts of
Norway and Fiumark are for the capture of this species.
GRAY WHALE OR DEVIL-FISH. — The California gray whale, also called "devil-fish" and
"mussel-digger," is found principally on the coast of California, in the bays and gulfs and along
the shores, in shoal water. The most noted places are Magdalena Bay, in about latitude 25° north,
and Scammon's Lagoon, in about latitude 30° north. They are also found aud taken in the
"Marine Mammalia, ji. 4::.
24 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Okhotsk Sea and the Arctic Ocean. They are not large, and yield on an average only about 30
barrels of a reddish oil. They are said to be the most dangerous to capture of all whales. The
bomb-lance or the whaling rocket is generally used in the chase. On the Calit'ornian coast the
best season for the capture of this species is from November to April or May, after which time
they move north. They appear in October and November off the coast of Oregon on their return
south. This whale is known only in northern latitudes, and is not found in the Atlautic Ocean.
No great number has ever been taken. Captain Scarninon, in 1872, estimated that the whole
number captured or destroyed since 1846, when bay-whaling commenced, would not exceed 10,800.
DISTRIBUTION OF BLACKFISH AND PORPOISE. — There are several other species of cetacea,
as the blackfish and the porpoise, that are widely distributed over the oceans, and are often taken
by whaling vessels, though they are not special objects of pursuit. Those fisheries for these
species are discussed in the next chapter. The white whale or beluga is found principally in the
icy waters of the north, and several hundred of them are annually taken by the natives of the
countries bordering those seas, as also by the Scotch whaling vessels visiting Davis Strait. These
vessels in 1877 took 935 white whales, and in 187G they captured 700. According to Scammon
large numbers are captured by the natives of Alaska and of Eastern Siberia, where they ascend
the rivers for several hundred miles. They are taken in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and also by
the Norwegians at Spitzbergen. Nordeuskiold * states that in 1871 vessels from Tromsoe alone
caught 2,167 of this species in nets. Their value was estimated at about $15 each. Both the
blubber, hide, aud carcass are utilized, the latter by the guano factories in Norway. They are
also taken in nets by the Russians and Samoyeds at Chabarova.
ROUTES TO GROUNDS; SUPPLY STATIONS.
ROUTES TO WHALING- GROUNDS. — Vessels engaged in the Atlautic Ocean fishery are of two
classes, those of small size on short cruises and those of large capacity that make longer voyages.
The former cruise principally in the North Atlantic, and are always on the alert for whales, work-
ing on all the grouuds in this ocean, but especially those near the Azores or on the Hatteras
ground. They usually leave home in the spring and return in the fall, proceeding first to the more
southeru and working toward the more northern fields. Some of these small vessels, however,
remain out for a year or even more, spending the winter mouths on the tropical grounds aud often
cruising in the South Atlantic, where they obtain a quantity of oil to be transshipped from St.
Helena to the United States. They will work toward home, .stopping in the principal equatorial
and northern grounds. The second or larger class of vessels are gone fiom home for from two to
three years, often cruising on all the grounds in both the North and the South Atlantic. They
usually go first to the Western Islands and from there work south or north as the abundance or
the scarcity of whales on the different grounds may suggest. They frequently resort to ports at
the Azores or Cape Verde Islands, in the north Atlantic, and St. Helena, in the South Atlantic.
The Hudson Bay or Davis Strait fleet is composed of vessels of all sizes. They make voyages
lasting from eight mouths to one or two years. Many of them have been accustomed to leave
home in the spring and to proceed at once to the Straits in time to enter the bays and gulfs at the
breaking up of the ice. They spend the summer in search of whales, and may return home in the
early fall, or remain to winter in the ice in ordei- to take advantage of the early movement of
whales in spring. There are no refitting ports to which they can resort, so that if the vessel be of
small carrying capacity she will generally prefer to winter at home rather than in the icy regions.
* Voyage of the Vega, vol. i.
TILIC WHALE FISUEBY. 25
The I'acitie-Aretic fleet is aceustomcd to winter in San Francisco or at the Sandwich Isl-
ands, and upon the opening <>t' spring to proceed at once to the north, there awaiting the open-
ing of the ice to go through the Strait. They return to winter quarters in the late fall and trans-
ship their catches by rail or \ New Bedford. Vessels sailing from New Bedford for the
Arctic leave home in the fall, in order to pass Tape Horn during the summer season. These
vessels seldom stop on the various grounds in their pathway, but will not refuse a good chance to
take a whale wherever tlie.s maybe. They are frequently absent from home for several years,
making annual cruises north from their retifting station.
Ships and barks that cruised in the Pacific Ocean in former years made their voyages in from
thirty to forty-eight mouths, or an average of about forty months. At the present time such a
vessel shipping products home seldom makes a. voyage in less than three years, and sometimes
they are gone live years. The usual course of sperm and right whale ships when sailing in the
spring or summer is to look the ground over as far as the Western Islands, touch there and get
recruits and ship oil, if they have any; then run down and sight the Cape Verde, and sometimes
touch there for refreshments and ship men if needed, which is quite often done at the Azores or
Western Islands. They then cross the equator in from 24° to 31° west longitude, and, if bound
round Cape Horn, run along within a few degrees of the east coast of South America, generally to
the west of the Falkland Islands, and, passing through the Straits of Le Maire or to the east of
Stateu Laud, steer for Cape Horu, keeping as near to the cape as possible, to avoid the strong
westerly gales and easterly current that is usually found off shore. After getting around the
Horn each ship steers for its chosen ground. In coming home they take a more easterly course,
after getting into the Atlantic Ocean, than the passage out, so as to strike the southeast trade
wind in about longitude 28° or 30° west; then make a direct track for home.
If bound around the East Cape or Cape of Good Hope, after crossing the equator they keep
by the wind in going through the southeast trades, and when in latitude 28° to 30° south, steer
to the eastward and double the cape. If bound to New Zealand, they keep in the variable wind
to the south of latitude 30° south, and pass around Van Diemau's Land. If bound into the
Indian Ocean, after passing the cape they steer for their several grounds. If sailing late in the
season, and bound direct for the Pacific or Indian Ocean, ships keep the same course, except that
they go more to the south and avoid the Western Islands.
SUPPLY STATIONS. — The principal places in the North Atlantic visited by whaling vessels
for supplies or for transshipment of oil are the Barbadoes, Bermuda Islands, Fayal at the Azores,
and Port Praya at Cape Verde Islands. In the South Atlantic the most important places are
Peruambuco, Rio de Janeiro, St. Catherine, and Montevideo, on the east coast of South America.
On the African coast are St. Helena, Ambrozet, and Cape Town.
lu the Indian Ocean, Mauritius, on the Isle de France, is about the only port whence oil is
transshipped aud about the only place for repairs, though there are other places, as Zanzibar.
Seychelle Islands, Singapore, aud some of the East India islands, that are visited by the vessels.
On the west coast of New Holland, Shark's Bay, Geographe Bay, and King George's Sound;
also, Hobart Town, on Van Dieman's Land, and Sydney, on the east coast of Australia, are supply
stations for vessels cruising on adjacent grounds.
The principal places visited by whalemen in the South Pacific are Monganui and Bay of
Islands, on the east coast of New Zealand, Feejee and Navigator's Island, Papeta, on the island of
Otaheite, and Nookaheva, one of the Marquesas Islands ; and on the west coast of South America
the ports of Sail Carlos, Talcahuano, Valparaiso, Callao, Payta, and Tumbez. Only two ports are
much used for transshipping oil; these are Talcahuano, in Chili, and Bay of Islands, in New
26 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
Zealand. These, with Payta and Tumbez, in Pern, are the principal ports visited by ships. The
Galapagos Islands have some good harbors and are occasionally resorted to for the land turtles
or terrapin that are abundant there. On some islands wood can be obtained, and on the south
side of Chatham Island good water can be got with safety from November to May.
In the North Pacific the principal ports visited for the transshipment of oil are San Fran-
cisco, Panama, Hila, and Honolulu. Tacames, in Ecuador, Acapulco, on the west coast of Mexico.
Yokohama, Hakadadi, Guam, one of the Ladrone Islands, Hong-Kong, and Manila have all been
visiting stations. There are also many other places occasionally visited by the whaling fleet. For
the convenience of the Arctic fleet a supply vessel is sent from San Francisco to meet the vessels
at Bering Strait or in the Arctic and receive what oil they may wish to send home and supply
them with fresh provisions.
3. EARLY HISTORY OF BOAT-WHALING IN NEW ENGLAND.
r.OAST OF MAINE.
We find no records to indicate that shore-whaling was ever extensively practiced on the
coast of Maine, though drift whales may have been frequently cast ashore and cared for by the
shoremen. The following item, given by Hubbard in his history of New England, shows that
the people of Maine, in early times, were not versed in the handling of whales: "In 1668 a sperm
whale fifty-five feet long was taken at Winter Harbor, near Casco Bay. The like hath happened
in other places of the country, where, for want of skill to improve it, much gain hath slipped out
of the hands of the finders."
MASSACHUSETTS NORTH OP CAPE COD.
There is little in the early records to show what interest the people of Massachusetts, north
of Cape Cod, had in shore whaling. It is probable that at Salem and vicinity this business was
carried on in a small way during the eighteenth century. Mr. John Higginsou, in 1700, writes
that at Salem, u we have a considerable quantity of whale oil and bone for exportation."* He
writes again in 1706 to a friend in Ipswich as if he were concerned with others in boat whaling.
Drift whales were frequently found, and claimants notified to prove their rights before courts of
adininilly in accordance with the laws of the colony. Boston papers of December 12, 1707, mention
tbc capture by boats of a 40-foot whale near Noddle's Island. It is therefore inferred that whale
boats and implements for capture were kept in readiness in the vicinity of Boston.
It is probable that, as in recent years, drift whales were taken at Cape Ann and other points
farther north along the coast of Massachusetts, though we find no record to show a definite
business done in boat whaling at places north of Cape Cod.
BOAT WHALING AT CAPF. COD.
Starbuck has called attention to the fact that the abundance of whales was one of the main
arguments for the early settlement of Cape Cod by the English, and has quoted some interesting
accounts of the manner in which the aborigines hunted the whale two centuries and a half ago.
In Richard Mather's Journal of his voyage to Massachusetts, iu 1635, he records seeing on the end
of the Bank of Newfoundland near to New England " mighty fishes rolling and tumbling in the
waters, twice as long and as big as an ox " and " mighty whales, spewing up water in the air, like
* FELT : Annals of Salem, II, p. 225.
TIIK WHALE FISHERY. 27
tbe smoke of a chimney, anil making tin- sea about them white and hoary, as is said in Job, of
such incredible bigness that I will never wonder that the body of Jonas could lie in the belly of a
whale."
As early as 1W51, Sandwich, Harnstable, Yarmouth, and Kastham were included in a proposition
regarding the distribution of drift whales, submitted by the general court of Plymouth Colony,*
and in 1690, the people of Xantucket, finding that the people of Cape Cod had made greater profi-
ciency in the art of catching whales than themselves, sent tliitlier for an instructor. t
The Cape Cod whale fishery in. the seventeenth century, and perhaps later, was prosecuted no
doubt nearly exclusively from the shore, as was also done in Nan tucket, and as to the present day
the sperm-whale fishery is carried on about the Bermudas. A lookout was kept by watchmen on
the shore, who gave signals when a whale appeared and indicated his movements from their lofty
stations. One of these stations was ou Great Island, at the mouth of Wellfleet Harbor, where, tra-
dition says, there were at one time ten or twelve houses and the first tavern built in Wellfleet.
Wellfleet was then included in the town of Eastham, and it was doubtless by the people of this
settlement that the petition was presented in 1706, which states, "all or most of us are concerned in
fitting out Boats to Catch and take Whales when ye season of ye year Serves; and whereas when we
have taken any whale or whales, our Custom is to Cutt them up and to take away ye fatt and ye
Bone of such Whales as are brought in and afterwards to let ye Kest of ye Boikly of ye Lean of
whales Lye on shear in lowe water to be washt away by ye sea, being of uoe vallue nor worth any
Thing to us," and begs that Thomas Houghtou or his assigns be permitted to take away this waste. f
Another of these stations was in what is now the town of Dennis, and is the present site of
the hotel called the "Bay House." This tract was the joint property of Dennis and Yarmouth,
and was reserved until March, 1877, when it was sold by the mutual vote of the two towns at the
yearly town meeting.
Starbuck relates that in 1724 and 1726, in the prosecution of the wars between the Indians
and the colonists, some of the friendly Indians from the county of Barnstable were enlisted with
the express understanding that that they were to be discharged in time to take part in the fall
and winter whale fishery. §
This would indicate that the boat fishery was still at that time profitable and actively prose-
cuted.
In 1737, a paragraph in the Boston News Letter stated, a dozen whaling vessels were fitting in
Proviucetown, for Davis Strait, and that so many people were going that not over a dozen or
fourteen men would be left. Eastham also had a vessel in Davis Strait this year, and the Davis
Strait fleet from Massachusetts alone is estimated by Starbuck to have consisted of from fifty to
sixty vessels. Four years later Barnstable had at least one, whaling vessel which was captured
by the Spanish, and in 1770 this port still had two whalers in the Arctic.
The size of the Arctic fleet of Massachusetts in 1737 would indicate that the shore-fishery was
falling off in importance. Indeed a statement to this effect occurs in Felt's Annals of Saleui,
under date of 1748, where it is said, " whales formerly for many successive years set in alongshore
by Cape Cod. There was good whaling in boats * * * . After some years they left this
ground and passed farther off upon the banks at some distance from the shore. The whalers
then used sloops with whale-boats aboard, and this fishery turned to good account. At present
the whales take their course in deep water, whereupon a peace our whalers design to follow
them." ||
* STARBUCK : in Rep. U. S. Fish. Com., Part IV, 1875-'76, p. 7. t STARBUCK : 1. -a., p. 17.
til. MSs. mriTit'mr>, TV, pp. 72-73, quoted l.y Starlmolc, ?. c., p. JW. } J. C., p. 3V I1 PTARBnCK: I c., p W.
28 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
This corresponds also with statements gathered by Starbuek from various sources to the
effect that the years 1737, 1738, and 1739 were very unfortunate ones for the people of Province-
town, Sandwich, and adjacent ports, insomuch that some of the inhabitants took into serious
consideration a change of residence.
The people of Yarmouth preserve a tradition that the early whale fishery of that region had
for its object the capture of humpbacks and right whales. As has been suggested, the number
of humpbacks taken must have been very considerable, yet the right whales must also have been
plenty in early days.
The Plymouth colonists, according to Thacher,* were inclined at first to settle on Cape Cod,
because large whales of the best kind for oil and bone came daily alongside, and played about
the ship, while the master (presumably of the "Mayflower") and his mate, and others experienced-
in fishing, preferred it to the Greenland fishery. In February, 1738, the Yarmouth whalemen had
killed but one large whale during the season ; the bone of that being from 8 to 9 feet long. This
was of course a right whale, and the thing in the occurrence remarkable to the recorder was that
a great many more had not been taken the same winter. In March, 1736, the boats of Province-
town took a large whale which produced 100 barrels of oil. Humpbacks rarely yield more
than 50 barrels, and probably would not have been classed among the numerous '-large whales"
taken in those years. Another argument in favor of the supposed early abundance of the right
whale in these waters, was that upon their becoming scarce, a large fleet was forthwith dispatched
to Davis' Straits, where none but whalebone whales occur. The sperm-whale fishing of Cape Cod
was not inaugurated until about 1826, or at least not in a permanent way, though Starbnck gives
nine vessels from "Cape Cod" in 1789, eight of which cruised in the "Straits of Belleisle," six of
which obtained about 50 barrels each of sperm oil, the other two about 80 barrels each.
In the early records of the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colonies are numerous orders
relating to drift whales, among which we find the following : "At a session of the general court,
the first of the 8th mouth, 1645," it was ordered as one of the duties of the Auditor-General,
" that he shall take notice and looke aftr wafes, strayes, goods lost, shipwrecks, whales, &c., or
any such things of y* like nature, wr ye pticuler owner is not knowne ; and ye country may claiine
a priviledge in or comon right unto.'H July 4, 1656, it was " ordered by the court that wheras
the countrey hath receiued great dammage by a defect in the order about the barrell of oyle due for
euery whale taken on drift or cast on shore as is expressed in the said order by leakquage of
Caske or otherwise; tho court bane ordered that for the future all such oyle as shalbee due and
payable as aforsaid shalbee deliuered att Boston, viz, a full barrell of march aiitable oyle for euery
whale and the fraight therof discharged by those that deliuer it, the said oyle to bee deliuered att
Boston to such as the Treasurer shall appoint from yeare to year and a receipt taken from such
as to whome it is deliuered shalbee a discharge to those that deliuer it."} In 1661 it was
"enacted by the Court and the Authentic therof that whosoeuer taketh any whale on drift att
sea without those bounds and limites alreddy sett and bring them on shore hee shall have the one
halfe and the Countrey the other halfej and the Countrey to allow Caske for theirej?te of the oyle.
That whosoeuer shall find any whale on shore on the Cape or elsewhere that is out of any Townese
bounds and is on the Countreyes bounds or liinittes shall allow the Countrey two hogsheads of oyle
cleare and payed to the Countrey ."§
On the 3d of June, 1662, it was resolved that "wheras there hath bine much controversye
occa tioned for want of a full and cleare settlement of matter relateing into such whales as by Gods
•Quoted by Starbuek, 1. a., p. ;>. t Plymouth Colony Records, XI, p. 20»
tRecords of Massachusetts, II, p. 143. $ Hid., XI. p. 66.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 29
providence doe fall iiito any pte of this Jurisdiction. This Court doth therfore order for the pre-
vention of any discontent or controversy for tlir future and for a iinall Issue and settlement soe
farr as in the Court lyeth about the saint- ; that for all such whales as by Gods providence shalbee
cast on shore on any pte of this gournieiit or shalbee by any cut vp att sea, and brought on shore in
the Goirment ; there shalbee for every such Uish one full hogshead of Marchantable oyle payed
into the Count rev delivered alt Boston by such to\vnes or psons as are Interested in the lauds where
they fall or shall soe cutt vp any tlish att sea; and iucaso that any Ih'sh bee soe considerably torne
or wasted that a full quarter pte bee gone; the.u to jiay but halfe a hogshead and for such Incon-
siderable ]iet-ce.s of I'tish as are lesse then halfe they shall pay nothing; and for the resedew of such
tlish or the produce of them as remaines the Countu-yes pte being discharged. It shalbee freely
att the dispose of such Townrs when- it falls or for the Uenifef t of such as Cutt them Vp; if taken
on drift without such bounds as have bine formerly sett; the same being still continewed."*
On the 4th of November, 1690, it was—
"Ordered, that tor the prevention of contests and suits by whale killers: —
"1. This Court cloth order, that all whales killed or wounded by any man & left at sea, sd
•,vha!e killers that killed or wounded s'1 whale shall presently repaire to some prudent person
whome the Court shall appoint, and there give in the wounds of sb whale, the time & place
when & where killed or wounded; and s'1 person so appointed shall presently comitt it to record,
and his record shall be allowed good testimony in law.
" 2. That all whales brought or cast ou shore shall be viewed by the persons so appointed, or
his deputy, before they are cut or any way defaced after come or brought on shore, and sd viewer
shall take a particular record of the wounds of sd whale, & time & place where & when brought
on shore ; & his record shall be good testimony in law, and sd viewer shall take care for securing
sd fish for the owner.
" 3. That whatever person or persons shall cut up or deface any whale fish, by cutting, stab-
bing, or launcing, after come on shore or at sea, if a drift, unless of necessity to towe it to shore,
before it hath beeu viewed by the person appointed thereto, and a record taken by him, shall lose
their right to sd fish, & pay a fine of ten pounds to the county. And sd viewers shall seize sd
fish for the owners use, on the effects thereof, and sd viewer shall have power to make a deputy or
deputies under his hand, and to have six shillings for [each] whale so viewed & recorded of the
owners thereof.
" 4. That whosoever find, takes, or cuts up any drift whale found on the stream, a mile from
the shore, not appearing to be killed by any man, shall be thet first sieze and secure them, paying
an hogshea'd of oyle to y county for every such whale."
MARTHA'S VINEYARD.
The inhabitants of this island were early engaged in boat whaling. According to Starbuck
the earliest mention of whales at this place occurs in November, 1652, when Thomas Daggett and
William Weeks were appointed "whale cutters for this year." In the following April it was
" Ordered by the town that the whale is to be cut out freely, four men at one time, and four at
another, and so every whale, beginning at the east end of the town." In 1690 Mr. Sarson and
William Vinson were appointed by "the proprietors of the whale" to oversee the cutting and
sharing of all whales cast on shore within the bounds of Edgartowu, "they to have as much for
their care as one cutter."
* Ply. Col. Bee., zi, p. 134. ilbid., vi, p. 252.
30 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
"In 1692," says Starbuck, " came the inevitable dispute of proprietorship. A whale was cast
oil shore at Edgarfown by the proprietors, ' seized by Benjamin Smith and Mr. Joseph Norton in
their behalf,' which was also claimed by 'John Steel, harpooner, on a whale design, as being killed
by him.' It was settled by placing the whale in the custody of Richard Sarsou, esq., and Mr.
Benjamin Smith, as agents of the proprietors, to save by trying out and securing the oil; 'and
that no distribution be made of the said whale, or effects, till after fifteen days are expired after
the date hereof, that so such persons who may pretend an interest or claim, in the whale, may
make their challenge; and in case such challenge appear sufficient to them, then they may deliver
the said whale or oyl to the challenger; otherwise to give notice to the proprietors, who may do as
the matter may require. By the inhabitants of Martha's Vineyard, in 1702-'3, there appear to
have been several whales lulled. The following entry occurs under that date in the court records:
'The marks of the \\ hales killed by John Butler and Thomas Lothrop. One whale lanced near or
over the shoulder blade, near the left shoulder blade only ; another killed with an iron forward
in the left side, marked W; and upon the right side marked with a pocket-knife T. L.; and the
other had an iron hole over the right shoulder-blade, with two lance holes in the same side, one in
the belly. These whales were all killed about the middle of February last past; all great whales,
betwixt (i and 7 and 8-foot bone, which are all gone from us. A true account given by John
Butler from us, and recorded Per me, Thomas Trapp, clerk.' "
NANTTJCKET.
The history of shore-whaling at Nantucket begins with the occupancy of that island by Euro-
peans, about the year 1640, although prior to that time the Indians were doubtless accustomed to
occasionally capture a whale. "The very earliest account of a capture," says Mr. C. S. Raleigh,
"was in the year 1608, when a party of Indians killed a humpback whale which got stranded on
a part of Nantucket, called Chiton, in the inner harbor." "The first whaling expedition," says
Macy. "was undertaken by some of the original purchasers of the island; the circumstances of
which are handed down by tradition, and are as follows: A whale, of the kind called 'scragg,'
came into the harbor and continued there three days. This excited the curiosity of the people,
and led them to devise measures to prevent his return out of the harbor. They accordingly
invented and caused to be wrought for them a harpoon, with which they attacked and killed the
whale. This first success encouraged them to undertake whaling as a permanent business ; whales
being at that time numerous in the vicinity of the shores."*
The islanders were, anxious to rugate in the whaling industry and, according to Starbuck,t
recorded a memorandum of a proposed agreement with one James Loper, in which it is said that
the said James "doth Ingage to carrey on a Desigue of Whale Catching on the Island of Nan-
tucket that is to say James In gages to be a third in all Respects, and som of the Town Ingages
also to carrey on the other two thirds with him in like manner — the town doth also consent that
first one company shall begin, and afterwards the rest of the freeholders or any of them have
Liberty to set up another Company provided they make a tender to those freeholders that have
no share in the first company and if any refuse the rest may go on themselves, and the town doth
engage that no other Company shall be allowed hereafter ; also, whoever kill any whales, of the
Company or Companies aforesaid, they are to pay to the Town for every such whale five shillings
and for the Incoragemeut of the said James Loper the Town doth grant him ten acres of Land in
surne Couvenaut place that he may chuse in (Wood Laud Except) and also liberty for the com-
monage of three cows and Twenty sheep and one horse with necessary wood and water for his
" MACY : Hist. Nantucket, p. 28. t Report U. S. Fish Com., 1875-76.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 31
use, on Conditions that lie follow (lie trade of whalling ou this Island two years in all seasons
thereof beginning the first of March next Insuing; also he is to build upon his Land and when
he leaves Inhabiting upon this Island then he is first to offer his Land to the Town at a valuable,
price and if the Town do not buy it he may sell it to whom he please ; the commonage is granted
only for the1 time of his staying !•< '. t the same meeting," continues Starbuck, "John Sav-
idge had a grant made to him, upon condition that he took up bis residence ou the island for the
space of three years, and also that he should ; follow his trade of a cooper upon the island, as the
Town or whale Company ha\e need to employ him.' Loper beyond a doubt never improved this
opportunity offered him of immortalizing himself', bnt Savidge did, and a, perverse world has,
against his own will, handed down to posterity the name of Loper, who did not come, while it has
rather ignored that of Savidge, who did remove to That island."
In the mean time the people of ( 'ape Cod were becoming more proficient in whaling than those
of Nantucket, so that the latter sent TO the cape in IG'JO, and "employed a man by the name of
Ichabod Paddock to instruct them in the manner of killing whales and extracting their oil."*
From small beginnings The industry increased, and reached its greatest prosperity in 1726, when,
says Maey, eighty-six were taken, "a greater number than was obtained in any one year, either
before or since that date. The greatest number ever killed and brought to the shore in one day
was eleven." Shore whaling at this period was the principal employment of the islanders. "The
Indians even manifested a disposition for fishing of every kind, readily joined with the whites. in
this new pursuit, and willingly submitted to any station assigned them. By their assistance, the
whites were enabled to fit out and man a far greater number of boats than they could have done
of themselves. Nearly every boat was manned, in part, many almost entirely, by natives ; some
of the most active, of them were made steersmen, and some were allowed even to head the boats;
thus encouraged, they soon became experienced whalemen, and capable of conducting any part
of the business."
The following incident illustrates their bravery when in danger:
"It happened once, when there were about thirty boats about six miles from shore, that
the wind came round to the northward and blew with great violence, attended with snow. The
men all rowed hard, but made but little headway. In one of the boats were four Indians and
two white men. An old Indian in the head of the boat, perceiving that the crew began to he-
disheartened, spake out loud in his own tongue, and said, ' Momadichchator auqua sarshlcee sarrikee
plncliee eynoo sememoocli'kee cliaquanl's -irihclu'c phirlicc eynoo;' which in English is, 'Pull ahead with
courage ; do not be disheartened ; we shall not be lost now ; there are too many Englishmen to
be lost now.' His speaking in this manner gave the crew new courage. They soon perceived
that they made headway, and after long rowing they all got safe on shore."t
Whales were abundant close in shore for many years, so that a plentiful supply of oil was
obtained without going out of sight of land. "The south side of the island," says Hector St.
John, " was divided into four equal parts, and each part was assigned to a company of six, which,
though thus separated, still carried on their business in common. In the middle of this distance
they erected a mast, provided with a sufficient number of rounds, and near it they built a tem-
porary hut where five of the associates lived, whilst the sixth, from his high station, carefully
looked toward the sea, in order to observe the spouting of whales." f
"The process of savin// the whales, " says Macy, "after they had been killed and towed ashore,
was to use a crab, an instrument similar to a capstan, to heave and turn the blubber off as fast as
•MACY: op. <• tM ass. Jlisl. Sue. Coll., iii j>. 175.
t JLetturs iruui uu Amui-icuu i'urtuer; Hrrtnr St. .lobn ('revem-m ; jmlilislinl l?8i.
32 HISTORY AOT) METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
it was cut. The blubber was then put iuto their carts and carried to their try -houses, which, at
that early period, were placed near to their dwelling-houses, where the oil was boiled out and
fitted for market." *
Shore- whaling continued till about the middle of the eighteenth century, when whales became
scarce and were pursued by vessels, when the boat-whaling, as a regular business, was, according
to Macy, abandoned. "The first sperm-whale known to the islanders was found ashore on the
southwest part of Nantucket. It caused considerable excitement, some demanding a part of the
prize under one pretense, some under another, and all were anxious to behold so strange an
animal. There were so many claimants of the prize, that it was difficult to determine to who it
should belong. The natives claimed it because they found it ; the whites, to whom the natives
made known their discovery, claimed it by a right comprehended, as they affirmed, in the pur-
chase of the island by the original patent. An officer of the crown made his claim, and pretended
to seize the fish in the name of his majesty, as being property without any particular owner.
After considerable discussion between these contending parties, it was finally settled that the
white inhabitants, who first found the whale, should share the prize equally amongst themselves.
The teeth, which were considered very valuable, had been extracted by a white man and an Indian,
before any others had any knowledge of the whale. All difficulty being now settled, a company
was formed, who commenced cutting the whale in pieces convenient for transportation to their try-
works. The sperm procured from the head was thought to be of great value for medical purposes.
It was used both as an internal and external application ; and such was the credulity of the people,
that they considered it a certain cure for all diseases ; it was sought with avidity, and, for awhile,
was esteemed to be worth its weight in silver. The whole quantity of oil obtained from this
whale is not known."!
RHODE ISLAND AND CONNECTICUT.
In 1731 Rhode Island passed an act for the encouragement of the fisheries, giving " a bounty
of five shillings for every barrel of whale oil, one penny a pound for bone, and five shillings a
quintal for codfish, caught by Rhode Island vessels, and brought into this Colony." f
The fishery had been carried on to some extent in boats from the shore, and whales were taken
in the waters of Narragansct Bay.
The first official document to be found connecting the State of Connecticut with the whale
fishery is a resolve passed at a meeting of the general court held at Hartford, May 25, 1647, which
says:
" Yf Mr. Whiting, wth any others shall make tryall and prsecute a designe for the takeing of
whale wthin these libertyes, and if vppou tryall wthin the terme of two yeares. they shall like to
goe on, noe others shalbe suffered to interrupt the, for the tearine of seauen yeares."§
It is probable that drift-whales were occasionally taken along the coast of Connecticut in early
times, but we find no special reference to show that boat-whaling was ever engaged in by the
inhabitants.
NEW YORE.
Long Island, with its long stretch of sandy beaches, was in early times a favorite resort for
boat whalemen. It was the rival of Cape Cod, and the inhabitants on its eastern end found much
profit in capturing whales, and shipping oil and bone to London. The following interesting account
of shore-whaling along those shores is taken entire from Mr. Starbuck's|| report on the whale
fishery.
* Hist. Nantucket, p. 31. ilbid., p. :«. t ARNOLD : Hist. Rhode Island, ii, p. 103.
$ Comi. Col. Reu., i, p. 154. 1 U. 8. Fisli Commissioner's Report, Part IV, 1875-76.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 33
" It is probably safe to assert that the first organized prosecution of the American whale-fishery
was made along the shores of Long Island. The town of Southampton, which was settled in 1640
by an offshoot from the Massachusetts Colony at Lynn, was quick to appreciate the value of this
source of revenue. In March, 1644, the town ordered the town divided into four wards of eleven
persons to each ward, to attend to the drift-whales cast ashore. When such an event took place
two persons from each ward (selected by lot) were to be employed to cut it up. 'And every
Inhabitant with his child or servant that is above sixteen years of age shall have in the Division of
the other part,' (i. e. what remained after the cutters deducted the double share they were, ex-officio,
entitled to) 'an equall proportion provided that such person when yt falls into his ward a suffi-
cient man to be imployed about yt.'* Among the names of those delegated to each ward are
many whose descendants became prominent in the business as masters or owners of vessels— the
Coopers, the Sayres, Mulfords, Peirsons, Hedges, Howells, Posts, and others. A few years later
the number of 'squadrons' was increased to six.
" In February, 1645, the town ordered that if any whale was cast ashore within the limits of
the town no man should take or carry away any part thereof without order from a magistrate,
under penalty of twenty shillings. Whoever should find any whale or part of a whale, upon giv-
ing notice to a magistrate, should have allowed him five shillings, or if the portion found should
not be worth five shillings the finder should have the whole. ' And yt is further ordered that yf
any shall finde a whale or any peece thereof upon the Lord's day then the aforesaid shillings shall
not be due or payable.' t ' This last clause,' says Ho well, ' appears to be a very shrewd thrust at
"mooning" on the beach on Sundays.'
"It was customary a few years later to fit out expeditious of several boats each for whaling
along the coast, the parties engaged camping' out on shore during the night. These expeditions
were usually gone about one or two weeks. f Indians were usually employed by the English, the
whites furnishing all the necessary implements, and the Indians receiving a stipulated proportion
of oil in payment.
"At Easthampton on the 6th of November, 1651, ' It was Ordered that Rodman Mulford shall
call out ye Town by succession to loke out for whale.'§ Easthampton, however, like every other
town where whales were obtainable, seems to have had its little unpleasantnesses on the subject,
for in 1653 the town ' Ordered that the share of whale now in controversie between the Widow
Talmage and Thomas Talmage ' (alas for the old-time Chesterfieldian gallantry) ' shall be divided
among them as the lot is.'|| In the early deeds of the town the Indian grantors were to be allowed
the fins and tails of all drift-whales; and in the deed of Montauk Island and Point, the Indians
and whites were to be equal sharers in these prizes, fl In 1672 the towns of Easthampton, South-
ampton, and South wold presented a 'memorial to the court at Whitehall ' setting forth that they
have spent much time and paines, and the greatest part of their estates, in settling the trade of
whale-fishing in the adjacent seas, having endeavoured it above these twenty yeares, but could not
bring it to any perfection till within these 2 or 3 yeares last past. And it now being a hopefull
trade at New Yorke. in America, the Governor and the Dutch there do require ye Petitioners to
come under their patent, and lay very heavy taxes upon them beyond any of his MatieB subjects in
New England, and will not permit the petitioners to have any deputys in Court,** but being chiefs,
do impose what Laws they please upon them, and insulting very much over the Petitioners
* HOWELL : Hist, of Southampton, p. 179. t Ibid., p. 184. t Ibid., p. 183.
§ Bicentennial Address at Easthamptoti, 1850, by Henry P. Hedges, p. 8. || Ibid., p. 8. 11 Ibid.
**Iu this petition is an early assertion oi' the twiuship of taxation and representation, for which Massachusetts
aud her ofl'shoots WPI-H pver strenuous.
SEC. T, VOL. II 3
34 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
threaten to cut down their timber which is but little they have to Casks for oyle, altho' the Pet™
purchased their landes of the Lord Sterling's deputy, above 30 yeares since, and have till now
under the Government and Patent of Mr. Winthrop, belonging to Conitycut Patent, which lyeth
far more convenient for ye Petitioners assistance in the aforesaid Trade.' They desire, therefore,
either to continue under the Connecticut government, or to be made a free corporation. This peti-
tion was referred to the ' Council on Foreign Plantations.'
" This would make the commencement of this industry date back not far from the year 1650.
In December, 1652, the directors of Dutch West India Company write to Director General Peter
Stuyvesaut, of New York : ' In regard to the whale-fishery we understand that it might be taken
in hand during some part of the year. If this could be done with advantage, it would be a very
desirable matter, and make the trade there flourish and animate many people to try their good
luck in that branch.' In April (4th), 1656, the council of New York ' received the request of Hans
Jongh, soldier and tanner, asking for a ton of train-oil or some of the fat of the whale lately cap-
tured: "
In 1669 Mr. Maverick writes from New York to Colonel Nichols, as follows :
" On ye East end of Long Island there were twelve or thirteen whales taken before ye end of
March, and what since wee heare not ; here are dayly some seen in the very harbour, sometimes
within Nutt Island. Out of the Pinnace, the other week, they struck two, but lost both, the iron
broke in one, the other broke the warpe. The Governour hath encouraged some to follow this
designe. Two shollops made for itt, but as yett wee doe not heare of any they have gotten."*
" In 1672," continues Starbuck, " the town of Southampton passed an order for the regulation of
whaling, which, in the latter part of the year, received the following confirmation from Governor
Lovelace : ' Whereas there was an ordinance made at a Towne-Meeting in South Hampton upon the
Second Day of May las relating to the Regulation of the Whale ffishing and Employment of the
Indyans therein, wherein particularly it is mentioned. That whosoever shall Hire an Indyan to
go a-Whaling, shall not give him for his Hire above one Trucking Cloath Coat, for each whale,
hee and his Company shall Kill, or halfe the Blubber, without the Whale Bone under a Penalty
therein exprest: Upon Considerac'on had thereupon, I have thought good to Allow of the said
Order, And do hereby Confirm the same, until some inconvenience therein shall bee made appeare,
And do also Order that the like Rule shall bee followed at East Hampton and other Places if
they shall finde it practicable amongst them.
" ' Given under my haud in New Yorke, the 28th of Novemb'r, 1672.'
" Upon the same day that the people of Southamption passed the foregoing order, Governor
Lovelace also issued and order citing that in consequence of great abuse to his Royal Highness in
the matter of drift- whales upon Long Island, he had thought fit to appoint Mr. Wm. Osborne and
Mr. John Smith, of Hempstead, to make strict inquiries of Indians and English in regard to the
matter.!
" It was early found to be essential that all important contracts and agreements, especially
' between the English and Indians, relating to the killing of whales should be entered upon the
town books, and signed by the parties in presence of the clerk and certified by him. Boat-
whaling was so generally practiced, and was considered of so much importance by the whole
community, that every man of sufficient ability in the town was obliged to take his turn in watch-
ing for whales from some elevated position on the beach, and to sound the alarm on one being
seen near the coast.'}: Ju April (2d), 1668, an agreement was entered on the records of Easthamp-
' J >oc. ->t' Col. Hist. New York, III p. 183. t N. Y. Col., MSS., General Entries iv, p. 193, Francis Lovelace.
t HONVKI.L : Hint.. .Southampton.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 35
ton, binding certain Indians of Montauket in the sum of £10 sterling to go to sea, whaling, on
account of Jacobus Skallenger and others, of Easthampton, beginning on the 1st of November and
ending on the 1st of the ensuing April, they engaging ' to attend dilligently with all opportuuitie
for ye killing of whales or other fish, for ye sum of three shillings a day for every Indian ; ye sayd
Jacobus Skalleuger and partners to furnish all necessarie craft and tackling convenient for ye
designe.' The laws governing these whaling-companies were based on justice rather than selfish-
ness. Among the provisions was one passed January 4, 1669, whereby a member of one company
finding a dead whale killed by the other company was obliged to notify the latter. A prudent
proviso in the order was that the person bringing the tidings should be well rewarded. If the
whale was found at sea, the killers and finders were to be equal sharers. If irons were found in
the whale, they were to be restored to the owners.* In 1672, John Cooper desired leave to employ
some 'strange Indians' to assist him in whaling, which leave was granted ;t but these Indian
allies required tender handling, and were quite apt to ignore their contracts when a fair excuse
could be found, especially if their hands had already closed over the financial consideration. Two
or three petitions relating to cases of this kind are on file at New York. One of them is from
'Jacob Skallenger, Stephen Hand, James Loper and other adjoined with them in the Whale
Designe at Easthampton,' and was presented in 1675. It sets forth that they had associated
together for the purpose of whaling, and agreed to hire twelve Indians and man two boats.
Having seen the natives yearly employed both by neighbors and those in surrounding towns,
they thought there could be no objection to their doing likewise. Accordingly, they agreed in
June with twelve Indians to whale for them during the following season. ' But it, fell out soe that
foure of the said Indians (competent & experienced men) belonged to Shelter-Island whoe with the
rest received of your petition™ in pt. of their hire or wages 25s. a peece in hand at the time of the
contract, as the Indian Custome is and without which they would not engage themselves to goe to
Sea as aforesaid for your Peticon™.' Soon after this there came an order from the governor requir-
ing, in consequence of the troubles between the English and the aborigines, that all Indians should
remain in their own quarters during' the winter. 'And some of the towne of Easthampton wante-
ing Indians to make up theire erne for whaleing they take advantage of your hon™ sd Ordre thereby
to hinder your peticon™ of the said foure Shelter-Island Indians. One of ye Overseers being of the
Company that would soe hinder your petition™. And Mr. Barker warned yor peticon™ not to en-
tertaine the said foure Indians without licence from your honr. And although some of your peti-
coners opposites in this matter of great weight to them seek to prevent yor peticon™ from haveing
those foure Indians under pretence of zeal in fulfilling yr hon™ order, yet it is more then apparent
that they endeavor to break yor peticon™ Company in y* maner that soe they themselves may have
opportunity out of the other eight Easthampton Indians to supply theire owne wants.' After rep-
resenting the loss liable to accrue to them from the failure of their design and the inability to hire
Easthampton Indians, on account of their being already engaged by other companies, they ask
relief in the premises,J which Governor Andross, in an order dated November 18, 1675, grants
them, by allowing them to employ the aforesaid Shelter-Island Indiaus.§
"Another case is that of the widow of one Cooper, who in 1677 petitions Andross to compel
some Indians who had been hired and paid their advance by her late husband to fulfill to her the
contract made with him, they having been hiring out to other parties since his decease. ||
" This code was very similar to that afterward adopted in the Massachusetts Bay.
tN. Y., Col. MSS.; General Entries, iv, p. •.':;:.. t N. Y. Col. MSS., xxv, Sir Ed. Audross, p. 41.
^Warrants, Orders, Passes, &c., K>74-lti79, p. 161. U N. Y. Col. MSS., xxvi, p. 153.
36 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
"The trade in oil from Long Island early gravitated to Boston and Connecticut, and this was
always a source of much uneasiness to the authorities at New York. The people inhabiting- East-
hamptou, Southampton, and vicinity, settling under a patent with different guarantees from those
allowed under the Duke of York, had little in sympathy with that government, and always turned
toward Connecticut as their natural ally and Massachusetts as their foster mother. Scarcely had
what they looked upon as the tyrannies of the New York governors reduced them to a sort of sub-
jection when they were assailed by a fresh enemy. A sudden turn of the wheel of fortune brought
them, in 1673, a second time under the control of the Dutch. During this interregnum, which lasted
from July, 1673, to November, 1674, they were summoned, by their then conquerors, to send dele-
gates to an assembly to be convened by the temporary rulers. In reply the inhabitants of
Easthamptou, Southampton, Southokl, Seatoocook, and Huntington returned a memorial setting
forth that up to 1664 they had lived quietly and prosperously under the government of Connec-
ticut. Now, however, the Dutch had by force assumed control, and, understanding them to be
well disposed, the people of those parts proffer a series of ten requests. The ninth is the par.
ticular one of interest in this connection, and is the only one not granted. In it they ask, ' That
there be ffree liberty granted ye 5 townes aforesd for ye procuring from any of ye united Collonies
(without molestation on either side:) warpes, irons, or any other necessaries ffor ye comfortable
earring on the whale design.' To this reply is made that it 'cannot in this conjunction of time be
allowed.' ' Why,' says Howell,* "the Council of Governor Colve chose thus to snub the English
in these five towns in the matter of providing a few whale-irons and necessary tackle for capturing
the whales that happened along the coast, is inconceivable;" but it must be remembered that the
English and Dutch had long been rivals in this pursuit, even carrying their rivalry to the extreme
of personal conflicts. The Dutch assumed to be, and practically were, the factors of Europe in
this business at this period, and would naturally be, slow to encourage any proficiency in whaling
by a people upon whom they probably realized that their lease of authority would be brief.
Hence, although they were willing to grant them every other right in common with those of their
own nationality, maritime jealousy made this one request impracticable. How the people of Long
Island enjoyed this state of affairs is easy to infer from their petition of 1672. The oppressions
alike of New York governors and Dutch conquerors could not fail to increase the alienation that
difference of habits, associations, interests, and rights had implanted within them. Among other
arbitrary laws was one compelling them to carry all the oil they desired to export to New York to be
cleared, a measure which produced so much dissatisfaction and inconvenience that it was beyond
a doubt "more honored in the breach than in tue observance." At times some captain, more
scrupulous than the rest, would obey the letter of the law or procure a remission of it. Thus, in
April, 1678, Benjamin Alford, of Boston, in New England, merchant, petitioned Governor Brock-
holds for permission to clear with a considerable quantity of oil that he had bought at Southampton
directly from that port t'> London, he paying all duties required by law. This he desires to do in
order to avoid the hazard of the voyage to New York and the extra danger of leakage thereby
incurred. He was accordingly allowed to clear as he desired, t
"Hist, of Southampton, p. 62.
t N. Y. Col. MSS., xxvii, pp. 65, 66. Accompanying the order is a blank clearance reading as follows : " Permit!.
& suffer the good — — of — — A. B. Commander, bound for the Port of London in Old England to passe from the
Harbor at the North-Sea near South*0" at the East End of Long Isl. with her loading of Whale Oyl & Whalebone
without any manner of Lett Hindrance or Molestation, shee having bernc rlc-aivd by order from the Custom house here
& given security accordingly. Given under my hand in N. Y. this 20th day of April in the 30th yeare of his Matie>
raigne A° Domini 1(578.
" To all his Ma*588 Offic™ whom this may Coucerue."
THE WHALE KISIIKHY. 37
" In 168-4 an act for the 'Encouragement of Trade and Navigation' within the province of New
York was passed, laying a duty of 10 per cent, on all oil and bone exported from New York to
any other port or place except directly to England, Jamaica, Barbadoes, or some other of the
Caribbean Islands.
"In May, IfiSS, the Duke of York instructs his agent, John Leven, to inquire into the number
of whales killed during the past six years within the province of New York, the produce of oil
ami bone, and 'about his share.'* To this Leveu makes reply that there has been no record kept,
and that the oil and bone were shared by the companies killing the fish. To Leven's statement,
Andross. who is in England defending his colonial government, asserts that all those whales tha
were driven ashore were killed and claimed by the whalers or Indiaus.f
" In August, 1088, we find the first record of an intention to obtain sperm oil. Among the
records in the State archives at Boston is a petition Irom Timotheus Vauderueu, commander of
the brigautiue Happy Return, of New Yorke, to Governor Audross, praying for 'Licence and Per-
mission, with one Equipage Consisting in twelve mariners, twelve, whalemen and six Diners —
from this Port, upon a fishing design about the Bohames Islands, And Cap florida, for sperma
Coeti whales and Racks: And so to returns for this Port.'f Whether this voyage was ever
undertaken or not we have no means of knowing, but the petition is conclusive evidence that
there were men in the country familiar even then with some of the haunts of the sperm-whale and
with his capture.
*' Francis Nicholson, writing from Fort James, December, 1688, says : l Our whalers have had
pretty good luck, killing about Graves End three large whales. On the Easte End aboute five or
six small ones.'§ During this same year the town of Easthatnptoii being short of money, debtors
were compelled to pay their obligations in produce, and in order to have some system of exchange
the trustees of the town 'being Legally met March 6, 1688-9 it was agreed that this year's Towne
rate should be held to be good pay if it be paid as Follows:
£. s. d.
Dry merchantable hides att 0 0 6
Indian Corn 0 3 0
Whale Bone 3 feet long and upwards 0 0 8. '
NOTE. — It is estimated by George R. Howells, from papers on tile in the office of the secretary of state of New
York, that the boat-whalemen of Southampton in 1637 took '2,148 barrels of oil.
•' In July, 1708, Lord Cornbury writes again to the board of trade regarding New York
affairs.|| In his letter he says : ' The quantity of Train Oyl made in Long Island is very uncer-
tain, some years they have much more fish than others, for example last year they made four
thousand Barrils of Oyl, and this last Season they have not made above Six hundred: About
the middle of October they begin to look out for fish, the Season lasts all November, December,
January, February, and part of March; a Yearling will make about forty Barils of Oyl, a Stunt
or Whale two years old will make sometimes fifty, sometimes sixty Barrils of Oyl, and the
largest whale that I have heard of in these Parts, yielded one hundred and ten barrels of Oyl,
and twelve hundred Weight of Bone.'
" In 170!) the fishery had attained such value on Long Island that some parties attempted to
reduce it, so far as possible, to a monopoly, and grants of land previously made by Governor
Fletcher and others, in a reckless and somewhat questionable manner were improved for per-
sonal benefit. Earl Bellomont, in commenting on these irregular practices, writes to the lords of
trade, under date of July 2 of that year,fl citing, among others, one Colonel Smith, who, he states,
' \. Y. Col. Records, iii, p. 282. t Ibid., p. 311. t Mass. Col. MSS., Usurpation, vi, p. 126.
j Ibid., iv, p. 303. || N. Y. Col. Rec., v, p. 60. f Ibid., iv, p. 535.
38 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
' has got the beach on the sea shore for fourty miles together, after an odd manner as I have been
told by some of the inhabitants * * * having forced the town of Southampton to take a
poore £10 for the greatest part of the said beach, which is not a valuable consideration in law,
for Colonel Smith himself own'd to me that that beach was very profitable to him for whale fish-
ing, and that one year he cleared £500, by whales taken there.'
" In 1716, Samuel Mulford, of Easthampton, in a petition to the King, gave a sketch of the
progress of this industry in that viciuity.* In the recital of the grievances of his neighbors and
himself, he writes that ' the inhabitants of the said Township and parts adjacent did from the
first Establishment of the said Colony of New Tork enjoy the Privilege & Benefit of fishing for
whale & applying ye same to their own use as their undoubted right and property.'! By his
petition it appears further that in 1664 Governor Nicolls and council directed that drift-whales
should pay a duty of every sixteenth gallon of oil to the government, ' exempting the whales that
were killed at Sea by persons who went on that design from any duty or imposition.' Governor
Dongan also claimed duty on drift-whales, and he also exempted those killed at sea. 'There was
no pretence,' under Dongau, ' to seize such whales or to exact anything from the fishermen on
that account, being their ancient right and property. Thus the inhabitants had the right of fish-
ing preserved to them, and the Crown the benefit of all drift Whales, and everything seemed well
established between the Crown and the People, who continued chearfully, and with success, to
carry on the said fishing trade.' This state of affairs continued until 1696, when Lord Corubury
(afterward Earl of Clarendon) became governor. It was theu announced by those in authority
that the whale was a 'Royal Fish,' and belonged to the Crown; consequently all whalers must
be licensed ' for that purpose which he was sure to make them pay for, and also contribute good
part of the fruit of their labour ; no less that a neat 14th part of the Oyle and Bone, when cut up,
and to bring the same to New York an 100 miles distant from their habitation, an exaction so
grievous, that few people did ever comply for it.' \ The result of this policy was to discourage
the fishery, and its importance was sensibly decreased. In 1711 the New York authorities issued
a writ to the sheriifs directing- them to seize all whales. This demand created much disturbance,
but the people, knowing no remedy, submitted with what grace they could to what they felt was
a grievous wrong, and an infringement upon their rights under the patent under which their
settlement was founded. Since that time, Mulford continues, a formal prosecution had been
commenced against him for hiring Indians to assist him in whaling. He concludes his petition
with the assertion that, unless some relief was aiforded, the fishery must be ruined, since ' the
person concerned will not be brought to the hardship of waiting out at sea many months, & the
difficulty of bringing into New York the fish, and at last paying so great a share of their profit.'
" Mulford, during the latter part of his life, was continually at loggerheads with the govern-
ment at New York. A sturdy representative of that Puritan opposition to injustice and wrong
with which the early settlers of Eastern Long Island were so thoroughly imbued, the declining
years of his life were continual eras of contention against the tyrannies and exactions of governors,
whose only interest seemed to be to suck the life blood from the bodies of these unfortunate flies
caught in their spider's-uet, and cast the useless remains remorselessly away. He was one of the
*N. Y. Col. Kec., v, p. 474.
These are undoubtedly what the, authorities were pleased to term "Massachusetts notions."
t It was these outrageously unjust laws that brought the government into the notorious disrepute it attained
with its outlying dependencies from 1675 to 1720. In March, 1693, the council of Lord Cornbury declared certain
drift-whales the property of the Crown (which apparently meant a minimum amount to the King and a maximum
share to the governor), "when the subject can make no just claim of having killed them." One Richard Floyd
having offered a reward to any parties bringing him information of such whales, the council ordered an inquiry into
the matter in order to prevent such practices in the future. (Council Minutes, viii, p. 6.)
\viiALK 1'isiiKKY. :;<.)
remonstrants against flu- annexation of the eastern towns to the New York government, and irom
1700 to 17L'0 was the delegate from these towns to tbe assembly. In 1715 the opposition of the
government to his constituency reached the point of a personal conflict with him. In a speech
delivered in the assembly in this year he boldly and unsparingly denounced the authorities as
tyrannical, extravagant, and dishonest. He cited numerous instances of injustices from officers
of the customs to the traders of and to his section. While grain was selling in Boston at 6s. per
bushel, and .only commanding one-half of that in New York, his people were compelled by existing
laws to lose this difference in value. While the government was complaining of poverty and the
lack of disposition on the part of the people to furnish means for its subsistence, the governor had
received, says Mulford, during the past three years, three times the combined income of the
governors of Massachusetts, Ehode Island, and Connecticut. In 1716 the assembly ordered this
speech to be put into the hands of the speaker, but Mulford, without hesitation, caused it to be
published and circulated.* From this time forth the war upon him was, so far as the government
was concerned, a series of persecutions, but Mulford undauntedly braved them all and in the end
was triumphant. Quite a number of letters passed between the governor and himself, and between
them both and the lords of trade in London. As an earnest of the feeling his opposition had
stirred up, the governor commenced a suit against him in the supreme court, the judges of which
owed their appointment to the executive. Shortly after this, Governor Hunter, in a communi-
cation to the lords of trade regarding the state of affairs in the province, writes that he is informed
that Mulford, who 'has continually flown in face of government,' and always disputed with the
Crown the right of whaling, has gone to London to urge his case.t He states that ' that poor,
troublesome old man' is the only mutineer in a province otherwise quiet (an assertion that
evidenced either a reckless disregard for truth, or a want of knowledge of affairs inexcusably
culpable); that the case he pleads has been brought before the supreme court and decided against
him, and Mulford is the only man who disputes the Crown's right, and the good governor
charitably recommends their lordships to ' bluff him.'| Still later, Hunter states that it was the
custom long before his arrival to take out whaling licenses. Many came voluntarily and did so.
If whaling is ' decayed,' it was not for want of whalemen, for the number increases yearly ; ' but
the truth of the matter is, that the Town of Boston is the Port of Trade of the People inhabiting
that end of Long Island of late years, so that the exportation from hence of that commodity must
in the Books be less than formerly.' The perquisites arising from the sale of these licenses were of
no account in themselves, but yielding in this matter would only open a gap for the disputation of
every perquisite of the goverument.§
* A copy of this speech is bound in an old volume of the Boston News-Letter, in the library of the Boston Athenaum.
tin the address of H. P. Hedges at the Bi-Centennial celebration at Easthaiupton, iu 1850, he says, whenMulford
finally repaired to London to present the case to the King, he was obliged to conceal his intention. Leaving South-
ampton secretly, he landed at Newport, walked to Boston, and from thence embarked for London. Arrived there, he
" presented his memorial, which it is said attracted much attention, ami was read by him in the House of Commons."
He returned home in triumph, having obtained the desired end. Atthis time he was seventy-one years old. "Songs
and rejoicings," says . I. Lyon Gardiner (vide Hedge's Address, p. 21), "took place among the whalemen of Suffolk
County upon his arrival, on account of his having succeeded in getting ibe King's sharu given np." It is related of
him (Ibid., p. 68) that while at the court of St. James, being somewhat verdant, he was much annoyed by pickpockets.
As a palliative, he had a tailor sew several fish-hooks on the inside of his pockets, and soon after one of the fraternity
was caught. This incident being published at the time won for him an extensive notoriety. He was representative
from East Hampton from 1715 to 1720, and died in 1725, aged eighty years.
t N. Y. Col. Eec., v, 460. This assertion must be inexcusably inaccurate, for it was unquestionably on the ground
of his sturdy defense of their rights that the people of Easthainpton so steadily returned him to the assembly.
§ N. Y. Col. Eec., v, p. 484. This admission of Hunter's of the smallness of the revenue is indisputable evidence of
his incompetence, and of the truth of Mulford's assertion of the ultimate ruin of the whale-fishery under such restric-
tions.
40 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
"To this the lords of trade reply :* 'Ton may intimate in your letter to our Secretary of 22d
November last that the Whale fishery is reserved to the Crown by your Pateuts : as we can find no
such thing in your Commission, you will explain what you mean by it. ' Mulford is now in London,
and desires dispatch in the decision in regard to this matter, pending which the lords desire to know
whether dues have been paid by any one; if so, what amount has been paid, and to what purpose
this revenue has been applied. They close their letter with the following sentence, which would
hardly seeui open to any danger of misconstruction : ' Upon thin occasion we must observe to you,
that ire hopeyou trill give all due incovragement to that Trade.' Evidently the case of Mulford vs. Hunter
looks badly for the governor. Still, Hunter is loth to yield readily, and the discussion is further
prolonged.
"It is now 1718. Governor Hunter, in his answer to the inquiries of their lordships, says
Commission was issued giving power ' Cognosceudi de Flotsam, Jetsoin, Lagon, Deodandis, &c.,'
follows ' et de Piscibus Itegalibus Sturgeonibus, Balenis Ccetis Porpetiis Delphinis Eeggis. &<•.'
In regard to the income, he again writes that it is inconsiderable; that only the danger of being
accused of giving up the Crown's right would have led him to write about it. In amount, it was
not £20 per annum (corroboratory of Mulford's assertion of its decline), and as the fish had left
this coast, he should not further trouble them about it. Up to the present time all but Mulford
had paid and continued to pay. The subject appears to have been finally referred to the attorney-
general, and the governor says (1719), waiting his opinion, he has surceased all demands till it
comes. The question must have been left in a state of considerable mistiness, however, for in 1720
Governor Burnett informs the lords, in a letter which indicates a satisfied feeling of compromise
between official dignity and the requirements of the trade, that he remits the 5 per centum on the
whale fishery, but asserts the King's rights by still requiring licenses, though in ' so doing he
neglects his own profit,' ; and this,' he adds, 'has a good effect on the country.' Under his admin-
istration the act for the encouragement of the whale fishery was renewed." t
4. BOAT WHALING IN TSE PRESENT CENTURY.
Within the present century shore whaling has been prosecuted to some extent at .various
points on the Atlantic coast, from Maine to South Carolina. The business has been profitable at
Provincetown, Mass., and at Beaufort, N. C. At the former place during the spring of 1880, forty-
eight whales, valued at $14,037, were captured; at the latter place the average annual catch is
four whales, valued at $4,500. The total value of the shore whaling on the entire coast in 1880
reached about $18,000, which is far above the average year's work. We are indebted to Mr. Earll
for facts about .this fishery at Maine, and the southern North Carolina coast, and to Captain
Atwood for an account of the business at Provincetown.
COAST OF MAINE.
Shore-whaling in the vicinity of Tremout began about 1840. Mr. Benjamin Beaver and a
small crew of men caught three or more whales annually for about twenty years, but gave up the
business in 1860. No more whales were taken from this time till the spring of 1880, when one
was taken and brought into Bass Harbor, and yielded 1,200 gallons of oil, but no bone of value.
*N. Y. Col. Eec., v, p. 510.
t ALEXANDER STARBUCK: Hist. Am. Whale Fishery, in U. S. Fish Com. Report, 1875-76.
THK WHAL!<; FISHERY. 41
('apt. .1. r.ickford, a native ol' Winter Harbor, is reported by Mr. C. P. Guptil to have cruised
off the coast in lSl."i in schooner IIn/,/a, and to have captured eight whales, one of which was a
finback, the rest humpback whales. This schoouer made only one season's work, but in 1870 Cap-
tain Hir.kford again tried his luck in a vessel from Prospect Harbor and captured one finback
whale.
Mr. Harll states that according to Capt. George A. Clark and Captain Bickford whaling was
extensively carried on from Prospect Harbor for many years. The fishing began about 1810,
when Stephen Clark and Mr. L. Ililler, of Rochester, Mass., came to the region, and built try-
works on the shore, having their lookout station on the top of an adjoining hill. The whales
usually followed the menhaden to the shore, arriving about the first of June and remaining till
September. When one was seen the boats, armed with harpoons and lances, immediately put
out from the land and gave chase. If they succeeded in killing the whale, it was towed to the
flats of the harbor at high water, where it was secured and left to be cut up at low tide. Ten
years later they began using small vessels in the fishery, and by this means were enabled to go
farther from laud. The fishery was at its height about 1835 to 1840, when an average of six or
seven whales was taken yearly. The largest number taken in any one season was ten. The
-average yield of oil was 25 to 30 barrels for each whale. The business was discontinued about
1860, since which date but one or two whales have been taken.
COAST OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the early part of the present century whales were abundant along this coast, and Province-
town whalers in small boats frequently captured a large number in a season. The Gloucester
Telegraph of November 6, 1850, says : "A right whale was taken at Provincetown last Thursday
by a party in three boats. It is estimated to yield GO barrels of oil/'
In the Barnstable Patriot of November 12, 1861, is the following item :
•' Whale. — On Saturday morning the spout of a whale which was discovered playing around
off Nauset in the midst of a fleet of some 200 mackerel fishermen was suddenly cut short by a
Nantucket fisherman, the Sam Chase making fast to him. This is the fifth whale taken by Sam
Chase since July 25, and will make about 25 barrels. The five will have made 125 barrels, worth
$1,500."
Whales have from time to time been stranded on the beaches about Cape Ann; several have
also been found by fishing vessels and towed into Gloucester Harbor. In July, 1833, one 50 feet
long, and measuring 10 feet through, was towed into the harbor and tried out on Eastern Point. The
Cape Ann Advertiser of October 21, 1870, records the capture off Eastern Point of a whale 45 feet
in length. In the. spring of 1880 finback whales were unusually abundant in Ipswich and Massa-
chusetts Bays, so that fishermen in their dories were in some cases alarmed for their own safety,
as the whales were darting about in pursuit of schools of herring. Six of this species of whale
were found dead floating in the bay and towed into Gloucester harbor. They had been killed by
Provincetown whalers. Three of them were tried out at Gloucester ; the remainder were allowed
to drift to sea again.
Captain Atwood writes the following account of the shore-whaling at Provincetown in 1880:
"Early in March there came into our bay and harbor immense quantities of herring and shrimp.
They were followed by a great number of finb ack whales, that remained here most of the time in
greater or less numbers until about the middle of May, when they all left the coast. During the
time they were here many of them were killed with bomb-lances. They sank when killed, and
42 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
remained on the bottom some two or three days, when they floated on the surface, and as they
were liable to come up in the night or during rugged weather, when the whalemen were not on
hand to take care of them, many drifted out to sea, and were lost or picked up by Gloucester fish-
ing vessels and towed to that port. A few were brought to Provincetown by these vessels, with
whom the proceeds for the oil were divided. There were brought in and landed at Jonathan
Cook's oil works on Long Point 38 whales, from which the blubber was stripped and the oil
extracted. Two other whales brought in were sold to parties who tcok them away for exhibi-
tion, one to Boston and the other to New York.
"Early in June immense quantities of sand-eels (Ammodytes) came n our harbor and bay and
remained several days. About the 10th of June there appeared plenty of whales feeding on the
sand-eels. They were again attacked "by our men, when a number of them were killed in a few
days, and ten were saved and landed at the oil works. Probably as many more that were not killed
outright received their death wound, went out of the bay, soon after died, and were lost.
" The forty-eight whales delivered at the oil works yielded about 950 barrels of oil, that sold
at an average price of 40 cents per gallon.
" When the first whales were killed it was supposed the whalebone in their mouths was worth-
less, and it was not saved; but subsequently some was saved and sold at 15 cents per pound. The
average quantity of bone in each whale is about 250 pounds. Probably the bone of thirty-five
whales has been saved, making an aggregate of 8,750.
"No whales have come in of late; our men are still anxiously looking for another school,
hoping they will come again and give them another benefit.
" Total for the season's work :
48 whales, 29,925 gallons of oil, at 40 cents $11,970 00
1 whale, sold for exhibit in Boston 350 00
1 whale, sold for exhibit in New York 405 00
8,750 pounds of whalebone from thirty-five whales, at 15 cents 1, 312 50
14,037 50
"Besides the whales saved and taken to Provincetown, many of those lost by our whalers
were towed into other places ; others have drifted on shore at different points. We hear of four
being towed into Gloucester, three into Boston, one to Newburyport, one to Cape Porpoise, one
Portland, one Mount Desert ; two drifted ashore at Scituate, two at Barnstable, one at Brewster,
one at Orleans, two at Wellfleet, one on the back of Cape Cod ; one was stripped of its blubber
at sea by a fishing vessel, that sold it in Boston. The entire catch from March to July was
probably one hundred whales, of which number nearly all were killed by Provincetown whalers.
Three of these whales were humpbacks ; the rest were of the finback species."
In the fall of 1S80 a finback whale about 50 feet long was killed in Cape Cod Bay, and towed to
Boston, where it was sold to an enterprising Yankee, who, after realizing quite a profit by exhibit-
ing it in Boston, conceived the idea of transporting it to Chicago for exhibition. It was accordingly
carefully cleaned and loaded upon a large platform car. Salt and ice were freely used for its
preservation. It reached Chicago, and was shown to the public as one of the wonders of the deep.
The enterprising exhibitor made several thousand dollars by this venture.
The following graphic description of whaling in Massachusetts Bay in 1881 was written for a
Boston newspaper :
" The denizens of Cape Cod have always been an amphibious population, largely taking their
living from, and making their fortunes upon, the waters of the oceans of the world. Especially is
this the case with the people of the lower half of the ' Right Arm,' who are fishers indeed, the
Till'; \\ IIAU<; nsiiKiiY. 4:l>
majority of them taking to the water, like ,\ on ng ducks, immediately alter their advent into a sandy
world, and becoming experts in the navigation of its depths and the capture of its treasures even
before their school days have fully passed.
" Pro vincetown occupies the extremity — the curling finger — of this cape, and its situation is
in every way peculiar. With the exception of a narrow strip or neck of sand heaps which unites
it to the main cape, it is surrounded by water — the salt water of the Atlantic — which rolls
unchecked between its outer shores and those of Europe. Its outer coast line, beginning at a point
opposite the narrow neck alluded to, sweeps around in a grand circle almost the entire circuit of
the compass, its outlines nearly resembling those of a gigantic capital O, as that letter is usually
found in manuscript. The inclosed water of this circle is the harbor of Provincetown, and the
town is built along the inner shore, at the bottom of the basin. Outside is the Kace, Wood End,
and sundry interesting points of light-house, life-saving station, all of vast moment to mariners
and ship-owners. Inside is one of the singular harbors of the world, deep enough and spacious
enough to shelter a fleet of hundreds of the largest ships of the world at one time, and with pecu-
liarities belonging to itself sufficient to make it famous wherever these ships may sail.
"If there are any kinds of fish, or any methods of taking them, which are not familiar to the
waters or the people of Provincetowu, their description is now in order. From the fry and minnow
for pickerel bait up to the 100 barrel right whale, Provincetown watershave witnessed the capture
of all kinds, and have frequently contributed specimens over which savants have puzzled and
wondered. ' The beaches of her shores have received as loot mighty carcases of whales and black-
fish ; shoals of porgies at one time, which all the teams of all the region could hardly remove soon
enough, so immense was the deposit, while fish-weirs (one of them took 700 barrels of mackerel a
few mornings since), try-works, and the implements and appliances of various fisheries mark the
scene in all directions.
" Now, it has been no unusual thing, at any time since the establishment of this exaggerated
fish-net yclept Provincetown, for a whale of some variety to be occasionally stranded upon her
beaches, or captured by her cruisers or boatmen. But it is only within the past three years that
the systematic pursuit of a leviathan within her waters has been established ; in other words, that
the home whale-fishery has been a feature of her business operations. A whale in the harbor of
Provincetown, especially at certain seasons, is almost as common a presence as that of a turtle in
a mill-pond ; but they are usually representatives of a class disliked and scorned by old-school
whalemen, and not remunerative to their capturers, unless the latter be men of enthusiasm and
desperate enterprise. So that, although there are plenty of veteran whalers in the region, it has
been left to the young Provincetowners of the present generation to inaugurate and establish an
enterprise which has already shown good results. One young captain, with his crew, last year
took upward of 250 barrels of oil off Provincetown, and is scoring fair results the present season,
though the conditions have, so far, been very unfavorable. Some of his whales he captured in the
harbor; but mainly his game was chased and killed in the water outside and near by.
"The variety of whale mostly found in Massachusetts Bay waters is the finback, a long,
clean, perfectly formed creature, growing sometimes to 75 or 80 feet in length, but usually from
45 to 55 feet. He is the most complete model of craft for speed and easy working in the water
that can be imagined, and his tail in motion the most perfect development of the screw motor ;
and, indeed, the finback moves through the water when occasion offers as the most rapid express
train never does on its tracks on land. It is timid and non-resistant, and it is principally on
account of its great speed and its habit of immediate fight when stricken that the old whalemen
detest it. Tour veteran has no relish for being drawn to the bottom, boat and all, by an aqua-
tic race-horse possessing the traveling qualities of a meteor.
44 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
"Therefore, as hinted above, the youugsters who are perpetually learning new 'kinks' and
confounding their progenitors, have stepped into a new order of things. They begin with an
exact reversal of the old-time processes, which were to harpoon the whale, and then lance him to
death. The Provincetowner first lances his prey, and immediately after harpoons it, for reasons
and in pursuance of methods shortly to be given.
''The finbacks come in numbers early in the spring, following the bait which is their food —
herrings, sand eels, mackerel, and the like, and where this bait is found in reasonable quantities
the whales will surely be found. Wheu feeding this whale stretches wide open his jaws, moves
forward among the bait on the surface with velocity until he has pocketed or scooped (in his
mouth) a quantity (some barrels), when he snaps together his front doors and swallows the catch,
having no teeth, nor need of any. It is at this feeding season that he is easiest approached and
fastened to. Wheu not feeding he is usually lazily sleeping, or disporting, and, indeed, the gam-
bols of this variety of whale seem to form a very necessary part of his existence, to which he pays
much attention. The antics of a calf in a pasture, or a young puppy in a back yard, are hardly
more diverting or singular than are those of a pair of whales in their festive moments. They will
stand on their heads and flourish their tails in the air ; then stand upon their tails and snap their
jaws in the air. They whirl and roll and swash about, sometimes tearing the water into shreds,
and again darting about, exhausting every possibility of whale enjoyment. They are as full of
curiosity as a deer, or as are many of the fish varieties, and this they evidence frequently by play-
ing about the boats which have come out to capture them, reconuoiteriug and viewing these boats
from all sides, and sinking a few feet below the surface, following their every motion, while they
occasionally appear at the surface for an outside observation.
" When touched or struck their immediate impulse is to dash off like a rocket, and this
impulse they obey to perfection. To test their marvelous facility of speed, a harpoon was thrown
into one off the Eace (the extremity of Gape Cod), when he started off across the bay in the direc-
tion of Boston, and in forty minutes had dragged the boat and its contents of crew and imple-
ments within full view of Minot's Ledge light-house. All the line was paid out by the boat's crew
and they <vere finally obliged to slip for their lives.
" A common fishing schooner is now fitted out for this whale-catching business, carrying a
whale-boat of the aucient approved construction, with sufficient men to man the boat and leave
some one or two on board to follow in the vessel when the boat is actually engaged. The captain
usually handles the lance and harpoon, and pulls a spare oar when not thus engaged. Besides
himself, four oarsmen and a boat-steerer comprise the crew of the boat of the successful captain
alluded to above.
" The bomb-lance is a most destructive weapon. The gun from which the lance is fired is of
very thick metal, and the breech is made heavy with lead to neutralize the recoil, which is heavy
with this kind of arm. The length of barrel is about 17 inches. The lance itself is of iron, with a
chamber 6 or 7 inches in length along the lower center, and solid between the chamber and
poiut, the latter tapering, and filed or ground to three edges. About the base of the lance are india-
rubber wings, folded when the lance is inserted iu the gun, and acting as wad to make the lance
fit the barrel easily, and just rest upon the powder charge of the gun. When fired these rubber
wings expand, and, like the paper feathers of a boy's dart, preserve the poise of the weapon. The
chamber of the lance is filled with powder, like a bomb-shell, and a one-second, or thereabout, fuse
is attached, so that, when the weapon is discharged into the body of a whale, it explodes within,
inflicting terrible wounds. Care must be taken not to discharge the lance at too short range, as in
that case it will pass through and through the whale's carcase without exploding, and entail no
TIIK WHALK FISHERY. 45
serious injury. About 30 feet distance is the range usually sought for. This implement, in the
hands of a cool and skillful sailor, works ' like a charm,' and great is its destruction of the life of
leviathan. To illustrate this, and also the whole matter, an actual day's work of the captain
foresaid will now be detailed:
''The present year the season lias been very backward; east and cold winds and rough
\\rather have prevailed, and the bait was at least two weeks later than usual in the bay. On
account of these and other unfavorable circumstances the whale catch in Provineetown neighbor-
hood has thus far been small. At 2 o'clock on a morning in May of last year the crew of the
schooner was aroused by the captain, the vessel then lying near the wharves in Provineetown
Harbor. She was got under way, and the spouting or 'blowing' of a whale could be plainly
heard from her deck. At once the chase began, the experienced captain working in the dark, at
times with prospects of success, but without its attainment as the hours passed. That there was
more than one whale in the harbor was evident, and one of them was a humpback, a prize, indeed,
and much more valuable than a finback, yielding twice as much of oil for the same size of creature.
As dawn streaked and day opened, one after another various other craft in the harbor became
awakened to what was going on, and numerous boats' crews put off from the shore to join in a chase
and possible capture, with the details of which they were perfectly familiar, and the tactics of
which wen1 their common practice.
"The first rays of the sun fell upon an exciting scene. There were a humpback whale and a
finback coursing about the harbor, the latter fully 65 feet in length. The chasing boats and
vessels represented a great variety of craft, and a still greater variety of crews and individuals
engaged. There were tall, short, crooked, lank, old, and young boat-steerers ; fat men puffing at
paddles, and lean men tugging at long oars. Excitement, emulation, and competition roused all
these men to prodigious efforts, and, in tlieir anxiety and enthusiasm, they manifested the most
singular traits and cut the oddest pranks. The finback led them a desperate chase, now here, now
there, until hours had slipped away, and he was not caught, although the very elite of Cape
Cod skill in whale capture, aided by experienced veterans of the northern and Pacific fleets, had
lent a hand. Away over on the east side of the harbor the humpback was finally stricken, a bomb-
lance entering his huge body, shattering his backbone in the explosion, and the monster died
instantly. A vigorous and triumphant yell announced the capture, but the finback escaped. The
schooner then proceeded outside, and followed the shore towards the Race.
"From the time of leaving the harbor until noon not a whale was sighted. The waters of a
pond inshore were apparently no more free of the creatures than was Cape Cod Bay at that time.
About noon it fell flat calm, and the schooner drifted lazily. But as the early afternoon advanced
the cry of ' Blows !' awoke every man to the knowledge that an immediate change in the status
might be at hand. The sun was burning hot, and the face of the bay like a mirror. In less time
after the first cry than it takes to tell the incident no less than fifteen ' blows' were counted, and
whales were in abundance on every hand.
"The boat, which had been towing astern, was at once occupied, and the advance, which
promised the fairest success, was made without delay. The spouting columns appeared at regular
intervals, and soon the boat was in close proximity. Headway was stopped, the oarsmen
exchanged their oars for stumpy paddles, like those with which an Indian manages his canoe,
and every one of them took his seat upon the gunwale of the boat, paddle in hand, ready for
orders. The captain took his stand forward, gun in hand, ready to discharge the lance at the first
favorable opportunity. The whales (there were a pair of them, male and female, as it proved)
sportive, and at once began a reconnaissance of the boat. They would sink about 10 feet below
46 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
the surface, roll partly upon one side, and cast an eye upward, as if speculating upon the apparition,
and occasionally come up, blow, and roll lazily under again. Their every motion could be plainly
seen while they were under water, and their movements anticipated. The captain singled out the
female, the largest and best animal, and thenceforth all attention was paid to her movements. At
last she came slowly to the surface, just moved her immense tail with the necessary motion to
change her direction, and started directly across the bow of the boat, under the very nose of the
captain. A straightforward bow shot was what he had been waiting for, and in an instant the gun
was at his shoulder. Up to this moment the men had all been guided by expressive wavings of the
captain's hand ; and his every motion was watched as men watch for a drop to fall during an
execution. As the gigantic finback passed — she proved to be upwards of 65 feet in length — she
rolled slightly to one side, and threw up the nipper nearest the captain as a man would throw up
the elbow of his bent arm to a level with the shoulder. Quick as thought the captain fired, the
lance struck the huge carcass just under the nipper and entirely disappeared, and the empty gun
was flung along the bottom of the boat.
" Instantly the captain was standing on the bow deck, harpoon in hand. The whale was
motionless, apparently with absolute astonishment. In this moment of quiet, which could not be
prolonged, the boat slightly advanced, the captain's both hands arose high in the air, the harpoon
descended directly downward, and the whale was transfixed, the iron entering her body near the
tail. The lance had seemingly hardly left the gun at greater speed than the initial movement of
that whale when consciousness was aroused. The whale line attached to the harpoon was coiled
with characteristic care in two tubs nearly amidships, led aft around the loggerhead in the stern
deck, and then forward through a notch in the extreme bow, out of which it was kept from slip-
ping by a pin passed through the two upper parts of the crotch. Instantly every man was stand-
ing along this line, grasping it with hat in hand to preserve it from the intense friction. The
loggerhead was kept constantly wet, and a man stood over it, hatchet in hand, to cut upon the first
' foul,' or other indication of extreme danger. And now appeared the wisdom of the movements.
The lance had entered the vitals of the whale, inflicting, it was well known, a terrible internal
wound upon its explosion. Had this not been the case, and only the harpoon held the whale, she
would have finished the race incontinently by obliging the crew to slip the line, or be drawn
under water. As it was, she must soon come up for further action. To appreciate the situation
that ensued, you should have seen that boat go through the water ; that is, you should have been
seated upon one of her thwarts or along her bottom. The whale moved forward and also down-
ward, and the water was then many fathoms deep. The downward movement, of course, depressed
the bow of the boat, and the immediate danger was from being drawn under by motion too swift to
allow the cutting of the surface. At once a great trough was made in the smooth sea by the flying
craft, the boat occupying the cavity, and from both her sides a sloping bank of water, inclining
outward and upward, seemed builded about her. To one sitting upon a thwart and looking out-
ward, the surface of the bay seemed just opposite the line of his eyes, so great was the depression
of the trough.
" Now, then, a sheer of the whale and the boat would take water at once over the side. The
forward movement became too swift, the bow too much depressed. Fathom after fathom was
allowed to slip around the loggerhead, until 50, 60, SO, 100 fathoms had been paid out, and three
or four minutes had elapsed. The whale had been struck off the Eace, and had started across
the bay in the direction of Plymouth.
"At the end of the time indicated the line began to slack and the whale to move upward from
the bottom of the bay. Still, however, she tore onward. As fasl us could be the line was hauled
THE WHALE FISHERY. 47
upoii, and all possible taken in. And now the whale is upon the surface, and great jets of almost
pure blood, red and arterial, rise in the air and fall backward upon her head and shoulders.
That tells the story. The boat rushes forward, and now seems to be floating in blood, so thick
have the waters become with it, and the smell arising is deadly sickening and almost suffocating
to the inexperienced.
" Down again the creature goes, to remain about the same time as at first. The speed hardly
diminishes. Up again she comes, and now the noise of her spouting is as of huge pipes obstructed,
and soon great clots of blood and substance fall as before upon the surface of the water. Every
muscle in every man is as tense as whalebone, and every nerve like steel. Each says to himself,
Will the end never come ?
"A breeze is rising on the eastern board, but its outer edge is still far from the schooner.
The two men left on board the latter have headed her in chase of the boat, but she is soon hull-
down in the view of the boat's crew. No matter. There are successive risings of the whale at
more frequent intervals, and now it is largely water that she spouts, and the wonder is if she has
any more blood left in her carcass. Usually when a finback is killed the body sinks at once, and
does not rise again for forty-eight hours; and every lance is stamped with its owner's initials,
that carcasses found may be identified. Other varieties of whale, having more blubber, do not
sink, at least not so readily.
"An idea strikes the captain. ' This whale,' he says, 'has lost so much blood that I do not
believe she will sink, and I will try an experiment.' He means that he will not haul up to the
animal by the harpoon line and dispatch her with another lance; but that he will follow her till
she dies of exhaustion and her present wound.
"Suddenly the whale turns square about, and starts back toward the Race. There is some
confusion, a slacking and jerking of the line, and all at once the harpoon slips, and whale and
boat are parted. And now the men growl and lower at the captain, for allowing their hard-earned
prize thus to escape. But he knows that a shore time must decide the contest and that the whale
must soon die.
"She is followed by her frequent spoutings of black blood and matter, and, her speed slack-
ing, the chase draws upon her. She stops. Will the captain give her another lance? The
proposal is useless, for her death flurry is begun, and it will soon be seen whether the experiment
of the captain is to result favorably.
"And now she leaps full length out of the water, and falls prone upon it with a crash like a
falling building. The surface is streaked and torn with foam mingled with blood. She stands
now upon her head, now upon her tail; like lightning she darts hither and thither. She sinks
and rises, spouts and half rolls over. Every man is iu position to keep clear of her, if in her frenzy
she blindly comes their way. ' For God's sake, captain, look out!' shouts one ; ' here she comes! '
The warning is justified; she is coming full head toward the boat. But momently she staggers,
ceases effort; her motion slows; she rolls three-quarters over, and lies dead in the middle of Mas-
sachusetts Bay.
" The schooner is out of sight. From 3 o'clock until 5 she has been battling for life, and leading
her capturers such a chase as the world cannot equal under other conditions. The breeze — a stiff
easter — has arrived. The whale must be towed home, but it is a serious matter with oars and
only the boat. Happily she has shut her mouth in dying, and will tow easier in consequence.
The captain's experiment has worked well, and this was about the only finback captured in these
•waters that season without sinking.
48 HISTORY AND METHODS OF TE1E FISHERIES.
"But the breeze brings the schooner, after a somewhat blind chase. Provincetown Harbor
is reached next morning, and the whale lauded at the try-works. There is no room here for further
detail or description. The captain is at this very moment cruising for whales oft' Grand Meuan,
with a better Proviucetown schooner than he had la.st year. But lie has taken 90 barrels iu Mas-
sachusetts Bay the present season "
COAST OF RHODE ISLAND AND NEW YORK.
Whales have frequently been taken by vessels soon after starting on their voyages from New
Bedford and other ports, and sometimes schools of wLales are seen close inshore. Of late years
no organized effort has been made to engage in shore whaling, though during the last century the
coast of Long Island was a favorite place for this fishery.
The following clippings mention the capture of a right whale at Newport, and the appearance
of a school of whales at the entrance of Long Island Sound :
"The whale, which for several days had been sporting in our river, was captured on Monday
last in fine style by a boat's crew of young men from Newport. Mr. Oliver Potter laid the boat
alongside as the whale came up. and Mr. Thomas White fastened the harpoon into her side. After
running the boat some distance she was lanced and carried into Newport. The whale is of the
right sort, about 44 feet long, and rated at 70 barrels of oil. A number of gentlemen of this town
have made arrangements to gratify the curiosity of those who may wish to see this creature of
the deep, and it will be exhibited for several days in a convenient place at Fox Point."
"A Connecticut paper, dated August 1G, 1873, states that the skipper of the sloop Annie, of
Saybrook, Conn., reports a large school of whales iu close proximity to home. Monday, while
midway between Southeast Point, Block Island, and Moutauk, a school of whales, numbering
probably thirty-five, was seen from the Annie's deck, gamboling near the Block Island shore,
whence they had been lured, it is supposed, by the prospect of a good feeding-ground. In the
school very few finbacks or humpbacked whales were to be seen. The majority were large whales,
some of them being not less than 70 feet iu length. Boatmen report it as a common occurrence
to see two or three finbacks in company in the race, but the appearance of so many large whales
is a new experience."
COAST OF NEW JERSEY.
The only record we have of shore-whaling on this coast is that furnished by Mr. Earll, who,
while visiting the coast in 1880, learned that between 1810 and 1820 (Japt. John Sprague, of
Manahawkiu. with a crew of seven men, followed whaling exclusively for a few years, with fair
results. They had a camp and try- works on the shore, and were provided with a whale-boat, in
which they put off from the beach whenever a whale was seen.
COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The whale-fisheries of Beaufort seem to have been prosecuted continuously for a long period
of years, and the oldest inhabitants are unable to give any information of their origin. There
has never been any extensive business, aud the fishing has been confined wholly to small boats
going out from the shore, with the exception of two vessels run during a few mouths each. The
first was the Daniel Webster, i'4.15*ons, that fitted out for whaling in the winter of 1874-'75, with
a crew from Proviucetown, Mass., but after three mouths' cruising she gave it up and returned to
Proviucetowu, having taken nothing. The next vessel, the Seychille, 47.07 tons, came to Beaufort
in the winter of 1878-'79, but was lost in the August storm of 1879, having taken nothing.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 49
The usual plan is for tlie fishermen to establish cainps among the sand hills along the shore
between Cape Lookout and Little River, where they live from the 1st of February to the last of
April. When the season arrives tbr whaling, three crews of six men each unite to form a earn]),
and proceed to build a house out of rushes in some desirable location near the shore, for protection
against the weather. Their boats, usually three in number, and their implements, an- placed in
readiness on the beach, and a lookout selected, where one man is stationed, to give the signal if
the whales come in sight.
At this season of the year the whales are moving northward, and in their migrations often
come within a short distance of the shore, where they are pursued and often captured by the.
fishermen. As soon as the whale is harpooned the "drug" is thrown over, and when he turns to
tight the fishermen, armed with gnus, shoot him with explosive cartridges, and, after killing him
with their lances, tow him to the shore, where they try him out.
The number of crews varies with the season, it formerly averaging but two or three, of
eighteen men each. In the spring of 1879 four crews were engaged in this fishery, and five
whales \\ere taken.
In the spring of 1880 there were six crews of 108 men stationed between Cape Hatteras and
Bear Inlet, but the season being unusually open, most of the whales had passed before the fisher-
men came on the shore, and but one was taken, the bone and oil selling for $408.
The yearly catch of late is about four whales, averaging 1,800 gallons of oil and 550 pounds
of bone each, giving the catch a value of $4,500. The shares usually range from thirty to forty,
as follows: Each boat one share, the gun two shares, the gunner an extra share, and each steers-
man an additional one-half share, the men all receiving one share each.
The whaling-gun was introduced into the locality by the schooner Daniel Webster, of Prov-
iucetown, in 1874.
COAST OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND GEORGIA.
There are no regular whaling-camps on this coast, but whaling vessels from the north often
cruise a short distance off Port Royal, S. C., and Brunswick, Ga., sometimes meeting with good
success. These vessels are of the smaller class, ranging from 53 to 117 tons, and spend the winter
and early spring months before their departure for the off-shore grounds in capturing whales
near the bars off this coast. They were formerly in the habit of going to Fernaudina, Fla., every
fall to ship their oil and bone to the STorth, but owing to the yellow fever at that place some of
them came to Brunswick, Ga., in 1876, and one of them secured a whale in this vicinity. The
following year two vessels came in January and remained till the middle of March, getting one
whale. The third year two whales were caught by the same vessel, and in 1879 four vessels
visited the locality, aud had taken up to March 1, five whales yielding 226 barrels of oil and 2,750
pounds of bone. The whaling-ground is on a bar only about 4 miles from the shore. A whale
after being captured by the whalemen in boats, is towed by the vessel into the sound aud there
stripped of blubber aud the oil tried out.
An exciting scene occurred at Charleston in the spring of 1880, which is thus described in the
Charleston Xews of January S :
"UNUSUAL SPORT IN CHARLESTON HARBOR. — Several days ago the almost unprecedented
presence of a whale in Charleston Harbor was announced. Whether driven here by stress of
weather, seeking misanthropic seclusion from his kind, or on an exploring expedition, will never
be known, but his presence was a huge black verity. Several timid and ineffectual attempts had
been made to effect his capture or destruction, but all were futile, until a regular hunt was
SEC. v, VOL. ii 4
TO HISTORY AND METHi-DS OF THE FISHERIES.
organized yesterday, Mr. Armstrong Hall, engineer, and Captain Smith, of the tug Eoyal Arch,
leading it. The attacking force originally consisted of two of Messrs. Bangs & Dolby's row-boats,
each manned by three oarsmen, an experienced and trustworthy coxswain, and a man in the bow of
each armed with a harpoon. Other boats with their crews joined in the chase, however, when the
whale was seen near Fort Sumter at about 9.45 a. m. He had been first met and struck on the
bar, however, by the boats above mentioned at about 8 o'clock, a harpoon and line being made fast
in his body near the tail. Pursuit was continued, one of the boats towing after the whale by the
line, and the other being rowed to within a short distance of him as he would rise to blow, and the
harpoons being launched at him whenever a favorable opportunity offered. During the chase he
had been working his way to landward, and soon got in the shoal water near Fort Johnston, on
James Island. In his struggles he became entangled in the stout line attached to the harpoon,
and wound himself in it so that it held firmly. He remained in the shoal water during the morn-
ing, the line having been cut to save the boat during a " flurry,'' and in the afternoon, at about
1.30 o'clock, an attempt was made to secure him. Four steam tugs — the Morgan, the Eepublic,
the Wade Hampton, and the Eoyal Arch — were present, besides probably fifty or sixty row-boats,
and a few small sailing craft.
"The news of the capture had spread rapidly, and quite a crowd, including a number of ladies,
gathered on the battery and watched the struggle that ensued. The line was taken aboard and
made fast to one of the tugs, which attempted to coax the fish toward the city. But the steamer
proved to be too unhandy for the delicate manipulation required, and the line was finally snapped,
a piece of considerable length being left attached to the whale worn en traine. Then ensued a
series of exciting maneuvers. The tugs would approach him in turn as opportunity offered, and
those aboard would drive lances and harpoons at him, with more or less effect, or attempt to throw
great running nooses over the flukes of his tail as they were thrust above the surface in the
creature's struggles. He indulged in a series of the most extraordinary gymnastic performances,
turning complete somersaults, and occasionally standing on his head, apparently for several
moments, with from 2 to 6 feet of his tail projecting above the water.
"Meantime, many of the small boats were dodging about him, and missiles were hurled at
him whenever a fair chance was offered. Time and again barbed harpoons and the long keen
blades of lances were plunged into his sides and back, and time and again did they fail to hold,
being drawn back by the lines by their owners. He was slowly but surely scuffling and turning
himself through the mud, which was seen upon his head several times, across the Ashley Eiver
toward White Point Garden, the center of an ever-varying circle of all sorts of craft, armed with
all sorts of weapons. In his progress he ran under the bow of the schooner Minnehaha, where
earnest efforts were made to lasso him, a compliment which he returned by standing on his head
and thrashing her with his tail until she shook from stem to stern. He struck sevenil blows
upon her jib-boom, which was damaged somewhat, the rigging thereabout being badly torn. He
would lash the water with the flukes of his tail, making reports like the discharge of a musket,
and drenching all in his neighborhood. He came to the surface frequently to blow, which he
did with a noise resembling that made by the blowing out of steam from an engine, sending a
fountain from each of his nostrils. At one time he got beneath the bow of one of the tugs, lifting
it almost clear of the water, and a stroke of his tail wrenched off one of the cabin doors that
stood open. It is impossible to describe, and almost impossible to imagine, the tremendous force
of one of these strokes. The great volumes of water that rose after each showed the immense
strength that was put forth hi them.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 51
"Two of the tugs ran over him, and the propeller of the Wade Hampton gave him several
blows, the effects of which were seen upon his bleeding back as he next rose. The line had also
evidently chafed him considerably, the skin near the tail being perceptibly raw from it. It
appeared about this time as if he was almost exhausted. He would now and then cease his
struggles entirely, and lie placidly upon the water with almost his entire body exposed, as it
resting. Observers could almost imagine that they could see him pant, and hi* snorts came in
quick succession, and seemed to have a ring of distress or despair in them. His motions, too,
were slower and more languid, as if he were about to relinquish the unequal struggle and die.
" All this time the two boats that had originated the chase had steadily followed him up, the
men in the bows driving their long lances into his body near where their experience taught them
was a vital point. Suddenly there was a cheer. One of the tugs rather involuntarily had gotten
so close on him that the remainder of the line hanging to him was secured by a boat-hook, and
quickly spliced to another line on board. About half an hour of playing him followed, when the
line, which had been stranded gradually, again parted. Haifa dozen efforts were made to throw a
noose over his tail from the deck of the Wade Hampton, from which place such trifles as a rifle-bullet
or so and two or three balls from a large revolver were fired into him without perceptible effect. One
or two of the efforts to throw the noose over him were very nearly successful, but he seemed to
dodge beneath the water as it fell about him.
" Another cheer announced another apparent success. A lance thrust from one of the Bangs
& Colby boats had evidently struck him deeply, and the men in her yelled exultantly as they rap-
idly backed away. The blood poured out and dyed the water around, and in a few seconds a
gigantic plume of crimson spray arose as he came up to blow. As he lifted his side from the water
and struck another gigantic blow, the blood could be seen pouring forth in a stream like that from
a small hose. He lay comparatively quiet, and another and stronger line was passed about him
from the Morgan. With this he was played for another half hour, during which time the small
boats kept steadily striking him whenever he appeared. He had by this time changed his course
somewhat, turning toward the center of the harbor, and crossing the stream across the bows of
the bark Framat, which he narrowly missed striking.
"The confusion of boats and lines was very great, tugs, bateaus, and row-boats being gath-
ered about the fish, alternately advancing and backing, amid a chaos of yells, oaths, cries of warn-
ing, and orders, the confusion being increased when the object of all attention would suddenly
begin to lash the water or execute some fancy movement, causing a wild scattering of craft on all
sides. That some one was not drowned or knocked in the head is a subject of general wonder.
" At last, when just alongside the Wade Hampton, the whale, who had lines enough about him
almost for a ship's rigging, seemed suddenly to decide to free himself by one mighty effort. In a
second almost the water for many feet about him became a mass of seething, heaving foam. He
turned over and over, fairly churned the sea with his tail, threw first his ugly head, and then the
great black rubber-looking flukes far above the surface, and bent himself almost double, straight-
ening out again with terrific violence. When the spray and foam were gone and men had an
opportunity to look, the Morgan's line was found slack and broken. The whale had freed himself
and disappeared. His track was rapidly followed, the struggle having by this time been brought
to a point opposite the Southern wharves, which were packed with people.
" The game appeared once or twice at long intervals, and was finally come up with by the
pursuers, now greatly diminished in numbers, on the eastern side of Cooper Eiver, near the
shore. Again the chase became hot, one or two strokes being given, and the Morgan running
over the whale again. About this time, however, he ran so close in that the tugs were afraid to
52 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
follow, and stood idly at a distance. Only about seven row-boats were now engaged in he hunt,
the others having retired from it, among the few which still followed being that laid hands upon
by the News and Courier deputation.' The fish turned and went down Hog Island Channel, the
oarsmen pulling steadily and cheerily after him.
"Talk of sport! What sport is comparable with the rush through the water after such huge
game as this, when tired muscles forget their weariness and are endowed with fresh life at every
sight of the great head and every splash of the monster's body? 'Give away! Give away with a
will!' And with oars going, the gunwales parting the smooth water, which seemed to rush by, and
every nerve and sinew tense and firm, the chase followed, no one knowing fatigue or stopping to
measure distances iu such a hunt. At last the boats huddle together, and spread again in a circle,
as the fish is caught up with. A moment and he appeal's, and in that moment a long-boat shoots
by his side, and the man in the bow, cool and steady, and with a deliberation that looks cruel,
plunges his lance into the mountain of flesh, while the oars are backed with a rush and surge, and
the craft glides away. Again and again this is repeated, the lioats moving in a continual semi-
circle, hemming the great fish in, and forming a barrier, which he could burst like pack-thread if
he knew it, to the deep water where his safety and rest lie. Slowly he works out, tacking this
way and that, and getting the merciless steel upon almost every reappearance.
"He was evidently weakening this rime. His plunges beneath the water were shorter and
shorter in duration, and he seemed to gasp for breath as he came up. At last a bare-footed sailor
in one of the first two boats, the man who struck the first blow in the morning (Garrison, of North
Carolina), drove his lance home. The boat backed away, but there was no need for it. An inert
black mass lay upon the surface, moving gently with the motion of the water. Dead at last.
"Then the boats rushed in and clustered around the dead giant. The Royal Arch came up,
and from her deck some one fired a rifle-ball into the whale's back. There was something like a
shudder, a feeble serpentine motion of the body, and then stillness. This was just at sunset, off
Shem Creek, on the east shore, and cheer after cheer arose, the whistle of the tug joining in the
triumphal chorus. Lines were quickly made fast about the great body, and it was towed to Sulli-
van's Island, where it will remain a part of to-day.
" The fish is a ' right whale.' As well as could be estimated last night his length is from 40 to
50 feet, and the thickness of his body from 10 to 15 feet. His captors estimate that he will yield
from $600 to $800 worth of oil. When examined after death the body and sides of the monster
•were found to be thickly seamed and scarred iu every direction with the marks of the lances,
harpoons, and hooks, showing that the hunters had aimed well."
COAST OF CALIFORNIA.
By DAVID S. JORDAN.
According to Captain Scammon " shore-whaling was commenced at Monterey, in the year
1851, by Captain Davenport, formerly a whaling-master of much experience and enterprise. The
whales were pursued in boats from the shore, and when captured were towed to the beach and
flensed, much iu the same manner, doubtless, as it had been done by our New England whalers
more than one hundred and fifty years ago. At the point where the. enormous carcass was
stripped of its fat, arose the whaling-station, where try-pots were set in rude furnaces, formed of
rocks and clay, and capacious vats were made of plauks, to receive the blubber. Large mincing-
tubs, with mincing-horses and mincing-knives, cutting-spades, ladles, bailers, skimmers, pikes, and
gaffs, with other whaling implements, surrounded the try-works; and near by, a low structure,
TIIK WIIALK F I SHEET. 53
covered with brushwood, constituted the store-house for oil. A light shanty, with four com-
partments, served the inupo.xe of wash room, drying-room, store-room, and cooper's shop, and a
sort of capstans, termed -crabs,' \MTC used in lieu of tin- ship's windlass, whereli.y the falls to the
heavy cutting-tackles were hove in, when fastened to the blanket-piece, which served to roll the
massive forms of the captured animals on the beach during the process of flensing."
"From tins experiment of local whaling," continues Scammou, "sprung up a system of shore
or coast whaling, which has been prosecuted for over twenty years (1874), and which extends
from Half-Moon Bay (latitude .'!7° 30'), on the north, to Point Abauda (latitude 32° 20'), in Lower
California." In 1874 there were "eleven whaling parties scattered along this belt of coast,
located at Half-Moon Bay, Pigeon Point, Monterey Bay (two), Carmel Bay, San Simeon, San
Luis Obispo, Goleta, Portuguese Bend (near San Pedro), San Diego, and Point Abauda. The
organization of each party is nearly on the same plan as that of the whale-ship's officers and crew,
all being paid a certain share, or 'lay,' which corresponds to the position or individual services
rendered by each member. A 'whaling company,' as it is termed, consists of one captain, one
mate, a cooper, two boat-steerers, and eleven men ; from these, two whale-boats are provided with
crews of six men each, leaving four hands on shore, who take their turn at the lookout station, to
watch for whales, and attend to boiling out the blubber when a whale is caught. The stock of
the company consists of boats, whaling implements, and whaling gear, which is divided into six-
teen equal shares, and the 'lay' of each member is the same. The captain and mate, however,
are paid a bonus of $200 or $300 for the term of engagement, which is one year, and they are also
exempt from all expenses of the company.
"The whaling year begins on the 1st of April, this being about the time that the California
gray whales have all passed toward the Arctic Ocean, and the, humpback whales begin their
noithern passage. The cruisiug limits of the local whalers extend from near the shore line to 10
miles at sea. At dawn of day the boats may be seen, careening under a press of sail, or pro-
pelled over the undulating ground-swell by the long measured strokes of oars, until they reach
the usual whaling-ground, where the day is passed plying to and fro, unless the objects of pursuit
are met with. Each boat is furnished with Greener's harpoon-gun, mounted at the bow, besides
tlie bomb gun in general use, which imparts to fhem more of a military appearance than the usual
aspect of a whaling craft. Generally, whales are first seen from the boats, but occasionally they
aie discovered by the man on watch at the station, who signals to the boats by means of a flag
elevated upon a pole, with which he runs toward the quarter where the whales are seen ; or a
Belies of signals are made from a tall flag staif.
" The cetaceous animals frequenting the coast, having been so long and constantly pursued,
are exceedingly wild and difficult to approach, and were it not for the utility of Greener's gun
the coast fishery would be abandoned, it being now next to impossible to ' strike' with the hand-
harpoon. At the present time (1874) if the whale can be approached within 30 yards it is con-
sidered to be in reach of the gun-hai-poon. "When the gunner fires, if he hits his game, the next
effort made is to haul up near enough to shoot a bomb-lance into a vital part, which, if it explodes,
completes the capture; but if the first bomb i'ails the second or third one does the fatal work.
The prize is then towed to the station, and, if it be night, it is secured to one of the buoys, placed for
the purpose, a little way from the surf, where it remains until daylight, or until such time as it is
wanted to be stripped of its blubber. The whales generally taken by the shore parties are hump-
backs and California grays; but occasionally a right whale, a finback, or a sulphur-bottom ia
captured.
54 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
" The localities of several of the stations are quite picturesque. Some of them are nearly
concealed from seaward view, being inside some rocky reef, or behind a jagged point, with its out-
lyiug rocks, upon which each successive wave dashes its foam, as if forbidding the approach of
ship or boat. The one which most interested us is half hidden in a little nook, on the southern
border of the Bay of Carmel, just south of Point Pinos. Scattered around the foothills, which
come to the water's edge, are the neatly whitewashed cabins of the whalers, nearly all of whom
are Portuguese, from the Azores or Western Islands of the Atlantic. They have their families with
iliem, and keep a pig, sheep, goat, or cow prowling around the premises; these, with a small
garden-patch, yielding principally corn and pumpkins, make up the general picture of the hamlet,
which is a paradise to the thrifty clan in comparison with the homes of their childhood. It is a
pleasant retreat from the rough voyages experienced on board the whale-ship. The surrounding
natural scenery is broken into majestic spurs and peaks, like their own native isles, with the
valley of the Rio Carmel a little beyond, expanded into landscape loveliness.
" Under a precipitous bluff, close to the water's edge, is the station, where, upon a stone-laid
quay, is erected the whole establishment for cutting-iu and trying-out the blubber of the whales.
Instead of rolling them upon the beach, as is usually done, the cutting-tackles are suspended from
an elevated beam, whereby the carcass is rolled over in the water — when undergoing the process
of flensing — in a manner similar to that alongside a ship. Near by are the try- works, sending
forth volumes of thick black smoke from the scrap-fire under the steaming caldrons of boiling oil
A little to one side is the primitive storehouse, covered with cypress boughs. Boats are hang-
ing from davits, some resting on the quay, while others, fully equipped, swing at their moorings in
the bay. Seaward, on the crest of a cone-shaped hill, stands the signal-pole of the lookout station.
Add to this the cutting at the shapeless and half-putrid mass of a mutilated whale, together with
the men shouting and heaving on the capstans, the screaming of gulls and other sea fowl, mingled
with the noise of the surf about the shores, and we have a picture of the general life at a California
coast-whaling station."*
In 1879 shore whale-fisheries were, or had lately been, in operation at the following points on
the coast of California :
(a) Santo Tomas, in Lower California, about 35 miles south of San Diego.
(I) Cojo Viejo, in Santa Barbara County, just south of Point Conception and 51 miles west of
Santa Barbara.
(c) Port Starford, in San Luis Obispo County.
(d) San Simeon, in San Luis Obispo County.
(e) Carmelo Bay, in Monterey County.
(/) Monterey, in Monterey County.
There have been whale-fisheries also at the following points :
(a) Ballast Point, at San Diego.
(b) Dead Man's Island, in San Pedro Bay, Los Angeles County.
(c) Portuguese Bend, just north of San Pedro Bay, n Los Angeles County.
(d) Goleta or Moore's Lauding, 8 miles west of Santa Barbara, in the same county.
(e) Point Sur, in San Luis Obispo County.
(/) Pigeon Point, in San Mateo County.
(g) Half-Moon Bay, in San Mateo County.
* SCA.MMON : Marine Mammalia, pp. 247-250.
THK WFIAU-; FISH KEY. 55
The first shore- whaling camp on the California coast was established by Capt. Joseph Clark
near Monterey, about the year 1851.* From Monterey Captain Clark went to San Diego and
thence to Portuguese Bend. He went to San Simeon about 1864.
Capt. Frank Anderson, who is said to be now the most experienced whaling captain on the
coast, is a nat ive of the Azores Islands, his Portuguese name having been dropped on naturalization
in the United States, as is the general custom among the natives of the Azores. He was at first a
whaler on ships from New Bedford, then came to California in 1866, .and since 1873 he has had
charge of whaling-camps as captain. He was at San Luis Obsipo until 1874, at Portuguese
Bend till 1877, and at Pigeon Point till 1879, when he with his entire company removed to Cojo
Viejo.
Tho San Diego fishery was established by Captain Clark about 1858. In 1869 the whalers
were driven off from Ballast Point in January, the laud being taken for Government purposes.
The company lost the rest of that year; then they went to Santo Tomas, in Mexico, at which point
a company has been most of the time subsequently, but Captain Anderson is informed that they
have now suspended. Before the arrival of this party at Santo Touias, another party, under Cap-
tain Price, had been there in 1864 and 1865. The Mexican Government charged a fee of about
$50 annually, and the United States customs officers at San Francisco admitted the oil free of duty,
although shipped from a Mexican port, "in consideration of the fact that they were Americans
and poor men who worked for their living." This privilege was afterwards refused to certain San
Francisco capitalists.
In 1866 a station existed for a short time on Dead Man's Island, a circular rock rising in Sail
Pedro Bay.
Portuguese Bend is an unusually good station for winter whaling, although little comes there
m summer. While there Mr. Anderson used to work only in winters. In the three winters,
December to April, spent there, 2,166 barrels of oil were obtained.
Pigeon Point has many summer whales, but the water is too rough in winter. The first year
1,000 barrels were obtained ; the second year 564. In 1877, in the month of September, a whale
120 feet long is reported by the New Bedford Standard to have been " towed into Pigeon Point
for the whaling company, making two whales at anchor at that port."
Goleta was not a very good station. The camp came about 1870 and broke up in 1878.
There were three companies there in all, the first of Jamaica negroes. One winter 450 barrels
were obtained there.
Whaling was practiced is Los Angeles County for a time, but was discontinued in 1876.
The following species of whales are found on the Pacific coast:
(1) Sperm whale, not taken by shore camps.
(2) Humpback whale, or summer whale.
(3) Gray whale, or devil fish, so called because it fights harder than the others.
(4) Bight whale, not often seen.
(5) Sulphur-bottom whale (Sibbaldius sulfureux Cope). Large, 80 to 110 feet long. Twelve
of them were taken at Pigeon Point, but none yet at Cojo. They pass by going north in April
and south in the fall. They are hard to hold or tow, because when dead the under jaw drops
down.
(6) Finback. Two struck at Cojo, but lost in deep water. They are very slim, with but
little blubber, 100 to 120 feet long, and make about 30 barrels of oil.
* Scauimcm says the nrat caiup was established by Captain Davenport, at Mouterey, in 1851.
56 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
(7) Bowheacl, seen only in Arctic regions.
(S) Russian wbale. Scarce and only in Arctic regions. Very large.
The humpback whale goes north in summer, returning in the fall. Some migrate as far as
Alaska, but many not beyond Point Concepcion. This is therefore almost the only species taken
in summer. Four have been taken at Cojo this year. The cows are about 50 feet long, and the bull
whales about 45. The former produce about 70 barrels of oil, the bulls about half as much. The
four taken at Cojo produced 14S barrels of oil. This species was formerly much more abundant than
now. Since 187.3 it has become quite scarce. The whalebone of this species is black, but of little
value; said to be worth .045 per pound in Japan, but not worth snipping. The oil of this species
is white and quite thick. The reddish and thinner oil of the gray whale sells more readily, but
both bring the same price. The oil of the sulphur-bottom whale is like lard, and becomes solid
iu cold weather. All these oils are chiefly used in rope-making; some of it in leather working.
The oil made from blabber is more valuable than that taken from the, inside, and is kept sep-
arate from the latter. The gray whale is usually about 45 feet long, the bulls 35. They gen-
erally follow the line of the edge of the kelp in going southward. There are usually two or three
together. " They feed on sardines and shrimps." They go southward from December to February
to calve in the Gulf of California. Then they return northward from the latter part of February
to May. The most of February is a "slack time," when few are seen. When they return north-
ward the cows and calves usually keep well out to sea, the bulls farther toward shore. The
whalebone of this species is white, scanty, and worthless. A gray cow whale sometimes yields
about 90 barrels of oil ; a bull less than half as much.
CAMP AT COJQ VIEJO. — The company consists of twenty men in winter and eighteen iu
summer. Fifteen of these constitute the management, own the property, and share the proceeds
equally. Captain Anderson is employed by these, receiving $100 in cash and one-seventeenth of
all receipts (above freights ;md commission). There are two others receiving one thirty-fifth of
the proceeds, one one-fortieth, and another one fifty-fifth. Two Chinamen also accompany the
camp, receiving for their services the sinews of the whale, which are shipped to China, supposably
for soup. These sinews used to sell at 50 cents per pound to the Chinese in San Francisco, then
at 40 cents, and afterwards there was no market. They are now worth about 25 cents per pound
in San Francisco, and are said to sell at $1 per pound iu China. There are 20 to 30 pounds of
sinews in a whale.
The whole company at Cojo came originally from the Azores, with the exception of two or
three from the Madeiras. The same persons constituted the company on Pigeon Point. The com-
pany have built for themselves a large house, in which they eat and sleep, and store their guns
and harpoons. Beside this, the captain, who is accompanied by his wife, has a separate smaller
house, and the Chinese another after their fashion. These are on a bluff above the beach. On a
cliff above is a signal-port, where two men watch for whales. On the beach below are the kettles
for trying the oil, the barrels, and other things of that sort. In a little laguna are the two whale-
boats not in use.
The entire outfit cost about $2,000, exclusive of the houses, &c. The total expenses of the camp
are $4,000 to $5,000 yearly. There are four whaling-boats, two being iu use each half of the year,
while the others are being repaired, painted, &c. These were made in New Bedford, where they
cost $145 each, but cost $200 at San Francisco. The outfit of a boat when ready to attack a
whale is worth about $600. It consists of eight bomb-lances, two harpoons, one 200-fathoin line,
two guns, a swivel-gun, worth $200, for the harpoons and large bombs, and a smaller gun, worth
$55, for the bomb-lances. The smaller bomb-lances are made in Norway, and come twenty-five in
THE WHALK FISH KRY. 57
a box, at $94 per box. These are shot at the whale from a short thick gun, held at the shoulder.
They explode in the flesh of the whale, ''disgusting him," but not usually killing him. Of the
sixteen gray whales thus far taken at Cojo, there was hut one which did not have scars from
bomb-lance wounds. The whales are becoming so shy, Ihat these things can rarely be shot closely
enough to prove effectual. These bomb-lances are a little over a foot long. A much larger bomb-
lance, holding a pound of powder, invented by Anderson, and made for him in Norway, is used
by this camp. It is tired from the swivel-gun, and usually kills the whale. They cost $5 each.
The harpoons are usually much more effectual. The sort used, differing somewhat from any in
use in the Atlantic, is manufactured in Cambria, in San Luis Obispo County. A rope is fastened
to this, and it is shot from the large swivel-gun at the whale. These harpoons tired from guns
have been iu use on the coast since about 1868; the Cambria harpoon by Anderson since about
1S72. The harpoons cost $9 each. Some of them have been used five times, but occasionally
one is hopelessly bent, or the rope holding it is broken. The swivel-gun is made in England. It
is placed in the bow of the boat; sometimes men are killed by the recoil. One man in Ander-
son's camp was kicked iu the chest by it and died of hemorrhage. The harpoon weighs 7 to 9
pounds, the rope about 37 pounds. The gnu will not shoot well more than 150 feet, the deflec-
tion of the projectile preventing it from striking squarely at a greater distance. At a distance of
more than 90 feet it is necessary to aim above the whale. Unless the whale is held by a line, it is
likely to sink when dead, and in rough weather it is hard to prevent them from sinking even
when so held. Harpoons are thrown by hand only when necessary to hold up dead whales. The
whale-lines are brought from Xew Bedford.
The company arrived at Cojo from Pigeon Point April 25, 1879, and devoted the following
summer to getting ready for work. The following are the dates when whales were caught ; hump-
back whales, October 18 and 24, two on each day ; California gray whales, on December 14,21. 24,
28, and 29. January 5, 9, 10, 12 (two whales), 14, 17, 21. 22, 25, February 1 ; making a total of
twenty whales up to February 14. A camp is considered to do well if obtaining fifteen whales
per year. The reut of the land, with privilege of garden, cow-pasture, and firewood, is usually
about $100 per year, but is only $1 at Cojo.
The oil is barreled, and being rolled into the surf is taken on a lighter and transferred to a
San Francisco steamer and consigned to parties in San Francisco for sale. On January 23 there
were shipped 3,285 gallons; February 2, 13,534i gallons; now on hand, 315 gallons ; total prod-
uct, April to February, 17,134i gallons, worth about 45 cents per gallon in San Francisco. The
bones of the whale are worth about $10 per ton for soap-making in San Francisco, but their
shipment from Cojo is not considered profitable.
CARMELO CAMP. — At the south end of the Bay of Carmelo is a whaling-camp, consisting of
seventeen men all told ; all Portuguese, from Azores Islands, commanded by Captain Mariano.
The outfit is owned by a company of four, of whom Mariano is one, and the rest are outside
parties. The other sixteen are hired on different lays, averaging one-fiftieth. The captain receives
one-fifteenth. During the past year they have caught three humpback, one finback, and three
gray whales, one of the humpback whales iu the spring, which is unusual. Two hundred barrels
of oil have been obtained, the finback yielding .'ill barrels of a lighter oil, but selling for no more.
This company runs from October to March only, the men then disbanding and going elsewhere.
They have two whaling-boats only, and use the harpoons made by (T. W. I'roctor. at Cambria or
San Marcos, and also sometimes those made by Merritt, in Monterey. Carmelo is a very good
whaling-station, inferior to Monterey only, but there is not so good a chance for long chases of
whales. Three right whales were seen this year, but none caught. Last year Mariano's company
58 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THF FISHERIES.
was at Point Sor, farther south in Monterey County. There are many whales at Point Sur, but
the coast is very rugged and the sea runs very high, so that for much of the winter the boats had
to be hauled out of the water and the men dared not venture out. In 1878-'79 at Point Sur, one
humpback, three gray, and a right whale were taken, and in 1877-'7#, at Point Sur, one gray and
one-sulphur bottom. One large man-eater shark (Carcharodon rondeleti) was taken by the whalers
at Oarmelo last year.
MONTEKEY WHALING COMPANY. — Another whaling-camp is at Monterey. This consists of
twenty-three men all told, all Portuguese, and all but one from the Azores. This company has
no captain, but their most efficient man, Mr. Verissimo, is made secretary, having charge of all
business and receiving no salary. The three boat-headers in the company receive a lay of one
twenty-third, the cook is hired outright, and the residue of receipts are divided equally among the
other nineteen who own the outfit. This company, with changing membership, has been in
Monterey since 1855. Verissimo has been here since 1867. This year fourteen whales have been
obtained from September to April — seven gray whales (three down and four up whales), six hump-
back whales, and one right whale — besides two basking sharks (Cetorhinus ma^imus); in all 500
barrels of whale-oil and 8 of shark-oil.
The basking shark is rare here, sometimes not seen for twenty years. This year several were
seen in Monterey Bay. " When a man is on the lookout for whales he can't see sharks." The
sharks come to the surface at times, and remain quiet for a while, and their " flukes " and dorsal
fins may be seen by one who is watching. The shark-oil should be worth 60 to 75 cents a gallon,
each shark yielding 125 gallons. In 1878-'79 one humpback and three gray whales were taken,
making 185 barrels of oil, and in 1877-'7S eight whales, making 500 barrels. Years ago this busi-
ness paid better, for whales were more abundant, and higher prices were paid for the oil.
This company own three good boats, New Bedford made, and four guns of each kind. Their
harpoons are mostly made by Merritt, a blacksmith in Monterey. They are thought superior to
Proctor's, in that they are less likely to slip out of the whale ; the posterior flange of the head is
wider. With one of them nineteen whales have been shot. They are made of Swiss iron, and
cost $10 each.
The Monterey Democrat thus describes the dangers of shore- whaling in that vicinity : " On
Friday of last week the crew of one of our whale-boats narrowly escaped total destruction. They
had struck and made fast to a California gray, a species particularly vicious, and were approaching
him for a shot with the bomb-gun. There were a lot of porpoises around the creature, which sud-
denly appeared to be ' gallied ' by them, and paused in his race. The boat under sail and running
swiftly, got, unawares, within the sweep of the leviathan's tail, and when the shot was delivered
a stroke in response from that tremendous creature crushed like an egg-shell the timbers of its bow.
The sea rushed in through the fracture, and the boat being weighted down with her crew, an
anchor, and two heavy guns, sank below the surface. The captain had been struck in the side by
a fragment of the broken timbers, and was almost paralyzed. In the confusion, for a moment or
two, no one thought to cut the rope by which the fish was fast, and it had resumed its fight. A
tragedy was imminent, but luckily the captain recovering himself, ordered the rope to be cut, and
the immediate and most pressing danger was escaped. The peril was, however, still considerable.
Two of the crew could not swim, and they were all immersed to their necks in ice-cold water.
Once or twice the boat rolled over, and they were in that perilous condition for half an hour before
their consort, which was at some distance, heard their cries, and came to their rescue."
The following item about whaling at Monterey appeared in the Monterey Calif ornian:
TIIK WHALE FISHKUY. 59
"Last week our Portuguese fishermen killed a large female whale of the California gray
species (Rhackianectes ylni/cits), about GO feet in length, being some 22 feet larger than has ever
been killed here before — the average of females killed being about 42 feet. After cutting off the
blubber they found inside a nearly full-grown male calf, which measured 18 feet from the end of its
nose to the tip of its tail, or fluke, as the whalers call it; the circumference of the body at its
center 9 feet ; the head about 4 feet in length; pectoral tins 3 feet; breadth of tail 3| feet, and it
had two ridges on the lower jaw. When' brought on shore it still had 3 feet of the umbilical cord
attached to it. The whalebone on its upper jaw was soft and white; the tongue large and soft;
the eyes nearly full size, about as large as a cow's, and the skin was of a dark brown, mottled
white. It had no dorsal fin. The females, when with young, generally keep off shore when on
their way down south, to bring them forth in the warm waters of the bays of Lower California,
where they remain all winter and go north in the spring. The females, when with calf, are danger-
ous, as they often attack the boats of the whalers. The writer once saw a boat cut completely in
two by the flukes of one of these whales, and it looked as if it had been chopped in two by a dull
ax ; and several of the men were wounded. The term of gestation is about one year. Formerly
these marine monsters were so numerous in Monterey Bay that whalers would fill up lying at
anchor. Oftentimes they would be seen playing in the surf and rolling the barnacles out of their
sides and backs on the sand beach — an odd way of scratching themselves."
SAN SIMEON WHALING COMPANY. — The men in this company are all Portuguese but one,
and most of them are from the Azores Islands. Captain Clark (nee Machado) is from the Azores,
whence he shipped as a seaman to the United States. He began whale-fishing at Monterey, where
an American, Captain Davenport, the first California shore- whale fisher, was engaged before him.
In 1858 he began whaling at San Diego. In 1864 he was at Portuguese Bend, and in 1805
started the San Simeon Camp, where he has ever since remained.
There are twenty men in the camp at San Simeon. They are hired by Captain Clark, who
owns the entire outfit. The boat-pullers receive one-fiftieth of the lay (i. e., all receipts), ihe
boat-steerers receive one-fortieth, and the strikers one-sixteenth.
Thirteen whales have been taken this season (up to February 21). One summer whale or
humpback, November 15 ; the others all gray whales. No other kinds have ever been secured by
Clark, and the humpback whale is not taken later than December.
The last whale southward bound was taken January 29, and a few northward-bound whales
have been noticed — about February IS, the first February 7.
The following is the record of the number taken each year at San Simeon : 1865 to 1871, 20
to 25 each year, never less; 1872, 21 ; 1873, 22 ; 1874, 16; 1875, 12; 1876, 7; 1877, 13 ; 1878, 3;
1879, 14=500 barrels; 1880, 13+.
It takes about ten or twelve whales per year to pay the expenses of the camp, especially now
when oil is so low. Four hundred and fifty barrels of oil have been obtained this year and shipped
to Charles Sealy, of San Francisco, to be sold on commission. Since 1865 the whales have been
growing more scarce and more shy. When they return from the South they keep out farther than
when they come down. The sea is often rougher, and the head winds render it difficult to follow
them. They rarely take more than four return whales. At San Diego only gray whales, and
rarely a right whale, are taken.
The camp is provided with four whale-boats made in New Bedford, costing $200, $175, $150,
and $150 each. Two are in use for whaling and one for towing all the time, the other rests. There
are also two swivel-guns, made in England, each costing $200; two bomb-guns, made in New
Haven (T), costing $50; and some bomb-lances, made in Norway. The harpoons are made by G.
60 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
W. Proctor, formerly of Cambria, now of San Marcos, San Luis Obispo County. Mr. Proctor is a
blacksmith. He began making harpoons in 1870 or 1871. The first one made was presented
to Captain Clark, who struck three whales witli it and then put it up to keep for luck. Mr. Proc-
tor has no patent on the harpoons, and no warerooms or factory. He makes them out of the very
best iron, better than that used in the English harpoon. They are heavier thau the latter, and
the posterior part of the head is made thick, instead of thin and sharp. There is also a little con-
trivance by which the turning of the head in the flesh is made more certain. They are now used by
nearly all the California whalers, and are considered by them as better and more durable than the
others. The harpoons are used for making fast to the whale; the bombs for killing. Often flint
lance-heads and bone harpoons of the Eskimos are found in the whales, and very few of them are
unscathed. The neighboring Chinamen help when a whale is brought in, receiving the sinews
for their share. The total outfit is worth $1,000 to $1,500; the houses about $300.
Whales going down are fatter than when returning. A south-bound whale makes perhaps
35 barrels of oil, but a north bound only 25 barrels. Mostly bull whales are taken. On the south
journey the larger cows come nearest shore and first. When they return the cows and calves are
farthest out, the bulls and dry cows near shore.
Portuguese Bend was once a good whaling-station, but lacked wood and water. San Diego
was an excellent station until the only suitable place was taken by the Government. Santo Tomas
is a good place from the chance of taking sperm whales.
PORT STAKFOED CAMP. — This camp is located on " Whaler's Point," about a mile north of
the landing at "Port Stafford." This camp consists of 21 men, all but one Portuguese, and mostly
from the Azores. To the American, Michael Noon, I am indebted for the information obtained,
Captain Marshall (Marsiali) being away. The property is owned by four or five shareholders, the
captain being one of them and the others are hired by these, each man receiving a particular lay,
the oarsmen one sixty-fifth to one-seventieth, the boat-steerers one thirty-fifth to one-fortieth, the
strikers one-seventeenth to one-twentieth. The station is usually fairly good but this year they
have had poor luck; only four whales, all gray, having been secured. In 1879 nine, in 1878
eleven were taken. Most of these were gray; though a few humpbacks were taken in the fall.
One hundred and fifty barrels of oil have been shipped to San Francisco from this camp. They
have three whale-boats here made at New Bedford. The other items of outfit are the same as at
San Simeon. The whole cost about $1,500, and would sell for about half that amount.
Captain Marshall established the station here, and has been in charge all the time since its
beginning in 1868 or 1809. The men in this company, as at San Simeon, are discharged in the
summer, and a new set hired each fall, many of them different. Some of its members are engaged
in summer in fishing for the market of San Luis Obispo.
STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION. — The aggregate amount of oil taken by the several shore par-
ties, prior to 1874, is estimated by Scammon at not less than 95,600 barrels; of this amount 75,600
barrels were obtained from California gray whales, and 20,000 barrels from humpbacks, finbacks,
and sulphur-bottoms. "The value, of the oil may be placed at about $13 a barrel, which would give
a gross of about $1,242,800, or an annual product for twenty-two years of $56,490. To obtain this
oil not less than 2,160 California grays and 800 humpbacks and other whalebone whales were
robbed of their fatty coverings. If we add to this one-fifth for the number of whales that escaped
their pursuers, although mortally wounded, or were lost after being killed, either by sinking in
deep water or through stress of weather, we shall swell the catalogue to 3,552. To this add one-
eighth for unborn young, and the whole number of animals destroyed would be 3,996, or about
181 annually. This may be regarded as a low estimate ; doubtless, the number of these creatures
THE WHALE FISHERY. 61
destroyed every year by the enterprising California whalemen far exceeds the above estimate."*
The production of the various whaling-camps in 1ST!) was ii;5 whales, yielding 58,084 gallons of oil,
valued at si'iU.'lT.SO. The total number of men engaged at the camps was 101, nearly all of whom
were Portuguese.
SlIOin'.-WHALINCf BY ESKIMOS AND INDIANS.
The Eskimos of Alaska capture whales of several species, using their flesh for food and from
the blubber preparing oil for domestic use. The whalebone is saved and traded with the whaling-
vessels coming along those shores in the summer season. The beluga or white whale is also an
object of pursuit.
Mr. Petroff, in his census report on Alaska, says: "The oil obtained from the beluga and the
large seal (Maklak) is a vei\ impoiiant article of trade between the lowland people and those of
the mountains, the latter depending upon it entirely for lighting their semi-subterranean dwell-
ings during the winter, and to supplement their scanty stores of food. The oil is manufactured
by a very simple process. Iluge drift-logs are fashioned into troughs, much in the same manner
as the Thlinket tribes make their wooden canoes. Into these troughs filled with water the blubber
is thrown in lumps of from 1! to ."• pounds in weight; then a large number of smooth cobble-stones
are thrown into a fire until they are thoroughly heated, when they are picked up with sticks
fashioned for the purpose, and deposited in the water, which boils up at once. After a few
minutes these stones must be removed and replaced by fresh ones, this laborious process being
continued until the oil has been boiled out of the blubber and floats on the surface, when it is
removed with flat pieces of bone or roughly fashioned ladles, and decanted into bladders or whole
seal skius."t Mr. Petroff sends us the following graphic description of the hunt:
" BELUGA HUNTING AT ALASKA.— Next day about noon I was invited to participate in a canoe
excursion in pursuit of some beluga or white grampus, a member of the whale family, but of an aver-
age length of only 10 or I'D feet. The blubber of this animal is considered a great delicacy by the In-
dians in this neighborhood, and the Laiada chief wished to get a supply of that greasy staff of life
before returning home. Accordingly we started off in ten bidarkas, all the Indians being provided
with various sizes of spears, while I took nothing but my rifle. In half an hour after leaving the
mouth of the river the proposed hunting-ground was reached and the canoes separated in search
of the game. For some time we cruised about without seeing a 'blow,' but finally the long expected
signal shout was heard from one of the canoes, and all assembled immediately around their intended
victim, which was a female beluga, with a calf following in its wake. First the old one would come
up and blow, and in a few seconds after the young one would follow suit, throwing up a diminutive
spout. The calf was attacked first, and as soon as its blood dyed the water,- the dam turned
around as if in pursuit of the murderer, describing circles around the floating body of its offspring
and lashing the water into foam with its tail and flukes. While racing around the animal
received well-aimed spears from the bidarkas, which had formed a circle, and as these weapons
ate provided with inflated bladders near the head, the beluga was soon buoyed up on the surface
of the water, being too exhausted to draw under the large number of bladders fastened to its back
and sides, and in that position was easily killed. Three more were killed in the same manner, and
the party was preparing to return to the village when I thought I would try another way of secur-
ing the game, and without givingany notice to the men in the other canoes, as 1 ought to have done,
I aimed my rifle at a beluga which was showing its huge white back above the water a short dis-
tance from me. The shot went off and its effect was instantaneous, though not exactly as I had
' SrAMM<>\ : Marim- M;iimn;ili:i. p. -•">!.
t Alaska, its Population, Imlusin.-.s, anil Resources, by Ivan IVtroff. Tenth CCIISUN Vol. VIII.
62 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
expected. The shot was well aimed and hit the spine of the animal, inflicting a mortal wound ;
but while the beluga was floundering about in its death struggles, lashing the water into foam
dyed with its own red blood, one stroke of the" tail upset one of the canoes, throwing the inmates
into the water. There was plenty of assistance on hand, however; the canoe was righted, and the
men crawled into it, very wet to be sure, but not at all in a bad humor. The accident was the sub-
ject of jokes innumerable on the way home. When the last beluga had been secured, and its body
fastened to the stern of our canoe, the whole squadron was set in motion. With the tide in our
favor, we glided along swiftly in spite of the weighty carcasses we had in tow, and as we drew
near to the village the monotonous boat song was chanted by the men as they plied their paddles.
On the high bank of the river the old chief was standing ready to receive us, while the squaws
were sitting in the grass and watching our approach, joining with their shrill voices in the song
as soon as we were near enough to be heard. On our arrival at the beach the whole village had
assembled to view and admire the spoils of our day's sport. As soon as the belugas had been
dragged ashore, knives were drawn on all sides and slices of the blubber cut off and eaten raw,
apparently with great gusto, by old and young. I tasted a small morsel, and must confess that it
resembles raw bacon fat more than anything I ever swallowed ; but that is only the case imme-
diately after the killing; as soon as the blubber is half a day old the rancid, fishy taste is there
and grows stronger every day. It was dark before all tlie blubber had been cut off and safely
stored out of reach of the village dogs, but late as it was the chief's house was prepared for a con-
tinuation of yesterday's feast and games. I was not prepared for a second siege of that kind and
managed to slip away unobserved, glad to escape an ordeal which would have been more trying
on a Caucasian's olfactory nerves than that of the day before, on account of the fresh supply of
blubber and oil. Before I arose next day the visiting party from Laiada had taken their depart-
ure to set some other village in commotion, while the good people of Chketuk were yet reveling
in remembrance of the joys just past."
The Indians of Cape Flattery are said to derive their principal subsistence from fishery
products, the most important of which are the whale and halibut. Mr. James G. Swan, in a
report on the Makah Indians, in No. 220 Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, 1869, says:
"Of the former [whales] there are several varieties which are taken at different seasons of the
year. Some are killed by the Indians; others, including the right whale, drift ashore, having
been killed either by whalemen, swordfish, or other casualties. The various species of whales
are: The sperm whale, kots-k(§, .which is very rarely seen ; right whale, yakh'-yo-bad-di; blackfish,
klas-ko-kop-ph ; finback, kaii-wid; sulphur-bottom, kwa-kwau-yak'-t'hle ; California gray, che-
che-wid or chet'-a-puk; killer, se-hwau. The generic name of whales is chet'-a-puk. The
California gray is the kiml usually taken by the Indians, the others being but rarely attacked.
'' Their method of whaling, being both novel and interesting, will require a minute descrip-
tion— not only the implements used, but the mode of attack, and the final disposition of the whale,
being entirely different from the practice of our own whalemen.
" From information I obtained, I infer that formerly the Indians were more successful in kill-
ing whales than they have been of late years. Whether the whales were more numerous, or that
the Indians, being now able to procure other food from the whites, have become indifferent to the
pursuit, I cannot say ; but I have not noticed any marked activity among- them, and when they
do go out they rarely take a prize. They are more successful in their whaling in some seasons
than in others, and whenever a surplus of oil or blubber is on hand, it is exchanged or traded
with Indians of other tribes, who appear quite as fond of the luxury as the Makahs. The oil sold
by these whalers to the white traders is dogfish oil, which is not eaten by this tribe, although
TI1K WI1ALK K1RIIKKY. 63
the Clyoquot and Nootkan Indians use it with tlieir food. There is no portion of a whale, except
the vertebra and offal, which is useless to the Indians. The blubber and flesh serve for food; the
sinews are prepared and made into ropes, cords, and bowstrings; and the stomach and intestines
are can-fully sorted and inflated, and when dried are used to hold oil. Whale-oil serves the same
purpose with these Indians that butter does with civilized people; they dip their dried halibut
into it while eating, and use it with bread, potatoes, and various kinds of berries. When fresh,
it is by no means unpalatable; and it is only after being badly boiled, or by long exposure, that
it becomes rancid and as offensive to a white man's palate as the common lamp-oil of the shops."
5. DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPERM-WHALE FISHERY.
EARLY HISTORY OF WHALING AT NANTTJCKET. — The fishery for sperm whales began at a
much later period than that for right whales, but the exact date of its commencement is
unknown. The whales taken by the early settlers of New England were mostly the right or whale-
bone species and the first spermaceti whale known to the people of Nantncket caused great excite-
ment. It was found dead on the shore, and quite a dispute arose concerning its ownership, "for
the sperm procured from the head was thought to be of great value for medical purposes." It
would thus appear that sperm whales had been heard of by these people, but had not been seen by
them. " The first spermaceti whale taken by the Nantucket whalers," says Macy, " was killed by
Christopher Hussey. He was cruising near the shore for right whales, and was blown off some dis-
tance from the land by a strong northerly wind, where he fell in with a school of that species of
whales, and killed one and brought it home. At what date this adventure took place is not fully
ascertained, but it is supposed to be not far from 1712. This event gave new life to the business,
for they immediately began with vessels of about thirty tons to whale out in the ' deep,' as it was
then called, to distinguish it from shore-whaling. They fitted out for cruises of about six weeks,
carried a few hogsheads, enough probably to contain the blubbers of one whale, with which, after
obtaining it, they returned home. The owners then took charge of the blubber, and tried out the
oil, and immediately sent the vessel out again. In 1715 the number of vessels engaged in the
whaling business was six, all sloops of from thirty to forty tons burden each, which produced
£1,100 sterling, or $4,888.88." *
BEALE'S ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN OF THE SPERM-WHALE FISHERY.— The history of the sperm-
whale fishery is accurately given by Thomas Bealo,t in his history of the sperm-whale, in which
he says : " The origin of the sperm-whale fishery, that is before it became organized as a branch
of commerce — like the origin of other fisheries of the same nature, is involved in such deep
mystery as almost altogether to defy the searching acumen of the historian. Without looking into
the ancient, romancing, and classical histories, with which most of the countries of Europe abound,
and which contain wonderful stories of the appearance, death, or capture of the sperm-whale, or
other creatures of the same order, it may be sufficient for some of us to know that during the
early part of the last century a few daring individuals who inhabited the shores of the American
continent, fitted out their little crafts, furnished with wea,k and almost impotent weapons, to
attack and destroy in its own element the mighty monarch of the ocean, in order to rob his
immense carcass of the valuable commodity with which it is surrounded. But even as far back as
the year 1667 we find a letter, published in the second volume of the Philosophical Transactions,
from Mr. Richard Norwood, who resided at the Bermudas, which states that the whale-fishery had
• .MAI'Y: Hist. Nantncket, )>|>. :!•>,:!<;.
t The Natural History of I he S).nm-\Vhiilo by Tboiuas I'.rjilr, Surgeon: London, IWlli; 12uio.,pp. 383.
64 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
been carried on in the bays of those islands for ' two or three years,' evidently meaning the black-
. whale fishery ; for in smother part he says: ' I hear not that they have found any spermaceti in
any of those whales;' but subsequently he states in the same letter: 'I have heard from credible
persons that there is a kind of whale having great teeth, as have the spermaceti, at Elentheria and
others of the Bermuda Islands. One of this place, John Perinchief, found one there dead, driven
upon an island, and though I think ignorant of the business, yet got a great quantity of sperma^
ceti out of it.' He says again: 'It seems they have not so much oil as ours (meaning the black
whale), but the oil, I hear, is at first like spermaceti, but they clarify it, I think, by the fire.'
"But in volume iii, Philosophical Transactions," continues Beale, "in a letter from the
same place, written a year or two afterwards, we find something like a beginning of the sperm-
whale fishery threatened by a Mr. Richard Stafford, who informs us that he has killed several
black whales himself, and who is represented as a very intelligent gentleman. He says : ' Great
stores of whales make use of our coast ; ' but in another part he states : ' But here have been seen
spermaceti whales driven upon the shore. These have divers teeth about the bigness of a man's
wrist. I have been,' says he, 'at the Bahama Islands, and there have seen of this same sort of
whale, dead on the shore, with spenna all over their bodies. Myself and about twenty others
have agreed to try whether we can master and kill them, for I could never hear of any of that
sort that was killed by any man, such is their fierceness and swiftness.' He concludes by remark-
ing that 'one such whale would be worth many hundred pounds.' A weighty reason for the
establishment of the fishery, no doubt. The same writer, in another part of his letter, states:
' There is one island among the Bahamas, which some of our people are settled upon, and more
are coming thither. It is called New Providence, where many rare things might be discovered,
if the people were bui. encouraged.' This same New Providence afterwards became so famous as
a whale-fishing station by the exertions of our American descendants. But even before these
needy adventurers commenced their career of spermaceti hunting, we have had it proved to us
that the Indians who inhabited the shores of America used to voyage out to sea and attack this
animal from their canoes, and pierce him with their lances of wood or other instruments of the
same material, which were barbed, and which, before they were plunged into his flesh, were
fastened by a short warp, or piece of rope, to a large block of light wood, which was thrown over
board the moment the barbed instrument was thrust into its body, which, being repeated at every
rising of the whale, or when they were so fortunate as to get near enough to do so, in a few
instances, by a sort of worrying-to-death system, rewarded the enterprising savage with the
lifeless body of his victim, but which in most cases was that of a very young one ; and even this,
when towed to the shore, it was impossible for them to turn over, so that they were obliged to
content themselves with flinching the fat from one side of the body only.
" But although, as has been before stated, Mr. Richard Stafford had threatened to commence
the sperm-whale fishery at the Bahama Islands, it appears rather doubtful whether he did so or
not, when we come to peruse the letter of the Hon. Paul Dudley, F. R. S., published in 17:34, Phil.
Trans., vol. xxxiii, an extract of which states: 'I very lately received from Mr. Atkins, an inhabit-
ant of Boston, in New England, who used the whale-fishery for ten or twelve years (black whales),
and was one of the first that went out a fishing for the spermaceti whales about the year 1720.'
It also appears in this account that the fishery even then was very little understood, for Mr.
Atkins himself says 'he never saw, nor certainly heard of a spermaceti female taken in his life,'
for he states 'the cows of that species of whale, being much more timorous than the males, and
almost impossible to come at, unless when haply found asleep upon the water, or detained by
their calves.' In another part of this letter the Hon. Paul Dudley states: ' Our people formerly
THE WHALE FISHERY.
65
used to kill the whale near the shore ; but now they go off to sea in sloops and whale boats in the
months of May, June, and July, bet wren < 'ape Cod and Bermuda, where they lie by in the night,
and sail to and again in the day, and seldom miss of them ; they bring- home the blubber in their
sloops. The true season for taking the right or whalebone whale is from the beginning of .lime
to the end of May; for the spermaceti whales, from the. beginning of June to the end of August.'"
CONDITION OF THE FISHERY FROM ITiio TO 1775. — About the middle of the eighteenth cen-
tnr.\ the value of oil increased by the opening up of new markets, and the people of New England
pushed forward with zeal in the whaling- industry. The English, French, and Dutch had been
very successful in the northern fishery for whalebone whales, but had taken no part in the capture
of sperm whales, leaving this work for the American fleet which began to grow rapidly in the
number and size of its vessels. In 1720 the whaling fleet of New England numbered only a few
sloops of about 30 tons each, making voyages east to Newfoundland and south to the Gulf Stream.
T.y 1731 the American fleet amounted to 1,300 tons, and the size of the vessels increased so that
in 1746 schooners and brigs from 100 to 130 tons were employed. Just before the Revolutionary
war the whaling industry was very prosperous in New England, the fleet was large, and the profits
considerable. Voyages were made to the north and south for sperm and right whales, but the chief
object of pursuit was the sperm whale, whose oil was nearly three times the value of that of the
right whale. The principal grounds visited for the sperm whale were off the coast of Brazil and
Guiana, various parts of the West Indies, the Cape Verde and Western Islands, and eastward of
the Banks of Newfoundland.
Scammon gives the following statistics to show the condition of the business from 1762 to
1770, inclusive:
Tear.
Number of
vessels.
Numhrr of
barrel.-!.
Value of pro-
duction.
1762
78
9 440
$109 518 40
1763*
60
100 394 68
1704
7°
11 983
131 135 38
1705
101
11 512
125 020 32
1766
118
11 969
1°9 '1S3 °4
1767
108
179 g52 46
1768
125
15 439
11)7 CO" 54
1769
119
19 140
40'' 990 60
1770 .. .
125
14 331
340 666 89
900
119,013
1, 746, 165 51
* Scoresby, in his account of the Whale Fishery of the British Colonies iD America, stairs there were eighty vessels employed in the
American fisheries during the year 1763.
''About 1774," says Scatnnion, " the fleet was augmented by still larger vessels, some of which
crossed the equator, and obtained full cargoes upon that noted ground called the ' Brazil Banks,'
while others cruised around Cape Verde Islands or the West Indies, in the Gulf of Mexico, Carib-
bean Sea, or upon the coast of the Spanish Main. Soon after they extended their voyages to the
South Atlantic, around the Falkland Islands, and to the coast of Patagonia, where fur-seal skins
and sea-elephant oil were sometimes obtained. In such instances these whaling and sealing
expeditions were called ' mixed voyages.'"*
"Between the. years 1770 and 1775," says Macy, "the whaling business increased to an extent
hitherto unparalleled. In 1770 there were a little more than one hundred vessels engaged ; and
in 177") the number exceeded one hundred and fifty, some of then: large brigs. The employment
* SCAMMOX: Marine Mammalia and American Whale Fishery, p.
SEC. v, VOL. ii 5
66 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
of so great and such an increasing capital may lead our readers to suppose that a corresponding
profit was realized ; but a careful examination of the circumstances under which the business was
carried on will show the fallacy of such a conclusion. Many branches of labor were conducted by
those who were immediately interested in the voyages. The young men, with few exceptions,
were brought up to some trade necessary to the business. The rope-maker, the cooper, the black-
smith, the carpenter, in fine, the workmen, were either the ship-owners or of their household ; so
were often the officers and men who navigated the vessels and killed the whales. Whilst a ship
was at sea, the owners at home were busily employed in the mamifactory of casks, iron work,
cordage, blocks, and other articles for the succeeding voyage. Thus the profits of the labor were
enjoyed by those interested in the fishery, and voyages were rendered advantageous even when
the oil obtained was barely sufficient to pay the outfits, estimating the labor as a part thereof.
This mode of conducting the business was universal, and has continued to a very considerable
extent to the present day. Experience taught the people how to take advantage of the different
markets for their oil. Their spermaceti oil was mostly sent to England in its uusepaiated state,
the head matter being generally mixed with the body oil; for, in the early part of whaling it
would bring no more when separated than when mixed. The whale oil, which is the kind pro-
cured from the species called ' right whale,' was shipped to Boston or elsewhere in the colonies, and
there sold for country consumption!, or sent to the West Indies.'1*
The extraordinary zeal that the Americans took in the whale-fishery at this time called forth
from Mr. Burke that glowing tribute which has become familiar to every American. " Whether
this eloquent address," says Beale, " had any effect or not upon the minds of our own merchants
and ship-owners in stimulating them to fit out ships lor the sperm and other whale-fisheries,
I am not aware, but it is certain that in the followiug year (1775) the first attempt was made to
establish the sperm whale fishery from Britain; and we accordingly find, from private state-
ments on which I can securely rely, that ships of from 100 to 109 tons burden were sent to South
Greenland, coast of Brazil, Falkland Islands, and the Gulf of Guinea, for the purpose of procuring-
sperm and other oils. The names of the ships which were thus employed in these distinct expedi-
tions were the Union, Neptune, Rockingham, America, Abigail, Hanover, Industry, Dennis,
Beaver, and Sparrow, but the principal places of resort of the spermaceti whale not having been
yet discovered, the vessels met with very trifling success.
"BOUNTIES GRANTED. — In the following year, 1776, the Government, with a view to stimulate
all persons engaged in these fisheries, established a principle of reward for those ships which were
most successsful in their endeavors ; in accordance with which, five different bounties or premiums
were offered, forming a scale of prizes for those who were so fortunate as to prove the five grada-
tions of success, the sum of £500 being the maximum, and that of £100 being the minimum prize.
In 1781 four ships were fitted out for the river St. Lawrence, but after they had been out a
considerable time they returned with the discouraging announcement of having only procured C
gallons of sperm oil among them during the whole time of their absence.
"SPERM WHALES FROM FRANCE. — In 17S4, France, which it appears had preceded the other
nations of Europe in the whale-fishery, but had for many years past, for some cause or other,
hardly had any share in it, now endeavored to revive it, and with this view Louis XVI fitted out
six ships from Dunkirk on his own account, which were furnished at a great expense with a
number of experienced harpooners and able seamen from Nantucket. The adventure was more
successful than could have been reasonably expected, considering theauspicies under which it was
carried on. Several private individuals followed the example of His Majesty, according to Mr.
* MACY : Hist. Nantucket, p. 68.
THK W!!AIJ<; FISHERY. 67
M <•( 'ullock, ' and in 1790 France bad about forty sbips employed in tbe fishery. The Revolutionary
war destroyed every vestige of this rising trade. Since the peace the Government has made great
efforts for its renewal, but hitherto without success ; aud it is singular, that with the exception of
an American house at Dunkirk, hardly any one has thought of sending out a ship from France.'
"A PROSPEROUS PERIOD.— In the year 1785 the English shipmasters began to discover the
haunts of the sperm whale, the principal object of pursuit, for we find that after they had been
out twelve months many vessels returned with from 20 to SO tons of sperm oil each, so that in the
year 1780 we find 321 tons of sperm oil was brought to this country, and which sold for £43 per
ton. And the success which attended our whaling expeditious at this time was quite equal to
that which the American whalers met with. In 1786 the bounties were increased to £700 maxi-
mum and £300 minimum, which had the effect of increasing the perseverance and activity of our
whalers, for we now discover them staying out eighteen and even twenty-eight months, and
bringing home much larger quantities of sperm oil. During the year 1788 the ships that were
sent out were much increased in size, so that they were frequently of from 150 to 300 tons burden,
and they still continued, like the Americans, to fish on this side Cape Horn, taking the common
black, as well as the sperm whale, at such places as the Gulf of Guinea, coast of Brazil, Falkland
Islands, and, for sperm whales in particular, about the equinoctial line. But if the Americans had
been the first to establish the fishery ou their own shores, and even throughout the North and
South Atlantic Oceans, it was the destiny of the mother country to enjoy the honor of opening the
invaluable sperm fisheries of the two Pacifies, the discovery of which formed an era in the com-
mercial history of this country. For not only was tbe sperm-whale fishery by this discovery
prodigiously increased, but other commercial advantages accrued from the whalers who resorted
to these seas opening a trade with the people who inhabited the extensive shores which bound
the enormous ocean."*
"In the year 1789 a gentleman from Cape Cod, who had returned from service in the East
India Company, having seen sperm whales near Madagascar, communicated the fact to some of
tbe Nantucket whalemen, who, profiting by the knowledge, in due time dispatched ships to that
coast, which proved to be a rich whaling grouud."t
The American whale fishery, just before the Eevolutionary war, employed a total of not less
than 360 vessels of various kinds, with an aggregate burden of nearly 33,000 tons, and produced
about 45,000 barrels of spermaceti oil, 8,500 barrels of whale oil, and 75,000 pounds of whalebone
annually. By the year 1789 this large fleet bad been reduced to about 130 sail of vessels, pro-
ducing annually scarcely 10,000 barrels of spermaceti oil aud about 15,000 barrels of whale oil,
with a corresponding proportion of whaleb<
THE BEGINNING op THE PACIFIC SPERM-WHALE FISHERY. — " In 1788," says Beale, "the grand
mercantile speculation of sending ships round Cape Horn into the Pacific, in order to extend the
sperm-whale fishery, was reserved for the bold and enterprising mind of Mr. Enderby, a London
merchant and ship-owner, who fitted out, at a vast expense, the ship Amelia,! Captain Shields,
which sailed from England on. the 1st of September, 1788, and returned on the 12th of March,
1790, making an absence of one year and seven months, but bringing home the enormous cargo
of 139 tons of sperm oil, and likewise having the good fortune to receive £800 more by way of an
increased bounty in consequence of the peculiar nature of the expedition. The Amelia having
been the first ship of any country which had entered the Pacific in search of whales, her suc-
*BEAiE: op. tit., \>p. 144-141!. tSCAMMON': Marine Mammalia, p. 209.
{The Amelia was an English fitted ship, iiuinuud by the Nantucket colony of whalemen; her first mate, Archelua
Hammond, of Nantucket, killed the first sperm whale known to have been taken in the Pacific Ocean.
08 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
cess gave an amazing impulse to all persons engaged in the fisheries, so that several ships, both
from this country and America, immediately followed in her track, for on her return in 1790 many
vessels were directly sent off, the crews of which continued the fishery along the coasts of Chili
and Peru with great advantage; so that in 1791 we had a great addition in the importation of
sperm oil, amounting this year to 1,1! .X tons, making an increase over the importation in the year
178C of 9.':H tous. In 1791 the bounties were again altered, but the alteration merely related to
the time the ships should remain out. The ships which were at this time engaged in the fishery
carried from twenty-two to thirty men each. This enterprising branch of commerce was carried-
on year after year with considerable success, subject to but slight variations in the annual and
gradual increase in the importation of oil, giving employment to a vast number of persons, many
of whom were enriched to an immense amount by the success which attended their exertions in
this now profitable pin suit."*
The new grounds tor sperm whale in the Pacific discovered by American whalemen in
English vessels, were soon resorted to by vessels from Nautuckef. The first vessels sailed in
1791, and returned "loaded with oil, and reported that whales were plenty, the coast agreeable to
eiuise on, and the climate, healthy. Tin's was sufficient encouragement, notwithstanding the
length of the voyages, for a considerable part of the whaling interest to be directed that way.
An additional number of vessels was then fitted out, which together made a considerable fleet."!
Starbnek says that six ships sailed for ihe Pacific fishery in 17!H from Nantueket and one from
New Bedford. In the mean time ships from Dunkirk, among them the Falkland, Canton, and the
Harmony, had already performed their voyages, and in February, 1791', arrived at Dunkirk with
full cargoes. It was the custom in those days to nearly fill with sperm, then return to the
Atlantic Ocean and complete their load on the coast of Patagonia or on Brazil Banks, com-
manders preferring to round Cape Horn with a snugly-loaded ship. The names of the six Nan-
tucket vessels were the Beaver, Washington, Hector, Warren. Kebeeea. and Favorite. "These
ships," says Scammon, " were only -•">() tons burden, dull sailers, having no copper on their bottoms,
and but scantily fitted with whaling appliances or provisions. The scene of their first exploits was
upon the coast of Chili. These pioneer voyages, through the persistent daring of the hardy men
who led them, were eminently successful, which induced the people of the neighboring settle-
ments of other New England ports to extend their whaling commerce, and but few years passed
before a numerous fleet were plying over those rough waters. Gradually, however, they extended
their cruises toward the more distant but smiling regions of the tropics. As early as 1SOO,|
American whalers were plowing the sparkling waters along the coast of Peru, and their keels
cut the equatorial line, north and south, in the Pacific. A favorite cruising-ground was from the
Spanish Main westward around the Galapagos Islands. There a rich harvest rewarded them, where
(hey labored in a genial climate, with an almost uninterrupted succession of fine breezes and
pleasant weather. At certain seasons, north of the equator, the northeast trades blew fresh, and
at the south they would frequently increase to a brisk gale; but these periodical breezes, compared
with the heavy gales of the Atlantic and the tedious weather about Cape Horn, served only to
enliven them into renewed activity under the heated rays of a tropical sun, when in pursuit of
the vast herds of cachalots which were met with, bounding over or through the crested waves.
During these long voyages it became unavoidably necessary to occasionally go into port, in order
to 'recruit ship.' When arrived at these places of .supply, good store of fresh meat, water, and
vegetables was laid in, and the ship's company were allowed to pass, in turn, a few clays of
liberty on shore. In due time those ports along the coast of Chili and Peru, which were suited
*BEA_LK: o/i. <H., pp. 146-149. t MACY : Hisl JM:itu<-Kct. p. 141. t N:intiii-Kn IMP i
TIII-: \\II.\LK KISIIKIIY. 69
to the requirements of (lie adventurers, became, famous places of resort for American \vhale ships.
The principal ones were Talralmano and Valparaiso, in Chili, and Payta, Callao, and Tumhe/, in "*•
Peru. At these places usually could be obtained any needed recruits, and the picturesque scenery,
blended with those sunny climes, together with the charms of the beautiful women, made their
periodical visits to the coast peculiarly atlractivc, and wrought an entire temporary change from
the lifeou -blue water/ The abrujn and lofty group of islands, the Galapagos, which extend into
both latitudes from the equator, and the little island of Cocos, situated in the rainy region ou the
border of I'anaina Hay, were frequently visited, and became more familiar to the whalemen, in
many instances, than their Atlantic homes. Every rugged mountain and verdant valley of the
former were Ira versed in hunting the galapago. or 'elephant terrapin,' which furnished them with
ample supply of the most delicious meat, and the latter was resorted to for fresh water, which
was dipped from cascades flowing out of their natural icservoir beyond the wooded bluffs. And
upon the rocks about the beach of Chatham Bay, rudely chiseled, are the records of those pioneer
\\lialc fishers, with the dates of the visits of transient vessels, from the pigmy shallops of Drake's
time to the magnificent national ships of the present century."*
SPERM WHALING AT NEW ZEALAND AND THE OFFSHORE GROUND.— The sperm-whale
lislicry at Xcw Zea'and began about the year ISO:.', and in LS03, according to Beale, " many vessels
were plowing the Cliiua Seas, about the Molucca Islands, in search of the sperm whale."t In
isist ('apt. George Gardner, in the ship Globe, of Nantucket, discovered the famous "offshore
ground " that was soon visited by scores of sperm whalers. In speaking of this discovery Scammon
says: "The love of adventure tempted the whalers to turn their prows even from the sunny shores
of Peru, and, with flowing sheets, they coursed over the Pacific until, in latitude 5° to 10° south
and longitude 105° to 11'.")° west, the objects of pursuit were found in countless numbers, whose
huge forms blackened the ^avcs and whose spoutiugs clouded the air as far as the eye could dis-
cern."
THE JAPAN GROUND. — The next important sperm-whale ground to be discovered was the
Japan Ground. The honor of opening this profitable whaling ground is claimed by both Ameri-
cans and Englishmen. According to 8tarbuck,§ "having received word from Captain Winship,
of Brighton, Mass., who had friends at Nantucket, that on a recent voyage from China to the
Sandwich Islands he had seen large numbers of sperm whales on that coast, Capt. Joseph Allen,
in the ship Mars, was dispatched there." The Mars sailed from Nantucket October 2C, 1819, arriv-
ing home March 10, 1822, with 2,41'.") barrels of sperm oil, and within two or three years a licet of
thirty sail of vessels were crui.Miigou the new ground. By 1835 there were cruising in the North
1'acilic, between the coasts of New Albion ou the east and the Japan Islands on the west, near a
hundred ships. || one-third English, and the others Americans.
The first English whaling vessel to visit the ne\v lield was the ship Syren, of .7)00 tons burden,
commanded by Capt. Frederick Cotlin, of Nantucket, and carrying a crew of thirty-six seamen.
"The Syren,'' says Beale. •• sailed from England on the 3d of August, 1819, and arrived off the
coast of Japan on the r>th of April, 1821), where she fell in with immense numbers of the sperma-
ceti whale, which her crew gave chase to with excellent success; for they returned to their native
land ou the 21st of April, 1822, after an absence of about two years and eight months, during
which time they had by their industry, courage, and perseverance, gathered from the confines of
the North Pacific Ocean no less than the enormous quantity of 34'i tons [2,708 barrels] of sperm
..MM.IX: op. ait., |.|p. -,MO, -,>11. tliEALi:: up. cit.. ]>. \ \\<.
} Prnrrrilm.i;- Ainrri,:iii Ant ,i| 11:11 i:i n Society, X<>. 57, ]>. '".'. $Kepon.U. S. Fish Commission, ISTiVTC, p. 96.
|| MACY: ili>i. N.-nitucket, p. 224.
70 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
oil, which was brought into the port of London in safety and triumph, showing a success unprec-
edented in the annals of whaling, and which astonished and .stimulated, to exertion all those
engaged in the trade throughout Europe and America. The success which attended this expedi-
tion not only rewarded the seamen and others who composed the crew, but the spirited owner
who had sent them out also must have felt the solid and weighty considerations which he no
doubt received in return for the great and successful enterprise to which he had given origin.
After the return of the Syren the Japan fishery was speedily established, and remains to this day
[1839] the principal one in both ratifies ; and although it has been so much resorted to by ships
of different nations ever since, which have carried off immense quantities of sperm oil, yet such is
the boundless space of ocean throughout which it exists, that the whales scarcely appear to be
reduced in number. But they are more difficult to get near than they were some years back, on
account of the frequent harassing they have met with from boats and ships, so that they have
now become well aware of the reckless nature of their pursuers, and they evince great caution and
instinctive cunning ia avoiding them."*
SPERM WHALING IN THE INDIAN OCEAN.— "In 1828," says Scammori, "four ships were sent
from Nantucket to cruise for sperm whales off the coast of Zanzibar, around the Seychelle Islands,
and about the ujouth of the Bed Sea; and one of the number, with the very appropriate name of Co-
lumbus, through the skill and energy of the captain, sailed up the Red Sea in quest of the objects
of pursuit." t The Seychelle Islands had been visited by the English whaler Swan, a vessel of 150
tons, in 1823, for the purpose of searching for sperm whales, and the captain had been directed to
prosecute the fishery, it' possible, at the entrance of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. The expedition
did not prove as successful as was anticipated, though the effect of opening up the new fields was
of great subsequent advantage, "for although," says Beale, " the Swan did not return until the 27th
of April, 1825, and had only procured 40 tons of sperm oil during all the time of her absence, yet her
want of entire success was not owing to the absence of whales at the places to which they were
sent, for the crew saw immense numbers, but from a series of misfortunes which befel them, and
which rendered them incapable of prosecuting the fishery with all the energy and entire devotion
which it requires to bring about a successful termination. The ships which resorted to the Sey-
chelles after the return of the Swan had good reason to be well satisfied with the success which
attended their efforts, not only from the number of whales which they found there, but from its
being so much nearer home than the Japan fishery, by which much time was saved in the outward
and homeward passages." \
CONDITION OF THE FISHERY, 1837 TO 1880. — In the year 1837 the sperm-whale fishery was at
its highest point of prosperity. The production of the American fleet that year was 5,329,138
gallons of sperm oil, valued at $4,396,538.85. Most of the fleet at this period were scattered over
the various grounds in the North and South Pacific Oceans, and in the Japan Sea, and cargoes of
over 3,000 barrels were not uncommon on a three years' cruise. " Most of our whale ships," says
Macy. in 1835, in his History of Nantucket, " go into the Pacific by the way of Cape Horn ; some by
the eastern route south of New Holland and Van Dieman's Laud ; others after cruising awhile in
the Indian Ocean, in the. neighborhood of Madagascar and mouth of the Red Sea, pursue their way
into the Pacific Ocean through the Straits of Timor, between New Guinea on the south and the
Pelew Islands on the north, touching at the Ladroue Islands, and then onward to the Japan coast.
They there meet ships which sailed from home about the same time with themselves and came by
the way of Cape Horn. Others, too, meet at the same place that came by the route south of New
* BEALE: op. cit., p. 149. tScAMMON: 07). cit., p. 212. t BEALE: op. cit., p. 152.
THE WTIAIJ-: KIS1IF.[;\. 71
Holland. It must appear obvious that our whale ships are exploring in a. more effectual manner
tliau twenty national ships could every part of the vast Pacific. They liavo discovered many
islands, reefs, and shoals, which navigators sent out expressly for exploring purposes had passed
unseen."
The extraordinary success of the licet of whalers led to a rapid increase in the number of
vessels engaged, so that in 1839 the' lleet of the United States numbered 555 vessels, whose aggre-
gate tonnage was ir>!),354 tons. Nearly 500 of these vessels were ships and barks, a large propor-
tion of which were in the Pacific sperm whale fishery. In 1842 the number was 594, at which
time, according to Scammon, the foreign whaling fleet amounted to 230 sail, and the combined
fleet of the world engaged in whaling was si'4 vessels. The fleet from the United States reached
its highest number in 1841!, when 078 .ships, 34 brigs, and 17 schooners and sloops, a total of
729 vessels, measuring 230,.'>3(! tons, were engaged in this industry. It is impossible to give the
exact number of these vessels that were engaged in sperm whaling, but it is probable from a
careful estimate that nearly one-half of the entire fleet followed this branch of the whale fishery.
In 1844 the sperm-whale fleet of the United States numbered 315 vessels, of which 242 were ships
and barks in the Pacific-, and 73 schooners in the Atlantic sperm fishery. At about this time the
Few Holland branch of the English whale fishery was rapidly growing, the proximity of those
whaling ports of Australia to some of the most productive cruising-grounds enabling the ships
fitted out there to perform three voyages while the English and American were performing two.
The number of whale ships from French, German, and Danish ports at this time, according to
Cheever, was between CO and 70, and the English fleet, which in 1821 numbered 323 ships, was
reduced to 85.
The fleet from the United States began now to decrease, and the receipts of sperm oil became
less and less, until in 1860 the entire production of sperm oil by American vessels was only
2,306,934 gallons. The price of this oil, however, had advanced from 82J cents in 1837 to $1.41£
per gallon, and the entire fleet of whaling vessels was reduced to 560 sail. In 1870 the receipts
of sperm oil had further decreased to 1,738,265 gallons, and the whaling fleet numbered 316 sail,
of which number 231 were principally sperm whaling and the balance right whaling. These
sperm whalers were distributed over the various grounds as follows: 125 in the North and South
Atlantic, 41 in the Indian Ocean, and 65 in the Pacific Ocean. In 1875 the sperm-whale fleet
numbered 134 sail and the entire whaling fleet 163 vessels, aud the receipts of sperm oil were
1,342,435 gallons.
The general decline of the whale-fishery, resulting partly from the scarcity of whales, has led
to the abandonment of many of the once famous grounds, and cargoes of sperm oil are obtained
only after the most energetic efforts in scouring the oceans. In the Western Pacific Ocean, the
Indian Ocean, and the Japan Sea, where once large fleets of vessels cruised, there are now but few.
The results of this branch of the whale-fishery during the year is; 7 on the different grounds were
varied. In the North Atlantic Ocean eighty-two vessels took 13,500 barrels, the largest yield
for many years. Good catches were also taken by the fleet off Chili, on the Off-shore Ground, at
New Zealand, and the Sooloo Sea. Vessels in the South Atlantic had fair success, while but little
oil was taken in the Indian Ocean.
In 18SO the Indian Ocean and Sooloo Sea sperm-whale grounds were abandoned by the Ameri-
can fleet.
LENGTH OF VOYAGES. — The length of a sperm-whaling voyage in the North Atlantic, where
it is generally carried on in the smaller class of vessels, is from six to eighteen months, though
occasionally a vessel may return with a fair cargo in five months, while another vessel of large size
HISTOEY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
may remain from home for three years. Voyages to the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean occupy
from two to four years, depending largely upon the abundance of whales. These vessels are
principally ships and barks, the schooners and brigs finding employment in the North Atlantic
fishery.
The Pacific Ocean whalers remain from home three or four years, or even a greater length of
time, transshipping their oil from San Francisco, Honolulu, and South American ports, and taking
sup] dies from time to time at convenient places.
STATISTICS FOR 1880. — The receipts of sperm oil from the American fleet in the year 1880
were 1,184,841 gallons, the smallest quantity, with the exception of the years 1865 and 1874, received
since the year 1826. The entire yield of the fleet from 1804 to 1880 was 166,604,496 gallons, and the
number of sperm whales taken, allowing 25 barrels to each whale and 10 per cent, of those taken
as lost, was 232,790. The receipts of sperm oil by decades since the year 1810 were as follows :
Period.
Quantity.
1810 to 1820
Gallons.
-, y-,9 495
1820 to 1830
22 848 336
1830 to 1840
41,241 310
1840tol850
39, 146 055
1850 to 1860
26 260 806
I860 to 1870
1C 305 377
1870 <<> 1880 .
12,8111 in::
The products of the sperm-whale fishery, in addition to the oil from the blubber and head,
and ivory from the teeth, includes that very valuable substance ambergris, which when pure is
worth its weight in gold. A full discussion of the manner of obtaining 'ambergris and the value
of the production is given in the section of this report treating of Preparation of Products.
CAPT. H. W. SEABUEY ON SPERM WHALES. — " The largest sperm whale that I have seen
taken," says Gapt. H. W. Seabnry, of New Bedford, " was 120 barrels ; though I have heard of one
that made 148 barrels. The male or bull, when full grown, varies from 70 to 110 barrels, very
seldom going beyond the latter amount, and is from 50 to 70 feet long. Female or cow sperm
whales have been caught that made 50 barrels, though they do not often yield more than -35 barrels.
They vary much in size in different places. In the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and along the
Gulf Stream through the Atlantic, they run small, and full-grown cows will not average over 15
barrels. Those caught in the Pacific Ocean near the equator as far as longitude 135° west, average
about 25 barrels while those caught farther west and in most parts of the Indian Ocean run
smaller. The cows with their young give from nothing up to 35 barrels, and seem to go in schools
together, and we frequently see from twenty-five to fifty and sometimes one hundred or more in a
school, with occasionally a large bull among them, and at times, though seldom, we find all
sizes together. The male or bull whales seem to separate from the cows and calves when
about the size of 35 barrels, .is we seldom get them in the schools of the mother and its young to
make more oil than that, and we find the young bulls in pods or schools beyond that size ; we find
them in what we call 40-barrel bulls, where they generally go in larger numbers than they do as
they increase in size ; we find them again in smaller schools of about the size of 50 barrels, and
again about 60 barrels, where we sometimes see eight or ten together, and 70 barrels four or five, and
beyond that one, two, and three, except on New Zealand Ground, where the large whales go in larger
bodies ; many times we raise a large sperm whale alone, or sometimes two within a short distance of
each other, going their regular course from 3 to 6 miles per hour ; they will make their course as
Till', \\1IALE FISIIKUY. 7)3
.straight as we can steer a ship, and make I heir distances very regular during tlie time they are up
and down: a large whale will usually stay down when not disturbed I'roui forty to lif'ty minutes; have
kuowu them to stay down otic hour; their time on the top of the water about fifteen minutes — spout-
ing during that time, say forty-live times, or three times to the minute. Schools are quite often seen
going off their regular course. The small whale does not slay down so long as the large one, and
is not quire so regular; when feeding they are up and down quite often. The usual way of raising
or discovering the whale is from the mast heads, where men are stationed all the time in good
weather during the day ; the spoilt is generally seen first, unless they are breaching or lap-tailing,
which makes white water and is more easily seen than the spoilt, and can be seen farther off. In a very
clear day with a moderate bree/.e a spoilt can be seen G miles, and sometimes 7 miles, and a breach
11' when a large one. A breach is when the whale comes out of water ; he generally comes out head-
foremost two-thirds of his length and falls over on his side, which throws up a large amount of
water : the size of the breach is in proportion to the whale. A lap-tail is when the whale throws
his tail out of water, and when he lets it down it usually throws up a great deal of water, and
experienced whalemen can tell the different kind of whales very readily shortly after they see them
spout, or by their breach; the sperm-whale spout is blown out forward and from the forward end
of the head, and is thick and bushy, while the finback is straight up and thin ; the right is forked
forming two spouts at the top ; the humpback is lower and thin ; the breach of a sperm whale, when
made regular, will be like a cone and be much higher than other whales, which are lower, and
makes more of a splash— spreading out; the length of the sperm whale are according to their
si/.e; the longest I should think would not exceed 70 feet, the head forming about one-third of the
length, arid making about one-third of the oil. There are some exceptions as to this; the lar.c
whale will usually make 3S per cent, head, while the smaller one will not make over 30 per cent.,
so that it makes some difference in a cargo that is obtained of large whales or small ones. The case
of a large whale, which is the top of the head, will yield from 8 to lii barrels pure spermaceti. In
former years it was the custom to hang the same in the ship's tackles, and bail the oil out in buckets;
the practice is still in use now in small vessels, but large ones, since the patent gear to the wind-
lass has been in use, have usually hove the whale head in on deck, first separating the junk from
the case, and taking the junk first, then the case, and bail the oil out while the same lies on deck:
(much more is saved in this way than in the old process of bailing them alongside ;) the outside, or
white horse, as it is termed, is then thrown overboard, the junk is cut up into horse-pieces, as they
are called by whalemen, and put into casks on deck, or tanks below deck, if the ship is provided
with one preparatory to bailing out the same. The jaw of a. large sperm whale is about 18 feet
long, meaning the longest ones, and projects out of the head about 10 feet, and the prongs or pans
are inside about 8 feet. There are generally about torty-lbur teeth to a jaw. a row being formed on
each side. On the upper jaw there are no teeth, the teeth to the lower jaw going into sockets in
the upper when the mouth is dosed. Their food is a fish called squid, at times said to be very large ;
we often see small ones on the top of the water, and pieces of the larger ones floating about on the
surface from the size of a bucket to the size of a barrel ; while in the act of killing them they some-
times throw up pieces of the squid."
li. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NOL'TI.l 1'ACIFIC AND ARCTIC WHALE FISHEKY.
THE >-(»I;TH i-AciKH1 AND PACIFIC-AUCTIC FISHERY.
THE BEGINNING OF THE FISHERY. — The history of whaling in the Arctic Ocean north of
Bering Strait, begins in the year 1848, when Captain Boys, of the bark Superior, of Sag Harbor,
-N. Y.. cruised there and took many large whales. The Honolulu Friend gives the following
74 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
account by Captain Roys of the opening up of this profitable whaling region: "I entered the
Arctic Ocean about the middle of July, and cruised from continent to continent, going as high as
latitude 70, and saw whales wherever I went, cutting in my last whale on the 23d of August, and
returning, through Bering Strait, on the 28th of the same month. On account of powerful currents,
thick fogs, the near vicinity of land and ice, combined with the imperfection of charts and want
of information respecting this region, I found it both difficult and dangerous to get oil, although
there were plenty of whales. Hereafter, doubtless, many ships will go there, and I think there
ought to be some provision made to save the lives of those who go there should they be cast
away." *
The whales taken by Captain Roys were of the bowhead species, which is peculiar to Arctic
regions. Vessels had been taking the right whale in the Okhotsk Sea and neighboring waters for
some years prior to the inauguration of the Bering Strait fishery, but it was not until about this
time that whalemen began to take notice of the bowhead or Greenland whale that had been looked
upon as of no more importance than the finback Or sulphur-bottom whales. They were greatly
surprised when they discovered with what ease the bowhead could be killed, and the great amount
of oil and bone it yielded. According to Starbnck, the first bowheads were taken in the year 1843
on the coast of Kamchatka by ships Hercules, Captain Ricketson, and Janus, Captain Turner,
both of New Bedford. This species of whale was first taken in the Okhotsk Sea about 1847, or, as
Captain Roys thiuks, in 1848 or 1849.t
CAPTAIN BARNES ON ARCTIC WHALING IN 1877. — The following account of Arctic whaling
during the season of 1877 is kindly furnished by Capt. William M. Barnes, of bark Sea Breeze, of
New Bedford. The letter was written to Capt. H. W. Seabury, and published in the New Bedford
Evening Standard of November 21, 1877.
"We came yesterday (October 22) through the Aleutian Islands by the 172° west longitude
pass. Better charts and a greater familiarity with these islands than we formerly possessed have
deprived them of much of the dread we formerly entertained for them, and I do not think that
any vessel has lately taken the old route on the down passage to the west of the islands. In going
.north last spring we passed the chain at the same place on May 4, and three days later came up
to ice in latitude 56° 30' north. From that time till the 23d of the same month we skirted the ice
to westward, attempting in different places to penetrate it, but ever finding it too compact. On
May 24 we were in sight of land, 250 miles west-southwest from Cape Navarin, and on that day we
entered the ice in company with barks Roman and Mount Wollastou. In a week we had worked
through a belt of ice of some 40 miles in width, and had come into a strip of clear water, inshore
of the ice, and extending all the way to Cape Navarin. It was the luck of the Sea Breeze to get
into this water a few hours ahead of the other two vessels, and with a good breeze we soon were
a long way from them, but before they lost sight of us whales had made their appearance in the
loose ice around their ships, and each vessel succeeded in taking two large ones.
"On the 6th of June we were off Cape Navarin, and on the 10th off Plover Bay, not having
seen a single whale. On the following day, off Cape Chaplin, we saw and chased a whale going
quick north, and on the same day spoke Captain Redfield, of a trading schooner, who reported the
eastern part of the sea quite free from ice, and that he had seen quite a number of whales off St.
Lawrence Island. So we, going by our experience in these last few years, supposed that the
whales had already gone to the north, and made the best of our way into the Arctic. It proved,
however, that there was still a large body of whalers somewhere in the southern ice that came up
through the straits after nearly all the whales had passed through. The several trading vessels
" Whale and his Captors, p. 105. tSee Scammnn's Marine Mammalia, p. GO, ami Niinrod of the Sea, p. 388.
TDK WHAM: HSIIKRY. 75
report seeing many whales, and that quite a number woe taken 1>\ (lie nativesat different places.
At this time most of the whalers were walrusing, hut a few that were in the line of whales in the
Arctic took one or more. In two or three days they had all gone past and no more whales were
seen till the ships were off Point Harrow.
"From the middle of June till the last of July we were engaged in catching walruses. The
past season was rather a poor one for this branch of business, as it was later than usual before the
walruses were found in large numbers. We took 2,000. that yielded 1,200 barrels of oil. There
does not yet appear any diminution in the number of these animals: still if the ships continue to
catch them as they have done for the last few years it cannot be long before there will be a great
decrease. This season a schooner was fitted from San Francisco expressly for walrus catching,
and doubtless the fair success she met with will prompt the fitting away of others next year, so I
fear the poor walruses are destined to suffer.
" Early in August we arrived off Point Barrow. We found a number of whalers already there,
and some of them boiling. The ice, when we passed np, was some 10 miles offshore, at the Sea
Horse Islands, and from there to Point Barrow, 70 miles, there was a strip of clear water 20 miles
wide, but which will almost be closed up if the wind came a few hours from the west. From Cape
Smith to Point Barrow there was a body of ice aground, and on the western edge of the bank that
extends to the north from the point there was a wall of ice some 6 miles long and 60 feet or more
in height, so high that there were only a few places where it was possible from the " crow's nest"
to look over it. This wall, however, was quite narrow, and probably was formed when a pack
moving from the west took the ground on this bank, in some 7 fathoms of water, the pressure
behind piling the succeeding ice upon that which was grounded. We found the ships anchored
near the end of this wall. To the northeast there was an opening in the ice of several miles of
greater or less extent, according to the wind, while to the eastward of the point the ice lay in
huge floes many miles m extent, and but little separated. Only near the point was there much
small ice, and among this there was much that was so large as to make navigation among it unsafe
and difficult. The whales were already coming from the east, and would cross the open water
near the end of the ground ice and bury themselves in the western pack.
" On August 15 five vessels started to the eastward, and the next day passed out of sight.
One vessel after another would follow, and by the last of the month the whole fleet was to the east
of Point Barrow. To the north was an unknown amount of ice, but it was possible, with care
and with a favoring wind, to thread one's way along the land among the floes of ice. In this diffi-
cult navigation the Eoman and Milton caine to grief, and returned to the point. Some of the
vessels report haviug gone as far east as Beturn Eeef. The Sea Breeze went no farther than
Smith's Bay. The vessels that first went east found whales off Point Tangent, 40 miles from
Point Barrow, but farther east very few whales were seen— fortunately, as it proved— as it is
acknowledged that if whales had been found and the fleet been detained a few days to the east-
ward Xew Bedford would again have had to deplore the loss of her northern fleet.
"Early in September the ships were all back to Point Barrow. The weather was now quite
cold, and the ice encroaching fast on our open space. On the Cth of September, in company with
bark Mercury, we steered to the southwest and run SO miles between the ice and land, and then
to the west of Herald Island. We found much open ice over the usual whaling-ground. Septem-
ber 13 we were in the longitude of Herald Island, but SO miles to the south of it, and the ice
trending to the southwest, so we turned again to the east. Here we spoke bark Cleone,* Captain
iNye, who was also working east and reported the Eainbow working up towards Herald Island.
' Cleone wrecked the same year in R.-iint t,a\vtvrm> Bay, Captain Nye afterwards lost in Mt. Wollaston.
76 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
In a few days we were back among- the eastern ships, and on the 17th of the mouth learned that
the Three Brothers had been abandoned in the ice around Point Barrow, and that the ships that
brought down her crew barely escaped the double danger of being inclosed by the ice and of being
frozen in. We had now northeast wind, quite cold, and snowy. A few nights after the W. A.
Farnsworth was lost, her crew barely having time to escape as they stood.
"At this time there was more young ice than I have ever before seen in the Arctic. On the
20th of September, in latitude 70° 20', the whole ocean appeared to be frozen over, the young ice
being nearly an inch thick, so that the .ship needed a fresh breeze to force her way through it; and
a few days later we found ice nearly 2 inches thick still farther south.
" About the 20th of September several vessels left, some it is reported leaving the sea to look
for right whales. Others went westward.
"The northeast wind freshened to a gale, and on the 25th of September we had drifted to south
of Cape Lisburne, and in company with the Mount Wollaston anchored under the lee of Point
Hope. Next day took our anchors and steered south to leave, the sea, but before we had reached
East Cape met a south wind and swung off again for Herald Island. October 1, sighted Herald
Island, also vessels whaling, and soon after whales. The south wind, with a current running north,
had carried the ice so Jar that ships were now whaling close to the island in clear water. Learned
soon atter that there had been many whales here; that the Rainbow had worked up through 80
miles of ice and found them here about the middle of September, and that all the vessels here had
been doing well. There were in sight here nine sails; if any more, not immediately around the
island, and it was thought that all the others had left the sea. The last whales were taken here
October 10, by barks Cleone and Helen Mar. We took three only, making 330 barrels. For many
years I have not seen so many or such large whales as about here for the first week iu October.
" Left Herald Island October 10. On the 12th anchored in Saint Lawrence Bay. Found here
the Rainbow, 17 whales; Norman, 1-4 whales ; and Mount Wollaston, S whales. Soon after arrived
there the Pacific 11 whales, the Northern Light 9 whales, the Progress S whales, the Helen Mar 13
whales, and the Cleone 11 whales.
" We sailed from Saint Lawrence Bay October 18, leaving five vessels there. Two days later
we killed and lost a right whale, near Saint Matthew's Island, by the sinking of the whale. And
now the season seems closed, and nothing remains but to make the best of our way to port. * * *
" Long before you will receive this, in all probability you have learned all that is to be known
concerning the vessels abandoned last season. Only two vessels survived the winter. There
were, I believe, iive men, Hawaiian natives, who made their way over the ice to the Acors Barns,
the vessel that lay nearest the land, away to the east of Point Barrow. It chanced that in the
gale that soon came on, after the fleet was abandoned, that this vessel was driven through a break
in the gnmnd-ice that wal'c.d the northern shore, and these men succeeded in reaching the land
and Point Barrow soon afler the departure of the vessels that were saved. Three of these men
were badly frozen and si on died. The two others were kindly cared for by the natives on the point,
and when I saw them on board Hawaiian brig William H. Allen were fat and hearty. The bark
Clara Bell was abandoned a few miles south from Cape Smith. She was found lying at her anchor,
wholly clear from ice, and with no further damage than was dime by the natives, who took what-
ever was of any use to them, and cut and hacked till they had made a bad looking vessel of her.
The first few vessels helped themselves to whatever was left of value, and the schooner Newton
Booth, of San Francisco, took the remaining oil. The Clara Bell lay (here at her anchor till about
the 20th of September, when she broke adrift and came up with the current and went out of sight-
in the ice to the northeast. She was last seen off Harrison's Bay.
THE WHALK FISHERY. 77
"I cannot learn that any tiling certain is known concerning the other abandoned ships. There
was a report' that sonic trading vessel understood from the natives, at Point Hope, that during the
winter a ship made her appearance off the point, among the ice; that they (the natives) hoarded
her: that they found no one on her; lint on the ice near her the bodies of two men who had
perished while trying to reach the land. It seems probable to me that in the strong northeast
gales of the fall the abandoned ships were driven to the southwest, and were drifting around with
the ice through the winter, and if not sooner broken to pieces, were carried a way in the spring among
the ice moving north. The Acors P.arus was burned by the natives.
"The men that spent the winter among the natives report most kind treatment. They say,
however, that occasionally they had to flee from one house to another, when the inmates of the
first were ha\ ing a drunken frolic, as at such times they could not be sure of their lives. A few
years ago these people did not know the use of intoxicating liquors. "What a comment on our
boasted civilization ami on the genuineness of our Christianity that this little colony of people, in
this most remote corner of the earth, must suffer and be imbrnted because of us ! It is a grievous
shame, and one that I hope will soon come to an end." [The Sea freeze arrived at San Francisco
November 11, having had a long and rough passage down — a succession of southerly gales —
with 1,450 baircls oil. 5,000 pounds whalebone, and 0,000 pounds ivory.]
CAPTAIN PEASE ox ARCTIC •WHALING-.— Captain Pease, of the ship Champion, of Edgartowu,
in a letter published in the New lied ford Shipping List, of November 29, 1870, thus describes
some of the incidents of Arctic whaling :
•' We made and entered the ice on the 17th day of May. about 40 miles south of Cape Xavarin,
weather thick and snowing; on the 20th the weather cleared up, showing about a dozen ships in
the ice. The weather having every appearance of a gale. I worked out of the ice. and soon found
myself surrounded by fifty ships. Saw but one whale in the ice. On the 23d, weather pleasant,
two or three ships worked a short distance in the ice ; the next day the fleet commenced following
and in a few hours fifty ships were on a race to Cape Thaddeus ; it was oak against ice, and like
ail heavy moving bodies which come in collision. • the weakest structure always gives way ;' so
with the ships, they all came out more or less damaged in copper and sheathing — the Champion
four days ahead to Cape, Thaddeus, in clear water.
"Unfortunately, for the first time since whaling, there were no whales. On the 13th of June
we lowered for a whale going quick into the ice. Cape Agcheu bearing southwest 00 miles, and
before getting the boats clear the ice packed around us. From that time until the 2litli, so close
and heavy was the ice packed around us, that we found it impossible to move the ship. With our
sails furled, we drifted with the ice about 12 miles per day toward Cape Agchen, the ship lying
as quiet as in a dock, but on the 22d, when close under the cape, a gale set in from the southward,
producing a heavy swell and causing the ship to strike heavily against the ice. We saved our
rudder by hooking our blubber-hooks to it and heaving them well taut with hawsers to our
quarters. Had the current not taken an easterly shore course, the ship must have gone on shore.
The wind blowing on shore, which was distant less than half a mile, 5 to (i fathoms of water under
us, ship rolling and pounding heavily against the ice, weather so thick we could not see 5<i yards.
made it rather an anxious time. For thirty-six hours I was expecting some sharp pointed rock
would crash through her sides. On the 24th, finding only 4.\ fathoms water, little current, with
the larger pieces of ice around, we let go an anchor and held her to a large floe of ice. Here we
broke our sampson post off in the deck. On the morning of the 25th the weather cleared up.
showing our position to be at the head of a small bay about 15 miles east of Cape Agchen. Here
for two days we lay becalmed and ice-bound. On the second day the ice loosened, when we took
78 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
our anchor and by eighteen hoars' hard work succeeded in kedging about 4 miles seaward ; a
breeze then springing up from off shore, we spread sail arid passed into clear water. We spent a
short time in the straits, but saw nothing of the bowhead kind. Passed into the Arctic July — ,
and found most of the fleet catching walrus ; about a dozen ships (this one among the number)
went cruising along the northern ice for bowheads. After prospecting from Icy Cape to near
Herald Island, and seeing not a whale, I returned to the walrus fleet. The first ship I saw was
the Yineyard, with one hundred and seventy-five walrus; since then I have not seen or heard
from her. This walrusing is quite a new business, and ships which had engaged in it the previous
seaspn and came up prepared were very successful. While at it, we drove business as hard as the
best of them, but soon became convinced that tlie ship's company (taken collectively) were much
inferior to many others ; they could not endure the cold and exposure expected of them. I have
seen boats' crews that were properly rigged, kill and strip a boat load of walrus in the same length
of time another (not rigged) would be in killing one and hauling him on the ice. We took some
four hundred, making about 230 barrels. About August 5 all the ships went in pursuit of bow-
heads (most of them to Point Barrow). When off the Sea Horse Islands we saw a few whales
working to the westward, just enough to detain us ; we took two making 200 barrels ; the weather
cold, and a gale all the time. In September I worked up about 70 miles from Point Barrow; saw
quite a show of small whales in the sea ; took four which made about 100 barrels. As that was a
fair sample, and not. having the right boys to whale in that ice, where the thermometer stood only
8- above zero, I went back to the westward. Ships that had from forty to fifty men (clad in skins)
and officers accustomed to that particular kind of whaling, did well. In going back the fourth
mate struck a whale which made about 70 barrels. From the 28th of September to the 4th of
October we saw a good chance to get oil, had the weather been good, and a well, hardy crew.
We could not cut and whale at the same time. We took four whales which would have made 500
barrels had we had good weather to boil them. On the 4th of October we put away for the straits,
in company with the Seneca, John Howland, and John Wells— a gale from the northeast, and
snowing. On the evening of the 7th it blew almost a hurricane ; hove the ship to south of Point
Hope, with main -topsail furled; lost starboard bow boat, with davits — ship covered with ice and
oil. On the 10th entered the straits in a heavy gale ; when about 8 m iles south of the Diomedes,
had to heave to under bare poles, blowing furiously, and the heaviest sea I ever saw ; ship making-
bad weather of it; we had about 125 barrels of oil on deck, and all our fresh water; our blubber
between decks in horse pieces, and going from the forecastle to the mainmast every time she
pitched, and impossible to stop it; ship covered with ice and oil ; could only muster four men in
a watch ; decks flooded with water all the time ; no fire to cook with or to warm by, made it the
most anxious and miserable time I ever experienced in all my sea service. During the night
shipped a heavy sea, which took off bow and waist boats, davits, slide-boards, and everything
attacked, staving about 20 barrels of oil. At daylight on the second day we found ourselves in 17
fathoms of water, and about 6 miles from the center cape of Saiut Lawrence Island. Fortunately
the gale moderated a little, so that we got two close-reefed topsails and reefed courses on her,
and by sundown were clear of the west end of the island. Had it not moderated as soon as it did,
we should, by 10 a. m., have been shaking hands with our departed friends."
Another difficulty of North Pacific navigation is mentioned in a letter from Capt. William H.
Kelley, of the bark James Allen, of New Bedford, to the Hawaiian Gazette, in 1874.* He says :
" One of the perplexities of the navigator cruising in the Arctic Ocean is the singular effect northerly
and southerly winds seem to have upon the mariner's compass. Captains have noticed this singu-
* See New Bedford " Shipping List," January 5, 1876.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 79
larity for years, and no solution of the matter, as far as I have learned, has yet been arrived at.
Navigators have noticed that with a north or northeast wind they can tack in eight points, while
with the wind south or southwest in from fourteen to sixteen points. All navigators know that for
a square-rigged vessel to lie within four points of the wind is an utter impossibility, the average
with square-rigged vessels being six points. This peculiar action of the compass renders the navi-
gation of the Arctic ditlieult and at times dangerous, especially in thick, foggy weather. Naviga-
tors in these regions have proved to their satisfaction that on the American coast, north and east
of Point Barrow, to steer a laud course by the compass and allow the variations given by the
chart, -14° 15' east, with the wind at north or northeast, icoidd run the ship axhore, steering either
cunt or icest. * * Experience, therefore, has obliged navigators to ignore the variations
marked upon the charts, and lay the ship's course by the compass alone to make a land-course safe in
thick weather. * * With an east or west wind' the effect on the compass is not so great as
with other winds. I have said this much to show the working of the compass in the Arctic Ocean
during different winds, not that I admit that the wind has any effect whatever upon the compass.
I give the facts as they came under my observation, and corroborative testimony will be borne by
any shipmaster who has cruised in the Arctic Ocean."
THE DANGERS OF THE FISHERY. — Whaling in the Arctic Ocean is attended with uncertain ty
iu every particular, both in regard to the condition and movement of the ice, and the movement of
the whales. The early departure of the animals to inaccessible regions among the ice, and the
anxious weeks spent in awaiting their return, make this ground one of the most exciting regions
that whalemen can find, and the surroundings are of more than usual interest. Much has been
written in the accounts of Arctic expeditions descriptive of the icy regions, and much is said of the
dangers attending navigation in those seas. Nothing can exceed the daring and pluck of the
whalemen in their endeavors to search out and capture their prey. Forgetful of surrounding
dangers, they pursue the spouting animal far up among the ice-floes, and many a vessel has been
crushed to pieces by the ice as she was tracking out a whale. Anxious to secure full fares, they
remain amid the freezing waters until early winter stares them in the face, when they plow their
way homeward. Several disasters have overtaken the fleet in their zeal to catch the whale, as in
1871, when thirty-two noble craft were left at anchor in sight of certain destruction, the crews,
after arduous labor, saving themselves in boats.
The story of the disaster of 1871, as also that of 1876, is told as follows by Starbuck :
"In the fall of 1871 came news of a terrible disaster to the Arctic fleet, rivaling in its extent
the depredations of the rebel cruiser. Off Point Belcher thirty-four vessels lay crushed and
mangled in the ice; in Honolulu were over twelve hundred seamen who by this catastrophe were
shipwrecked.
"Early in May the fleet arrived south of Cape Thaddeus, where they found the ice closely
packed, and the wind blowing strong from the northeast.* This state of affairs continued during
the most of the month. June came in with light and variable winds and foggy weather; but the
ice opening somewhat, the ships pushed through in sight of (-'ape Navarin, where they took five
or six whales, and for a -short time heard many more spouting among the ice. About the middle
of June the ice opened still more, and the fleet passed on through Anadir Sea, taking a few whales
as they went. By the 30th of June the vessels had passed through Bering Strait, preceded
by the whales. Waiting the further 1-reakiug up of the ice, they commenced catching walruses,
but with comparatively poor success. During the latter part of July, the ice disappearing from,
the east shore south of Cape Lisburne, the fleet pushed on to the eastward, following the ice, the
•Harprr's \V<-rk]y, Di crniln-r 2, Io71.
80 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
principal portion of which was in latitude 69° 10'. A clear strip of water appearing on the east
shore, leading along the land to the northeast, they worked along through it to within a few miles
of Icy Cape. Here some of tin- vessels anchored, unable to proceed farther on account of the ice
lying on Blossom Shoals.
"About the Cth of August the ice cm the shoals started, and several ships got under way.
In a few days most of the fleet was north of the shoals, and, aided by favorable weather, they
worked to the northeast as far as Wainwright Inlet, eight vessels reaching there on the 7th,
Here the ships either anchored or made fast to the ice, which was very heavy and densely packed,
and whaling was carried on briskly for several days, and every encouragement was given for a
favorable catch. On the lith of August a sadden change of wind set the ice inshore, catching a
huge number of boats which were cruising for whales in the open ice, and forcing the ships to get
under way 1o avoid being crushed. The vessels worked inshore under the lee of the ground ice,
and succeeded, despite the difficulties of the situation, in saving their boats by hauling them for
long distances over the ice, some of them, however, being badly stoven. On the 13th the ice
grounded, leaving a narrow strip of water along the laud up to Point Belcher. In this open
water lay the fleet anchored or fast to the ice, waiting for the expected northeast wind that was
to relieve them of their icy barrier, whaling constantly being carried on by the boats, though
necessarily under many adversities.
"On the 15th of August the wind came around to the westward, driving the ice still closer
to the shore and compelling the vessels to work close in to the land. The drift of the ice inland
was so rapid that some of the vessels were compelled to slip their cables, there being no time to
weigh anchor. By this event the fleet was driven into a narrow strip of water not over a half
a mile in width at its widest part. Here, scattered along the coast for 20 miles, they lay, the water
from 14 to 24 feet deep, and ice as far as the lookouts at the mastheads could see. Whaling was
still carried on with the boats off Sea-Horse Island and Point Franklin, although the men were
obliged to cut up the whales on the ice and tow the blubber to the ships.
" On the -5th a strong northeast gale set in and drove the ice to a distance of from 4 to 8
miles offshore, and renewed attention was given to the pursuit of the whale. Up to this time no
immediate danger had been anticipated by the captains beyond that incidental to their usual
sojourn in these seas. The Eskimo, nevertheless, with the utmost friendliness, advised theni to
get away with all possible speed, as the sea would not again open; but this was contrary to the
Arctic experience of the whalemen, and they resolved to hold their position.
"On the 29th began the series of conflicting circumstances resulting in the destruction of the
fleet. A southwest wind sprang up, light in the morning, but freshening so toward evening that
the ice returned inshore with such rapidity as to catch some of the ships in the pack. The rest of
the fleet retreated ahead of the ice, and anchored in from. 3 to 4 fathoms of water, the ice still
coming in and small ice packing around them. The heavy floe-ice grounded in shoal water and
between it and the shore lay the ships, with scarcely room to swing at their anchors.
"On the 2d of September the brig Comet was caught by the heavy ice and completely crushed,
her crew barely making their escape vo the other vessels. She was pinched until her timbers all
snapped and the stern was forced out. and hung suspended for three or four days, being in the
mean time thoroughly wrecked by the other vessels ; then the ice relaxed its iron grip and she
sunk. Still our hardy whalemen hoped that the looked-for northeasterly gale would come, and
t'clt greater uneasiness on account of the loss of time .than because of their present peril. Their
experience could not point io the time when the favoring gale had Tailed to assure their egress.
Nothing but ice was visible oil' shore, however, the only clear water being where they lay, and
THE VYIIAU FISIIHHY. Si
that narrowed to a strip from L'OO yards to liiilf'ii mile in width, and extending from Point lielcher
in L' or .'! miles south of AVainwright Inlet. The southeast and southwest winds still continued,
light from the former and fresh from the hitter direction, and every day the ice packed more and
more closely around the doomed vessels.'
"On the 7th of September the bark Koman. while cutting in a whale, was caught between
two immense Hoes of ice oil' Sea Horse Islands, whence she had helplessly drifted, and crushed to
atoms, the olliccrs and crew escaping over the ice, saving scarcely anything but their lives.
"The next day beheld the bark Awashonks meet a similar fate, and a third fugitive crew
was distributed among the remaining ships. The peril was now apparent to all : the season was
rapidly approaching the end; the ice showed no signs of starting, but on the contrary the little
clear water that remained was rapidly filling with ice and closing around them. Frequent and
serious were the consultations held by the captains of the beleaguered vessels. One thing at
least was evident without discussion; if the vessels could not be extricated, the crews must be
got away before winter set in, or the scanty stock of provisions they had could only postpone an
inevitable starvation. As a precautionary measure, pending a decision on the best course to
adopt, men were set to work to build up the boats, that is, to raise the gunwales so as to enable
them the better to surmount the waves. Shoes* were also put on them, to prevent, as far as pos-
sible, injury from the ice. The brig Kohola was lightened in order to get her over the bar at
"\Yain\viight Inlet, upon which there were only 5 or 6 feet of water. Her oil and stores were
transferred to the deck of the Charlotte, of San Francisco, but when discharged it was found that
she still drew 1) feet of water, and the attempt to get her over the shoal water was abandoned.!
An expedition of three boats, under the command of Capt. D. E. Frazer, was now sent down the
coast to ascertain how far the ice extended; what chances there were of getting throngh the
barrier; what vessels,' if any, were outside, and what relief conld be relied upon. Captain
Frazer returned on the 12th, and leported that it was utterly impracticable to get any of the
main body of the fleet out ; that the Arctic and another vessel were in clear water below the
field, which extended to the south of Blossom Shoals, 80 miles from the imprisoned crafts : and
that five more vessels, then fast in the lower edge of the ice, were likely to get out soon. He also
reported, what every man then probably took for granted, that these free vessels would lay by to
aid their distressed comrades. It is a part of the whaleman's creed to stand by his mates. On
healing this reported, it was decided to abandon the fleet, and make the best of their way, while
they could, to the rescuing vessels. It was merely a question whether they should leave their
>hips and save then1 lives, or stand by their ships and perish with them.
••The morning of the 14th of September came, and a sad day it was to the crews of .the ice-
bound crafts. At noon the signals, flags at the mast heads, union down, were set, which told
them the time had come when they must sever themselves from their vessels. f As a stricken family
•
"A sheathing — in this case copper — bring used.
tThe same experiment, with the same rr.xult, was tried liy Captain Kedlield, of the brig Victoiia.
t The following protect was written on the lath of September, and signed by all tlie captains on the follow ing day
.iliaiidoiiing their vessels :
••1'oixT lir.LCHKi:, .in-ll<- /let/in, S< /ilnn/m ]'!, 1871.
•• Kim« all men by these presents, I hat we, the iindi-t signed, masters of whale ships now lying at Point I'.eh her,
afiei imldiii". a i ..... -i ing coiieeniing o,;i dreadful -it aai ,on, have all eome to tin? conclusion that our ships cannot be
• lit Uiia year, and there beiog no harboi thai ' els into, and mil lia\ing provisions enough to
teed our crews to exceed three nmnth^. and being in a iiauvn country, where there is neither food nor fuel to be
obtained, we feel mirsel\e> under the painful necessity of abandoning our vessels, and trying to work our way south
with our boats, and. if po~-.il >le. 4,1 on ln.aid of .--hips thai an- -onih of the ice. We think it w mild not be prudent to
leave a single soul to look after onr vessels, as the first ale will crowd, ile ice ashon and eithei cue-:
SEC. v, VOL. 11 - 6
82 HISTORY AOT) METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
feels when the devouring flames destroy the home which was their shelter, and with it the little
souvenirs and priceless memorials which had been so carefully collected and so earnestly treasured,
so feels the mariner when compelled to tear himself from the ship, which seems to him at once parent,
friend, and shelter. In these vessels lay the result of all the toil and danger encountered by them
since leaving home. Their chests contained those little tokens received from or reserved for friends
thousands of miles away, and nothing could be taken with them save certain prescribed and
indispensable articles. With heavy hearts they entered their boats and pulled away, a mournful,
almost funereal, flotilla, toward where the vessels lay that were to prove their salvation. Tender
women and children were there, who, by their presence, sought to relieve the tedium of a long
voyage to their husbands and fathers, and the cold north wind blew pitilessly over the frozen sea,
chilling to the marrow the unfortunate fugitives. *
" The first night out the wanderers encamped on the beach behind the sand-hills. A scanty
supply of fire- wood they had with them and such drift-wood as they could collect sufficed to make
a fire to protect them somewhat from the chilling frost. The sailors dragged boats over the hills,
and by turning them bottom upward and covering them with sails, made quite comfortable habi-
tations for the women and children. The rest made themselves comfortable as best they could.
" On the second day out," says Captain Preble, " the boats reached Blossom Shoals, and there
spied the refuge-vessels lying 5 miles out from shore, and behind a tongue of ice that stretched
like a great peninsula 10 miles farther down the coast, and around the point of which the weary
crews were obliged to pull before thej could get aboard. The weather here was very bad, the
wind blowing fresh from the southwest, causing a sea that threatened the little craft with annihi-
lation. Still the hazardous journey had to be performed, and there was no time to be lost in setting
about it. * * * All submitted to this new danger with becoming cheerfulness, and the little
boats started on their almost hopeless voyage, even the women and children smothering their
apprehensions as best they could. On the voyage along the inside of the icy point of the peninsula
everything went moderately well ; but on rounding it they encountered the full force of a tremen-
dous southwest gale and a sea that would have made the stoutest ship tremble. In this fearful
sea the whale-boats were tossed about like pieces of cork. They shipped quantities of water from
every wave which struck them, requiring the utmost diligence of all hands at bailing to keep
them afloat. Everybody's clothing was thoroughly saturated with the freezing brine, while all
the bread and flour in the boats was completely spoiled. The strength of the gale was such that
the ship Arctic, after getting her portion of the refugees on board, parted her chain-cable and lost
her port anchor, but brought up again with her starboard anchor, which held until the little fleet
was ready to sail.
"By four o'clock in the afte/noon of the second day all were distributed among the seven
vessels that formed the remnant of the fleet that sailed for the Arctic Ocean the previous spring.
Not a person was lost to add to the grief already felt or to increase the gloom of their situation.
ships or drive them high upon the beach. Three of the fleet have already been crushed, and two are now lyiug hove
out, which have heen crushed by the ice, and are leaking badly. We have now five wrecked crews distributed among
us. We have barely room to swing at anchor! paekot'i h. and we are lying iu three fathoms
of water. Should we be cast on the beach il would be at least eleven mouths before we could look for assistance, and
in all probability nine out often would die of .starvation or scurvy brfore the opening of spring.
"Therefore, we have arrived at these conclusions: After the ivtnrn of our expedition under command of Capt.
D. R. Frazer, of the Florida, he having with whale-boats worked to the southward as far as Blossom Shoals, and
found that the ice pressed anhoiv the entire di iur position to the shoals, leaving iu several places only
sufficient water for our boa is t.. IM,,H thiongh, and this liable at any moment to be frozen over during the twenty-four
hours, which would • vm by 111. • r had to work through a considerable
qtia.in M ', I'inm i.c<- during 1] IUKIH, lian
(Signed h\, the masters.)
THE WHALE FISHERY. 83
To the Europa were assigned 280; to the Arctic, 250; to the Progress, 221 ; to the Lagoda, 195;
to the Daniel Webster, 113; to the Midas, 100; and to the Chance, 60; in all 1,219 souls in addi-
tion to their regular crews. On tho 24th of October the larger portion of these vessels reached
Honolulu, and the remaining ones of the seven speedily followed.
" On the receipt of the news of this disaster, more particularly in New Bedford, great excite-
ment was occasioned. The value of the wrecked vessels sailing from that port alone exceeded,
with their cargoes, $ 1,000,000. But the owners of whaling-vessels were not the men to yield
supinely to a single misfortune, however overpowering it might seem, and the ensuing year twenty-
seven ships were busy in the Arctic, and in 1873 twenty-nine visited that precarious sea.
"The names of the beleaguered lleet were: from New Bedford, barks Awashonks, value
.*.->S,000; Concordia, $75,000; Contest, $40,000; Elizabeth, $60,000; Emily Morgan, $60,000;
Eugenia, $56,000; Fanny, $58,000; Gay Head, $40,000; George, $40,000; Henry Taber, $52,000;
John Wells, $40,000; Massachusetts, $46,000; Minerva, $50,000; Navy, $48,000; Oliver Crocker,
*4S,000; Seneca, $70,000; William Botch, $43,000; ships George Howland, $43,000; Reindeer,
$40,000 ; Roman, $60,000; Thomas Dickason, $50,000. From New London, bark J. D. Thompson,
value $45,000 ; and ship Monticello, $45,000. From San Francisco, barks Carlotta, value $52,000 ;
Florida, $51,000; and Victoria, $30,000. From Edgartown, ships Champion, value $40,000; and
Mary, $"i7,000. And from Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, barks Paira Kohola, $20,000; Comet,
$20,000 ; and Victoria 2d and ship Julian, $40.000. The Honolulu vessels had generally Ameri-
can owners, having been placed under the Hawaiian flag to protect them from rebel cruisers.
" Capt. William H. Kelley, who commanded the Gay Head, visited the locality the following
year, and wrote home the condition of such of the vessels as still remained. The Minerva lay at
the entrance to Waiuwright Inlet, as good in hull as when abandoned. The T. Dickason lay on
her beam-ends on the bank, bilged and full of water. The Seneca was dragged by the ice up
the coast some distance; her bowsprit was gone, bulwarks stove, and rudder carried away, and
she was frozen in solid. The Reindeer sank, and the Florida was ashore on Sea Horse Islands,
burned to the water's edge. The rest of the fleet were either carried away by the ice, crushed to
pieces, or burned by the natives. The Gay Head and Concordia were burned where they lay.
1 The bark Massachusetts went arouud Point Barrow. There was one white man on board her
who staid up here last winter. He made his escape over the ice this summer, and was five days
getting back to the ships. He was about used up when they found him this summer. The
natives set out to kill him, but the women saved him, and afterward the old chief took care of
him. He saved a large quantity of bone, but the natives took it away from him, except a small
quantity. He said $150,000 would not tempt him to try another winter in the Arctic. He said
that four days after we left the ships last year the water froze over and the natives walked off to
the ships ; and fourteen days after there came on a heavy northeast gale and drove all but the
ground-ice away (that never moved). Shortly after there blew another northeast gale, and he
said that of all the butting and smashing lie ever saw, the worst .was among those ships driving
into each other during those gales. Some were ground to atoms, and what the ice spared the
natives soon destroyed, after pillaging them of everything they pleased.'"
In the season of 1S76 the fleet met with another disaster of less pecuniary extent but more
appalling in its effect on human life. The fleet consisted of eighteen American ships and barks
and two foreign vessels. Of these, twelve were lost or abandoned in the Arctic. "Much of the
melancholy story seems a duplicate description of that of 1871. Again the fleet had entered that
fatal ocean early in August, and again commenced the season's whaling with prospects of fair
84
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
success; again the ice commenced dosing ;i round them ; again they cherished delusive hopes that
a strong gale would drive it oil' shore and afford them a means of escape, and again these hopes
were doomed to a bitter disappointment. Again the masters decided it was necessary to abandon
their vessels, and again the abandonment was accomplished. Here the parallel ceases. Several
men perished from exposure in journeying from one beleaguered vessel to another apparently more
safe, and many died on the toilsome, perilous march and voyage to the rescuing ships. Many
more preferred to stay by the ships and risk their chances of surviving during the terrible Arctic
winter to assuming the nearer and, to them, apparently no less dangerous alternative of an imme-
diate escape."* Three hundred men escaped, and fifty-three remained among the natives. There
was no feasible way to communicate with them until the summer of 1877. Provisions and fuel were
reported amply sufficient for them, and with the first clear water of 1877 ready hands and willing
hearts hastened to their assistance. The experiences of these men during the winter and until
their rescue in the summer of 1877 are told by Captain Barnes on page 77, above ; only two of
the abandoned vessels survived the winter: one of these was burned by the natives and the other
was lost in September, 1877. The names of the lost and abandoned vessels with their approx-
imate values, not including cargoes, were as follows : (Of these the Arctic was lost ; the others aban-
doned.) From New Bedford, the Acors Barns, $36,000; Camilla, $36,000; Cornelius Howland,
$40,000; James Allen, $36,000; Java 2d, $25,001) ; Josephine, $40,000 ; Mareugo, $40,000 ; Mount
Wollaston, $32,000; Onward, $40,000; and St. George, $36,000. From San Francisco, the Clara
Bell, $24,000. And from Honolulu, the Arctic, $32,0(10, and Desmond, $24,000. A total loss of
$442,000. The estimated value of the cargoes was about $375.000 more.
In 1877 three of the Arctic fleet were lost, in 187<S one, and in 1879 three. The description of
the class of vessels employed in this fishery is given under the head of vessels and apparatus,
and the cruising-grounds are discussed under the head of whaling-grounds.
STATISTICS OF PACIFIC-ARCTIC WHALING 1835 TO 1880. — The following statement gives a
summary of each season's fishing of the North Pacific fleet from 1835 to 1880. The locality
includes the waters between the Asiatic and American coasts north oi' 50° north latitude.
Statement showing the number »f American vesxvli in tin- \<irt/i Pacific flett each year and their catch of oil and btme.
[Compiled from Whalemen's Shipping List.]
Tear.
No. of
vessels.
Average
barrels
whale oil.
Total
barn-Is
whale oil.
Tot;il pounds
whalebone.1
Remarks.
1835
1
1R36
1
1837
1
1838
1
1839
2
1 400
2,800
1840
3
587
1 760
184]
20
1 41'*
28 200
1842
•"i
1 627
47 °00
1843
108
1 349
i H; snii
1844 ....
170
1 . T._'s
•J.v.l, ;,70
1845
263
953
250, 600
1846
292
869
* History Whale Fishery, iu U. S. Fish Commission lvV|><>rt,
t Arctic whalolione not recorded separate prior to 1866.
TI1K \\IIALK KISI1KRY.
85
Xtatcmfnt slnmiiui tin' numlii r t>f .tmerii-aii IT.S.V/N in I lie Xortli I'm-ifu: ]!>•< I 1 K. li 11, .;; • uml ll<i-ir catch, <fc. — Continued.
Y<ai.
Xo. of
barrels
whale oil.
Cotal
barrels
whale oil.
Tola] pounds
lioiie.*
Bnuiuksi
177
1 059
187 443
1 164
185 256
155
1 334
144
1 692
''43 618
-
138
826
86, 360
278
I 343
373 450
1853
238
912
217 056
1854
232
794
184,063
''17
873
1.X9 579
1856
178
822
146,41(1
143
796 l
113 900
•
196
r.'MI
1"! 650
1859
178
535
94, 160
1860
121
518
62, 678
Two of the fleet lost the George and Mary and Paulina.
1861
76
724
55,024
1862. ...
1863
32
42
610
857
19, 525
36, 010
1864
68
522
35, 490
1865
59
617
36,415
186C
95
598
56, 925
1867
90
640
57, 620
1808 ...
1869
61
43
708
890
43, 2.10
38, 275
027, 500
525, 000
Also seven foreign vessels that took 4,370 barrels oil, 66,000 pounds bone.
Also six foreign vessels that took 6,475 barrels oil, 85,000 pounds bone.
1870
1871
46
35
1,069
49,205
659, 550
15, 000
Also nine foreign vessels that took 8,080 barrels oil, 97,000 pounds bone.
All but eeven of the fleet were lost, including four foreign vessels.
1872
27
730
19, 730
2.-S, '.'(ill
Also four foreign vessels took 1,900 barrels oil, 29,400 pounds bone.
1873
30
676
20, 295
239, 300
Also four foreign vessels; two of t.bem took 980 barrels oil, 5,300 pounds bone.
1X74 .
23
883
20, 380
222, 100
Also f'mir foreign vessels that took 2,530 barrels oil, 25,000 pounds bone.
1875
16
1,355
21, 680
230, 460
Also four foreign vessels that took 3,450 barrels oil, 36,800 pounds bone.
1876
18
5,250
35, 200
All but eight of the fleet lost, also two foreign vessels.
1877
19
1 096
17,530
153, 800
Tlnvr i.f the fleet we.ro lost. One foreign vessel took 300 barrels oil, 3, 000 pounds boue.
1878
17
770
13, 080
114,200
One of the fleet lost.
1879
21
18, 800
200, 500
Three of the fleet lost.
1880t
19
1,406
•2l\. 7ll!l
409, 000
Total
4,300
3, 994, 397
* A i clio whalebone not ree.orJed separate prior to 1808.
t Since the above was compiled Ibo reports for subsequent years have been received, as follows : 1881, 23 vessels, 24, 740 barrels of whale
oil, 387,000 pounds whalebone ; 1S<J. :!_' vessels, 22,975 barrels whale oil, 360,500 pounds whalebone; 1883, 38 vessels, 10,155 barrels whale oil,
159,400 pounds whalebone; 1884, 39 vessels, 20,450 barrels whale nil, 318,700 pounds whalebone. The fleet in 1880 included two steamers, in
1884 the number of steamers had iunras. .1 to nine. Another marked change in this fishery is the larger proportion of vessels hailing from
San Francisco, as is shown on subsequent pages in the details of each year's voyage.
The cruising grounds of the fleet, prior to 1848, were south of Bering Strait, chiefly on the Northwest Ground. In 1348 a vessel passed
through the Strait and was very successful. From that date the Arctic fleet increased rapidly in numbers. Since the year 1868 the principal
i r-ort "f the North Pacific fleet (so cnllr.l) has been the Arctic Ocean north of Bering Strait, as shown on following pages.
86
HISTORY AND METHODS OF TIIIO K1SIIER1 KS.
The details of each voyage to the Xorth Pacific aiid Arctic Oceans since 1868 are given in the
following lists, compiled from the Whalemen's Shipping List:
List of rfxurl" comprising the North Pacific whaling fleet of IKitf, with the season's catch of each vessel.
Kame of vessel.
Fishing ground.
Season's catch.
Name of vessel.
Fishing ground.
Season's catch.
Whale
oil.
Bone.
Whale
oiL
Bone.
NEW BEDFORD.
Barrels.
800
400
425
400
800
260
1,000
280
1,050
600
1,100
925
800-
"00
Pmmdi.
17, 000
4,500
4,000
5,000
13, 000
3,000
18, 000
15, 000
10, 000
16, 000
15, 000
8,000
NEW BEDFORD— continned.
Okhotsk
Barrels.
1,100
30
300
430
370
1,170
1,050
100
Pounds.
15, 000
300
4,000
4,000
3,500
21, 000
8,000
2,000
Adeline
Okhotsk
Kadiak
Alto
St. George
Arctic
Kadiak
do
Awashonks
Arctic
Okhotsk
do
Three Brothers
Trident
Arctic
Kadiak
Cicero
Corinthian —
Kadiak
Arctic
f>2 ships and harks
35, 505
505, 000
Concordia
....do
do
FAIRHAVEN.
General Scott
Arctic
1,100
15, 000
Daniel Webster
....do
do
EDGARTOWN.
Champion
Arctic
500
325
1,300
8,500
3,000
22, 500
500
600
150
600
1,000
1,050
350
630
260
630
550
1,300
400
800
1, 175
5,1100
4,000
1,000
8,000
18, 000
19, 000
3,000
5,000
1, 500
18, 000
6,000
8,500
17,000
18, 000
7,000
15, 000
9,000
• i sk
Vineyard
Aivti,-
George Howland
Arctic
3 ships
2,125
34, 000
do
MEW LONDON.
450
900
450
4,500
16,000
6,000
do
Okhotsk
do
Hibernhi.
Kadiak
do
Nile
Okhotsk
James Allen
Java
Arctic
Kadiak
3 ships and b:irkM . . .
1,800
26, 500
SAN FRANCISCO.
1,700
1,000
31, 000
16, 000
do
do
do
1 ship and 1 hark
do
2,700
47, 000
do
HONOLULU.
Arctic
600
1,100
700
900
12, 000
18, 000
15, 000
7,000
do
Midas
Okhotsk
do
Milo
do
... do
1,000
160
600
550
1,150
1,300
1,000
470
1, 000
90
1,550
11,000
1,200
9,000
4,500
20, 000
25, 000
16, 000
4,000
20, 000
1, 000
25, 000
William Rotch
Okhotsk
Norman
Kadiak
4 ships and harks
3,300
52, 000
BREMEN.
Eastle
Count Bismarck
2 barks
Kadiak
Arctic
170
600
3,000
9,500
Ohio
do
do
do
President
Kadiak
Arctic . .
770
12, 500
TAHITI.
Kadiak
300
2,500
Kadiak
KECAPITTTLATION.
Fishing eroHud.
Ships and
barks.
Whale
oil.
Bone.
41
Barrels.
35, 005
Pmmdt.
575, 200
8
4,960
50,500
Kadiak
19
7,635
68,800
18
47, 600
684,500
TIIK WHAM'; K1SIIKI.
Li«t nf rtssfh comprising the Xorth 1'nrnii- ii'lmlinii ft catch uf ,-,icli vessel.
87
Name of vessel.
Fishing gronnd.
Seac«
Xame of vr
Fishing ground.
Season's catch.
Whale
oil.
Boue.
Whale
oil.
Bone.
NEW BEDFORD.
Barrel*.
1,500
700
750
1,300
I 000
1,000
soo
500
£00
950
1,70(1
1,101)
650
1,000
1,000
1,000
400
980
1,000
1,250
1,100
15, 000
17,000
i", r,oo
14, 000
21,000
17,000
11, 600
13,500
16,000
17, 000
14,000
15,000
14, OUO
13, 000
i ,,!.-(, RII — nuilinui-il.
Aivtii-
Barrels.
900
750
1,050
1,600
450
Pound*.
13, 000
11, 500
12, 000
18, 000
2,500
\m ]•!
do
do
...do
ill"*
Okhotsk
Triili'iit,
. . do
i llulfll
Okhotsk
. . do
33, 605
462, 900
do
Okhotsk
Arctic
do
500
600
5,000
8,500
George Howland
do
2 ships.
1,100
13,500
do
NEW LONDON.
600
900
120
350
11, 000
12, 60«
,.
i
.1. D. Thompson
....do
Monticello
....do
Nile
Okhotsk
4,000
Janus
Okhotsk
4 ships and barks
1,970
27, 600
Arctic;
BAN FRANCISCO.
Florida
Arctie
1,600
21, 000
15, 000
15, 000
25, 000
15, 000
15, 000
do
do
HONOLULU.
1,300
800
1,600
1,200
1,500
75
do
do
do
do
do
do
Count Bismarck
....do
do
do
Comet
...do
do
6,475
85, 000
£T
RECAPITULATION.
Fishing ground.
Ships and
barks.
Whale
oil.
Bone.
42
Barrtls.
41, 575
Pounds.
586, 200
Okhotsk Sea
6
2,575
21, 800
1
600
2,000
Total . . .
49
44,750
610, 000
88 HISTORY AND METHODS OF TI1K FI
TAX! of iii-xxi-h rtiniiirixhiii tin \oi-lli. Tnrifir •irlirtlhifl Jld't of 11-70, n-itli the, ai'dmii'n rali-li nf cni-l vessel.
Name of vessel.
Fishing ground.
Season's catch.
Name of vessel.
Fishing ground.
Season's cnich.
Whale
oil.
Bone.
I'olrinJx.
18, 000
10, 000
15,000
15, 000
15, 000
16, 000
18, 000
18, 000
15, 600
8,000
6,000
20, OOU
5,000
19, 650
20, 000
16, 000
4,300
17,000
30, 000
10, COO
13,01)0
16, 000
12, 000
10, 000
1,000
15, 000
12,000
23, 000
19, 000
16,000
18, 000
14, 000
•20, 000
13, 000
Whale
oil.
Bone.
NEW BEDFORD.
Barrels.
1,050
740
1,300
1,080
1,400
1,600
1,550
1,200
1,150
750
400
1,200
400
1,100
1,500
1,000
350
1,500
1,100
2,100
900
1,070
1,200
925
700
380
1,000
970
1,650
1,350
1,200
950
1,800
1,000
EDGARTOWN.
Arctic
Barrels.
950
850
750
1,400
1'uunds.
12, 000
• 11, 000
10, 000
20, 000
do
.. do
do
...do
do
...do
do
4 ships and barks
'
do
3,950
S3, 000
NEW LONDON.
...do
700
1,500
200
8,000
15, 000
2,000
Eli/ahH h Swift
. . do
...do
do
. . do
Okhotsk..
.. do
Bristol Bay
2,400
25,000
Henry Taber
Arctic
... do
6JO( FEANCI6CO.
H les
1,900
1,050
800
190
30, 000
7,000
15, 000
10, 000
.-. do
... do
... do
John Wells
... do
do
.-..do
do
. do
... do
3,940
62, 000
Midas
- do
HONOLULU.
Arctic
do
850
400
1,500
1,000
1,500
650
500
800
880
8,080
15, 000
7,000
18, 000
10, 000
18, 000
10, 000
9,000
do ....
Norman
... do .
Ohio
... do
do
... do
0
do
Onward
... d»
do
Roman
... do
do
Sea Breeze
... do
do
Seneca
... do
°
do
Thomas Dickaeon
... do
do
Trident
... do
do
10, 000
97, 000
do
38, 915
519, 550
RECAPITULATION.
Fishing gronnd.
Ship and
barks.
Whale
oil.
Bone.
53
Barrels.
56, 685
Pounds.
749, 550
1
:oo
2,000
Bristol Bay
1
400
5,000
Total
55
57, 285
756, 550
In the season of 1871 the Korth Pacific fleet consisted of thirty-five American and four foreign
vessels, all but seven of which were abandoned in the ice off Wainwright's Inlet, north of Bering
Strait. The names of the saved vessels were the Buropa, Arctic, Progress, Lagoda, Daniel Web-
ster, Midas, and Chance. Four of the lost vessels belonged at Honolulu. The following are the
names of the abandoned vessels and the ports to which they belonged :
Tin: \VIIALK
89
NEW BEDFORD. — Barks : A\vashonks, Conrordia, Contest, Elizabeth, Emily Morgan, Eugenia,
Fanny. (Jay Head. George, llfiiry TalnT. John Wells, Massachusetts, Minerva, Navy, Oliver
< Yorker, Seneca, William Botch. Ships : George Howland, Reindeer, Eoman, Thomas Dickason.
NEW LONDON. — Bark: ,1. D. Thompson. »S'/i •//).- Monticello.
SAN FRANCISCO. — Barks : Carlotta, Florida, Victoria.
EDGARTOWN. — Shtys: Champion, Mary.
HONOLULU. — Paira Kohola, Comet, Victoria 2d, Julian.
The 2forth Pacific whaling fleet 0/1872.
Name of vessel.
"Whale oil.
Bone.
Name of Teasel.
Whale oiL
Bone.
NEW BEDFOBD.
Barrels.
775
Pounds.
13 000
NEW BEDFORD— continued.
Barrels.
900
Pounds.
7 000
150
3 000
70
1 900
450
600
8 000
360
4 000
1 000
12 000
Trideut
1,300
20 000
800
11 000
Triton
275
6 000
Helen Mar
1,050
10, 000
Total
18,980
248 200
Helen Snow
Illinois
40
1,000
400
19 000
NEW LONDON.
1 100
15 000
750
10 000
1 200
16 000
HONOLULU.
An'lic
1,000
12, 000
500
-"""< (UK)
T; W. Wood
550
12, 000
Live- Oak
1 000
]" OtlO
Total
1,550
24, 000
Marengt ....
1 450
16 500
BTDNKT.
Chance
200
3,000
Faraway
150
2,400
Total
350
5 400
The North Pacific whaling fleet of 1873.
NVme of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
M am e of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
NEW BEDFORD.
Active .
Barrels.
525
550
550
300
550
800
550
800
1,000
180
150
1, 150
1, 151)
1,100
1,600
1, 150
820
550
550
650
750
P(1V 1:
4,000
8,000
6,000
NEW BEDFORD — continued.
./•'•*/ rat .
1,075
400
900
100
Pounds.
17, 000
3,000
12, 000
Alaska .. ...
Triton
7,000
8,000
8,500
11,600
9,000
3, 500
3,000
19, 000
14, 000
14,000
13, 500
11,000
6, COO
9,000
7,000
4,500
Total j
NEW LONDON.
18, 595
210, 100
Ht-lfiiMar
380
4,000
Illinois
BAN FRANCISCO.
320
1,000
200
15, 000
.Tava2d
Jireh Perry
Total
1,320
15, 000
Live Oak
HONOLULU.
R. W.Wood
600
380
1.000
4,300
Midas
Arctic
Mount Wollaeton ,
Total -
980
6,300
SYDNEY.
Ocean Steed
800
7,000
90
HI8TOIi\ AND METHODS OF TliE FKSHKKI KS.
Tin- Xorlh Pacific whaling fleet "/ 1 .-'?•(.
Nafite of Yeaiel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
Name of vessel.
Whul,. oil
Bone.
NEW BEDFORD.
Barrel*.
125
Pounds.
1 5PO
NI:W i.oxi'O.v
Barrels.
260
Pounds.
3,200
4 fiOn
140
10, 000
Floremt- .
200
2,300
Tii^tii -
260
3,000
10, 3UO
Java
1, 375
13, 000
Total
460
5,300
1, 1"!'
11,000
=-
=====
1,550
1 4(10
IS (id)
Arctic
950
10,000
(>nw:lril
600
5, 000
800
Northern Light
1,100
Total
1,550
15,000
i ma
1. Kill
flYUNl'Y.
Sea Breeze
CO
St George . .
Triton
i), 000
Total
10 600
*>13 COO
Total
980
10,001
The Xorth Pacific whaling fleet of 1-7:..
Name of Teasel.
Whale oil.
Name of veHfu-1.
'WTiale oil.
Bo»e.
NEW BEDFORD.
Barrels.
POT
13,450
XEV. 1 !lll,inm><i.
St. Geoi ••' . . -
Barrel*.
1, 750
1 1, -JSII
1,880
24, 200
Triton
1, 300
14. roo
1,100
10, 000
1 650
i. r.no
12, 200
fAN FRANCISCO.
Illinois
Floreno-
1,20(
10,000
15, 000
16, 430
:, 100
15,000
800
6,000
750
7,800
4,800
600
6,000
10,000
1, 000
8,000
1,650
18, 000
1 OIMI
18 600
Total . . .
3, 450
36, 800
.
The Xorth Pacific whaling fleet 0/1876.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone
Name of Teasel.
Whale oil.
Bono.
NEW BEDFORD.
Barrels.
Pounds.
NEW BEDFORD— continued.
Barrel*.
550
Pounds.
10,000
1,700
14, 900
Illinois ....;...
Total
4,550
33, 800
James Allen*
Java 2d*
Florence
700
1,400
1,400
4. 100
500
nONOIJT.il.
* Lost.
THE \VIIAI, !•;
91
The North Panfic irhnling Jt>-> I of 1*77.
Nome of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
Xiime of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
\ 1 W 1IF.DFOBD.
Barrels.
Pounds.
12 000
NPW BEPFORD- continued.
Barrels.
700
Pounds.
4 000
Fli?a
700
1 500
1 500
6 500
1 300
20 500
700
3 000
i 'i\ i *
Brothers
*600
•500
1,080
800
Millon
RAX PRANOlsrO.
Mount WollaHtOll
850
12,000
Nomiau
1, 70(1
1,600
16,000
150
2 000
1' ,, 'it'll'.
1,350
15, 000
HONOLULU.
1 300
1° 000
William H. Allen
300
3,000
2 300
Total
17,830
156, 800
' Lost ; catch of whalebone saved.
The North Pacific whaling fc ft 0/1878.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
KEW BEDFORD.
Barrels.
300
Pounds.
n 000
.•(KW BEDFORD — continued.
Pacific
Ban els.
670
Pounds.
5 500
850
12, 000
600
6,000
950
5,000
1,370
21,000
680
7 500
1 200
10 000
680
3,500
Thomas Pope
870
5,000
8GO
8,000
950
6,500
Florence*
500
4,000
850
6 000
Dawn
800
5,000
\ itkeniLi"ht
850
3 500
Total
13 080
114 200
"
' Lost — 300 barrels oil and 3,000 pounds bone saved.
The North ranfu- whaling fleet 0/1879.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
NF.W ItrciiPOKD.
Jlarrels.
1 175
NKW BEDFORD — contiuned.
Barrels.
1,150
Pounds.
17, 000
Coral
1 200
1"> mil)
1, 250
13, 000
950
8 500
1,000
15, 000
600
Vi»ilantt
400
6,000
1,100
15,000
1.280
12, 000
EDQARTOWN.
i ir.ii
15 000
: Bird .
450
4,000
(i:;.
9.000
4, 500
500
3,500
1, 250
13, 000
850
4.000
1, 150
8,500
Hidalgo
120
900
10 000
Total .
18, 800
200, 500
•Lost
tLftst seen In the Arctic Ocean October 10, 1879.
92
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The North Pacific wlialiiig fleet of 1880.
Name of vessel.
Number
of whales.
Barrels
whale oil.
Pounds
whalebone.
Barrels
sperm oil.
Pounds wal-
rna ivory.
NEW BKDFOHD.
14
1,300
20, 000
17
1,700
23, 000
150
16
1,600
23, 000
56
1,800
12
1, 250
19, 000
180
1,100
16
1,450
25, 000
100
19
1,800
30, 000
600
5
SOO
7,500
40
27
2,250
45, 000
300
10J
1,550
17, 000
2,500
Pacific do...
Hi
1,700
17, 000
80
2,500
17i
1 900
28, 000
800
24J
' 2, 150
38, 000
80
150
17
1,650
25, 500
90
1,200
10
1,100
15, 000
40
900
EDGARTOWN.
9
900
12, 000
180
600
BAN PRiNCISCO.
12
550
23, 000
Dawn bark . .
13
1,400
17, 000
1,300
61
1,150
12, 000
1,150
8
800
12, 000
600
2G5J
*26, 700
409, 000
1,046
15, 450
'Includes 4,000 barrels walrus oil.
The North Pacific whaling fleet of 1881.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
NEW BEDFORD.
Barrels.
1 200
Pounds.
14 000
SEW BEDFORD— continued.
Pacific
Barrels.
1,200
Pounds.
20, 090
700
12, 000
1,500
25, 000
1 800
3'1 000
1,650
30, 000
Coral
1 451)
•j| linn
1,250
24,000
350
7.000
200
3,000
1,050
12,000
1,200
,7,000
1,400
21, 000
450
0,000
1,900
30, 000
500
5,000
1,200
18, 000
Sea Breeze
1,400
25, 000
John Rowland
740
8,000
1,200
11, 000
1 000
16 000
Total
24, 740
387, 000
g
* Lost July 2.
t Japan Sea.
TI1K WIIALK F1S1IKKA.
93
The North J'mi/ir irlmlimj tla-t »/ L882.
Xamo of vessel.
Wlmlu oil.
Bone
Nainr of vessel.
AVI, ale ml.
Bone.
NEW BEDFORD.
Barrels.
850
660
750
3rrO
950
1,250
200
BOO
.sun
1,400
MO
1, 75'.>
300
40H
701)
1,050
800
Pound*.
8.000
11,000
9, <
6,00(1
11,000
19,000
3,1 nil
11,000
11.100
9.000
i], no"
In. 500
11. son
NEW IIEDFORD— continued.
Ohi.i'Jcl
Barrels.
COO
1,000
350
Pounds.
8,000
15.0CO
3,200
Rainbow
Krinilfef *
11. Ivi il.TP, steuimT. ..
St:iinlniul
300
225
600
1, 030
1,000
9CO
350
700
1,300
4,000
3,800
. 10,000
20, 000
14, 000
14, 000
5,000
8,000
" 34,500
Young Pho?nix
EllGARTOWN.
n "
is
11*1 ' M
BAM FRANCISCO.
t
Jacob A. Howland
John Howland
Josephine
Mabel
Total
22, 975
360, 500
•Japan Sea.
t Lost July 8.
{ Lost May 6.
The North I'nc(fl<; whaling fleet of 1883.
Xiime of vessel.
Whale cil. Bone.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
NEW BEDFORD.
Burrtlx.
COO
100
125
500
C50
275
140
250
90
125
350
250
330
300
125
240
380
200
325
450
Pounds.
6,700
NEW BEDFOKD— continued.
Eeimleer *
Barrels.
400
50
300
100
100
950
240
380
Pounds.
3,500
Stamboul
1,300
8,000
5,500
3,900
5,900
1,400
1,400
1,200
4, 400
2,000
5,500
5,000
1,500
4,500
4,500
3,500
5, 000
7,000
7,000
Tonng Pho?nix
6,300
1,500
4,000
15, OHO
3,300
3.000
SAN FRANCISCO.
•onntlin Billow
100
375
1,400
6,000
Eliza
Mabel
430
1,300
150
125
6,000
20, 500
1. 800
1,90(1
Oreo, steamer
Ohio °d
Total
10, 155
159, 400
* Japan Sea.
t Lost Jnly 17.
t Lost. September 22.
5 Lost Angust — .
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The North Pacific whaling fleet of 1884.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
Name of vessel.
Whale oil.
Bone.
NEW BEDFORD.
Barrels.
WO
300
70
260
900
Pounds.
7,000
5,000
1,000
3,000
14, 000
.-AN FRANCISCO.
Amethyst
Barrels.
200
1,700
400
280
275
Pounds.
2,000
29, 000
10, 000
5,000
3,500
Baltena, steamer
Bowhead, steamer t
Bounding Billow
Belve ere,
Coral
370
850
1,000
380
100
240
200
270
650
750
£00
950
90
5,500
12, 500
18, 000
6,700
1,700
4,500
3,500
4,500
11, 500
12, 000
5,000
12, 000
1,700
Eliza
130
1,075
100
100
275
1,000
1,250
700
2,100
325
300
1,700
260
20, 450
2,000
11, 500
2,000
•4111111
3,000
17, 000
20, 000
12, 500
31, 000
5,500
3,800
25, 000
3,800
Helen Mar
Emroa F. Herriman t
.
Mabel
Mary and Helen, steamer
S
aiy
T" c Ph i-i
EDGARTOWN.
Total
318, 700
P
* Okhotsk and Japan Seas.
tLost.
DAVIS STRAIT AND HUDSON BAT FISHERY.
ORIGIN OF THE FISHERY. — The whale-fishery had been extensively prosecuted by the Dutch
at Spitzbergen and on the east coast of Greenland for more than a hundred years before it was
found necessary to seek other fields. The Dutch were the first to push into iiew waters and cap-
ture the animals on the west coast of Greenland in Davis Strait. They inaugurated the fishery
there in the year 1719, and were soon followed by other European nations. Probably the first
American vessel to visit Davis Strait sailed from New England, under Captain Atkins, in 1732.
He cruised as far as 66° north. In 1736 several whaling vessels returned to New England from
those parts, and in 1737 the Davis Strait fleet from Massachusetts alone numbered between fifty
and sixty vessels, a dozen of which were fitted at Provincetown.
Douglass, in his History of North America, published in 1760, says " some New England
men a few years since attempted whaling in the entrance of Davis Strait, but to no advantage;
they generally arrived there too late, in keeping too near the Labrador shore (they kept within 50
leagues of the shore, they should have kept 150 leagues to sea); they were embayed and impeded
by the fields of ice. Last year [1745] Nantucket brought about 10,000 barrels of whale oil to mar-
ket, this year they do not follow it so much, because of the low price of oil in Europe, notwith-
standing this year they fit out six or seven vessels for Davis Strait, and sail end of March; they
sometimes make Cape Farewell in fifteen days, sometimes in not less than six weeks. The
whaling season in both Greeulands is in May and June; the Dutch set out for Davis Strait
beginning of March; sometimes they are a month in bearing to weather Cape Farewell; they
do not arrive in the fishing-grounds until May. Anno 1743, perhaps a medium year, the Dutch
had in Davis Strait fifty whaling ships (at Spitzbergen or East Greenland they had one hun-
dred and thirty-seven whalers) and got seventy-six and a half whales."
The American whale-fishery was very prosperous just before the Revolutionary war, when the
annual northern fleet fitted out I'nuu Massachusetts numbered one hundred and eighty-three
THE WHALE FISHEET. 95
vessels, measuring 13,830 tons. Many of these cruised in Davis Strait, while the remainder pur-
sued the fishery in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, ;i bout the Straits of Belle Isle, and in other northern
waters. After the war the business was greatly reduced in extent, and the northern fleet num-
bered only ninety-one very few of which went as far north as Davis Strait. There was at
this time, however, a great increase in the northern fisheries from British and French ports, many
of these foreign vessels being1 commanded and in some eases manned by American whalemen who
had settled in England, where they might take advantage of the bounty system.
The war of JS1L' to 1815 between the United States and England had a very depressing influ-
ence on the American whale-fishery ; alter the war it revived, but tho northern cruising grounds
\\cre abandoned for the more profitable southern fields that were less exposed to danger and
yielded an abundance of sperm and whale oil.
REVIVAL OF THE FISHERY IN 1846. — It was not until the year 1846 that Davis Strait was
aiiain visited by our whalemen. In that year the ship McLennan, under Captain Slate, sailed from
New London on the 8th of April, and returned September 17 with about 140 barrels of oil. Part
of the officers and crews of the vessel were Englishmen experienced in the fishery in those waters.
Although the first voyage was not as successful as could be desired, yet the McLennan was again
fitted in the spring of 1847, and sailed March 5, returning October 5 with 1,111 barrels of oil and
15,000 pounds of bone, besides 845 seal-skins obtained off the Newfoundland coast at the beginning
of the season. In 1849, 1850, and 1851 other voyages were made, and in 1852 the vessel was lost in
the Davis Strait, while on her sixth voyage to those waters. The product of her several voyages
was about 3,500 barrels of whale oil and 51,000 pounds bone, besides a few thousand seal-skins
and some barrels of seal oil.
Capt. S. O. Buddington, who sailed on the McClennan on her voyages in 1850 and 1851, gives
the following account of those and subsequent voyages in which he participated: "On the 7th of
?>larch, 1850, I sailed on the McClenuan from New London bound for Davis Strait. We were
fitted for sealing as well as whaling. When we arrived on the coast of Newfoundland we saw
seals on the ice some 40 miles from land. In cruising along the coast as far as the Straits of Belle
Isle, we captured about seven hundred seals, saving the skins and blubber. About the middle of
May we quitted sealing and went whaling off Discoe, Greenland, and in Baffin's Bay. We got
five whales that season, and arrived home October 22. The next year 1 sailed again in the same
vessel, leaving New London February 8. While sealing during the spring along Newfoundland
and south of Davis Strait we got about eleven hundred seals and I wo whales. We did not
go as far north as Discoe this \ear, but whaled in Cumberland Inlet, where we got a few whales,
and at the close of the season the vessel left for home, arriving at New London, October 28, with
L'5.s barrels of oil, 4,900 pounds of bone, 1,100 seal-skins, and some seal oil. The entire crew of
the McClennan did not return home in her, but myself with a gang of twelve men were left to
spend the winter in the inlet, for the purpose of trading with the natives and capturing what
whales and seals we could. We built the frame of a hut from spare stuff left by the vessel, and
covered it with seal-skins. Here we spent the cold winter, occasionally securing a seal and pur-
chasing articles of the nati\ es in exchange for knives, powder, &c. We were the first whalemen
that ever spent a winter in tin's region. At the opening of spring we found whales in considerable
abundance, and with the aid of the natives secured during the spring and summer months sixteen
small whales that yielded considerable blubber, and about 16,000 pounds of bone.
"The. McClenuan left home in tin* spring of isr>i_', but ne\er reached the inlet. It is thought,
she was lost near the entrance to Davi.- \fterwaiting long enough to be satisfied that
<mi x.-.^si-.l would not return to lake, us hoi- Lipped our oil. skins, and bone on an English
9fi HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
vessel, and sailed on her for Hull, England, leaving the inlet October 1, and arriving at Hull
November 7, when we sold onr oil, whalebone, and seal skins. I started for the United States
on an English vessel, but she was disabled and returned to port, when I shipped on another
vessel, and arrived in New Loudou about the middle of January, is ">.''..
"On July 13, 1853, I sailed again for Davis Strait on the brig Georgiana. We did not stop
for seal on the Newfound!; nd coast, but hastened to Cumberland Inlet, where we spent the winter
with the vessel frozen in the ice. This was the first whaling- vessel to winter in the ice in the
vicinity of Davis Strait. We had quite a successful time in catching seals and whales at the
opening of spring, taking advantage of the first movement of the ice when whales were abundant,
and we secured twelve in two days. During the entire voyage we caught twenty-four whales that
yielded 890 barrels of oil and 16,0(10 pounds of bone. My trade and capture we got about 1,000
seal-skins, worth at that time about 75 cents apiece at New London. Arrived home October 8,
1854.
" In the year 1855 I sailed again in the same vessel, leaving New London April 11. Some of
the crew were disabled by scurvy while on our way north. This delayed us, so that when we reached
Frobisher Bay we were too late in the season for whaling. We wintered in the bay and had a
terrible hard time of it, losing fourteen men by scurvy- As soon as the ice opened in the spring we
started for home, but our men were weak and it took us several weeks to make a tew miles. After
many difficulties we finally reached N\?w Louden September 27, 1856, with no cargo except about
200 seal-skins obtained during the winter.
" In 1857 I sailed ou the Georgiana again, and had a very good voyage, leaving New Londoi
April 11, and arriving home December 20, with 600 barrels of oil, 12,000 pounds of bone, and
about 200 seal skins. I tried it again in the same vessel in 1858. We sailed June 1, the vessel
and outfit being valued at $9,000; went to Cumberland Inlet and wintered there, and returned
home December 9, 1859, with a cargo valued at $21,000. This was an excellent voyage and quite
a contrast to the terrible hardships of our trip two years before.
"Ou May 29, 1860, I went north in the bark George Henry, ('apt. C. F. Hall went with us.
This was his first trip to the Arctic. He has written an account of it iu a book entitled Arctic
Researches, published in 1S65. Our whaling-ground on this voyage was in Frobisher Bay. where
we wintered two seasons returning home September 13, 1862, with 564 barrels of oil, 10,100 pounds
of bone, 450 seal-skins, and 250 walrus-skins. As these were the first quantity of walrus skins
brought home by any whaling vessel, we did not know whether they were of any merchantable
value. We had prepared them by salting a little and then drying on the rocks. They sold at 50
cents each in New London and were used for belting. During the winter months we lived with
(he natives in their huts. We got short of provisions and moved from place to place, so that we
were, sometimes a long distance from our vessel. Wherever we went \\e took a whale-boat, and
gear along with us, rigging the boat on a sled for this purpose. Occasionally we would pull the
boat to the edge of the. ice and go in search of whales, capturing several in this manner.
"I sailed in 1863 on a voyage to Cumberland Inlet iu the schooner Franklin. We wintered
there and arrived home, in 1864. I made two voyages after this, each tolerably successful."
From 1S46 to 1852 the McCleiinan was the only American vessel fishing in the vicinity of
Davis Strait. In the latter year this vessel was lost, and in 1853 the Amaret and Georgiana
were fitted for those waters. In 1855 the George Henry was added to the fleet, and these three
comprised the entire Davis Strait fleet until 1800, when ten vessels were sent out to those waters
The vessels that had been sent north prior to 1860 were generally of the older class, and not
thoroughly equipped for sc\ere battling with the ice, but that year two huge ships were included
THE WHALE FISHERY. 97
in tin- list. These were fitted at ;i large cost for the express purpose of pushing farther west
through Hudson Strait into the bay where il \v;is anticipated abundance of whales could bo
found, and where no American vessel had ever been. "Without accurate charts, in waters totally
unknown, among ice and strong currents, in short days and long nights, in fogs and gales of wind,
with large compass variations, these adventurous navigators pushed their way, and reached the
longitude of f)<>°, spent a winter there, when tho thermometer fell to G0° below zero, obtained
cargoes worth about s<;o,<)00, and returned to the United States in ISfil."*
Si-uce 18GO this fishery has been pursued with varying success; the total number of voyages
lilted since that date has been one hundred and eight, and the largest number sent out in any
oue year was nineteen vessels in ISG4. About 3 per cent, of the entire catch of whale oil and
5 per cent, of the whalebone taken by the American fleet from 1870 to 1880 was by the Hudson
Bay vessels. Most of the whaling has been carried on in Cumberland Inlet and Hudson Bay, no
Americans having pushed on as far north as do the Scotch steam whalers that cruise up as far
as the seventy-fourth parallel. The first steam-whaling vessel owned in the United States was
the steam-bark Pioneer, sent to Davis Strait in 1866. She sailed April 28, and arrived home
November 14, with 340 barrels of oil and 5,300 pounds of bone. She sailed again in 1867, and
was lost on the voyage, being sunk by the ice. The best voyage ever made by the Davis Strait
fleet was by the bark Pioneer that sailed from New London Julie 4, 1864, and after passing the
season in Hudson Bay returned, September 18, 1865, with 1,391 barrels of oil and 22,650 pounds
of bone, valued at $150,000.
The vessels in this northern fleet must be double planked around the bow and along the sides
near the water line as a. protection against the ice. This planking will last for several years. No
copper or metal is used on the bottom, and but few sails are needed as the vessel is frozen in the
ice much of the time. The natives are of great assistance to the whalers, helping them in taking
whales and also in procuring fresh lisli and meat. On (he Scotch steamers it is the general
custom to carry the blubber home to be tried, out, but American whalers here, as in other parts of
the world, prefer to try it out on board the vessels. The Scotchmen cruise about these waters
during the summer months, and then return home, while many of the American vessels winter in
the ice.
Most of the whales taken in these northern waters are of the bowhead or polar species — which
is peculiarly an ice- whale — and is the same as taken by the Pacific- Arctic fleet. Whales have been
taken in the vicinity of Point Barrow, with harpoons in them bearing the marks of vessels that
had been pursuing the fishery in the vicinity of Davis Strait; hence it seems certain that there
exists a passage from one ocean to the other. An instance of this kind is given by the Honolulu
Commercial Advertiser, in December, 1870. It is an account of a harpoon which was found in a
whale captured by the ship Cornelius Howland, of New Bedford, then cruising in the North
Pacific Ocean. It is the custom among whalemen to have each iron stamped with initials desig-
nating the ship to which it belongs. This is done to prevent dispute in case it is necessary to
waif the whale, or in case boats from two different ships lay claim to one which has been killed.
While off Point Barrow the Cornelius Howland took a large polar whale, in the blubber of which
\\as embedded the head of a harpoon marked " A. C5-.,'' the wound made by it having healed over.
This was presumed to have belonged to the bark Ansel Gibbs, also of New Bedford. But she
was known to have been pursuing the fishery in Cumberland Inlet and its vicinity for some ten
or eleven years previously. The obvious inference was that this whale must have found his way
'ill. K. H. Chapell, «f New London, in a ]• apt. C. F. Hull, quoted, iu Narrative of the Second Arctic
Expedition.
SKC. v, VOL. ii 7
98 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
from ocean to ocean by some channel unknown to navigators, and that at some seasons of tlie
year there must be an inter-ocean communication. The Advertiser adds: "We have heard befon
of instances where whales have been caught at Cumberland Inlet with harpoons in them, with
which they have been struck in the Arctic Ocean, but we believe this is the first authenticated
instance of a whale having been caught in the Arctic Ocean with a harpoon in it from the Davis
Strait side."
Scarcely any effort lias ever been made by Americans to find whaling-grounds to the east of
Greenland or at Spitzbergen, where the Dutch and English once found such profitable fishing.
Two American vessels have been sent to the Spitzbergen seas; one, the Hannibal, of New London,
a ship of 441 tons that sailed May 21, 1855, and returned March 21, 1850, with 28 barrels of whale
oil; the other vessel \vas the bark Tempest, also of New London, that sailed May 21, 1857. After
an unsuccessful cruise near Spitzbergen and the east coast of Greenland, she sailed for the South
Atlantic and thence to the North Pacific Ocean, where, after several cruises, she obtained a fair
cargo, and returned to New London in 1861. The four years' cruise of the Tempest was not profit-
able, but resulted in a loss of $7,000. The owner being asked how he could lose so much by the
voyage, said: "I will, by way of reply, mention a few items, and the reader may draw his own
inferences. Cost of vessel; interest on the same; outfits; interest on outfits; provisions for a
large crew; advance to crew; desertion of men; shipping new hands; repairs on vessel; wear
and tear; staving boat; clothing for men; new sails; few whales; insurance; commission;
leakage; gauging; commission; wharfage; port charges; taxes; more leakage; outgoes; freight;
fog; thunder."
Another attempt of Americans to whale in the waters north of Europe was made at Iceland
in the years 1865 and 1866, by Captains Dahl and Royce. They proceeded to Seidis Fjord, in
latitude 65° 18' north, with two vessels, the bark Reindeer, of New "York, under the American flag
and a little steamer called the Visionary, which was built in Scotland, and sailed under the
Danish flag. They had two whale-boats fitted for catching the whales that were towed by the
steamer into the fjord where they were cut in. The first season proved unsuccessful, but in the spring
of 1866, twenty sulphur-bottom whales were taken yielding about 900 barrels of oil. Extensive
arrangements had been made to carry on the fishery, steam oil try-works having been built on
land. In the winter of 1865-'(J6 there was sent to Ireland the Dutch schooner Jan Albert, that
had been remodeled into a screw steamer and named the Litens. The crew consisted of Ameri-
cans, Danes, Scotch, Russians, and one Polynesian. They further employed two small iron
steamers built in Glasgow and Liverpool, and called t lie Vigilant and Stegpideder. By the end
of September they had taken forty whales that yielded about 2,400 barrels of oil. Although this
American attempt to establish a whale-fishery at Iceland was partially successful, yet the returns
as compared witii the expenses of the undertaking did not warrant its continuance, and the fishery
was abandoned.
The fishing by Scotch vessels in Davis Strait and east of Greenland, as also the early history of
the Spitzbergen whale-fishery are discussed below under the head of Whale Fishing by Foreign
Nations.
The total number of American vessels that have engaged in whaling in Davis Strait, Hudson
Bay, and vicinity, since the revival of this fishery in 1846, includes 16 schooners, 7 brigs, 13 barks,
7 ships, and 1 steamer, a total of 44 vessels, of which 18 were lost on their voyages. The
entire number of voyages fitted out in the same period was 138.
RECORD OF VOYAGES 1846 TO 1879. — The following table is a record of each voyage made
b.y the American licet to the region of Davis Strait and Hudson Bay from 1846 to 1879:
THE WHALE FISHERY.
Voyages of tin' Hurls xtruil unit Hudson Bay fleet from 1846 to 1879.
99
X .iiim "I" v. ••<•» 1
Rig.
Tons.
Port.
Sailed.
Hemmed.
Whale
oil.
Whale-
bone.
Remarks.
1846-1852.
Mrl'leiinaii
1)..
Ship
do
376
376
New Lou. 1.. M
do
Apr. s.isu;
"• 1847
Sept. 17, 1846
Oct. 5, 1SJ7
Barrels.
140
1,111
Pounds.
15, 000
Do
do
376
ilo
Mill, 3 1819
Oct. Hi isr.i
COO
12, 000
Dii
do
376
do
Mar. 7 IfoO
Oct. "" I860
450
7,000
700 seal-skins
Do
do
376
do
1 .-.-i 1
(ii-i
258
4,900
P..
1853.
Am. 11. '1 ..
. . . do
Bri;:
do
376
111
190
do
New London. -
do
Mar. _, 1S;V_'
,Inly 13.1853
Joly 13. 1853
Ail-. 29, 1854
Oct. 9, 1854
369
890
8,000
16, 000
Lost in Davis Strait.
1854.
91
\H.r 1<> 1855
f!lean
1855.
Bark
303
Max1 29 I •
] >er °(J 1855
1S4
in the ice from October, 1854, to July,
1855.
190
do
Apr i '
Sept 16 1856
lute, of the English expedition in search
of Franklin.
1856.
A m.iivt
Brig
B-irk
91
303
New London . .
do
May 111,1856
May 21 1856
, 1857
Sept. 17 1857
190
418
2,200
meu from scurvy.
1857.
Ain;irct
Brig...
do
91
180
New London
Sept. 7, 1857
Apr. 11, 1857
Sept. 1,1858
Dec. 20,1857
267
443
5,700
6,500
Frozen in the ice eight months ; took the
first whale July 1, and was full July 22.
Brie
190
Jniie 1, 1858
Dec. 9, 1859
847
15, 000
Sailed for $9,000; cargo worth $21,000.
1859.
Brig
91
Apr 13 1859
Lose iu Cumberland Inlet September 27,
1860.
A Msrl (.illtliS
AnM<>iie
Black Eagle
Daniel "Webster
Ship
Bark
...do
Ship
319
340
311
336
Fair Haven - . .
New Bedford
do
do
\|n 11,1860
Mar. 15,1860
May 20,1860
Mai. L'l 1860
Nov. 11, 1861
Oct. 12,1863
Nov. 3,1861
Jan. 5 IScr.
500
1,500
1, 122
9.000
•:4, ooo
17, 800
6,500
1860. The Aroaret wa3 the Rescue of
Kane's expedition.
Put in Aberdeen, Scotland, on account of
George Henry . - . .
Gforgiana
Bark
Brig
Ship
303
190
441
New London . .
do
do
May -!>. l:-il.l
M:u 1,1860
Mar "1 ]M;I.
Sept. 13, 1862
Oct. 7, 1861
564
695
10, 100
14, 700
8,000
MM- reliellimi ; sent home 2, 500 pounds
Imnr ; I hnvnieii < lied of scurvy in 1862.
ir.ii .-.eal and 2."ft walrus skins.
Abandoned in Cumberland InletOctober,
N'uilliern IJgbt
...do
Bark
513
235
Fair Haven...
-1,1860
June 1 1860
Oct. 11,1861
Oct. 22 1SC1
1,104
10
21,000
1861.
;,hn'.-n-
K61.
A llh-Iujn'
Nortln-i M Ll-lit
1862.
A n-» 1 ( . ilili-
P.la.-k Eaglit
....
Ship
Bark
Ship
Ship
Bark
liiig
liark
do
461
340
513
319
311
190
176
235
Fair Haven...
New Bedford .
do
New Bedford .
do
New London .
Xcw Bedford .
June, 13, 1860
Oct. 31, L861
Nov. I
Apr.
May :.. 1 :->;_•
Apr. -J7, 1.-I1L'
Ma\ '
Oct. 11,1861
Oct. 12,1863
Oct. 17, 18112
<"M. 11,1863
X..v. 3,1863
(). t. •_•:,, 1867
(lit. 13,1863
665
1,500
1,295
1,000
,650
319
225
561
15,700
24,000
10, 900
17, 580
30 000
4,700
3,000
9,000
Five men died of scurry.
A. h,,
Si I "• i
Bark
90
303
New London - -
New Bedford
\|e
i),-i. 2
Oi-t. 2
51
1 046
2,150
17, 150
\\~, bs& r
Franklin
...do
336
119
... dn
Apr. .
;, ISIM
Sept. -, 1M1I
36
341
9,700
5,800
303
do
Lost in Hudson Bay, 1863.
Isabella .-
Brie...
192
...do ..
June 6. 1863
Oct 4.1864
502
7,250
100
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Voyages of the Davis Strait and Hudson Hay fleets from 1846 to 1879 — Continued.
Name of vessel.
Rig-
Tons.
Port.
Sailed.
Ketnrued.
Whale
oil.
Wbale-
o ne.
Remarks.
1863.
Northern Light
Pavilion
Win. Thompson
1864.
Ship
Brig ...
Ship
Bark
do
513
150
495
311
265
197
188
165
190
262
108
95
81
254
356
305
176
130
235
101
303
336
188
119
192
356
101
303
311
265
148
177
105
128
108
238
134
91
228
212
105
101
77
277
188
119
192
216
212
303
217
New Bedford .
Fair Haven . . .
New Bedford
New Bedford .
Sag Harbor. . .
New London .
do
do
do
New Bedford .
New London
do
do
New Bedford .
New London . .
New Bedford
do
Fair Havei, .
New London .
do
Apr. 29,1863
June 15, 1863
Mar. 17, 1863
May 7,1864
June 3,1864
May 9,1864
Aug. 31, 1864
Juno 4,1864
Apr. 13, 1864
June 21, 1864
June 30, 1864
June 8, 1864
May 28, 1864
Apr. 24,1864
June 3(1, 1864
May 14, 1804
Apr. 9,1864
f>, 1864
June 4,1864
Apr. 19,1804
Apr. 1, 1805
May 20, 1865
May [7
Apr. 25, 186.',
Mar. 7,1865
Apr. 19, 1865
Oct. 26,1865
May 1,1866
Apr. 20, 1860
Slay 11,1866
Apr. 18,1866
Apr. 10, 1866
Apr. 18, 1866
July 12,1866
July 16,1866
Apr. 18, 1866
May 8,1866
May 1, 1866
Apr. 19, 1866
Apr. 28, 1866
June 28, 1866
June 28, 1866
June 6, 1866
May 20,1867
Apr. 11, 1867
May 2, 1867
May •.'5,1867
Apr. 2,1867
Mar. 20, 1807
June 3, 1808
Apr. 20, 1868
Oct. 24,1864
Barrels.
1,270
Pounds
20, !IOO
Crashed in the ice in Hudson Bay ii»
1863 ; seven men lost ; survivors suf-
fered severely from cold and exposure.
Value of cargo, $150,000.
First steam whaler from the United
States.
Lost in Cumberland Inlet November 14,
1867.
Sunk among the ice in Hudson Strait,
July 6, 1867.
Dec. 19,1863
Oct. 1, 1865
Oct. 1, 1865
Oct. 11, 1865
Sept. 20, 1864
Oct. 10,1865
Oct. 10,1865
Nov. 13, 1865
Sept, 1
Oct. 28, 1864
Sept. 11, 1863
Oct. 28, 1864
Sept. 21, ISC.-,
Oct. 14, 1865
Oct. 6, 1865
May 31, 1865
Sept, 18,1865
Oct. 5, 1865
Apr. 25,1806
Nov. 14, 1866
Xov. 19, 1866
Sept. 17, 1866
Nov. 9,1866
Nov. 7,1866
Oct. 9, 1867
Oct. 9, 1867
Sept. 24, 1867
Sept, 13, 1867
Oct. 31,1867
Oct. 8, 1867
Sept. 14, 1867
Nov. 29, 1867
Nov. 20, 1867
Oct. 31,1867
Oct. 25,1867
Sept. 22, 1867
Sept, 12, 1867
Nov. 14,1866
Sept. 14, 1868
Oct. 9, 1866
Sept. 26, 1866
100
781
70
300
Clean.
180
766
328
Clean.
Clean.
287
2,082
27]
1,170
472
75
1,391
199
703
236
534
584
923
300
320
200
440
200
20
500
800
50
650
225
280
3-10
362
249
Clean.
1,200
12, 400
900
4,200
Cornelia
Schooner
do
George and Mary
Bark ....
Bli"
2,800
15, 250
5,550
Sehooner .
..do
..do
...do ....
Bark
...do
Hek-ii F
Isabel
Leader
5,000
39, 200
3,900
17, 900
7.254
795
22, 650
3,000
1C, 600
11,500
2,900
8,900
10,500
14, 500
6,000
6,000
3,000
7,300
Mmiticello
Orray Taft
...do
Pioneer
S. B. Howes
1865.
Bark
...do
Bark
Ship
Schooner .
... do
Brig
Bark
Schooner .
Bark
do
New Bedford .
do
New London. .
do
do
New Bedford
New London . .
New Bedford .
do
Daniel Webster
Eta
Franklin
Isabella
Milwood
S. B. Howes .
1866.
Ansel Gibbs
Black Eagle
do
Sag Harbor. . .
Schooner
.. do
New Bed ford
New London. .
do
200
10, 000
16, 000
George and Mary . .
tana
Helen F
Morning Star
Orray Taft
Bark
Brig
Schooner .
Bark
do
do
New Bedford .
do
Fair Haven . . .
New Bed lord .
New London . .
do
do
.... do
New Bedford .
New London . .
do
do
New Bed ford .
New London. .
•
Sag Harbor. . .
12, 000
3,000
8,000
8,000
5,300
6,600
5,600
Oxford
Brig
Pioneer
Pioneer
Bark
Steamer . .
Schooner .
...do
do
S.B.Howes
TJ. D
1867.
Andrews
Bark
Schooner
...do
lirig
Bark ....
Steamer . .
Bark
...do
Era
Aug. 27, 1868
Sept. 10, 1868
Sept. 14, 1868
Nov. 13, 1868
837
393
668
378
13, 400
6,600
8,700
3,889
Franklin
Isabella
Milwood
Pioneer
1868.
Ansel Gibbs
Concordia
Sept. 20, 1869
Oct. 7, ]>:i',!l
650
200
10,000
2,900
THK WIIALK KISIIKI.'Y.
of the Hiii-i* xtriiit anil //«</>,«« i:,n/ jln-lx J'lom l*4(\ l<> ISTU— Continucil.
101
Name of vessel.
Sidled.
Returned.
Whale
oil.
SV halo-
bone.
Remarks.
1668.
Schooner .
Bark ...
Brig
S; llOHII'T
Brig
Schooner .
Schooner .
..do
Brig
Bark
Si aoone]
Bnik ....
.do
Schooner
Bark
Bark
.do
MS
105
128
108
91
101
188
119
192
•_'16
105
303
105
101
303
•J17
195
192
216
115
lay -.'0,1868
>, 18CS
June 20, 1868
rnly UO, 1868
M:..v 1
May 18,1869
Apr. 14, I860
Apr. 6, 1869
May 18,1869
JuneSl, 1870
May 3, 1870
July 7,1870
Dec. 13.1871
Apr. 25,1871
July 9, 1871
May 31, 1871
Sept. 25, 1871
Ma\ 28,1872
May 29, 1872
July 2,1872
June 26, 1873
May 12, 1874
June 15, 1874
June 9,1874
June 8,1875
May 4,1875
May 23, 1876
July 17, 1877
July 11, 1877
May 30, 1877
July 11, 1877
May 8,1878
May 4,1878
May 15,1878
July
May 14, 1878
JS, 1878
Jnne23,1879
June 15, 187!
Jun»2':, 187!
:, 1869
Sept. 1
Barrels.
143
450
yminds.
1,765
8,000
Lost, in 1868 with entire crew
Lost, in Cumberland Inlet November 10,
1876.
Lost in Cumberland Inlet in 1869.
Lost in 1870.
Lost in tho inlet in 1873.
Lost in Hndson Bay October 19, 1872,
having 630 barrels oil and 810, 000 pounds
boneon board; 3, 500 pounds bone were
saved; 15 of crew died of scurvy.
Nothing but freight ; broken up in 1873.
Losf on Biaek T.ead Island.
Lost in Hndson Bay September 14, 1872.
The fiist mate and a boat's crew were
lost in tho ice September 5, 1874.
Lost in Hndson Bay June 12, 1877;
value $24,000.
Lost in Hudson Bay August 16, 1878
Male froze, to deaib. Brought home re-
n: i ms of Dr. Irving, of Franklin Expe>
dition.
George and Mary..
Georgiana
X* \v London
.... do
... do
fa ir II a\ rn
NY\v J.'
>, . v. 1 .ondnii .
....do
do
ill'oid
"tidon. .
New !'•
Now London . .
.... do
New Bedford .
New London..
New Bed fold .
Now London. .
New Bedford .
New Bedford
Pioviucetown
New Bedford
New London .
New Bedford
New London .
New Bedford
New London.
do
New Bedford
New Bed ford
New London.
do
do
t
New Bedford
do
do
do
1,450
13,600
Oxford
Nov. C',1869
Oct. 5, 1870
Oct. 5, 1870
Oft. I'', 11-70
("let. 6,1870
Oct. (j, 1871'
Nov. 20, 1871
Clean.
533
47:i
527
990
1869.
Era
5,400
8,418
6,587
15, 900
Kiankliu
Isabella
1S7U.
1,340
425
22, 040
5,000
George and Mary. .
1871.
Ausel Gibbs
C'oncordia
Nov. 9, 1871
Sept. 'JO, 1873
Oct. 28,1872
75
1,600
228
Brig
Bark
140
878
180
1872.
A bbie Bradford
Schooner .
do
Sept. 7,1873
Oct. 8, 1872
13,131
:i. 128
Bark
134
192
115
293
259
192
293
219
197
134
89
293
115
160
197
77
1873.
Isabella
1874.
Abbie Bradford
Nile
President
1875.
Isabella
Brig
Schooner. .
Ship
Bark
Bri"
Sept. 2,1873
Sept. 24, 1875
Dec. 9, 1874
Sept, 16, 1874
Aug. 27, 1877
Jan. 11,1876
Clean.
650
800
500
400
380
200
243
20
LOO
550
190
20
40
200
150
70
300
550
12,000
- 000
K. iiiin
4,000
5,000
4,500
2,800
•j, null
8,000
8,000
3,000
Nile
Ship
Bark
Brig
Schooner.
.. do
1876.
A. Houghton
1877.
A J Ross
Apr. 10, 1878
Dec. 4,1878
Nov. 27, 1878
Dec. 1, 1878
Aug. 31, 1S79
Sept. 1,1879
Era
Nile
Bark
Schooner.
Brig
...do
1878.
Abbie Bradford . - -
Al.lM'tt Lawrence.
A. J. Rosa...
Franklin
Isabella
Mattapoisett
1879.
George and Mary .
Delia HoJgkins...
Ang. 31, 1879
Aug. 31, 1879
Sept. 7,1879
Sept. 22, 1880
Nov. 22, 1879
Nov. 24, 1880
215
4,000
2,000
Brig
Bark
Bark
Schooner,
do
132
110
105
95
134
do
do
New Bedford
New London
do
8,000
102 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
7. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WHALE FISHERY FROM 1750 TO 1815.
The Dutch aud English bad carried on the whale-fishery iu the northern seas for several years
prior to the settlement of New England by Englishmen. Along the shore of Massachusetts whales
were constantly being driven ashore and were secured by the inhabitants. In the early records
of the colonies we find numerous references to drift whales, but it was not until about the year
1712 that vessels were used, and those of but small tonnage, so that they ventured but on short
voyages. By the year 1730, however, the vessels were of larger class and generally sloop-rigged.
By the year 1750 there was a large fleet sailing from various ports in New England, which has
always been the enterprising center for the whale-fishery in this country.
The following exhaustive review of the American whale-fishery during the period from 1750 to
1815 is quoted from Starbuek's History of the Whale Fishery printed in the report of the United
States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries for l.S7j-'7G :
BOUNTY TO ENGLISH WHALERS.— " The period from 1750 to 1784 was the most eventful era to
the whale-fishery that it has ever passed through. For a large proportion of the time the business
was carried on under imminent risk of capture, first by the Spanish and French and after by the
English. The colonial Davis Strait fishery seems to have been quite abandoned, and the vessels
cruised mostly to the eastward of the Grand Banks, along the edge of the Gulf Stream and in the
vicinity of the Bahama*. In 1748 the English Parliament had passed a second act to encourage
this fishery. By it the premium on inspection of masts, yards, and bowsprits, tar, pitch, and tur-
pentine, aud on British-made sail-cloth were to continue, and the duties on foreign-made sail-cloth
were remitted to vessels engaged in this pursuit. A bounty was also granted on all ships engaged
in whaling during the then existing war ; harpoouers and others employed in the Greenland fish-
ery were exempted from impressment. The commissioners of customs were, under the required
certificate, to pay the second twenty shillings per ton bounty granted by Parliament over the
first twenty previously granted.* The ships which had sailed during the previous March or April
were to be equal sharers iu this bounty with those whose sailing had been delayed. All ships
built or fitted out for this pursuit from the American colonies conforming to this act were to be
licensed to whale, and iu order to receive the bounties must remain in Davis Straits or vicinity
from May (sailing about May 1) until the 20th of August, unless sooner full or obliged to return
by accident. Foreign Protestants serving in this fishery for two years, aud qualifying themselves for
its prosecution, were to be treated as though they were natives.! The cause of this concession to
the colonies was a part of Lord Shirley's scheme to rid Acadia of the French. It was his desire
that George II should cause them to be removed to some other English colony, and settle Nova
Scotia with Protestants, t and to this end invitations were sent throughout Europe to induce
Protestants to remove thither. 'The Moravian Brethren were attracted by the promise of exemp-
tion from oaths and military service. The good will of New England was encouraged by care for
its fisheries ; and American whalemen, stimulated by the promise of enjoying an equal bounty
with the British, learned to follow their game among the icebergs of the Greenland seas.'§ 'The
New Eiiglanders of this period.' says Bancroft,|| ' were of homogeneous origin, nearly all tracing
their descent to the English emigrants of the reigns of Charles the First and Charles the Second.
They were a frugal and industrious race. Along the sea-side, wherever there was a good harbor,
fishermen, familiar with the ocean, gathered in hamlets ; and each returning season saw them
"*In sixth year of the ivigu of George II." "t Mass. Col. MSS., Maritime, vi, p. 316."
" t The carrying out of this srhcnie and the destruction of the colony of Acadian* justly receives execration."
" § Bancroft's Hist. U. S., v, p. 45." " || Ibid., iv, p. 149."
TIN: \\IIAI.K risiiEi;v. 103
with an ever-increasing number of mariners ;uul vessels, taking Hie coil and mackerel, and some
times pursuing the whale into the icy labyrinths of '.he northern seas; yet loving home, and
dearly attached to their modest freeholds.'
"Of this period Hiite.hinson says : * 'The increase of the consumption of oil by lamps as well
as by divers manufactures in Kurope has been no small encouragement to our whale-fishery. The
flourishing state of the island of Xantucket must be attributed to it. The cod and whale fishery,
being the principal source of our returns to Great Britain, are therefore worthy not only of
provincial but national attention.'
"A continual succession of foreign wars, in which the hardy fishermen and farmers of New
England were constantly called to the aid of England, coupled with a continual succession of in-
tolerant measures adopted by the mother country toward the plantations, which, in common with
the colonists at large, they felt impelled to resist, was gradually preparing America for the event-
ful struggle which was to end in its independence. By the experience of the wars they learned
their strength; through the pressure of the tyrannical acts they learned their rights."
EMBARGO OF 1757. — "Pending the expedition for the reduction of Nova Scotia in 1755 an
embargo was laid upon the Bank fishermen, though the risk of capture was so great that it of
itself must have quite effectively embargoed many of them. t
••In 1757 — the embargo being still continued upon the fishery in these waters — a petition
was presented to the general court of Massachusetts from the people of Martha's Vineyard and
Xantucket. representing that the memorialists 'being Informed that your Honours think it not
advisable to Permit the fishermen to Sail on their Voyages until the time limited by the Embargo
is Expired by lieasou that their fishing banks where they Usually proceed on said Voyages lyes
Eastward not far from Cape bretou which may be a means of their falling into the hands of the freuch
which may be of bad Consequence to the Common Cause. Your Memorialists would Humbly observe
to Your Honours that that is not the Case with the whalemen their procedure on their Voyages is
Westward of the Cape of Virginia, and southward of that until the mouth of June from which Your
Memorialists are of the mind their is nothing like the Danger of their falling into the hands of the
<'ape bretou Privateers as would be If they went Eastward. Your Memorialists would further
Observe that the whalemen have almost double the Number of hands that the fishermen Carry
which makes Their Charge almost, Double to that of fishermen and ye first part of the Whale
,-eason is Always Esteemed the Principal time for their making their Voyages which If they lose
the greatest part of the People will have nothing to Purchase the Necessaries of life withal they
h.ivcing no other way which must make them in miserable Situation. Your memorialists would
therefore beg that yr Honours would take Our Miserable Situation under Consideration and grant
our Whalemen liberty lo Proceed on Our Voyages from this time If it be Consistent with your
(ireat wisdom as in duty bound shall every prayj
" 'JOHN NORTON (for Martha's Vineyard)
u 'ABISHAI FOLGER (for Nantucket)'
"In compliance with the foregoing petition the council passed this resolution (April 8, 1758):
•Inasmuch as the Inhabitants of Xantucket most of whom are Quakers are by Law exempted
from Impresses for military Sen ice. And their Livelihood intirely depends on the Whale fishery—
"•Hist, of Massachusetts, ii. p. .1IH'."
"t A duty was laid upon the eoloni.sts m l?:,i; to support a, frigate on the Banks to defend the fislu
" t Mass. Col. MSS., M. -nil inn- yi, p. :',71. From this pet it ion p]ie:<r that, having an unfavorable season
at the soitthwatd, the, whalemen \\ otild stand lor Hi t.o till there. If, however, a \ easel got home early
from the nut-Hi, t ln-\ frequent ly went mi another voyage 10 the so n Hi and west \\ aril in I lie same year.''
104 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Advised that his Escelly give permission for all whaling Vessclls belong5 to sa Ild to pursue their
Voyages, taking only the Inht8 of sd Island in sd Vessells and that upon their taking any other
persons whatsoever with them they be subject to all the Penalties of the law in like manner as if
they had proceeded without Leave.'"
THE GULF OF SAINT LAWKENCE AND STRAITS OF BELLEISLE FISHERY. — "In 1761 the
fishery of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the Straits of Bellisle was opened to our whalemen,
and they speedily availed themselves of its wealth. This was the legitimate result of the conquest
of Canada and the cession of territory made by France to England at the conclusion of the war,
a result which the colonists had labored hard and spent lives and treasure unstintedly to attain,
but of the benefit of which they were destined to be defrauded. A duty was levied on all oil and
bone carried to England from the colonies, and by another oppressive act of Parliament they
were not allowed to find for this product any other market. The discrimination between the
plantations and the mother country was made the more marked .since at this time the residents of
Great Britain were allowed a bounty from which he provincials were debarred. Against these
injustices the merchants of New England, and these of London engaged in colonial trade, respect-
fully petitioned. They represented that 'in the Tear 1701 The Province of Massachusetts Bay,
fitted out from Boston & other portst Ten Vessels of from Seventy to Ninety Tous Burden for
this Purpose. That the Success of these was such as to encourage the Sending out of fifty Vessels
in the Year 1762 for the same trade. That in the Year 17(J3 more than Eighty Vessels were
imploy'd iu the same niauner.f That they haTe already imported to London upwards of 40 Ton
of Whale Finn: being the produce of the two first years. That upon Entring of the above Finn,
a Duty was required and paid upon it, of thirty one Pound ten shillings V Ton. That the
weight of this Duty was remlei'd much heavier by the great reduction made in the price of Dutch
Bone since the commencement of this trade from £500 to £330 ¥ Ton.' They represent further
that the reason for the conferring of bounties upon vessels in this pursuit from Great Britain was
tn rival the Dutch, $ but in spite of this encouragement there was not enough oil and bone
brought into England by British vessels to supply the demand. They also reasoned that Parlia-
ment could not intentionally discriminate between the various subjects of the Crown, granting
•• M:i.-s. Col. MSS., Maritime, vi, p. 371. Martha's Vineyard appears to be ignored in the order."
"t As already explained, Boston was the port of entry for many of the Cape towns and its own immediate vicinity."
" t According to the following doggerel there were seventy-five whaling captains sailing from Nautucket iu ITli:!:
Whale-List, lij Tlwmas Wcrtli, J/. 1763.
Out of Nantucket their's Whalemen seventy-five,
But two poor Worths among thorn doth survive :
Their is two Ranisdills & their's Woodbury's two,
Two Ways there is, chnse which one pleaseth you,
Folgers thirteen, & Barnards there are four
Bunkers their is three & Jenkinses no more,
Gardners their is seven, Husseys their are two,
Pinkhams their is five and a poor Delano,
Myricks there is three & Coffins there are six,
Swaius their arc four and one blue gaily Fitch.
One Chadwick, Cogshall, Colemau their's but one,
Brown, Baxter, two & Paddacks there is three,
Wyer, Stanton, Starbuek, Moorse is ftmr you see,
But if for a Voyage I was to choose a Stauton,
I would leave Sammy out & choose Ben Stratton.
And not forget that Eocott is alive,
And that long-crotch makes up the seventy -five.
This is answering to the list, you see,
Made up in seventeen hundred & sixty-three."
" § The Dutch from 1759 to 1768 sent to the Greenland fishery 1,:5'24 ships, which took 3,018 whales, producing 146,419
barrels of oil and 8,785,140 pounds of bone. (Scoresby.) Great Britain in the same time sent about one-third the
number <>f ships."
TlIE WHALE FISIIKIIV.
105
to one a bounty and requiring of another a duty for (lie same service. They, however, ask for no
bounty — they are content that Great Britain should alone receive the benefit of that — but they
simply desire that they should not be taxed with ;i duty on these imports."*
ENGLISH BOUNTY ABOLISHED.— "The knowledge that the English fishery, even with its
bounty, was still unable to fully cope with the Dutch, or even to supply its own home demand, as
well as the desire of Earl Grenville to forward certain projects in his American policy, notably the
odious stamp tax, caused some attention to be paid to petitions similar to the foregoing, fortified
somewhat by the presence of a special agent from Massachusetts to sustain the position and urge
the claims there made. To various sections various tenders were to be made. 'The boon that
was to mollify Now England,' says Bancroft,! 'was concerted with Israel Mauclit, acting for bis
brother, the agent of Massachusetts, and was nothing less than the whale-fishery. Great Britain
had sought to compete with the Dutch in that branch of industry ; had fostered it by bounties ;
had relaxed even the act of navigation, so as to invite even the Dutch to engage in it from British
ports iu British shipping. But it was all in vain. Grenville gave up the unsuccessful attempt,
and sought a rival for Uolland in British America, which had hitherto lain under the double dis-
couragement of being excluded from the benefit of a bounty, | and of having the products of its
whale-fishing taxed unequally. He now adopted the plan of gradually giving up the bounty to
the British whale fishery, which would be a saving of £30,000 a year to the treasury, and of reliev-
ing the American fishery from the inequality of the discriminating duty, except the old subsidy,
which was scarcely 1 per cent. This is the most liberal act of Grenville's administration, of which
t lie merit is not diminished by the fact that the American whale-fishery was superseding the English
under every discouragement. It required liberality to accept this result as inevitable, and to
favor it. It was doue, too, with a distinct conviction that 'the American whale-fishery, freed from
its burden, would soon totally overpower the British.' So this valuable branch of trade, which
produced annually 3,000 pounds, and which would give employment to many shipwrights and
other artificers, and to three thousand seamen, was resigned to America."
EFFECTS OF WAR. — "With the people of Nantacket every foreign war meant a diminution
of their whaling fleet, for there is scarcely any risk that whalemen have not and will not run in
pursuit of their prey. During the years 1755 and 1756 six of their vessels had been lost at sea
and six more were taken by the French and burned, together with their cargoes, while the crews
'• * Ma«. Col. MSS., Maritime, vol. vii, p. 243. Tbe coacludiiig portion of this petition, including tbe signatures, is
missing, a fact, greatly to bo regretted, as it would be extremely interesting to know who tbe prominent oil-merchants
of tbat time were. The following is the statement of imports of oil ami bone from the colonies into England and
from Holland to the same country, which accompanied the petition:
Account of Finim <f- Oil from America to England cf- Duties from Christmas 1758 to Christmas 1763.
Year
Fins.
Whale-oil.
Duty, America.
Duty, London.
Duty, America.
Duty, London.
1758 to 1759 .
T. Owl. Lbs.
17 0 17
£ «. d.
11 0 0
£ s. d.
10 14 0
T. H. 0.
3 245 2 28
£. s. d.
1 898 13 8
£ s. d.
1 436 3 8
1760 .
18 2 9
28 10 6
27 10 4
2 595 1 14
1 518 5 1
1 148 8 5
1761
27 0 8
42 2 6
40 10 0
3 126 3 31
1 829 4 5
1 383 12 10
1762
335 2 5
522 3 10
502 5 0
2 483 2 39
] 452 18 9
1 090 0 4
1763
1 546 3 13
2 427 5 3
2 315 9 4
5 030 0 1°
2 942 11 7
2 225 15 11
Total
1 985 0 24
3 Oil 10 1
2 896 15 2
16 481 1 16
9 641 13 0
7, 293 1 2
t Bancroft's United States, v, p. 184.
t The bounty of 174b had evidently been legislated out of existence.
106 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
were carried away into captivity. In 1760 another vessel was captured by a French privateer of
twelve guns and released after the commander of the privateer hud put on board of her the crew
of a sloop they had previously taken nearly full of oil and burned. The captain of the sloop, -
Luce, had sailed with three others who were expected on the coast. The day after Luce was taken
the privateer engaged a Bermudian letter of marque and was beaten. During this engagement
several whalemen in the vicinity made their escape. In the same month (June) another privateer
of fourteen guns took several whaling vessels, one of which was ransomed for $400, all the prison-
ers put on board of her, and she landed them at Newport.* In 17G2 another Nautucket sloop was
taken by a privateer from the French West Indies, under one MODS. Palanqna, while she was
cruising in the vicinity of the Leeward Islands.''
MARTHA'S VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET WHALERS. — "At Martha's Vineyard whaling did
not seem to thrive so well as at the sister island of Nantucket. The very situation of Nantucket
seemed favorable for the development of this and kindred pursuits; in fact, the situation made
them necessities. While the Vineyard was quite fertile and of considerable extent, Nautucket
was comparatively sterile and circumscribed. At the Vineyard a livelihood could be attained
from tilling the earth, at Nantticket a large portion of that which sustained life must be wrested
from the ocean. A constant struggle with nature, ami a constant surmounting of those obstacles
incident to their lo.-ation and surroundings, developed within the Nantucketois a spirit of adventure
which was carefully trained into channels of enterprise and usefulness. Hence, the early history
of whaling on Martha's Vineyard was not that ultimate success that it was on Nantucket, and
while the year 1775 found the latter with a fleet of 150 vessels with a burden of 15,000 tons, the
former at the same period could count but 12 vessels and an aggregate of 720 tons.
" In 1752 Mr. John Newman and Timothy Coffin built a vessel of 75 tons, but she was also
destined to a brief existence. On her second voyage whaling she was captured near the Grand
Bauks'by the French, and Captain Coffin, her commander, lost his life, his vessel, and his cargo.
In the same year (1752) John Norton, esq., with others, purchased a vessel of 55 tons for the
carrying on of this business, and. like her contemporary, she failed to survive her second voyage,
but was cast away on the coast of Carolina, Capt. Christopher Beetle being at the time in command.
Mr. Norton immediately chartered a vessel to get his own off, but on their arrival on Carolina,
his vessel was gone, with her sails, rigging, and appurtenances, and he out of pocket a further
sum of $500 to the wrecking party. Eight years later (1760), Esquire Norton, with others, built
the sloop Polly, 65 tons burden. On her third whaling trip to the southward she too was lost,
and by her destruction perished Nicholas Butler, her captain, and thirteen men. Repeated losses
had reduced Norton to somewhat straitened circumstances, and, selling what property he had
left, he removed to Connecticnl, where, he died.
"It is impossible to separate in the accounts of whaling at this time the share which Boston
took in it from that taken by other ports. The reports which may be found in the current papers
rarely gave the name of the port to which entering or clearing vessels belonged. In fact the
majority of the reports are. merely records of accidents, and it is very rarely indeed that the
amount cf oil taken by returning whalers is given.
"lu 1762 a whaling .schooner, commanded by - - Bickford, was totally lost on Seil (?)
Islands. The crew, fourteen in number, were taken off by a fishing vessel."
LONG- ISLAND WHALERS. — "Of the Long Island fishery the only record accessible is the
meager one regarding Sag Harbor. Easthampton, Southampton, and (heir more immediate neigh-
bors seem to have been supplanted by this younger town.t Probably prior to 1760 vessels had
"* These vessels were from several whaling ports." " t Sag Harbor was Settled in 1730."
THK WII.\U<; FISHERY. 107
been fitted for whaling from tliis port : il so, their ident ilical ion is iinpossilile. In 1760, however,
tlnve sloops were lilted out by Joseph Conkling, John Foster, and others. They were named Good-
luck, Dolphin, and Success, ami their cruising ground was in the vicinity of 36° north latitude."
RHODK ISLAND AVII AI.KIIS. — "The reports regarding 1,'liode Island are equally meager.
Occasional reports are to lie [bund of the arrivals of whaling-vessels. Imt no report of where they
cruised or what success they met with, and no records exist at the custom-house to help clear up
the historical mist. Warren comes into notice at this period as quite a thriving whaling-port.
The Boston News Letter of October :_'.'!, 17G(i. says : - Severa.l Vessels employed in the Whale Fish-
ery, from the industrious Town of Warren in Rhode Island Colony, have lately returned, having
met with considerable success. One Vessel, which went as far as the Western Islands, brought
home upwards of 300 Barrels of Uil. Some Vessels from Newport have also been tolerably success-
ful. This Business, which seems to be. carried on with Spirit, bids fair to be of great Utility to
that Government." "
VIRGINIA WHALERS. — " Williamsburgh, Va., felt the stimulus caused by success in this busi-
ness ; and in the early spring of 1751 several gentlemen subscribed a sum of money and fitted out
a small sloop, called the Experiment, for whaling along the southern coast. On the 9th of May,
1751, she returned with a valuable whale, This was the first vessel ever fitted for this pursuit
from Virginia, and whether she continued for any length of time in the business is unknown. The
encouragement of the first success undoubtedly caused another venture."
BEGINNING OF WHALING INDUSTRY AT NEW BEDFORD. — " In the vicinity of New Bedford
whaling probably commenced but little prior to 1760. In that year William Wood, of Dartmouth,
sold to Elnathan Eldredge, of the same town, a certain tract of land, located within the present
town of Fairhaven, and within three-quarters of a mile of the center of the town, on the banks of
the Acushnet Eiver, ' Always Excepting and reserving ***** that part of the same
where the Try house and Oyl shed now stands.' How long these buildings had been standing at
the date of this deed is unknown, but the fact of their being there then is indisputable, and, as it
was not the habit in those days to put up useless buildings, they were undoubtedly applied to the
purpose for which they were built. That they were considered valuable property is evident from
the fact of their being reserved, lu 1765, four sloops, the Nancy, Polly, Greyhound, and Hannah,
owned by Joseph Russell, Caleb Russell, and William Talluian, and from 40 to 60 tons burden,
were employed in the whale fishery.* lu Ricketsou's ' History of New Bedford' is published a
portion of a log-book of the whaling-sloop Betsey, of Dartmouth, in 1761. The early portion is
missing, the first date commencing July 27. These small vessels usually sailed in pairs, and, so
long as they kept in company, the blubber of the captured whales was divided equally between
them. Hence the reports, in which the captains' names are always given instead of the names of
the vessels, which rarely occur, often return the vessels in pairs, with fine same quantity of oil to
each. The following are a few extracts from this journal as published : ' August 2d, 1761. Lat.
l.Vi4, long. .">.;. .J7 Saw two sperm-whales; killed one. — Aug. 6th. Spoke with John Clasbery ;
he had got 105 bbls.; told us Seth Folger had got 150 bbls. Spoke with two Nantucket men;
•• • Kic ki-iscui's llisiriry <n' NYw Bedford, p. :>-. Mr. Ricketson .says: 'To Joseph Russell, the founder of New Bed-
lord, is also attributed the limior of b(ring the pioneer of the whale-fishery of New Bedford. It is well authenticated
by ihe statements of several rot ••mporaries, lately deceased, that Joseph Russell had pursued the business as early as
the year l?r.r>.' From what particular portion of the then town of Dartmouth (which also included what is now known
as New Bedford, and Fairhaveu) lie titled out his vessels, is uncertain. At that time the land on which stands the
<-ity of New Bedford was unpopulated by the whites, and not a single house marked the spot where, within less tlian
a century thereafter, stands the city from which w.is lit red out more whaling-vessels than from all the other American
ports combined."
108 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
they had got one whale between them; hey told that Jenkius & Dunham had got four whales
between them, and Allen & Pease had got 2 whales between them. Lat. 42.57.— Sunday, August
9th. Saw sperm-whales ; struck two, and killed them between us, (naming their escort). — August
10th. Cut up our blubber into casks; tilled 35 hhds. ; our partner filled 33 hhds. Judged our-
selves to be not far from the Banks. Finished stowing the hold. — August 20. Lat. 44 deg. 2 min.
This morning spoke with Thomas Gibbs ; had got 110 bbls ; told us he had spoke with John Aikin,
and Ephraim Delano, and Thomas Nye. They had got no oil at all. Sounded ; got no bottom.
Thomas Gibbs told us we were but two leagues off the Bank.' The Betsey probably arrived home
about the middle of September. In 1762 she apparently made another voyage, though the jour-
nal up to the 2d of September is missing. On that date they spoke ' Shubel Bunker and Benja-
min Paddock.' On the 3d of September they ' Knocked down try- works.'* Ou the 15th they spoke
Henry Folger and Nathan Coffin."
RESTRICTIONS TO AMERICANS WHALING IN GULP OF ST. LAWRENCE. — "About this time
a new element entered into antagonism with colonial whaling in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and
vicinity. Scarcely had the colonists aided to wrest this fishery from the French, when the English
governors, in their turn, strove to keep our vessels from enjoying its benefits. lu the News-Letter
of August 8, 1765, is the following statement : ' Tuesday one of the sloops which has been on the
Whaling Business returned here. We hear that the Vessels employed in the Whale Fishery from
this and the neighbouring Maritime Towns,t amounting to near 100 Sail, have beeu very successful
this Season in the Gulph of St. Lawrence and Streigths of Belle isle; having, tis said, already made
upwards of 9,000 Barrels of Oil.' But this rosy-colored report was speedily followed by another of
a more somber hue. In August 22, the same paper says : 'Accounts received from several of our
Whaling Vessels on the Labrador Coast, are, that they meet with Difficulties in regard to their
fishiug, in Consequence of Orders from the Commanding Officers on that Station, a Copy of which
are as follows :
"'MEMORANDUM: In Pursuance of the Governor's Directions, all masters of Whaling Vessels,
and others whom it may concern, are hereby most strictly required to observe the following Par-
ticulars, viz :
"'1 To carry the useless Parts of such Whales as they may catch to at least Three Leagues
from the Shore, to prevent the Damage that the neighbouring Fishers for Cod and Seal sustain
by their being left on the Shore.
'"2 Not to carry any Passengers from Newfoundland or the Labrador^ Coast to any Part of
the Plantations.
" '3 To leave the Coast by the first of November at farthest.
'"4 Not to fish in any of the Ports or Coasts of Newfoundland lying between Point Richi and
Cape Bonavista.
'"5 Not to carry on any Trade or have any Intercourse with the French on any Pretence.
" * In other words, took them down. From this it is evident that some vessels were prepared for trying out their
oil on hoard.
"The News-Letter of July 26, 1764, states that one Jonathan Negers, of Dartmouth, while whaling, was so injured
by a whale's striking the hoat that he died a few days after."
" t It is impossible to apportion the vessels among their proper ports. The vessels from Cape Cod and the north-
ward cleared at Boston ; those from the Vineyard, at Nautucket ; those at Dartmouth, sometimes at Nantiickefc :md
sometimes at Newport."
TIIK WIIAI, i: I'ISIIEI;V. 109
'"6 IH all your Dealings with the Indians to treat Iliem with the greatest Civility: observing
not to Impose on their Ignorance, or to take Advantage of their Necessities. You arc also ou no
Account to serve them with spirituous Liquors.
'"7 Not to iish lor any other than Whale on this Coast.
'"Dated on hoard His Majesty's sloop Zephyr, at the Isle of Bois, on the Labradore Coast,
the L'lst July, 17<i:>.
'"JODN HAMILTON.'
''The issue of November 18 reports that on account of this proclamation the vessels 'are
returning halt' loaded.' It was the custom with many early whalemen, especially from the imme-
diate vicinity nf Koston, to go prepared for either cod or whale fishing, and in the event of the
failure of the one to have recourse to the otln r. All restrictions which arc sustained by an armed
force are liable to be made especially obnoxious by the manner of the enforcement, and this was
no means a contrary case, [t was not at all surprising, then, that the ensuing season's fishing was
only a repetition of the failure of that of 17(i.">. 'Since our last,' says the News Letter, 'several
Vessels are ret.urned from the Whaling Business, who have not only had very bad Success, but
also have been ill-treated by some of the Cruisers ou the Labradore Coast.' Two ships had been
fitted out from London, the Palliser and the Labradore, for the express purpose of trading, fishing,
and whaling ou the coast of Labrador and in the straits of Belle Isle. Capt. Charles Penn, who
came out in them as pilot, left the straits on the 9th of July on his way to Newfoundland. Ou his
passage he went on board quite a numl:er of whaling-vessels, and reported that they had met with
very poor success; had got only about twenty whales in the entire fleet. In consequence of this
failure some of them had, according to the time-honored practice, gone to fishing for cod, but had
been interrupted by an armed vessel and by the 'company's ships' (the Palliser and Labradore),
and their catch all taken away from them save what "their actual necessities required. This was
done under the pretense that the whole coast was patented to 'the company,' and by virtue of
orders issued by Hugh Palliser, 'governor of Newfoundland, Anticosti, Magdalenes, and Lab-
radore.' Palliser's proclamation, which bore date of April 3, 1766, specified that all British
subjects whaling in that vicinity should choose places on shore where they should laud, cut up
their blubber, and make oil as they arrived, but not to select anyplace which was used in the
cod-fishery. Whalemen from, the plantation s might take whales on those coasts, but were only
permitted to land on some unoccupied place within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence to cut up and try
out their blubber; and it was particularly specified that they were not to make use of any place
which was used by the British fishermen for the same or a similar purpose. Complaint having
been made of the provincial whalemen in regard to their waste interfering with the cod fishery,
they were enjoined that they must carry the carcasses of the whales at least three leagues from
the shore. No fishermen from the plantations were to be allowed to winter on Labrador. And
then Capt. John Hamilton, 'of H. M. sloop of war Merlin, Lieut. Gov. of Labradore,' &c., issued
his proclamation: 'This is to give Notice to all Whalers from the Plantations, that they are
allowed to fish for Whales only, on the Coast of Labradore, that if they are found to have any
other Fish on Board, the Fish will be seized, and they excluded the Benefit of Whale-fishery Hi is
season ; and on no Pretence to trade with the Indians ; whatever they shall purchase will be con
fiscated, and after this Notice their Vessels liable to be seized,' &c. Captain Hamilton's decree
bore the date of June. 25, 1766.
"The result of these arbitrary measures was that the whalemen left those seas and went off
the Banks. The close of the season witnessed the return of the whaling fleet with bur indifferent
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
success.* Naturally those interested (and this included the wealthiest merchants and the most
skillful mechanics, as well as the most indefatigable mariners) felt aggrieved. It seemed scarcely
in consonance with the colonial ideas of justice, crude as those notions appeared to the English
nobility, that the beneficial results of a conquest which they almost single-handed had made, and
for defraying the expense of which England had declined any remuneration, should be diverted
to the sole benefit of those alone who were residents of the British Isles. Merchants iu London,
too, whose heaviest and most profitable trade was with the provinces, joined their voices in
denouncing this wrong. During the early winter the report came that Palliser's regulations were
suspended until the ministry aud Parliament had time to consider the subject. The matter had
already, late in the last whaliug season, been brought to the attention of the governor of New-
foundland, and he issued the following supplementary edict, which appeared in the Boston papers
of January, 1767:
" ' By His Excellency Hugh Palliser, Governor and Commander in Chief in and over the Island
of Newfoundland, the Coast of Labradore and all the Territories dependent thereupon :
"< "Whereas a great many Vessels from His Majesty's Plantations employed in the Whale-
Fishery resort to that Part of the Gulph of St. Lawrence and the Coast of Labradore which is
within this Government : and as I have been informed that some Apprehensions have arisen
amongst them that by the Eegulatious made by me relating to the different Fisheries in those
Parts, they are wholly precluded from that Coast :
'"Notice is hereby given, That the King's officers stationed iu those Parts have always had
my Orders to protect, assist aud encourage by every Means in their Power, all Vessels from the
Plantations employed in the Whale-Fishery, coming within this Government; and, pursuant to
his Majesty's Orders to me, all Vessels from the Plantations will be admitted to that Coast on the
same Footing as they have ever been admitted in Newfoundland ; the ancient Practices and Cus-
toms established in Newfoundland respecting the Cod Fishery, under the Act of Parliament
passed in the 10 and llth Years of William Hid commonly called The Fishing Act, always to be
observed. t
'• • And by my Regulations for the Encouragement of the Whale Fisheries, they are also under
certain necessary Eestrictions therein prescribed, permitted to land and cut up their Whales in
Labradore; this is a Liberty that has never been allowed them iu Newfoundland, because of the
Danger of prejudicing the Cod-Fishery carried on by our adventurer's Ships, and by Boat-Keepers
from Britain, lawfully qualified with Fishing-Certificates accordiu g to the aforementioned Act,
who are fitted out at a very great Bisque and Expence in complying with said Act, therefore they
must not be liable to have their Voyages overthrown, or rendered precarious by any Means, or by
any other Vessels whatever. And, Whereas great Numbers of the Whaling Crews arriving from
the Plantations on the Coast of Labradore early in the Spring considering it as a lawless Country
are guilty of all Sorts of Outrages before the Arrival of the King's Ships, plundering whoever they
" * The Boston News-Letter mentions the arrival of Capt, Peter Wells at that port from whaling August 18, 1766.
Under date of October 2, the News- Letter s.iys : ' Since our last a Number of Vessels have arrived from Whaling. They
have not been successful gem-rally. One "I' them viz: Capt. Clark on Thursday Morning last discovering a Sperma-
ecl i Whale near George's Banks, manu'd his Uout, and gave Chase to her, & she coming up with her jaws against the
r-ow of the Boat struck it with such Violence that it threw a Son of the Captain ; (who was forward ready with his
Lauce) a considerable Height from the ISi.ut. and when he fell the Whale turned with her devouring Jaws opened,
and caught him. He was heard to scream, when she closed her Jaws, and part of his Body was seen ont of her Mouth,
\\ hen she turned, and went off.' "
" t Duties on oil imported iu British ships were remitted, the commander and one-third of each crew being British.
Duties were also remitted on fat, furs, and tusks of seal, bear, walrus, or other marine animal taken in the Greenland
seas. By other acts the imported materials to be used in outfitting were made non-dutiable, and bounties were estab-
lished, amounting in the final aggregate to 40s. per ton."
THK WIIAU<; H SQERY. Ill
find on the Const too weak to resist them, obstructing our Ship Adventurers from I'.ritain by sundry
Ways, banking amongst I heir Boats along tlic (.'oast, which ruins the Coast-Fishery, and is contrary
to the most ancient and most strictly observed li'ule <>f the Fishery, and must not be suffered on
Account; also by destroying tbeir Fishing-Works on Shore, stealing their Boats, Tackle and
t'tensils, firing the Woods all along the Coast, and hunting for and plundering, taking away or
murdering the poor Indian Natives of the Country ; by these Violences, Barbarities, and other
notorious Grimes and Enormities, that Coast is in the utmost Confusion, and with respect to the
Indians is kept in a State of War. For preventing these Practices in future Notice is hereby given,
That the King's Officers stationed in those Parts, are authorized and strictly directed, to appre-
hend all such Offenders within this (Joveruinent, and to bring them to me to be tried for the same
at the General Assizes at this Place: And for the better Government of that Country, for regulat-
ing the Fisheries, and for protect ing His Majesty's Subjects from Insults from the Indians, I have
His Majesty's Commands to erred Block-Houses, and establish Guards along that Coast. This
Notification is to be put in the Harbours in Labradore, within my Government, and through the
Favour of His Excellency Goveruour Bernard, Copies thereof will be put up in the Ports withiu
the Province of Massachusetts, where the "Whalers mostly belong for their Information before the
next Fishing Season.
" ' Given under my Hand at St. John's in Newfoundland, this First Day of August, 1766.
" < HUGH PALLISEE.
" ' By Order of His Excellency,
'"JN°. HOESNAILL.'
" There can scarcely be a doubt but that the indiscretions of the whalemen were much magni-
fied (if indeed they really existed) in this pronunciameuto of Governor Palliser, for the sake of
bolstering up the former one. The •whalemen of those days were far from being the set of graceless
scamps which he represents them to be. Probably there was here and there a renegade. It would
be quite impossible to fiud iu so large a number of men that all were strict observers of the laws.
Self-preservation, if no more humane motive existed, militated against the acts of "which he
complained. The whalemen were accustomed to visit the coast for supplies, in many cases several
times a year; usually on their arrival iu those parts they stood in for some portion of the coast
and ' wooded;' and it is hardly credible that they should wantonly destroy the stores they so much
needed, or make enemies on a coast where they might at any time be compelled to land. The
colonial governors quite often made the resources under their control a source of revenue for
themselves, and the fact of the modification of Palliser's first proclamation only under pressure of
the King and Parliament would seem to indicate personal interest in keeping whalemen from the
colonies away from the territory under his control.
"It is quite evident that even with this modification the colonial fishermen did not feel that
confidence in the Saint Lawrence and Belle Isle fishery that they felt when it was first opened to
them, for a report from Charleston, S. C., dated June 19, 17C7, states that on 'the 22d ultimo put
in here a sloop belonging to Rhode Island, from a whaling voyage in 1 he southern latitudes, having
proved successful about ten clays before. The master informs us that near fifty New England
vessels have been on the whale fishery in the same latitudes this season by way of experiment.'*
Over the open sea fortune-seeking governors could exercise no control, and there our seamen
probably felt they could pursue their game without let or hindrance. Whales at that time
abounded along the edge of the Gulf Stream, and there they continued to be found for some years,
1 * UoMon News-Letter."
112 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
shiftng their ground gradually as their fierce captors encroached more and more upon them to the
vicinity of the Western and Leeward Islands, the Cape deVerdes, the Brazil Banks, and beyond.
Some few whalemen, in spite of the restrictions, still visited the newly-opened fishing-ground.
"The general results of the various voyages were on the whole good, and other places began
to feel the stimulus of a desire to compete. Providence took part, and early in 1768 several vessels
were fitted out from that port for this pursuit. New York, too, entered the lists, and Mr. Robert
Murray and the Messrs. Franklin fitted a sloop for the same purpose, and she sailed on the 19th
of April of that year.* The town of Newport manifested great activity.
"It was currently reported in the colonies, during the early part of 1767, that the irksome
restrictions upon whaling were to be entirely removed; petitions to tbat efl'ect had been presented
to the home government, and a favorable result was hoped for, and early in 1768 the straits of
Davis and Belle Isle were again vexed by the keels of our fishermen, as many as fifty or sixty
anchoring in Canso Harbor in April of that year, a few of them bound for the former locality, but
the majority of them cruising in the vicinity of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and Newfoundland, t
Two whaling sloops from Nantucket, one commanded by — Coleman, and the other by
Coffin, were lost this season in the Straits of Belle Isle, and the crews were saved by Captain
Hamilton, of the Merlin sloop of war, who also aided them in saving the sails, rigging, and stores
from the wrecks. The fisbery in those parts was quite unsuccessful, many vessels, up to the last
of August, having taken little or no oil.f
"In 1768 there sailed from Nautucket eighty sail of vessels of an average burden of 75 tons,
and probably fully as many more from other ports — Cape Cod, Dartmouth, Boston, Providence,
Newport, Warren, Falmouth (Cape Cod), and perhaps other ports being represented — and the
voyages being undertaken to Davis Strait, straits of Belle Isle, Grand Banks, Gulf of Saint Law-
rence, and Western Islands. Early in the season the Western Island fleet appears to bave done
little, but by the middle of September they had obtained an average of about 165 barrels. The
northern fleet probably did nearly as well, as numerous instances occur of vessels spoken late in
the summer and in the early fall with from 100 to 150 and even as high as 200 barrels. Assuming,
tbeu, that one hundred and forty vessels returned with an average produce of 150 barrels (which
was the actual average import at Nantucket), and we have as the result of the season's fishing
1*1.000 barrels, worth, at £18 per ton, the ruling price, £47,200, or about $236,000."
PROSPERITY OF WHALE FISHERY, 1770 TO 1775. — "'Between the years 1770 and 1775,'
says Macy, 'the whaling business increased to an extent hitherto unparalleled. In 1770 there
" * There seems to be no accessible report of this vessel's return, and hence the degree of success or failure of her
voyage is a matter of doubt. The people of Nantucket were reported to have made £70,000 iu 1767."
" t From a log-book kept by Isaiah Eldredge, of the sloop Tryall, of Dartmouth, which sailed April 25, 1768, for the
si i :iits of Belle Isle. She cleared from Nantucket, as Dartmouth was not then a port of entry. On Friday, April 29,
.sin- was at anchor iu Canso Harbor, with fifty or sixty other whalemen. Saturday, Way 7, left Crow Harbor and at
night anchored in Man-of- War Cove, Canso Gut, ' with about sixty sail of whalemen.' The vessels were continually
beset with ice, and on the 23d of May they cleared their decks of snow, which was ' almost over shoes deep.' They
killed their first whale on the 22d of July. The larger number of vessels were spoken in pairs, which was the usual
manner of cruising. The sloop returned to Dartmouth on the 5th of November. This log runs to 1775, and commences
;i<_;;iin in 1783, ending in 1797, with occasional breaks where leaves are cut out."
" t In October, 1767, a whaling sloop, belonging to Nautucket, arrived at the bar off that port, on board of which
were four Indians, who had had some dispute at sea and agreed to si'ttlr. it on their return. As the vessel lay at
anchor the officers and crew — except three white men and these ludiaus — went ashore. The whites being asleep in
the cabin, the Indians went on deck, divided into two parties, and, arming themselves with whaling lances, com-
menced the affray. The two on one side were killed immediately, the other two were unhurt. The white men
hearing the affray, rushed upon deck, and, seeing what was done, secured the murderers. In November of the same
year some Newburyport fishermen were astounded at perceiving their vessel hurried through the water at an alarming
rate without the aid of sails. Upon investigating the cause, it was found that the anchor was fast to a whale (or vice
versa), and the cable was cut, relieving them of their unsolicited propelling power. — (Boston News-Letter.;"
Tin; \YIIALK FISIIKKY. 113
\\ere a little more than one hundred vessels engaged ; and in 1775 the number exceeded one
hundred and fifty, some of them large brigs. The employment of so great and such an increasing
capital may lead our readers to suppose that a, corresponding profit, was realized, but a careful
examination of the circumstances under which the business was carried on will sbow the fallacy of
such a conclusion. Many branches of labor were conducted by those who were immediately
interested in the voyages. The young men, with few exceptions, were brought up to some trade
necessary to the business. The rope-maker, the cooper, the blacksmith, the carpenter — in flue,
I lie workmen were either the ship-owners or of their household ; so were often the officers and men
\\ho navigated the vessels and killed the whales. 'While a ship was at sea, the owners at home
were busily employed in the manufacture of casks, iron work, cordage, blocks, and other articles
for the succeeding voyage. Thus the. profits of the labor were enjoyed by those interested in the
fishery, and voyages were rendered advantageous even when the oil obtained was barely sufficient
to pay the outfits, estimating the labor as a part thereof. This mode of conducting the business
was universal, and has continued to a very considerable extent to the present day [1835]. Experi-
ence taught the people how to take advantage of the different markets for their oil. Their sperma-
ccti oil was mostly sent to England in its uuseparated state, the head matter being generally
mixed with the body oil, for in the early part of whaling it would bring no more when separated
than when mixed. The whale oil, which is the kind procured from the species called ' right whales,'
was shipped to Boston or elsewhere in the colonies, and there sold for country consumption, or
sent to the West Indies.'*"
DEPREDATIONS BY PRIVATEERS AND PIRATES. — " The seas continued to be infested with
French and Spanish privateers and pirates,f and whalemen, especially those frequenting the ocean
in the vicinity of the Western Islands, were, from the very nature of their employment, constantly
liable to depredations from these corsairs, whether legalized or lawless. In March, 1771, the sloop
Neptune, Captain Nixon, arrived in Newport from the Mole, bringing with him portions of the crews
of three Dartmouth w7halemeu, who had been taken on the south side of Hispaniola by a Spanish
guarda coasta. These vessels were commanded by Capts. Silas Butler, William Roberts, and
Richard Welding. Another whaling vessel, belonging to Martha's Vineyard, commanded by
Ephraim Pease, was also taken at about the same time, but released in order to put on board of her
the remaining prisoners.- At this time Pease had taken 200 barrels of oil, and the Dartmouth ves-
sels, which were carried into Saint Domingo, 100 barrels. These captures were made on the llth
of February 4
" But it did not always happen that whalemen fell so easy a prey to predatory vessels. A
little strategy sometimes availed them when a forcible resistance would have been outof the ques-
" "Bancroft says (Hist. U. S., v, p. -.'I ;:>), in 17(i5 the colonists were not allowed to export tbe chief products of their
industry, such as sugar, tobacco, cotton, wool, indigo, ginger, dyeing-woods, whaleboue, &c., to any place but Great
liritain — not even to Ireland. Save in the matter of salt, wines, victuals, horses, and servants, Great Britain was
not only the sole market for the products of Amei -ic-a, but the only storehouse for its supplies.
" This stringency must, however, have been somewhat relaxed as regardu oil, for the Boston News-Letter of Septem-
ber .-'. 1768, gives the report from London, dated July l:t, that the whale and cod fisheries of New England ' this
season promised to turn out extrenn : i .•igeuiis, many ships fully laden having already been sent to the Medi-
terranean markets.' Tin- snecess of the Americans seems to have again aroused the jealousy of their English brethren,
for in this year an effort was made in Parliament to revive, the bounty to English whalemen, with the intent to weaken
tbe American fishery."
"t'lhe word • pirate ' seems to have been in those days of ;> Minn-wlial ambiguous signification, and was quite as
likely to mean a privateer as a corsair."
" { The men who eame home with Captain Nixon were Oli\ er 1'riee, Pardon Slocuui, and 1'hilip Harkins.— (Boston
News-Letter.)"
SEC. V, VOL,. II 8
114 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
tion, and it may be easily believed that men to whom danger and hairbreadth escapes were part
of their every-day life would scarcely submit supinely when there was any chance in their favor.
A notable instance of this kind occurred in April, 1771. Two ISTantucket whaling sloops, com-
manded respectively by Isaiah Chadwick and Obed Bunker, were lying at anchor in the harbor of
Abaco, when a ship appeared off the mouth of the harbor with her signals set for assistance.
With that readiness to aid distressed shipmates which has ever been a distinguishing trait of
American whalemen, one of the captains with a boat's crew made np of men from each sloop
hastened to render such help as was in their power. The vessel's side reached, the captain imme-
diately boarded her to find what was desired, and much to his surprise had a pistol presented to
his head by the officer in command with a peremptory demand that he should pilot the ship into
the harbor. He assured the commander that he was a stranger there, but that there was a man
in his boat who was acquainted with the port. The man was called and persuaded in the same
manner in which the captain had been. The argument used to demonstrate the prudence of his
compliance with the request being so entirely unanswerable the man performed the service, anchor-
ing the ship where a point of laud lay between her and the sloops. This being done the boat was
dismissed and the men returned to their vessels. The Nantucket captains now held a consultation
as to what course should be pursued. Those who had been on board the ship noticed that the
men seemed to be all armed. They also observed, walking alone in the cabin, a man. The con-
clusion arrived at was that the ship was in the hands of pirates and the man in the cabin was the
former captain, and measures were immediately inaugurated to secure the vessel and crew. To
this end an invitation was extended to the usurping captain, his officers, and passengers to dine on
board one of the sloops. The courtesy was accepted, and the pirate captain and his boatswain,
with the displaced captain as representative of the passengers, repaired on board the sloop. After
a short time he became uneasy, and proposed to return to his own vessel, but he was seized by the
whalemen and bound fast and his intentions frustrated. The actual captain now explained the
situation, which was that the ship sailed from Bristol (R. I. !) to the coast of Africa, from thence
carried a cargo of slaves to the West Indies, and was on her return home with a cargo of sugar
when the mutiny occurred, it being the intention of the mutineers to become pirates, a business at
that time quite thrifty and promising. Our fishermen now told the boatswain that if he would go
on board the ship and bring the former mate, who was in irons, and aid in recapturing the vessel,
they would endeavor to have him cleared from the penalties of the law, and they prudently inti-
mated to him that there was a man-of-war within two hours' sail from which they could obtain
force enough to overpower his associates. As a further act of prudence, they told him they would
set a certain signal when they had secured help from the ship of war.
" The boatswain not returning according to the agreement made, one sloop weighed anchor
and stood toward the pirate ship as though t > pass on one side of her. As she approached, the
mutineers shifted their guns over to the side which it seemed apparent she would pass and trained
them so as to sink her as she sailed by. But those who navigated the sloop were fully alive to
these purposes, and as she neared the ship her course was suddenly changed and she swept by on
the other side and was out of range of the guns before the buccaneers could recover from their
surprise and reshift and retrain their cannon. On the sloop stood upon her course till they were
out of sight of the ship, then tacking, the signal agreed with the boatswain was set and she was
steered boldly for the corsair. As she hove in sight, the pirates, recognizing the sign, and believ-
ing an armed force from the man-of-war was on board the whaling vessel, fled precipitately to the
shore, where they were speedily apprehended on their character being known. Tue whalemen
THE WHALE Fisni<:i;y. 115
immediately boarded their prize, released the mate, and carried the ship to New Providence, where
a bounty of $2,500 was allowed them for the capture and where the chief of the mutineers was
hanged."*
SUPERIOR SEAMANSHIP OF AMERICAN WHALEMEN. — "About this time Dr. Benjamin
Franklin, being in London, was questioned, by the merchants there respecting the difference in
time between the voyages of the merchantmen to Rhode Island and the English packets to New-
York. The variation, which was something like fourteen days, was a source of much annoyance
to the English merchants, and believing the place of destination might have something to do with
it, they seriously contemplated withdrawing the packets from New York and dispatching them to
Rhode Island. In this dilemma they consulted Dr. Franklin. A Nantucket captain, named Fol-
ger,t who was a relative of the doctor's, being then in London, Franklin sought his opinion.
Captain Folger told him that the merchantmen were commanded by men from Rhode Island who
were acquainted with the Gulf Stream and the effect of its currents, and in the passage to America
made use of this knowledge. Of this the English captains were ignorant, not from lack of repeated
warnings, for they had been often told that they were stemming a current which was running at
the rate of 3 miles an hour, and that if the wind was light the stream would set them back
faster than the breeze would send them ahead, but they were too wise to be advised by simple
American fishermen, and so persevered in their own course at a loss of from two to three weeks on
every trip. By Franklin's request, Captain Folger made a sketch of the stream, with directions
how to use or avoid its currents, and this sketch, made over a century ago, is substantially the same
as is found on charts of the present day. ' The Nantucket whalemen,' says Franklin,! ' being
extremely well acquainted with the Gulph Stream, its course, strength, and extent, by their con-
stant practice of whaling on the edges of it from their island quite down to the Bahamas, this draft
of that stream was obtained of one of them, Captain Folger, and caused to be engraved on the old
chart in London for the benefit of navigators by B. Franklin.'
"Notwithstanding this information so kindly volunteered to them, and notwithstanding the
fact that the Falinouth captains were furnished with the new charts, they still persisted in sailing
their old course. There is a point where perseverance degenerates into something more ignoble ;
it would seem as though at this date these self-sufficient captains had about attained that point."
Loss OF AMERICAN WHALING VESSELS. — "In 1772 two whaling sloops from Nantucket,
with 150 barrels of oil each, were captured by a Spanish brig and sloop off Matanzas.§ In Decem-
ber of the same year, the brig Leviathan, Lathrop, sailed from Rhode Island for the Brazil Banks
on a whaling voyage. On the 25th of January they lowered for whales, and in the chase the
mate's boat (Brotherton Daggett) lost sight of the brig, but the crew were picked up at sea and
brought home by another vessel.
"In 1773 quite a fleet of American whalers were on the coast of Africa, no less than fourteen
being reported as coming from that ground, and probably there were as many more of whom no
" * Boston News-Letter."
' ' t Works of Franklin, iii, p. 353. Probably Capt. Timothy Folger, a man -who was prominent for many years in
the history of Nautucket."
" t Works of Franklin, iii, p. 364. In a note Franklin says : ' The Nantucket captains, who are acquainted with
this stream, make their voyages from England to Boston in as short a time generally as others take in going from
Boston to England, viz, from twenty to thirty days.' Quite a number of Boston packets to and from England were
at this time and for many years after commanded by Nantucket men."
" $ In May, 1770, according to the Boston News-Letter, no less than nineteen vessels cleared from Rhode Island,
whaling. The Post-Boy for October 1-1. 1771, U responsible for the following: 'We learn from Edgartown that a
vessel lately arrived there from a whaling voyage, and in her voyage, one Marshall Jeukins, with others, being in a
boat which struck a whale, she turned and hit I he boat in two, took Jenkins in her mouth, and went down with him;
but on her rising threw him into one part of tho boat, whence he was taken on board the vessel by the crew, being
much bruised, and in a fon r lie perfectly recovered. This account we have from undoubted authority.'"
116
II1STOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
report was made. Oue brig- from Boston, while off the coast of Sierra Leone, seut. a boat ashore
with six men to procure water. The boat was seized and the crew all massacred by the natives.
lu the spring- of the following year a sloop owned by Gideon Almy, of Tiverton, and another belong-
ing to Boston, were seized, while watering at Hispaniola, by a French frigate, carried into Port an
Prince and there condemned.*
" In 1774 a report came by the way of Fayal that a small American whaling brig was lying in
the harbor of Rio Janeiro with only her captain and three men on board. It appears that, putting
in there for refreshments,! in the summer of 1773, a portion of her crew were, 'by fair or foul
means,' induced to ship on a Portuguese snow f for a three months' whaling voyage. The snow
was provided with harpoons and other whaling craft, made after the English models, and was
cruising for sperm whales, a business altogether new to the Portuguese, who had been hitherto
ignorant of any but the right whale, and had never ventured even in the pursuit of them out of
sight of laud. The brig still lay there in October, 1773, waiting the return of her meu.§ "
CONDITION OF THE FISHERY AT OUTBREAK OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. — " In 1774 the
whale fishery in the' colonies must have been in the full tide of success. There were probably fitted
out annually at this time no less than 300 vessels of various kinds, with an aggregate bnrdeu of
nearly 33,000 tons, and employing directly about 4,700 men, and indirectly an immensely greater
number. Despite the depredations of French and Spanish privateers the fishery continued to
flourish. The annual production from 1771 to 1775 was probably at least 45,000 barrels of sperma-
ceti oil and 8,500 barrels of right-whale oil, and of bone nearly or quite 75,000 pounds. || Jn the
" * Boston News-Letter."
" t Some vessels never dropped anchor iu a port from the day they sailed until iheir return ; but scurvy was very
apt to manifest itself where a crew was so long deprived of fresh provisions."
" t ' A suow is a vessel equipped with two masts resembling the main and foremasts of a Ship, and a third small
mast, abaft the mainmast, carrying a trysail. These vessels were much used in the merchant service at the time of
the Revolution.' (Lossing's Field Book, ii, p. *4ii, note.) "
" « Boston Ne-ws-Letter.''
"\\Stateof the wliaJe fishery in
/K, 1771 t<> 17/:>.
Ports.
nually lor north-
em fishery.
mii'll
01
Vo
•JO
1
's litlril an-
\ (''irMHitli-
1,11110
2, 000
120
<Tii]iloyi'il,
2, ii-:.
1,040
i r.i;
20
260
52
Sperm oil
taken an-
nually.
Whale oil
taken an-
nu.illy.
60
1
12
15
4,500
75
150
1.300
300
300
Barrels.
26,000
•_', -2M
7, 2M>
200
900
240
1,800
400
400
1 turrets.
4,(lllll
1,250
i. mil
100
300
Martha's Vim
5
7(111
GOO
Fakaonii (1 ' ipi CodJ
183
13,820
121
14, 020
4,059
39, 390
7,650
"The.-e statistics are from Jefferson's report, and \\civ gallicred fur him 1>\ i;i.\ i-rnur of Massachusetts.
"According to Pit kin, among the exports of the colonies, including Newfoundland. IJali.-iinas, and Bermudas, were,
for the year 1770 :
Great
Britain.
Ireland.
South of
Europe.
West
Illllirs
Africa.
Total.
1 sir.
450
14, 1B7
351.C25
7,905
379, 012
•"» "0"
0;.
175
5 667
11° 971
112, SI7I
" Value, sterling : Spe.rm caudles, £:j:y W8 4s. 6.?. ; whale oil, £83,012 15s. !W. ; bone, £19,121 Is. d."
\\IIAI.I: KISIIKI;,Y. 117
. anous sea-port towns 1'ioin which tliis pursuit was carried mi, in Nantuckel, \\ 'ellllccl, Dartmouth,
ijyiui, Martha's Vineyard, Karnstable, Boston, Falmouth, and Sivanzey, in Mass.ichusctts, in New-
port, Providence, Warren, and Tiveiton, in Khode Island, in New London, Connecticut, Sag Harbor,
on Long Island, the merry din of tho'yo heave ho 'of the sailors was heard; the ring of the
blacksmith's hammer and anvil made, cheery music : the coopers, with their hammers and drivers,
kept time to the tramp of their feet as round and round the- casks they marched, tightening more
and more the bands that bound together the vessels \\hieh should hold the precious oil; and the
creaking of the blocks as the vessels unloaded their freight or the riggers fitted them anew for
fresh conquests, and the rattle of the hurrying- teams as the> carried oil' the product of the last
voyage or brought the necessaries for the future one, lent their portion of animation to the scene.
Everywhere was hurry and bustle; everywhere all were employed; none that thirsted for employ-
merit went away unsatisfied. If a vessel made a bad voyage, the owners, by no means dispirited,
again fitted her out, trusting iu the next one to retrieve the loss; if she made a profitable one the
proceeds were treasured up to offset a possible failure in some future cruise. On all sides were
thrift and happiness.
"But a change was near. 'A cloud, at first no bigger than a man's hand,' was beginning to
overshadow the whole heaven of their commercial prosperity. The colonies, driven to desperation
by the heartless cruelty of their mother country, prepared to stay further aggression, and resent
at the mouth of the cannon and the point of the bayonet the insults and injuries that for a decade
of years had been heaped upon them ; and the English ministry, against the earnest entreaty of
British merchants on both sides of the Atlantic, prepared also to enforce its desires by a resort to
arms.*
"The first industry to feel the shock of the approaching storm was the fisheries. Massachu-
setts, the center of this pursuit, was to the English ministers the very focus of the insurrectionary
talk and action, and 'the first step,' says Bancroft, 'toward inspiring terror was to declare Massa-
chusetts in a state of rebellion, and to pledge the Parliament and the whole force of Great Britain
to its reduction ; the next, by prohibiting the American fisheries, to starve New England ; the
next, to excite a servile insurrection.'!
" Accordingly on the l()th of February, 1775, the ministry introduced into Parliament a bill
restricting the trade and commerce of Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and
IMiode Island to Great Britain, Ireland, and the British West Indies, and prohibiting the colonies
from carrying on any fishery on the Banks of Newfoundland or any other part of the North
American coast, j ' The best ship-builders iu the world were at Boston, and their yards had been
closed; the New England fishermen were now to be restrained from a toil in which they excelled
the world. Thus the joint right to the fisheries was made a part cf the great American struggle.'§
To this bill there was a small but active and determined opposition, both in the House of Lords
and House of Commons. It was urged on the part of the ministry that the fisheries were the
property of England, and it was with the English Government to do as they pleased with them.
To this opinion the minority strenuously demurred. 'God and nature,' said Johnston, ' have
given that fishery to New England and not to Old.' || It was also argued by the friends of Amer-
ica that if the American fishery was destroyed the occupation must inevitably fall into the hands
of the natural rivals of Great Britain. Despite the efforts of the little band the bill was received
"* The colonial trade had become tn i. • :ish. merchants and manufacturers a matter of great importance, and
the loss of it would be a serious misfortune. One nf the industries which would fee] the deprivation most strongly
was the manufacture of cordage, of which the Americans \veiv liy i |>nrc!i:isers in the Kn^lir-h marUet.'1
" t Bancroft's United states, vii. |.. 222, Februai " t Ei)g. Annual Keg., 1?7.">, p. 78."
" $ Bancroft's United States, vii, p. WJ." '• \\ lliid."
] 18 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
by a vote of 261 to 85, and passed through its various stages. As each phase was reached the
act was fought determinedly but uselessly and hopelessly. The merchants and traders of London
petitioned against it, and the American merchants secured the services of David Barclay to con-
duct the examination of those who were called to testify by the friends and opponents of the bill.*
'It was said that the cruelty of the bill exceeded the examples of hostile rigor with avowed
enemies ; that in all the violence of our most dangerous wars it was an established rule in the
marine service to spare the coast-fishing craft of our declared enemies ; always considering that
we waged war with nations, and not with private individuals.'!
" It was claimed that by the provisions of the bill much hardship must fall upon many people
who were already at sea, and who, from the very nature of their occupations, must be innocent.
' The case of the inhabitants of Nantucket was particularly hard. This extraordinary people,
amounting to between five and six thousand in number, nine-tenths of whom are Quakers, inhabit
a barren island, 15 miles long by 3 broad, the products of which were scarcely capable of
maintaining twenty families. From the only harbor which this sterile island contains, with-
out natural products of any sort, the inhabitants, by an astonishing industry, keep an 140 vessels
in constant employment. Of these, eight were employed in the importation of provisions for the
island and the rest in the whale fishery.' A petition was also presented from the English Quakers
in behalf of their brethren at Nantucket, in which they stated the innocence of the inhabitants
of that island, ' their industry, the utility of their labors both to themselves and the community,
the great hazards that attended their occupation, and the uncertainty of their gains ; and showed
that if the bill passed into a law, they must in a little time be exposed to all the dreadful miseries
of famine. The singular state and circumstances of these people, occasioned some attention to be
paid to them. A gentleman on the side of the administration said, that on a principle of humanity
he would move that a clause should be added to the bill to prevent the operation from extending
to any whale ships which sailed before the 1st of March, and were at that time the property of
the people of Nantucket.' f
" ' The bill,' says a reviewer of the time, ' was attacked on every ground of policy and govern-
ment ; and with the greatest strength of language and height of coloring. The minority made
amends for the smallness of their numbers by their zeal and activity. * * * Evil principles,'
they contended, ' were prolific; the Boston port bill begot this New England bill 5 this will beget
a Virginia bill; and that again will become the progenitor of others, until, one by one, Parliament
has ruined all its colonies, and rooted up all its commerce ; until the statute book becomes nothing
but a black and bloody role of proscriptions ; a frightful code of rigor and tyranny; a monstrous
digest of acts of penalty and incapacity and general attainder ; and that wherever it is opened it
will present a title for destroying some trade or ruining some province.' §
" It was during the debate upon this bill that Burke made that eloquent defense of the colonies
which has rung in the ears of every boy born or bred in a sea-port town since the day it was uttered.
" * Among the evidence given was much tending to show the importance of the colonial trade. It appeared that
in 17G4 New England employed in the fisheries 45,880 tons of shipping and 6,002 men, the product amounting to
£322,220 16«. 3<i. sterling in foreign markets; that all the materials used in the building and equipping of vessels,
excepting salt and lumber, were drawn from England, and the net proceeds were also remitted to that country ;
that neither the whale nor cod fishery could be carried on so successfully from Newfoundland or Great Britain as
from North America, for the natural advantages of America could neither be counteracted nor supplied ; that, if the
fishery was transferred to Nova Scotia or Quebec, Government would have to furnish the capital, for they had neither
vessels nor men, and these must come from New England ; that it must take time to make the change, and the trade
would inevitably be lost ; and that American fishermen had such an aversion to the military government of Halifax,
and ' so invincible an aversion to the loose habits and manners of the people, that nothing could induce them to
remove thither, even supposing them reduced to the necessity of emigration.' — (Eng. Annual Reg.)"
"tEng. Annual Reg., 1775, p. 80." "iTbid., p. 85." "$Ibid., p 85."
TIIK \\IIALK K1SIIKUY. 119
'For some time past, Mr. Speaker,1 .said Burke, 'lias the Old \Vorld been fed from the New. The
scarcity which you have felt would have been a desolating famine, if this ehild of your old age —
if America — with a true filial piety, with a lloman charity, had iiofc put the full breast of its
youthful exuberance to the mouth of its exhausted parent. Turning from the agricultural resources
of the colonies, consider the wealth which they have drawn from the sea by their fisheries. The
spirit in which that enterprising employment has been exercised ought to raise your esteem and
admiration. Pray, sir, what in the world is equal to it? Pass by the other parts, and look at
the manner in which the people of New England have of late carried on the whale fishery. Whilst
we follow them among the tumbling mountains of ice, and behold them penetrating into the
deepest frozen recesses of Hudson's Bay and Davis' Straits, whilst we are looking for them
beneath the Arctic Circle, we hear that they have pierced into the opposite region of polar cold,
that they are at the antipodes, and engaged under the frozen serpent of the south. Falkland
Island, which seemed too remote and romantic an object for the grasp of national ambition, is but,
a slage and resting-place in the progress of their victorious industry.* Nor is the equinoctial
heat more discouraging to them than the accumulated winter of both the poles. We know that
whilst some of them draw the line and strike the harpoon on the coast of Africa, others run the
longitude, and pursue their gigantic game along the coast of Brazil. No sea but what is vexed
by their fisheries. No climate that is not a witness to their toils. Neither the perseverance of
Holland, nor the activity of France, nor the dexterous and firm sagacity of English enterprise,
ever carried this most perilous mode of hardy industry to the extent to which it has been pushed
by this recent people ; a people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened
into the bone, of manhood. When I contemplate these things ; when I know that the colonies
in general owe little or nothing to any care of ours, and that they are not squeezed into this happy
form by the constraints of a watchful and suspicious Government, but that, through a wise and
salutary neglect, a generous nature has been suffered to take her own way to perfection ; when I
reflect upon these effects, when I see how profitable they have been to us, I feel all the pride of
power sink, and all presumption in the wisdom of human contrivances melt, and die away within
me. My rigor relents. I pardon something to the spirit of liberty.'
"But eloquence, logic, arguments, facts availed nothing. The bill became a law. In the
upper house of Parliament, where a minority fought the bill as determinedly as the minor part of
the Commons, fifteen lords entered a protest against it. The island of Nantucket was, for the
reasons enumerated, relieved somewhat from its extreinest features, a fact which did not escape
the surveillance of the provincial authorities, who iu their turn restricted the exportation of pro-
visions from any portion of the colonies, save the Massachusetts Bay, to that island, and the
Provincial Congress of Massachusetts further prohibited any exportation from that colony, save
under certain regulations.! But, like the mother country, the colonies yielded to the behests of
humanity and relaxed their stringency in regard to this island.
"At an early day after the formal opening of the issue of battle between England and the
plantations, the general court of Massachusetts passed a resolve, directing ' that from and after
the fifteenth Day of August instant, no Ship or Vessell should sail out of any port in this Colony,
on any whaling Voyage whatever, without leave first had and obtained from the Great and General
" "At this time the Falkland Islands were the subject of considerable acrimony between the English, Spanish, and
Brazilian Governments. According to Freeman (Hist. Cape Cod, ii, p. 539, note), the people of Truro were the first
of our American -whalemen to go to the Falklands. In 1774 Capts. David Smith and Gamaliel Collins, at the sug-
gestion of Admiral Montague, of the British navy, made voyages there qn that pursuit, in which they were very
successful."
"t Mass. Col. JISS., Provincial Congress, i, p. 300."
120 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Court of this Colony, or I'roin some Committee or committees or persons they shall appoint, to
grant such leave;' and on the 24th of August, the day for adjournment of the court being near
at hand, it was further resolved, in view of possible damage liable to aeerue to parties for want of
these permits, 'that the Major part of the Council for this Colony be, and they accordingly are,
hereby fully impowered to grant leave for any Vessell or Vessells to sail out of any port in this
Colony, on any whaling Voyage whatever, as to them shall seem fit & reasonable for the Benefit
of Individuals, and the Good of the Public, provided there be good & sufficient security given
that the Oil & Bone, &c., obtained on said Voyage shall be brought into some Port in this Colony,
except the port of Boston, & such Permits do riot interfere with any Resolve or Recommendations
of the Continental Congress — The power herein given to continue only in the recess of the general
court.'*"
THE DEATH-KNELL OF AMERICAN WHALING.— "The bells that called the hardy yeomanry
of New England to the defense of their imperiled liberties on the ever-memorable morning of the
19th of April rung the death-knell of the whale fishery, save that carried on from Nautucket; the
rattle of musketry was the funeral volley over its grave. t Save from this solitary island, it was
doomed to annihilation. A few vessels were fitted out early in the war from other ports, but the
risk was so great and the necessity so small that the business was soon abandoned. With Nan-
tucket it was simply a- case of desperation; the business must be carried on, or the island must be
depopulated; starvation or removal were the only alternatives of inaction. The receipt of the
news of the battle at Lexington and Concord, glorious as it was to the colonies at large, and
glorious as it may have been to the islanders whose religious principles were not rigidly opposed
to war in any form and under any circumstances, was to the majority of the inhabitants the
announcement of ruined fortunes, annihilated commerce, misery, privation, and suffering. With-
out the immediate circle of colonial assistance, knowing that they were cut ofl' from aid in case
they were attacked, open to and defenseless at all sides from the predatory raids of avowed
enemies and treacherous, pretended friends, the only course left open to them to adopt was to be
as void of offense as possible and strive to live through the desperate struggle just about to com-
mence. Some of the people removed to New York and eventually established the whale fishery
there. Some removed to North Carolina and there formed a community remarkable for thrift and
hospitality; but the vast majority preferred to link their fortunes with those of their island home,
and with her sink or swim. Vessels from abroad turned their prows toward home and speeded on
their way, hoping to attain their port before English armed vessels could intercept them; those
already arrived were most of them stripped of their sails and rigging and moored to the crowded
wharves, or run high and dry ashore.
"The petitions of parties for permission to fit out their vessels for whaling were almost
invariably complied with by the general court, bonds being given in about £2,000 that the cargo
should be landed at some port in the colony, excepting Boston or Nautucket.|
""Mass. Col. MSS. Rev. Council 1'apcrs, series i, vol. ii, p. 17."
"tThe shipping of Nantueket rendered important ante-revolutionary aid to the colonists in the. importation of
powder, a service that was continued at intervals during the war. The Earl of Dartmouth, in a letter to Lienteuaut-
Governor Colden, dated 7th September, 1774, says: ' My Information says that the 1'olly, Capt" I'e.ujamiu Broadhelp,
bound from Amsterdam to Nantucket, has among other Articles received on board, no le.ss a quantity than tbree
Hundred thousand pounds weight of Gunpowder, & I have great reason to believe ili.il considerable quantities of
that commodity, as well as other Military Stores, are introduced into the Colonies from Holland, through the channel
of St. Eustatia.' (N. Y. Col. Rec., viii, p. 4d7.) St. Eustatia was captured by the English during the colonial war,
the chief grounds of the capture' being tbe alleged supply to the revolting colonies of contraband goods."
"t The following is the form of tbe bond :
•' 'Know all men by these presents il.at Nathaniel Macy & Eichd Mitchell Jr both of Sherhurn in the County of
Nantiieket, are liolden A Maud lirinly hound unto Henry Gardner Esq of Stowe in the County of Middlesex Treasurer
TIII<; \YII.\U: nsiiKi.-Y. 121
"In ITTiillic Continental Congress endeavored to induct- France to engage in war against
Kiighind, lint in tin- proposed negotiations the fisheries on I IK- lianks of Newfoundland and the
various Cult's and hays of North America were to lie understood as not open to a question of
division. Spain, too, was applied to. 'The colonies,' says Bancroft, ' were willing to assure to
Spain freedom from molestation in its territories; they renounced in iavor of France iill eventual
conquests in the West Indies ; imt they claimed the sole right of acquiring' British continental
America and all adjacent islands, including the Bermudas, Cape Breton, and Newfoundland. It
was America and not France which first applied the maxim of monopoly to the fisheries. The
King of France might retain his exclusive rights on the banks of Newfoundland, as recognized
by England in the treaty of 170.!, but his subjects were not to fish "in the havens, bays, creeks,
roads, coasts, or places," which the United States were to win.'" *
THE ENGLISH WHALE FISHERY ENCOURAGED.—" In the mean time how was England
affected by her American policy? The colonial fishery being abolished, it became essential that
something should be done to replace it, 'and particularly to guard against the ruinous conse-
quences of the foreign markets, either changing the course of consumption or falling into the
hands of strangers, and those perhaps inimical to this country. The consumption of fish oil as a
substitute for tallow was now become so extensive as to render that also an object of great
national concern ; the city of London alone expending about £300,000 annually in that coin -
modity.'t The evidence taken on behalf of the ministry in support of their restraining bill,
tending to show that there already existed sufficient capital in ships, men, and money for the
immediate and safe transfer of the whale fishery to England, while well enough for partisan pur-
poses, was not considered so reliable by the parties bringing it forward, and the Government was
not at all desirous or willing to risk a matter of such extreme importance upon the testimony
there given.
'• Measures were accordingly taken to give encouragement to this pursuit to the fishermen
and capitalists of Great Britain and Ireland. | The committee having the subject in charge were
of the opinion that a bounty should extend to the fisheries to the southward of Greenland and
Davis Strait, and at the same time that the, duties on oil, blubber, and bone, imported from
Newfoundland, should be taken off. It was found that the restraining bill worked serious
damage to the people of Newfoundland, and also to the fisheries from the British islands to that
coast, as, in order to prevent absolute famine there, it was necessary that several ships should
return light from that vicinity in order to carry cargoes of provisions from Ireland to the sufferers
there.§
iif tliu Colony of the Massachusetts Bay or his Successors in s'1 office in the L;i.\vfnl & Just sum of Two thousand
pounds to the which payment well & truly to be made wr liiml ourselves i>nr Heirs Exec7 or Administrators, firmly
liy these presents sealed wtb our seal Dated Ihis fourteenth 0;i i Anno ]>o:n : 17?."'.
" ' The Condition of this obligation is such that whereas i he abo\ e-said Nalbauiel Jhicy is about to Adventure to
sea "ii a \\li.-ile Voya Sooner Dighton Silas Paddaek Master— if I hen (lies'1 Silas Tail-loek oraiiy other person
who may have I he (' mand of s'1 sehooner Dighton, during s'1 Voyage -diall well & truly bring or Cause to be
brought into some port or harbour of this Colony e.\eept the port of Huston or Nantncket ail the oil & whalo
M.ine that shall be taken by S'1 schooner Dightou in the Ci.nrse of sl1 Voyage A: pioihu-e a Certifieate under tho
hands of the Selectmen of S'1 Town Adjoining to such port or barlnmr t hat he there Landed ye same then the above
Obligation to lie. Void A of none Effect, oil in -\\ ;i\ s ro stand and remain in full force it. virtue.
" -NA'P'- MATY.
" 'KICI11' JJITCHELI,, .In.
'• • Signed. Sealed. ,t did in presence of us.'
••('.
'•(Mass. Col. MSS. Mis,-., iii. p. |J4.)
"The colonial papers of March 28, 1770, mention that the English frigate hVnown, on her passage to America, took
ten sail of American whalemen, wbidi n,<I toavoid the danger of recapture."
"• Bancroft's U. S., ix, ],. 132." " 1 Eng. \m 1 Reg., 177.-,, p. 113."
"t Speech oflhe Ka rl of Ha reont to the Irish Parliament , (><•(, .bei In. 177.,." " * Annual Reg., 177(i, p. 131."
122 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
" The English fishery, even under the encouragement given, did not, however, answer the
expectations or hopes of its friends. It was not so easily transferred as had been imagined. A
few more vessels sailed from Great Britain, employing, of course, a few more men, but the extra
supply was a mere trifle in comparison to the deficiency that the restraining bill had caused."
RETALIATION BY THE AMERICAN COLONIES. — " The colonies, in turn, passed a bill cutting
off supplies to the English fleet from the plantations,* a course entirely unforseen by the sage
adherents of the British bill. As a natural consequence, the fishery, which promised so well on
paper, and upon which the majority in Parliament had founded so many hopes, failed to yield
them the solace for the evil done to America that they so fondly anticipated. Many ships, instead
of bearing to England supplies, only returned there for provisions to relieve the distress they
found on the coast, both on the sea and the land. Indeed, it was estimated that the colonial
restraining act caused a loss to England in the fishery in these parts alone of fully half a million
of pounds sterling.! To add to the calamities caused by man, the very eleiiii-iits seemed combined
against them, for a terrible storm arose, a"nd the center of its fury was the shores and banks of
Newfoundland. ' This awful wreck of nature,' says a chronicler of the time, ' was as singular in
its circumstances as fatal iu its effects. The sea is said to have risen 30 feet almost instanta-
neously. Above seven hundred boats, with their people, perished, and several ships, with their
crews. Nor was the mischief much less on the land, the waves overpassing all mounds, and sweep-
ing everything before them. The shores presented a shocking spectacle for some time after, and
the fishing-nets were hauled up loaded with human bodies.'! These misfortunes the opposers of
the bill attributed to the vengeance of an indignant Providence."
AMERICAN SEAMEN " IMPRESSED." — " But Parliament went further than this, and added to
the atrocity of this measure another none the less barbarous. It was decreed that all those
prisoners who should be taken on board of American vessels should be compelled, without distinc-
tion of rank, to serve as common sailors on British ships of war. This proposed measure was
received with great indignation by those gentlemen iu Parliament whom partisan asperity had not
blinded to every feeling of justice to or compassion for the colonies. This clause in the bill which
contained this provision was ' marked by every possible .stigma,' and was described by the lords,
in their protest, as ' a refinement in tyranny' which, 'in a sentence worse than death, obliges the
unhappy men who shall be made captives in this predatory war to bear arms against their families,
kindred, friends, and country ; and after being plundered themselves, to become accomplices in
plundering their brethren.'§ And, by the articles of war, these very men were liable to be shot
for desertion."
CONDITION OF ENGLISH WHALE-FISHERY IN 1779. — " By the action of this measure large
numbers of Nantucket whaling captains with their crews and a few from other ports were cap-
tured by the English, and given their choice either to enter the service of the King in a man-of-
war or sail from an English port in the same pursuit to which they had become accustomed.|| In
September (13th), 1779, John Adams, writing from Braintreefl to the council of Massachusets,
says :
" * The ' Restraining ' bill." " t Eng. Annual Reg. , 1776, p. 49."
"{English Annual Reg., 1776, p. 43. There was also much distress at the Barbadoes. It was thought at one time
to draw supplies for beleaguered Boston from these islands, but cut off as they were from supplies from the colonies,
with 80,000 blacks and 20,000 whites to feed, the project was deemed in the highest degree dangerous."
" $ Annual Reg., 1776, p.118."
"II To his captors Capt. Nathan Coffin, of Nantucket, nobly said: ' Hang me, if you will, to the yard-arm of your
ship, but do not ask me to be a traitor to my country.' — (Bancroft, ix, p. 313.)"
" IT Adams, vii, p. 63. This is almost identical with the letter in Mass. Col. MSS., Resolves, vi, p. 216."
THE WHAU<: KISIIKKY. 123
'"May it please your Honours : * While I resided at Paris 1 had an opportunity of procuring
from London exact Information concerning the British Whale Fishery on the Coast of Brazil,
which I beg Leave to communicate to your Honours, that if any advantage can be made of it the
opportunity may not be lost.
" 'The English, the last year and the year before, carried on this Fishery to very great
advantage, off of the River Plate, in South America iu the Latitude Thirty-five south and from
thence to Forty, just on the edge of soundings, off and on, about the Longitude sixty-five, from
London. They had seventeen vessells in this Fishery, which all sailed from London, iu the
Mouths of September and October. All the officers and Men are Americans.
"'The Names of the Captains are, Aaron Sheffield of Newport, - — , Goldsmith! and
Eichard Holmes from Long Island, John Chad wick, Francis May,}: Reuben May,§ John Meader,
Jonathan Header, Elisha Clark, Benjamin Clark, William Bay, Paul Pease, Bunker Fitch,
Reuben Fitch, Zebbeedee Coffin || and another Coffin. - - Delauo,1f Andrew Swain, William
Ray, all of Nantucket, John Lock, Cape Cod ; ** four or five of. these vessels went to Greenland.
The fleet sails to Greenland yearly, the last of February or the Beginning of March. There was
published, the year before last, iu the English Newspapers, and the same Imposture was repeated
last year, and no doubt will be renewed tbis, a Letter from the Lords of Admiralty to Mr. Dennis
De Beralt, in Colman street, informing him that a Convoy should be appointed to the Brazil
Fleet. But this, I had certain Information, was a Forgery calculated mainly to deceive American
Privateers, and that 110 Convoy was appointed, or did go with that Fleet, either last year, or the
year before.
" ' For the Destruction or Captivity of a Fishery so entirely defenceless, for not one of the
Vessells has any arms, a single Frigate or Privateer of Twenty-four, or even of Twenty guns,
would be sufficient. The Beginning of December, would be the best Time to proceed from hence,
because the Frigate would then find tlie Whaling Vessells nearly loaded. The Cargoes of these
Vessells, consisting of Bone and Oyl, will be very valuable, and at least four hundred and fifty of
the best kind of seamen would be taken out of the Hands of the English, and might be gained
into the American service to act against the Enemy. Most of the officers and Men wish well to
this Country, and would gladly be in its service if they could be delivered, from that they are
engaged in. Whenever an English Man of war, or Privateer, has taken an American Vessell,
they have given to the Whalemen among the Crew, by order of Government, their Choice, either
to go on Board a Man of war, and fight against their Country or go into the Whale Fishery.
Such Numbers have chosen the latter as have made up the Crews of these seventeen Vessells.
" ' I thought it my Duty to communicate this Intelligence to your Honours, that if so profit-
able a Branch of Commerce, and so valuable a Nursery of Seamen, can be taken from the English
it may be done. This State has a peculiar Right and Interest to undertake the Enterprise, as
almost the whole fleet belongs to it. I have the Honour to be, with the highest Consideration,
your Honours most obedient & most humble servant
"'JOHN ADAMS.'
" * In 1778 the commissioners (Franklin and Adams) iu Franco wrote to the President of Congress in nearly the
same words, urging the destruction of tin- F.nglish whale fishery on the coast of Brazil and the release of the Ameri-
cans there, who were practically prisoners of war, compelled to aid in supporting the enemy. In the letter of the
commissioners, dated Passy, — — , 1778, Messrs Franklin and Adams write that three whalemen have been taken
by French men-of-war and carried into L'Orient. The crews of these whaling vessels are Americans. — (Works of
John Adams, vii, p. 03.)"
"t William Goldsmith, who sailed from Nantucket for London with a cargo of oil in April, 1775."
" t Francis Macy." " $ Reuben Macy." "|| Zebdiel Coffin."
" IT Abisha D elano (probably.)" " *• From Nantucket. Twenty names are given in this list."
124 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
" This letter was referred to a committee, who reported that a ropy of it should be sent to the
President of the Continental Congress, which report was adopted, and thus Massachusetts let slip
through her fingers the identical golden opportunity which the General Government had neglected
the year before. The suggestions of Mr. Adams, who of all our Revolutionary statesmen seems
most to have understood and appreciated the importance of this industry, were practically disre-
garded.* It is difficult to calculate how much the American whale fishery was affected by this
failure to act on this suggestion of Mr. Adams. Many of these captains and men, and others
catpured at other times during the war, had at its close sailed so long from British ports that the
extraordinary inducements held out by the English, and the depression in their business in the
United States, immediately succeeding the close of the war, operated to transfer to that country
.their skill and, measurably, their capital."
FORAYS BY ENGLISH NAVAL VESSELS: TREATY OF 1778. — "In the years 177S-'79 the
English navy made se\era.l forays upon the sea-coast towns of New England, destroying much
property at Warren, R. I., Dartmouth, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket in Massachusetts.!
Indeed, these predatory raids were frequent throughout the war, and liable to occur at any time,
consequently the unfortunate inhabitants were kept in a continual ferment. During the same
I ime the Government of France was continually intriguing for the exclusive possession of the North
American fisheries. On the (ith of Fein-nary, 1778, a treaty of amity and commerce was arranged
between France and the United States. Upon this point each side was to retain the exclusive
right to its own. The Americans conceded to the French the lights reserved by the treaties of
Utrecht | and Paris,§ even to the French interpretation of them, which were the right to fish upon
the Banks, and the exclusive use of one-half the shores of Newfoundland upon which to dry their
lish.|| In regard to what disposition should be made of that island in case it should be captured,
nothing was said; the sentiment of New England, however, upon that point was unmistakable.
Later in the same year Samuel Adams, in a letter from Philadelphia, wrote: 'I hope we shall
secure to the United Sta'es, Canada, NTova Scotia, Florida, too, and the fishery, by our arms or by
treaty.' He writes further, and every year of the past centurv has borne witness to the soundness
of his views: ' We shall never be on a solid footing till Great Britain cedes to us, or we wrest
from her, what nature designs we should have.' fl
"* Au exception to the general ;i|i;ilhy in iliis respect occurred late in the fall or early in tbe winter of 177(i, when
limits from the Alfred, man-of-war, were sent, ashore, at Canso and destroyed the whaling interest there, burning all
the materials for that industry, tog,-! her with all the oil stores with their <•
"t 'Return of vessels and stores destroyed on Acnshnet River the .~>th of September, 177'-': 8 sail of large vessels,
from 200 to 300 tons, most of them pri/.cs: (J armed vessels, carrying from 10 to Hi nuns; a number of sloops and
sehootiers of inferior si/,e, amouni ing in all to 70, besides whale-boats and other: amongst the prizes were three taken
by Count D'Estaign's fleet ; vili store houses at Bedford, several at McPherson's Wharf, Crans Mills, and Fairhaven ;
these were' filled with very grcal quantities of rum, sugar, molasses, eolt'ee, loliacco. cotton, tea, medicines, gunpow-
der, sail-cloth, cordage. Ac. ; two large rope-walks.
" 'At Falrnouth, in the Vim -\ ai d Sou ml, the 10th of September. 177> : •_' sloops and a schooner taken by the gal-
leys. 1 loaded with staves ; 1 sloop burnt.
'' 'In Old Town Harbor, Martha's Vineyard: 1 brig of 150 tons burden, burnt by the Scorpion; 1 schooner ot 70
tons burden, burnt by ditto; -J.:', whale-boats taken or destroyed ; a quantity of plank taken.
" 'At I lol mes's Hole, Manila's Vines ard : I vessels, with several boats, taken ordest roved : a salt -work destroyed,
and a considerable quant ity of salt I alien.' --(1 ticket. son's New Bedford, p. .'SJ. )
"At Sag Harbor Long Island, property was taken or destroyed to a large amount : Newport suffered greatly ; Nan-
tucket lost twelve or fourteen vessels, oil, stores, &c., to the value of £4,000 sterling. Warren, R. I., suffered during
the war to the extent of l.n;i:i tons of shipping, among them two vessels loaded with oil, and a large amount of other
property . Sag Harbor also lost one or i c vessels by capture."
"i April 11, ICii:;." " § February 10, 1763."
"'II Bancroft's U. S., ix, 481. Tho fact must, be kept in mind that whaling and fishing for cod were both carried
on on nearly the same waters, and often by the same vessels."
"IT Bancroft's U. S., x, 177."
T11K \VIIAI, I'; FISI1URY. HT)
"France also sought the aid of Spain, and that power was give.n to understand that in the linal
treaty of peace between the United Slates and England, they, too, would necessarily have snnie
voice. Vergennes, in October (177S), slated, as the only stipulations which France, would require,
that in the final negotiations Hie treaty of Utrecht must be either wholly continued or entireh
annulled; that she must lie allowed to restore the harbor of Dunkirk ; and that she must be allowed
; the coast of Newfoundland, from Cape I.onavistu t;i Cape St. John, with the exclusive fishery
from Cape Bouavista to Point Uiche.'* By a treaty made, with Spain, April 12, 1779, France
bound herself to attempt the invasion of Great Britain or Ireland, and to share only with Spain
the North American fisheries, in case she succeeded in driving the Finnish from Newfoundland.
"These discussions (as to the terms (o be embraced in the linal treaty of peace) were necessary
pending the question of an alliance with France aiwl Spain against linn-land. When the subject
of frontiers was brought up, France, while yielding all claim to the provinces of Canada and Nova
Scotia, which for years had been hers, joined heartily with Spain in opposing the manifest desire
of the Americans to secure them. Two States persisted in the right and policy of acquiring them,
but Congress, as a body, deferred to the French view of the subject . ' With regard to the fisheries,
of which the interruption formed one of the elements of the war, public law had not yet been
settled.' By the treaty of Utrecht, France agreed not to fish within JO leagues of the coast of
Nova Scotia; and by that of Paris, not to fish within 15 leagues of Cape Breton. Moreover.
New England at the beginning of the. war had, by act of Parliament, been debarred from fishing
on the banks of Newfoundland. * * ' The fishery on the high seas,' so Vergennes expounded
the law of nations, 'is as free as the sea, itself, and it is superfluous to discuss the right of the
Americans to it. But the coast fisheries belong of right to the proprietary of the coast. Therefore
the fisheries on the coasts of Newfoundland, of Nova Scotia, of Canada, belong exclusively to the
Knglish ; and the Americans have no pretensions whatever to share in them.'t In vain the
United States urged that the colonies, almost exclusively, had improved the coast fisheries, and
considered that immemorial and sole improvement was practical acquisition. In vain they insisted
that New England men, and New England money, and New England brains had effected the first
conquest of Cape Breton, and were powerful aids to the subsequent conquest of Nova Scotia and
Canada, and hence they had acquired at least a perpetual joint propriety. To their arguments
Vergenues replied that the conquests were made not for the colonies but for the crown, and when
New England dissolved its allegiance, to that crown she renounced her right to the coast fisheries.
In the end the United States were, obliged to succumb ; they had asked aid from foreign powers,
and they must yield, so far as was practicable, to the demands those powers made. These conces-
sions were a portion of the price of independence.
"A committee! was appointed by Congress to definitely arrange upon what terms the future
treaty of peace with England should be finally consummated, and in February, 1779, they reported
that Spain manifested a disposition to form an alliance with the United States, hence indepen-
dence was an eventual certainty. On the question of lishing they reported that the right should
belong properly to the United States, France, and Great Britain in common. This portion of tin-
report was long under discussion in Congress, and it was finally voted that the common right of
the United States to fish • on the coasts, bays, and banks of Xewfonndland and Gulf of Saint Law-
rence, the Straits of Labrador, and Belle Isle should in no case be given up.' § Under a vote to
"•BancrofVa 1. s . x, p. IM." " t Bancroft's U. S., x, pp.
•'{ (Jimvenifiir Morris, ofNe\1 5Tork; i;iul«-, of Xorlli Carolina ; Wil lii-iHpocui, ol'IS'nv ,lcrsi-\ ; Smniirl Adams, "I
Massachusetts, and Smith, of Virginia. — (Bancroft's U. S., x. p. -'13.)"
"$ Bancroft's U.S..X, p. VJ1:J."
126 HISTOET AND METHODS OF THE FISEERIES.
reconsider this subject on the 24th of March, Richard Henry Lee proposed that the United States
should have the same rights which they enjoyed when subject to Great Britain, which proposition
was carried by the votes of Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the four New England States, New York
and the Southern States opposing. New York, under the leadership of Jay and Morris, perempt-
orily declined to insist on this right by treaty, and Morris moved that independence should be the
sole condition of peace. This was declared out of order by the votes of the New England States,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, against the unanimous vote of New York, Maryland, and North
Carolina ; Delaware, Virginia, and South Carolina being equally divided.
" But France had a vital interest in this matter, and the French minister interposed his
influence, and on the 27th of May Congress returned to its original resolve, 'that in no case, by
any treaty of peace, should the common right of fishing be given up.'
" On the 19th of June the equanimity of the French minister was suddenly and rudely disturbed
by Elbridge Gerry, who being from Marblehead, was the steady and persistent champion of the
claims of New England, and who, in the prolonged discussions, always came to the front in defense
of those rights. Entirely unexpectedly, Gerry, avoiding ' a breach of the rules of Congress by a
change in form, moved resolutions, that the United States have a common right with the English
to the fisheries on the banks of Newfoundland, and the other fishing-banks and seas of North
America. The demand was for no more than Yergennes confessed to belong to them by the law
of nations ; and Gerry insisted that unless the right received the guarantee of France, on the
consent of Great Britain, the American minister should not sign any treaty of peace without first
consulting Congress.'* A most stormy and bitter debate ensued. The friends of France resisted
strenuously. Four States declared if the resolution was adopted they should secede. The matter,
however, was somewhat compromised, and the common right of fishing on the Grand Banks
affirmed ; Congress asking for that right the guarantee of France by means of a supplementary
article explanatory of former treaties.
"The French minister became alarmed, and sought an interview with the President of Con-
gress and two other members known to be equally favorably disposed to the policy he represented.
The vigor and zeal with which New England had pressed the matter had disposed them to concede
to the desires of this section. He assured them 'that disunion from the side of New England
\v.-is not to be feared, for its people carried their love of independence even to delirium,' and con-
tinued : ' There would seem to be a wish to break the connection of France with Spain ; but I
think I can say that, if the Americans should have the audacity to force the King of France to
choose between the two alliances, his decision would not be in favor of the United States ; he will
not. certainly expose himself to consume the remaining resources of his Kingdom for many years
only to secure an increase of fortune to a few ship-masters of New England. I shall greatly regret,
on account of the Americans, should Spain enter into war without a convention with them.'
Five hours of discussion failed to induce the members to undertake to change the views of Con-
gress, and a new interview was held on the 12th of July, between Gerard and Congress, in a
committee of the whole. As a final result the question was left to be settled when a treaty of
peace was formally arranged with Great Britain.*
"In the mean time how fared it with the whale fishery? The people of Nantucket, with whom
alone it was still encouraged, though in the face of the most terrible discouragements, were reduced
to the severest straits. To live, they must eat; to eat, they must have provisions ; to obtain pro-
visions, they must give in exchange money or its equivalent; to obtain the exchangeable com-
modity, some business must be pursued. The whale fishery was the only business available to
" 'Baucroft's U. 8., x, pp. 216 to 219."
Tin: WHAM: FISHERY. 127
them. Long practice had made them familiar with it, and a singleness of pursuit had kept them
comparatively ignorant of any other occupation. But the great problem was how to carry it on,
even in the limited way to which, by the destruction of their vessels, they were restricted. If they
sailed under American protection, the English captured and destroyed their vessels and imprisoned
their men ; if they cleared with the sanction of English safeguards, the Americans performed for
them the same kindly offices. Between the upper and the nether millstones of war they were quite
ground to powder. In their extremity they learned that the English were inclined to be lenient
toward them in the matter, and they had quite reliable assurance that the leading men of the
American Government looked compassionately upon the distressed situation of the unfortunate
islanders.
"Influenced by these considerations, the inhabitants sent Timothy Folger, esq., to New York,
to represent the condition they were in, and solicit permission to carry on whaling without danger
of capture from British cruisers. They asked permits for twenty fishing boats to fish around the
island, for four vessels to be employed in the whale fishery, for ten small vessels to supply the
inhabitants with wood, and for one to go to New York for some fe\v supplies not obtainable else-
where.* Their petition was not so successful as they had wished."
AMERICAN VESSELS GRANTED PERMITS FOR TVHALING. — "In 1781 Admiral Digby succeeded
Admiral Arbuthnot in the command of the English fleet in these waters, and permission to whale
was asked of him,t and permits were issued for twenty-four vessels to pursue the business
unmolested by English armed cruisers.^ 'This privilege,' says Macy, 'seemed to give new life
to the people. It produced a considerable movement in business, but the resources of the island
had so diminished that but a small number of vessels could take the benefit of these permits.
Those who had vessels, and were possessed of the means, fitted them out on short voyages, and,
had there been no hindrance, it is probable that they would have done well ; for the whales,
""Maey, ll:i."
•• t Mr. Macy gives us to understand that no permits were granted, but this must be an error; for Mr. Rotch (vide
MS.X who was one of the committee the succeeding year to obtain grants from the English, mentions an accusation
made by Commodore Affleck, of abuse of confidence in regard to the permits which were granted the year before, and
that scarcely a vessel could bo found but had one of these documents. To this Mr. Rotch replied: 'Commodore
Affleck, thou hast been greatly imposed upon in this matter. I dtfy Capt. to make such a declaration to my
face. Those Permits were put into my hands. I delivered them, taking receipts for each, to be returned to me at
the cud of the voyage, and an obligation that no transfer should be made or copies given. I received back all the
Permits except two before I left home, anil should probably have received those two on the day that I sailed. Now
if any duplicity has been practiced, I am the person who is accountable., and I am hero to take the punishment such
perfidy deserves.' -Mr. 1,'otch's character as a man ami a merchant stood too high, to be questioned, and the commo-
dore, whoa moment he!'< % ioleut. became more genial, and replied, 'You deserve favor,' and assisted Mr.
Rotcli to obtain it. The termination of this dilliculty is but one example of the manner in which all these slanders,
from both English and Americans, were disposed of when the accused could have an opportunity of confronting the
accusers or those in authority."
'•(The following is a copy of one of these permits, from Macy, p. 11.".:
" '[L. s.] By Robert Digby, Esquire, Rear Admiral of the Red, and Commander-in-chief, &c., &c.
James < "Permission is hereby given to the Dolphin brig, burthen sixty tons, Walter Folger owner,
ubailiah iv navigated Ivy Gilbert Folger as master and the twelve seamen named in the margin, to leave the
island of Naiilnc' -ed on a whaling voyage, — to commence the first of January, 1782,
and end i ly of - — following, provided that they have on board the necessary whaling
Fetor 1'oUard 'lllf' provisions only, and that (he master of said brig is possessed of a certificate from the
-Andrew Coleman selectmen of the said island. s> •! ting forth that she is bone fide the property of the inhabitants of the
i iiieil llarnard island, with I he names of i he mauler and seamen in her; and that she shall not be found proceed-
JonathaD iiiiggs {n^ with her cargo in anj Other port than Nan tucket or New York.
'"Dated at Xew York, Lb <'>er, 17-1.
••'ROBERT DIGP.Y.
" ' To the eommis-siouersof his majesty's ships ami vessels of war, as well as of all privateer. sand letters of marque.
" ' By command of the Admiral :
" • THOMAS M. PALMER.'"
128 HISTOTJY AND METHODS OF THE F1SHEKIES.
having been unmolested for several years, hart become numerous, and were pretty easily caught.
To carry on the whale fishery under permission of the Government.of Great Britain was a proceed-
ing somewhat novel, and could not pass unnoticed. Although it was not publicly known, yet it
was generally believed that some kind of indulgence had been shown by the. enemy to the people
of Nautucket. This caused some, clamor on the continent; but our Government well knew the
situation of the place, and its large participation in the calamities of the war, and was, consequently,
rat her inclined to favor than to eondenm the acceptance of favors from the English. Although
the Government could not grant an exclusive privilege to any particular part of the Union, yet
such encouragement was given by the leading men of the nation, in their individual capacity, as
to warrant the proceeding. Several vessels whaling under these permits were taken by American
privateers and carried into port, but, in every instance they were soon liberated. Whenever it
was found that the permits were used for no other purpose, than that for which they had been
granted, and that the vessels using them had not been engaged in illicit trade, there was no
hesitation in releasing them.'
"Nevertheless a great risk attended this mode of proceeding, und the islanders became
satisfied that to make the business reasonably safe permits must be obtained from both contending
powers and permission also to make use of each license against the other's vessels of war. Accord-
ingly, a town meeting was convened on the 25th of September, 1782, and a memorial prepared
and adopted which was sent to the general court of Massachusetts.* This petition recited the
unfortunat<* situation the people were in, exposed to the inroads of English and Americans, with
neither side able or willing to protect them against the other, and powerless, because of the
defenseless character of the island and the religious convictions of the vast majority of the inhabi-
tants, to suitably guard their own firesides. They urged that people in continental towns, where
the broad country opened to them a place for retreat, could have but faint ideas of the suffering
of those who were constantly liable to hostile, invasion and whose insular position precluded
all thoughts of escape, and they indignantly resented the calumnies which had been spread broad-
cast through the State in regard to alleged actions of theirs. Kegarding the prosecution of their
business, they said:
" ' We now beg leave to throw a few hints before you respecting the Whalefishery, as a matter
of great importance to this Commonwealth. This place before the War, was the First in that
branch of business, & employed more than One Hundred Sail of good Vessels therein, which fur-
nish'd a support net only for Five Thousand Inhabitants here, but for Thousands elsewhere, no
place so well adapted for the good of the Community at large as Nautucket, it being destitute of
every material necessary in the Business, and the Inhabitants might be called Factors for the
Continent rather than Principals; as the war encreased the Fishery ceased, until necessity obliged
us to make trial the last Year, with about seventeen sail of Vessels, Two of which were captured
& carried to New York,t & one was burnt the others made saving voyages. The present Year
we employed about Twenty Four sail in the same business, which have mostly coinpleated their
Voyages, but with little success; \ a great loss will ensue; this we apprehend is greatly owing
to the circumscribed situation of the Fishery ; we are now fully sensible that it can no longer be pur-
sued by us, unless we have free liberty both from Great Britain & America to fish without inter-
" *By a very (lisas' runs lire at, Nautiicket, in 1846, the records both of the town iincl custom-house were destroyed,
hence there arises much dil'lienlty in getting many interesting details. Many uf the custom records of New Bedford
were destroyed by fire iu IHiJ ; the corresponding documents of Newport, prior to 1779, were carried away by the
English, and the vessel containing them being sank, they were, when recovered, in a very damaged condition; the
similar records of Sag Harbor (the older ones) were stored in a damp place, and are mildewed and illegible."
"t New York, al this lime, \\asiu possession of the English."
Till': WHALE EISHEKY.
ruption; As \vt> now linil One of our Vessels is captured & carried to Now York, but without any
Oil on lioanl, and Two others have lately been taken & carried into Boston & Salem, under pre-
tense of having double papers on board, (Nevertheless we presume the captors will no! sa.v that
any of our Whalemen have. gone into New York during the .season as such a charge would have
no foundation in Truth). And if due attention is not paid to this valuable branch, which if it was
viewed in all its parts, perhaps would appear the most advantageous, of any possess'd by this
Government, it will be entirely lost, if the War continues: We view it with regret & mention it
with concern. & from the gloomy prospect nov, before ns, we apprehend many of the Inhabitants
must quit the Island, not being able even to provide necessaries for the approaching Winter: some
will retreat to the Continent & set down in the Western Governments; and the most active in the
Fishery will most probably go to distant Countries, where they can have every encouragement,
by Nations who are eagerly wishing to embrace so favourable an opportunity to accomplish their
desires; which will be a great loss to the Continent in general, but more to this Government in
particular. We beg leave to impress the consideration of this important subject, not as the judg-
ment of an insignificant few, but of a Town which a few Years since stood the Third in Bank (if
we mistake not) in bearing the Burthens of Government; It was then populous and abounded
with plenty, it is yet populous but is covered with poverty. Your Memorialists have made choice
of Samuel Starbuck, Josiah Barker, William Botch, Stephen Hnssey and Timothy Folger, as their
Committee who can speak more fully to the several matters coutaiu'd in this Memorial, or any
other thing that may concern this County, to whom we desire to refer yon. Signed in behalf of
the Town by —
'"FREDERICK FOLGER,
" ' Town Clerk:
"This memorial was referred to a committee consisting of George Cabot, esq., on behalf of the
senate, and General Ward and Colonel McCobb on the part of the house, which committee on
the ^9th of October made the following report:
'" That altho' the Facts set forth in said Memorial are true and the Memorialists deserve
Relief in the premises, yet as no adequate Relief can be given them but by the United States in
Congress assembled, therefore it is the opinion of the Committee that the said Memorial be referr'd
to the consideration of Congress, and the Delegates of this Commonwealth be required to use
their Endeavours to impress Congress with just Ideas of the high worth & Importance of the
Whale fishery to the United States in general, & this State in particular.'*
"This report was accepted, and it was ordered that the delegates lie furnished with a copy of
the memorial, and be required to take the action indicated in the report.
'' In addition to the action of the general court, the town also sent William Itotch and Samuel
Starbuck to Philadelphia to intercede personally in the matter. After conferring with General
••'Mass. Cul. Mss , Iviitmiis, i, \>\<. rJl-."i-i>-7-iS-'J. A memorandum a> •e-onipanie's Ibis, which various cireum-
st. -HUM'S .sci'in tii iinlii'ate is (In- \vurk of Mr. Kotch, and which sa\s : ' 1 '< -i -li.-i|i.s some of those reports may have origin at IM!
from this— :i Commit tor of our Island in I IK- f'mv part of tin1 ye-ar 17-1 applied to some of tin- Members of the (!< ueral
Court and spread before them lh<- pi-< -ulhir e-.iroumstanee-s wherein the Island was involved, one whereof was that
our Vessels whenever thej passed in or mil were perfectly uuder the controul of the Unions and it was therefore
neee-s:ir\ that permits si Id lie obtained from them for our Vessels lei preiee-e-el on the- W halt) -fishery — since which
time- si mi e of them have- been tal.e-n by i he> Ainei lean i'l ivaliM-rs I'm having such Permits —and \ve are- thereby reduced
to this difficulty that if\\e carry our Vessels over the- bar wiMiont pe-mm iVom the Ilritish Admiral they are< made
pri/.e- I, i the- BritOU3— if they have- such permits tln-\ are' ta\en by our eiwn Ciniutn men — and mir harbour is there-
fore completely shut up — and all our prospects terminate in pm. rlv anil distress what gives us great cone'crn is that
our people who understand I lie \Vli;ile- lishery will be driveu lei foreign m-iil ral ( 'mint lies and many years must pass
away before we- shall again be enabled I" puisne- a branch of business w Ine-h b.i i li been in tiine-s past our snppoYt and
hath yie-Ieleel sue' It lame a ill - I o 1 1 ie ( 'em i me i -e-e of 1 1 1 i s ( ID m try.'"
SEC. \, VOL. u 0
130 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Lincoln, Samuel Osgood, Nathaniel Gorham, Thomas Fitzsimuious, and James Madison, they
approached one of the Massachusetts delegation who was a resident of Boston, and who was
greatly prejudiced against Nantucket. After an interview of about two hours with no apparent
relaxation of the bitterness of feeling on his part, Mr. Eotch questioned him as to whether the
whale fishery was 'worth preserving to this country?' He replied, 'Yes.' 'Can it be preserved
in the present state of things by afly place except Nantucket?' 'No.' 'Can we preserve it unless
you and the British will both give us permits?' 'No.' 'Then, pray,' continued Mr. Eotch, 'where
is the difficulty"?' Thus this interview ended. Messrs. Eotch and Starbuck then drew up a
memorial and presented it to the consideration of the above named gentlemen, desiring them to
review it, at the same time telling them of the conversation between Mr. Eotch and the delegate
from Boston. By advice of these friends they waited again upon the member from Massachusetts,
and he accepted the charge of bringing the subject before Congress, where, after deliberation, it
was determined to grant permits for thirty-five vessels to sail on whaling voyages, and these were
accordingly granted and delivered. The very next day a vessel arrived from Europe bringing the
rumor of the signing of a provisional treaty of peace.*
'• This was early in 1783. t The passage from the provisional to the definitive treaty was long,
circuitous, and at times dark. One of the chief sources of difference was the settlement of the
question of the fisheries, England with an apparent feeling of magnanimity conceding favors, and
America with a sense of justice claiming rights. Against what the United States considered her
just dues the diplomacy of the English, their late enemies, and the French, their recent allies, was
arrayed, and nothing but firmness, sagacity, and skill on the part of the American commissioners
saved the day. The English guarded their assumptions with all possible jealousy ; the French
sought a loose place in the armor to insert the diplomatic sword, and gain by treaty what they
had bsen unable to sustain with force. The Americans were ever on the alert to overcome the
prejudices of a power from whom they had conquered a peace, and to propitiate the supersensi-
tiveness of a power which had rendered them so valuable assistance. They could not, however,
depart from certain propositions. The articles which must be inviolate were those guaranteeing
to America full and unconditional independence, and the withdrawal from the thirteen States of
all British troops ; the Mississippi as a western, and the Canadian line as it was prior to the Que-
bec act of 1774, for a northern boundary ; and a freedom in the fishery off Newfoundland and
elsewhere as it had been enjoyed prior to the commencement of hostilities. In vain Great Britain
sought to evade the latter clause ; the United States tenaciously, as in a vice, held her to it, and
she yielded. "
EFFECTS OF THE EEVOLXTI IONAEY WAR.— "But the announcement of peace came to a
people whose commerce was sadly devastated. Save such of the interest as had been preserved
by what Mr. Jefferson termed the Nantucketois, the business of whaling was practically ruined
and required rebuilding. To Nantucket the war had, despite its holy necessity and its glorious
conclusion, been a heavy burden. Of the little over 150 vessels owned there in 1775, 134 had
fallen into the hands of the English and 15 more were lost by shipwreck; many of the young men
had perished through the rigors of war;J in about 800 families on the island there were 202
widows and 342 orphan children; the direct money loss far exceeded $1,000,000 in times when a
" 'Memoranda of William Eotch — unpublished."
" t On the 22d of March, 1783, au order was passed in Congress granting 35 licenses to Nautuckot vessels to whale
ami to secure theui from the penalty attached to double papers. (Madison Papers, p. 405.)"
" t It is estimated that no less than 1,200 seamen, mostly whalemen, were captured by the English or perished at
i lien- bauds during the Revolution, from Nan tucket alone! "
THE WHALE FISHEIiY. 131
mail's pay was 67 cents per day ; oiie merchant alone lost over $00,000. * And as it was with
Nautucket, so it was in a degree with all the whaling ports.! With an energy characteristically
American, they sought, on the return of peace, to retrieve their losses. Scarcely had the echo of
the hostile guns died away, scarcely had the joyful news of peace reached their ports, when the
whalemen began to equip anew for their fishery. The Bedford, just returned to Nantucket from a
voyage, was immediately loaded with oil and dispatched to L6*udon, arriving in the Downs on the
3d of February. Her appearance was thus chronicled by an English magazine of that day : 'The
ship Bedford, Captain Mooers,| belonging to the Massachusetts, arrived in the Downs the 3d of
February, passed Gravesend the 4th, & was reported at the Custom-House the Cth instant. She
was not allowed regular entry uutil some consultation had taken place between the commissioners
of the customs & the lords of council, on account of the many acts of parliament yet in force
against the rebels in America. She is loaded with 487 butts of whale oil; is American built ;§
inauned wholly by American seamen ; wears the rebel colors & belongs to the Island of Nan-
tucket in Massachusetts. This is the first vessel which displayed the thirteen rebellious stripes of
America in any British Port. The vessel lies at Horseley down a little below the Tower, and is
jnteuded immediately to return to New England.'' Immediately after, almost simultaneously with
her, arrived another ship from Nantucket — the Industry, Capt. John Chadwick, while the sloop
Speedwell, James Whippey, master, was sent to Aux Cayes.|| Those at Nautucket who had
capital left resumed the whale fishery with as many vessels as they could procure. Long compar-
ative immunity from capture had caused the whaling-grounds to become repopulated, and the
whales themselves had become less shy and hence more easily killed. Directly succeeding the
war the products of the fishery commanded good prices, and soon other ports entered into compe-
tition. New London, Sag Harbor, Hudson, N. Y., Boston, Hiugham, Wellfleet, Braintree,fl Ply-
mouth, Bristol, each sent out one or more whale huuters. For a brief time the business promised
much profit, but the fever was a fitful one. The excessive prices which the commodity commanded
immediately after the war ** rapidly became reduced ; Great Britain, the only market for the sperm
oil, had, by an alien duty of £18 sterling per ton, practically precluded its shipment from America.
Oil which before the war was worth £30, now scarcely brought £17, while to cover expenses and
leave a reasonable margin for profit, £25 were required.!! The situation was indeed desperate —
almost hopeless."
ESTABLISHMENT OF BOUNTY SYSTEM BY MASSACHUSETTS. — "In the discussion of means for
relief many of the people of Nantucket expressed the opinion that if the island could be made
neutral commercial affairs might assume a more healthy tone. A memorial was finally sent to the
legislature of Massachusetts praying relief, and the agents presenting it were instructed to have
the subject of neutrality acted upon. As may be readily supposed, however, the invidious legisla-
tion that Nautucket was uuable to obtain during the war, she would scarcely be likely to get on
its conclusion, and the subject of neutrality was very properly dismissed. That the depression in
the whaling business needed some alleviation was, however, too evident to require discussion, and
" * William Eotch, esq."
"t Warren, R. I., suffered a loss of 12 vessels (about 1,100 tons), of which at least two were whalemen. — (Hist, of
Warren, p. 101.)"
"tCapt. William Mooers, who sailed for many years in the employ of Messrs. Kotch & Co. It is related that one
of the crew of the vessel first showing the American flag in the Thames was hump-backed. Oue day a British sailor
meeting him clapped his hand upon the American's shoulder, saying, 'Hilloa, Jack, what have you got heref '
'Bunker Hill and be d d to you,' replied the Yankee, 'will you mount?'"
" $ The Bedford was built in 1765, by Ichabod Thomas, at North River. She was built a brig."
" || Letter of William Rotch. esq." " II One small schooner of 38 tous burden hailed from Braintroe."
"** Macy's Nantucket, lai." " tt See Mr. Rotch's MS."
132 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
in 1785 the legislature passed the followiug preamble and resolution: 'Whereas this court, having
a due seuse of the high worth and importance of the whale fishery, are desirous of its preservation
nut only to this State, but to the United States in general ; therefore, Resolved, That there be paid,
out of the treasury of this Commonwealth, the following bounties upon whale oil of the different
qualities hereafter mentioned, viz : For every ton of white spermaceti oil, five pounds ; for every
ton of brown or yellow spermaceti eil, sixty shillings; for every ton of whale oil (so called), forty
shillings, that may be taken or caught by any vessel or vessels that are or may be owned and
manned wholly by the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, and landed within the same, from and
after the first day of January next, until the further order of the general court.' The selectmen of
the various towns were further empowered to appoint sworn inspectors to inspect all oil so landed,
and mark on the head of cadi cask so inspected the iuitital letters of his name, and a description
of the oil by the initials W. B., or Y. W. O., and deliver to the selectmen a sworn certificate
thereof. To obtain the bounty, a certificate from the selectmen must be presented to the governor
and council,* detailing the kind, quality, and amount of oil, and where landed. To this certifi-
cate the owners were to make oath or affirmation.
" But, although the bounty seemed at first beneficial, the ultimate effect was not so good. The
business became unduly stimulated and an overproduction prevented to a great degree the desired
advance in profit. The demand was greatly limited. A long suspension in the use of oil had
accustomed the people in general to the use of tallow candles, and but little oil was required either
for towns or for light-houses."
TRANSFER OF WHALING INTERESTS FROM NANTUCKET TO FRANCE AND ENGLAND.— "In
the mean time, seeing no chance for any amelioration in their condition, unable to carry on a
business at a prospective loss, and accustomed from early childhood only to this pursuit,
hence unable and unwilling to adventure another, some of the prominent merchants of Nantucket
resolved to transfer their business to some place where the demand for their products and the
advantageous bounty offered would make it far more remunerative. Among these was William
Rotch. On the 4th of July, 1785, Mr. Rotch sailed from Nantucket in the ship Maria, bound for
London, arriving there on the 37th. -At as early a day as practicable he opened negotiations with
the chancellor of the exchequer (William Pitt) for a transfer to England of such of the whale fish-
ery at Nantucket as he could control.t The subject was laid before the privy council, and Mr.
Rotch waited four months for their summons. Finally, in deference to a request of his that some
one be appointed to close the matter, he was referred to Lord Hawksbury, a gentleman not very
favorably disposed toward America. Mr. Rotch gave him his estimate of the sum necessary to
induce a removal, viz, ' £100 sterling transportation for a family of five persons, and £100 settle-
"*Macy, 129."
"t Capt. Alexander Coffin was of those who looked upon the whale fishery as a peculiarly American pursuit,
aud who denounced any effort looking to a transfer of it to any foreign government. On tlie 8th of June, 1785, he
addressed from Nantucket a vigorous letter to the Hon. Samuel Adams. He wrote in severe terms agaiust the meas-
being adopted to remove to England, and says Mr. Rotch ' is now taking on board a double stock of materials,
such as cedar boards (commonly called boat-boards), of which they have none in England, a large quantity of coop-
er's stuff for casks, Are. Xeit her does it .stop liere ; the house of Rotch have been endeavoring to engage an acquaint-
am e <>r mine i« m, t,, I'.ennudas to superintend the business at that place.' In a postscript he adds, 'Since writing the
:|l><>\ e I 1 1 nve I ice 1 1 favored with the original scheme of establishment of the fishery at Bermudas, copies of which are
hero inclosed. One of the company is now at Kennebec, contracting with some persons for an annual supply of
IHH>IIX, stu\ c's, and other lumber necessary for the business.' This letter was laid before the senate of Massachusetts,
and tin1 result \vas the passage of an act prohibiting the export to Bermudas of the articles enumerated, and the trans-
fer in this direction was prevented."
TIIK \YII.\u: nsilKKY. |;;;;
.unit; Cl'0,000 fur a hundred families.' Loid llawksbnrv demurred ID this as a la rye. .sum.*
At a, subsequent interview Mr. Uotcli added ID Iiis previous ])osition the demand to biini; with him
thirty American ships, which demand also met \vilh remonstrance 1'roiu Loid Hawkshnry, who
.seemed to be of the ' penny \vise pound foolish ' order of statesmen. Mr. Hotel) finally took leave
of Lord HawUsbnry without obtaining any satisfaction, and, embarking on board his vessel, sailed
for France. t Landing at Dunkirk, he drew up proposals to the French <!overnmeiJt and forwarded
them to Paris. These proposals were eagerly entertained, and the preliminaries were speedily
arranged for a transfer of (lie interest of Mr. Rotch and his family and friends to Dunkirk, from
which port, for several years, a. very successful fishery was carried on. Contemporary with the,
negotiations with Mr. Rotch, a letter was dispatched to the people of Nantucket by Capt. Shubael
tlardncr, from L — - Coffin, who resided at Dunkirk, stating that his sympathy for the people
of that island had led him to apply to the French Government in their behalf, and with excellent
success. Every request he had made had been granted, and the unlimited freedom, tflfc abun-
dance and cheapness of provisions, the absence of custom-houses, the small taxes, the regularity ct
the town, the manners and industry of the inhabitants, and its situation, rendered it, in his opin-
ion, l the most eligible place in the universe for the people of Nantucket to remove to.f
••'•Ami uli.it,' queried Lord Hawksbnry, 'do you prop use. lo givu us iu return for this outlay of money ?' 'I will
nive you,' returned Mr. Rotch proudly, 'some of tie best blood of the island of Nun tucket.' At this interview Hawks-
bury presented his own figures, where, says Mr. Rotch (see MS.), 'he had made hisnice calculation of £87 10«. for
transportation aud settlement of a family,' and, says he, ' Iain about a fishery bill, and I want to come to something
that I may insert it,' &c. My answer was, ' Thy offer is no object; therefore goon with thy fishery bill without any
regard to me.' I was then taking leave aud withdrawing. 'Well, Mr. Rotch. you'll call on me again in two or three
days.' ' I see no necessity for it.' ' But I desire you would.' ' If it is thy desire perhaps I may call.' However, he
let me rest 1ml one day before he sent for me. He hud the old story over again, but I told him it was unnecessary to
enter again into the subject. I then iu formed him that I had beard a rumor that Nantncket liad agreed to furnish
France with a quantity of oil. He stopped to his bureau, took out one of a file of papers, and pretended to read an
entire contradiction, though I was satisfied there was not a line there on the subject. I said, ' It was only a vague
report that I had heard, aud I cannot vouch for the truth of it, but we are like drowning men, catching at everv
straw that passes by; therefore I am now determined to go to France aud see what it is. If there is any such con-
tract, sufficient to retain us at Nautucket, neither you nor any other nation shall have us, and if it is insufficient, I
will endeavor to enlarge it.' 'Ah,' says he, 'Quakers go to France?' 'Yes,' I replied, ' but with regret.' I then
pai-ted with Lord Hawksbury for the last time. — (Rotch MS.)"
" t His lordship sent once more for Mr. Rotch to call on him, but Mr. Rotch returned answer, ' If Lord Hawks-
bury ib-sires to" see me be will find rue on board my vessel up to the hour when she takes her anchor.' When Mr.
Rotch was once gone, Hawksbury became alarmed and sent to him by letter, informing him that he had made pro-
vision in the fishery bill for him, with liberty to bring- forty ships instead of thirty, ' he having forgotten the num-
ber;' but it was too late. This unexpected ending of his hopes was far from pleasing either to his lordship or tbe
( "i\ eminent. After tbe interview with the King of France, Mr. Rotch returned to England, and was importuned to
remove to Great Britain. In his memoranda he says be was waited upon by one of the officials, who told him ho was
' authorized by Mr. Pitt to tell you that you shall make your own terms.' 'I told him,' continues Mr. Rotch, ' he v*as
too late. I made very moderate proposals to you, but could obtain nothing worth my notice. I went to France, senl
forward my proposals, which were doubly advantageous to what I had oifered your Government ; they considered
them Inn a -hurt tune, and on my arrival in Paris were ready to act. I had a separate interview with all the minis-
ters ol'state necessary to the subject, five in number, who all agreed to aud granted my demands. This was effected
iu live hours, when 1 had waited to be called by your privy council more than four months.' All attempts on
the part of the English Government to reopen the subject were politely but. firmly rejected by Mr. Rotch. 'In the
beginning of 1793,' the account continues, 'I became fully aware that war hetueeii England aud France would
- iiakeplaee; therefore it was lime tor me to leave the country iu order to save our vessels if captured by the
English. 1 proceeded lo England. Two of them were captured, full of oil, and condemned, but we recovered both by
my being in Knghiud, where I arrived two weeks before the war took place. My going to France to pursue the whale
fishery so disappointed Lord Hawksbnry that he undertook to be revenged on me for his own folly, and I have no
doubt ".ave directions to the cruisers lo take an\ of our vessels that they met with going to France. When the
Ospray was taken by a King's ship, the officer sent on board to examine her papers called to the captain and said,
"You'll take this vessel in, sir; she belongs to William Rotch." ' Mr. Rotch returned to (he United .stales with
several of his vessels in 1794, and. after residing in Nantucket about a year, removed to New Bedford, where he lived
until his death, in May, 1828."
" t The following is a list of advantages secured to Nantucket, whalemen by Mr. Coffin :
' ' 1st. An entire lice exercise of their religion or worship within themselves.
134 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
" What effect this state of affairs may have hail in the arrangement of treaties of commerce
with Great Britain is somewhat uncertain, but. the attempt to a consummation of this plan was
intrusted to a man not only thoroughly imbued with New England principles, but of sufficient
statesmanship to realize of how much national importance this matter was. None knew better
than John Adams that the secret of the commercial greatness which should be developed lay in
the codevelopmeut of the fisheries; that herein was the nursery for seamen who would be a source
of wealth in peace and of power in war. It was desirable, to irake duties and courtesies more
reciprocal, and one of the first duties intrusted to Mr. Adams on his appointment to the court of
St. James in 1785 was the arrangement of some treaty which should be mutually satisfactory.
Naturally, one of the principal points was the importation of the products of our fishermen, since
that industry, perhaps more than any other, was in danger of serious injury from the existing con-
dition of things.
" I* a letter to the Marquis of Carmarthen, dated July 29, 1785, Mr. Adams refers to the
trouble accruing from the alien duties laid by England in these words : ' The course of commerce
since the peace, between Great Britain and the United States of America, has been such as to
have produced many inconveniences to the persons concerned in it on both sides, which become
every day more and more sensible. The zeal of Americans to make remittances to British
merchants has been such as to raise the interest of money to double its usual standard, to
increase the price of bills of exchange to 8 or 10 percentum above par, and to advance the price
of the produce of the country to almost double the usual rate. Large sums of the circulating
cash, and as much produce as could be purchased at almost any rate, have been remitted to
" ' 2d. The concession of a tract of ground to build their houses and stores.
" '3d. All the privileges, exemptions, and advantages promised by the King's declaration in 1662, confirmed by
letters patent of 1784, to all strangers who come to establish there, which are the same as those enjoyed by the natif
subjects of his majisty.
" '4th. The importation into the Kingdom, free from all duties whatever, of the oil proceeding from their fishery,
and the same premiums and encouragement granted for the cod and other fisheries to natif subjects.
"'Sth. A premium per ton ou the burthen of the vessels that will carry on the whale fishery, which shall be
determined in the course of the negotiation either with Mr. Rotch or with the select men of the island.
" '6th. All objects of provisions and victuals for their ships shall be exempted from all duties whatever.
" '7th. An additional and heavier duty shall be laid on all foreign oil, as a further encouragement to them, in
order to facilitate the sale of their own.
" ' 8th. The expenses of removing those of the inhabitants who are not capable of defraying themselves shall be
paid by the Government.
" ' 9th. A convenient dock shall be built to repair their ships.
" ' 10th. All trades-people, such as smiths, boat-builders, coopers, and others shall be admitted to the free exer-
cise of their trade without being liable to the forms and expense usually practiced and paid by the natif subjects for
their admittance to mastership.
" ' llth. They shall have liberty to command their own vessels, and have the choice of their own people to navi-
gate them.
" '12th. They shall bo free from all military and naval service, as well in war as in peace, in the same manner
and extent as expressed by the King's ordinance of the 16th of February, 1759.'— (Macy, 257, 258.)
" These were probably essentially the same concessions made to Mr. Rotch in person. How many American
captains pursued the fishery from the various British and French ports subsequently to the Revolution it would be
difficult to determine. Nantucket alone furnished eighty-three captains for the French and one hundred and forty-
nine captains for the English fishery ; probably the bulk of the total number came from this one port, though in the
course of the prosecution of whaling by these nations, New Bedford furnished a very considerable number. In a
' Journal of a Voyage to Greenland ' from Dunkirk in the ship Penelope, Capt. Tristram Gardner (a Nantucket man),
be records, under the head of Friday, June 6, 1788, in latitude 70° north, ' 100 ships in sight.' On the 22d of the same
month he states, as a mere matter of fact not worthy of extended comment, ' Wind at South ; A Rnged sea ; Plenty
of Snow. Later Part Saw Ise to ye S. YV. of us a 4 ye wind Shifted to ye Northward, but Still thick weather. Saw
A Number of ships, but No whale. So ends this 24 hours. Lat. 79.02.' And yet this is within about 175 miles of
the highest northern point attained by any of our splendidly equipped expeditions undertaken with the express pur-
pose of pushing as far north as possible in vessels armored and strengthened and equipped in the most complete
manner, while the whaling voyages were pursued in small, not uncommonly strong ships, not even having the feeble
protection of coppered bottoms. As early as 1753, a schooner was fitted from Boston for the discovery of the north-
west passage. She sailed in the spiin^ and returned in October of the same year."
THE wn ALT: FISHEKY. 135
[•'.upland : but much of this produce lies in store here, because it will not letch, by reason of tbo
duties aud restrictions on it, the price given for it in America. No political arrangements having
been made, both the British and American merchants expected that the trade -would have
returned to its old channels, and nearly under the same regulations, found by long experience
to be beneficial ; but they have been disappointed. The former have made advances, and the
latter contracted debts, both depending upon remittances in the usual articles, and upon the
ancient terms, but both have found themselves mistaken, and it is much to be feared that the
consequences will be numerous failures. Cash and bills have been chiefly remitted; neither
rice, tobacco, pitch, tar, turpentine, ships, oil, nor many other articles, the great sources of remit-
tances formerly, can now be sent as heretofore, because of restrictions and imports, which are
new in this commerce, and destructive of.it ; and the trade with the British West India Islands,
formerly a vast source of remittance, is at present obstructed. * * * There is a literal impos-
sibility, my lord, that the commerce between the two countries can continue long to the. advan-
tage of either upon the present footing.'* He continues, that these evils will increase, and
asserts that it is the desire of the United States to be on good terms commercially with England,
and not be driven to other markets with their goods, and he closes by proposing the arrangement
of a treaty of commerce, between the two countries.
" It would be interesting, though not necessary in this connection, to follow the negotiations
through each step ; to see how the English administration felt compelled to cater to those who
upheld the British navigation laws ; to see how jealousy of our incipient naval power procrasti-
nated the treaty which it was inevitable must come ; to see how self-confident and secure the
English felt that our trade must unavoidably come to them ; to see how an attempt was made to
throw the influence of Ireland against America by ostentatious concessions, and how the attempt
failed ; to see how, finally, the fear of American reciprocity in restrictions led to English reci-
procity in concessions ; but those things can be more satisfactorily learned from the diplomatic
correspondence of the day.t
" On the 24th of August Mr. Adams had a conference with Mr. Pitt for the first time in this
connection. Passing by the matter of the interview, so far as it relates to the other portions of
the proposed treaty, we find that when the treaty of commerce was proposed, Mr. Pitt inquired "
what were the lowest terms that might be satisfactory to America. Mr. Adams replied that he
might not think himself competent to decide that question ; that, because of the rapidly increas-
ing feeling in America, affairs had already culminated in Massachusetts in the passage of an act
of navigation by that State, showing the tendency of the times, and that the action of England
would have much to do in arresting that prejudice ; that the five hundred ships employed in the
commerce of the United States in 1784 might easily be compelled to become the property of
American citizens and navigated wholly by American seamen ; that the simple passage of an old
English statute, ' that none of the King's liege people should ship any merchandise out of or into
the realm, but only in ships of the King's liegance, on pain of forfeiture,' modified to suit the
American form of government, would effect this; that the nation had the legal right to govern
its own commerce; that the ability of the Americans to build ships and the abundance of
material they had for that purpose could not be doubted ; and that whatever laws England might
make, she would be glad to receive and consume considerable American produce, even though
imported through France or Holland, and sell us as many of her manufactures as we could pay
for, through the same channels. The conversation finally introduced the subject of ships and oil,
and Mr. Pitt said to Mr. Adams the Americans ' could not think hard of the English for encourag-
ing their own shipwrights, their manufacturers of ships, and their own whale fishery.' To which
" " Works of John Adams, viii, p. 288." "\Ibid., p. 307."
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Mr. Adams replied, ' By no means, but it appeared unaccountable to the- people of America that
this country should sacrifice the general interests of the nation to the private interests of a few
individuals interested iu the manufacture of ships and iu the whale fishery, so far as to refuse
these remittances from America iu payment of debts, and for manufactures which would employ
so many more people, augment the revenue so considerably, as well as the national wealth, which
would, even in other ways, so much augment the shipping and seamen of the nation. It was
looked upon iu America as reconciling themselves to a diminution of their own shipping and sea-
men, in a great degree, for the sake of diminishing ours in a small one, besides keeping many of
their manufacturers out of employ, who would otherwise have enough to do; and besides greatly
diminish the revenue, and, consequently, contrary to the maxim which he had just acknowledged
that one nation should not hurt itself for the sake of hurting another, nor take measures to
deprive another of any advantage without benefiting itself.'* From the questions of compara-
tive gains or losses to either power, and the relations in which France would stand to both, Mr.
Pitt led Mr. Adams into a lengthy and useless conversation on the whale fisheries of the three
countries, referring specially to the efforts of M. de Calonne to introduce this pursuit into France,
asking suddenly the question ' whether we had taken any measures to find a market for our oil
anywhere but in France.' To this Mr. Adams replied, 'I believed we had, and I have been told
that some of our oil had found a good market at Bremen; but there could not be a doubt that
spermaceti oil might find a market in most of the great cities in Europe which were illuminated
iu the night, as it is so much better and cheaper than the vegetable oil that is commonly used.
The fat of the spermaceti whale gives the clearest and most beautiful flame of auy substance that
is known in nature, and we are all surprised that you prefer darkness, and consequent robberies,
burglaries, and murders in your streets to the receiving, as a remittance, our spermaceti oil.
The lamps around Grosveuor Square, I know, and iu Downing street, too, I suppose, are dim by
midnight, and extinguished by two o'clock ; whereas our oil would burn bright till 9 o'clock in the
morning, and chase away, before the watchmen, all the villains, and save you the trouble and
danger of introducing a new police into the city.'t
" But despite the fact that Mr. Pitt appeared more favorable than was anticipated, Mr. Adams
did not expect any immediate response to his propositions. The English ministers in their
individual capacity seemed singularly timorous, and manifested much fear of committing them-
selves before joint cabinet action. Adams inclined to the opinion that nothing short of the con-
vincing eloquence of dire necessity would drive the English ministry from the positions they had
assumed in regard to the navigation act, and that an answer to his propositions, even at a late
day, was doubtful, without Congress authorized similar acts with the United States, and these
counter-irritants were actually put in force, to determine on which side the inconvenience was
greatest. The great cry in the United Kingdom was, ' Shall the United States be our ship-
carpenters ? Shall we depend upon a foreign nation for our navigation ? In case of a war with
them, shall we be without ships, or obliged to our enemies for them ?' How much this nightmare
of inability to cope with their late colonies in anything like a fair field was stimulated by the
Government is uncertain, but the authorities evidently used no efforts to allay it.f
"»5th Richard, ii, ch. 3." "t Works of Johu Adams, viii, pp. 308-309."
" { In negotiation with the Portuguese ministers in November, 1875, Mr. Adams asked (viii, p. 340) if they did not
want our sperm oil. lie replied that they had olives and made oil from them; they had no use lor their own sperm
oil and sold it to Spain. -They had now,' hi; said, • u, very pretty spermaceti -whale fishery, which they had learned
of the New Euglaiidcrs, and carried on upon the coast of Brazil.' According to the Boston News-Letter of April, 21,
1774, the method of obtaining their knowledge was somewhat open to objections. In 1805 the Portuguese attempted
to carry on the whaling business from Mozambique, and Timothy Folger, Francis Paddack, William Hull, and John
Hillmau, of Nautucket, \vcnf thereto take charge of the fishery; but early in 1810 accounts were received at Nan-
tucket stating that they had all been taken sick anil died I here."
Till; \\ IIALK I--1SI1KKY. 137
" The effort to bring about the desired compromise continued, as Mr. Adams had judged it
would, all the succeeding fall and winter. In January, 178(i, Bowdoin wrote to Adams, in reply
to a letter from him, that Hie navigation act of Massachusetts had been so modified as to be only
operative against Great Britain, and copies of the repealing act had been sent to the executives of
the other States in order to secure harmony of action upon this point. Ill regard to the effect the
existing English laws would have upon the interest which is under consideration here, he wrote:
'It is very true, their encouragement of their whale fishery, by suffering the alien duty on oil to
depress ours, will increase their shipping iu this branch, increase their seamen, and, in several
other ways, be advantageous to them. To a person that looks no further, it would appear that this
was good policy ; and the goodness of it would be inferred from the advantages arising. But when
he should extend his view, and see how that stoppage of the American whale fishery, by depriving
the Americans of so much capital a means of paying for the woolen goods they used to take ot
Britain, must, at the same time, occasion the American demand to cease, or be proportionately
diminished, not to mention the risk of a change or deviation of the trade from the old channel, he
will calculate the national profit and loss that arises from that stoppage.
"'Three thousand tons of oil was the usual annual quantity produced by the whalemen at
Xantucket, all of which was shipped to Englaud, at an average price of £35 per ton, making about
£105,500. The whole of which went to pay for and purchase a like amount of woolens and other
British goods ; nine-tenths of the value of which are computed to arise from the labor of the manu-
facturer, and to be so much clear gain to the nation. The other tenth, therefore, being deducted,
gives the national gain arising from the industry of the Kautucket whalemen, and the capital
employed in that business, namely £94,500, without the nation's paying a shilling for the risk of
insurance, or any other risk whatever.
'"On the change of trade, pursuant to the new regulations, the British merchants must
employ a large capital in the whale fishery, whose products we vill suppose equal to that of the
Nautucket, £105,000. They will have made an exceeding good voyage if the whole of that sum
should be equal to one-half of the cost of the outfits ; though, from many of the vessels not meeting
with fish, and from a variety of accidents to which such a voyage is subject, it probably would not
be a quarter. The whole of the product goes towards payment of the outfits and charges of the
voyage, and a large sum must be advanced for the second voyage, &c.
"'Now, although this mode of commerce would be productive of some national benefits, yet,
considered in a comparative view with the benefits arising from the former mode, they would be
found of little importance. A like comparison maybe made with other branches of commerce,
particularly the British West Indian, and the result will be found the same. For the sake, then,
of gaining pence and farthings, Britain is sacrificing pounds by her new regulations of trade. She
has a right to see for herself; but, unhappily, resentment and the consequent prejudices have so
disordered her powers of vision that it requires the skillful hand of a good political optician to
remove the obstructing films. If she will not permit the application of your couching instruments,
or, if applied, they can work no effect, the old lady must be left to her fate, and abandoned as
ncurable.'*
"* Adams, viii, :!i;:l-4 Iu his reply to Mr. Bowdoin, under dad- of May 9, 1786, Mr. Adams, after expressing
surprise that such reasoning as his (Bowdoin's) has no effect on the English cabinet, writes: 'Mr. Jenldnson, an old
friend of the British empire, is still at his labors. He is about establishing a hoimi v upon fifteen ships to the south-
ward, and upon two to double Cape Horn, for spermaceti whales. Americans are to take an oath that they mean to
settle in England before they arc- '-miilr,! (,, ||H- bounty.' In September, 1781), Mr. Adams wiites to Mr. Jell'ersou
from London (viii, 414): 'The whalemen, both ;il (In-mlaml and the southward, have been unsuccessful, and the
\irirc nl' >[u' rn i. -ice) i oil lias risen above £..i' pej inn."'
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
u On the 21st of January, 17SG, Mr. Adams, iu a letter to Secretary Jay, writes : ' It will take
eighteen months more to settle all matters, exclusive of the treaty of commerce.'1* And thus it con-
tinued. Argument and persuasion had no effect. Convinced in spite of themselves, they still
clung fondly, obstinately, perhaps foolishly, to their obnoxious laws. As late as November, 1787,
Mr. Adams writes to Mr. Jay : ' They are at present, both at court and in the nation at large,
much more respectful to me, and much more tender of the United States, than they ever have
been before ; but, depend upon it, this will not last ; they will aim at recovering back the west-
ern lands, at taking away our fisheries, and at the total ruin of our navigation, at least.'t Mr.
Adams's position at the court of St. James was terminated, by his urgent request, soon after this,
and the question of commercial relations between the two countries was still unsettled.;}:
"This state of affairs was scarcely such as would occasion the utmost harmony. The United
States naturally resented this frigid manner of treating our overtures for friendship. In August,
1786, Mr. Jefferson, in a letter from Paris to Mr. Carmichael, writes : ' But as to every other nation
of Europe,§ I am persuaded Congress will never offer a treaty. If any of them should desire one
hereafter, I suppose they will make the first overtures.'" ||
THE AMERICAN WHALE FISHERY DECLINING. — «' But while America was exerting herself so
unsuccessfully to be allowed to live on terms of civility with England, the whale fishery carried on
from within her borders was languishing.
" Like the effect of the heat of the sun on the iceberg, so was the effect of foreign bounties
upon the American fishery, dissolving it, breaking off a fragment here and a fragment there.
Lured by the promise of English bounties, discouraged with the prospect in America, where the
price for oil would scarcely repay the cost of procuring it, and where there was no market for their
chief staple, several of the people of Nantucket removed to the vicinity of Halifax, in Nova Scotia.
There, in 1786 and 1787, they settled, building dwellings, wharves, stores, manufactories for
sperm candles, and such other structures as were connected with their fishery, and calling their
new settlement Dartmouth.*} There they carried on the pursuit for several years prosperously,
and gave promise of considerable commercial importance. But the disintegration which com-
menced at Nantucket continued at Dartmouth, and just as the settlement seemed about to become
thrifty and important it began to become divided, pieces again split off, and the village, as a
whaling port, soon became a thing of the past. Those who were the earliest to remove from Nan-
tucket soon grew uneasy of their new location, and having greater inducements offered them if
they removed to England, again migrated, and settled in Milford Haven, from whence for many
years they carried on the business with very considerable success. The parent died in giving
birth to the child ; Milford Haven nourished, but at the expense of Dartmouth's existence.
" "Adams, viii, 363-4, 389." " t Ibid., 463."
" t Works of Jefferson, ii, 18. See also article on Jefferson, by Parton, in Atlantic Monthly for February, 1873."
" $ Referring to Russia, Portugal, Spain, France, Sweden, Tuscany, and tbe Netherlands."
"II Jefferson, ii, 18."
" U Works of Jefferson, ii, 518. Mr. Jefferson says, referring to a farther hegira of the islanders : 'A vessel was
already arrived from Halifax to Nantncket, to take off some of those who proposed to remove ; two families had gone
on board, and others were going, when a letter was received there which had been written by Monsieur le Marquis
de Lafayette to a gentleman in Boston, and transmitted by him to Nantucket. The purport of the letter was, to dis-
suade their accepting the British proposals, and to assure them that their friends in France would endeavor to do
something for them. This instantly suspended their design; not another went on board, and the vessel returned to
Halifax with only the [two] families.' In 1796 William Rotch &, Son petitioned Congress to remit the excess of duties
and tonnage charged them on two whale ships by the collector of New Bedford, in i-<pnse(|iirnce of their not being pro-
vided with United States registers. These were ships which sailed from Nantncket in 1787 and 1789, under registers
from the State of Massachusetts, and were used in the Dunkirk fishery, returning to the United States in 1794, some
years after the National Government, had been in operation. The committee which was appointed to consider the
petition reported favorably upon it, and the prayer was granted.— (State Papers, vii, p. 411.)"
TI1K WIIALK I'M SI I HUT. 139
" France did not view tliis transfer with indifference. The scheme for the building up of the
fishery at Dunkirk by emigration from Nantncket having proven only partially successful,* it was
desirable to inaugurate some other measures to prevent further increase of the business in England.
A committee of gentlemen -well informed in such matters was instructed to investigate and report
on the subject of encouragement of a general commerce with the United States. It was evident
that the American whalemen conld not be induced to leave their native country if they could sup-
port themselves there. The natural inference was, if a market could be opened to their products
which would replace the one closed, they would not emigrate. Accordingly upon this point the
committee reported in favor of an immediate abatement of the duty upon oil and a promise of a
further abatement after the year 1790. The letter of M. do Calonnes (who was in treaty with the
Xautucket whalemen) recommending this, was immediately sent to America, and after careful
investigation of the subject, the arret of the 29th of December, 1787, ratifying the abatement
and promising a further one if the French King found such a proceeding of mutual benefit, was
passed.
" But the measure in this form had a contrary effect from what was intended. 'The English,.
says Jefferson, t 'had now begun to deluge the markets of France with their whale oils; and they
were enabled, by the great premiums given by their Government, to undersell the French fisher1
man, aided by feebler premiums, and the American, aided by his poverty alone. Nor is it certain
that these speculations were not made at the risk of the British Government to suppress the
French and American fishermen in their only market. Some remedy seemed necessary. Perhaps
it would not have been a bad one to subject, by a general law, the merchandise of every nation
and of every nature to pay additional duties in the ports of France, exactly equal to the pre-
miums and drawbacks given on the same merchandise by their own Government. This might
not only counteract the effect of premiums in the instance of whale oils, but attack the whole
British system of bounties and drawbacks, by the aid of which they make London the center of
commerce for the whole -earth. A less general remedy, but an effectual one, was to prohibit the
oils of all European nations ; the treaty with England requiring only that she should be treated
as well as the most favored European nation. But the remedy adopted was to prohibit all oils,
without exception.' J And this on the 20th of September, 1788, only nine months from the passage
of the former law. §
"Through the exertions of Jefferson this error, political as well as commercial, was remedied,
and in December, 1788, the abatement of duties on oils was so arranged as to make the American
" * 'Nine families only, of thirty-three persons in the whole, came to Dunkirk.' — (Jefferson, ii, 519.)"
" t Jefferson, ii, 520."
" t Jefferson, ii, 521. ' The annual consnmption of France, as stated by a person who has good opportunities of
knowing it, is as follows :
Tons.
'Paris, according to the registers of 1786 1,750
'Twenty-seven other cities, lighted by M. Sangrain 500
' Rouen 312$
' Bordeaux 375
'Lyons 187J
' Other fit i es. tor leather and light 1,875
5,000'"
" $ Jefferson states (ii, 523) that before the war Great Britain had less than 100 vessels engaged in whaling, while
America employed 309. (This doea not take into account Sag Harbor, New York, nor the very important fishery from
Newport, Providence, and Warren, in Rhode Island, which Mr. Jefferson seems to have overlooked in his report.) In
1788 these circumstances were reversed, America employing 80, and Great Britain 314."
140 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
and the French on the same footing, aud cut off all danger of overstocking from European rivals,
and in January, 1789, this arrangement received its legal ratification.*"
REVIVAL OF AMERICAN WHALING IN 1789.— "The revival of the business in the United
States, and the growing scarcity of whales in the waters heretofore mostly frequented, made the
equipping of larger vessels a necessity, and from the sloops and schooners which formerly composed
the greater portion of the whaling fleet an advance was made to brigs and ships and the field
.still farther extended.! The sperm whale being of the most value, the effort to encompass his
capture was greater; and he was pursued, as he fled from his old haunts, till the Pacific Ocean
was attained-! At Nan tucket the number of vessels soou increased to such an extent that it
became necessary to go abroad for men to man them, aud some Indians and a large number of
negroes were brought from the main land to aid in filling the crew-lists. Ups and downs the business
had then, as it ever has since. A presumed prosperity induced competition, the markets became
glutted, and oil was sold at less than the cost of production. The price of whalebone became
reduced to 10 cents per pound and less, instead of commanding a dollar, as it did prior to the Revolu-
tion. The disturbances beiween England and France, and the internal commotions to which the
latter country was subjected, effectually aunnled the effect of the French arret of 1789. So dis-
astrously did these things affect whaling that the quarrels of France and England forced many
Nantucket men to .sell their vessels, others to dismantle and lay theirs up, while a few still held on,
some making a little profit, the majority suffering a severe loss."
TROUBLE WITH FRANCE. — "In 179S§ came the threats of disturbance between France and the
United States. French privateers, in the excess of their zeal, preyed upon American commerce as
well as upon that of the powers with whom they were in direct conflict. A large number of vessels
fell victims to these depredators, and the friendly relations existing some what precariously between
France and the United States became nearly supplanted by a state of actual warfare. The whal-
ing interest, as usual, was among the earliest sufferers. Early in 1799 many parties in Nautucket
sold their ships rather than fit them out at the risk of capture. News began to reach the island
that vessels were already captured, and the business of the islanders, both in fishing and trading,
almost, ceased. Instead of fitting out a dozen ships for whaling but two or three were fitted, and
sadness and gloom shrouded every face. The difficulties were finally adjusted aud business
resumed its old channels, but the losses which the unfortuuate Nautucketers sustained by the
unjustifiable, piratical depredations, though settled to the satisfaction of our Government and
duly receipted for, with others, by the United States, have never been remunerated, while some
of the unlucky owners, officers, and underwriters, in comfortable circumstances at the commence-
ment of these troubles, lost their little property, the accumulations of years, and died in poverty. ||
" * Jeft'erson, ii, 539. When the arrct of 29th December, 1787, was drawn up, the first draft was so made as to
Delude all European oils, but at the very moment of passing it. they struck our 1 he word ' European,' so that our
oils became involved. ' This, I believTe,' says he, ' was the effect of a single person in the ministry.' "
"tSag Harbor re-eutered the business in 1785 : New Bedford in 1787 or 1788."
" t In the Pacific the Americans had been preceded by the Amelia, Captain Shields, an English-fitted ship, manned
by the Nantucket colony of whalemen, aud sailing for that ocean from London in 1787, her first mate, Archelus Ham-
mond, killing the first sperm whale known to have been taken in that ocean.
" In Jefferson's report he enumerates three qualities of oil : 1, the sperm ; 2, that from the ordinary right whales ;
3, that from the right whales on the Brazil Banks, which was darker in color and of a more offensive odor when
burned than from No. 2."
"§The Boston papers of 1796 reported that the Carisford frigate had arrived at the Cape of Good Hope from Eng-
land with credentials constituting General Graig governor of the colony, the limits of which were to be so arranged
,as to cut off other nations from part ieipation in the Delago Bay fishery. "
"1| The subject of the French spoliation is one to which the people of Nantucket have been particularly sensitive.
Isolated communities are more liable to feel that the injustice done to one is an injusutice to all ; bence, although com-
paratively few of the islanders suffered from the depredations of the French, or rather from the apparent breach of faith
THE WHALE FISHERY. 141
These unauthorized cap lures were not confined exclusively to the French, for in 1800 the Spanish
authorities at Valparaiso, emulating- the hostility to a power ostensibly at peace with them which
the French had shown, .seized and condemned tlir whale ships Miautonomah, of Norwich, and
Tryal, of ISantuekct."*
THE WAR OF 1812 AND ITS EFFKCTS ON THE WHALE FISHERY. — " From this time till the
opening of the second war with England whaling was pursued with a gradually-augmenting fleet.
And this in the face of the uncertainties which the increasingly critical state of affairs between
the United States and England occasioned. In JSOU Xautucket added five ships to her fleet, and
Xew London sent her first large vessel,t and in 180G the quantity of oil imported into the country
was considerably in excess of the consumption.
"The embargo act of 1807 almost suspended the pursuit, not so much by actual proscription
as because of the impossibility of effecting insurance upon the vessels, but it soon received another
impetus on account of the prospect of a general peace throughout Europe.
"The commencement of the war of 1812 found a large portion of the whaling fleet at sea.
Trusting that the causes of contention between England and America would be removed without
the necessity of a final appeal to arms, many owners had fitted out their ships. This was particu-
larly the case at Nautucket, from which port a large proportion of the fleet had sailed for the
Pacific Ocean on voyages varying from about two years to two years and a halt'.f AVith the recep-
tion of the news of the declaration of war a large portion of the vessels in the North and South
Atlantic, and some of those in the Pacific, turned their prows homeward, hoping to make the
home port before the seas swarmed with letters-of-marque and national vessels of war. Many of
these vessels from Nantucket, on arriving home sailed thence immediately for Boston, Newport,
Xew Bedford, or some other fortified port, where they could ride out the storm of war in security.
After the month of July, 1812, was ushered in, reports of the capture of whaling vessels came
thick and fast to Nautucket.§ First came the news of the taking and burning of the schooner
ou the part of a Government bouud to protect them and their interests, all felt that seeming injustice as a personal
matter. In a letter to the Hon. George McDuffie, giving an account of the claims of Nantiicket in this behalf, unh-
lished in the Warder of May 'JO, 1846, the following is described as the actual condition of the claimants and character
oltho demands:
" 'Ship Joanna. Coffiu, taken with 2,000 barrels of oil on board ; value of ship and cargo, $40,000 ; one of the origi-
nal owners still living — seventy-five years old and poor ; one of the crew also living, poor ; the master and mate died
recently, poor; children still surviving; rlnim mrrraold. Ship Minerva, Fitch, 1,500 barrels of oil on board; value,
$30,000; one of the original owners living — sixty-eight year old, 7100)-; master still alive — seventy-eight years old. with
small means and many dependents; one of the crew alive, /mor : claims ni-nr sold. Ship Active, Gardner, 3,000 barn-Is
of oil on board ; value, .^")0,000; same owners as Minerva witli i aptain ; Captain Gardner died two years ago, at the
age of eighty-five, leaving a large family and grandchildren; dtiims never soJfl. Ship Arm, Coffin (in merchant serv-
ice); loss of ship, $10,000 ; the captain left a large family in slender circumstances; one of "the underwriters died a
few years since in the almshouse, who, at the time of the capture, stood high among Nantucket merchants; claims
ii i i-ir sold.'
" Speaking in the interest of the whale fishery, it may be safely asserted that the people of Nantucket view with
regret and disappointment what they consider the gross injustice showed to them (with others) in putting off, upon
untenable pretests, the settlement of these demands. The stern logic of poverty and the almshouseis keener than the
sophistries of politicians. The Fox, of New Bedford, Capt. Coffin Whippey, captured in 1796 with 1,500 whale and
500 sperm, was another case. In 1853 Captain Whippey — captured a second time in 1798 — was living, but dependent
upon charity."
" * The Miautonomah was a new ship, on her tirsi voyage."
" t In 1794 the ship Commerce, of East Haddam, was fitted for a whaling voyage, and sailed from New London on
February (j of that year. In 1770 Capt. Isaiah Kldridge, of the sloop Tryall, of Dartmouth, spoke, among other whale-
men on the Davis Strait ground, Thomas Wioctmi (Wigginf), of New London."
See Macy, 161-2-3."
• .1 When war seemed inevitable the ship-owners of Nantucket held a nuetiug to take into consideration the. snli-
jecr oflmv. to In ^ secure the- fleet from rapture. It was proposed to request the British minister at Washington to
use his influence with his Government to .ihtain from Iliein in iniiy from capture of whale ships liL-loiiging to tho
island. This plan was ultimately abandoned, the majority of tLu owners being of tta opinion that 'the prospect of
success was too faint to warrant the attempt.'— (Macy, 165.)"
142 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Mount Hope, David Cottle master. In quick succession they learned of the capture of the Alli-
gator, Hope, Manilla, Ocean (brig), Eauger, Fame,* Eose, Kenown,* Sterling, Edward, Gardner,
Mouticello, Chili, Eebecca, and others, and it may be easily imagined that the prospect for the
islanders had but little in it that appeared encouraging. New Bedford, too, although at this time
her interest in this business was far less than that of Nantucket, suffered from the capture of her
whaling vessels.!
" Again did war put an effectual stop to the pursuit of whaling from every port of the United
States save Nantucket, and again were the inhabitants of that town, knowing no business except
through their shipping, compelled to strive to carry their commercial marine through the tempest
of fire as free from complete destruction as possible. A new source of danger presented itself.
Prior to the declaration of war between Great Britain and America our whalemen on the coast of
Peru}: had often suffered from piratical acts of the Peruvian privateers, being continually plun-
dered and cut out from Chilian ports, whither they had gone to recruit. The chronic state of
affairs on this coast beiiig one of war, the Government of the United States had sent the Hon. Joel
E. Poinsett, of South Carolina, to those parts to see that American commerce was suitably pro-
tected, but for several mouths his remonstrances had been worse than useless. The declaration of
war between England and the United States gave the Peruvian corsairs a fresh pretext for the
exercise of their plundering propensities. They claimed that they were the allies of England, and
as such were entitled to capture the vessels of any power with which she was at war. An expedi-
tion was equipped by tbe authorities of Lima and sent on its marauding way. This army suc-
ceeded in capturing the towns of Conception and Talcahuano. In the latter port was a large num-
ber of American ships, many of them whalemen, who, having obtained their cargoes of oil, had put
in to recruit with provisions and water before making the homeward voyage. Among these were
the ships Criterion, Mary Ann, Monticello, Chili, John and James, Lima, Lion, Sukey, Gardner,
President, Perseverance, and Atlas, of Nantucket.
" This was in April, 1813. These vessels were detained in the harbor by the Limian armament,
which consisted of two men-of-war, with about 1,500 troops. Having found a bag containing about
$800 on board the President, they carried her captain, Solomon Folger, ashore under a guard and
imprisoned the remaining officers and crew, excepting the mate, one boat-steerer, and the cook.
"Learning of this condition of affairs, Poiusett immediately joined the Chilian army and
directed its movements. On the 15th of May a battle was fought between the, contending forces near
the town of San Carlos, but when the day had closed neither side could claim the victory. Taking
advantage of the cover of the night, Poinsett put himself at the head of four hundred picked men,
with three pieces of light artillery, and, leaving the main body, marched directly to Talcahuano,
whither the enemy had withdrawn. The town was immediately carried by storm and the detained
whalemen were released.§ Some of the ships having had their papers destroyed, Poinsett fur-
nished them with consular certificates. The friendly regard for the United States which diplo-
"*The Fame was used in the English lishery, and the Renown, under the name of Adam,' while engaged in the
same pursuit under the same flag, went ashore on Deal beach and bilged in 1824 or 1825.
"In 1812 the brig Nauina. Capt. Valentine Barnard, of New York, sailed to the Falkland Islands on a sealing and
elephant-oil cruise. The British ship Isabella having become wrecked, her crew were rescued by the Nanina, and
showed their gratitude to Captain Barnard by seizing his vessel and setting him, with Barzillai Pease, Andrew Hunter,
and E. Pease, of his crew, ashore on New Island, one of the group. A protest signed by the four was published iu the
Hudson Bee, and also in the supplement of Niles's Register for 1814."
"tThe ship Sally, Clark master, was captured while homeward bound with 1,200 barrels of sperm oil on board.
Value of vessel and cargo, $40,000. The Triton also was captured, involving a loss of $16,000."
" J These vessels belonged almost exclusively to New Bedford and Nautuckot."
" § See Nantucket Inquirer, August 9, 1824 ; also Inquirer and Mirror, September 14, 1672. In the latter paper IN
au account of the affair written by Capt. Nathaniel Fitzgerald, one of the crew on one of the detained whalers."
THE WHALE E1SHEUY. J.4J
inatic address and persuasion had been unable to obtain, were secured iu a much shorter time
and probably far more efficaciously by force of arms, and Lima yielded to muskets and cannon
the respect she had been unwilling to concede to the seal of the Department of State. Her dep-
redations on American commerce did not, however, entirely cease until the advent of Captain
Porter in those waters.* Soon after this the United States Government, realizing the defenseless
condition of our commerce in the Pacific, dispatched Porter to that locality to protect our interests,
Up to the time of the capture of his vessel he had not only done all in his power in this direction,
but had effectually destroyed the English whale fishery in those seas, and so turned the tables
upon the enemy who had sent out his whale ships well armed and manned to perform the same
kindly office toward our whalemen. J
"Up to the latter part of the year 1813 the people of Nautucket had fished unmolested both
for codfish and for humpback whales on the shoals at the eastward of the island, and by this
means eked out a livelihood which was begiuuing to be quite precarious, but this resort was now
taken from them. An English privateer, during the fall, appeared among the fleet, capturing
one Nantucket vessel and driving away the remainder. In this dilemma a town meeting was
assembled and a petition prepared and forwarded to Congress representing the situation there,
and praying that some arrangement might be entered into l whereby the fisheries may be prose-
cuted, withcut being subject to losses by war.' But no adequate relief was afforded, and the
people found the history of their sufferings during the Eevolutiou repeating itself with a distress-
ing pertinacity and fidelity, and they bade fair to perish of starvation and cold. They eventually
succeeded in obtaining permission to import provisions, but attempts to get leave to sail on whaling
voyages, coupled with immunity from capture, were unsuccessful.
"The return of peace effected for them the protection that all negotiations had failed to secure.
Early iu February, 1815, news came to ^'autucket that the war was over, and immediately all
was hurry and bustle. The wharves, lately so deserted, teemed with life ; the ships, lately dis-
mantled, put on their new dress ; the faces of the people, lately so disconsolate, were radiant with
hope. In May two ships fitted and sailed on their voyages ; by the last of June this number was
increased to nine ; by the 1st of August eighteen had gone, and by the 31st of December over
thirty ships, brigs, schooners, and sloops were pursuing the leviathans in the North and South
" * The Walker, of New Bedford, was captured by an English armed whale ship, but recaptured by Porter. The
Barclay, of New Bedford, also was captured by the Peruvians, and recaptured by Porter."
" t So far as operations in the Paciiic were concerned, the English went out to shear but ' returned shorn.' Wherever .
our sailors went ashore in foreign ports and met English seamen, a melee was a frequent occurrence. An amusing
instance is related of the officer of a whaling vessel incurring the displeasure of an English naval officer in one of the
South American Pacific ports by his zeal in behalf of his country. A challenge was the result. The American being
the challenged party, had, of course, the right to a choice of weapons, and being most familiar with the harpoon,
chose that. They met according to the preliminaries and took their positions. For a moment the English officer
stood before the poised harpoon of our whaleman, then gave iu, and the proposed combat was deferred."
" November 2(5, 1813. Maey, 177. In an official report Captain Porter gives the following lisl of his captures,
chiefly vessels, as he says, engaged in the British sperm-whale tibhtr.v :
Tons. Men. Guns.
Montezuma .. — ... -..- -- - 270
Policy 175 26 10
Georgiana '-SO 25 6
Greenwich 368 25 10
Atlantic 355 24
Rose 220 21
Hector 270 25 11
Catharine - .- 270
Seringapatam 357
Charlton 274 21 10
NewZealander
Sir A. Hammond 301
144 IlISTOliY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Atlantic, the Indian and Pacific Oceans. On the 9th of July, 1815, the first returning whaling
vessel arrived at Nantucket ; in all probability this was the first arrival at any port in the United
States after the war. This vessel was the sloop Mason's Daughter, which, after a six weeks'
voyage, returned with 100 barrels of oil."
8. WHALE FISHERY OF PROVINCETOWN.
BY CAPT. N. E. ATWOOD.
In early days the whale fishery was prosecuted off along the north shore of Cape Cod with
.small boats, and whales were very plenty in fie fiist part of the present century. In 1820, owing
to the scarcity of codfish on the Grand Bank, Provincetown ship-owners were casting about for
new fields of industry to employ their vessels, and five schooners were fitted out to engage in the
sperm- whale fishery. In most cases experienced whalers were engaged at Wellfleet and elsewhere,
but one vessel, the Nero, sailed without having on board a man who had ever seen a sperm whale.
These vessels left Proviucetown about the 1st of April and went directly to the Azores, where they
cruised for a mouth or two. In June they went to the northwestern ground, as it was called (situ-
ated from 100 to 200 miles northwest of Cowo and Flores), and staid there through the remainder
of the cruise, coming home in the fall. These vessels did rather better than the codfishermen.
In 1821 the codfishery was still low and the whaling fleet was increased to twelve vessels, quarter-
deck schooners mostly, the largest of which measured 98 tons (about equivalent to 70, new measure.
ment), and several were over 90 tons. There were the Neptune, the Kero, the Minerva, the President,
the Mary, the General Jackson, the Charles, the Four Brothers, the Hannah and Eliza, the Vesta,
the brig Ardent, and the brig Laurel. The fleet went on the same grounds as in the previous year,
and in August went into the islands to recruit and afterwards cruised about the islands. They
caine home in September and October, having done a fair business, a little better than the cod fleet.
The Nero had the best fare, obtaining 260 barrels of sperm oil, valued at $1 a gallon. In 1822 the
fleet was increased to eighteen vessels, the Fair Lady, the Sophronia, the Olive Branch, the Sev-
enth Son, and the Betsey being added. They accomplished very little, and all returned in the fall
except the Laurel, which went to the West Indies, and the Fair Lady to the Gulf of Guinea, In
1823 the two vessels returned in March from the south, and the brig Ardent went to the Azores,
obtaining 200 barrels of sperm oil, and was wrecked at sea on her return. The schooner Seventh
-Son went to Africa, obtaining very little.
In 1824 no whalers were sent out, nor in succeeding years, until 1830, when the schooner
Fair Lady and the schooner Vesta went to the old ground about the Azores, the former getting
300 and the latter 140 barrels. In 1832 the brig Iinogene, 170 tons, was bought in Boston for
sperm whaling. She went into the ludian Ocean and was absent two years, obtaining 400
barrels of sperm oil. In 183.5 the Iinogene went another voyage to some of the Western Islands
and the Gulf of Mexico. In 1836 the schooner Louisa (Flora?) was added to the fleet. They
went to the West Indies, where they got some humpback whales, then to the Gulf of Mexico,
and later to the Western Islands ; the Louisa obtaining 175 barrels and the Imogene 560. In
1837 the Imogene got 450 barrels in fJie Atlantic and the schooner Louisa 100. In 1838 the
Imogene went to the Gulf of Mexico, getting 400 of sperm and 200 barrels of whale oil. In
1839 the Imogene cruised in the Atlantic, getting 350 barrels of sperm and 250 of whale oil. In
1837 the Edward and Eienzi was bought for black fishing and went on the ground south of the
Georges Banks and toward Cape Hatteras. No whaling vessels had ever been there ln-lbre. and
she found sperm whales abundant, and since that lime the Hatteras ground and the Charleston
THE WHALE FISHERY. 145
ground (the latter farther south) have been favorite cruising grounds for the Provincetown fleet.
In 1840 the Imogene was condemned and four vessels were added to the fleet, the brigs Franklin,
Fairy, and Phoenix, and a schooner (probably the Belle Isle). The Phcenix went to the Gulf of
Mexico (whore she obtained MOO barrels of sperm oil), the others to the Western Islands, where the
I'hceiiix followed them. From that time the whale fishery began to increase. In 1841 there were
nine vessels, one schooner, one bark, and seven brigs. In 1842 there were thirteen. In 1869
the licet had inereased to lift y lour vessels, at which time the whale fishery was larger than ever
In t'oie or since. Ever since ]8u7 the Hatteras ground has been much visited. At one time many
vessels went to the eastward of the Grand Banks, principally for black fish. Three or four went
.\ ear after year. They would be goue from May to October, and sometimes got 250 to 300 barrels.
During the war the whaling business prospered, but began to fall off from 1869 to 1871 as the
whales became scarcer.
9. STATISTICAL EEVIEW OF THE AMERICAN WHALE FISHERY.
The American whaling fleet was smaller in 1880 than at any time within the past sixty years,
except in 1875 and 1876. The decrease in the number of vessels has been going on since the year
1846, when there were seven hundred and twenty-two vessels, measuring 231,406 tons, in the fleet.
Accurate statistics for the period prior to 1840 are wanting. Just before the Revolutionary war a
lleet of over three hundred and fifty sail was engaged in this business, but after the war the
number was very greatly reduced. There was a gradual growth in the fleet from this time until
the war of 1812, which proved another disaster to whaling commerce. After the war the business
again revived and there was a steady increase in the size of the fleet.
On January 1, 1844, the fleet belonging to the United States numbered six hundred and seven-
teen vessels, valued at $19,430,000 at the time of sailing, and their entire value at that date, includ-
ing the catchiugs at sea, was estimated at 827,784,000. The annual consumption by the fleet for
outfits at that time was $3,845,000, and the value of the production of oil and bone in the year
1844 was $7,875,970. In 1846 the fleet of vessels had increased in number to seven hundred and
twenty-two, the highest number ever employed in the fishery at one time, and was valued at about
$21,000,000. The entire capital invested in the industry and its connections at this time was
$70,000,000, and the number of persons deriving from it their chief support was 70,000.
After 1846 there was a rapid decrease till 1850, when the tonnage was 171,484 and the number
of vessels five hundred and thirty-nine ; then an increase till 1854, when there were six hundred
and fifty-two vessels, measuring 208,399 tons ; from 1854 till the present time ihe decrease has
been almost constant, the tonnage in 1865 being reduced to 79,696 tons, and the vessels to two
hundred and seventy-one ; in 1875 the decrease was still greater, when there were only one hundred
and fifty-two vessels, measuring 37,733 tons, and on the 1st of January, 1880, the fleet numbered
one hundred and seventy -three vessels, of 39,433 tons measurement.
The most valuable production of the fleet was in 1854, when the value of the oil and bone
was $10,766,521.20, against $2,056,069.08 in 1879, which was the lowest since the year 1828, when
the production yielded $1,995,181.15. The year ending December 31, 1880, was somewhat more
profitable than 1879 because of the success of the Arctic fleet, the yield this year reaching
$2,659,725.03.
The largest fleet in the North Pacific and Arctie Oceans was in 1846, when two hundred and
ninety-two ships were there, and obtained 253,800 barrels of whale oil, averaging 869 barrels to a
vessel. The largest quantity of sperm oil was produced in 1837, 5,329,138 gallons, averaging in
SEC. V, VOL. u 10
146 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
price $1.242 per gallon. The largest quantity of whale oil was produced in 1851, 328,483 barrels,
or 10,347,214 gallons, averaging 45-^- cents per gallon. The largest quantity of whalebone was
produced in 1853. 5.652.300 pounds, averaging 34J cents (gold) per pound.
(a) TEA.DE REVIEWS.
The following extracts, taken from the Whalemen's Shipping List, published at New Bed-
ford, Mass., showing the yearly condition of the whaling industry from 1*08 to 1880, are kindly
furnished by Messrs. I. H. Bautlett & Sons.
The words "imports" and "importations" in these reviews mean the receipts of oil from I lie
American fleet, a'ad do not mean imports of foreign production, but the catch <>!' American vessels
in the various oceans.
Review of tlie tcliale fishery for 1868.— The present year has witnessed the return of the usual number of whalers,
and generally with sal isf'aetory catches, and quite as favorable results as anticipated. The price of sperm oil ruled
steady through the year, while in whale a generally advancing market wax maintained, and in September (owing to
telegraphic advices 1'inm the Heel as late as the middle of August, announcing a failure of the fishery up to that date)
a marked advance was established, and holders of the small stock (17,500 barrels) demanded £1.25 and upwards.
Whalebone, being similarly affected, sold in the summer as low as 85 cents, currency, but upon the unfavorable news
advanced to sl.J-J-J, with sales, and a further advance was demanded. A month later more favorable reports can e to
hand from the fleet in the Arctic, which cast a new feature over the prospects of prices and supply. The season up
to August 23 was a failure, but a few whales having been taken up to that time, some of the ablest masters having
taken no oil, and many vessels left for other grounds; those that remained were successful in taking extraordinary
cuts of oil ; in one instance, the bark John llo\vland, taking 1,000 barrels of oil in four days in the latter part of Sep-
tember, and many other vessels t"<>k an average of 1,000 barrels in thirty days, the laigest. catches being the ships
Reindeer, 1,550 barrels, and the Florida, 1,700 barrels.
Owing to the low prices ruling for whale oil and whalebone, in the early aud middle pai t of the year many of the
ships returning from the North Pacific were put into the sperm and right whale fishery in the Indian and Southern
Oceans, which will account in part for the small fleet to go north in 1869, and many ships will return home this spring,
having completed three or more seasons. So that, as the whale fishery now stands, there will not probably be over
fifty ships of all nationalities cruising in the North Pacific in 1869, a smaller number than since 1863 ; leaving the rest
of the whale fleet, about two hundred and thirty-nine ships to pursue sperm whaling in whole or in part in every
other ocean and sea.
We have no changes to note of employment of ships in the fishery, but add the port of San Francisco to our list
as one of the ports of the United States engaged in the fishery.
The number of vessels from the Atlantic ports engaged in the fishery January 1, 1869, is 220 ships and barks, 23
brigs and 87 schooners, with 73,105 tonnage, showing an increase of only one vessel as compared with last year, hut a
falling off of 1,489 tons, of which 878 tons grows out of remeasnrements by the new system, to which we add 6 vessels
from the port of San Francisco, with 1,414 tonnage, making the total number of vessels from the United States, Janu-
ary 1, 1869, 336, with a tonnage of 74,519, being within 75 tons of that of 1868.
The schooner Etta G. Fogg, of Provincetown, and Money Hill, of Boston, are missing, aud are supposed to have
foundered at sea, the former not having been heard from since sailing, and the latter when only a short time out.
The brig Georgiana, of New London, with 700 barrels of oil on freight from Cumberland Inlet whalers for New Lon-
don, has not been heard from since sailing from the inlet in October, 1868, and it is feared is lost.
The Atlantic whale fishery has been carried on by about as many whalers as in 1867, with quite as favorable
returns. The vessels from Provincetown and ports eastward, comprising nearly one-half the fleet, averaged about,
the same quantity of oil as in 1867, but, owing to the increased cost, of the vessels added, and the reduced price of
sperm oil, the business was not, on the whole, as remunerative.
The "Commodore Morris Ground" proved a failure, hut whales were found quite plenty on other grounds, though
very wild, and several vessels were very fortunate ; nine vessels averaging 400 barrels sperm oil.
The fleet in the Pacific Ocean was nearly as successful as in 1867, those that met with extraordinary luck in that
year having continued to take large quantities of oil, more especially those cruising in the South Pacific, while some
of the vessels cruising on the west coast of South America took good cuts of oil. The fleet will be somewhat increased
the present year, being about sixty American ships, including some of the most successful which are expected to
return home.
Panama has proved a convenient port for transshipment of oil home, there having been quite a number of whalers
there the past year to receive supplies and to ship their oil, amounting to 3,250 barrels of sperm. The reduced price of
freight to 6 cents, gold, per gallou, with prospects of a further deduction, will probably induce more vessels to visit
there in future.
The sperm-whale fleet for 1869 will be distributed about as follows : la the North and South Atlantic about 150
vessels, the usual number for the past, three years, exclusive of homeward bound vessels. In the Indian Ocean, 35
vessels, against 31 in 1868. In the Pacific Ocean, 54 vessels, against 46 in 1868. Total, 239 vessels.
THE WHALE KISHKRY. 147
Tin' tleet cruising in the Xorih Pacific consisted of 58 vessels, of which 7 were foreign, against 101 vessels in
1867; 2 vessels were lost, tin- Corinthian and tin- H,i< Hawaii, i ho former having taken 1,050 barrels oil aud 15,000
pounds bone, which were saved, and the latter, 1,200 barrels oil aud 15, (100 pounds bone, which were lost with the
\rssel. There were also . I trading vessels that visite.d those waters and returned with 185 barrels oil aud 22,500
IK in mis bone.
The Arctic Ocean licet comprised :',7 American and 4 foreign vessels, aud caught 35,005 barrels whale oil and
:.?.'.. -Jtui pounds bDiie, .-in a\eiage of 834 barrels oil aud 14,030 pounds bouo ; whereas, in 1867, 77 vessels caught 50,115
banvls whale oil and SH7.SIH) poniuls bone, an average of 651 barrels oil aud 10,492 pounds boue.
The Oehotsk licet comprised 7 A'licriean ami I foreign vessel, and caught '1,960 barrels whale oil and 50,500 pounds
bone, an average of (i','0 barrels oil and (i,:!12 pounds bone : whereas, in 1-1.7, 14 vessels caught 9,320 bairels whale oil
and 117, '•(>(> pounds bone, an average of 665 barrels oil and S,:.',',i:j pounds boue.
The Kodiac and Bristol Bay licet comprised 17 American aud 2 foreign vessels, and caught 7,635 barrels whale oil
and (18, sun pounds bone; \\hereas, in ls'7, 10 vessels caught 5,465 barrels whale oil aud 47,700 pounds boue, an
average of 511', barrels oil and 4,770 pouuds bune.
The entire fleet of 68 vessels caught 47,600 barrels whale oil and 694,500 pouuds bone, an average of 700 barrels
oil and 10,213 pounds bone, showing a better average than in 1867, when 101 vessels caught an average of 642 barrels
nil and '.t,u'.i3 pounds bone.
The Cumberland Inlet fled comprised 12 American vessels, of which 4 returned, bringing 2,250 barrels whale oil
and :it),OOU pounds bone. The bark Andrews; was totally lost, having no oil on board. The fleet for 1869 will number
about the same as in I,-M|-I ; 7 vessels are wintering there, aud had taken, up to the latest dates, bur live whales.
The year opened with sperm oil dull at $2, aud continued about the same for six months, -when it dropped to $1.75
© Si. -ii, at which it stood for nearly three mouths, when it was put to $2, where it remained for a brief period, aud
when wanted for export in October declined to $1.78 @ $1.75, at which 10,000 barrels were sold.
Whale oil opened at 65 cents, and steadily improved to 82 cents 1st of August, when, under unfavorable news
from the northern fleet, rapidly advanced to $1.1", aud, in consequence of the absence of further reports from the
licet, was still further advanced, with sales at $1.15 © $1.25. After the news of the great success was received, in
October, it was very dull, and closed with sales of 400 barrels at about, $1.
Whalebone opened at 70 ceuts, gold, steadily declined until July, with sales at 60 cents, gold, when an improve-
ment was established aud the market, under the, unfavorable reports, rose rapidly to $1.40 © $1.42|, at which but few
sales were made, and later, upon full reports from the fleet, the market became demoralized, aud receded to 75 © 80
cents, gold, at which large sales were made at the close of the year.
The imports in 18G8 were 47,174 barrels sperm, 65,575 barrels whale oil, aud 900,>s~>0 pounds bone, against 43,433
barrels sperm, 89,289 barrels whale oil and 1.001,397 pounds bone, in 1867, showing an increase of sperm oil, but a
considerable decrease of whale oil and bone.
The exports for 18(18 were 18,916 barrels sperm, 9,885 barrels whale oil, and 707,882 pounds whalebone, against
25,147 barrels sperm, 18,253 barrels whale oil, and 717,796 pounds whalebone in 1867, showiug a marked decrease
especially of sperm aud whale oil, but it should be stated that about 4,500 barrels sperm oil purchased in December
for export have not beeu cleared at the New York custom-house.
The home consumption of sperm oil in 1863 was 19,055 barrels; of whale oil, 72,390 barrels, aud of whalebone,
246,968 ponuds. In 1867 it was 22,986 barrels sperm ; 58,836 barrels whale oil, and 181,600 pounds whalebone, showing
a decrease of sperm oil, but a very satisfactory increase of whale oil and -whalebone.
The stock of oils aud whalebone on hand January 1, 1869, was 13,000 barrels sperm, 16,700 barrels whale oil, and
and 200,000 pounds bone, against 8,000 pounds sperm, 33,400 barrels whale, and 274,000 pounds bone same time
1868.
TRADE I'.EVIEW FOR 1869.
Review of the whale fishery for 1869. — The year 1869 has not proved a satisfactory one to those engaged in the whale .
fishery. It opened with good prices for oils and bone, which were well sustained through the summer, since which
time, owing to increased stocks, depression in business everywhere, caused by the New York gold panic iu September,
and the favorable news from the Arctic Ocean, there has been a general decline to present quotations of $1.55 for
.-perm, 70 cents for humpback, 85 cents for Arctic oil, and 85 cents, gold, for Arctic bone, equal to about $1 currency,
tin- decline for the year being about 2.~> per cent. During the summer about 25,000 barrels refined seal oil were
imported from the provinces ami brought here by our manufacturers, thereby displacing from consumption an equal
quantity of whale oil, which is now held by our importers, and which acroruts for the excess of the present stock
over that of a year ago. The seal oil, which is of inferior consistency to whale, is said to have been largely mixed
with whale aud lard oils, thereby prejudicing {\\,~ reputation of pure whale and lard oils. The increased import of
whale oil in l.-'69 over l.-Ji;-J was mainly owing to the sending home from the Sandwich Islands of oil caught in the
previous years, only about 3,000 barrels having been carried north by the fleet in 1869, against 14,000 barrels in 1868.
The generally unprofitable results of voyages terminated during the year, coupled with the low prices now ruling,
are not favorable to the present fitting of the vessels in port which constitute over one-sixth of our small fleet.
Of the one hundred aud two whalers that have arrived during the year, only about one quarter may be said to
have made profitable returns; eveu those, at present prices, would barely have saved their owners from a loss. .
The new year opens with another reduction in the fleet, both iu number of vessels and tonnage. The whole
number of American vessels engaged in the whale fishery January 1, 1870, is 218 ships aud barks, 22 brigs, 81 schooners,
148
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
with 73,137 tons, against 223 ships and barks, 25 brigs, 88 schooners, with 74,519 tons same time in 1869, showing a
decrease of 15 vessels and 1,362 tons, only 25 of which grows out of remeasurement. As showing the extraordinary
falling off in ten years, we give the following figures:
Ships and
barks.
Brigs.
Schooners.
Tonnage.
1870
218
22
81
73, 137
I860
508
19
42
176, 842
This is an apparent difference of 103,705 tons, but owing to loss by remeasurenient, the actual loss in tonnage in
93,095 tons; showing in the ten years a decrease of 55 per cent. We predict a further deduction in the fleet the
present year, unless prices materially improve. At present there are eight whalers at this port for sale, and a large
number of schooners at Provincetown and other ports.
The Atlantic fishery, taken as a whole, was less successful than in former years, the average catch being 12 per
cent, less than for three years previous, while the instances of good catches have been largely reduced.
We give below a statement of the Atlantic sperm fishery for the past four years :
Number of
vessels.
Total catch.
Average.
1866
150
Barrels.
20, 594
Barrels.
137
1867
154
18, 809
123
1868
150
18 206
122
1869
158
17, 672
112
About one-fourth of the catch was taken in the South Atlantic.
The fleet to cruise in the North and South Atlantic will not probably exceed one hundred and twenty-five vessels,
against an average of three years previously of one hundred and fifty-four vessels; this being brought about by the
reduced average catch and reduced prices, and is chiefly shown in the Provincetown fleet, where seven have already
been withdrawn and fifteen others are in port there, a number of which it is contemplated withdrawing.
The Indian Ocean, New Holland, and Soloo Sea grounds have been visited by the usual number of vessels, but
only a few have been more than moderately successful.
The Pacific fleet has been well distributed on New Zealand and the West Coast, but has not been as successful as
for a few years past ; some have done well but the average has been moderate. Five of the New Zealand fleet changed
their cruising grounds and went humpbacking, and were successful in taking an average of 750 barrels. A single
vessel, the bark Camilla, has been cruising on the old Japan ground with fair success.
The North Pacific fleet of 1869 comprised forty-four American and six foreign ships, fifty in all, the number
anticipated in our last review, agaiust sixty-eight vessels in 1868. Owing to the scarcity of whales in the Arctic early
in the season, many gave their attention to the capturing of walrus, and about 4,000 barrels of oil were taken from
them, and, as in the previous year, it was not until late in August that the whales were found in abundance at Point
Barrow, where all present got good fares of oil, the only barrier thereto being the extreme cold. The catch was large
for the small fleet engaged, and gave an average of 990 barrels oil and 14,000 pounds bone. The fall short in bone is
owing to the walrus oil (which has no bone with it) being included in the whale. Only one vessel went to Bristol
Bay, where she got 500 barrels whale oil and 2,000 pounds bone, and but six to the Ochotsk Sea, where whales were
scarce, the entire catch being 2,575 barrels oil and '21,800 pounds bone, the average being smaller than for many pre-
vious years. The bark Eagle, of New Bedford, was totally lost in the Arctic in September, Laving taken 1,600 barrels
oil and 25,000 pounds bone, the only serious disaster to the fleet. For a number of years the coast whaling has been
neglected, but it is expected that several whalers will this winter visit the bays there, which in former years have
furnished good whaling. The entire fleet visited the Sandwich Islands last fall, except the Florida, which belongs
at San Francisco. In this connection we would invite attention to the following article from the San Francisco
Commercial Herald:
" Of the large whaling fleet engaged in the Ochotsk and Arctic Seas, but a single one visited this port last year,
all the rest having rendezvoused at the Hawaiian Islands. A good many of them found fault with the treatment
accorded by the American consul, and expressed a determination to come here next season. At, least twenty-five will
adopt that course, and it would be good policy to pass some stringent law by which the contracts made with their
crews could be enforced. The Florida is the only vessel that entered the harbor from the Polar Seas. Her oil sold at
a high figure, say 65 <© 70 cents. The bone was forwarded by rail to New York at a merely nominal rate, say 3£
cents per pound, currency. It is said by returned whalemen who passed through this city for New Bedford overland,
in December last, that a considerable number of the whaling fleet will in future resort to this harbor for supplies, & c.,
presenting, as it does, advantages of markets and home advices by telegraph, besides monetary exchanges and facili-
ties that are not elsewhere attainable,"
THE WHALE FISHERY. 149
The Cumberland and Hinlsim liay fishery was very unsatisfactory, but one fair catch having been made of 650
barrels, after an absence of nearly eighteen months. Of the six vessels wintering there, five are owned at New
London, the other at this port. The, brig Oxford, of Fairhaven, was totally lost in the inlet, and the bark Odd Fellow,
of New London, on her passage to I. be inlet.
The Desolation sea-elephant lishery has been satisfactory to those who have pursued it, it being a specialty at
New London.
The Tristan, Cro/.ettes, and Desolation grounds were visited by several of our whalers last winter, where they
found few whales and bad weather, and in two instances ouly were good catches* made.
The fleet the present year will l>e distributed about as follows: In the North and South Atlantic, 125 vessels;
Indian Ocean. H vessels, and Paeitie Ocean, 65 vessels, making 231 vessels, which are chiefly sperm whaling. In
Hudson Bay and Cumberland lulei.i'i \eswls; on Desolation, elephanting, 6 vessels; and in the North Pacific, 44
American and 7 foreign vessels, a total of (W vessels, exclusively right whaling. There are 13 vessels outward bound,
and 11 homeward bound: and of the number to go north the coining season, 18 vessels will be on the fourth, fifth,
and siith seasons, sn\ uuusual number, involving a larger outlay than it' fitted at home ports.
The year opened with a good demand for sperm oil at §1.75, and rose before the close of January to .$2, and the
market continued steady into June, when the price gradually receded to $1.75, after which there was a steady decline
to the close of the year, sales being made at $l.5.~> per gallon.
Whale oil opened at $1 per gallon, and rapidly rose to $1.20, when, upon the spring arrivals with a large supply,
the price gradually receded t,> $1 and §1.05, for northern, at which price it continued steady until the fall mouths,
when it further receded to 85 © 90 cents, which were tho ruling prices at the close.
Whalebone opened at 75 cents, gold, for new, and 80 cents, gold, for old, Arctic, with considerable sales, and
promptly advanced from 85 cents to SI, gold, early in March. During the summer months the market remained steady,
at about $1.30, currency, until October, when sales were made at $1, gold, for Arctic, and 82 © 83 cents, gold, for
South Sea. Since then there has been a general decline, closing at 85 cents, gold, for Arctic, and 75 cents, gold, for
South Sea.
The English review of their oil market for 1869 is encouraging, as it foreshadows a good demand for our staples.
At the commencement of the year the stock of sperm oil was 5,300 barrels, and there was in transit from this side
10,000 barrels, whereas at the opening of this year their stock was but 0,000 barrels and nothing going forward. The
import into London in 1869 was 7,200 barrels from the colonies and 25,500 barrels from the United States, a total of
:>-', 700 barrels, all of which was cleared for consumption excepting 700 barrels. The information received here from
their colonies as well as the Talcahuano Meet (from which they have drawn considerable supply) lead us to believe
that their increased supply for tho pant two years of colonial oil cannot be relied upon for the future. About 4,500
barrels whale oil were imported during the year, and the market closed very firm at £39 © £40 per tun, with but
little remaining in first hands. We think we can safely anticipate a good demand for sperm oil the present year.
The imports in 1869 were 47,<j:>ii barrels sperm, 85,011 barrels whale oil, and 603,603 pounds bone, against 47,174
barrels sperm, 65, 575 barrels whale oil, and 900,850 pounds bone in 1868, showing a marked increase in whale oil,
owing to the sending home of oil taken in previous years, but a decrease in whalebone of about one-third.
The exports in 1869 were 18,645 barrels sperm, 3,842 barrels whale oil, and 311,605 pounds bone, against 18,619
barrels sperm, 9,885 barrels whalo oil, and 707,882 pounds bone in 1868, showing a large decrease in whale oil and
whalebone.
The home consumption of sperm oil in 1869 was 17,239 barrels, of whale oil 56,236 barrels, and of whalebone
197,098 pounds, when in 1868 it iras 19,055 barrels sperm, 72,390 barrels whale oil, and 246,963 pounds whalebone.
The decrease in the consumption of whale oil was consequent upon the large import (and consumption) of seal oil,
which we have reason to believe will not be repeated.
The stock of oil and whalebone on hand January 1, 1«70, was 25,052 barrels sperm, 41,633 barrels whale oil, and
294,900 pounds whalebone, against 13,000 barrels sperm, 16,700 barrels whale oil, and 200,000 pounds whalebone same
time in 1869.
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1870.
Review of thr. whale fishery for 1870. — The year 1870, like its predecessor, has been one of poor returns to those engaged
in the whale fishery. The prices for our staples, which at the opening were considered uuremunerative, steadily
declined throughout the year, closing at the lowest quotations of any year since Ijt51. The decline in sperm oil was
owing to the limited consumption of the article, together with a large stock on hand at the beginning of the year, and
the unexpected large import, being about 10,000 barrels in excess of the estimate for the year, while whale oil and whale-
bone were similarly effected by the introduction largely of co , foreign market, caused by the
European war, to which we export largely, especially of bone. We note that while tho importation of seal oil has been
retricted by a higher tariff, that cotton-seed oil has stepped inio its place, and claims its share of consumption, which
i- by no means limited, 75. in HI barrels, it is estimated, having been marketed the present year. But few of the returned
whalers made profitable voyages, whereas most of tho voyages were uuremunerative, and many very much so.
Because of the poor results and low prices, eombined with the high cost, of outfits, many were deterred from fitting
out their ships again, and the fleet at home ports on the new year was largely in excess of former years. Oar mer-
chants do not look upon the future of whaling with enconra- m disposed to distrust it as to its pecu-
niary results, induced more by extra -.es than inherent, having to add to tho list of competitors lard, petro-
leum, and seal oil, that of cotton-seed oil, said by its advocates to bo but in its infancy.
ISO HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
The decline in the number of the fleet foreshadowed a year ago has been realized, and we have not only a smaller
number now engaged, but of that small number fully one-fourth are at home ports.
The Atlantic fishery has furnished less sperm oil than in former years, chiefly owing to the small number prose-
cuting the business there, though, as in former years, some good fares were taken, six vessels in the North Atlantic
having averaged 350 barrels. The fleet to cruise there the present year will be much reduced from that of last year,
and will probably not exceed one hundred vessels.
The whole number of American vessels engaged in the fishery January 1, 1871, is 216 ships and barks, 18 brigs, 54
schooners, with 69,372 tons, against 218 ships and barks, 22 brigs, 81 shooners, with 73,137 tons same time in 1870,
showing the large decrease for the past year of 33 vessels, with 3,765 tons, which proceeds from the withdrawal of
vessels from Newburyport, Wellfleet, Groton, and largely from Provincetown, the entire fleet at the latter port being
27 vessels against 49 a year ago, and of that number it is thought 7 will not be fitted.
We fear that a continuation of the present low prices for our staples will deter our merchants from fitting many
of the whalers in port and to arrive, by which the vessels disengaged throughout the year will be larger than for
many years past.
On the various sperm-whaling grounds the cases of marked success in 1870 were few. Whales were very scarce
upon the grounds around New Zealand, which have been more largely visited the past year because of the previous
marked success there. Many of the sperm whalers visited the several right- whaling and humpback grounds, and met
with good success, more particularly in humpbacking. The Tristan and Crozettes grounds were poor, with heavy
weather, the best cut being 760 barrels on Crozettes, while the average was not probably over 250 barrels.
The North Pacific fleet of 1870 consisted of forty-eight American and ten foreign vessels, of which two American,
the Hibernia and Almira, and one foreign, the Japan, of Sidney, New South Whales, were totally lost, the latter sup-
posed, with all her officers and crew, in the Arctic. As in the two years previous, the whaling was done in August and
September, and the average catch was larger than for many years. Whales were small but very numerous, and it is
said were never more abundant. The catch of walrus oil was very large, being nearly 10,000 barrels.
But one whaler visited the Ochotsk Sea, the Monticello, and took 200 barrels, and Bristol Bay, the George, and
took 400 barrels.
Coast whaling seems to have been abandoned. Ten whalers visited San Francisco, the balance of the fleet going to
Honolulu. A new feature in the transshipment of bone is that of sending it " across the continent " by rail, direct to
New Bedford, at the small cost of 2 cents per pound, currency.
At Honolulu three foreign right whalers have been withdrawn, the business n ot proving remunerative, but in
San Francisco there is a corresponding increase, and a disposition manifested to extend further in this branch of
whaling.
The Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet fishery was fair, the Milwood doing the best, having come out with
1,000 barrels. The schooner Quickstep, of New London, is supposed to have been lost in coming out, with all on
board.
The fleet is now distributed about as follows: North and South Atlantic, 51 vessels; Indian Ocean, 41 vessels ;
Pacific Ocean, 65 vessels, principally sperm whaling ; Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet, 5 vessels; the remaining
51 vessels comprise the North Pacific fleet, 8 of which are outward and 20 homeward bound. The North Pacific fleet
for 1871 will comprise about 40 ships of all nationalities. The total number of vessels now at sea is 213.
The export of sperm oil to foreign countries in 1870 was 22,773 barrels, mostly to London, against 18,645 barn-Is
in 1869, showing an increase of 4,323 barrels; but the stock on hand at London, 1st instant, was 200 tons in excess of
the previous year. The foreign consumption of this article lias not increased under low prices, as was anticipated,
which it would seem was owing to the European war, causing a large falling off in the demand for manufactured
goods, but which we think an early peace will restore. The home demand has materially increased, and we think will
be maintained under present prices.
The year opened with sperm oil at $1.50 © $1.55, and advanced in February to *1.(10, whi'ii, becoming in large
supply, it steadily declined throughout the year to $1.20, closing at if 1.23 © £1. •-'•"'.
Whale oil opened at 70 @ 72i cents, and advanced to 80 cents in February, and in July the price had declined to
67 © 68 cents, when it again advanced to 70 cents in August, after which it gradually declined to 65 cents, which was
the nominal price at the close.
Whalebone was in good demand early in the year at 85 cents per pound, gold, for Arctic, when in May and June
large sales were made at 80 cents, gold, aud since July, when war was declared in Europe, the price has gradually
declined to 65 cents per pound, gold, the decline in price and demand being consequent upon the two large and only
consumers, Franco aud Germany, being a-t war. The export to July IS, when the war broke out, was 285,000
pounds, being nearly equal to the entire previous year, and but for this interruption we should have probably had a
large increased foreign demand, and soon after the declaration of peace we shall expect to see the foreign dealers in
oils and bone turning their attention to our staples at the attractively low prices ruling here.
The imports in 1870 were 55,183 barrels sperm, 72,691 barrels whale oil, and 708,365 pounds bone, against 47,936
barrels sperm, 85,011 barrels whale oil, and 603,603 pounds bone in 1869, showing a large increase in sperm oil and
whalebone, but a large decrease in whale oil. Of the imports of whale oil, 4,013 barrels, and of whalebone, 66,000
pounds, were the catch of San Francisco vessels.
The export in 1870 was 22,773 barrels sperm, 9,872 barrels whale oil, and 347,918 pounds bone, against 18,645
barrels sperm, 3,842 barrels whale oil, and 311,605 pounds bone in 1869, showing an increase in each article.
THK WHALE FISHERY. 151
'flu* home consumption <>l's|>rrm oil in ls;o was •.'.-<. s|_> barrels a.ud of whale oil 64,812 barrels, and of whalebono
-•Jii.'JlT pounds, when in 18(>9 it was 17. '.':!!_) barrels sperm, 5b',236 barrels whale oil, and 197,098 pounds bone, showing
a gratifying increase the past year.
The sMick of oil and bone on hand .January 1, 1871, was 26,650 barrels sperm, 36,000 barrels wbale oil, and
400,000 pounds bone. exclusive of ;;.?.'() barrels whale oil and 27,500 pounds bone held in San Francisco, against
•J."i,0.vj barrels sperm, 41,03:5 barrels whale oil, and 294,000 pounds bone same time in 1870.
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1871.
Keru'w ill' tin- wlitilc Jixlicri/for 1871. — We have, to n-cord another year of poor success in the whale fishery, both as
concerns oil taken and pecuniary results, only about twenty-four vessels out. of ninety-one returned having met with
good success in taking oil, and scarcely ten of the whole fleet having left their owners any gains in the net results of
the voyages terminated; the average low prices ruling for oil and bone for the first ten months of the year, when
most of onr arrivals occurred, tending to this result, and the large advance brought about by the almost total disaster
to our Arctic fleet coming too late to change such results. Sperm oil from its own weight of heavy stock on hand at
the opening of the year, and the frequent arrivals during the first half of the year, continued to sag from $1.40 in
February to $1.22 in July and August, when, under a good foreign demand and some speculative inquiry, it reacted
in September and advanced in October to f 1.30, and with a good home demand, stimulated by erroneous views of
consumers in the manufacturing districts, as to the kind of disaster \ve had met with, it was put up to $1.60, where it
stood at the closing day of the year. An impression gained credence with some consumers in this country and Europe
that our sperm-whale fishery was the sufferer, and the whaling business severely crippled ; whereas our wharves had
thiny ships lying at them for sale, and which the loss of ships in the Arctic simply made a partial market for. With
so great a loss of vessels, we have with us for sale at least ten good ships, the owners not feeling willing to embark in
new voyages with them.
The consumption of sperm oil has been rather more than last year, say 56,000 barrels, of which 22,000 barrels were
exported to Great Britain, more than usual going to Glasgow. The London market received from the colonies 800
tnus, which was more than for either of the three preceding years. The stock on hand in London, December 31, was
b'30 tuns, au average of the stocks for the three preceding years, and 200 tuns were also being lauded from New York
for refiners. The home consumption in 1871 was about 34,000 barrels, against 29,000 ban-els in 1870, showing the
increased consumption of 1871 over 1870 to have been in this country.
The import of sperm oil was 8,000 barrels less than was looked for at the beginning of the year, which is due
rather to the poor whaling, and not to delay of the whalers out in returning home. We have a much smaller stock
than for 1871 to open the year with, say 14,500 barrels, and can hardly expect as large an import in 1872 as in 1871, as
the fleet is much smaller, and must so remain for the present, while some few sperm whalers may go to the Aictic
Ocean and some whalers here may be sent to the same place this year. With the low prices ruling in 1871 for lard,
cotton-seed, and petroleum oils, it would seem that sperm oil has its own place to till at a fail price, regardless of
su hsti tines, and better success iu finding sperm oil would no doubt encourage some owners of vessels to fit them again
at present prices. The sperm oil on board of whalers, already caught, is about 33,000 barrels, against 36,000 barrels
the year previous.
There will be an increase in Provincetowu whalers fitted this spring, several of them having been temporarily
engaged iu the coasting business.
The destruction of thirty-three Arctic whalers out of forty cruising in the Arctic in 1871 will work a new
experience to us in the way of importation iu 1872, as but two Arctic whalers will arrive this year, the ships Daniel
Webster here, and Europa at Edgartown, and the arrival of Arctic oil will be only about 2,300 banels. We can
hardly hope to import more than 30,000 barrels whale oil from all quarters in 1872, which would unly give a supply
of 60,000 barrels for the year, against 110,000 in 1871. The market will be cleared before another import of Arctic-
oil can be caught, unless the extreme views of holders may lead to I he importation of seal oil to bo caught this
spiiug, and a supply of cotton-seed oil. which shall make up for our lar<;e deficiency. Since the news was received of
the Arctic disaster wo have fitted and sent to the Arctic six ships, and one from New London, of which four were
toimerly sperm whalers. Of the eleven whalers fitted aud which sailed for the Arctic previous to the news of the
loss, live were sperm whalers; three sperm, whalers have been ordered to the Arctic from speim-whale grounds. The
Faraway, owned in Sydney, New South Wales, has sailed from Honolulu, under command of Captain Herendeen,
formerly of the Mary, of Edgartowu, for the Arctic. TUe fleet of 1872 will com pn- -ix vessels, of which only
three Americans and one Hawaiian were there in 1871. San Francisco will probably have no whalers there, under-
writers in San Francisco declining to insure on them ; their past , ''ing to them almost a fatality, they
having had to pay for every Arctic whaler that has heretofore fitted from Ihai port.
Wha'e oil lias been in good demand, both for home use and export, though the market was a declining one,
Mom 65 cents iu January to 50 © 54 cents in July, and until the November news of the loss of the Arctic whalers,
when the maiket was entirely demoralized, more from insurance and other questions pending solution than any
other pressing want to bay or anxiety to sell at the advance. When the excitement was allayed sales -were made
of Arctic at 75 @ 80 cents, which is the current price. The consumption has equaled the previous year, G4,000
barrels being used here, and 18,000 barrels exported to France.
Seal oil has not interfered with us during the year, ouly one cargo American catch coming to this country.
Cotton-seed oil has been in the market, but the low juices ha\i: unquestionably discouraged the manufacturers of it,
with similar results in their experience as by our whaling owners.
j52 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Whalebone has continued in good demand during the year, although at low prices, the prices ranging from 65
cents, gold, early in the year, to 79 cents, gold, in October, when the ten months' sales having more than aggregated
our imports, and the disastrous Arctic news having come to hand, holders being few in number, put their prices to
$2 per pound. Sales were made of South Sea at $1.70 and Arctic at $1.75 @ $1.85, and the year closed with a stock of
290,000 pounds, held at $1.90 © $2. There can be no import of bone in 1872 except of South Sea and Cumberland,
and possibly an early arrival of Arctic, all nncaught as yet.
There has been a large reduction in our email whaling fleet, and of the thirty-fonr vessels now in port half are for
sale, and some to arrive will probably change hands before being fitted again. Could present prices be assured for three
years to come probably nearly every vessel would go to sea, but with the uncertainty in prices, partly from substi-
tutes and low prices of them, only good prices can be hoped for and not counted upon. There were no whalers in
Ochotsk Sea or on Kodiac last season. The Arctic fleet had done well up to the time of their having been lost ;
whales were plenty and the prospects good for a large average. The oil abandoned with the ships was about 12,000
barrels, and about 100,000 pounds of bone. The natives were at work saving the bone when last seen, and it
is expected that by trading with them that at least 50,000 pounds may be got of them within three years. It is not
improbable that some of the ships may be found near where abandoned, but not at a time nor in such condition as to
make it an object to save them. The salvors would hardly expect to save more than half to themselves of the
property recovered, and good whaling would offer better results.
The Atlantic fishery has been a fair one to the small fleet cruising there. The weather has been rugged late in the
season. The best catch was made by the Commodore Morris, of New Bedford, 1,200 barrels sperm oil in nineteen
months, 550 barrels this season ; others have done well. The South Atlantic fleet have done well sperm whaling and
humpbacking. The fleet took 3,000 barrels humpback oil on the coast of Africa. The Nautilus, of New Bedford,
took 800 barrels, the best catch.
The Indian Ocean and Crozettes have furnished nothing extraordinary ; nor have the Soolo Sea and New Holland
given their usual share of oil. The New Zealand fleet has done well tperm whaling and humpbacking, nearly 5,000
barrels of humpback oil having been taken on Brampton Shoals; the Cleone, of New Bedford, having taken 1,000
barrels. The West Coast whaling has been only fair sperm whaling, while in humpbacking some good cuts have
been made, aggregating nearly 5,000 barrels. Panama Bay was alive with humpbacks in the season of them, and one
coast whaler took 1,000 barrels. Margueritta Bay has not been visited, though in former years it furnished great
attractions to our ArcticTleet between seasons.
Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet has barely sustained its average, though the Ansel Gibbs, of New Bedford,
returned with 1,300 barrels of oil and 22.000 pounds of bone — the only good catch, and paying one, and perhaps the
best paying one of the year in its percentage. The Scotch Greenland fishery was very successful ; they report some
catches of 2,000 barrels to a vessel — steamers.
The Desolation voyages have been a sharer with all the other kinds of whaling in having less oil taken and less
price received than the owners found profitable. The year in a general view outside the Arctic disaster, which was
unforeseen and unexpected, has been fully as discouraging as any former, and if extreme prices, caused by our loss, do
not raise up enemies to our future interest in substitutes, then we may hope for better days to those whose courage
keeps them in the way of whaling because they believe we shall see a return of prosperity in this branch of creative
industry.
The promptness with which the Commercial Mutual Marine and Union Mutual Marine Insurance Companies have
had their resources reinforced by stock notes, the former by $110,000 and the latter by $300,000, shows that our pres-
ent and former owners in whaling, who have come to the rescue to replenish the enormous losses by the Arctic disaster,
believe in a future of whaling, if not as extensive as in the past at least partially as remunerative.
*
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1872.
J?ert«o of the whale fishery for 1872. — The year just closed has been but a continuance of the former one in results,
few prizes and many blanks. With a small and steadily declining fleet, we have been suable to proportionately gain
in average quantity of oil taken or in reaching more satisfactory results. Those who began the year with the inten-
tion of selling whalers have seen nothing so encouraging in the business as to induce them to change their minds,
and though only seven of the fourteen ships then for sale were sold during the year, yet others since arrived have
been sold, and we have now at home ports some seventeen more good whalewliips known to be for sale, their owners
not intending to fit them again. The great loss of whalers in the Arctic in 1871 has been followed by the sale of
twenty and loss of four whalers in 1872, exclusive of ships that have changed hands in the business, aud still we begin
the year 1873 with about one-third of the whalers at home ports for sale, or about seventeen out of forty-eight vessels.
The continued purpose to sell whalers after so great a depletion in little more than a year shows the judgment of
those who have long and successful'y been engaged in the business, viz, that it has become too hazardous, and its
results too uncertain to continue it, when capital is promised a safer employment and surer rewards- in enterprises
on the land, and in our own city, where the products of two large cotton mills equal very nearly the aggregate value
of the imports of the fishery yearly. There are those who think that the Arctic whaling will be given up in a few
years because of the perils attendant on whaling there, where ice has to be encountered, with extreme cold and severe
storms, and from which causes shipwrecks and damage to hulls are very common. This view is confirmed by the
recent action of our insurance companies in charging 3 per cent, extra each season on whalers visiting that ocean, (
ttep long contemplated but now felt necessary by the insmance companies.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 153
The fleet starts to-day with two handred and three vessels in the business, against t\\o hundred and eighteen a
year ago. and two hundred anil eighty-eight two years ago, showing a decrease of 15 per cent, per annum for two
years past. Auother installment of 15 PIT ei-ni. in s.ile of ships during 1873 wo tUink would reconcile interested
parties for tin- time to t ho present condition of the business. Of nine vessels (schooners) added to the flee.t in 1872
seven had previously been temporarily withdrawn, and two were bought to engage in the South Shetland whaling
and sealing business, which was revived last, year with considerable, prolit, the skins being the finest fur seals known.
The 24 whalers sold and lost represented 5,192 tons, while the 9 schooners added show only 706 tons. The fleet
at sea January 1, 187:i, numbers 155 vessels, against 165 a year ago. We had employed in 1853 571 vessels, with a
tonnage of 200,286, averaging 350 tons; in 18G3, 357 vessels, with a tonnage of 103,146, averaging 288 tons; in 1873,
•JO;; vessels, with a tonnage of 47,99li, averaging 236 tons. The comparison shows a large reduction iu number of
vessels, also a reduction in the average size of the ships employed. The largest ileet, in the Arctic Ocean was in 1854,
when 2:>2 ships were there and obtained 1-4,063 barrels whale oil, averaging 794 barrels. The largest quantity of
sperm oil was imported in 1853, 103,077 barrels, averaging iu price $1.24. The largest quantity of whale oil was
imported in 1S.M, :;-Js, isl barrels, averaging 45 cents. The largest quantity of whalebone imported was in 1853,
5. (',:,•_', :;00 pounds, averaging 34 cents, gold.
These figures serve to show how great a change the whale fishery has undergone at horn e and among consumers.
Our entire import of sperm and whale oil in 1872 was about three-fourths of our import of sperm in 1853 and about
one- fourth of our import of whale in 1851 ; and our import of -whalebone in 1872 was about one twenty-eighth of the
import of 1^53.
In twenty years the consumption of sperm oil has reduced one-half, at same prices, 103,000 against 45,000 barrels.
In whale it is reduced five-sixths, at an increased price of 20 per cent., 328,000 barrels against 50,000 barrels; and in
whalebone it is reduced nine-tenths, with an increased price of 100 per cent., 5,652,300 pounds against 500,000 pounds.
We do not get oil and whalebone enough in the average to get our money back, and those who get the largest catches
>mpetitiou prices have failed to make money. And so onr oldest and most successful ship-owners are willing to
.sell their ships. But there are a few firms who, having fine ships and good and skillful masters, are resolute and deter-
•d not to succumb to the untoward elements in the business until they have tested the matter thoroughly, and to
such we believe success will come and should come.
No whaling grounds have been abandoned ; every sea and ocean is at present explored by our whalers. The
Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet whaling was a failure, some seven vessels being there and obtaining only about
I , ..no barrels oil. The bark Milwood -was lost there, the crew being saved, also her cargo of 150 barrels oil and 1,600
pounds of bone. Three whalers are wintering in Hudson Bay and three in Cumberland Inlet.
The Arctic Ocean was visited by twenty-eight American and four foreign whalers, and though the September
whaling, which is usually the best, was a failure, still the fleet averaged 700 barrels oil and 10,UOO pounds of bone.
Xearly 5,000 barrels walrus oil was taken in the Arctic, though some masters, who were disposed to give up walrus-
ing, abstained from it. The bark Roscoe was totally lost, crew saved. The Helen Snow and Sea Breeze were aban-
doned : the former was found by the Jireh Perry, and a crew put on board of her, and sent to San Francisco, where
she has since been sold to the Alaska Sealing Company. The latter ship was recovered again by her crew, and
continued her whaling. The Live Oak, Joseph Maxwell, and Arnolda were badly stove, but reached port safely.
The bark Florence went up to the wrecked whalers and secured the Minerva, also 250 barrels sperm, 1,200 barrels
whale oil, and 15,000 pounds of bone, and brought them all to San Francisco. Other bone was traded for and came
to San Francisco ; in all about 50,000 pounds.
Humpbacking has been successfully carried on everywhere. In Panama Bay 10,000 barrels were taken ; at
Harper's and Tonga Islands and Chesterfield Shoals, 8,000 barrels ; on the coast of Africa, 2,000 barrels ; and around
the West Indies, 2,000 barrels; in all 22,000 barrels and equal to the entire Arctic catch. Not much was done on
Crozettes and Desolation. Only two whalers arrived from the Arctic Ocean in 1872, being of the seven saved from
the fleet of 1871. A fair catch was made sea elephanting and sealing.
The Arctic fleet for 1873 will number about thirty-two vessels. Two whalers only return home, and one goes to
New Zealand. Six ships left this port in 1872 to join the Arctic fleet. One or two ships may go to the Ocbotsk Sea
this year, which has not been visited by whalers since 1870. One firm, who lost all three ships in the Arctic in 1871,
has sent out three to replace them in the season of 1873. There were no whalers on Kodiac in 1871 or 1872. It is
possible Margueritta Bay may be visited this winter by one or two of our Arctic fleet.
Sperm whaling lias been but partially snceessful in the' Atlantic. Several good cuts were obtained, and the
whaling was very fair, but it was poor in the South Atlantic. In Indian Oceau, on New Zealand, and the west coast
of South America, wit* few exceptions, the sperm-whale fleet has been largely engaged in hnmpbacking between
seasons, with good lares, as before stated. As nearly three-fourths of the fleet is sperm whaling, there is a reasonable
prospect of having a good supply, at least so long as whales can be found : and this branch of onr business promises
to survive, as substitutes are not so readily found as for whale oil, and the Ileet is well distributed on all the known
{•rounds for sperm whaling. Some good catches have been secured during the year, ami in most eases were needed
to put their respective vessels in creditable position.
The stock of sperm oil on board of whalers now is about -J7,OM> barrels, against 33,000 barrels a year ago.
Last fall twenty-two ont of thirty-two ships from the Arctic came to San Francisco and seven went to Honolulu,
and two home to Sydney ; fourteen of the San fleet were met there by their agents, comprising some ten of
our merchants, part of them taking their wives with them. In part owing to difficulties in shipping oil home from
there, five ships were ordered to Panama to land and ship home their cargoes ; four were ordered direct to Honolulu,
154 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
ami two, after refitting for the north, sailed to cruise and touch at the islands in the .spring. The high rate offered
for grain freights absorhed all the available ships. The whaler Minerva, saved from the wreck of 1871, was bought
by two of our merchants, and loaded with oil for home. Also the Lagoda and Tamerlane took freight for home.
Sperm oil has been in good demand during the year. The import was 45,000 barrels, 5,000 to 7,000 barrels more
than was anticipated. We consumed the entire amount, and drew on stock at the commencement of the year foi
3,000 barrels. Yet there was a falling otf of 7,000 barrels in the consumption as compared with the previous year.
The price opened high at $1.60, and during the summer declined to §1.35, when in the fall it strengthened to $1.50,
where it btood at the opening of this year. A few sales were reported at $1.52-J © $1.55. The consumption has been
about equally divided between home and foreign demand, and the fall off has been in this country, probably induced
by the abundance and low price of lard oil. With the oil caught and at home we have promise of a good supply
this year.
Messrs. Bowes, Game & Co.'s Annual Market Report, reports the importation of sperm oil into the United King-
dom in 1872 at 3,423 tons, against 3,811 tons in 1871. During the demand from January to April the price advanced
from £91 to £100, and when that fell off it declined in September to £85. The consumption was 3,595 tuns in 1872,
against 3,823 tuns in 1871. The stock on hand January 1, 1873, was 609 tuns against 849 tuns January 1, 1872. The
consumption fell off in 1872 228 tuns, and the stock to open the year with was reduced 180 tons. Messrs. Maclean,
Maris & Co.'s circular shows the imports from the colonies in 1872 to be 722 tuns, being nearly one-half of the import
of the United States.
Whale oil has been in moderate demand with small supply. The import was very small, 31,075 barrels, conse-
quent upon the loss of the Arctie fleet in the fall of 1871. Only two right whalers returned during the year, and the
import was little more than one-third that of the previous year, when it was 75,000 barrels. The supply was 61,000
barrels whale, and consumption 45,000 barrels, against 80,000 barrels in 1871. The consumption of whale oil has not
been reduced by seal oil, for none has come here from the provinces, nor from fish oils, for the catch has been a small
one, not over two-thirds that of previous years, but rather from lard and petroleum, which have been plenty, good,
and cheap.
The year opened at 73 cents for Arctic oil, and eased during the summer to 66 © 68 cents, when humpback oil
arrived in large quantities, and was taken in preference, because of its lower cost, say 60 © 62^ cents. Since the
Boston fire, in which 8,000 barrels fish oil were lost, causing tanners to buy some of our oil, rather better figures were
obtained closing at 68 cents for Arctic, and a small stock of 16,500 barrels of all kinds. There was but little whale
oil exported in 1872, say 1,528 barrels.
The London circulars call the import of whale oil there 80 tuns, and the stock on hand January 1, 1873, 47 tuns.
Also, imports of seal oil there 822 tuns, and the stock on hand January 1, 1873, 152 tuns.
Whalebone was in good supply at the opening of the year, about 285,000 pounds; but with little to come during
the year, or until the new Arctic arrivals late in the year, and which amounted to 132,000 pounds. Only about 60,00(1
pounds came from all other sources, including South Sea and Cumberland. Small sales were made early in the year,
at ^1.90 per pound and then it declined to $1.75 and $1.50 by May, and in June it was sold at $1, gold, to $1.20, cur-
rency, since which it has been steady at $1.15 © $1.20, closing the year at $1.18 for old. The first MX months the
sales were about 50,000 pounds, but when prices got down to $1, gold, the sales for the remaining s^x months were
about 200,000 pounds, of which consumption of 250,000 pounds about 180,000 pounds were exported. A circular issued
by J. A. Sevey, of Boston, a large bone-cutter, shows that he lost by being burnt out in the Boston fire some 10,000
pounds of bone, but was at work again in twenty-two days cutting bone with tools patented by him, and which he
claims are a great improvement on the old method of cutting. Some 60,000 pounds of bone were brought into San
Francisco last fall, which was picked up from the wrecked whalers or traded for with the natives.
London circulars, aforesaid, report the importations-including the catch of Davis Strait and Greenland whalers,
as 90 tons, against 101 tons iu 1871. Stock in London, 357 tons, against 56 tons in 1871. Consumption 111 tons,
against 91 tons in 1871, 107 tons in 1870, and 122 tons iu 1809. The import of humpback bone was 22 tons, and the
stock on hand January 1, 1873, was 27 tons.
TKADK KKVIEW FOI! 1S7U
Review of the whale, fishery for 1873. — The opening paragraph of our last year's review might be copied and would
be equally appropriate in commencing our present, for it has been a year starting with a small fleet, steadily reducing
through the year by sales and losses of vessels, wflh moderate catches, meager net results, no change of purpose to
sell whalers now here, and no new signs of encouragement in the business. A proposition for the sale of a whaler in
more tempting than a proposal to fit one. Of the nineteen whalers in the port of New Bedford January 1, 1873, four
were sold, live fitted for whaling, and ten still remain iu port; of the seven at New London January 1, 1873, one has
been sold and broken up, and the remaining six are still for sale. Of the eleven whalers now in this port that arrived
in l-<7.!, six are. for sale; and of the twenty-one whalers now wintering here not over seven are likely to be fitted.
Of forty whalers to arrive in 1874 probably about thirty will be sent to sea again.
The striking features in the business have been the steadiness of prices during the year, except during the, panic,
the absence of many good catches of oil in sperm and Arctic whaling, the good success in humpbacking in Panama
Bay and coast of Africa, the loss of three whalers in Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet, and immunity from disas-
ter in the Arctic Ocean, not a ship being lost or seriously damaged.
Our present fleet is 171, against 203 a year ago, 218 in 1-C.', and 288 in 1871. The 15 per cent, reduction which
has been going on for three years, and which a year ago we ventured to think would relieve us of an anxiety to
THE WHALE FISHERY.
155
fiirtlirr sell, lias not been realized ; for <ii' the liity-onc whalers at homo, we now want to sell twenty-live at least,
\\liirli is still another 15 per cent, discount we would make on our lleet, and unless we get better catches and better
results in 1874 than in 1873, we can now safely apply lor another reduction in 1875 of nearly 15 per cent. The thirty-
two whalers withdrawn, &c., represented 6,912 tons, and the one schooner added at Proviucetown was 117 tons.
The fleet at sea January 1, 1874, was one hundred aud twenty-three vessels, against one hundred and lifty-five a
year ago.
FLEET.
Tear.
No. of
vessels.
No. of
tons.
1854
668
208, 399
1864
304
88, 785
1874
171
41, 191
ARCTIC FLEET.
Tear.
No. ot
vessels.
Oil.
Average.
1853
108
Barrels.
146, 800
Barrels.
1,349
1863
42
30, 010
857
1873
28
19, 400
700
IMPORTED.
Tear.
Sperm oil.
Whale oil.
Bone.
1853
Barrels.
103 077
Barrels.
260, 114
Pounds.
5, 652, 300
1863
65 055
62, 974
488, 750
1873
42, 053
40, 014
206,396
We have given these comparative figures to show the inclined plane down which whaling is at present going.
Right whaling is not remunerative, and cannot be unless larger catches can be made with smaller expenses attending
them.
The Arctic Ocean had in 1873 thirty-two whalers, and the Ochotsk Sea two, and yet the aggregate catch was
about 21,000 barrels of oil and 250,000 pounds of bone, or an average of 600 barrels of oil aud 7,500 pounds of bone,
worth about $20,000, one-half of which is used up in drafts, refitting for another season, and the expense of getting
oil aud houo home. The past season was a poor one for whaling, being open, free from ice, whales very scarce until
very late in the season, when they were plenty, but the weather became bad; the remaining fleet, after a week of good
work, came out with a fair catch. Six whalers did not take a whale in the Arctic, aud two got not even a walrus. In
1854 fifteen whalers out of forty-eight got nothing, and the season was a failure. The Progress found whales outside
and took seven, making 750 barrels oil; also the Louisa found whales on Kodiac, and got five, making 550 barrels;
and the Live Oak found whales in Japan Sea, and got nine, making 900 barrels. About 6,000 barrels walrus oil was
taken in the Arctic in July. Whalers went farther north this season than ever before. Four Arctic whalers will
return home, and not one has been fitted out during the past year to go to the Arctic, nor will there be during the
year 1-71. From present appearances, with the present feeling existing about Arctic whaling, we should doubt it
anv one of the fleet now out, upon their return home, would be tilted again to go there. About one-half of the
lleet went to San Francisco to refit and the balance to Honolulu, it having become evident that the gains at San
Francisco are not equivalent for advantages the Sandwich Islands have for getting and keeping crews and freighting
home catchiugs. In the fall of 187-J live whalers went to Panama to ship their catchings home; owing to unavoid-
able circumstances the oil was long delayed at the Isthmus, and was, on arrival here, found to have much leaked.
1'anama Bay has been as good whaling ground I he past year for humpbacks as in previous years, about 10,000 barrels
bring the catch there, some vessels getting 1, (Mill to 1,400 barrels each. But little has been heard from the sperm
whalers humpbacking at the shoals and grounds in the Pacific Ocean. On the coast of Africa there were good catches
of humpbacks, some vessels taking .",00 to TOO barrels each.
The (.'rozette whaling was good, but two vessels visited the ground, the China and John P. West, taking 750 and
800 barrels, respectively. Cumberland Inlet and Hudson Bay whaling was disastrous; the schooner Abbie Bradford
returned with a good catch, and brought news of the loss of the barks Ansel Gibbsaud Orray Tafr, of this port.
The schooner S. B. Howes, of Xew London, was also lost there. Many seamen died with scurvy. The bark Glacier,
of this port, returned with only about 70 barrels. South Shetland. seal ing and whaling was very successful, and another
fleet has gone to complete the work of extirpation.
156 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Sperm whaling has had hardly a better average result than right whaling, but while its catches are perhaps less
in value, its expenses of continuing a voyage are also less. In the North Atlantic many good fares were taken, the
largest being about 300 barrels, whereas in former years 500 to 700 barrels have been reached in a single cruise. In
the South Atlantic less oil has been taken than formerly, though several good catches were made, one vessel taking
600 barrels in sis weeks. In the Indian Ocean and on New Holland, with few exceptions, the whaling has been slim ;
whales were quite plenty early in the year, but the weather was bad ; for the greater part of the year but few whales
were seen. The New Zealand ground has been dry and deserted by whales, only a few ships having done fairly, while
one or two have been fortunate in seeing and getting them. The fleet is small there. The West Coast has but few
sperm cruisers there, and several have done quite well, others poorly. The bark Courser, with 700 barrels of sperm
oil on board, was run down by an English steamer.
All around, the sperm-whaling grounds have not been np to former years in takings, and it would seem that a
small fleet does not increase the chances of a great catch. At present prices for sperm oil, say $1.50, we think sperm
whaling will outlive all other kinds, though even with a reduced catch we find a reduced consumption.
The fleet for the coming year will be distributed about as follows : North and South Atlantic, 50 vessels ; Indian
Ocean, 17 vessels; Pacific Ocean, 31 vessels; Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet, 3 vessels; North Pacific, 27 vessels.
The demand for sperm oil was good during the year. The import exceeded but very little the highest estimate,
and by reference to the comparative statement of consumption of oils, it will be seen that the supply was 53,300 barrels,
against 59,700 barrels in 1872, and that the home consumption was equal to that of the preceding year, while the
export fell off about 8,000 barrels, a little more than the reported decrease in consumption of this kind of oil in the
United Kingdom. The price opened at $1.50 and advanced to $1.57 in February, fluctuated between $1.52 and $1.55
until May, after which it gradually declined until June, when it touched $1.40, and remained steady until the middle
of August, when it advanced to $1.45 © $1.50, remaining at these figures until October 1, when, under the pressure of the
panic, a small parcel of ordinary oil was sold at $1.31, but upon the return of an easier money market in November sales
were made at $1.39 <2> $1.42, and in December at $1.50, with a good demand and closing firm at this price.
The demand for whale oil seems to be affected by the large supply of other cheap oils, such as menhaden, cotton-
seed, and petroleum which is unprecedeutedly low. The home consumption was about 9,000 barrels less thau in 1872,
while the average price was lower. There has been very little life to the market, the cheap oils, such as humpback
and South Sea, seem to bo preferred at the lower prices which they can be bought at, Arctic of good quality being
neglected in consequence, the rule seeming to be that the poorest oil is sought at'trr In-causo of the low prices. A
demand sprung up at the close of the year for the cheaper oils, humpback, South Sea, and coast for export, 50 cents
per gallon being paid for all qualities, in or out of bond, and the same price was offered for the poorest Arctic oil, but
no sales were made. The year opened at 68 cents for Arctic and — cents tor humpback, the market being steady
until June, when 63 cents per gallon was the quoted pric« for Arctic, at about which the market ruled the rest of the
year. The price for humpback ranged from 55 <® 60 cents per gallon during the year for manufacturing. The stock of
this kind of oil on hand January 1, 1874, was about 2,000 barrels. The export the past year was 2,150 barrels, against
1,500 in 1872.
Whalebone opened at $1.15, currency, with a good demand, which continued into February and March, with a
slight reduction to $1. 10, currency, ruling at this price until May, when the demand was good at $1.08 @ $1.12, currency,
for Aetic, and 95 cents for South Sea. During the summer months the demand was good, sales reaching in August
51,000 pounds, when the price advanced from $1.08 to $1.20, currency; for the remainder of the year the demand was
light, and prices receded to $1.10, currency, for old, and $1 for new Arctic. The home consumption was very good,
reaching 155,000 pounds, against 74,500 pounds the previous year. The Scotch whalers did very well taking bone the
last season, and the entire import has been sold, showing the trade in this article in England and on the continent to
be in a healthy condition. About 25,000 pounds of new unculled bone, including 10,000 pounds Japan Sea bone, was
sold in San Francisco at 87^ cents, gold, per pound for export.
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1874.
Review of the whale fishery for 1874. — Although the past year has not been one of large profits to our whalemen, we
are able to state to-day that the business wears a more cheerful aspect, with a promise of a brighter future.
The number of profitable voyages arriving was not greater than during the previous year, but, with better prices
prevailing, a more hopeful feeling lias been engendered.
The decrease of the fleet (about 3,400 tons during the year) is gradually resulting in a better average catch,
experience showing that any decided increase in the number of vessels engaged in the business must eventually
bring about lower prices and small average catches.
Of the twenty-five vessels in the port of New Bedford January 1, 1874. three were sold, fourteen fitted for whal-
ing, and eight still remain in port, of which five are for sale. Of the seven at New London January 1, 1874, four
have been sold for whalers and three are still in port. Of the nineteen whaleis now in this port thirteen will prob-
ably be fitted before the close of spring, and of the thirty-five vessels to arrive in 1875 nearly all will be sent to sea
again.
The absence of any unusual features in the business is noticeable. There have been but few losses at sea, and
vessels in the Arctic regions have been quite free from disasters.
Our present fleet is 103 vessels, agaiust 171 a year ago, 203 in 1873, and 218 in 1872, and the number at sea January
1, 1875, was 119 vessels, against 123 a year ago and 155 in 1873.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 157
The fleet in the Arctic Ocean the past summer met with good success during the latter part of the season, fifteen
ships taking an aggregate of 17,480 barrels of oil and 189,500 pounds of bone, being an average of 1,165 barrels of
oil and 12,033 pounds of bone, about double that of the previous year. Three vessels on Kodiak and in Bristol Bay
took '.2,625 barrels of oil, an average of about 875 barrels each, and 7,667 pounds of bone.
The (Vhotsk Sra whaling was a failure, nine vessels taking unitedly but 2,805 barrels of oil and 34,600 pounds of
bone', the whales, lonnerly plenty in that locality, apparently having been exterminated or gone to other parts.
Although occasionally a season iu the Arctic Ocean is partly a failure, judging from the present and past it would seem
reasonable that a moderate number of ships could continue to prosecute their voyages in that ocean for many years to
come, and considering the advancing price of the products obtained, particularly of whalebone, we do not believe our
merchants will allow this branch of our business, once so remunerative, to be entirely given up.
Might whaling on Desolation and the Crozottes has been neglected during the past year, and the number of ves-
sels in Cumberland Inlet and Hudson Bay has been very small, with a moderate catch.
Iluitipb.-icking has been prosecuted on the coast of South America, in Panama Bay, about the islands of the South
Pacific Ocean, and on the coast of Africa, with about the usual success.
Sperm whaling has made rather a better exhibit than for two or three years previous, although good catches
have been confined rather to certain localities, than general throughout the different oceans. The best account came
to us from the North Atlantic, where a number of vessels took large fares, while many others on the same or adjacent
grounds were not fortunate in finding whales, the distribution of catches being quite unequal. On the west coast of
South America and the oil-shore ground whales seem plentier again and vessels have done well. In the South
Atlantic and in the Indian Ocean the fleet have met with average success, while on New Holland and the grounds iu
that vicinity whales have been unusually scarce. New Zealand has yielded but poorly during the past year, and
but few vessels in that locality are doing well, which leads us to remark that at present there appear to be no whal-
ing grounds that will support a large fleet for any great length of time; and in this respect our errors in the past
should be guides for our future.
The fleet during the coming year will be distributed nearly as follows : North and South Atlantic, 68 vessels ;
Indian Ocean, 17 vessels; Pacific Ocean and New Zealand, 33 vessels; Cumberland Inlet and Hudson Bay, 4 vessels;
North Pacific, 18 vessels.
The demand for oil and whalebone has continued good throughout the year, the markets having been without
marked fluctuations, and with prices slowly but steadily advancing. With an increased importation of sperm oil
during the coming year it would be natural to look for a decrease in price, but whale oil, considering the present
prospects of lard and other oils, seems quite low ; while whalebone, with a constantly reduced importation, ought to
command good figures.
The price of sperm oil January 1, 1874, was $1.50, having been depressed by the recent panic. It rapidly recovered,
however, and in a few weeks advanced to $1.67^ (the highest prices for the year usually prevailing about that time),
dropping to .$1.60 in April, continuing to decline till June, when it reached $1.50. During the remainder of the year
its course was gradually upward, standing at $1.57 in August, $1.6'2J in October, and closing the year at $1.70, the
highest price reached since the mouth of October, 1869, a period of more than five years.
Whale oil opened the year at 61 cents for Arctic, slightly declining during the summer months, and closed the
year at li?^ cents, at which price it would be difficult to purchase.
Humpback and South Sea oil during the year have varied from 54 @ 64 cents, closing at the latter figure.
Whalebone opened at $1 © $1.10, continued firm throughout the year, and advanced during the fall months to
f 1.25, which price is still maintained.
It will be seen by our last annual review that our estimate of importations for 1874 approximated to the result,
except in the quantity of whalebone, caused by shipments overland during the month of December (about 85,000
pounds), and received here in advance of the usual time.
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1875.
7iVnric of the whale fishery for 1875. — The year just closed has been quite free from disasters to the fleet at sea, and
no great changes have taken place in the business. Gains and losses have been about equally divided, the arrivals at
this port during the year showing eighteen voyages that were fairly profitable and sixteen that resulted in quite a
large average loss, but with a revival of business throughout the country we anticipate better results in the future.
Of the eighteen vessels iu port at New Bedford January 1, 1875, sixteen have beeu fitted for whaling and two
are now in port. Of the ten whalers now in this port eight will probably be fitted during the season, and of the
t wenty-live vessels to arrive here this year nearly all will go to sea again. Some vessels may possibly he added to the
licet from the merchant service; but as such ventures are attended with so heavy an outlay for repairs, alterations,
and whaling inventories, it is not probable that many such additions will be made.
The present whaling fleet is 169 vessels, against 163 January 1, 1875, 171 iu 1874, and 203 in 1873, and the number
at sea January 1, 187G, was 137 vessels, against 119 a year ago, and 123 in 1874. Any further increase in the fleet must
necessarily result iu lower prices for oil.
Right whaling makes a good exhibit for the year, vessels in the Arctic Ocean having been very successful, thirteen
vessels taking 18,000 barrels whale and walrus oil and 180,030 pounds whalebone, an average of 1,38-1 barrels oil
and 13,848 pounds of whalebone. Three vessels on Kodiak and Bristol Bay took 3,980 barrels whale oil and 45,430
pounds whalebone, thus making for the fleet an average of 1,374 barrels whale and walrus oil and 14,091 pounds of
e, the lar:j> ;e oi'anv season since the j
158 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
As we stated in our review last year, we do not believe Arctic whaling will be given up, and certainly the whales
have never been plentier on these grounds (ban during the past season. The fleet have all come out safely, except
the bark Desmond, which is supposed to have been obliged to winter there.
A few vessels in Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet have had fair success, while right whaling in the southern
oceans has been neglected. Humpbacking has been very successful on the coast of South America, while in other
in other localities the catches have been m derate.
Sperm whaling has been only moderately successful, there having been but few large catches the past year.
Vessels have done best on Chili aud the off-shore ground, while elsewhere the average has been moderate. A sum-
mary is as follows: On Chili and off shore, seventeen vessels cruised, taking 7,010 barrels sperm, an average of 412
barrels ; on New Zealand, seventeen vessels took 6,095 barrels, making an average to each of 358 barrels; in the Indian
Ocean and on New Holland there were thirteen vessels, taking 4,335 barrels, an average of 333 barrels, and in the
North and South Atlantic Oceans, eighty-seven vessels with a catch of 19,405 barrels, averaging 223 barrels, the last
named being for an average period of about ten months, as many of the fleet winter in port. With any increase of the
fleet a smaller average catch may be looked for, and it will be already seen by reference to our columns that the
number of vessels at sea which have obtained 1,000 barrels or more of sperm oil is smaller than for many years.
The distribution of the whaling fleet for the present year wo estimate as follows: North and South Atlantic.
77 vessels; Indian Ocean and New Holland, 15 vessels; New Zealand, 13 vessels; Pacific coast aud off-shore ground,
23 vessels ; North Pacific, 18 vessels ; Cumberland Inlet, 4 vessels.
The number of vessels estimated to arrive at this port the coming year is twenty-five, of which apparently thirteen
will be good voyages, while twelve will show a loss, the net results being much the same as for the past few years.
The demand for oils and bone has been fair throughout the year past. Sperm oil opened in January at $1.70,
with a very small stock on hand, and was held at $1.80 © $1.85 in March, and at $1.90 in April. Few sales could be
effected at these figures, and the price gradually declined to $1.4? © $1.50 in midsummer, remaining at about these
figures until December, when it advanced to $1.60, closing the year at that price, at which, however, there were more
sellers than buyers. Whale oil opened the year at 67* cents per gallon for Arctic, advancing to 70 cents in January,
declining to 63 © 65 cents in May and June, and in September advancing again to 70 cents, at which price it con-
tinued to the close of the year. Humpback and South Sea oils have continued at 60 © 65 cents through the year,
with little variation. Whalebone opened at about $1.20 per pound for Arctic, and continued firm during the year,
advancing in the fall months, and finally closing at $1.30.
By reference to our last year's review it will be seen that onr estimate of importations are not far from the result,
except in whalebone, caused by shipments overland in advance of the usual time. Onr figures are made after careful
consideration, and we are not swayed by the interests of either importer or purchaser.
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1876.
Review of the whale fishery for 1876. — During the year but few disasters were reported among whalemen until late
in the fall, when news reached us of the destruction of a number of the Arctic fleet, and the probable loss of many
lives, which cast a cloud of sadness over the community.
Tbe success of the business the past year has been fair, the arrivals at this port showing nineteen profitable voy-
ages, while fourteen resulted in a loss, this being fully up to the average of late years.
The building of ships for the whaling service marks a new era in the business, and is an encouraging feature.
We welcome them as adding to the character of the fleet, which has suffered of late by the adding of worn-out mer-
chant vessels which obtain insurance at the same rates as new ships just from the stocks.
The present whaling fleet, after deducting the recent losses in the Arctic Ocean, is 172 vessels, against 169
January 1, 1876, 163 in 1875, and the number at sea January 1, 1877, was 146 vessels, against 137 a year ago, and 119
in 1875. Five barks are being built for the business, aud others will follow, while from the merchant service there
is a prospect of adding a number of vessels, thus making the fleet larger than it has been for years. Should the catch
be proportionate to the number of vessels in the business, the importation of oil would be in excess of the demand,
but all our past experience has shown that, with an increase of the fleet, many of the whaling grounds are over-
crowded, and the result is a smaller average to each.
The Arctic Ocean has again been a scene of disaster. Of a fleet of twenty vessels, twelve were lost or abandoned
in the ice, and while the masters with most of the officers and crews were enabled to escape, more than fifty men were
left behind who were unequal to the exertion necessary to save their lives. But the sad and fatal result of pushing
too far north will, we hope, be a lesson to our whalemen in future not to venture where there seems hardly a chance
of escape when opposing circumstances arise.
The average catch of the vessels not lost,, including two on Kodiak and Bristol Bay, was 656 barrels oil aud 4,225
pounds whalebone, aggregating to eight vessels 5,250 barrels oil and 33,800 pounds of Done. A few vessels cruised in
Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet with fair results. Humpbackiug has been neglected the past year, except on the
African coast, where the catches were unusually good.
In sperm whaling the success has been varied, vessels having been fortunate in the North Atlantic, on Chili a.nd
the off-shore ground, while in other quarters the catch has been moderate or quite small. In the North Atlantic
upwards of 13,000 barrels of sperm oil were taken, a larger yield than for many years. Whales were plenty, and
many vessels took large fares. On Chili aud the off-shore ground the fleet were very successful, nearly every one
getting an uuu.sual calch, \vliilc on \e\v Zealand the results have been moderate. On the River Plate a few vessels
did very well, but the majority took but lit lie oil, aud on the Congo River, with two or three exceptions, the fleet
TIIE WHALE FISHERY. 159
has doue poorly, it being a small ground and overcrowded with vessels. In the Indian Ocean we cannot report
anything better, there being too largo a floet, and consequently tbo catch lias been very small. There is a growing
tendency of late years for ships to congregate on small grounds, in order to look for the oil which somebody caught
the previous year, and a persistenee in I his course ruins our best whaling opportunities. The success of the vessels
in the Pacific Ocean is largely due to their character and appointments. They are the crack ships of the fleet, have
in m many years in the service, ami cnu>r,[uciitly have vastly superior opportunities for being well commanded,
officered, and manned.
For the coming year the whaling Meet will lie distributed about as follows: North Atlantic, 80 vessels; Congo
Kiver and coast of Africa, 20 vessels; Indian Ocean, 10 vessels; Xe\v Zealand, !."> vessels; Chili and off shore, 20
vessels; Sooloo Sea, :: vessels ; North Pacific, 20 vessels; Cumberland Inlet and Hudson Bay, 5 vessels.
The number of vessels expected to arrive at this port the coming year is twenty-two, of which nine will appar-
ently make good voyages.
Oil and bone have been in moderate demand. Sperm oil opened the year at $1.60, declined to $1.4-2 in April, $1.30
in May, $1.25 in the summer mouths, and in the fall advanced to $1.40 per gallon, which was maintained to the close
of the year. Whale oil opened at 70 cents, declined to 58 cents in the summer and fall months, and in October ad-
vanced to 70 cents, at which price the year closed. Humpback and South Sea oils have corresponded to the price of
whale, selling generally at 5 cents less per gallon. Whalebone, from $1.30 in January, advanced to $1.150 in February,
and $2 in March, at about which figure it continued till news reached us in October of the loss of the Arctic fleet,
when it advanced to $-2.50 and later to $3.50 per pound, at which price the year closed.
TRADE RKVIEW FOR 1877.
Rerieio of the while fishery for 1877.— The past year has been free from especial disasters, and there have been no
changes in the business worthy of note, except the continued additions made to the fleet.
Ship building has revived, ami twelve whalers were built during the year, it being now apparent that at the
present prices new vessels can be built cheaper than merchantmen can be altered into whale ships.
The present whaling fleet is one hundred and eighty-seven vessels, against one hundred and seventy-two January
1, 1H77, one hundred and sixty-nine in 1876, and one hundred and sixty three in 1875 ; but, although the increase is
mostly in the sperm-whale fleet, the catch of the past year is not greater than for 1870, on account of some of the
grounds being overcrowded with vessels. The present tendency being to cruise on those grounds nearest home, so
that the catchings may bo shipped at the earliest moment, we find in the North and Smith Atlantic Oceans a fleet of
one hundred vessels, while the more fruitful grounds of the Pacific Ocean, Japan, New Zealand, and Sooloo Sea are
almost neglected. The constant shipments of sperm oil have been largely instrumental in reducing the price to the
present, figures, which are the lowest reached for many years, and are innch below the cost of catching oil, excepting
the vessels that are very fortunate.
The frequenting of ports in order to ship oil is the cause of a large part of the expenses to which whaling voyages
are subject, and occasions the loss of officers and crews. In view of these facts and the low prices of sperm oil now
ruling, we understand several of our merchants have advised their vessels to retain their oil on board when possible,
and no doubt this example will bo followed by others.
The North Pacific whaling fleet was very successful the past season. The catch was small until September, when
whales were found plenty, and large fares were taken. Three vessels were lost, and sixteen vessels came out with an
average of 1,065 barrels of oil and 8,550 pounds of whalebone. Arctic whaling is now safer, because of caution bor-
rowed from the experience of the past, and we trust it will be long before we record any unusual losses in that ocean.
In Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet but few vessels have cruised. In the South Atlantic many sperm whalers,
on account of the low price of sperm oil, ha\c tried right whaling with good success, the value of the whalebone
being the chief incentive. About a dozen vessels have cruised for humpback oil, with good success, their total catch
being 5,500 barrels,
In sperm whaling the results were varied, the catch in the North Atlantic Ocean being 13,500 barrels by eighty-
two vessels, the largest fare taken for many years. The vessels that were well pointed were generally successful, but
the presence of so large a fleet in one locality will result soon in smaller catches, and the experience of ten years ago
is likely to be repeated.
The fleet on Chili, the off-shore ground, New Zealand, and in the Sooloo Sea have taken good catches. In the
South Atlantic vessels have had fair success, the fleet being rather large, and in the Indian Ocean, with too large a
licet, but little oil has been taken. At the present time not a vessel is cruising in the Western Pacific Ocean and
Sooloo S,-a, and those excellent grounds bid fair to be entirely neglected. Large catches of sperm oil are becoming
infrequent, aud it is noticeable that during the past year no vessel has obtained 1,000 barrels, while in previous
v-ars several vessels have generally exceeded that quantity.
Oils aud bone have been in fair demand throughout the year. Sperm oil opened in January at $1.40 per gallon,
declined to $1.31 in February, $1.28 in March, $1.13 in June, $1.12 in August, $1.10 in November, and to $1.03 in
December, closing the year at $1.03J, the lowest, prices that have ruled for mure than twenty years. Arctic whale oil,
from Tu cents in January, gradually declined to 60 cents in July, at which price it closed the year. Humpback and
South Sea oils have ruled at from 5 to 10 cents per gallon less than Arct ic.
Arctic, whalebone opened the year at s;!..">o per pound, declining to $•>.:,(! in August, and to about £2 in October,
"losing tli, il.oiit the latter figure. South S, .1 « halobone lias ~.,ld at from $1.25 to $1.70 per pound.
160 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1878.
J/erieif of the whale fisher;/ for 1878. — The result of the year's business is far from being satisfactory, the catche* of
the fleet having been moderate aud the prices of oil low. Of the vessels arriving during the year a majority had taken
too small a quantity of oil to reimburse their cost even at higher prices, aud those which brought good voyages netted
but little profit to their owners. The number of disasters to the fleet has not been large, good weather having gen-
erally prevailed except iu the North Atlantic Ocean, where, during the past few months, storms have been unusually
severe. The new vessels added recently have improved the general character and average quality of whale ships,
but it is to be regretted that so many vessels in an unseaworthy condition are sent out upon whaling voyages.
The whaling fleet at present numbers one hundred and eighty-six vessels, against one hundred and eighty-seven
a year ago, aud one hundred and seventy-two in 1877. The increase during the past four years has resulted iu losses
to those engaged in the business, and the average catch on the different grounds has been sensibly diminished, while,
to add to the existing depression, there has seemed to be almost a rivalry as to whom shall oftenest ship home their
oil, aud thus assist in reducing prices already too low.
The results of sperm whaling have not been encouraging. With too largo a fleet on nearly all the grounds, catches
have everywhere been small, with the exception of a few good fares in the high latitudes of the North Atlantic, and
off Patagonia on either side of Cape Horn. The total amount of the catch reported during the year is several thou-
sand barrels less than during 1877, and it is evident that with the continued scarcity of whales there must be a large
reduction in the fleet to make the business profitable.
In right whaling, although the amount of oil and bone taken was not large, the result has been better on account
of the unprecedented high price of whalebone. The Arctic Ocean fleet lost but one vessel, and averaged 856 barrels
of oil and 7,3*2 pounds of whalebone. Whales were not abundant, but, considering the varied character of the differ-
ent seasous, it may be presumed that, with occasional fortunate years, whaling in that ocean will continue to be
profitable. South Sea right whaling is attracting increased attention, and there is no reason why the Antarctic
grounds should not be compelled to disgorge their valuable stores of whalebone. We expect during the next decade
to see profitable whaling grounds brought to light in the high latitudes of the south, and success reward those who
are pioneers in the enterprise. A number of whalers are wintering iu Hudson Bay aud Cumberland Inlet, several
of which cruised off Greenland for right whales during the summer, but without success. No doubt whales will yet
be taken in great numbers around Spitsbergen and Nova Zernbla, where the English and Dutch ships took such large
quantities of oil and bone during the early part of the present century, and the field remains open for those who will
assume the risk. Many vessels have been humpbacking daring the year on account of the unusually low price of
sperm oil, aud have met with fair success.
We are pleased to note an increased traffic between New Bedford aud the Azores, but regret to learn of greater
stringency at those islands in the enforcement of tobacco regulations. When ships are detected in smuggling it is
but just they should pay the peualty attached, but it seems a relic of by-gone ages to subject inoffensive vessels to a
rigid search for tobacco, and to impose heavy fines on such as are found with small quantities in the possession of the
crew, for which the master cannot bo accountable. If such arbitary measures are persisted in, our whalemen will
seek other ports for the transshipment of their oil aud the recruiting of their vessels.
There has been no great change in the consumption of oil, the usual quantities having been consumed in this
country and in Europe. In San Francisco there appears to be an increased demand, and all the importations through
that port, both sperm and whale, find a ready sale.
The demand for sperm oil and whalebone has been good throughout the year, while whale oil seems to be
neglected.
Sperm oil opened in January at $1.03J per gallon, declined to 94 cents in April, 86 cents in June, advanced to 90
cents in July, and 92 cents in August, declined to 86 cents in September, 82 cents in October, and 80 cents in Novem-
ber, and advanced to 85 cents in December, closing the year with 87 cents offered, with no sellers under 90 cents. The
price touched in November, viz, 80 cents, was the lowest known for thirty-five years.
Arctic whale oil opened the year at 60 cents, gradually declining to 39 cents at the close. South Sea and hump-
back oils have been quoted generally at about 5 cents per gallon less than Arctic.
The price for whalebone is without precedent. Opening the year at about $2 per pound for Arctic, it declined
to $1.65 in February, from which figure it steadily advanced, closing in December at $3.25. South Sea whalebone has
commanded about two-thirds the price of Arctic.
Referring to our estimate of imports for 1878, it will be seen, especially in sperm oil, that our calculations were
correct, the predictions of dealers and correspondents in neighboring cities to the contrary notwithstanding. We
find it more difficult than usual to calculate the importation for 1879, as the expressed determination of many of our
merchants to retain sperm and whale oil on board their vessels, because of the low price at home, may possibly result
in reducing the importation below our estimates. At the close of 1878 the quantity of sperm oil landed at the Azores
and in transit was about the same as a year ago, viz, nearly 4,000 barrels. The import of whale oil for 1879 will be
lowei' than in any previous year, on account of the sale at San Francisco of about one-half of the catch of the Arctic
fleet.
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1879.
Review of the whale fishery for 1879.— The past year has not been marked with any unusual features, except the
low prices of oil that have prevailed. More than the ordinary number of disasters has occurred, bnt no serious
calamity has overtaken any special pori ion of tin- fleet. Of the arrivals, several have taken good cargoes of oil, bn$
the majority have, done poorly.
THE W I TALK FISHERY. 161
The continued depression in whaling interests has at length been checked by UK- retirement of a large number of
\ essels, now lying at, our wharves, assist ed Ivy I hi' general revival of business throughout the country, and it is possi-
1'lc that \\ ith a. nioilorato number of vessels engaged whaling may again become fairly profitable.
The business, however, is siilijeel. to many serious drawbacks, some of whieh, if mil, corrected, liid fair In impair
its success. C'hief among these are the inlliieiiees al those ports where officers ;lnd crews arc constantly leaving ves-
sels, causing a largo expense in replacing them, and the, frequency with which officers arc so nl, out to join ships during
their voyages indicates thai tin1, control of a whaleship is only to a limited extent in the hands of its owners. Bj
united action among our merchants it is possible 10 check these disorders, and protect themselves against the' losses
occasioned by wholesale desertion from whaling vessels, which is too often fostered by those who are in duty bound
to act otherwise. San Francisco being a port of discharge, tho above would not, apply to the Arctic whalers visiting
I hat port.
The present whaling licet consists of one hundred and seventy-eight, vessels, against one hundred and eighty-six a,
year ago, one hundred and eighty-seven in 1878, and one hundred and seventy-two in 1877, showing a, considerable
net increase during the past few years.
Sperm whaling has not been attended with great success, the whales being scarce on nearly every ground, owing
to the size of the fleet. No very largo catches have been obtained, the best fares, perhaps, having been taken in the
South Atlantic, oft' the coast of Africa.
Eight \\haling has yielded better results, the Arctic Heel averaging 951 barn-Is of oil and 1 1,000 pounds of whale-
bone, the best exhibit for many years. One vessel was lost, and two others are supposed to be frozen in the ice.
Even should these' vessels be lost no apprehensions are felt for the safety of those on board, as they are commanded
by experienced Arctic navigators, who are equal to almost any emergency, and the near presence of the exploring
steamer .leannette is an additional safeguard. In the South Atlantic the fleet met with fair success, as did also some
of the vessels in Hudson Bay and that, vicinity. Humpbackiiig has been followed with average success, and is at
present, in better favor on account of the high price of the oil. The price of whalebone has stimulated both northern
ami southern right whaling, of which many vessels have availed themselves to their advantage during the continued
scarcity of sperm whale.s.
The export of sperm oil has fallen off (be past year, principally owing- to the largo purchases the previous year,
1-T'J opening in England with a stock of 20,000 barrels and about 7,000 barrels then being in transit. Of the 35,000
barrels estimated to arrive the coming year, it, is probable the greater portion will be needed for home consumption.
Dining the fall, when the price remained at 71 cents per gallon, our manufacturers purchased freely, it being very
evident that it must advance in sympathy with other merchandise, and they were rewarded for their enterprise by
largely increased siles to consumers at, better rales.
Sperm oil opened the year at (,)0 cents per gallon, advanced to 94 cents in February, and from that time gradually
declined to 70 cents in September, remaining at those figures during that month and through October, advancing in
November to si and closed the year with oilers at an advance on the latter figure, holders, however, asking from $1.05
to si. 10. Present prospects point to a gradual advance during the year, and as it has been proved that the oil cannot
be produced at a l"ss cost than SI. •_';"> per gallon, owing to the heavy advance in the cost of oullits, owners of vessels
arriving will not incline to send them to sea again unless they are confident a paying price can be obtained.
The present stock, consisting of about Hi, 000 barrels, a portion of which is of inferior quality and unsuitable for
export, is probably sufficient to supply the demand until the new oil commences arriving in May, being at a period
rather later than usual.
Arctic whale oil opened the year at 38 to 40 cents per gallon, at which figures it remained until October, when a
gradual advance in oils having taken place, quotations gradually rose to f>5 © (iO cents at the close of the year, there
being uo stock on hand except some lots that have remained on our wharves many years.
South Sea and humpback oil opened in January at, !!5 cents per gallon, declined to 32 cents in June, gradually
rose to 40 cents in October, to 50 cents in November, and 59 cents iu December, closing the year at the latter figure,
a. most gratifying fact after the dcpressii f the last two years.
Arctic whalebone from |3.25 per pound in January, declined to ,s,', in ilareh, f-J.f>0 in June, |2 in .September, and
to §1.90 in November, advancing iu December to s-J.'25, at which price1 purchases could not be effected at tho close of
the year. South Sea whalebone from about $2.50 per pound in January , declined to si .70 in June, $1.50 in September,
and then advanced, closing the year with sales at §1.110 per pound.
Referring to our estimate of imports for the past year, our calculations wen- correct as regards sperm and whale
oil. The importation of whale-bone slightly exceeds our limit, it being difficult to foresee the success of the Arctic
fleet.
TRADE REVIMW FOU 1880.
Hi-rii'ir of lh<- whale Jixlifri/ j'"r l^~o. — The year I860 will be long remembered as a remarkable period in tho business
enterprises of i he country, ami although the wave of prosperity that has swept over the United States has not
placed whaling interests in a profitable position, we cherish the hope they may yet be benefited.
The business has been, to a certain extent, changed during the past two or three years by the constant retirement
of vessels, of which twenty-eight now lie at our wharves and a few others have been sold. Of the number to arrive
the present, year many will be rclircd, and the fleet bids fair to be much reduced. Right whaling is now the order
of the day, as its prospects appear better than catching of sperm oil a! present prices, and if the sperm whales are
neglected for a time, u h, knows but that we shall find them after a while as abundant as a few years since.
SEC. v, VOL. ii 11
102 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Largo lares of wbale oil are more easily taken than of sperm, and the business is of a more lively and exciting
nature, while the usual high price of whalebone makes it more profitable. May success attend the efforts of the many
vessels who are to follow t bat branch of the fishery during the present and coming years!
Our present licet numbers 177 vessels at sea and in port, against 178 last year, Iftj in lr<?9, and 1*7 in 1878.
Sperm whaling lias m>t been a success, vessels in the North Atlantic making a fair average, and those on liiver
1'late and Tristan doing poorly, \vbile on the coast of Africa catches were good, and some vessels took large fares.
On New Zealand the fleet met with poor success, excepting one vessel, and on Cbili .sperm whales were not so abun-
dant as formerly. Near Gallipagos Island and vicinity two vessels did well, and the Indian Ocean and New Holland
were entirely neglected. Tbe continued low price for sperm oil and the scarcity of whales have discouraged many
who have long followed this branch, and the success of right whalers induces them to change to that which appears
more remunerative.
Eight whaling has yielded good results. In the Arctic Ocean whales were very abundant, and the quantities ol1
oil taken were limited by the size of Hie vessels and the number of casks, the fleet averaging ],400 barrels of oil and
22,000 pounds of whalebone, being tbe handsomest return for many years. No traces were found of the two whalers
missing the year previous. In the different southern oceans right whaling was prosecuted by a large number of ves-
sels with varying success, and during the summer large catches of humpback were made on the coasts of South
America and Africa, the high juice compared with other oils stimulating many in that direction.
Sperm oil opened the year at. $1 per gallon, advanced to $1.07 in March, declined to §1.02-$ in May, and to 87
cents iii July ; advanced to 90 cents in August, to 95 cents in September, and to 9-< cents in October, closing the year
at, the latter figure. Tbe stock of crude oil in hands of importers, manufacturers, and others, both in Europe and this
country, is much less than at this time last year. The quantity afloat is 4.. Mill barrels less.
Tbe consumption of sperm oil has been fully equal to that of the past few years, and possibly somewhat increased,
ami in Europe it is expected the figures when received will show that the consumption there was nearly if not quite
up to the average of previous years.
Arctic whale oil opened the year at 60 cents per gallon, declined to 50 cents in April, and to 46 cents in May,
advanced to fi5 cents in August, and declined to 50 cents at the close of the year. South Sea and humpback oils have
sold at from 2 to 3 cents less per gallon than Arctic.
Arctic whalebone was at $2.25 per pound in January, $2 in May, and $2.30 in June, advanced further to $2.50 in
Angust, but declined in November to $1.30, closing the year at that figure, the heavy catch weakening the market.
The price of South Sea whalebone has ruled at about 25 cents per pound less than Arctic.
TRADE REVIEW, 1858 TO 1881.
The Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter, of November 23, 1881, gives the following interesting review
of the whale fishery in an article entitled "Whale and sperm oils":
The appearance of large bodies of whales in the Atlantic along the United States coast, during the summer and
up to a very recent date has suggested the possibility of resuming operations on tbe ground abandoned years ago. The
reason, perhaps, that the presence of those whales has not attracted more attention is tbat they belong to the hump-
back [mostly finback] species, which produce no whalebone, and therefore aie not a prolitable catch except in times
of high prices. The only demount rat ions tbat have been made against them so far liase been the shooting of a few in
Provincetown Harbor, Massachusetts, and the fitting out of a schooner from that port. This vessel cruised along tbe
eoast of Maine during the summer and took about 100 or 150 barrels humpback oil. This result was not sufficiently
alluring to induce others to follow the example of the owners of the schooner, though we- believe a menhaden steamer
did cruise in tbe neighborhood of Block Island for a time without making a haul. The recent appearance of a large
school of sperm whales in ihc Middle Atlantic, however, suggests the idea that the whaling industry might be profit-
ably revived in these waters at no distant day. There are many considerations to be taken into account, before such
a venture could be made, the most important of which are the prices that can be obtained for the oil. Since the time
when whale and sperm oils began to be supplanted by cheaper illurninat ing and lubricating oils, the whale fisheries
have been, naturally, on the decrease, as the result of competition has been to force prices down to a point barely
covering the cost of catching. The cost of catching sperm oil largely depends, of course, upon the price of labor at
the port where the vessel is fitted out and the cost of such fitting out, an important article of which is the provision,
which, for a long voyage, such as is now made, is composed largely of salt pork, beef, and canned goods. The lowest
prices at which sperm oil can now lie laid down in New Bedford is variously estimated at 90 to 95 cents per gallon,
which at the best prices at present obtainable for export or home consumption leaves a very small margin of profit to
I lie whalemen. The. profits in right-whale oil fishing are largely dependent upon a freak of fashion. At tirst sight
such a statement might seem somewhat ludicrous to the ordinary reader, but nevertheless the change in the mode of
female attire plays an important part in the market rates of whale oil. If it is the fashion to wear much whalebone
in articles of dress, then the demand for that article becomes of such importance that the whale-catcher derives a
sufficient profit from its sale to render the price of oil a matter of secondary importance. But it would require an
enormous demand for whalebone to do away with the necessity of obtaining something for the oil, and although the
i.isbiou in dress for a number of sears past has required the annual use of immense, quantities of whalebone, still this
has not been sufficient to keep t he s\ haling industry from going into a decline, because a sufficient return could not be
had for the oil. As sperm oil has to depend upon its own merits, the sperm whale. yielding no other valuable product ,
its competition with other oils has seriously detracted from its importance, and at the same time reduced the profits
of the industry to a point, as we said above, a, little niorp than half tbe cost of catching. *
Till'] WHALE FISHERY. 1(53
Tlir annual report ot" the New York Chamber of Commerce for 1838, in commenting upon the condition of the
\\ li:ilr fisheries during that year, says:
prospects for the coming year arc far from flattering, but upon the whole, perhaps not less encouraging than
:ii the commencement of the year thai has now passed. There will, from present appearances, be a further diminu-
tion nl' vessels employed in the fleet, and with a diminished competition the business may again regain a healthy
state. Oilier fields of enterprise now opened and opening present better opportunities for investment than are now
utl'ered ill the \\ hale fishery."
li \\asalniut this lime that pet i oleum oils for illuminating and lubricating purposes wore beginning to attract
attention, but they had not yet attained much commercial importance. The same authority quoted above, in its
i< \ ie\v ot (ho industry for the year 1861, says:
•' The average price of whale oil has been something more than 5 cents per gallon less than the year 1860. This
has been owing to the introduction of petroleum and kerosene oils, which have in a great measure taken the place of
\\ hale oil for illuminating purposes."
The first of hydrocarbon Inbricatiugoils was produced at Mecca, Ohio. It is undoubtedly the best oil of its class
ever put on the mark. -t ; but, unfortunately, it did not last, and it is now almost forgotten. Small quantities of it are
still produced by sand pumps, and tii id a read} sale at I he wells at $40 per barrel. It was a natural oil, and when it first
Appeared on the market was of about v!fi gravity. In 1866 or 1868, West Virginia natural oils first began to attract
ihe attention of the. oil trade. They were obtained mostly from shallow wells and were from 27 to 28 gravity. Their
appearance on the market had a very serious effect on the sale of whale oil, for the railroad companies who had pre-
viously taken the latter for lubricating purposes, owing to the high cost of sperm oil, readily took the mineral oil at
good prices, one road paying as high as §1 per gallon for it. The result was that whale oil steadily declined from
si -.'.", per gallon to about 70 cents, and it has never since (with the exception of a short time in 1869) got beyond that
point. The West Virginia oils have deteriorated somewhat since then, and prices are, of course, much lower. The
shallow wells are nearly all exhausted, and the oils now produced run from 33 to 40 gravity, though a small percent-
age of oil of a specific gravity as heavy as 29 degrees is still obtained. From the time of the introduction of the hydro-
carbon oils.the importance of the products of the whale has steadily declined, and thus one of the largest industries of
the United States has sunk, comparatively speaking, into insignificance. By the end of 1869 it began to be apparent
that the business had entirely lost its former prestige, and verj discouraging views of the future were entertained.
From a review published at the beginning of 1671 we extract the following:
" The year 1870. like its predecessor, has been one of poor returns to those engaged in the whale fishery. The
prices of our staples, which at (he opening were considered unremunerative, steadily declined throughout the year,
closing at the lowest, quotation of any year since 1861. The decline in sperm oil was owing to the limited consump-
tion of the article, together wit h a large stock on hand at the beginning of the year, and the unexpected large import,
being about 10,000 barrels in excess of the estimate for the year, while whale oil and whalebone were similarly affected
by the introduction largely of cotton-seed oil and a closed foreign market, caused by the European war, to which we
export largely, especially of bone. We note that while the importation of seal oil has been restricted by a higher
tariff, that cotton-seed oil has stepped into its place, and claims its share of consumption, which is by no means limited,
7.1,000 barrels, it is estimated, having beeu marketed the present year. * * ' Our merchants do not look upon the
future of whaling with encouragement, and seem disposed to distrust it as to its pecuniary results, induced more by
extraneous causes than inherent, having to add to the list of its competitors lard, petroleum, and seal oil, that of cot-
ton-seed oil, said by its advocates to be but in its infancy."
The importance of the competition with cotton-seed oil was not overestimated, as has been practically demonstrated
since. Fish oil also has assumed an important place among the list of competitors. It is not astonishing, in view of
all the circumstances, that the whale fishery should have ceased to exert an important influence upon the commerce
of the country; but it has left many evidences of its former glory behind. Along our coast are a number of ports
once teeming with life and activity, their inhabitants nearly all identified, in one way or another, with what was
then one of the most remunerative industries of the United States. Now these ports are silent and deserted; their
once busy wharves arc vacant and fallen into decay ; their streets are grass-grown, and most of their inhabitants
have long since departed. In place of the numerous harbors affording shelter for the large fleet of whalers, one or
Iv." ports now sut'liee to shelter them all.
What possibilities there may be for a revival of the former greatness of Ihe industry remains for the future to
show ; bur so far as the immediate future is concerned there seems to be no good reason to believe that further depre-
riai ion in t lie value of whale or sperm oil will occur. Prices have at last touched " rock-bottom," and there are now
indications of improvement. Foreign consumers manifest a strong prejudice in favor of these staples, and as long as
they can be obtained at a reasonable price, an export outlet is assured. With regard to the home consumption, it is
impossible, unless the production of mineral oils should greatly decrease, that it can ever again attaiu the prominence
it once enjoyed. The h\ ilrocarboii oils, which at tirst seriously interfered with the consumption of whale and sperm,
now help it. as many of the manufactured mineral lubricating oils contain more or less of these products which are
used to give body and weight to the lubricants. In this way, also, a certain outlet is assured. * *
A factor in the whale-oil trade, which promises to attain some prominence in the future, is the shipment of oil by
rail from San Francisco by tank cars. The project was first made known last fall at the close of the whaling
season, but did not make much headway. This year it was renewed, but so far has met with little success, apart from
exerting a depressing influence upon the Eastern markets. So far as we can learn there is not much oil to come that
way, the bulk of the catch being shipped in the usual manner. It is likely that 5,000 to 8,000 barrels will be
1(54 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
marketed in San Francisco, and part of this may find its way East by tank cars. Some of this has already been sold,
but it is impossible to tell how much. On its way to the East its arrival at different points on the route has been
telegraphed here, and such inforinatiou has usually been taken as indicating a new s;ile.
The following reviews for 1881, 18S2, 1883, and 1884 are by Messrs. I. H. Bartlett & Sous, of
New Bedford:
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1881.
Review of the whale fishery for 1881. — The year has been generally free of disasters, only four vessels having been
lost. Otherwise their has been no special feature of note. Arctic whaling has yielded good returns, while sperm oil
has not been found abundant. The most of the voyages closed during the year were successful, and the outlook for
the future would be good if better prices could be obtained, and tbe business relieved of the many clogs and hin-
drances which have lor many years oppressed United States shipping, and which have been so ably set forth in the
recent report of the cominil lee appointed by the New York Chamber of Commerce. Promiueut features in that,
report, were, the payment of time mouths' wages to discharged seamen, now exacted by no other nation, and the
protection granted to deserters by consular authorities and foreign Governments.
The piesent whaling Heel, numbers one hundred and sixty-one vessels, against one hundred and seventy-seven a
year ago. a icduelion of sixteen.
Sperm whaling continues to droop, and vessels have generally had but moderate MICCT.SS, those on the African
coast, and on Chili having made the largest catches, while in other quarters (lie year's work has been small.
li'iglit whaling has beeu successfully prosecuted. The Arctic ileet took good tares of oil and bone, as our tables
will show, remunerating those who invested their capital and labor in that, direction, but we sadly record the
evii lei ice indicating there is no hope of finding alive the crews of the two whalers that were ice-bound two years since.
We however welcome the news of the safety of a part or all of the Jeauuctte's company, and further tidings of them
is now daily expected.
The price of sperm oil in January last was nominally 98 cents per gallou, but owing to the immense stock on hand
sales could not have been effected to any extent at over 8.") to OH cents. The price declined to rtl cents in May and
June, rose to 82| cents in July, and gradually advanced till it reached '.).", cents in October, at which price it closed
the year, with some sales in the latter part at a slight advance on that figure. The incubus of stock that has for so
long a time weighed like a wet blanket on our sperm-whaling interests has now been removed, and no mariner
returning from a four years' voyage ever hailed with more satisfaction the sight of his home port, than do our mer-
chants the contemplation of the fact that, the stock of sperm oil for the whole of the present, year will be less in
quantity than the consumption of the last.
Whale oil opened the year at 48 cents per gallon for Arctic, dropped temporarily to 45 cents in May, advanced in
June and July to 55 cents, and continued at about that figure the remainder of the1 year, closing at 53 cents. Hump-
back and South Sea oils have ruled at about, 3 cents per gallon less.
The price of whalebone opened the year at $1.:!U per pound, advancing soon to $1.75 to $1.90, and continuing at
about these figures until fall, closing the year at, §1.40. South Sea bone has sold for about 20 cents per pound less.
TRADE REVIEW FOB 1B82.
Review of the whale fishery for 1882. — The year just closed has been without features of special note. Several vessels
have been lost at sea, mostly in different localities, the only loss of life being the officers and crew of schooner Pilot's
Bride, of New London. At home, the continued low price of sperm oil has discouraged those engaged in that branch
of the business, and fast leading to its discontinuance.
The present whaling fleet numbers one hundred and forty-seven, against, one hundred and sixty-one a year ago,
of which number one hundred and five are now at sea. Many of those in port are to be withdrawn for merchant
service, while others have become too dilapidated to warrant repairs.
Sperm whaling during the past year has continued to droop, only eight vessels having taken in excess of 500
barrels each, of which four cruised on the coast of Chili, and four in other localities. The owners, tired of small
catches and ridiculously low prices, are changing their vessels to right whaling or withdrawing them from the busi-
ness. Indications point to an import of 20,000 barrels for the present year, and a probable reduction in the future.
As the oil cannot be produced at a less cost than $1.25 per gallon, we cannot blame our merchants for transferring
their time and capital to other enterprises.
Right whaling has been prosecuted with fair success. Thirty vessels cruised in the Northern Pacific, averaging
to each 707 barrels of oil and 11,730 pounds of whalebone, in addition to which they took on their between-season
cruises an aggregate of 2,800 barrels sperm, 720 barrels whale oil, and 4,0(0 pounds of whalebone.
Two vessels were lost in the Arctic in the early part of the season by being crushed in the ice. If bad weather
had not unexpectedly prevailed during the latter part of tbe season, the catch would have been much larger. Many
additions are to be made to the fleet the coming vear.
The Southern right whalers were quite fortunate, and fair catches were made on the Tristan grounds and other
localities.
The consumption of our different products is an interesting subject, and one that, requires from us some attention.
It has always been our custom to report as the consumption for the year the amounts clea red from our import, markets
by tbe refiners and manufacturers, regardless of the stocks the latter were carrying at the close of the year. The
Till: NVHALE FISHERY. 165
continuance ut' this ciislnm h-d us in report for the year lss| ;, i>iuisiiiii|il inn nf sperm nil in this cminlry nf 2,r>,S7.ri
barrels, and iu Kngland c>t'::,lllill Inns or :',0,OIMI barrels, an aggregate of 55,000 barn-Is, when actually the large sfncUs
in refiners' bauds a. year ago makes it probable that the actual consumption was not much in excess nl' Ki.niin barrels.
\\V give below a, carcfnlh made statement of the estimated actual consumption i'or 1H82:
Barrels.
Crude sperm nil in importers' Lands January 1, 1882 Hi, 275
Crnde sperm oil in re liners' hands in United States and England 10,300
Crude sperm oil imported into United States in 1882 29,875
Crude sperm oil imported into England from the colonies, &c 3,850
66,300
Less stock in importers' hands January 1, 1883 20,100
Less stock in rentiers' hands in United States and importers' and refiners' hands in
England 6, 000
26, 100
Net eonsii nipt inn for the year 40,200
Whale ml is rapidly absorbed as snon as it arrivesin market, and whalebone has been used during the past year
In a greater extent than heretofore.
Sperm oil, from 9.3 cents at the commencement, nf the year, advanced steadily to $1.05 in February, si. 1(1 in April.
$1 11 in July, and then gradually receded, touching il(> cents at the close of the year.
Whale nil, from 53 cents in .January, gradually advanced, touching .7.) eentsin September, and declining in Decent-
IM-I in ~~> cents.
Whalebone opened the year at $1.40 and steadily advanced, touching :•>.'. 25 in October, and closing I he \ear at frj.
The ipiautity of sperm oil at present on board of the whaling fleet is 5,300 barrels, against 12.IWIO barrels a year
agn. being the smallest amount known in our experience.
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1883.
lieriew uf the u-liale-jidicry for 1883. — The past year has been one of loss to those engaged in this business, and ils
results ha\e been discouraging. The failure of the Arctic season, wiih small catches in other localities, has bronuht.
lint small remuneration to those who risk their capital in the whale-fishery.
The fleet now numbers one hundred and twenty MM- vessels of all .-lasses hailing from Atlantic ports, against one.
hundred and thirty-eight a year ago, and nineteen from San Francisco, as against eight last year. The number of
vessels engaged in sperm whaling has been considerably decreased, owing to the low prices of oil, while, on account
nf the value of whalebone, agents are inclined to send most of their vessels to the Arctic Ocean and other right-whale
regions. Indications point to a steady decrease in the number of vessels sailing from Atlantic .ports, and perhaps a
small increase in the number sailing from San Francisco for the Arctic Ocean.
A new feature of the past year arising from the increase of Arctic, whaling a t San Francisco has been the. estab-
lishment of extensive works at that place for the manufacture and sale of whale and sperm oil, thus enabling the
owners there located, as well as others who import oils at that place, to find a market without paying the heavy cost
of shipping tin- same to the Atlantic seaboard. It is understood that the whole Arctic catch of oil, about 10,00i I barrels,
has been purchased at San Francisco at increased prices. Their works, in addition to large facilities for the manu-
t'act lire of sperm candles, have a capacity of 150 barrels of oil per day, and arc to be enlarged if the imports at I hat
place and the sales of their products shall warrant.
Sperm whaling continues to decline, and no catches of any amount were made during the year except a few in the
Atlantic Ocean, and two or three ofl' Patagonia. The number of ships and barks now iu that fishery at sea is forty-
eight, most of which will folio wright whaling during half of the year. The con tinned low price of oil will soon prevent
the business being followed to any great extent.
Right whaling has been unfortunate, and the season iu the North Pacific, owing to prevalence of ice and bad
weather, was a failure. Thirty-eight vessels cruised there, three of which were lost, aud the remaining thirty-live
averaged 274 barrels nf oil aud 4,350 pounds of whalebone to each. The southern right whalers were not as fort una te-
as iu the previous year, and their general success was moderate.
The price of sperm oil from 96 cents per gallon on January 1 rose to $1.05 iu April and May, and from that time
steadily declined, closing the year at 90 cents.
Whale oil from 55 ceuts in January continued at about the same price, with the exception of a rise to 594 (cuts
in April, until December, when on account of the demand at San Francisco it advanced, closing the year at 00 cents
per gallon asked.
Whalebone opened the year at $2 per pound for Arctic, and with a few variations steadily advanced, until at tin-
close of the year it sold at $4.75 per pound.
The purchases of sperm oil for consumption during the year have amounted to 32,200 barrels; the purchases of
whale oil to 23,600 barrels, and of whalebone, 376,000 pounds ; all the above being bought at Atlantic ports, besides
the purchases at San Francisco of all their importations, and quite an amount of oil aud bone belonging to New Bed-
ford vessels.
Our figures of imports for 1883 do uot include the oil and bone purchased at Sau Francisco, it being difficult for
us, at this distance, to obtain the information with accuracy.
166
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
TRADE REVIEW FOR 1S.-4.
Hcrieiv of the whale-fishery for 1884. — Another year has passed, and its results, like us predecessors, have been
unsatisfactory and discouraging to those who have coutinu< d to risk their capital in the whale-fishery. With two or
three exceptions the larger el ass of vessels that arrived during the year made losing voyages, and with the discouraging
features which still exist it is doubtful if they are soon fitted out agaiu. Of the vessels in port one-half at least are
known to be for sale, and of those expected to arrive during this year it is now intended that a number will be offered
for sale.
The North Atlantic fleet was more fortunate on the whole than during the year previous, the smaller vessel*
doing the best. Some good catches of sperm oil were made on the west coa,st of South America during the months
from April to October, seven vessels averaging TOn barrels, one taking l.'.'NH barrels, and three or four vessels did
quite well on New Holland.
The season in the Arctic was better than that of 1883, but not fully satisfactory, except to some having steamers
that penetrated the ice, which the sailing vessels considered unsafe to enter, thereby obtaining good catches. Thirty-
nine vessels cruised there, and the only loss was the steamer Bowhead, of San Francisco, the first one built by the
Pacific Whaling Company, and a fine vessel. Her catchings had been previously shipped home. The fleet averaged
527 barrels whale oil and 8,380 pounds whalebone.
Three vessels on New Zealand did well right whaling, taking an average of 7110 barrels.
The total number of vessels ol' all classes engaged in the business is one hundred and thirty-three, of which nine-
teen hail from San Francisco, and all but one engaged in Arctic whaling. The decrease of the catching p< >W.T during
the year was 1,912 tons, the greater portion of which had been engaged in sperm whaling.
The present tonnage of the entire fleet is 31,207, of which 3,432 is at home ports. Of the remaining 27,775 tons,
about one-half is exclusively engaged in Arctic whaling, one-quarter exclusively sperm whaling, and the remaining
one-quarter sperm and right whaling; showing the tonnage engaged in sperm whaling to be about 10,400 tons, which
is about 20 per cent, less than last year.
The consumption of sperm oil was well maintained, notwithstanding the depressed condition of business all over
the country during the year.
The consumption of whale oil was curtailed in consequence of lack of stock, but very little of the Northern catch
of 1883 having been sent to the Eastern market.
In consequence of the high price of whalebone, the consumption was not as large' as the previous year.
The exports were less than previous years, especially of sperm oil, a large stock having been carried over in Lon-
don January 1, 1884. The consumption in Europe of sperm oil reached 13,0)50 barrels, anil the stock remaining on
hand January 1, 1885, 426 tons, is about one-ball' of that on January 1, l.<>4.
Sperm oil began the year at 90 cents, touched 76 cents in November, and closed at 77 cents in December.
Whale oil began the year at liOU cents, touched 57 cents in November, and closed at 54 cents in Decembn
Whalebone began the year at $4.75, touched $2 in October, and closed at w2.:;5 in December.
Our figures of imports include that imported into San Francisco by vessels owned there, which in former years
were omitted.
We estimate the import of sperm oil for 1NS5 at 17,000 to 20,000 barrels; that, of whale oil and whalebone will
depend on the success of the Arctic fleet.
(6) STATISTICAL TABLES OF PRODUCTS AND VALUES.
Table showing the receipts from the American fleet, the exports, and the home consumption of sperm and whale oil from 1860
to 1884.
Tear.
Sperm oil.
Whale oil.
Tear.
Sperm nil.
Wliiile oil.
S
"a
&
Exports.
Home cou
sumption.
Keceipts.
Exports.
H
if
o a
W"
Receipts.
Exports.
gg
°.2
„&
a 8
0 P
M"
Receipts.
Exports.
Home con-
sumption.
I860
1861
1862
1863
Bbls.
73, 708
68, 932
55, 641
65, 055
64, 372
3.!, 242
36, 663
43,433
47, 174
47, 930
55, 183
41, 534
45, 201
Bbls.
32, 792
37, 547
27, 976
18, 366
45, 000
20, 158
10, 630
25, 147
18, 916
18, 645
22, 733
22, 156
24,344
Bbls.
38, 507
31,091
27, 759
32, 527
30, 190
27, 606
in, 1:3
22, 986
23, 258
17, 239
28, 812
33, 528
24, 052
Bbls.
140,005
133,717
100, 478
62, 974
71, 863
76, 238
74, 302
89, 289
65, 575
85, Oil
72, 091
75, 152
31,075
SMs.
13, 007
49, 969
68, 583
11,297
13, 000
1,660
618
18, 253
9,885
3,842
9,872
18,141
1,528
Bbls.
143, 009
105, 839
67, 254
t)5, 352
62, 528
64, 107
69, 534
58, 836
72, 390
56, 236
68, 452
63, Oil
42, 852
1873
fbla.
42, 053
32, 203
42,617
39,811
41,119
; ;. 508
41, 308
37, 614
30, 600
29,884
24, 595
22, 099
Bbls.
18, 67.r.
22, HI-J
23,600
18,047
11,843
13,283
16,600
13, 006
13, 996
5,143
SbU.
21, 1:111
21,768
18,45!
14.4?:i
31,737
11, U'4
23,315
13,750
25, 27.',
13, 053
17,324
ir>, 4S1
Bbls.
40, 014
37, 782
:i4. r.!)4
33,010
27, 191
33, 77*
23, 334
34,776
23,371
24, 170
24, 670
Bbls.
2,153
3, 300
5, 424
10, 300
i.
14,371
7,374
4. 395
(i r.n
4,421
4,543
2,343
Bbls.
33, 881
44, 357
31, 860
22, 620
20, 501
1-J, r.r.7
24,885
23, 858
32,000
21,425
19, 052
23,777
1874
1875
1876
1864
1877
1865
1878
1866
1879
1867
1880
1868
1881
1869
1882
1870
1883
1871
1884
1872
TIIK \\IIALI; nsiiKi;v.
1G7
Table showing tin mri/i/.< //•<»« tin- American fleet, the home consumption, <uul tin- r.rjiin •/» uf «•/«(/< //<n/. jnnn l.-i;.", in |,-,- 1
Received.
Consumed.
Exported.
Tear.
K«'i eivril.
Consumed.
Exported.
1865
Pov
Pounds.
ii • ii i
1875
Pound*
372 303
Pou,
1 !'• Ilh7
J'ounds.
•'()'> 4'
i ;;:.-,
4''ll 17">
5"! 400
1876
150 6°8
1867
1 001 397
181 631
717 7Mt>
1877
100 °°0
67 8°0
70 8(
1888
"4G '181;
704 882
1878
MI; .-,','1
113 4(
1S69
603 603
197 101
311 605
1879
286 280
i.
75 71
1^7(1
-155 347
347 *>18
1880
4lil fl"S
176 770
171 '7^
1871 . .
600 655
319 856
387 199
1SX1
202 000
106, 0(
.
193 793
74 141
177 :i:;-j
1S82
•J.71 null
L'll oil)
175,4'
206 396
155. 351
120 545
1883
L'.M 037
198 423
175, 61
345 560
200, 807
165 553
1884
426 968
109,144
1 13, OS
Table shotting the value of oil and i>anc lumli d lii/ l/n- .liitiricnii irlmlintj fleet, the value of tli? proportion consumed in the
I ~ni lid Slates, and the ralue of the proportion is]><»-t<-d during the years 1865 to 1880.
Tear.
Value of oil and
buno landed.
Value of oil and
bone consumed
in the United
States.
Value of oil and
bone exported.
Tear.
Value of oil and
bone landed.
Value of oil and
boneconsumed
in the United
States.
Value of oil ana
bone exported.
1865
$6, 906, 650 51
7, 037, 891 23
6, 356, 772 51
5 470 157 43
$5, 564, 786 26
4,766, 5!>7 B8
3,189,220 19
3, 568, 082 30
3, 013, 426 34
2,896,883 19
2, 798, 408 97
2, 081, 468 87
$1,8»8, 399 75
1,591,727 82
:i,ll34,9?7 12
2, 106, 985 72
1..V.4, 956 25
1, 1711,864 85
1,479,153 69
1, 374, 098 37
1873
82, 962, 106 96
2, 713, 034 51
3,314,800 24
2, 639, 463 31
2, 309, 569 69
..', 029 55
2, 056, 069 08
2, 659, 725 03
$1, 947, 037 50
2, 154, 638 63
1, 700, 823 45
1, 346, 828 00
1,113,681 00
849, 043 12
1, 345, 582 05
1, 165, 944 00
$929, 247 94
1,179,286 32
1,494,727 64
1, 487, 533 00
'.124, 175 CO
1,357,162 34
582, 994 17
795, 657 78
1866
1874
1867
1875
1868
1876
1869
6, 205, 244 32
4, 529, 126 02
3, 091, 469 18
2. 1)54, 783 00
1877
1870
1878
1871
1879
1872
1880
Table showing the average prices of sperm and irltttle oil per gallon and whalebone each month from 1868 to 1880.
1868.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
January :
$** 00
$1 S5
$1 '"Ti
$1 55
$1 50
$1 50
$1 69J
$1 60
$1 04,«,
$0 90
$1 04,.
64
1 10
69
65
66
61
66J
67*.
$0 70
55
35
1 113
1 10
1 15
1 0~i
1! Mil
2 39
February :
2 00
1 5IJ
1 32
1 54
1 53
1 60
1 78
I .'i4
1 31
1 Olft
no
1 04
Whale oil
66
1 U
74
GO
73
64
CO
65
65
70
52
37
57
1 14
1 DO
1 40
1 69*
3 00
2 26
March :
2 00
1 93
1 54*
i :M
1 00
1 52*
1 111!
1 84
1 50
I 26
1 03
85
1 06
Whale oil ....
70
1 13
62
71
08
63
6G
62J
68
50
37
52
1 28
1 OG
1 6 i
2 10
2 10
April:
2 00
1 40
1 28J
1 56
1 52
1 80
1 43
81
1 02
Whale oil ...
73
1 05
69
58
69
66
63
65
621.
65
50
36
48
1 ''I!
1 10
1 75
2 65
2 82
2 02
May:
2 00
1 93
III
1 "ii
1 53
1 48
1 55
1 711
1 ::7
1 20
H4
77
1 02}
Whole oil
77
1 03
66}
55
69
62
60
65
55
63
45
35
47
1 55
1 10
2 50
L' :.l)
2 00
June:
2 00
1 85
1 38
1 22J
1 40
1 42
1 52
4 55
I 35
1 19
87*
75
93)
Wbale oil
80
1 03
C3i
54
62
61
60
B2
58
53
41
36
45
Whalebone . .
1 -J5
1 09
2 00
2 40
2 50
2 18
* The followiu^ additional data have been received since the above w»s compiled : Average price of sperm oil per gallon in 1881,
in 1882, $1.00; in 18.-:). !(7 cenls; in 1884, 85 cents. Whale oil in 1881, 48 cents ; in 1882, 58i cents; in!883, 54 cents; in 1884, 56 i-.-uI*.
bone per pound in 1881, $1.63 j in 1882, $1.71 ; in 1883, $2.87 ; in 1884, $3.55.
5 cents ;
U'lialo.
168 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
.! iihlr showing the </nr<f//f ju'i< i * <>l .syir; in u ml trlmh' <m y..r <i>illini <i ml u-Jmli fnmr t <t< I >,,'»• ill I'm in 1HIS to 16^4.1 — C OH tinned.
*
1808.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873.
1874
1875.
1876.
1877.
187S.
1879.
1880.
July:
$1 89J
$l'79
$1 33
$1 23
$1 38
$1 40
$1 55
$1 50 J
$1 31
$1 16
$0 88
:-'• i 7".
i i - -
Whale oil
80
1 04
G6i
55
61
62
58
i I
50
•"tLI-J
1 "8
1 18
1 10
2 00
August :
1 80
1 76
1 33
1 24
1 S8
1 47
1 57
1 40
1 28
1 15
91 A
90
"Whale oil
85$
or.
694
84
64
i;:>
58
70
55
51
43
35
1 "4
1 15
1 15
2 00
2 '>«
•> qrt
September:
1 86
1 77
1 "0
1 24J
1 35
1 50
1 61
1 IS
1 '>7i
1 1 1
87 ^
7|
94
"Whale oil
1 OOj
1 00
64
55
64
61
57i
67
55
51
39
37
5>>i
1 32
1 15
1 1"
2 15
0 (15
•' "".
i i, tobei .
1 !l."i
1 7.">
1 23
26
1 35
1 4"
1 M
1 48
1 40
1 ll'l
8'V-
98
"Whale oil
i i":;
1 00
OCJ
661
r>2
60
1 u
IT
58
51
;;s-7
i 35
1 20
1 10
" 5(1
•i <J5
l OU
1 75
November:
1 80
1 7"
1 "3J
1 50
1 47
1 42
i t;~>
i :.i
1 40
1 08
1 i'ii
98
Wliale oil
90
!l"
63*
66
7l)
.~>1
37*
5ll
1 30
1 20
3 00
11 (Hi
1 ::u
December:
1 75
1 .VI
1 °2
1 57
1 50
1 50
i IH
l 604
' HI
1 03
83A
i-
Whale oil
85
84
64
67
62
64
70
65
55
35
50
1 10
1 18
1 D2
:; tit;
" III!
1 30
Yearly avei.i ;
i »2
1 78
1 35
1 35
1 45i
1 48
1 59
1 Hi '
1 411*
1 13
91*
84 j
09
Whale oil
82
1 01J
67i
60
65A
6''
60J
65j
56
52
44
39
51
1 24
70
1 L'sj
1 08
1 10
1 l
1 96
• r.ii
2 46
2 34
2 00
Tabli xliijiti»;i muiiHiJi/ receipts nl' "/' mill irlnili'lioin- from lite whaliiii/ Jlci'l nf tin- ' (i • J'nun 1>I>8 to 18^(1.
1871.
1S72.
1873.
1874.
1870.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
January :
" 713
182
1 08 ">
• • 1 ' s
588
Whale oil <!<»
396
201
U4f,
73
4 III
893
in
1 857
449
(;-,
26 73 '
47 195
" l"j
•Tl 4.-1
60 605
"1 '144
•'] " s
i • r ;{
February:
1 HII4
1 086
595
•> 7Q1
Whale oil .do
400
217
1 100
115
2 037
1 208
17
3 014
22
893
' 815
3 361
124 000
9 967
March :
720
7118
1,817
48G
1 014
86 1
:-
899
1 °41
373
2 Ms
7 !I97
2 174
8,975
2 980
1 1S2
" 507
l'J0
117
353
3 078
3 095
350
1 396
Whalebone ll<s
i
17, sun
'.14, d'.ic,
1 • ir.ii
., .,].,
395
2 225
April :
'.', l"4
5 11'
4 730
o 373
2 "4 n
2 791
960
'' 179
o 074
1 789
443
^ "46
85
Whale oil <lo
16 664
22 610
5 717
33 G14
1 155
3 788
11 l Tp 1
lit (T)S
L5 li.M
2 307
4 ii::7
1 ->75
7 S60
"Whalebone Ibs. .
May:
Sperm oil bbls. .
Whale oil do...
257, 5i;.".
4,305
19, 609
3, 131
22, 043
25 736
105, 7S5
13,481
20, 537
fiO 170
319,967
3,453
9,407
37 045
2,855
7,007
5,001
4,850
(i, 133
10,109
;; *'77
IS. 7U!)
1. 303
2 940
5,740
12, 086
14, M'll
3,383
3, 13tl
300
2,351
4,602
4 189
2,335
4,587
2,872
4,ii4i;
1,956
1 "74
c. '.!::;
5, 102
4,149
"•I U46
June:
5 3°4
6 301
7 4')S
4 900
11 369
4 ir'4
'; 4i;s
3 954
8 693
8 °31
- 1 32
Whale oil do ..
5, 745
7 401
5,684
19 830
17, 2o:i
"" 71 ;
7, 642
8 904
8,839
4 16°
7,298
3 59°
7,068
1 'J30
1,905
595
3,228
5*il
4,915
•'n 1 17
2, 709
14 384
1,460
6, 877
llj 4118
July:
Speiin oil bills. .
Whale oil do
2,799
l 382
1,930
8 '36
7, 732
4 798
9,342
5 414
4,854
1 °13
2, 273
487
3, 078
1 4 08
1"2
7, 329
558
5, 062
1 310
6,861
f 59S
5, 2114
809
3,484
1 089
WhalfliKH. ... ...Ibs.
9.698
13.000
250
10.798
1. !I51
1.6SO
3. 141
22. 442
5.018
4.881
TIIK \\IIALK KISMKKY. 1C,;)
In hi !• xii<iii-iiuj monthly receipt* nf nil ninl whalebone from ""• «•//»// »</./'''<•' <>i ""• ' 'iitinl ,S7« .'(•.>,• t'lnm I MIS to 1880 — Conl'd.
1868.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
An^nst:
Sperm oil bbls - -
7,742
6,620
4,203
8,557
!>, 557
4,811
4,599
5,293
3,441
4,409
2,226
2,918
Whale oil do
ti, iu:>
'.!, 251.'.
3, 04 1
3,862
5,662
3,501
2, 547
804
816
1, 911
4, 459
1 '.Hi!!
1 6 "4
Whalebone Ibs. .
21,042
28, 008
17, 720
14, 475
•>. !K>4
22, 719
8,334
1,044
11.1)27
September:
Sperm oil 1.1. Is.
0,903
9,213
7,012
4,535
2,293
4, 225
7,001
8,813
5,140
4,017
5,1 5:1
3,971
4, 592
Whale oil do..
4,779
4,399
3,841
4,855
2, 434
7, 103
1,274
4,499
1,061
1,691
2,147
2, 427
1,485
Whalebone Ibs. .
29, 006
20, 365
4,149
2, 200
25,422
:;, sic.7
18, 652
14,011
350
13, 549
5, 19:{
Ortnl.i-i- :
Sperm oil bbls. .
6, 690
3.444
7,366
2,017
5, 1K2
3,295
3,646
3,395
3, *44
4,279
3,520
3.695
4. 22K
Whole oil do
1,972
5, 401
3, 237
1, 950
4, 013
1, 604
4,383
1, 858
L' (is:;
3 576
1 555
210
3 501
Whalebone Ibs . .
2,932
22, 795
41. 105
27, 244
9,877
10, 009
1, 4im
18,411
]5, 290
59, 0511
19, 150
November:
S|iel [U Oil bills.
2, 440
4,717
961
1,177
1,455
4,318
79
3,215
4,740
2, H74
3,519
Whale oil do
8GG
3, 194
3, 953
3,589
704
1.00
772
2,344
1, 4:;i
75(1
1, 982
5, 308
605
Whalebone Ibs..
13, 630
29, 336
60, 000
7,696
2, 092
28, 295
': 300
1 ' ii"'i
31, 534
135, lino
1 '.-ri mber:
-
Sperm oil bMs.
485
3, 284
330
1,712
?, 758
3, 577
6,739
2, iii-j
l',910
1,345
6,394
4, 3*3
Whale oil do
1, 413
524
33
684
1 . 210
1,270
344
377
739
1 977
1, 270
2, 704
Whalebone Ibs. .
112, 000
5,000
66, 000
133, 900
20, 300
99, 009
142, 396
14,920
on, 77::
59, 633
105,453
240,512
RECAPITULATION.— (Total receipts earli year.)
Sperm oil hbls. .
Whale oil do
47, 174
65 575
47, 936
85 Oil
55, 183
72 691
41, 534
75 152
45, 201
31 075
42, 033
40 014
:;; 782
42, Ci] 7
34 594
39,811
33 010
41, 11!)
27 191
43, 508
33 778
41, 308
23 3'14
37, 614
34 770
W halebone Ibs. .
900, 850
603, 603
708, 365
600, 055
193, 793
2iiii, ::no
345, 560
372, HI.::
150, 028
Kill, 2211
207, 259
286, 280
404, c-.'K
The following statement shows the quantities of oil and bone lauded by the American Heet and
the total value of the same from 1804 to 1880.* The statistics are compiled from Starbuck's His
tory of the Whale Fishery nud from the Whalemen's Shipping List. The total \ it-Id «>f this fishery
for the entire period is seen to be 166,604,496 gallons of sperm oil, 270,727,205 gallons of whale oil,
and 76,386,148 pounds of whalebone, having a total value of 8340,204,873.
Scammoi) estimates that sperm whales will average 25 and right whales 60 barrels of oil, and
of the former 10 and of the latter 20 per cent, of those killed are lost. Upon that basis the above
amounts of oil would represent the slaughter of about 232,790 sperm and 196,0112 right whales.
*The following additional statistics have lieen received since tins statement \v.is compiled :
Tear.
Gallons
sperm oil.
Gallons
whale oil.
Pouu
\\ h;il<-l.
1881
963 900
096, 975
368
1882
941 340
736, 186
271
1883
774 742
761,355
254
1884 .
096 118
777, 105
£6
!
ir
Total value.
00
$1, 92U, G20
'.19
1,801,779
137
1,891,716
168
2, 542, 614
170
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Production of oil nml Imni' Inj the American wliaJini/Jli'it <in<l lulnl r/iliic nf xnmr from 1804 to !"<>.
Tear.
Callous
.1 oil.
Average
price
per gallon.
Gallons
whale oil.
Average
price
per gallon.
Pounds
whalebone.
Average
price
per pound.
Total value.
7 983 110
IS, 159,836
841, 940
$16,941,493 57
1821
1,357,618
67*
1,213,506
33
62, 893
12
1,324,396 29
l.V" ... ,
.1,350
65
1,619,951
32
50, 799
12
1,402,857 70
1823 - .
938,351
43
1, 697, 440
32
103, 404
13
1,820,114 25
1824
: 1,091,064
45*
1, 833, 237
30
133, 472
13
1, 973, 756 58
IS^S
1,0-4,303
70J
1, 666, 413
32
152, 534
15
1, 912, 765 87
1826 .
019, 800
75
1, 108, 233
30
79, 368
16
1, 035, 018 78
1827
2, 958, 480
72i
1,119,037
30
106, 255
18
2,499,735 00
1828
2, 475, 176
62*.
1, 591, 790
26
137, 323
25
1,995,181 15
1829
2, 350, 152
61J
2, 256, 502
26
563, 654
25
2, 172, 947 50
1830
3, 482, 042
65J.
2, 831, 315
39
514, 991
20
3, 487, 949 56
1831
3, 636, 738
' 71
3, 609, 774
30
279, 279
17
4, 139, 790 61
1832
2, 299, 563
85
5, 703, 894
442, 881
13
3,352,618 17
1833
~0, 765
85
5, 153, 148
26
266, 432
13
4, 170, 754 89
1834 .
3, 891, 573
72*
4,14
27J
343, 324
21
4,033,317 55
1835
5, 181, 523
84
3, 950, 289
39
965, 192
21
6,095,787 :i;i
1836
4, 200, 021
89
4, 301, 892
44
1, 028, 773
25
5, 888, 044 42
1837
129,138
82J
6, 389, 995
35
1.753,104
20
6,983, ii."i7 '.in
1838
4, 076, 100
86
7, 204, 365
32
1,200,000
20
6, 250, 842 80
1839
4, 408, 866
1 05
7, 040, 975
36
2, 00(1, OUO
18
7,524,0110 30
1840
4.928,017
1 00
6, 408, 391
30
2, 1100, OCO
19
7,230,534 30
1841
156,304
94
6,459,510
32
2, 000, 000
20
7, 125, 970 88
1842
>G, 105
73
4, 876, 232
34
2, 500, 000
23
4,379,812 03
1 -4:;
5, 260, 027
63
6,511,900
34
1,127,270
36
6, 293. 680 21
1844
4,239,711
III!.'
8, 254, 481
36,',
2, 532, 445
40
7, 875, 970 38
1845
4, 967, 550
88
8, 593, 483
33
2, 195, 054
34
8,283,611 75
1846
3, 155, 481
87J
6, 589, 737
33J
3, 252, 939
34
6,203,115 43
1847
3, 803, 719
I 00}
9,86
36
3, 341, 680
31
8,419 288 49
1848
3,401,274
1 00
8, 840, 663
33
3, 003, 000
25
6, 81? 442 78
1849
3, 179, 736
1 08?
7, 827, 498
39}}
2,281,100
21]
7, 069 953 74
1850 - -
2, 926, 098
1 20/5
(i, 319, 152
49ft
2, 869, 200
7, 564, 124 72
1851
3, 137, llti
1 27i
10, 347, 214
45,\
2, 916, 500
344
10, 031. 744 0.1
1852
2, 484. 468
1 23J
•2, 652, 647
68J
1, 259, 900
50 1
5,505,4119 i-'J
1853
10, 925
1 24J
8, 193, 591
58}
5, 652, 300
34A
10, 760. 521 2(1
1854
2, 315, 924
1 4SJ
10, 074, 866
59$
3, 445, 200
]0, S02, 594 'JO
1855
2 288,443
1 77=,-
5, 796, 472
71ft
3, 707, 500
45i
9, 413, 14X 93
1856
2, 549, 642
1 62
6, 233, 535
79i
2, 592, 700
58
9, 589, 846 36
1857
2 470,860
1 28J
7, 274, 641
73J
2, 058, 850
90S
10, 491, 548 90
1858
2, 581, 142
1 21
:>, 740, 025
54
2, 571, 200
92}
7, 672, 227 31
1859
2 879, 352
1 36J
5, 997, 946
48.'.
1,9
68
8, 525, 108 91
I860
•> 306, 934
1 41*
4, 410, 158
49}
1, 337, 650
80J
6, 520, 135 12
1861 .
2,171,358
1 31ft
4,212,085
441
1, 038, 45
6G
5,415,090 59
1862
1 42}
3, 165, 057
59J
763, 500
88
5,051,781 64
1SC3
2, 049, 232
1 01
1, 983, 681
9",J
488, 750
1 53
5, 936, 507 17
1SU4
1 1)27,718
1 891
2, 203, 685
1 28
760, 450
i «"•;
8,113,922 07
1805
1,04-7,123
2 25ft
2, 401. 497
1 4f>
619, 350
1 71}
6,906,650 51
1866
1,154,885
2 55
2, 340, 513
1 21
920, 375
1 37
7,037,891 23
1867
1,368,139
2 27
2, 812, 603
73J
1, 001, 397
i 17;
6,356,772 51
1868
1,485,981
1 92
2, 065, 613
82
900. 850
1 02?,
5, 470, 157 43
1869
1,509,984
1 S1J
2, 677, 846
1 01J
603, 603
1 23
6, 205, 2J4 32
1870
1,738,265
1 36}
2, 289, 767
67}
708, 365
85
4, 529, 120 02
1871
1,308,321
1 31
2,367,288
64
600, 655
77
3,691,469 18
1872
1 423.832
1 4-'iJ
973, OS4
05*
1 28J
2,954,783 00
1873
1 324 6i'i9
1 47J
1. 200, 441
621
1 OSi
2. '.ir.2, 10G 96
1874
1 014,395
1 59
1,190.133
CO*
843, 500
1 10
2,713,034 51
1875
1,342,435
i I;H\
1,089,711
65i
372, 30.'!
1 20
3,314,800 24
1876
1,254,047
i in'.
1, 039, 815
56
1 96
2,639
1877
1 295,249
i l::
856, 510
52
" 100, 220
2, 3u9. 509 69
1878
1, 370, 502
914
1, 064, 007
44
207,259
2 40
2 232. 029 55
1870
1, 301, 202
84J
39
286, 280
2 34
2,050,060 in
1880
1,184,841
99
1, 395, 414
51
164,028
2 00
2,659,725 (i::
l> i 004 496
•'70 7"7, 2ll'i
76, 380, 148
340, 204, 873 86
' Year ended December 31, 18SO
TIIK \\IIAI, i,
171
(c) STATISTICS UK TUB WHALING I LKF.T.
.\iiHilrrnf irliitliiKj I'tsni'ls lirloiiiiiiii/ In Ilir wri-nil ports of tin 1'nili il >'/«/<» • in .laiiunnj I <•/ nn7i _//•«)• I'rom 1640 to 1880.
| \Vi-fla liltcil fur Antniviii- fi'.ilini' .in • mnittril. They belong mostly al Slimm^t'in .mil NOT I .<i.,li,n ami number I'MOU ton tu twenty in
each year. Tlio ddtfftla "I' tlio st-almi: flrer art- ^ivin in a subsr.jui'; t rbaptiT nf Ibis volume.]
L840.
1841.
1842.
1843.
1K41.
1845.
1846.
1847.
! 1848.
1849.
I- iO
1851.
1852.
L853.
l'.:il nst:i!i!r. Mass
1
1
I'.atli Mr
J
I'.rv.-rlv, M:ISH
1
2
3
3
1
2
•'
5
3
1
3
1
\
1
inn r, i '.nin -
:t
:i
3
3
;i
:i
• i
hi'Miul, R. I
i;
r>
5
10
7
r.
0
Q
1
1
1
<Vld Sprint V V
•
2
-•
4
7
g
g
g
„
_
;j
:
2
1
1
1
"
1
1
1
1
1 'or rlirstt'l1, Mass _
•j
2
•>
Duxlilll'V, Mu,ss
1
1
1
Eil-aitowu, Mass
tven, Mass ... .
F.ilnmtith, Mass
s
41
g
8
44
8
9
4:.
7
13
49
7
10
45
5
11
4.-,
5
10
48
4
9
48
4
8
50
8
4!l
:i
c
46
6
45
3
9
."u
3
;i
49
3
l-'i- •< tnwn, Mass
1
1
•j
2
1
~
iport, \. Y
- Hcli-, Ma>s
Hudson, X. Y
s
I
8
4
4
g
3
•)
8
3
2
Hi
3
I
11
4
11
4
11
3
10
a
HI
3
11)
3
9
II
4
1
1
1
1
1
3
2
->
2
3
3
2
•'
•>
2
• i
2
Mattapoisett, Mass
ii
8
s
5
i.i
HI
8
'.1
1"
in
is
11
11
15
in
16
11
11
0
10
13
10
15
9
81
78
s;j
88
CO
77
71
71
60
62
5C
Nr\v Bedford, Mass
177
:t
IT4
;;
1711
2
211
2
•J19
1
239
t
IX
254
248
250
238
]
*i49
282
311
Xew Suffolk, X. Y
1
1
1
1
1
»
2
2
1
1
1
1
New London, Couu
:;;i
3 ;
10
31
42
L2
46
12
61
11
70
11
7
9
5»
48
44
4-2
4
41
45
X«w York, X. Y
3
3
2
3
2
1
1
Xrwark, X. J
1
1
1
•J
1
1
2
3
Plymouth, Mass
:i
3
6
9
7
5
4
.,
1
1
Portland, Me
1
1
1
Portsmouth, N. H
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Ponghkeepsie, X. Y
6
i;
G
4
1
g
3
•j
g
R
9
<t
8
G
4
3
2
•i
2
I'rn\ incetown, Mass ...
1
13
1C
;
17
19
23
IS
15
10
10
]
27
30
27
Iin< In ster, Mass
15
Sag Harlmr X. Y
3]
31
30
44
49
60
63
62
50
41
23
15
18
19
1 i
14
1"
12
6
5
2
2
2
1
Sandwich, M,i -
1
2
Sippii/an, Mass
6
g
g
7
4
5
5
3
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
1
i
1
1
Stimington, Conn
11
8
:i
14
13
20
26
27
24
•M
18
L6
1
17
1
16
1
Wareham, Ma^s
Warren, R. I
21
19
i -
"1
4
10
6
20
6
25
4
1
1
15
1
15
1
17
1
10
g
g
In
15
11
11
11
13
14
15
15
16
19
22
Wilmington, Del
,
5
-,
3
3
1
• -set, Me
i
1
1
1
1
Total
512
535
554
654
tU7
683
722
651
647
608
539
546
611
648
172
HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
iniln r »/' ii'liitliiii/ ii .::•< In l>< luii;/ iiiy to tlie sereral JIOI-/K of l>n t'ni:cil .»>'«, Y.S-, .('-<• — Con! innril.
1854.
1855.
1856.
1857.
1858.
1859.
1860.
1861.
18G2.
18iH.
18G4.
1865.
1866.
1867.
5
5
4
2
2
3
3
9
1
2
2
2
2
*>
1
5
3
3
Cold Spring N. Y
7
7
5
5
5
4
4
9
2
3
6
9
1U
10
10
9
6
5
4
4
4
3
3
10
12
13
17
19
18
18
16
12
8
7
6
6
o
49
45
48
40
40
45
42
39
29
18
9
7
g
9
3
3
3
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
3
2
9
9
2
1
1
1
Greenport, N. Y .
10
10
11
9
7
4
2
1
4
4
5
4
2
2
-)
1
1
1
1
j
1
1
1
1
Itattapoisett, Mass
15
If.
15
18
19
19
19
18
9
5
3
2
9
11
7
0
5
4
4
9
47
4:.
1"
41
S8
34
18
13
1.1
10
7
•>
c
Xcw B.fllc.nl, Mass
::i-l
:ni
329
M4
316
301
291
260
L'l'i i
197
175
164
181
2
1
1
1
1
1
46
4.'.
44
54
51
45
36
•"I
Hi
13
1C
19
15
18
5
5
4
:i
3
2
XVw York, X. Y
1
Orleans, Mass
5
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
1
1
1
1
Provincetowu. Mass .
Sas Ilarbor. N. Y
87
20
]
18
19
1
20
16
1
22
18
28
20
1
26
20
1
26
19
1
;r,
17
i
28
11
30
9
1
25
6
1
23
8
[
33
8
4".
7
Sandwich, Mass
2
2
1
1
]
I
i
1
1
2
9
3
5
6
(}
5
4
3
3
o
2
Stmiinjiton, Conn
15
14
16
6
5
4
4
1
1
Warebara, Mass
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Warren, R. I ...
Wt'lltleet, Mass
17
1C
14
15
15
13
10
4
3
2
2
1
"Westport, Mass .
22
21
21
19
20
L'O
17
15
15
11
10
!)
9
Co'-'
131
6.'5
642
6:16
lit. 9
561
504
416
;}02
301
271
25S
307
] Mis.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872.
is;:;.
1874.
]K7,-,.
187C.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
1'" * <'l IV, M:I.SS
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
a
10
8
7
. 6
5 '
4
<j
7
3
3
3
3
9
7
7
6
4
3
1
9
2
3
6
13
12
XI
g
6
1
1
1
4
6
5
9
3
3
NaDtncket, Mass
7
8
8
6
3
1
1*1
178
176
176
143
113
XuAvburyport, Mass
3
3
3
New London, Conn
14
15
15
14
10
10
9
_
Xi-w York, N. T
2
5
5
3
9
53
54
49
97
16
San Harbor, N.Y.
7
5
4
3
2
2
1
1
Salem, Masa
4
4
3
3
1
5
Tisburv, Mass
1
1
1
1
"Wellfleet. Mass
1
1
1
10
10
9
9
Total
3°3
31!1
'
_
TIIM \VHALK FISHERY.
173
fi i mix i.liilislii'n iij' tin1 ii-lniliii:i Jlirl for 1880.*
Port.
Xumlirr
lit' Yi'SSi Is.
Tmina^i'.
Numlu't
of crew.
vessels.
Value of
outfit.
Q
, .
131
$34 000
20
l *i:;s "i"
331
68 800
2
17,'p ;ts
34
G 500
1 446 32
211
48 000
80 000
r
8G6.41
03
17 000
'i
408 3:t
...
h, MIHI
1
"'H r)0
,2
:;i "ics >:;
;; !20
M i)
,
98 ' i '
1 1 f
, •
Tut 1
171
::s i;;;:; :;s
I 1MX
) i in 3i ii
1,775,330
*Sinee Hie \ear 1SCO tlio fbct lias been meatl.v rcdnrcd. Aeeonling to an annual review of the \\halr Qsbcry, inililisbed by I. II. Bart-
li It A Si MI,, pf NY\\- r.idl'iird, I ho lie. t on .Taimaiy 1, 1M-5, numbered '.>:; *hi],s :md bail. H, I) Ini^s, and 114 sell -is, a;:uiei;atin;; ill,'-"" tuin.
The S.:n I'VaneiM-n lire! lias ineie:iM-il t" 17 M'ssels, this port liavhiL: benmie I be headquarters of must "f I In- Xurlli Pacific fleet. Slalislies
nl the Xni t h 1'aeilic llei t I r eai h \ ear sim e t hi' tie^iunini; of Hie lislie.lv ale .iiiven en iirei'etliny; pages.
'i'lic names and other details of each vessel in the fleet are jjiven in Section VI of this report.
The total capital invested in the whaling fleet, wharves, store-houses, and whale nil relinei ies in
1880, was $4,(»2J,(M».
Xlittniicitt xlioiriiii/ Ilif liiiiiiili/i- nf n-xsi'tii I'liqilniji'il in tin- 1'iii/ftl Xtn.ti* irini/r ji^/n ri/ I'ruin IT'.M 1» !•-- 1.
[Compiled I'lKin the Report of tbe Commissioner of Navigation for 1884. The years, eseeptiDg 1835 and KS43, wbic-b end September :;(i and
June 30, respectively, elose witb Deecmber :;l |
Vra
Tons.
Tear.
Tons.
Year.
Tons.
1794
4,129
is'jr.
;c. 1179
1856
1J-9 4111
179-,
3 103
i- ii
41 984
1857
195 842
1796
2 364
1827
45 992
1858
198 594
1797
1 104
1828
54 801
1859
185 728
1798
763
1829
r>7 ->.4
I860
1G6 841
1799
5 647
1830
39 705
1861
145 734
1800
3 466
1831
82 797
1862
117 714
1.HI1
3,085
1832
73 246
1863
99 '28
1802
3 201
1833
101 630
18C4
95 145
1803
12 390
1834
HIS 4"4
1865
90 516
1804
12 339
1835
97 649
1866
Illn 1711
J805
6 015
1836
146 254
]H!7
52 384
1800
10, 507
1837
1"9 157
1868
71 343
1807
9 031
1838
124 860
1869
70 202
1808
4, 526
1839
13'1 285
1 S70
117 1154
1809
3,777
1840
lllli c.:'.'7
1S71
lil 490
1810
3 589
1841
157 405
1872
51 608
1811
5 299
1842
15'1 990
1873
44 753
1812
1843
l.V' 517
1S74
39 108
1813
2 942
1841
1C8 014
1875
38 229
1814
562
1845 .
190 903
1876
39 116
1815
1,230
1846 ..
lb7 420
1877
40 593
1816
1 168
1847 . .
193 859
1878
39 700
1817
5 224
1848
192 613
1879
40 028
1818
16 750
1849
180 186
1880
38, 408
1819
32 386
1850 ... ...
140 017
1881 ....
38 551
1890
36 445
1851
i.^l r.4l
1882
32 802
1821
27 995
185°
193 798
1883
32 414
1822
48 583
l*Vi
193 203
1884
27 249
1823
40 503
1854
I'll '.ml
1824
33 346
1855
186 848
174
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
10. LIST OF WHALING VOYAGES FROM AMERICAN PORTS, 1870 TO 1880.
The following statement gives the name, rig, and tonnage of each American whaling vessel
since 1870; also the whaling ground, the date of sailing and returning, and the amount of oil and
bone secured by each vessel during tbe years 1870 to 1880. The vessels are arranged in alphabeti-
cal order by ports, and according to the year of their departure on a vovage. Vessels lined Jrom
Stouingtou and New London for Antarctic fur seal and sea elephant voyages are not included.
These returns from 1870 to 187C are corrected from the list given by Alexander Starbnck in
his History of the Whale Fishery, and for later years are compiled from the tiles of the \\haleinen's
Shipping List and the custom-house records. In the, report of the U. S. Fish Commission for 1877,
Starbuck gives, as far as practicable, the details of each voyage from American ports since the
beginning of the fishery, and also information as to the owner and master of each vessel.
The details of voyages of vessels in the North Pacific and Hudson Bay fleets are also given
above, on pages 86 to 94 and 99 to 104.
of rcnx(h xcitt out anniiaUi/ since Isiil.
Tears.
Number of
vessels.
Tears.
Xombrr of
vessels.
126
1870
1861
75
]871
G6
1862
1°4
1872 . . ... . .
GO
1863
90
1873
37
1864
98
1874
49
1865
131
1875
75
1866
131
1876
71
1867
139
1S77
70
1868
113
1878
61
1869
103
1879
54
From 1870 to 1880 the number of individual vessels that participated in the whale fishery of
the United States was 326, and the number of vessels lost while on their voyages was G7. From
1860 to 1880, 1,734 voyages were undertaken: 998 to the North and South Atlantic oceans; 271 to
the Pacific Ocean; 201 to the Pacific, Arctic, and adjacent waters; 147 to the Indian Ocean ; 117
to Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet.
From 1870 to 1880 615 vessels sailed from home ports on whaling cruises. Of this number
385 were fitted for cruising in the Atlantic, 96 in the Pacific, 49 in the Indian Ocean, 52 in the
North Pacific and Arctic, 18 in Hudson Bay, 12 in Cumberland Inlet, 2 at New Zealand, and 1 in
Sooloo Sea. None have been fitted for the Indian Ocean since 1877. The largest number of
vessels fitted in one year during this decade was 75 in 1875, and the smallest number was 37 in
1873 ; 63 were fitted in 1880.
TOE WHALE FISHERY.
tiinriiiiii icluilinii ri'iixi'lx, 1*70 /» 1SSD.
175
tic
c
a
a
230
380
239
226
338
311
273
300
361
163
li 11
319
17:;
356
327
412
258
280
Kin
158
si
£ -2
u
.a •-'
of return.
lie-suit of VO
Remarks.
llaiieN sperm
oil.
IJavri'ls whale
oil.
I'ounds whale'.
bone.
1870.
A', u /.'. i(!'»rif, .U./N.-;
\.l.lis,. 11
I'.iirk ...
do
I'aelll
Imliao ( le. an J
. Ocean
lludsm.
auilllld
North Pacific .
Indian <
Maj !0
Si-pi. 1
0,1. Ill
June 21
Dei
Oct. Ill
Ocl. 19
.May 11
Apr. 27
July 11)
Oct. 26
Oct. 26
Sept. 29
Sept. 27
Ail". 2:i
July 8
July 111
Aug. 6
Nov. 10
May 4
Nov. 7
An<r 1
Apr. in, 1x71
Sept '
May
July 21
Oct.. 0, 1871
Felt. l:i, 1X74
:in
j (inn
819
039
200
1,340
15
Sent homo l>n 01 i in 55fl !,,.!,,
S ' ' ' !>I ain ' ' 1. .1 \ I'l.iml died, and ihe '. .•!
1 \\ as elama-e d in a gale.
Sent home 587 spemi, 1,70(1 hone; sold to
New Vork 1H73.
St/nt homo 494 sperm.
Lost in the Arctic 1871. '
J. F. Mandonsa, third mate, dropped eh'aet
in hi» boat while fast to a whale, Ix7o;
sent home(i91 sperm, 290 whale, 1,300 hone.
Sent home 1,215 sperm.
Sent home 97 sperm ; lost in the Arctic 187 1 .
Captain Gifford died August 26, 1873, at sea;
sent home 25 sperm.
Lost in the Arctic 1871.
Do.
\Vilhdrawn 1872.
Iloliei I, Saulslntry, I'onrth mate, died at Val-
paraiso, Ma\, 1873; sent home 437 sperm.
Sent hem.' 278 sperm, in whah'.
Sc-iil home, ixi sperm . lest in the-. Arctic 1871.
Sent home 721 spot in
Added 1870; formeily a freighter; C. W.
S\\ain, sc'COlnl mate-, drowned by a foul
line while t'ast to a whale, May 7, 1872;
-sent In imos7o sperm, B25 whale, 2, 124 bone.
Transferri'd from \e\v York 1870; se-nt
homeSfllsperm ; sold toSan Francisco 1873.
Sent home in spe-mi; stove hv ice in the
Arctic 1X71.
Sen! liotne 171 sperm: sold \» Peert .Teller-
son for lie'i",htiiiL'
Se nt liomi' 71x sp.i m ; i'e .tie ii -in iie-el al. Malm
Oe toller, 1872.
Captain Iteiw.l.n l.-ll .it San Francisco;
< a). lain 1 :'-h i.i^e. lonnetly of Ct
took e, .mm. m. 1 ; s.nl llolllc 39,836 bone.
Mr. (lai I i1\ fourth mate mii'di-reil lev ooe
etl' the . • . w May. 1^7:i: sent home 309
SjllTIH - ,7 i '
Se-n1 home 1 ,V1 S[:I-IMI; lust in the Arctic
Sclitemhl-l, 1-71
si-iit holm 470spcmi.319olephant; crashed
li., iec ill the Are/I ie- August HI, 1X72; had
XHI) spcl III.
rairiU'il at se-a. Tilly 21. 1X70; tireel hy the- • i . v
Captain 11 > l.in.l • a in. home -,i< k 1871.
Sent home 242 sperm, .~>s \\hah-.
Sent home li:ill s]ienn. 372 whale; sold to
l:an^or, -Me., for the African trade, 1873.
Added 1870 from Fairhaven ; sent homo 129
sperm.
Sent hoi] o .'IIIG sperm, 1,040 "whale.
Sent, homo 230 sperm, 800 bone; lost off
Celebes July, i.sri.
Sent, home 2:10 sperm.
Added 1X7H; sent home ::il spei 10.
Sem home in sperm; condemned at Fayal
Noycmber, 1871.
Ulred Gibba
V.nsi ! * Jibbs
. , . do . . .
...do ...
(In
22, 040
981
do
Sl.iv -
Bark. .-
Ship ....
...do ....
Bark
!2, 187 1
Oct. 24, 187:i
Slay 24, 1x7:1
991
284
610
4
85
Cicero
Commodore Mnrria ..
Contest
...do
North Pacific .
Indian Ocean .
North Pacific .
...do
l':n ill. .
Atlantic
Paeilie ( le, .1 II
Indian Ocean
North Vac iii.
' ICC Mil
... do
Atlantic .'. . .
North Pacific, .
s,,o]o,i Sea
June 2, 1X74
954
Sbip...
Bark....
Itowland
Jnlj :
Oct. 2,1871
July 2, 1X74
Ocl. 7,1X72
247
1,081
091
444
301
4
:,, 201
Srh.x.n, r
Bark....
...do ...
-John ( 'iii ver .
...do . .
Mary ;md Susan
Niger
Ocean Steed
. do ....
Ship ....
Hark...
do
June 4, 1874
Aug. If), 1-71
H7f
4X1
6
ilo
Oct. C, 1X7::
1,199
<lscro];i '_M
Pacific
do
n
Indian Ocean
Atlantic
North Paeilie .
I'aeilie I I. e:m
North Vacilic. .
I'.ieitie Ore. an .
Oct . .-.
.Inn, 1
Oct. 1!'
Oct. !
Nov. 1
Mav
1 19,1873
Oct. 11,1X71
Ma\ ,'
Sept.
931
11!
70
Petrel
Schooner
liatk
:; 22.-
41(1
do
Keindeer
Koscoe
Ii"l»n t Edwards
-ni
Stafford
Ship.:.
Uark . . .
Ship .
Bark....
do
305
ISO
141
(111
215
200
73
120
S31
Pacific o. .-.in
Indian Ot can
Atlanti
Oct. 26
Ma; !
Nov. 4
Julie 7
May 12
May 2,3875
May 5,1873
Aim. 11.1871
Sept. 1 I, 1S72
il, 1.S7I
1, mi
fill
39
992
x:
109
650
141
1,707
Starliubt
Brig....
Schoonei
...do ...
Sc-ln Ollel
. .do ....
Bark...
... do
i Ocean .
.. do
Atlantic
do
. . . do
HI:
Vigilant
Xuntlio
Fairha-ccn, J/rt.v.v.
GeiT^'r J. Join
WiiliiUn :inil Jinny
176
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Voyages of American u-LnHni/ re«selx, 1870 to 1880 — Continued.
ti
'A
Srlin.in. 1
,],,
I'.alk ..
. .1.. .
. . do ...
.. do
«
a
a
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date ofrctiun.
Result of voyage.
Withd
Seuth
Sent h
Sent h
S, nt 1
Sent 1
Withd
Sent 1
Sent, 1
Withd
Sent h
Sent 1
Sailed
C.u
spel
Sold t,
Lost i
4001
Withd
Addei
Lost a
Mensl
Addei
Sent h
Sell!
bone
South
Lost <
tobe
bone
crew
Al.am
boa]
bone
I
1
Barrels wbale
oil.
Pounds whale-
; hene.
1S7O.
Marion, 31a.\n.
William Wilson
Wrxtpvrt, J/rts*.
83
'.1-2
]'.,:
In
Hi]
(-7
92
A t lantie
. . tio
I'aeilie Ocean -
\ t l.inlie
May 17
May 17
Nov. 22
Tel,. '
May 12
Jan. 11
Jan. 11
Dec. '-'I
Feb. 12
Jan. 8
Oct. H
Jan. 11
Sept. 24, 1870
Sept, 23, 1870
Apr. 15, 1873
Sept. 9,1870
Sept. 6,1871
Sept. 5,1870
June?7.1S70
Nov. 23, 1871
June 21, 1871
Aug. 2.1-1, l)-7o
June 11, ]s7:;
Sept. 1,11-7.1
173
1,231
39
206
11
10
149
148
111!)
1(3
8
A '1 '_li:i!ii:i
A nt.ttctir .
15
50
189
124
21
170
151
ii
.. do
. . do
ill.
do
Kiln -iiliM- GI-ITV .
do
..
07
)<I7
do
do
i -.. e II Phillips -
do
do
111"
do
.Jan 2il
Apr. M
May l(i
Feb. Lli
Jan. 4
Feb. !2
Jan.. 11
Apr 21.1
(Jet. -
Jan. :{
May :;
July 9
July 7
Oct. 7
Dec. 31
Dec. 22
Aug. 25, 1871
Sept. l(i, Ih71
S. pi. 25, 1870
Aug. 9,1871
Sept. 19, 1870
Sept. 1, 1870
Aug. 31, 1870
July 29, 1871
June 6. 1872
Oct. 16, 1872
Oct. 4. 1*7L
Aug. 22, 1870
Nov. 20, 1871
June 1,1871
123
135
73
12M
21
70
65
151
550
142
540
38
M. E. Simmons ..
...do.
.
105
Gl
do
do
31
:
32t
180
131
50
229
60
310
40
6f
425
771
O M Hern in °toii
do .
... do
Quickstep -
Rising Stm
. do .
. . do ....
do
94
(JO
111
do
do . ...
. do • ...
S. A. Paine
William A. Grozier . .
Boston, J/nss.
!•' II. Moore
.. do ..
.. do....
Brig . . .
.I..
131
l
107
1":;
.. do
Atl. and Ind ..
Atlant ie, ....
. do
5,000
Tl.iivei
A'eW Lninl: n C,in n.
George and Man . . .
Peru
Schoonei
Batk...
69
|n;.
269
101
156
480
351.
do
Cum. Inlet
South Atlantic
f hnlsoii Bay .
Pacific Ocean .
... do
is
S B. Howes
Schooner
Schooner
Bark....
Ship
San Fraiicixco. Cat.
C K. Foote
June 30, 1872
263
Cailolta
Massachusetts . .
MensMI-.ofi"
Bark
LJ1.::.;.
Dec. 10
Apr. 27
Aug. 14, 1872
,1872
320
Page
1871.
.V. t<> r,:'<[fnfd, .IflV.V.S'
\ . 1:. Tucker
Schooner
Bark ...
.do ...
110
129
380
201
340
108
303
3G5
305
299
328
. . do
Indian Ocean .
Pacific Ocean .
North Pacific. .
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic
Hudson Ilav
May 2
May 1C
Nov. 11
June 28
May l1::
lire r;
Oct. 18.1874
Sept. 21, 1875
220
1,450
2,050
Active
Alaska
Annawan
Ansel Ciibbs
liarth. Gosnold
I'.euj. Cummings ....
Callao
Camilla
...do ...
. .1,. .
...do ..
.- do ...
. . do ....
...do...
do
Oct 4, 1875 1, 850
May 16, 1873 40
1,700
108
15, 500
755
North Pacific .
Pacific Ocean
. . do
North Pacific
Nov. 2
June 20
July 15
lire. i;
Mar. 30, 1876 950
Sept. 5,1875 1,400
Sept. 21, 1H75 410
1,200
12, 500
760
Remarks.
Sent home 2.~>u sperm, 18 whale.
Sent 1 ISO speim, ::.~.2 whale 7111) hump.
Sent home inn «1iale.
Withdrawn 1871.
Sent home 220 sperm, 200 whale.
Sent home 315 sperm ; withdrawn 1871.
Sent home 2!>r> sperm, 323 whale.
Sailed ayain soon after, and wa9lostat Aus
i i s lelniiaty 3, 1873; sent home 4f.
spetm. I'd \\ bale.
Sol.l t.. N. w Bedford 1873.
Do.
Lost in Cumberland Inlet 1873; went home
Added 1870; lost in the Arctic Ocean 187J.
Lost at Seammon's Lagoon February 0, 1871.
Menshikoff withdrawn 1872.
Added 1x70 ; withdrawn 1872 ; no report
Sent borne 305 sperm, 1,070 whale, 22,215,
bone ; condemned at. Yokohama 1874.
Sent home 202 sperm ; soldtoFairhaven 1873.
Lost on Marl.le Island, Hudson Bay, Oc-
tober 19, 1H7-J ; had 5.10 whale, 10,000
I ; saved 3,500 bone. Fifteen of the
el e\\- died of .scut vy.
'.I in the Arctic 1876; had on
board 190 sperm, 300 whale. 5,000 bone;
home 75 sperm, 3,850 whale, 45,778
TFTK NVI1ALK KtSMKItY.
177
l'ltlllll/1'H I'f .lllKI-icilll IT/ i'.lillll (C-i .r<X, I 7H 1,1 1-tSII — C'. -.llillllMl.
u
g
i
=
1
314
2o;
259
Whaling ground.
Date of sailinc.
a
0
o
Kesult, of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Pounds whale-
bone.
1S7I.
Kew Bedford, Mass —
Continued.
Charles AV. Morgan ..
Coi iH'lia
Bark . .
..do..
do
Indian Ocean .
1'acilii
do
Sept, 2li
Oct. 10
July 19
July 11
I'.c 14
Aug. 21
July 9
Sept. 26
Oct. 17
Auu'. 2:i
Sept, 27
July 25
Dec. 21
Sept. '•>
Sept. 2ii
Oct. 11!
Jane 21 1
.Tiini- 17
Xov. 7
Apr. 2:.
Oct. 10
<lc-t. 4
July 27
July 211
Dec. 31
May 24
An- :
Dec. 4
Sept. I
May 9
Oct. 3
June 20
June 13
May 24
June 21
Xov. C
Apr, Ix
Oct. 5
' i i
Jan. -
Oct. 31,1X74
1,340
242
Sent home 109 sperm, 1,600 pounds bone.
Condemned at Paita, March, 1873; sent
homo 278 sperm, 408 humpback.
Kun down bv steamship Ttata October 26,
1873: abandoned with 200 sperm, 350
whale ; sent home 170 sperm, 3M whale.
Sent home 415 sperm.
I'.eloiigs to Dartmouth parties.
Sent home 572 sperm, 141 whale, 540 bone
Sold to Wiscasset, Me., 1873.
Sent home 169 sperm; damaged by ice in
the Arctic-, August 19, 1872, ani aban-
doned ; afterward found, taken into San
Francisco, and sold to pay salvage; sailed
one voyage from San Francisco then nn
der Russian flag.
Sent home 695 sperm ; sold at Albany, New
Holland, March, 1873.
Sent. Iiome37 sperm, 4,700 pounds bone.
Sent home 95 sperm.
Sent home 230 sperm, 2.302 whale, 29,300
Rounds bone; sold at San Francisco 1X74 ;
>st in the Arctic 1876.
Sold to Edgartowu 1876.
Sent home 20 sperm ; lost on Black Lead
Island, November 13, 1871; saved 140
whale ; built in 1806.
Sent home 530 sperm, 7,200 whale, 71,318
1 1, 15,353 ivory.
Sent home 655 sperm, 465 humpback.
Sent home 74 sperm.
Sent home 696 sperm, 208 whale, 1,080 bone.
Sent home 397 sperm, 1,640 whale, 21,000
pounds bone ; lost at Panama 1&73.
Sent home 416 sperm, 7 whale.
Sailed under Capt. Silas G. Baker, who
came home 1871.
Sent home 115 sperm.
Mr. Crocker, first mate, killed by a whale,
December 12, 1873.
Stocked $60,000; $15,000 profit.
Emma C. Jones
Etn opa
George aud Susan . . .
Glacier
Ship . .
...do...
Bark . . .
..do -.
do
343
195
324
2 1 5
311
355
24(i
311
353
36:
201
158
17.-
301
210
385
292
17:
(i
128
321
....do
North 1
Nov. 6.1874
Apr. 17, 1876
May 2,1574
Sept. 26, 1873
Apr. 15, 1876
2,137
50
647
340
3
4,200
1,019
75
Cum. InM --
North Pacific .
Pacific Ocean
] ndiilli ( )rr;in
Pacific Ocean -
! inli;ni Ocean .
North Pacific
Indian Ocean .
Nni'l h I'iinlir
Jniliiiii < )n mi
A tl.im ;r
North P;u-ilir
I'.irilic On :m
l 'inn Inlt-t
Ninth Pacific.
Indian Ocean .
i 1, t ;ni
Indian < in :m
Atlantic ...
....do
North Pacific
Indian Ocean -
North 1'ai itir
1,600
i6, 085
do
IleivuU'.s
..do ...
do
Aug. 4,1875
July 14,1875
1,41(1
2,700
965
1,100
do
Jin h IViry
John P. AVest
Ship . . .
Bark . . .
Ship ...
Bark . . .
...do ...
Ship . . .
Bark ...
..do ...
...do ...
do
Apr. 1,1875
Oct. 3, 1874
May 22, 1875
Apr. 30, 1875
Nov. 3.1x72
Aug. 25, 1876
715
402
540
101
4,550
1, 752
4,175
72, 000
7,400
53, 500
Lacouia
Mar, ngo
Maiy Fru?.ier
Milwood
Northern Li-lit ...
1
1,500
771
1,200
May 17, 1880
June 15, 1875
July 13,1874
May 1, 1874
S. pt. 1.1872
Hay 12, 1873
Hay 10,1875
Dec, 6,1875
350
535
1,338
1
18
6
56
1.15(1
1,235
156
69
12
311
940
do
1'etiel . -
do
400
Schoonei
Bark .
...do ...
.. do ..
do
Sarah ..
Sea I'.rcezc
Sunbeam
Trident
8,300
132
151
351
31E
8
M
\Va\ f
do
July 21, 1873
June 14, 1875
Apr. 1,1875
Sept. 17. 1x71
Sept. 13, 1871
Sept, 1,1872
June 25, 1875
June 6,1874
Sept. 4,1X7.-.
Sept. 24, 1x71
Ang. 30, 1871
33
340
650
150
175
1,60:
351
1,041
10
Ship . .
Bark . .
Schoonei
do
1 ml 1. in ( '.'.IN
Pacific Ocean
Atl:inl -
do
400
650
1,001
Fairhaveii, Mass.
General Scott
Marion, jllass.
Wcttport, Hass.
Mutta]ioi.sett
Pl.itina . .
Bark . .
do
111
21
ICC
'-.
7
3!
86!
26'
I'.ieitie Ocean
Indian ( )r< an
•Atlantl
Allan! i
) ..do
a n i-'os
Edgartnvn
Pruvi,
...do...
Bark .
Sehooue
..do ...
10
7(
Arizona
SEC. v, VOL. ii IL'
178
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
I'li'ni'/, oj imi-ncan whaling res.sr?x. 187(1 lo 1.UHO — Confirmed.
up
Tonnage.
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Result of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Pounds whale-
bone.
1871.
rrovincetown,Ha.f!R.—
Continued.
Atl;i M. Dyer
B. F. Sparks
1>. A. Small
Sri, 1,0111 1
...do ....
Brig
Schooner
.. do...
...do ...
...do ...
do .
Brig ...
Schooner
Brig . .
Bark...
87
92
11!)
67
82
60
94
69
108
96
143
217
192
116
128
115
291
367
258
408
107
Feb. 20
Jan. -
Jan. 4
Feb. —
Feb. 20
Feb. 17
Apr. —
Mar. 23
Nov. 2S
Sept. 11, 1871
Sept. 29, 1871
June 11, 1873
Sept. 8,1871
Sept. 7,1871
Aug. SO, 1871
Sept. 2,1872
Nov. 23, 1871
Apr. 13,1874
Sept. 11, 1872
Aug. 14, 1872
Nov. 9,1871
Oct. 28,1872
42
215
188
78
75
60
95
70
71
109
150
210
186
235
61
240
25
6
10
5
158
Sent Innne Hill sperm, 425 whale.
Towed into Vineyard Haven ; dismantled
in a gale, August 16.
Sent home 206 sperm.
Sent home 505 sperm.
Sent home 149 sperm.
Nothing but freight ; broken up, 1873.
Sent home 430 sperm, 590 whale, 700 pounds
luine; condemned at Barbadoes, Decem-
l.< r 14, 1874; Sag Harbor's last whaler.
No report; lost at Scanimon's Lagoon,
Lower California.
Sent Inmi. 41'8 sperm, 1,170 whale, 8,000
bone; condemned.
,\ i ru eil at San Francisco.
Mr. Soverino, second mate, died March, 1875
Sent home 272 sperm.
.Added 1871 ; collided with the Mnrengo
and sunk in the Arctic April 18, 1876;
sent homo 587 whale, 26,590 bone.
First mate John X\ Xorton and boat's . lew
lost 1874, taken down by a whale; aban-
doned in the Arctic 187G; sent home l"ill
sperm, 5,100 whale, 79,50] bone; had
1,600 whale, lii.iino l.one on hoard.
t':ipt.iin K.llr\ eame home sick 1873: lia<l
taken at last" report (1877)330 sperm. 3,'JHU
whale, 32,9r;0 bone ; lost in Arctic 1877.
odoned MI Mie Arctic 1876; had will
whale, .'l.lllill In. ne; sent home 52(1 sperm,
... I, ije 10 '"Mi bone.
Sent home 1,203 « hale, 24,000 hone; con-
demned and Bold :it Tfnnol'llii !>.••
2, 1874
do
..do ..
.. do
... do
. . . do
do
... do
570
GI;K ic M. Parker .
Montezuma
Quickstep
Rising Sun
Boston, Mans.
Rosa Baker
do
Beverly, Mass.
Atlantic
Cum. Inlet. . . .
....do
May 20
Apr. 25
May 31
July 17.
New London, Conn.
Isabella
Sag Harbor, A' T.
Brig . . .
Brig . . .
Brig .
Schooner
Bark ..
— ^ - •
228
San Francisco, CaL
Pacific Ocean
Hudson Bay . .
North Pacific
Pacific Ocean .
New Zealand .
Indian Ocean .
Pacific Ocean .
Feb. 4
May S8
Jan. 2
Juno 25
June 5
Dec. 4
May 1
June 10
June 18
May 14
Jan. 9
Jan. 3
Sept. 7,1873
May 1, 1876
June 8,1876
Aug. 17, 1876
620
670
2,600
878
1,175
540
200
13, 131
16, 200
1873.
New Bedford, Mass.
Abbie Bradford
do
California
China
Coral
Ship . . .
Bark . . .
...do ...
1,500
Mar. 5,1877
May 1,1875
July 26, 1876
Aug. 10, 1874
Aug. 6,1875
630
1,390
2,215
326
1,205
1,320
459
185
12, 000
1,100
do ...
Eliza Adams
E. H. Adams
Ship . .
Brig . . .
Bark
Pacific Ocean .
do
300
Ill '
do
•111!
I'll
Noiih Pacific.
do
do
Ship
Bark . . .
do
. . do ...
..do ...
.1..
. do
276
:;09
173
377
263
Atlantic
Nortli Paeilic
. do
Indian < Icean
do
North Pacific
V llanlir.
May 28
Oct. 3
Dot. "
Nov. 26
June 4
.lau I.'.
Jnlv IS
May 21,1875
1, 651
1. I5i
d ...
John Dawsoii
John Howland
.Joseph Maxwell ....
Ijii.t ti..
Sept. 14,1875
May 27,1877
1, HOI
1, 150
11
Au". 18. 1875 1.600
TIIK \V1IALK KISIIKUY.
179
roi/unix <>/ . I mi nV«« irlialliiii ressrfx, 1S70 to 1880 — Continued.
i
i
H
235
246
325
205
339
134
215
61
123
234
294
392
264
66
73
1?8
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Result of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
3
ft
f3
M
Pounds whale-
bone.
isra.
New Bedford, Mass. —
Continued.
Martha
Bark....
do
Pacific <>rr:m
New Zealand .
North Pacific
Oct. 5
July 2
July 9
May 28
June 25
July 2
Oct. 2
O'-t. 21
May 3
June 3
May 22
Juno 4
Jan. 8
May 13
Oct. 9
May 28
Maj 22
Jan. 30
llif. 4
May 27
Aug. 8
July 23
June 25
Jan. 31
Feb. 22
Apr. 23
Jan. 25
Jan. 25
Feb. 7
May 0
Apr. 11
Mar. 10
Feb. 22
Jan. 25
May Lit
Feb. 29
Jan. 30
Sept. 3
t'.HMlenined at Bay of Islands Novi-mln r
20, 1874 ; sent home 494 sperm, 365 whale.
Lost in Arctic 1879; 2,850 whale; 20,000
bone.
Abandoned in the Arctic 1876 ; had 1,400
whale, 14,000 bone; sent home 645 sperm,
856 whale, 47,200 bone.
Lost on Marble Island (Hudson Bay)
September 14, 1872.
Sent home 540 sperm, 10 blackflsh.
Abandoned in the Arctic 1876 ; had 1,400,
whale, 1,800 bone; sent home 295 sperm,
4,100 whale, 36,390 bone.
Sent home 278 sperm ; condemned at Bar-
badoes April, 1873.
Added 1872.
Jsold to Fairhaven 1874.
Sent home 300 sperm.
E. N. Briggs, first mate, drowned by a foul
line 1872.
Withdrawn 1872.
Sent home 175 sperm.
Replaced 1872: sailed again in 1872, ar-
nvr.l SrptrmliiT 16, 1873; lf>7 sperm.
Returned 1872.
Formrrh a frci-ljter; added 1872; with-
drawn
Sent homr 1">U spt.-lijj, 2TiU \vllal<-
.-',,!! home 105 whale ; withdrawn 1K74
Returned 1872.
SoldatS',, l.Y;,n< '!-. ..(..V.-wTti-dford IW.
Julie ID, 1876
1,920
do
Ohio
do
Oct. 19,1875
1,600
60
do
Pacific Ocean
Hudson Bay..
Orray Taft
...do....
do
Sept. 4,1875
July 22, 1873
Sept 20. 1874
July 1,1875
May 5,1873
1,350
409
1,610
705
Petrel
President, 2d
Schooner
Bark . . .
do
...do
.. do
Pacific Ocean.
Atlantic
North Pacific.
...do
Clean
18
do
St. G»-or£c
Triton . ,
Ship ....
Bark ...
Schooner
Schoonei
Bri£
June 6, 1876
Sept. 21, 1872
Sept. 1,1873
255
87
73
2,700
43, 000
Fairhaven, Mass.
Atlantic
do
Marion, Mass.
Schooner
do
84
81
Atlantic
do J
Sept. 22, 1873
Aug. 31, 1872
Sept. — , 1873
June 15, Ib73
May 11, 1876
Sept. 14, 1876
Oct. IS, li-75
Sept. 2,1872
Oct. 7, 1872
Sept. 14, 1S72
Sept. 6,1872
Sept. 13, 1872
Sept 25, 1872
U,i:.2s, 1873
Oct. 5. 1 -7.
!5,1872
July 1C, 1872
:. 1872
Oct.
Sr|,t .•
Sept 1
S,.[,t. 14, 1S72
Sept 21, 1S72
, 1874
May
24
260
158
22
1,07(1
1,760
1,620
93
101
128
57
75
107
143
47
112
105
103
85
59
58
71
11
20
2
5
3,200
500
221
230
28
221
190
254
109
\Vm. Wilson
Dartmouth, Mass.
Cape Horn Pigeon. . .
Westport, Mass.
A. Hicks
...do ...
Bark . . .
Bark....
do
92
212
::M-
103
81
92
101
79
87
92
96
-!
71
67
82
105
60
70
B1
.. do
I'a.-ilic Ocean .
Atlantic
Indian Ocean .
Atlantic
285
Provincetown, Mass.
Schooner
...do ....
...do ....
...do ....
...do ...
.. do ...
...do ...
do ....
...do ...
...do ....
...do ...
do
...do ...
...do....
...do ..
do
Airy one
Antarctic
Arizona
A.da M. Dyer
B. F. Sparks
*.'. L. SjKtrks
15 H Hat field
....do
....do
....do
....do
... do
....do
....do
....do
....do
.. do
•
.v il.intir.
do
.. do
.. do
1,438
Elbvidgc Gerry
Ellen Rizpah
M. Parker...
John At wood
i ; ion
Hontezarua
X. J. Knights
72
•J14
323
180
156
"
15
80
HO
303
A'cio London, Conn.
&.rors Barna
Nile
Bark....
Ship . . .
291
27i
Nnrtli Pacific
Atlantic
J80
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Voyages of American whaling vessels, 1870 to 18^0 — Continued.
fci
K
Tonnage.
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Result of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels ppoim
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Pounds whale-
bone.
18?3.
New Bedford, Mass.
Bark
Lost near Bermuda July 8, 187i! ; fivo rusn
lost.
Sent home 1C2 sperm.
Sailed again in 1873 or 1874, arrived Sep.
tember 7, 1875, with 250 sperm.
Withdrawn 1874.
Sent liome 63. sperm.
Sassacus lost at Cape Negro (Nova Scotia),
August 24, 1873.
Replaced 1873 ; sent, home 180 sperm.
Sent home 200 sperm.
Sent home 151 sperm.
Condemned at Barkuloes 1874; Beverly's
List whftler
Added 187:-.
Com. Morris
I), s.l. iiionn
Edward Everett
Lagotla
Mai cells
Mercury
Milton
...do ...
...do ...
...do...
... do
...do ...
...<lo ...
Ship . .
Bark
335
230
187
371
16G
311
373
•'''-,
Atlantic
...do
....do
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean
....do
Pacific Ocean
....do
July 2!>
June 3
July 21
July 21
Mov. 11
May 13
Oct. 8
Nov. 13
Oct. 1
July 8
Aug. 5
June 30
Ann. 6
Apr. 10
July 22
June lu
Aug. 28
June 20
Feb. 5
Feb. 20
Feb. 20
I-Vli. 'Jit
Feb. 20
Dec. 30
Feb. 20
Feb. 20
l'el>. 211
May 5
Feb. 20
Sept. 24, 1876
Apr. 29, 1876
Aug. 12, 1875
Oct. 5, 1877
.May 2,1876
Xor. 6,1876
Oct. 24,1876
June 28, 1.V7.S
Nov. 5,1876
Sept, 20, 1874
May 2.1X70
May 24, 1870
Aug. 5, 1S77
Sept. 26, 1873
July 1C, 1877
Sept. 21, 1874
Apr. 16,1876
Aug. 20, 1875
Sept. 15, 1873
Sept. 24, 1873
Sept. 16, 1873
Sept, 9,1873
Sept, 26, 1873
Sept. 13, 1874
Sept. 10,1873
Aug. 12, 1873
Sept. 2,1873
Sept. 14,1873
Aug. 20, 1874
Aug. 30, 1874
2,930
1,600
891
1,330
1,051
1,200
2,360
1,910
1,670
851
1,033
880
1,450
170
820
337
1,825
1,210
37
171
117
125
357
121
105
138
32
L75
123
87.
23
2,700
500
200
14, 500
1,200
1,363
do
341
oog
Atlantic
do
do
Sar.ih
Stafford
...do...
.. do...
do
128
156
^79
... do
Indian Ocean .
780
230
300
2, Ott)
Schooner
Bark...
Bark
66
231
110
273
19:
81
92
101
79
92
89
71
67
82
70
94
69
110
do
Dartmouth, J/nijf.
Matilda Sears
Tfestport, Mass.
Pacific Ocean .
Atlantic
670
do
Indian Ocean .
...do
Sen Queen
Provincetoivn, Mass.
..do ...
Schooner
..do ...
..do ....
.do ....
. do ....
. -d« ..
..do ...
. do ....
..do ...
. do ...
. do ...
...do ....
do
80
86
158
45
258
Alcyone
Antarctic
Arizona
B. F. Sparks
B. H. Hatfield
Elbridge Gerry
Ellen Rizpah
Gracie M. Parker . . .
N. J. Knights
Quickstep
Rising Sun
....do
....do
... do
. . do
....do
...do
...do
...do
.. do
...do
...do
191
207
202
210
22
245
1,430
Wm. A. Grozier
Boston, Mass.
T\ H. Moore . . .
...do ....
Brig
117
107
123
96
143
192
245
. . do
May 12
May -
May 29
May 14
May 20
Aug. 17, 1874
Aug. 6,1875
Sept. 24, 1874
Sept. 17, 1.S74
487
C2j
187
Heman Smith
Sarah E. Lewis
Beverly, Mass.
Eschol
. . d" . . .
Schooner
Bri"
..do
..do
11
5
New London, Conn.
Isabella
San Francisco Cat.
Florence
Brig....
Bark . .
Cum. Inlet
Pacific Ocean .
June 26
D.','. f!4
Sept. 2, 1873
Nov. 12,1874
80
Clean
200
TIIK \\HAI, K FISHERY.
181
1\>i,ii<li;i ()/ Ann fit ni: ir/i<j/M.; vetatl . 1-70 tn IScO — Contiuued.
H
K
Tonnage.
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Ke.-uli of voyage.
Kemarka
Barrels npenn
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Pounds-whale-
bone.
1SJ |.
-V' u Bedford, J/rts«.
Bark
12!
Xov. -Jti
>l.i> 12
July 16
Dec, i-
May '.<
Ail.i;. 4
ilav 'JS
Oct. 25,1876
Sept. 14. lS7'i
800
CO
First mate and Imat's crew lust in the ice
St pi ember 5, 1874.
Nine hundred sperm to March 5, 1877, when
she. was condemned at Mahe.
Alianik'Ued ill the Arctic l!-7<;; had 1,400
whale. 8,0111) In, lie ; sent home 600 sperm,
1,220 whale, 10,000 bone.
October 26, 1880, had taken 480 sperm, 4,175
whale, 43,300 bone.
Bought from Westport 1874.
Flirty seven pounds ambergris.
Bought from Westport 1874.
T. F. Morae, third mate, killed by a whale
Jane, 1S74.
r.ou^ht from New London 1874.
\'ldi il 1K7I ; acnt home 145 sperm. 20 whale;
.-ailed a-am lt-71 ur 1 ' Si p-
t.iubei-21, 1875, with 315 sperm, 10 whale.
Abl'ie Biadt'oid
Selinmiel
, 1 1
llf
231
221
"<ir
Hudson Bay .
Indian Ocean .
... do
650
12, 000
<l.i
!!, 1878
6. 1.-7:.
250
45
300
do
Coiu. lius Huwliitxl
Eliza
Ship . . .
Hal k
North Pacific.
... do .
Out 1880
Brig . . .
Bai k
107
341
Atlantic
Oct. )
S,rt. 17
( ), I -!)
If), 1876
June i
N,n !
June i
M..\ :;. 1878
Oil. _4, 1.-77
June 17. 1-7:-
Jiine 5, 1S77
July 3,1876
May 4. 1S78
Apr. 2'-', 1877
May 29
June I'.1. 1>7«
Oil. i'li, 1S7G
M.i> 20, 1877
S. pt. 7, 1875
ScptJ Hi, 1875
>, pt. .
May !
June .4. 1S7S
Oct. 5. l.*7ci
S, ]it. 3, 1874
Oct. '
Apr. 1 :
Oct. '.I.1I-74
Sept. IS, i 75
Oct 12, 1877
1, 1S74
Sept. 10
Oct. ;
Sept. in. 1*74
Auj:.
• l.>74
S, pt. ;
20, 1-74
Sept. 13, 1.-74
Sept. li, 1S74
330
1.310
910
172
1,840
1,000
1,380
1,900
400
1,640
1,900
2,000
1,050
125
10
1,260
36
i;, orge and Susan ..
Hadley
do
do
ifii
do
do
i'.i
Jaim •- Arnold
Ship ...
Bark . . .
do
346
3(M
320
"il-
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic
Pacific Oceau
do
Aug. li
.him- ;.-:
-lul> i
Aug. 11
Oct. 14
July 13
Aug. 14
Oct. 17
Jim -Jl
Nov. Ill
July 7
ilay 0
• hnir !'
July 1
May L'7
May 1!)
Nov. 3
May 10
Apr. IM
>. jit. -Jl
May L"_>
June 11
Feb. 12
Jan. '.'4
Feb. 28
,
Apr. 14
.Mar. •_'
Mar. 2
... .
650
1,700
2, 000
1,400
Hare
do
70
Mai i and Susan -
Mattapni.si.-tt
...do ...
...do ...
do
327
no
;-;•>>
...do
Atlantic
do
200
17
550
630
. . do ...
277
41"
Pacific Ocean
do
3,300
Sbip
Bark ...
do
17':
Atlantic
<lo
Petrel
.do ...
257
(il
257
273
260
66
215
150
7:i
.-4
9J
150
02
Indian Oo-.m .
Atlantic
200
1,629
Pell. I
Schoonei
Bark...
Hudson Hay .
Atlantic
500
10
475
8,000
...do ...
. do ...
Schoonei
Bark...
1, KU
180
1,410
750
85
170
188
185
810
134
100
148
10
St. null. ml
TjUii'U
Pacific Oi-i-au .
Pacifii- Ocean.
Atlantic
Atlantic... j
A tl.mtie J
.. do j
A tliiutic ..
Wave
. do ...
Foirliaren, Mass.
Schooner
Schooner
iln ...
Baik....
S. lli.iiliel
.do
136
....
llarion, Alois.
Adnj'l Blake
William Wilson
EdgartowH, Jin.**.
I'.ny
Frvrinceloicn, J/</».v.
A "ate
35
150
275
il.,
do
101
711
92
do
i ii
do
do
lit
140
8
HID
197
222
266
......
1!. F. Sparl,-
Charles Tliomp.-nii
('. L. Sparks
Ellen Ui/pah
OiaiieM.P.ilker ..
M. E. Simmons
do
.do .
do
.do ...
...do...
...do....
,52
96
67
82
Uij
..do
.. do
.. d..
. . du
.. do
182
HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
Voyages of American irluilini/ vessels, 1870 to 1880 — Continued.
.s°
1
i
H
1
S
to
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Result of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Pounds whale-
bone.
1874.
Provincetown, Jfass. —
Continued.
N. J. Knights
Schooner
do ....
71
Feb. 12
Feb. -
July 28
May 22
(June 5
}Nov. 13
June 15
Dec. 22
Oct. 26
Apr. 20
Mar. 27
Aug. 0
Nov. 17
Nov. 30
Apr. 'JO
Apr. 23
July 1
Oct 5
Sept. 9,1874
Sept. 19, 1874
July 30, 1876
May 2,1875
Oct. 4, 1874
Sept 21, 1S75
Dec. 9, 1874
Out 1878
92
140
450
270
56
320
83
210
Added 1874 from New London.
| Added 1874.
Had taken at last report, November 30, 1879,
475 sperm, 2,025 whale.
Had at last report, November 4, 1880, 1,080
sperm, 2,920 whale, 39,000 bone.
Bought from Fairhaven 1874.
Bought from New London 1875 ; abandoned
in the Arctic 1876; sent home 130 spmn.
1,650 whale, 13,450 bone ; had on board fluo
bone.
One hundred and thirtv-two pounds amber-
gris.
Lost on the island of Fogo December 20,
1875.
Condemned at Mauritius October 27, 1*7 s ;
had taken 770 sperm.
Returned to whaling ; fitted ostensibly for
whaling, but was owned by parties wlm
dispatched her to Australia, where she
rescued the Fenian prisoners.
Lost in a gale five days out.
Bought from New London 1874.
Bought from Boston.
Formerly a schooner ; added from Boston
and rerigged.
Had taken at last report, October 30, 1880. at
San Francisco, 960 sperm, 3.650 whale,
15,500 bone.
Captain Dean died of heart disease July
28, 187(i.
Abandoned in the Arctic 1876; had 1,400
whale, 10,000 bonej Bent home 190 sperm.
Condemned 1879; sent home 670 sperm.
do
Boston, Mass.
E B PLillips
Bark ...
Brig ....
Schoonei
Ship
Bark ...
144
108
92
293
152
380
160
296
327
305
299
202
314
258
187
Atlantic
... do
do
Rosa Baker
15
New London, Conn.
Nile
New York, N. Y.
Oak
Cum. Inlet
Pacific Ocean .
Pacific Ocean
Atlautic
North Pacific.
15
800
8,000
1875.
New Bedford, Mass.
Abm. Barker
Abbott Lawrence
Bark
Brig....
Bark...
...do....
...do ...
do
Oct 1880
Nov. 5,1877
505
Adeline Gibbs
Benj. Cummings
Callao .
Apr. 3,1878
900
1, 300
Pacific Oce <u
Indian Ocean
Atlantic
... do
....do
...do...
Aug. 24, 1876
May 17, 1878
June 8,1878
250
850
600
Charles W. Morgan. .
Draco
Edward Everett
...do....
...do....
...do ...
90
1,300
1,200
Emma C. Jones
Falcon
Gazelle
General Scott
George and Mary
Ship
Bark . . .
...do....
...do ...
...do ....
307
285
273
315
105
89
163
311
191
355
154
276
316
319
173
353
363
206
208
295
336
Pacific Ocean .
...do
....do
Indian Ocean .
June 1
Oct. 26
June 29
July 7
May 4
Dec. 9
Nov. 30
Oct. 19
Nov. 24
Sept. 29
Apr. 14
July 20
Sept. 27
June 1
Nov. 25
May 4
Aug. 24
July 19
Oct. 11
June 15
July 7
July 21,1879
Apr. 21, 1879
Apr. 22, 1879
May 27,1878
May 13,1877
Sept. 29, 1876
Nov. 11, 1878
Sept. 17, 1&79
Nov. 17,1878
Out 1880
2,200
1,400
1,300
980
365
440
800
1,500
750
175
470
60
729
Golden City
Greyhound
Hercules
Schooner
Bark . . .
..do....
do
....do
Indian Ocean .
... do
40
140
1,000
1,000
2,000
Hunter
..do...
do
Pacific Ocean.
Atlantic
..do
Indian Ocean .
Pacific Ocean.
Indian Ocean .
Pacific Ocean
North Pacific.
Indian Ocean .
. . do
Atlantic
...do
Nov. 4, 1876
Jan. 1,1877
July 3, 1879
May 18,1879
Aug. 19, 1878
July 9, 1878
750
580
2,150
872
490
2,250
Janus
Jireh Perry
John Carver
John Dawsou
John P. West
Josephine
Kathleen
..do ....
Ship ....
Bark...
...do ....
. . do . . .
...do ....
...do ....
ilo
3,200
65
May 0,1879
Sept. 13, 1877
Oct. 30,1877
1,560
920
70
Lancer
Linda Stewart
..do ...
...do ....
1.105
THE \Y1IALI-; KISIIKUY.
183
Voyages of American
i vessels, \^OtolSSO — Continued.
M
K
1
1
313
316
3C3
292
215
259
"fK
"Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Result of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Ponnds whale-
bone.
1875.
New Bedford, J/«.sx._
Continued.
Midas
Bark. ..
Atlantic
Oct. 26
Condemned at Flores October, 18T8; 790
sperm.
November 4. 1880; 800 sperm, 5,850 whale,
52.000 hone.
Had taken at last report 210 sperm, 370
whale, 1.80U hone ; lost off Altata March
8, 1878 ; value, $32,oim.
Bought from New London 1874.
Returned leaking.
At S:tu Francisco October 30, 1880, 445 sperm,
8,050 whale, 86,000 bone.
BouRht from Portland, Me., 1874.
Sold to San Francisco October, 1880 ; had
taken 530 sperm, 5,975 whale, 49,600 bone.
Bought from Westport 1874.
Condemned at St. Michael's November 6,
1876 ; sent home 380 sperm.
Lost, in Arctic 1877. Had taken 30 sperni,
2,213 whale, 14,920 hone, 2 casks ivory;
value, $40,0110.
Bought from Marion 1874.
Sailed anain in 1875: arrived March 31,
1876, with 80 sperm, 20 whale.
l;>'t iirned to whaling 1875
Bought from Xewburvport 1874.
Resumed 1675; sailed iinain on December
1.1, and arrived September, 1877; 515
sperm.
Bought 1874.
do
North Pacific.
Atlantic
Pacific Ocean .
Oct, 9
July 0
July 20
Nov. 24
Apr. 15
Apr. 10
Out 1880
do
Oct. 18,1878
1,800
do ...
do
June 17, 1879
Aug. 5, 1878
June 13, 1877
Sept, 10, 1876
Apr. 30,1879
June 14, 1876
July 5, 1877
Out 1880
1,400
940
975
120
1,250
60
900
150
1,200
Peru
..do ...
.do
... do
do
3
Petrel
Schooner
Bark . . .
..do ...
do ...
61
214
257
]0-j
do
Platina
Indian Ocean .
Atlantic
do
Oct. 28
Nov. 17
Apr. 29
Jan. 21
July 14
Dec. 1
Apr. 27
Oct 2
June 1
July 30
May 12
Oct. 12
June 8
July 8
May 1
May 26
Oct. 25
Nov. 3
Mar. 25
Apr. 10
Mar. 12
Mar. 19
Mar. 11
Jan. 23
Mar. 19
Jan. 8
Mar. 19
Mar. 30
Jan. 23
Deo. IK
M.,.. 27
Mar. 2:1
President
rieMil.-iit "d
do
351
305
263
183
323
Ififi
North Pacific
do
Oct. 7, 1878
May 14, 1879
Aug. 22, 1877
Out, 1880
7011
1,490
680
910
Supplio
Sarah B. Halo
Sea Breeze
Sea Fox
..do ...
..do ....
..do ...
do
... do
....do
Pacific Ocean.
do
July 9,1878
Oct. 22,1876
1,425
575
75
25
Seine
do
234
9<u
do
do
do ..
357
66
355
:-
84
195
183
81
9?
North Pacific.
Atlantic
Indian Ocean.
Schooner
Ship....
Schooner
Schooner
Bark
Bark...
Schooner
do
Sept. 12, 1876
Oct. 1, 1878
Nov. 16, 1875
Oct. 4, 1875
May 17, 1879
Sept. 14, 1878
Aug. 2, 1870
Oct. 4, 1875
Oct. 21, 1875
Sept. 22, 1875
AUV.. 16, 1876
Sept. 27, 1875
Sept. 4, 1870
S, pt.21, 1875
Sept. 7,1875
Sept. 21, 1875
Sept. 26, 1875
Sept. 24, 1875
Sept. 22, li-7ii
Sept. :
Any..
67
325
14
195
955
914
310
200
100
160
300
90
190
20
170
10(
ITS
15!
(WO
\
900
Vniiiii;- rhcenix
Fairhmen, Mass.
Cohannet
3,000
Marion, Mass.
Admiral Blake
10
Westport, Mass.
ndgartown, Mass.
Clarice
'•ctwn. Mass.
Atlantic
t
100
do
Ant:iretie
Arizona
I>. -\.SmaU
...do ...
..do
Brig
Schooner
...do ...
...do ...
. du
...do ....
.. do....
...do ...
. . do ....
...do ....
101
92
119
110
89
07
107
82
105
94
69
177
...do
... do
.. do
i; 11 Ilatlirld
Ellen Rizpah
i;..-e H. Phillips ...
I, "Ilin E. Cook
M. E. Simmons
Quickstep
Rising Sun
Wm. A. Grozier
Atlantic
... do
....do
... do
....do
..do..
i
...do
....do
220
450
190
15
60
30
184
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Voyages of American whaling vessels, 1870 to 1880— Continued.
tab
s
6
bC
g
a
o
H
107
122
108
9D
192
293
245
115
219
347
145
340
95
291
3C5
202
367
226
3M
231
HI
108
1(17
32
77
324
338
157
166
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Result of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil-
Pounds whale-
bone.
1875.
Boston, Mans.
F. H. Moore
Brig . . .
Schooner
Brig ...
Schooner
Brig...
Ship . .
Bark
Oct. 12
Aug. 19, 1877
Sept. 23, 1875
Oct. 4, 1878
Sept. 14, 1876
Sept. 22, 187U
Aug. 27, 1877
Jan. 11,1876
Nov. 3, 1875
Sept. 24, 1877
690
160
290
450
19
iKepIaced 1875.
Transferred to New Brunswick 1878.
Lost in Hudson Bay June 12, 1877; value,
$2-1,000; rebuilt by the Unite.! states dur-
ing the rebellion; had 200 whale, 4,500
hone.
Built at Chelsea 1854; sent home l,!>75speroj,
175 whale, 4,000 bone.
Captain Stanton came liitnn- sick 1876; re-
... do ^
... do
....do
Cum. Inlet
....do
Pacific Ocean.
Atlantic
Hudson's Bay.
Pacific Ocean.
Atlantic
...do
do . .
Dec. 1
June 22
Oct. 11
June 8
May 4
liar. 31
May 4
May 23
June I
Dec. 12
July C
Dec. 27
Aug. 8
May '.'I!
Sept. 13
Nov. 8
Sept. I!
May 23
July 20
N.,v. 1
Sept. C
Oct. 3
Sepl. 12
Aug. '-".I
July C
July 10
May 30
Aug. 1
Sarnh E. Lewis
New London, Conn.
400
380
1,250
4,000
5,000
Nile
San Francisco, Cat
1876.
New Bedford, Mass.
Abbie Bradford
Schooner
B'lik
750
10, 000
Alaska
do
May 28, 18SO
May 10,1870
Dec.
July 25, 1S77
Sept.iC., 1879
June 27, 1880
May 21, ISM)
Nov. 5, 1880
Nov. 14, 187S
320
950
300
200
HIT.
1,11511
050
2, :;sn
1, 100
203
1,217
A. K. Tucker
Arnolda
.do ....
..do ...
Schooner
Bark
2,450
15, 254
Indian Ocean .
950
1,000
170
140
500
7,1)11(1
4,000
600
800
BartholemewGosnolc
...do ...
do
Paciiie Ocean.
do
Atlantic
North Pacific.
Atlantic
California
Cicero
Ship . . .
Bark....
do
do ...
Aug. 31, 1877
July 20, 1M<II
Nov. 13, 1878
Sept. 13,1878
Nov. 0, 1873
June 11, 1878
Out iw
Tim
1,365
1, 150
320
1,032
150
1,250
3,000
turned to whaling 1870; had taken at
last report 130 sperm, 900 whale. 12,000
1 e ; lost in St. Lawrence Bay Ib77.
Bought from Bostom.
P,ought from New London.
Nipvemliri 4, 11-80, had taken 470 sperm, 4,750
\\hale, (is, uull bone.
Condemned at Malie, March 7, 1 ?71» ; had
taken at last report, March 7, 1879, 81b
sperm, 80 whale.
Condemned at St. Helena October 15,1879;
840 spei m.
Lost in the Arctic October, 1K71I. with 1,000
oil. 4.0UO ivory, 9,0i,0 bone.
Five pounds ambergris.
Sent homo 230 sperm, 40 whale, 2,100 bone.
Sold on the voyage 17 pounds ambergria ;
sold to Edgartowu 1SSU.
September. 1880, had taken 260 sperm, 5,430
« hale, 50,000 bone, 3,000 ivory.
November 30. 1680, had taken 140 sperm,
4,800 whale, 58,000 bone.
E. B Phillips
...do ...
Ship . . .
lirig ...
Bark
. . . do
..do
...do
Pacific t >( ean
E. H. Adams
3,079
23, 684
Schooner
I'.ai k
...do ...
do
Helen Mar
John & Wintlnop
North Pacific.
Pacific Ocean
Indian Ocean
do
July 24,1880
2,000
230
1, 650
do
Mattapoisett
...do ...
do
110
311
241
372
243
20£
8£
61
25"
341
35!
K,
Atlantic
North Pacific
Indian Ocean
Pacific Ocean
..do
Atlantic
— do
....do
. . . do
North Pacilic
... do
Atlantic . . .
Aug. 7
Dec. 14
Nov. 27
Dec. 28
July 11
Hay 9
Nov. 6
Nov. 10
July 2(i
Dec. 13
Nov. 16
J une 20
May 4, 1878
960
40
1,101
150
1,1511
1,020
450
283
243
142
2,000
jii 031
do
Aug. 19, 1880
June 11, 1880
June 27, IsTil
July 8,1878
Sept. 3.1878
Sept 15.1877
Aug. 20. 1879
Out 1880
Milton
"Minnesota
Ohio
Ship . . .
. . do ...
Bark...
Schoonei
.. do...
Bark. . .
do
240
70
260
17
2E
600
1,600
15C
Petrel
Progress
Sarah...
...do...
. do . .
Out 1H80
Sent. 3. 1878
72(
...
Till-: \VIIALE FLS1IKUY.
185
Voyages of Jmrrimi: whaling vessels, 1*711 /» L-SD— Oiitiimcd.
1
td
£
Tonnage.
1
5o
sc
3
*n
ft
'^
Uati- of sailing.
Hah of return.
Result, of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Pounds whale
bone.
1876.
Xew Bedford, Mass.—
Continued.
Baik
July r.
Xov. 9
July 17
May a
Apr. IS
An;;, iv;
Deo. 7
Maj -'
S, pi. 7
Xuv. 15
May 21
Xov. 14 i
Dec. 1
Jtaj n
Mai'. -7
Oc-t. IS
June 20
O;t. "5
Apr. 20
Jan. 22
Jan. 24
May 11
Mar. -
Jan. 24
May 1
Jan. 24
Jan. 22
Jan. 24
Apr. ZIP
Jan. 24
1'Yli. 21
Jail. S
Xov. 11
!•'. I., i-
M:,v 8
Dei
June 24
Apr. 13, 1879
Apr. 6,1877
May 1. 1879
M:i> 29,1879
Si-pt. 4, 1873
Si-pt. 1U, 1SSU
Out ISfiO
1,150
250
1,210
1, 280
1,100
1, 700
1,290
11,000
Returned to whaling.
A 1 San FranciscoOotober29, 1880, 230 sperm,
3, 700 whale, 50,500 pounds lionr.
nought from Provincetown.
Sail, d au'iiin in December, and arrived Sep-
tember 22, 1877; 155 sperm.
Fifteen pounds ambergris.
Sailed asain iu December, and arrived June
78, with 2'.t."> sperm.
do
°14
.do
Stafford
do
15R
.. do
130
. do ..
do
255
S°R
. . .do
.do.
Triton
Tlioin.is Pope
Ti.ipic Biul
Varnam H. Hill
..do
.I,.
..do ..
Brig ....
Bark
Schooner
..do...
Seliniiuel
. do --
Bark ..
Bark ..
do
264
231
145
120
150
S3
73
84
0-
212
303
. . do
North Paiitii-
Julj :m, 167S
Si-jit. Ki, 1878
:n, 1879
S,pt.22,1876
Alia. ",, 1878
Oct. 8, 1876
S.'pt. 14, 1876
Oct. 2, 1877
June 22, 1880
Srpt. 19, 1878
Apr. 12, 187'J
Aug. 20, 1880
Aug. 2-2, 1877
Sept. 36, 1876
Srpt, 15, 1876
Aug. 30. 1S77
Sept. 2i>, 1*77
Srpl. 11, i:-77
Aug. 20, 1877
Srpt. 10,1870
Aug. 29
July :;u, 1870
S.-pt
Srpt. 1 1877
All!,'. 17, 1877
Sept. 15, is7f,
A 111;. 2,), 1870
5, 1877
Sept. 12, 1*76
11,1677
Oct. 2, 1870
Sept. 18, 1677
Xov. 17. 1870
725
335
700
75
263
9(1
100
660
600
1,701
800
460
115
80
310
3SO
420
310
194
110
16a
241
7.
15
16
43
10
5
20C
-- d,,
...do
Atlantic ^
. . do
Fairhaccn, Muss.
Ellen Rodman
Marion, Mass.
5
William Wilami
Dartmouth, Mass.
Cape Horn Pigeon . .
'i>nrt. Mass.
A. Hu-ks
.do |
Fatiiie Occau
Iiuli;m Orran
do
125
3,050
Ed'jartown
Alary Fra/itT
Provincctown, Mass.
Bark
S, Inimi, 1
do
301
92
101
1,000
40
80
20
ISO
2,200
• do
do
70
...do
B. F. Sparks
. . do .
do
9L
116
152
ir
. do
...do
...do.
do
! Thi.mptmr -
.. d,,
do
20
200
180
9
201
200
221
200
200
125
Edward Lee
E. H. Ilatfield. ...
..do ..
.. do ..
..do ..
IK
89
6"
do
do
.. do
rriar;e M. Parker . .
H. M. Simmons
K. Cook
M. K. Simmons
X. J. Knights
t^luirkstrp
IliMiiu Sun
Boston, Mass.
Heman Smith
^Yilli.tm Martin ....
Sauth E. Lewis
yew London, Conn.
Nile ...
. . do ...
. . do ...
...do
.. .In
...do...
. do . . .
..110 ..
Brig
Schooni;!
...do...
Sbio -..
K:
110
82
ID.
7
94
C
12
9
9
?»
. . do
....do
...do
...do
. . do
...do
.. do
Atlantic
.--.do
....do
Cum. lulot. . .
J, (
2E
81
• 551
6.SOC
186
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Voyages of American whaling resseh, 1870 to 1880— Continued.
.y
Tonnage.
Whaling ground.
ti
i
ta
n
Date of return.
Result of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Pounds whale-
bone.
1876.
San Francisco, Cat.
Clara Bell
Bark
196
North Pacific.
..do . ..
Apr. 18
Mar. 3
Oct. 2
July 17
July 31
July 2
Oct. 6
Apr. 25
Apr. 10
Apr. 17
Dec. 3
Sept. 18
Nov. 6
Juno 27
Aug. 29
June 20
Oct. 16
June 19
Sept. 4
Aug. 7
Sept. 25
Sept, 18
Feb. 20
Abandoned in the Arctic 1876; had 650
whale.
Sailed again November 29, and returned
October 26, 1877 ; 1,200 whale.
Withdrawn 1879.
Sent home !liio sperm, 20 whale.
Condemned at St. Helena, October, 1879;
340 sperm, 30 whale.
October 29, 1880, at San Francisco ; 175
sperm, 1,900 whale, 22,500 bone.
September 29, 1880, at St. Helena; 1,140
sperm, 290 whale.
Auqusr 27, 1880, at Montevido; 190 sperm,
2,730 whale.
Broken up in 1878.
Junel7, 1880, at Bay of Islands; l,f.70.-perin,
250 whale.
September 10, 1880, off Talachuauo ; I.70U
sperm, 430 whale.
September 3, 1880, at Valparaiso; 1.770
sperm, 340 whale.
November 23, 1879, abandoned at. sea; 900
whale.
November 4, 1880, at San iM-anei.-en inn
sperm, 2,510 whale, 29,000 bone.
October 27, 1880, at Fayal; 1,420 sperm, 75
whale.
August, 1880, atsea; 665 sperm, 400 whale.
July 29, 1880, at Payta; 1,630 sperm. ;K>
whale.
August, 1880, atsea; 1,640 sperm.
January 30, 1880, at Hobartown ; 4'.'" -pei m,
80 whale.
April 25, 1880, at sea; 750 sperm.
August, 1880, atsea; 1,600 sperm, 65 whale.
October Tl, 1880. at Tenetifl'e; 800 sperm,
370 whale.
Bought from New London 1876; lost ue.r
MagdalenaBay, California, 1878; had taken
M) .-.perm, 700 whale.
Condemned at St. Helena April, 1880; had
taken 180 sperm, 590 whale.
August, 1880. atsea; 1,015 sperm
. do
Oct. 22,1876
Oct. 3, 1879
Apr. 10, 1878
Sept. 6, 1880
Sept. 16, 1877
Aug. 13, 1878
July 1,1879
Dec. 12,1880
Oct. 23,1880
Aug. 16, 1879
700
1877.
New Bedford, Mass.
Schooner
Brig ....
Bark...
Schooner
Bark
95
197
179
48
"ft"
170
A. J. Koss
\ttklioro
Hudson Bay . .
Atlantic
do
243
40
2,300
500
525
40
120
300
2,690
200
208
do
80
530
25
2,400
Com. Morris
Daniel Webster ....
Fanny Brynes
F. H. Moore
Fleetwing
Frs. A. Barstow
Gay Head
George and Mary ..
George and Susan . . .
Golden City
Hadley
...do ..
. . do ...
Schooner
Brig . .
Bark
Brig ....
Bark ...
...do ...
...do ...
Schooner
Bark ..
Ship
338
327
66
107
328
128
265
105
343
80
163
349
355
348
154
276
384
385
371
295
236
312
188
327
337
277
173
257
61
228
123
357
37!l
183
....do
....do
...do
....do
North Pacific.
Atlantic
Sept. 14, 1878
Out 1880
40CI
....do
....do
. . do
..do
....do
Pacific
May 22, 1879
Out, 1880 . .
8t)0
65
Sept. 21, 187S
Aug. 6,1878
Out 1880
36
2111
40
10
J. A. Howland
James Allen
Bark. . .
...do ...
...do
...do
...do
Out, 1880
Out, 1880 . . .
Janus
John Howland
...do ...
...do ...
..do
Pacific
North Pacific.
Mar. 27
Deo. 26
May 1.1
Dec. 18
Oct. 23
Nov. 27
July 17
Sept. 18
AUK. 14
Apr. 17
Aug. 7
May 29
July 10
Aug. 15
Sept. 2.1
June 12
Feb. I'll
Oct. 2
Oct. 19,1879
1,070
75
June 21, 1880
Out, 1880 ....
Out 1880
800
3,400
31,000
Lagoda
Lancer
...do ....
...do ....
do
...do
...do
Pacific
Out 1880
Lucretia
Mabel
.do ....
do
...do
Out, 1880
Out 1880
do
Pacific
Atlantic
Pacific
Atlantic
Indian
Atlantic
. do
.do
X.irlll I'a. ilie.
Out, 1880 ....
Sept. 3,1880
Out, 1880
2,410
45
400
Miuerva
.. do ...
. .do
.do
Sept, 3,1879
June 19, 1880
Oct. 3,1878
June 15, 1880
Out, 18SO
470
1,850
870
Petrel
do
i
27(.
Petrel
Schooner
Bark
do
. do
do
. . do
do
i
: nt 2d
60
Oct. 18,1880
2, 870
Roman
Sarah B. Hale
do
May 2.1
Nov. 21
Sept, 2.1
Sept. 14, 1879
Oat 1880
280
350
Stambonl
Tamerlane
..do ...
..do ..
260
372
Pacific
Atlantic
Oct. (i, 1880
, 300
200
THE WHALE
Voyages of American wlmjing vessels, Ib70 to 1880 — Continued.
187
ci
«
Tonnage.
Whaling ground.
bi
3
I
0
1
Apr. 6
May 8
Apr. 6
Xov. 7
Mar. 15
Feb. 15
Feb. 15
Feb. 15
Oct. 30
Feb. 15
Xov. 1
Feb. 5
Xov. 12
Mar. 15
Mar. 1
JNov. 12
•Tune 29
Apr. 16
July 11
Juh 11
Xov. 21
Dec. 9
Aug. 2S
Feb. 27
Date of relnrn.
Result of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Pounds whale-
bone.
1877.
Provincetewn, Mass.
Schoonei
. .do....
...do....
...do ..
Brig . .
Schooner
...do....
...do ..
. . .do . . . .
. do ...
.. do ...
..do....
...do...
...do ...
. . do . .
Brig . .
Schoonei
do...
Schoouei
do
81
101
7S
116
us
11C
67
82
116
82
105
70
94
117
09
123
122
90
134
89
292
84
92
231
66
149
176
260
115
160
7::
177
110
931
Sept, 13,1878
Sept. 14, 1878
Sept. 11, 1877
Mar. 31, 1879
Sept. 17, 1878
Sept. 12, 1878
Aug. 13, 1877
July 25, 1877
Sept. 14, 1879
A.ug. 17, 1877
Sept. 14, 1877
Sept. 1,1877
Sept. 21, 1878
Sept. 18, 1878
Sept. 17, 1877
Oct. 0, 1879
July 17, 1879
Sept. 18, 1878
Dec. 4, 1878
Xi.\. 27,1878
Dee. 1, 1878
Sept. 3, 1878
Sept. 18, 1878
Out 1880
120
340
130
480
630
380
125
175
400
125
160
55
241
500
100
150
340
430
100
100
Still iu port, 1880.
Last report September 20,1880; 510 sperm.
1,050 whale.
Sail, il ai:ain October 25, 1877; relumed
October 7. 1878, with 85 sperm.
\Vrecked in hurricane at Bermuda, Au-
gust :'!>, l>^ i
August Hi. 1*78. lost at Rose Welcome, TTml
son Bay ; 21) barrels whale.
i Sailed again October 1, 1879; October 22, 1879
at Miiute\ ill ii u iih lT>ii whale : condemned
1 at t'api- tiuinl liope March, 1-
SepteiJiln i 13, I-MI, mast nf Africa; 735
sperm, 100 whale.
July 1. 1880. at Auckland: 901) sperm.
Antarctic
Aiix.ona
Carrie W. Clark
I". A. Small
Edward Lee
Ellen Rizpah
Grade M. Parker ..
11 M. Simmons
Lottie E. Cook
M. E. Simmons
X. J. Knight
Quickstep
\V A . Grozicr
KUing Sun
.Boston, Mass.
Heiuaii Smith
...do
— do
... do
. . do
... do .
..do
. do
... do
....do ..
.....do
. ..do
...do
...do
... do
120
200
250
10
170
300
70
130
130
... do
...do
Hudson Bay . .
Cum. Inlet ...
Hudson Hay
35
2?
Win. Martiu
\ i " London, Conn.
Era
100
351
2,000
8,000
Kile
Bark .
Schoonei
...do...
Bark . . .
Schooner
Bark . .
Bark .
Bark
Schooner
Brig....
Bark . .
Brig
Schooner
Bark ...
Schooner
Bark .
Marian, Mass.
225
90
\Vrn. AYilson
Dartmouth, Mass.
Matilda Sears
. . . do
Pacific
Westport, Mass.
Oct. 2, 1877 52
4
840
200
800
550
120
8,000
3,000
600
Edgartown, Mass.
1'el I y
Ileiity Trowbiiilge
San Francixca, Cat.
Oct. 30
Dec. 8
May si
May 4
July 2
May l.'i
loot! "ij
Jan. 15
Jnno 25
Sent. 12
May 14, 1-7'.)
Xov. 15,1878
Ang. 31, 1X71)
Sept. 1,1879
Oct. 21;. 1880
1S78.
,\. »• Bedford, Mass.
Abbie Bradford .
Abbott Lawrence !
Adeline Gibbs
Hudson Bay
...do
Atlantic
Atlantic
...do-.
.. do
Pacific.. .
800
A. J. Ross
Astoria
Sept. 7, 1S7.S
Ou1 1880...
S..-PI 23, L879
Oui 1880 ..
: •<
230
3,000
Bertha
Caleb Eaton
Canton . .
188
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Voyayes of American tclialing vessels, 1870 to 18^0 — Continued.
bb
5
I
&
314
112
361
258
91
107
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Eesnlt of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Poundswhale-
bone.
1878.
New Bedford, Mass. —
Continued.
Chas. TV. Morgan...
Chas. W. Morse
Coral
Bark . . .
Schooner
Bark . . .
do
Atlantic
..do
North Pacific .
July 17
May It
Mar. 4
Out* 1880
September 27, 1880, at Kabcnda; 960 sperm,
1,350 whale.
Sailed from San Francisco, where she had
In en idle tut a \<ar: condemned and re-
fitted. October 28, IsSO, at San Francisco;
'.'• s.'ia whale, 37,OIJO bone.
Condemned at St. Helena April 3, 1880; had
taken 470 spei 10, 590 whale.
April 15, 1880, at Bay of Islands ; 700 sperm,
180 whale.
October 7, is.-n. ai P.iita; 900 sperm.
July 27, 1880, at sea; 215 sperm, 580 whale.
.Inly 27, 1880, at sea ; 525 sperm, 1,300 whale.
October 13, 1880, at Teneriffe ; 430 sperm,
110 whale.
Sept. mli, i 29, 1880, at Panama; 300 sperm,
(ilia whale.
September 25, 1880, at St. Helena; 735
sperm, 1.1. :<i whale
Si pi ember 24, 1880, at Montevideo; 255
sperm, 835 whale.
July 15, 18SO, at sea ; 065 sperm, 875 whale.
October 11, 1880, at Fayal; 1,120 sperm.
Lost, seven hours out from home ; only three
men sa\ eii
Si ptemlter 1!>, ixsd, at Panama; 750 sperm,
750 whale.
August 28, 1880, at Mayumba; 495 sperm,
8.10 whale.
October Ifi, Isso, at Montevideo; 470 sperm,
n. lie
September 30, 1880, at Fayal; 845 sperm, 70
whale.
September lii, I-SH, atsea; 1, 280 sperm, 550
\\ h.lle.
Had taken, October 5, 1880, 725 sperm.
Had taken. October 21, 1880, 195 sperm, 1420
« bale, 10,300 bone.
Lost at sea August, 1879; last report, 300
spei 111, 40 whale.
Aug. 23, 1879
290
60
750
E. B Con well
Schooner
Bri«-
...do
do
May (i
Oct. 29
Xov. 7
July -J.'.
Nov. 29
May 14
Oct. 8
Oct. 8
July !)
Apr. 1(1
Oct. 3
Ma. 28
Ocl i
Aug. 1
An"; 7
July 1
Sept. :;
Nov. Ill
Oct. 22
Nov. 12
Xov. f>
Oct. -
Oct. 1
July 9
Oct. 15
Oct. i:.
Sept. i!
Oct. 29
June 4
Nov. 19
Nov. 25
Nov. 7
Oct. 14
May :i
July 28. 1S79
Sept. 7,1880
Sept. 12,1880
Aug. 31,1879
Mar. 18,1
:l,1879
Out 1880
610
450
460
340
100
880
...do ...
do .
Schooner
...do....
Brig . . .
77
80
132
340
Hudson Bay . .
Atlantic
1 1 1 lit MIU Ba V .
^acific
40
60
200
218
500
4,000
Golden City
Bark
ill!
Out, ISHI
Out 1880
Louisa
Lydia
..do....
do
303
329
256
llll
238
322
41°
Atlantic
Pacific
Oct. -•
Out Is
965
do
Atlantic
Cum. Inlet. . .
Miittapoisett
Morning Star
Xapoleon
. . do . .
.do...
...do ...
Sept 7 IS79
Ollti I: -'I
150
2,000
Pacific
do
Out, Isso
(Jilt ].->!'
Sept. 21
Out 1880 .
411
Ohio
Bark
205
90
959
Ohio, 2il
...do ...
Schooner
Bark
.. do
... do
do
Out 1
Oct. 12, 1880
Out 1
760
Petrel
Schooner
Bark . .
do
61
IV
160
235
53
326
126
303
. . do
...do
Pacific
Aug. 2", 1879
Out, ISM i
Out 1880
87
Sarah ..
Sea Fox
do .
Atlantic
.. do
Pacific
Atlantic . . .
...do
<ln
Schooner
Bark
Aug. 23, 1870
Out, 1880
Out, 1880
July 20, 1880
Ollt 1S.-.I
157
380
Tropic Bird
.do
Brig ...
Bark
VarnnmH. Hill ....
31arimi. Mass.
Admiral Blake
Schooner
...do...
Bark . . .
Brig . .
Schooner
do . .
84
92
183
176
92
73
Atlantic
... do
Atlantic
July 21,1879
Oct. 2, liO.l
Out 1880
40
120
Wm. Wilson
Edga • town, Mass.
Clarice
Tropic Bird
I'* u/ uiri'lown, Mass.
North Pacific
Atlantic.
...do
Out, 1880 ...
Sept. 1, '879
17C
25
B. F. Sparks
do .
'H
do
May 1
Feb. 16
Sept. 1.1S79 ::-j;
July 22. 1879 •>•'?.
Chas. rliiiiuii.-i'i. .
...do ..
15?
..do .
40
THE WHALE FISHERY.
Voyages of American whaling vessels, 1870 to 1880— Continued.
189
i
95
82
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Picsult of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
oil.
Pounds whale-
bone.
1S7S.
Prrwincetown, Maxs.
— i 'onliuued,
( 'In a L. Sparks .... .
K II Hat tied
Scll.ionel
do
May 3
July 6
Feb. 4
Mar. 14
Apr. 25
Jan. 30
Mar. 14
Feb. 4
Feb. 6
Feb. 14
July 17
May 1
April 18
June HI
\ov. 2
Nov. 1
May 2J
Oct. 13
.May 14
Sept. 17
June ::
Oct. ::n
June ^:;
May M
Ocl 1 !
Dec. 16
Sept. 1
June 12
(id 23
May II
June 11
lid. -
An..'. 5
.iuno I
Sept •;
Nov. 1
June 5, 1879
Sept. 18, 1878
Sept. 7,1878
Sept. 10, 1878
Aug. bO, 1880
Sept. 12, 1878
Au^'. 22. 1S7'I
Sept 14, 1878
Sept. 16, 1878
Sept. 1.1878
Juno 3, 1879
23, 1878
200
Lost in Arctic 1878 ; had taken 650 whale.
July 12, 1880,- at sea ; 550 sperm, 240 whale.
October 4, 1S80, at Bermuda, dismasted ; 200
sperm.
October 0. I860, at St. Michael's ; 325 sperm,
310 whale.
Aunust 17, 1880. at Mayumba; 330 sperm,
hale.
September 25, 18811, at St. Helena; 425
sperm, 100 whale.
July 27, 1880, at sea ; 450 sperm, 80 whale.
Sept i tuber, 25, 1880, at Fayal; 25 whale.
Mate tY,i/e to death while ;:oin£ for food;
1,., uuht home remains ot Dr. Irvirin, of
Sir Jolin Franklin expedition.
July 2(i, 188(1, at sea; 1!I5 sperm, 35 whale.
Odi.hrr Hi, 1880 ; 81.", sperm, ,",10 whale. 540
l.one.
Seplembd 2, 1880, at Montevideo: 170
s|>ri in. .'llll \\ hale.
Septeinlier i. 1880 off St. Helena : 535aperm,
\..i V, liale.
Scptcmh.r .1. 18-d, at Panama; 170 sperm,
4.MI \\ hale.
i 1,, r In. 1880, at San Francisco ; 205
speim, 2.350 whale, 43,000 bone.
s,.|,t. mbi i 30 ' U al Fa; .,1 ; 175 sperm.
Ti.m h iie.l t'loni I'rovincetown.
October 13. 1880, at St. CathetiDe's; 750
spenn, 280 whale.
.lulx 20, 1880, at sea ; L'nO sperm.
Lost in ".ale \\lien lew- da\s out; all but
live lest.
August 18, [880, at Talcahuano: 220 speim.
June 15, 1880, nt sea ; 2sn sperm. 285 whale.
June 15. 1880, at sea : 370 sperm.
,lo
Kllcn Ri/pah
do
80
25
1,000
90
390
100
90
70
385
17(1
200
lil
do
<ra e H. Phillips
!';ti*ker
L- it lie K Cook.
do .
...do...
do
100
81
82
.. do
.. do
do
2111
100
250
300
220
.. do
llll
do
M O. Cum-n ....
X. J. Knight ........
Boston, Mass.
...do ..
. . io ...
Biig ...
Schooner
Bark
102
69
108
86
245
302
95
llll
. .lo
. . do
AtHntic
Sarah E. Lewis
San Francisco, Col.
...do
North Pacific.
Atlantic
do
isrsi.
Bark....
S, 1 in i
do
Out, 1880
Sept. 111. 1880
Out. 1880 .
160
5
do
('has. \\". Mnfst-
do
112
do
Baric
-' v.
do
Hilt 18-, 1
200
I] 1'. ('unwell :
Schooner
91
71
....do
do
Sepi. .;. : 380
All;;.
Hill, ].- i
Hut 188,|
380
205
20
Eliza Adams
Falcon
Faimv Iln in s
Bark....
Schooner
Bark....;
4U8
00
105
178
311
27(1
316
..do
...do
di.
Atlantic
...do
I'a. ilk: ...
Atlantic
Out, 1880
Sept.".:, 1880
Hut 181
•-• • •
70 2.4CO
Li-ruii^- and iluvy
]]••!» ales
J.IIIHS
.. do ....
...do ...
.. do
Out. 1880 ..
Out, 1880 ....
Out, 18811 . . .
Hut 18811
i
M.ny and Heidi
-t, amei
I'.ark ..
421
llll
Norlh
\ t! i.
Out, I8i
1 -HI
....
(Id
Out, 1-811 .
300
9
. .
Ma ina ...
Bark ..
do ..
Bark...
do
214
61
257
1.1
I'acilie
Atlant ic
.. do
....
Atlantic
.lo
do
- . do ...
1'et id
nt
Sappho
June
Out, 1880
(mi i-.-.i
't:;
65
18
85
1,001
Sea 11. inner
Sl.illmil
.. do ..
...do ....
...do..
Union
190
HISTORY AND METHODS OF TEE FISHERIES.
Voyages of American trlutlimj vessels, 1870 to 1880— Continued.
M
S
C
t»
a
215
150
303
86
108
86
90
95
134
81
inn
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Dato of return.
Eesnlt of voyage.
Remarks.
Barrels sperm
oil.
0)
la
f o
1
Poundswhale.
bone.
1879.
New Bedford, Mass—
Continued.
Vigilant
Bark
do
North Pacific.
Jan. 22
\U'T 'JO
Lost in Arctic 1879; up to October 10, 1879,
had taken 400 whale, 6.000 hone,
October 16. 1880, at. Fayal ; 290 sperm.
September 25, 1880, at Fayal ; xiio sperm,
140 whale.
Had taken, November 6, 1880, 640 sperm, 30
whale.
Sailed again November 17, 1879. and re-
turned September 8, 1880, with 100 sperm,
12 whale.
i letciber 9, 1880, at Teneriffe ; 350 sperm.
Sailed again November 12, 1879, and re-
turned September 12, 1880 ; C5 sperm, 80
whale.
1,200 pounds waluiB ivory.
October 25, 1880, at Fayal ; 15 sperm. 45
whale.
PrevionstoAiiunst 13, 1880, Hudson Strait;
40 whale.
August 13, 1880, Hudson Strait
July 3, 1880, sailed from Bravo.
I lelnl.er 14, 1880, at sea ; 135 sperm.
August 27, 1S8D, at. sea, latitude 41°, luugi-
tuile. 56°.
September 13, 1880, at sea ; 100 sperm.
October 6, 1880. at sea, latitudi ::.v. long)
tudc 09= 30'.
Out, 1880 . - .
Westport, Mass.
A. Hicks
Edgartown, Mass,
Bark....
Schooner
Brig....
Schooner
..do ....
Schooner
do ...
Atlantic
Atlantic
June 24
Nov. 30
July 30
Mar. 20
May 15
June 15
June 23
Feb. 3
Mar. 20
July 10
July 11
May 7
Feb. 3
Feb. 3
Jan. 14
Feb. 3
Feb. 3
Feb. 4
Apr. 24
July 3
Mar. 28
Mar. 1C
Sept. 8
Apr. 2
Apr 13
Out, 1880 ....
Out, 1881) ..
Boston, Mass.
Rosa Baker
Aug. 18, 1880
Sept. 3,1879
Sept. 18, 1879
Nov. 22, 1879
Nov. 24, 1880
Aug. 23, 1879
Sept. 29, 1879
Oat, 1880
350
50
150
...do
"Win. Martin
New London, Conn.
....do
Cum. Inlet
Hudson Bay . .
Atlantic
300
550
260
120
8,000
Era
Provincetxnon, Mass,
Schooner
.do ..
60
204
do .
Cairii- W.Clark
..do ....
do ..
116
....do
.. do
Sept. 12, 1880
Oct. 3, 1880
Aug. 3, 1880
Aug. 3, 1879
Sept. 13, 1877
Sept 7,1879
Aug. 26, 1879
Sept. 1,1879
July 12,1880
Sept 5,1880
Deo. 3, 1879
Nov. 17, 1879
Nov. 17, 1879
Nov. 11, 1879
ICO
430
70
.135
320
150
40
330
735
220
400
D. A. Small
Brig . .
Schooner
...do ..
...do ....
...do ...
...do....
...do....
...do ....
Schooner
Bark
119
109
66
81
102
69
69
116
93
140
'fin
.. do
...do
...do
....do
..do
..do
.. dci
..do
....do
North Pacific,
.do
40
190
180
Ellen liizpab
Grai-io M. Parker
Mar\ G. Curren
W. J. Knight
Rising Sun ,
"Win. A. Grozier
Quickstep
San Francisco, Col.
350
200
80
35
0,000
850
500
120
4,000
3,500
Francis Palmer
Hidalgo
. do . . . .
Brig
195
.. do
do
1SSO.
New Bedford, Mass.
A. R. Tucker....
A bbie Bradford . ....
A Mmi 1 Lawrence
Adi-Ma Chase
Alaska
Atlantic
\ttl.-boro
Bark....
Schooner
Brig ....
Schooner
Bark....
...do....
...do....
Steamer
Bark ...
do
145
115
160
85
347
291
179
440
212
'.it
Hudson Bay . .
....do
Atlantic
Pacific
North Pacific .
Atlantic
North Pacific
Paeiflc
North Pacific
May G
Apr. 6
Feb. 16
Sept. 14
Nov. 2
Oct. 26
Aug. 17
Aug. 24
Nov. —
Nnv 12
Cape Horn Pigeon , _ .
E.B. Cornwell
B lam
Sehonnel
...do ..
s. i't 28
THE WHALE FISHERY.
Voyages of American whaling vctmcl», 1*70 to Irtrtl— Continued.
191
bi
£
|
|
328
77
273
Whaling ground.
Date of sailing.
Date of return.
Result o! i
Remarks.
Ban-c-ls sperm
oil.
Barrels whale
Oil.
Ponnds whale-
bone.
1SSO.
,1 ford, Mass.—
Continued.
Europa ...
Franklin
I'.ai I.
Sl-llOOIlel
Bark
Atlantic
. . do
do
Apr. 7
June. 14
May 11
June 2
May ::l
Oct. 7
May 5
Feb. 11
Oct. '.'I
Nov. 2!
Xov. 1-J
Juno 1
October 24, 18KO, at.Tcnei-iffe; 300apei.ii.
September 29, l.->n, at St. Michael's.
Srptemher 27, 1880, at Teneriffc ; 90 sperm.
Nodate, at sea, latitude 31° O.v, loncitude
70° 34' ; 105 sperm.
An^u-it 10, 1880, in Hudson Bay.
I 1. tuber Ti. ISSll, at Fayal ; 130 sperm.
Septeiiiln-r, 18SO, at Fayal ; 265 sperm.
Transferred from Provincetown.
Xi.leJ.oit tu Oct.. In •!• I'll, 1880.
October 25, 1880, at Fayal; 280 sperm.
S.-pii-nilifi- -JS, 1SHCI, atTcneriffe; 20 sperm.
September 3, 1880, at Fayal ; 70 sperm.
Aiinnst. 2(i, ISSIl, at sea, lalilinleSC0 O.s', lon-
gitude 55° 04'.
(ictiilioi-.l, 1880, atTeneriffe; 500 sperm.
N'ovi'inber i!, issil. at sea; 1 sperm whale.
(1, tolier 2S, 1W. latitude 32° 30', lon-ilu.le
10' j 4 whales.
(leliib.-i III. ls.-'i. at. Teceriffe; 30 sperm.
Had taken, August 28, 135 sperm.
Arrived from yirevious trip Octobers?, 1880,
\\ il li '.in sperm.
October il, 1880, had 85 sperm.
\ovember4, 1880, at sea; 165 sperm.
Oi tuber 14. 1880. at St. Michael's ; 30 sperm.
October -'n, ISKu. at Teii.-i itt'« ; 2?'i sperm,
• hale
No report to Deci mber, I860.
No report to December. 1880.
Golden City
Isabella
John Carver
Schoonei
Brig ....
Bark....
do
85
132
319
SRi
... do
1 1 U'l-.MIi r.:ty .
Atlantic
do
"OR
do
Lottie E. Cook
Schooner
Bark...
Schooner
Bark....
82
3119
L05
273
171
.. do £
... do ..
..do
.. do ...
do
Sept. 12. 1380
G5
150
Lylia
Mermaid
Northern Light
.. do..
do
385
173
215
257
228
234
53
1-26
84
92
301
243
314
North Pacific
Sept. 22
May 4
Juno 3
Oct. in
Aug. 17
July 22
Oct. in
Sept. 2!l
May 26
June '.'4
June 15
Nov. 3
NOT. 18
Apr. 10
NOT 30
Palmetto
Petrel
Pioneer
Seine
Surprise
Varnum H. Hill
Marion, Mats.
..do...
...do....
...do....
. . do ...
Schooner
Brig ....
Schooner
...do....
Schooner
Bark . - .
...do —
..do ..
...do .... ..
... do
. . do
..do
.. .1.,
. . do
Oct. 12,1*811 170
Oct. 27,1880 llll
William Wilson
Edgartown, Mass.
E.H. Hatfield
Mary Frazier
Minnesota
li.ibt. Morrison
do
Atlantic
....do
...do
. . do
do
....
Provincetown, Mass.
Schooner . .
...do... 92
...do .... 101
do li-
Feh. 6
Mar. 17
Apr. 2S
May ::
Sept. 13, I860 70
200
Alcyone
A ntai ctie
]'. !•' Sparks
....do
....do
do
do 96
do
Edwaid Lee
"\I. Parker - .
H. M. Simmons
i^pah
.. do .. 1111
...do .... ....
...do . 116
dri
....do
....do
do
. . do
tfov. i
Jan. 1!)
Jan. 19
Feb 1!
Feb. 1]
Fell. I'.l
;
S.-pt. 17,1880
Sept 1
Sept.
65
[30
180
X. 3. Knight
M.iry Or. Curren ... .
Boston, If ass.
E. F. Herriman
firm in Smith
dn .
.. do ...
B.nk. .
r.iiu- .
10-J
121
...do
. ili.
Noiili I'.i.-iti.'
Sll 115
do
S jil -
100
12
l.-i»ian,Ctmn.
i)i li:l liodlikins
I'ilnt - Uridc
. ilo .... 194
Desolation Apr. 27
192
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Voyages of American whaling vessels, 1870 to 1880 — Continued.
Eosult of voyage.
a
1
tin
.9
B
3
1
,2
0
"3
tt
"3
£
8,
^
fl .
Remarks.
&
tt
T.
K1^ P-^
a
rt
.5
O
o
— "S -r O
'S S
S
ed
0
ti
a
o
H
p
p
PQ ^
S
1880.
New London, Conn. —
Continued.
E 11 K'
School] ei
134
Desolation
il-iv 11
Last report Jnno 14, 1880, at Florcs with 35
- *
"
whale.
Xrinitv
Bark...
317
do
Jnno 1
No report to December, 1880.
"Wanderer
Schooner
151
Atlantic
Aug. 12
San Francisco, Col.
Alaska
Schooner
149
North Pacific .
Mar. 13
Oct. 15,1880
500
22, 900
Also 270 walrus in number, and 2,000 pounds
walrus ivory.
FrnTi -is P-ilmar
Bark,
195
do
M;ir. 17
Sept, 25, 1 S'MJ
1,000
-*
Dawn
. . do ....
260
....do
Mar. 2
Oct. 27,1880
1,400
Hidalgo
Brig . . . .
175
... do
Mar. i::
Oct. 4, 1SSO
800
11. REVIEW OF WHALE FISHERY OF FOREIGN NATIONS.
In 1846 the combined whaling fleet of the world numbered nearly one thousand sail, of which
number seven hundred and twenty-nine were under the American flag, the others hailing from
Great Britiau. Germany, France, and other foreign countries.
In 1880 the entire fleet numbered not more than two hundred and fifty vessels, one hundred and
seventy-one of which were American. The only foreign country that now has a fleet of large vessels
in the whale fishery is Scotland, which employs about twenty large steamers in the whale fishery
of East Greenland and in Davis SI ra it. Norway has a fleet of small-sized steamers and sail vessels
employed in whaling chiefly along shore. Australia and New Zealand have a few vessels engaged
in whaling in the vicinity of those countries, and Chili owns a few vessels cruising along the South
American coast. Canada and Newfoundland also employ a few vessels in whaling, though most of
their time is spent in sealing.
It is impossible to tell when and where the fishing for whales originated. In many of the
ancient records there are references to these great animals and accounts of their capture. Most
writers on the subject think that the Norwegians were the first to make a business of catching
whales, and the account of a voyage to Norway by one Othere, a native of Heligoland, is frequently
quoted to show that before the year 890 they had been captured on the coast of Norway. The
Norwegians may have been the first to engage in the whale fishery, but they pursued no system-
atic plan, and their work should be regarded the same as the fishing expeditious of (he Eskimos.
The Biscayans were probably the first who prosecuted the fishery as a regular commercial pursuit,
and they carried it on with great vigor in the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries.
The whales taken by the Biscayans were probably the finback species, which doubtless
frequented the bays and seas of Europe in pursuit of herring. As they became scarce near home
they were hunted in other parts, as at Iceland, upon the banks of Newfoundland, and in the Gulf
of Saint Lawrence.
The first authentic account of the English people engaging in whaling is in 1594, when
several vessels were sent to Cape Breton fitted for hunting the walrus and whale. One of these
vessels, the Grace of Bristol, brought home to England a quantity of whale fins or whalebone,
TON WHALE FISHERY. 193
which was found at Saint George's Bay, where it was said to have been left three years before by a
wrecked Biscayau ship. This whalebone, is supposed to be the first ever imported into England.
There are no records to show to what extent the fishery was carried on at this early period by
either the Biscayaus or the English. If the industry had been very important some historical data
would remain. When this fishery by the French ceased is a matter of doubt, but it was probably
about the close of the sixteenth century.
EARLY \\HALING AT- GREENLAND AND SPITSBERGEN.
The Spitzbergen whale fishery was the first of great importance. It was begun by the English
in 1611, when two vessels made voyages thereunder the direction of Capt. Jonas Poole, who
had previously visited the coast. The islaud of Spitzbergen Lad beeu discovered about the year
1596 by explorers in search of a passage to India, who, though they failed of their main object, made
known the haunts of the polar whale. Although the English were the first to enter upon the new
fishery, they were not the most energetic, for the Dutch soon outstripped them in the number of
vessels engaged and the profits of the voyages. The first effort of the English was to obtain
supreme control of whaling in the seas about Spitzbergen on the pretext that the islaud had
beeu discovered by an Englishman. The Muscovy Company, under wliose auspices the first
English whalers were sent out, obtained a royal charter prohibiting all other nations from fishing
iu the seas round Spitzbergen. Efforts were made to enforce this charter by force, and several
encounters took place between the Dutch and English vessels, until it was filially agreed to divide
the islaud and adjacent waters into districts that were assigned, respectively, to the English, Dutch,
Hamburgers, French, Danes, &c.
Whales were so abundant that extra vessels were sent out to bring home the oil and bone, and
a village was built on the island of Spitzbergen, where the blubber was tried out. "Nothing can
give a more vivid idea of the extent and importance of the Dutch fishery in the middle of the
seventeenth century than the fact that they constructed a considerable village, the houses of
which were all previously prepared in Holland, on the Isle of Amsterdam, on the northern shore
of Spitzbergen, to which they gave the appropriate name of Smeerenberg (from smeeren, to melt,
and berg, a mountain). This was the grand rendezvous of the Dutch whale ships, and was amply
provided with boilers, tanks, and every apparatus required for preparing the oil and bone. But
this was not all. The whale ships were attended with a number of provision ships, the cargoes of
which were landed at Smeerenberg, which abounded during the busy season with well furnished
shops, good inns, &e., so that many of the conveniences and enjoyments of Amsterdam were found
within about eleven degrees of the pole. It is particularly mentioned that the sailors and others
were every morning supplied with what a Dutchman regards as a very great luxury, hot rolls for
breakfast. Batavia and Smeerenberg were founded nearly at the same period, and it was for a
considerable time doubted whether the latter was not the more important establishment."*
From 1611 to about 1700 the Spitzbergen fishery was important, and was participated in by
most of the northern nations of Europe. About 1680 the Dutch whale fishery in those seas was at
its height and employed some two hundred and sixty ships and fourteen thousand sailors. Whales
finally became scarce about Spitzbergen and were pursued along the east coast oCGreenland. From
here it was found more convenient to bring the blubber home and not try it out on land, as they
had been accustomed to do. As whales became less and less numerous on the old grounds, new
* De Reste, Histoiro cles Peaches, &c., tome 1, p. 4ii.
S£C. V, VOL. II 13
194
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
places were coustautly being sought for. About 1719 Dutch whaling vessels first entered Davis
Strait and established a fishery that continues to this day to employ fleets of Scotch and Amer-
ican whalers ; the latter began whaling iu this strait about the year 1737.
Scoresby,* iu his account of the Arctic regions, gives a history of the northern whale fishery
from its commencement till 1820, and accurately describes the methods employed iu the capture of
whales. He also gives valuable statistics of the Spitsbergen, Greenland, aud Davis Strait fisheries,
in which he shows that the Dutch sent 17,331 ships to the northern fisheries between 1669 and
1778 and captured 64,576 whales. The following statement shows these facts by decades:
Dutch whale fishery, 1669 to 1769.
Greenland/
Davis Strait.
Period.
Number of
ships.
Ships lost.
Whales taken.
Numhi i "!'
ships.
Ships lost.
Whales taken.
1669 1678
993
83
6 314
1679-1688 . .
1 932
113
10 559
1689 1698
955
82
4 861
1699-1708
1 652
t'."
8 537
1709 1718
1 351
51
4 645
1719-1728
1 504
40
3 439
748
20
1,251
1799 1738
858
13
2 198
975
14
1,929
1739-1748
1 356
31
6 193
368
10
1, 162
1749 1758
] 339
30
4 770
340
6
513
1759-1768
1,324
25
3,078
296
4
818
1769-1778
903
31
: 493
434
8
1.313
Total
14, 167
561
57, 590
3,164
62
6,986
* Greenland included Spitzbergen and east coast of Greenland.
" This fishery, when in its most flourishing condition, was principally carried on iu the seas and
bays round Spitzbergen, aud there the Hollanders constructed the village of Stneerenberg, where
they boiled the blubber and prepared the oil and whalebone. The havoc made among the whales,
and their dispersion to the coasts of Greenland and Davis Strait, put an end to the establishment,
and with it to the golden age of the whale fishery. In 1842 there was only one vessel engaged iu
this once flourishing fishery ; in 1853 there were five, aud in 1854 there were three." t
" The history of the Spitzbergen country," says Nordenskiold, "has not yet been written in a
satisfactory way, and is in many respects very obscure. It is supposed that after the discovery of
Spitzbergen in 1596 by Barents, the hunting iu the polar seas began during Bennet's first voyage in
1603, and that the whale fishing was introduced by Joanu Poole in 1610. But already in the fol-
lowing year Poole, whose vessel was then wrecked on the west coast of Spitzbergen, found iu Horn
Sound a ship from Hull, to which he gave charge of saving his cargo, aud two years after the
English were compelled, in order to keep foreigners from the fishiug field they wished to monopolize,
to send out sis men-of-war, which found there eight Spanish aud a number of Dutch and French
vessels (Purchas, iii, pp. 462, 716, &c.). Even in our days the accounts of new sources of wealth do
not spread so rapidly as in this case, unless, along with the history of the discovery which was written
by Hakluyt, Purchas, De Veer, &c., there had been an unkuowu history of discovery, and the
whale fishing, of which it may still be possible to collect some particulars from the archives of San
Sebastian, Dunkirk, Hull, and other ports.
•Account of the Arctic Regions, &c., Loudon, 1820, 2 vols.
tEncy. Britannica, vol. xi, 583.
TIIK YYIIALK KISIIIOUY.
195
" However this may be, it is certain that the English and Dutch northeast voyages gave origin
to a whale fishery in the sea round Spitzbergen, which increased by many millions the national
wealth of these rich commercial stales. The fishing went mi at lirst immediately along the coasts,
I'rtmi which, however, the whales \\cre soon driven, so that the whale tishers had to seek new fishing
grounds, first farther out to sea, between Spitsbergen and Greenland, then in Davis Strait, and
linally iu the South Polar Sea, or in the sea on both sides of IJehring Strait.
" Spitsbergen, when the whale fishing ceased iu its neighborhood, was mostly abandoned,
until the Russians began to settle, there, principally for the. hunting of the mountain fox and the
reindeer. Of their hunting voyages we know very little, but that they had been widely prosecuted
is shown by the remains of their dwellings or huts on nearly all the fjords of Spitzbergen. They
seem to have often wintered, probably because the defective build of their vessels only permitted
them to sail to and from Spitzbergen during the height of summer, and they could not thus take
part without wintering in the autumn hunting, during which the fattest reindeer are got; nor
could the thick and valuable fur of the winter fox be obtained without wintering. But the hunt-
ing voyages of the Russians to Spitsbergen have also long ceased. The last voyage thither took
place in 18ol-'52, and had a very unfortunate issue for most of those who took part in it, twelve
men dying out of twenty. On the other hand, the Norwegian voyages to Spitzbergen for the seal
and walrus hunting, begun in the end of the last century, still go on."*
NORWAY.
About the year 1864 Capt. Svend Foyn, of Tonsberg, established a whaling station on a small
island in the Varanger Fiord in Finmark. The whales were captured with harpoons thrown from
a swivel gun expressly constructed for the purpose, and .mounted at the bow of a small steamer.
This harpoon was charged at the lower end with an explosive ball that burst when the harpoon
had penetrated the flesh, and killed the animal instantly. From the first this enterprise proved
successful, and about 25 similar stations have since been started at different places on the
Finmark coast, east and west of Xorth Cape.t
* Voyage of the Vega, translated by Alexander Leslie, 1881, vol. i, pp. 291-293.
t Capt. Niels Juel, in a letter to Prof. S. F. Baird dated Bergen, Norway, September 22, 1884, gives the following
information about the whale fishery of Norway:
"The whale fishery began in 18t>4 and was carried on till 1869 by a single company with one steamer, and from
that date t.ll 1877 by two steamers, belonging to the same company. In 1877 the number of companies increased to
two, iu 1881 to five, in 1883 to eight, employing twelve steamers, aud in ISSi to fourteen, with twenty-three steamers.
Of these companies eleven are in Ostfinmarken, east of. Cape North, and three in Vextlinniarken, between Cape North
and the town of Hammerfest. The catch has been as follows :
Tear.
No. of
whales.
Tear.
No. of
whales.
Tear.
No. of
•whales.
0
1873
36
1880
145
1
1874
51
18S1
279
30
1875
37
1882
386
17
1876
42
1883
506
36
1877
32
1884
416
1871
•>0
1878 . .
130
187''
40
IST'.l
123
Total
2, 327
" In 1872, 1877, and 1878, whaling was tried in the Strait of Davis by one vessel, but without success. In 1883
Mr. Svend Foyu, who is the creator of the Norwegian whale fishery in Finnunken. put up an establishment in Iceland.
This year he got twenty-two wbalcs tliciv. \Vhal, ; n al o occasionally taken by fishermen, who shoot them with
arrows. In the waters of Spit/her",en there are taken even, >ear, by vessels line. I out 1'ioin Tromso, from 150 to 250
so-called v, hue whales (Delphinapierue leuoas Palls >, bj meane of nets, 1,100 to 1,200 meters long with meshes of 0.16
mete!
196 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF TBE FISHERIES.
Prof. G. O. Sars, who visited Captain Foyu's station iu 1874, says that the kind of whale
captured almost exclusively is the blue whale (Balcenoptera Kibbuldi). A smaller whale (probably
Balcenoplera laticeps) is also abundant, but, being smaller and less fat than the blue whale, is not
captured. Two other species of whales are said to come there iu small numbers during the season
of the herring fisheries, Balcenoptera mmculus and the Megaptera hoops.
The condition of the whale fisheries of Norway in 1881 is told by United States Consul Gade, of
Christiania, in a report dated January 7, 1882. He says : " The floating ice iu 1881 extended much
farther to the south and nearer to the coasts of Norway than usual. It was even found between
15 and 20 Norwegian miles north of the North Cape. This circumstance was not without its
influence on the temperature of the year, as the summer was unusually cold, but at the same time
the opinion has been expressed that it was advantageous to the whaling on the coasts of Finmark,
which was very considerable. It is supposed that ice drove such a supply of food into the fiords of
Finmark that whales, fish, and sea birds were drawn there in crowds. During the month of
March the Varanger Fiord is said to have offered a splendid spectacle ; several thousand whales
flocked iu and carried on the wildest antics. The sea was covered with columns of spray, and the
heavy sound of the whales breathing could be heard as far as Vadso. The whale is, however,
protected during this month, and the fishing could only begin at the end of May, from which time
it continues through the summer. Two hundred and eighty whales were caught in 1881, the
largest number ever killed iu one year oil' the Norwegian coasts. Some of the whales were described
as having a length of 90 feet and a circumference of 40 feet. Such whales are not met with every
day, but neither are they of exceeding rarity.
"The whaling business in Norway increases and engages larger capital every year. Whalers
are now fitted out from several ports in Southern Norway, as well as from ports east and west of
"The whales taken in Finmarken belong to the two species: Blaahvalen (Balcmopiera Sibbaldi Gray), yielding
90 hectoliters of oil, and Finhvalen (Balaenopteramusculus), yielding 45 hectoliters; the Knolhval (Megaptera loops
Fabricius) is also sometimes taken.
"The steamers used are built of iroD, have a burthen of 32 E. T. nette and an engine of x!."i to •'>"> nominal horse-
power. The length is 22.5 to 26.7 meters, the breadth 4 to 4.3 meters, and the draught 2.5 to 2.8 meters. They are
rigged as fore and aft schooners. Below deck are ouly the engine, the cabins, and a place for the cordage, as the whales
are always towed ashore either by the steamer or by a tugboat. The crew consists of nine men, viz, the captain, one
gunner, three engineers, one steward, and three sailors. The speed is 9 knots.
"The guns used are muzzle-loaders, of steel, with steel-coils and mounted on swivels. The length 1.2 mcreisand
caliber 0.078. The charge 0.34 kilograms. They are fired at a distance of 20 to 40 meters. The gunner tries to hit
the whale between the ribs as near ^he spinal column as possible.
"The gun-harpoon used was invented by Mr. Svend Foyn about 1860 and patented till 1882, when the patent ran
out in Norway. It consists of: The shell, 0.104 meters iu diameter, length 0.319, and charge 0.5 kilograms; the barb
holster, length 0.319; the pole, length 1.307.
"The shell is screwed to the barb-holster, which contains a glass filled with sulphuric acid. To the pole is
attached the rope, 0.143 in circumference and 733 meters long, with a ring running on the pole. The weight of the
rope, which is of hemp, is about 1,450 kilograms.
"When the harpoon is to be used, the barbs, that are pivoting, are secured to the pole by rope-yarn, and the
shell screwed on the holster. As the number of barbs are 4, the shell and the holster, that turn in the ring at the
eud of the pole when they are free, now form with the pole a solid mass. When the harpoon penetrates into Ihe
whale the rope-yarn slips off, the barbs turn as to make an angle with the holster, crushing the glass tube, and Ihe
sulphuric acid, that commuuieates with the powder in the shell through a channel in the screw, makes it explode.
" Most whales sink. When they do not sink, several whalers-are of the opinion that the respiratory organ is tilled
with coagulated blood, impeding the inhaled air to get out again. Tlic reason for this theory is that there comes very
little blood through the nostril of a whale that do not sink. No hand-harpoons arc nsi •<!.
"The manner iu which the fishermen kill the whale by means of arrows and cross-bow is the following: When
a whale enters a bay the passage is barred with a strong net. and the whale shot. They let him go for two or three
days inside. The arrows contain no poison, but later investigations have led to the discovery of a peculiar bacilla
that lives ou arrows already used, and which poisons the blood. Old arrows (of iron) arc only esteemed, and now we
know the reason why. After some days the whale becomes d\ ing. ami is dispatched with knives and harpoous. The
flesh is eaten, with exception of the parts round I lie \\ouniis, where is formed a tumor. The whale ordinary taken in
this manner is the Vaagchval (Balcenoptera i-tixtmtii Fahiiuius). The number may amount to 15 to 20 a year."
THE YYHAl.K KISHKUY. 197
the "North Cape, and live dill'i-ient companies were in 1881 represented by steamers. The first
promoter of the whale and seal fishery in Norway, ('apt. Svend Foyn, alone caught last summer
one hundred and seven whales, and is now building two new steamers for whaling. Another vessel
caught sixty whales on the same fishing grounds. Though it appears that whales are abundant
on the shores of Finmark, it must be borne in mind from previous experience that these animals
must finally be exterminated.
"The present fishing grounds are circumscribed, and there may come a time when these giant
animals, who propagate but slowly, may disappear from the waters where they resort while
devouring the masses of fish they drive in front of them.
" The value of an ordinary whale has been estimated at about 2,000 crowns [about $536],
which, for two hundred and eighty whales killed last summer, gives a total sum of over half a
million crowns [about $150,000]. To draw a comparison, we may state that the eleven steamers
fitted out this year from Dundee, Scotland, for whale fishing off Greenland, caught forty-eight
whales, valued at £35,000 or 630,000 crowns [$169,000, or an average of about $3,520 per whale].
"The fishermen engaged in the important cod fisheries off the Finmark shores have protested
strongly against the whale fishing on their usual fishing grounds, and to the south of this country
we find the same prejudice against whale fishing among the Swedes, who are this winter engaged
in large herring fisheries. They have lately opposed the approach of a Norwegian whaler in the
waters where they are engaged. The Norwegian whaler, which had been hired by a Swedish firm,
was driven off on the plea that it was unlawful in Sweden to shoot where herring are being
fished."*
GREAT BRITAIN.
The British whale fishery dates from about the beginning of the seventeenth century, as
above stated in the discussion of whaling at Spitsbergen.
"Greenland was first discovered by the English ; but in this, as in other branches of naviga-
tion, we long allowed the Dutch to take a lead. It was not till after 1750 that, Government having
granted a bounty of iOs. a ton on every vessel employed in the whale fishery, a considerable increase
took place in this branch. In 1750 the vessels employed were only nineteen ; in 1756 they had
increased to sixty-seven. The war soon caused a decrease of one half ; but at the return of peace,
in 1763, this fishery revived, and in 1770 the vessels employed amounted to fifty, in 1773 to fifty-five,
in 1775 to ninety six. The American war again caused a decrease, and in 1782 the vessels so
employed were only thirty eight. In 1784 they increased to eighty-nine, and in 1785 to one hun-
dred and forty. After this they exceeded two hundred annually till 1793; but the long continu-
ance of the late war reduced them below half the number employed previously. In 1852 the whale
fishery employed ships of the aggregate burden of 16,113 tons."t
The first whale ship to enter the Pacific Ocean is said to have sailed from England in 1787,
and was sent by the colony of Nautucket whalemen who had gone to England at the close of the
Revolutionary war. "('apt. Aichelus Hammond," says ilr. F. G. Sauford, of Nautucket, "was
first officer of that ship, and struck the first sperm 'whale ever known to be taken in that ocean.
He afterwards sailed from London in the ship Cyrus, which ship he gave up to Paul West, his
second officer, in 1801, and West made a fortune in her and left her to join his family in America,
arriving in 1813. Captain Hammond came home to Nantucket in 1830."
The British whale fishery reached its greatest prosperity in 1815, when there were one hundred
and sixty-four whalers on the ocean. About the year 1850 there were twenty-three British vessels in
' Commercial reports, State Department, No. 16, February, 1862, p. 293.
t Encyclopaedia Brittanica.
198
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the southern whale fishery, crnisiug chiefly on the Brazil Bank. lu 1855 there were about fifty
vessels in the Greenland and Davis Strait fishery. About the year 1865 some thirty- five vessels
were employed in the northern or Greenland fishery. The southern fishery gradually declined
until it is now practically abandoned. The northern fishery, however, has continued of impor-
tance, though the uuuiber of ports from which vessels are fitted has decreased. The vessels are
now mostly fitted at Dundee and Peterhead.
The Scotch whale fishery at Greenland and Davis Strait is combined with sealing, and is
carried on with the most powerful steamers, specially equipped for battling with ice.
The number of vessels iu this fishery has decreased very much since 1830, as appears from the
following statement of the size of the fleet in 1830, 1857, and 1808:*
18
iO.
IS
)7.
18
68.
Ships.
Tons.
Ships.
Tons.
Ships.
Tons.
Peterhead
13
3 720
30
8 397
1"
2 948
Fraserbur^h -
5
1 L'4:,
2
549
Aberdeen . . .
10
3,035
6
1.4H2
1
239
Dundee
9
3 033
4
1 394
1"
4 618
Kirkr:ilily
5
1 597
3
1 058
1
452
1
357
Hull . . .
33
11 009
11
2 805
2
530
Whitliv
2
686
3
1 103
1
310
•'>
642
4
1 302
1
'80
Leitli
•J, KG
1
316
91
29, 459
GO
16, 738
30
9,336
Iii a communication to the State Department, under date of November 10, 1877, United States
Consul McDougall, at Dundee, Scotland, gives some information concerning the British whale and
seal fisheries in Davis Strait. He says : " The success of the whaling fleet belonging to this port
was considerably greater iu 187G than iu 1875. All the vessels, twelve iu number, prosecuted both
seal and whale fishing in 1S76. The only change in the course usually followed was by one vessel,
which went to Labrador instead of Greenland with the other ships. The total catch at the seal
fishing was in 1876, 57,776 seals, yielding 625 tons of seal oil. Seal oil last year was valued at £32
per ton, and the average price for skins was 6s. Takiug the 025 tons of oil at £32 gives £20,000,
and 57,776 skins at 6s. each produces the sum of £17,332 16s. ; so that the value of the seal fish-
ing in 1876 was £37,332.16s. Only one vessel returned clean from the seal fishing.
"The total catch at the. whale fishing was, in 1876, 04 whales, yielding 824 tons oil and
45 tons bone. The selling price of whale oil in 1876 was £35 per ton, and although as high as
£1,200 per ton was got for bone, £800 was the average price. The 824 tons of oil produced
£28,840 and the 45 tons of bone £36,000 ; total" for the whale fishing, £64,840; total for the seal
fishing, £37,332 16*.; total for both fishings, £102,172 16s. Of course from this sum must be
deducted the expenses of the fleet, which are very heu\y.
" In 1875 the value of the seal fishing was computed at £27,026 In. 6d. and the whale fishing
at £50,325; total for both fishings, £77,:!51 7s. 6d. This shows an increase in favor of 1870 iu the
seal fishing of £10,306 8s. Qd. and in the whale fishing of £14,515; total increase in both fishings
for 1870, £24,821 s.s-.
* MORITZ LINDEMAN : Die ai-KliM'lh Pischerei <ler (lcutst.-u.en SeestiiiHe, 1620-1868.
TIIK \VI1ALK FISHERY.
109
"This year two vessels went to the seal fishing in Labrador com pared with one in 1870; and
iliey were so successful, that the Dundee Seal and Whale Fishing Company have resolved to form
a branch establishment at Newfoundland, and next spring two of their largest and most powerful
screw steamers, instead of going to Greenland, will be dispatched to the Newfoundland seal
fishing. The company has acquired a piece of ground, on which they are erecting the necessary
buildings for carrying on the work connected with the fishing, including boiling-house, &c.
There being no docks for the accommodation of the vessels, the company is constructing a wharf
in close proximity to its premises, so that the steamers will be enabled to discharge their catches
almost at the doors of the establishment. With the two steamers sent out by another company
here (those which went this year), this will now make four Dundee vessels that will prosecute
the Newfoundland seal fishing next spring. The effect of this change will of course be to give the
remainder of the Dundee vessels going to Greenland a better chance of success, and it is hoped
the results will prove satisfactory to all concerned.
" As all the vessels of the Dundee whale fleet have now arrived from Newfoundland and
Greenland seal and whale fisheries for the year, I am able to give the number of seals caught and
other particulars. The whole of the vessels (now thirteen in number) went both to the seal and
whale fishing this year, two going to Newfoundland instead of to Greenland with the other ships.
The number of seals caught in ^Newfoundland (Labrador) this year was for two vessels 46,600
seals, yielding 750 tons 6t oil ; last year one vessel, 4,000 seals, yielding 47 tons oil ; increase in
1S77, 4i',600 seals, 703 tons oil. The number of seal caught in Greenland this year was for eleven
vessels, 29,400 seals, yielding 342 tons oil ; last year for eleven vessels, 53,776 seals, yielding 578
tons oil ; decrease in 1877, 27,376 seals, 236 tons oil."
Statement of the British Davis Strait and Greenland wTiale and seal fishery, 16G"> to 1877.*
Teara
Ports.
Vessels.
Seals.
Whales.
Sr.,1 nil.
Whale
oil.
Whale-
bone.
1865
Number.
17 291
5
Tons.
195
Tons.
71
Cwt.
Do
10 284
113
84
64 041
.ill
734
546
650
Hull
Do
5
40
60
12 219
156
1 sailer
1866
16 188
31
187
299
Do
1C C32
9
210
100
48 418
3d
U74
333
373
Hall
Do
2
16
40
4 571
02
9
100
100
16
160
151
Do
4
29
2
619
22
20
Hull
2
26
40
I'M
107
199
856
944
1868
Do
1 sailor
1
5
Peterhead
1 i:t, 774
16
165
262
90
Do
IS 038
4
228
23
17
3 986
32
]•
G
80
108
•Report on Commercial Relations of United Statcn with Foreign Countries for 1877, p. 419.
t Also 645 white whales.
200 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Statement of ilir Jliitixli Varis Strait and Greenland whale and sral fisltrry, 1865 to 1877 — Continued.
Tears
Ports.
Vessels.
Seals.
Whales.
Seal oil.
Whale
oil.
Whale-
1 -.
1868
Hull
Number.
230
Number.
Tons.
3
Tons.
Cwt.
1869
44 424
9
458
118
1°8
*8 868
g
125
118
49
Do
16 021
4
956
25
25
Hull
1
5
5
187D
S7 768
61
862
734
871
PeterLead
8 373
18
132
125
144
Do
32 087
487
5
98
91
1871
64 497
133
652
1 163
1 313
17 047
11
194
105
155
Do
34, 837
8
481
80
7li
1872
Dundee
11 steamers
40, 391
1 851
105
9
410
25
969
131
1,002
132
Do
8 442
94
1°9
293
292
1873
"r» -ISO
158
°6°
I 303
1 344
Do
4 131
46
37 827
2
754
16
16
Do
6 784
12
73
110
1 15
1874
44 087
J90
575
1 419
I -Til
8 113
196*
95
91
Do
3 sailers
015
<>
148
153
1875
44 44.".
79
418
706
7"0
l"7 }'.!•-
6
355
113
77
Do ..
2 sailers
13
156
llil
1876
57 770
64
625
824
900
J4 180
13
7">
138
Do .
371
5
5
69
94
* Also 859 "\vhitn whaler. t Also 360 -white \s link s. ^ Also 700 white wh;i]rs.
The following additional account of the Dundee whale and seal fishery is from a report to the
State Department by Uuited States Consul Winter.* of Dundee:
" Nine steamers left Dundee for the Greenland seal fishiug in 1881 ; their catches were 12,721
seals, yielding 201 tons of oil. Eight steamers went to this fishing in 1880; their catches were
29,100 seals, yielding 489 tons of oil, showing for 1881 a decrease of 10,379 seals and 288 tons of
oil. Six steamers left Dundee for the Newfoundland seal fishiug in 1881 ; their catches were
139,985 seals, yielding 1,797 tons of oil. Five steamers went to this fishing in 1880; their catches
were 58,940 seals, yielding 726 tons of oil, showing for 1881 an increase of 81,045 seals and 1,071
tons of oil. Greenland, 1881, total catch, 12,721 seals, yielding 201 tons of oil. Newfoundland,
1881, total catch, 139,985 seals, yielding 1,797 tons of oil.
"At both fishings, 1881, total catch, 152,706 seals, yielding 1.998 tons of oil.
" At present the value of seal oil is about £29 per ton, while the skins average about 5s. each.
Taking the 1,998 tons of seal oil got this year at £29 per ton gives £57,942; and the 152,706
skins at 5s. each gives £38,176 10s. ; so that the total value of the seal fishery for 1881 is £96,118
10s. For 1880 it was computed at £52,385. There is therefore an incre ise for 1881 of £43,733 10s.
" Eleven steamers left Dundee for the Greenland whale fishery in 1881 ; their catches were
48 whales, yielding 514 tons of oil and 24f tons of bone. Twelve steamers went to this fishery in
1880; their catches were 712 whales (white, 600 ; black, 112), yielding 1,077 tons oil and 46i tons
of bone, showing for 1881 a decrease of 664 whales and 563 tons oil and 21 £ tons of bone.
* Commercial Reports, No. 17.
Till: WIIALK FISIIKRY. 201
"The present selling price of whale oil is £;;:> per ton and of bone £720 per ton. The value
of (lie 514 tons oil got in 1881, at jE:::1.. would be £16,092, and of 2l:,1 tons of hone, at £720 per ton,
£17,820. The total value of the whale fishing for 1881 is £.i4,7."W; for 1880 it was computed at
£('.2,706; there is therefore a decrease for 1881 of £27,924.
"Greenland and Newfoundland seal fishing: Total \alne for M.ssi, £90,118 10s. Greenland
whale fishing : Total value for 1881, £34,782. Total value of both fishings Cor 1881, £130,900 lO.v.
(From this sum the heavy expenses of the sealing and whaling licet must be deducted.) Total
value of both fishings for 1880 was computed at £115,091 ; accordingly then- is an increase for INSI
of 15,809, which is attributable mainly to the success of the. Newfoundland seal fishery this year.
" From, the figures I have given it will be seen that the Greenland seal and whnle fishings for
1881 have proved a failure, due, it is said, to the terrible severe weather that has prevailed in
Greeeland this season. Dundee is the headquarters of this industry in this country, and l>as
fourteen excellent screw steamers, whose total tonnage is 0,999, and nominal horse-power 1,008,
engaged in the fishing. In addition to this there was another vessel (steamer) of ">96 tons, but she
was lost this season in Davis Strait, but the crew were all saved and distributed amongst the
other Dundee ships, which brought them home. All accounts concur in representing the weather
experienced in Greenland this year as being exceptionally stormy, for weeks gale succeeding
gale, blowing the vessels in upon a body of heavy ice, and some of them have thereby been more
injured than usual this year. However, there has been no loss of life except from natural causes.
Seventy to eighty men go to make up a Greenland sealers crew, and one hundred and twenty to
one hundred and fifty that of a Newfoundland sealer, and fifty for a Greenland whaler. From
forty to fifty men accompany the vessels from Dundee; others are got in Shetland and at Saint
John's, Newfoundland. These men are paid in wages about £2 per month and an allowance of so
much per ton as may be fixed upon for oil money; so that if the voyage does not turn out well,
as is the case of the Greenland seal and whale fishing this year, the men and their families are
badly off during the winter. Only two vessels will return anything to their crews in the shape of
oil money this year. Formerly all the seal-skins that came to Dundee had to go to London to be
cured or tanned. One large firm engaged in the seal-fishing business here has been erecting com-
modious and improved premises for carrying on the tanning process themselves, and they have an
immense stock of skins of their own to commence operations upon. This is a new industry added
to Dundee. A matter of interest in connection with the whale fishing has been discussed this
year, viz, the use of steam for propelling the vessels while in the fishing grounds. The noise of
the propeller scares the fish within a distance of a few miles, and a master of a ship, by ill-judged
eagerness to approach a whale, may deprive a whole fleet of a rich harvest from the object of their
common pursuit. An agreement between the captains of the Dundee ships, regulating the use
of steam to meet the necessities of the case, was drawn out and subscribed by them, and was,
it appears, fairly adhered to this year. The following is a complete detailed comparative statement
showing 'the value of the seal and whale fishings to the community of Dundee for twelve years.
and the yearly average value of same:
202
HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISIIT.RIES.
liinitln- tcliale and setil Jisliirii-s, 1^711 tu 1"1.
Tear.
Number of
lisLing.
Number of
-1. ;ui)i?rs
wbalt? fishing-
Xuuiber of
seals canght.
Numb, r lit'
\\ halr.s
-lit.
Tons i.f seal
oil.
Tons of
whale oil.
Tons of
•nbalebone.
ls70
9
6
4.3,450
01
870
760
431;
1871
9
8
6.3, 485
133
648
],165
65J3
1872
11
10
40, 621
105
429
1,010
1873
11
10
25, 594
158
265
1, 352
IN.',,
Ig74 . . ,
11
9
46, 252
1110
577
1,290
,1",
1875
12
12
45, 205
79
455
765
36&
1876
12
12
57, 776
04
025
824
45
1877
13
13
76, 000
•1,016
1,092
955
42*
1878
12
13
77,411
(1
1,106
114
6
1878
15
13
96, 710
1,168
729
38!
1880
13
12
88, 040
t712
1,215
1,077
46J
1881
15
11
152, 706
48
1,998
514
24J
Total
143
]29
817,310
2,610
10, 448
10, 555
541ft
11
10
68, 111
220
870
879
J5&
' 81 black. 935 TV lute.
t 112 black, 000 white.
Tear.'
Average
Y:illlf nl'
si'al nil per
ton.
Average
value' of
si-al skins,
each.
Average
value of
wbalo oil per
ton.
Av. i
value i,f
wliaU'hune
per ton.
Total value, of
i -biug.
Total valne of
wbale fishing.
Total value of
both seal and
whale fishing.
•
1870
£
37
s. d
3 0
£ s. d.
44 0 0
& s. d.
450 0 0
£. s. d.
39,007 10 0
£ s. d.
53, 037 10 0
£ s. d.
92, 045 0 0
1871
33
3 6
37 0 0
500 0 0
3 17 6
75, 930 0 0
108, 773 17 6
1872
40
4 0
42 10 0
510 0 0
25,284 4 0
70, 006 0 0
95, 290 4 0
1873
40
3 6
43 0 0
460 0 0
15,078 19 0
89,048 0 0
104,126 19 0
1874
37
5 0
39 0 0
540 0 0
32,912 0 0
89,082 0 0
121,994 0 0
1875
34
7 6
36 0 0
500 0 0
32,455 12 0
45,765 0 0
78,220 12 0
1876
32
6 0
35 0 0
800 0 0
37,332 16 0
64,840 0 0
102,172 16 0
1877
32
5 0
35 0 0
1,400 0 0
53,944 0 0
92,925 0 0
146,869 0 0
1878
32
5 0
35 0 0
1,500 0 0
54,744 15 0
12,990 0 0
67,734 15 0
1879
30
5 0
33 0 0
1,200 0 0
r.!>, S17 10 0
70,377 0 0
129, 594 10 0
]880
25
5 0
28 0 0
700 0 0
52,385 0 0
62,706 0 0
115,091 0 0
1881
29
r. o
33 0 0
720 0 0
96,118 10 0
34,782 0 0
130,900 10 0
Total
401
57 6
440 10 0
9,280 0 0
531, 324 14 0
761, 488 10 0
1, 292, 813 4 0
33*
4 9.;
36 14 2
773 6 8
44,277 1 2
63, 457 7 6
107, 734 8 8
The distribution of the bow-head whale in these regions and the movements of the Scotch
whalers is discussed as follows by Mr. E. Brown :
" Whales appear on the coast of Danish Greenland early in May, but are not nearly so plentiful
as formerly, when the Davis Strait whaler generally pursued his business on this portion of the
coast ; but they are now so few that they are generally gone north before the arrival of those ships
which have first proceeded to the Spitzbergen sealing. It is rarely found on the Greenland coast
south of 65° or north of 73°; indeed I have only heard of one instance in which it has been seen
as far north as the Duck Island near the entrance of Melville Bay, and even for a considerable
distance south of that it can only be looked upon as an occasional straggler. However, after cross-
ing to the western shores of Davis Strait, it occasionally wanders as far north as the upper reaches
of Baffin's Bay. The great body, however, leave the coast of (iieeiiland iu June, crossing by the
' middle ice,' in the latitude of Svarte Huk (Black Hook), in about latitude 71° 30' N. The whaler
presses with all speed north through Melville Bay to the upper waters of Baffin's Bay, and across
to the vicinity of Lancaster Sound. If there is land-ice in Baffin's Bay at the time they arrive
(about the end of July), there are generally some whales up that sound and Barrow's Inlet; but
THE \VIIALI-; h'lSIIKUY. 203
the\ accumulate in greatest numbers in (lie ncighboi hood of Pond's Bay, and even up Eclipse
Sound, the continuation of the so-culled Pond's Bay, which is in reality an extensive, unexplored
sound opening away into the intricacies of the Arctic Aichipelago. The whales continue 'run-
ning' here until the end of June, and remain until about the end of August or the beginning of
September. The whalers think if they can reach I'ondV Bay by the beginning of August they are
sure for a 'full' ship. The whales now commence going south, and the whalers continue to pursue
them on their austral migration, halting for that purpose in Home Bay. Scott's Inlet, Clyde, IMver,
and the vicinity. As the season gets more tempestuous and the nights darker, most of them
towards the end of September, to avoid the icebeigs dashing- about in this region at that time of
the year, anchor in a snug cove, or cul He XHC, lying off an extensive unexplored sound, not laid
down on any map, in the vicinity of Cape. Hooper; others go into a place known by the euphonious
name of 'Hangman's Cove';* whilst others go south to Kemisoak (Hogarth's Sound of Penny),
Northumberland Inlet, or other places in the vicinity of Cumberland Sound and the Meta Incog-
nita of Frobisher — localities intimately known to many of these hardy seamen, but by name only
to geographers. "Whilst the good ship lies secure in these uusurveyed and unauthorized harbors
(each master mariner according to bis predilection), the boats go outside to watch for whales. If
they succeed in capturing one, frequently, if possible, the vessel goes out aud assists in securing
it. Though they are supposed to return to the ship every night, yet at this time the men are often
subjected to great hardship and danger. This is known as the 'autumn' or 'fall fishing,' and
this method of pursuing it as ' rock-nosing.'
*******
"• Where the whale goes in the winter is still unknown. It is said that it leaves Davis Strait
about the month of November, and produces young in the Saint Lawrence River, between Quebec
and Camaroa, returning again in the spring to Davis Strait. At all events early in the year they
are found on the coast of Labrador, where the English whalers occasionally attack them ; but the
ships arrive generally too late, and the weather at that season is too tempestuous to render the
' southwest fishing' very attractive. Later in the year the ships enter Cumberland Sound in great
numbers; and many of them (especially American and Peterhead vessels) now make a regular
practice of wintering there in order to attack the whales in early spring. It is said that early in
September they enter Cumberland (Hogarth's) Sound in great numbers and remain until it is com-
pletely frozen up, which, according to Eskimo account, is not until the mouth of .lanuary. It is
also affirmed by the natives that when they undertake long journeys over the ice in spring, when
hunting for young seals_, they see whales in great numbers at the edge of the ice-floe. They enter
the sound again in the spring and remain until the heat of the summer has entirely melted off the
land-floes in these comparatively southern latitudes. It thus appears that they winter (and produce
their young) all along the broken water off the coast of the southern portions of Davis Strait,
Hudson Strait, and Labrador. The ice remaining longer on the western than on the eastern
shore of Davis Strait, and thus imped ing their northern progress, they cross to the Greenland coast;
but as at that season there is little land-ice south of 05 degrees, they arc rarely found south of that
latitude. They then remain here until the land -floes have broken up, when they cross to the western
shores of the strait, where \\e find them in July. I am strongly of belief that the whales of the
Spitsbergen Sea never, as a body, visit Davis Strait, but winter somewhere in the open water at
the southern edge of the northern ice-fields. The whales are being gradually driven farther north
aud are now rarely found, even by their traces, so far south as the Island of Jan-Ma;, en (71 degrees
north latitude), round which they were so numerous in the palmy days of the Dutch whaling trade.
'From an Eskimo bi-in<r I'miml here linng by an allumtk over :i chft'.
204 HISTOEY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
I am uot quite sure, after all that has been said ou this subject, that the whale is getting extinct,
and am beginning to entertain convictions that its supposed scarcity in recent times is a great deal
owing to its escaping to remote, less known, and less visited localities. It is said to be coming
back again to the coast of Greenland, now that the hot pursuit of it has slackened in that portion
of Davis Strait. The varying success of the trade is owing not so much to the want of whales as
to the ill luck of the vessels in coming across their haunts. Every now and again cargoes equal to
anything that was obtained in (he best days of the trade are obtained. Only seven years ago I
came home to England ('shipmates,' as the phrase goes), with no less than thirty 'right whales,' in
addition to a iniseellaaieous menagerie of Arctic animals, dead and alive, and a motley human crew —
a company so outre that I question if ever naturalist, or even whaler, sailed with the like before."*
In 1877 the Scotch whaling and sealing vessels began the capture of the bottle-nose whale
(Hyperoodon roNlrttfus); in 1878 this fleet killed 9; in 1879,8; in 1880,32; in 1881, 111, and in
iss;.}, 403. These whales are found in Davis Strait and adjacent waters and eastward of Green-
land from Cape Farewell to Iceland, Jan Mayen, and Bear Island, and as far north as seventy-
seven degrees north latitude. They are about 30 feet long, and yield an excellent quality of oil.t
RUSSIA AND RUSSIAN AMERICA.
In a pamphlet by Dr. Grimm on Enssian fisheries the whale fisheries of that country are
thus discussed: "The beluga or white whale (I><'J[i1ihifi])tfriiK I m <:•«*) is from 14 to 25 feet long.
Beluga fishing is carried on in the White Sea, where the beluga lives all the year round ; also
in the gulfs of the 1ST. Dvina, Onega, Kondolon and Mezen ; in the Arctic Ocean it is found to the
east of the White Sea, near the mouth of the Petchora, along the Tiuian coast, chiefly near the
river Piosha ; near Nova Zenibla, at the mouth of the Obi, and farther on. In chasing fish, it goes
very high up the rivers, for instance, up the Obi. It is caught in nets, with which it is surrounded,
drawn to a shallow place and killed in what is called the dvor, or yard ; from four to six boats
take part in the work. The quantity of oil got from the beluga is various. Sometimes a herd of
large animals have been killed, each of which yielded about li! poods [432 pounds] of blubber, and
nt other times one meets belugas that yield only some 4 to 5 poods [144 to 180 pounds]. The
exact number of beluga caught in a year is not known, as in the statistics of the fisheries the
beluga is classed with all the walrus, seals, whales, &c. The dolphin (Delphinus delphis and D.
l>li»<-<cnft) is found in considerable numbers in the Black Sea. From this sea, in chasing fish, it
enters the various gulfs and bays and into the Sea of Azof. The Turks come into the Black Sea
after the dolphin, chiefly visiting Pischoouda. Our fishermen sometimes catch it, but jrenerally
content themselves with a stray dolphin that may get in among the fish. Dilpliuuix pltoccena is
sometimes met with in the Bailie, and even has come up as far as Cronstadt, but very rarely.
" There are four kinds of whales in the Arctic Ocean: Mc/jrijifera IHH>/>X, IlitlirHojitrni Itiliceps,
Balcenoptera musculus, andjB. Hihbalilli. The last is the one that whalers chiefly kill, the first three
being killed no\\ and then. Notwithstanding the efforts of the Jtussian Government to increase
whaling, it is still in a very primitive condition here. The Laps and Pomors, it is true, use whale-
blubber, but it is procured from the carcasses of whales that are often driven ashore. They uevei
kill whales, owing, perhaps, to the false idea that the whale drives the moyva (Mallotus arcticns)
to the shore, and that therefore whales are useful to the, fisheries, and that they ought not to be
* Notes on the History and Geographical Relations of the Cetaeea frequenting Davis Strait and Baffin's Bay. By
Robert Brown, F. R. G. S. Proc. London Zoolog. Soc., 1868.
tFor a full discussion of this fishery see papers by Mr. Thomas Southwell in London Zoologist, ami iu Transac-
tions of Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society, vol. iii. Iu 1883 Mr. Southwell reports the Scotch fishery as fallen
ofl" in consequence of the number of small Norwegian vessels attracted to this new fishery.
TMK WHALE FISHERY. 205
exterminated. However, from OIK- hundred and fifty to two hundred whales a year are killed on
the Mourmau coast by Norwegian whalers, who have their oil-works in Fiiimarken. How profit-
able whaling is will be seen from (lie fact tliat all the expenses of tlie trade are eo\ ered by the
sale of the secondary products, such as whalebone, &<•., and that, the oil, of whieh each wbak'
yields some 1,00(1 roubles' [sT.Mi] worth [from ,'!(i,000 to 7:.', 000 pounds of blubber], forms the clear
inotit of the whaler. At present there is a company with a considerable capital being started in
St. Petersburg, which intends next year to start whaling along the, Mourman coast.
" We have no information as to the number of whales in the eastern part of the Arctic and in
the IJering Straits. Putting aside the products got by the inhabitants of the Arctic coast, which,
at any rate, is of some consequence, and only counting the products of regn'ar whaling and seal
fishing, we remark the very extraordinary fact that the wide spreading Arctic Ocean, with its
many gulfs, and the White Sea, yield a great deal less than the smaller Caspian does by nothing
but its seals. As there are more animals (even seals) than in the Caspian, this can only be accounted
for by the thorough way in which the business is carried on. in the Caspian, where it is aided by
natural conditions, by the comparative ease of killing seals, and by the presence of capital and
enterprise. In the north, on the contrary, the danger and difficulty of the trade, and the absence
of a population, counteract the possibility of its yielding as great a quantity of useful products as
it might well do without destroying the natural abundance.
"In consequence of this, one cannot help wishing that whaling, &c., would increase in the
north, and that more care would be taken in seal fishing in the Caspian, where seals may be com-
pletely exterminated in a considerably short time. We may remark that as many very valuable
animals, for example, the Greenland whale, Kamtchadal otter, vSce,, are gradually dying out, and
are in danger of the fate of their cousin, the sea cow (Rhythut Xtcllcri), and as it is next to impossible
for one state to prevent it, it is very desirable that a committee should be formed for the working
out of a set of rules for hunting, trapping, &c., which would be binding on all countries."*
RUSSIAN WHALING AT ALASKA AND THE OKHOTSK SEA. — In discii-sing the condition of the
territory of Alaska prior to its cession to the United States, Mr. Petroff says of the whale fishery :
••The American whalers frequenting the Bering Sea previous to cntciing the Arctic through
Bering Strait had frequently been the object of complaint to the Russian Government by the
Russian-American Company. It was claimed that these whalers made a practice of lauding on
the Aleutian Islands to try out blubber, and that the offensive Mnoke and stench resulting from
this operation had the effect of driving away the precious sea otter from the coast. In 1842 Chief
Manager Etholin reported that in his tour of inspection throughout the colonies he had encoun-
tered several American whalers close inland, but that they refused to answer his questions or to
obey his orders to leave the Russian waters. Some of the whalers learned that in 1841 fifty ships
from New Bedford and Boston had been in the vicinity, and that they had succeeded in capturing
from ten to fifteen whales each. From 1842 these complaints concerning the whalers were renewed
every year, and during Tebenkof's administration he proposed to the company to go into the whal-
ing business in the waters of Bering Sea and the North Pacific as the best means of keeping out
foreigners. Llis plan was to hunt whales in boats from the harbors of Aleutian Islands, and to
engage at first a number of American harpoouers and steersmen until the Aleutians had been suf-
ficiently trained to do the work.
"Under the terms of the treaty with England and America no ve.ssel of either of those two
nations was allowed to hunt or fish within 3 marine leagues of the shore; but as there was no
armed Government craft in the colonies the provisions of the treaty were totally disregarded by the
*Dr. O. GIU.MM: Fishing and Hunting ou Russian Waters; St. Petersburg, 1883.
206 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHBEIES.
•whalers, until at last the company proposed to the Imperial Government that if a cruiser were sent
out from Russia to guard the colonial coast against intruders the company would bear the expenses
of such a vessel. The Emperor agreed to the proposal, and gave orders to the naval authorities to
prepare estimates as to cost and expenditure. In reply a report was received stating- that the sum
of 270,000 rubles was required to fit out the ship for the cruise, and 85,000 rubles annually for its
maintenance. This sum the company found itself unable to pay and the- project fell through. At
last, in 1850, the corvette OHvitza was ordered to the Sea of Okhotsk, and did some service in
keeping foreign whalers out of that sea and breaking up their principal station near the Shanta
Islands. In the mean time Tebenkof's suggestions concerning the fostering of Russian whaling
interests in the Pacific had borne some fruit; a few of the shareholders of the Russian-American
Company, together with some ship-owners in Finland, concluded to fit out whaling ships in Fin-
laud or at Cronstadt and send them around into the waters of Bering Sea and the Arctic beyond
the straits.
"A capital of 100,000 rubles was quickly contributed, and active operations began as early
as 1849. By order of the Emperor a sum of 20,000 rubles was appropriated from the special fund
of the province of Finland to aid in the construction of the first whaling ship, and a sum of 10,000
rubles to be paid the company for the construction of each succeeding ship of the same class. The
company also obtained the privilege of importing, free of duty, all the material necessary for build-
ing and fitting out the first twelve ships and to carry on the business without payment of duties
for a period of twelve years. The name of this branch company was ' The Russian-Finland Whal-
ing Company,' and its charter was approved on the 13th of December, 1850.
"The first ship, the Suomi, of 500 tons, was built in the port of Abo, Finland, in the year
1S51. The command of the vessel was intrusted to a German captain, Hagshagen, and a crew
of thirty-six men was engaged, which consisted principally of foreigners, among them three steers-
men, three harpooners, and three coopers. The whale boats had been imported from New Bed-
ford. The cruise of the Suomi in the Okhotsk Sea in the year 1852-'53 was very successful, the
catch being 1,500 barrels of oil and 21,400 pounds of whalebone ; the cargo was sold in the Sand-
wich Islands, realizing 88,000 rubles, a sum that covered the price of constructing the vessel and
fitting it out and left a clear profit of 13,000 rubles. Unfortunately the war with England and
France broke out about that time and interfered with further operations in this line.
" The Suomi had sailed for home before the news of the war reached the Sandwich Islands,
and consequently knew nothing of the circumstances when she made the first port on the English
coast. The pilot came oft' and, strange to say, warned the captain of his danger, and gave him an
opportunity to make his escape to Bremen. The presence of French and English cruisers in the
channel made it necessary to sell the ship at Bremen for the comparatively small sum of 21,000
rubles.
"The second whale-ship dispatched by the new company was the Turko, which left for the
Okhotsk Sea in 1852, having been fitted out altogether at Abo. The captain was a German by
the name of Schale, and the crew consisted of twenty-five Finlanders, many of whom had served
on American whaling voyages. A cargo of goods for the Russian-American Company was also
forwarded in this ship, but by various disasters the vessel was delayed and did not arrive at
Sitka until late in 1853. Shortly before reaching port a few whales were killed, 150 barrels of oil
and 650 pounds of bone being secured.
"Early in the following spring the ship proceeded to sea under command of the first mate,
Sederblom, the captain being disabled by disease. The voyage was very successful, resulting in
a catch of 1,700 barrels of oil and 23,000 pounds of whalebone.
THK WHALE FISIIKUY. 207
"During tin- sie^e l>y iln> An^lo- French licet tbe Tnrko was in the harbor of Petiopaulovsk,
but succeeded in making her escape, discharging liri- valuable cargo at Kailiak for safe keeping,
and liually reached Silka, where slie remained safely unlil I lie end of I lie \vai.
" Tlie third whale-ship dis])a(elied to tlie Isortli Paeiiie from Finland was tin- Aian. 540 tons.
She was commanded by a Finlamler. Captain Knderg, and readied the sea of Okhotsk in 1854.
The eatdi dining the lir>l year \vas not great, and in the spring of 1S55 the naval commander of
Kamtchatka ordered the captain to land his cargo and to transport tbe families of officers and
soldiers from I'etropavlovsk to t he Amour, and during this voyage the ship was captured by
an English frigate and burned. At the end of the war the whaling company discovered tbat,
though 110 actual loss had been incurred, tbe profits of the business were not what they had
expected, and the subsequent operations do not seem to have been pushed witb energy or vigor.
" A few more ships were fitted out, but as soon as tbey returned with tbeir cargoes of oil and
bone they were sold for whatever price tbey would bring. It was perhaps unfortunate for tbe
interests of the Eussian whaling industry in tbe North Pacific that the company engaged in the
business was so closely connected with the Enssiau- American Company, which was then becoming
more deeply embarrassed every year."*
WHALE FISHERY OF FRANCE.
" The whale fishery was established in France in 1784, by means of encouragements held out
by Louis XVI, who ordered that no duty should be collected on tbe articles exported, and that the
produce of the fisheries should pay no import duty. He guaranteed the adventurers against loss,
and ultimately paid, in addition to £12,500, which he advanced without interest, an additional
Mini of £6,695, being tbe balauce of loss on seventeen voyages ; but notwithstanding these encour-
agements, tbe whole project was abandoned in 1787. In 1816 the offer of bounties attracted new
adventurers into this branch of trade. The premium offered by the Government was 50 francs
(£*-.') per man, and two-thirds of the crews were allowed to be foreigners. In 1819 40 francs were
allowed to foreign vessels having a crew half French, 50 francs when tho captain and one-third
of tbe crew were French, the premium to be doubled if the vessel passed Cape Horn. In 18'_'9 a
new ordinance granted 90 francs per ton on vessels wholly equipped by Frenchmen, 40 francs when
only two-thirds were Frenchmen, and 30 francs if the captain was a foreigner. The premium was
doubled if tbe vessel passed Cape Horn. A supplementary premium was allowed to vessels fishing
to the southeast of tlie Cape of Good Hope, and the double premium was given to all vessels fish-
ing at a higher northern latitude than 60 degrees, and as the fishing is seldom or never prosecuted
at a lower latitude, this premium of 180 francs per ton (£7 4.v.) was invariably paid. The law of
1832, which regulates the whale fishery of France, established a bounty of 70 francs per ton from
March, 1832, to March, IS.",:!, if the whole crew were French ; the bounty to be diminished 4 francs
yearly till it reached 54 francs. If one-third of tbe crew be foreigners, the bounty to be 48 francs
per ton, to diminish 1' trains yearly till it reached 40 francs per ton. A supplementary bounty to
be given of 50 francs per ton if the crew be French, decreasing :i francs per juinnin per ton ; and 24
francs if one-third be foreigners, decreasing ! franc per annum, to be paid to vessels doubling Cape
Horn, or reaching 62 degrees of south latitude, if returning with less than half a cargo or after an
absence of sixteen months ; "ino tons to be the minimum for a single whaler.
"Witb these extraordii. :ry encouragements capital was attracted to this new line of industry,
and in 1831 three vessels cleared out for the Greenland whale fishery and thirteen for tbe South
" Report on the Population, Industries, anil . E AlH liy I\:m IVIrnlt', spn-i.-il a^iut IT. S. ('
Washington. 1—1.
208 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
Sea fishery, which employed 6,412 tons of shipping and were manned by five hundred and fifty-
one men. Notwithstanding all the bounties given to the whale fishery, France has very few ves-
.-els rim-aged in it. There were only seventeen ships in the trade in 1849, and seven only re-entered
French ports. There were but five vessels left Havre in 1853, of a tonnage of 2,045 tons, and with
a crew of one hundred and twenty-seven men. The return of the products was 112,485 kilograms
of the whale, 1,589 of the cachalot, and 81,712 kilograms of the whalebone.
"It was estimated by the minister of commerce, in his report on this subject to the Chamber
of Deputies more than twenty years ago, that the five hundred and fifty seamen employed in the
whale fishery do not cost the state less than 1,000,000 francs, at the rate of £72 12s. per man, or
£— a month. The wages granted by the budget to seamen employed in ships of war amounted
to £1 per month, so that the allowance to the seamen employed in the Greenland fishery is six
times the. ordinary allowance of seamen in the public service. It is remarkable that France was
granting these extravagant allowances for the encouragement of the whale fishery exactly at the
time that Great Britain was withdrawing the bounties by which she had formerly endeavored to
promote this branch of trade as a nursery for seamen. Yet in 1830 the number of vessels that
cleared out for the fishery in England was one hundred and twenty-three, consisting of 40,166 tons,
navigated by live thousand and forty-four seamen, being thus about, eight times the quantity of
tonnage employed by France. The Government of Louis Philippe, alarmed at the large outlay in
bounty, endeavored to lessen it and to render it transitory and temporary only. M. d'Argout,
the minister of commerce, insisted that those bounties exhausted the resources of the state, and
decreasing bounties were after a period adopted, but M. Cuuin Gridaiue, who was minister of com-
merce, relapsed into the old error by introducing supplemental bounties. The provisional govern-
ment of 1818 by one decree argumented the bounties, and by a second extended the term of the
law to December 31, 1851. On the 22d of July, 1851, the National Assembly voted for the con-
tinuance of the bounties to 1861."*
AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, AND NEW ZEALAND.
Shore whaling has been practiced to a limited extent on the south and west coast of Australia,
under the direction of Americans who had left their vessels while cruising in that vicinity. One
of these whaling stations was at Vasse, in Geographe Bay, on the southwest coast of the island,
and another was at Bunby, some 30 miles farther north. "At certain seasons of the year the
right and humpback whales resort to various bays ou this coast for the purpose of producing their
young. A lookout is stationed ou an eminence ashore, and several boats' crews being near at
hand, at the appearance of a whale the alarm is given and they start in pursuit. At times their
work is very easy, but if the whale should run out to sea, after being struck, they are obliged to
tow him to the shears, and frequently a day and night are consumed iu this arduous employment.
If the whale is attended by a calf they always fasten to the latter first, knowing that the mother,
in her solicitude for her offspring, is very careful not to use her tremendous flukes, or, if a hurnp-
l>a. k. her sweeping fins; but woe betide the boat, unless an experienced boat-header directs it,
that is in the vicinity when she discovers that her calf is dead. She then remains close to the
lifeless body, striking right and left with flukes and fins to avenge her loss, and, as the slightest
tap from these formidable weapons would cause destruction, it requires all the boat-header's
adroitness to avoid them. The officers, boat-steerers, and, if they can by any means be procured,
two-thirds of the crews are Americans. We have a world wide reputation for skill in this pursuit." t
* Ency. liritannicu, vol. x, p. -Mli. France has bad no fleet since 1866.
tW.B.WHlTECAR.jr., : Four years aboard the Whale Ship : Phil., 1860, p. 91.
TI1K W1IALK KISlll.i;y.
209
id( niiirn fhtnt'in;/ tin nunilur, loniiaiji, nntl ITI-IC* "/ I HMI,« iiitui imxilx i-iii/uiji-d in Ilir irli,ili- yis/n i-i'r.v ; «/si. //if H»»I-
/'i-r <(IM/ Itnuunjf nf MIC/J r(,s.si7,s- itittrtil itnun'ih, ami //ii '/^<iii///// ••/' n//. ,\ c., icliirli lln'if linmt/ltl intOjHtrl.
ni.stic-s "I' lln- ' -nl"ii\ of T:\smnnia for 1879.]
Vi-ur.
Vl-SM-l.- 1 Ul]'l'.\r.l.
< nl ri , .1
MllS.
Black oil.
'] < Illlll !• 1 I] III! - ll
S|.fl'IH nil.
into port.
No.
Tnmia^r
470
488
441
389
315
315
324
321
326
So.
IS
12
IS
13
e
15
11
11
8
Whalcli'iiK-.
Valne.
1870
15
19
IS
18
Hi
13
13
12
11
11
::, Hi:
4, '..17
4,763
4, USX
3,525
:: 95
::, l.'.ii
:;. 150
< >
3,070
4,642
3,405
1,628
3,955
3, 0.14
2,733
2, 317
i:nir i;>ii:/>it::
I 0
5 0
14 IS
13 is
Ti'n::. *.'r(//<r,/.v.
4 IX 0
CM (I
339 (I
558 (1
352 0
139 Js
470 0
4'.l rji:
•js.' 0
268 126
Pounds.
£35, 880
46, 350
27, 420
44, 000
-30, 780
12, 46.'.
41,740
31, 605
16, 920
13, 425
1X71
HIO
187:!
1873
1874
1875
1876
0 126
1X77
1878
IST'.I
1 Not jjivi-n in Hie returns prior to 1871.
The whale fisheries of New Zealand are discussed as follows in a report to the Department of
State by IT. S. Consul G. W. Griffin, dated Auckland, New Zealand, May 1C, 1881 :
" The presence of a fleet of American whaling vessels from New Bedford, Mass., now in the
waters of New Zealand, has directed my attention to the condition of the whale fisheries of this
colony. The principal ports of New Zealand for whaling vessels are Russell and Maugonui.
There appears to be no just reason why these ports should be preferred toothers of the colony,
unless it is that Russell and Mangonni are small places and do not offer as great inducements for
the men to desert their ships as the larger cities, and that it is always difficult to supply the loss
of trained men for whaling purposes.
"The whale fisheries of New Zealand, like those elsewhere, have declined rapidly during the
last thirty years, but they now appear to be rallying again. The cause of their decline has doubt-
less been the substitution of other material for whalebone and the discovery of kerosene and
other lubricating oils which have taken the place of whale and sperm oil. A large number of
whaling stations were established along the coast of New Zealand as far back as 1825. The indus-
try has been a very lucrative one. Few ships that ventured to those shores were unsuccessful in
obtaining full cargoes of oil and bone.
''I find that the industry was most successfully pursued by what was known as ' shore parties,'
who located themselves at eligible points all round the coast of the islands. The method of catch-
ing whales by shore paities was first started in New Zealand by some of the rough white adven-
turers from the Australian colonies, who had for many years previously pursued the arduous life
of catching seals in boats and small crafts along the coasts of the Middle Island and Foveaux
Si rait. They were encouraged to engage in the pursuit of the whale and to form establishments
for that purpose on the shores of Cook Strait. Upon hearing of the success of these shore fish-
eries the people established whaling stations at Wellington. Some also were started at various
points on the west coast of the North Island, near New 1 My mouth, and a large number at various
places on flu- east roast of Hie North Island, between Cape Palliser and East Cape.
"These stations were fitted out for the capture, chielly, of the black or -right' whale (Ha/ii'/iit
<tii/;i><xlit>ii}, which approached the shores of New Zealand in large numbers during the calving
season, from May to October, inclusive. Very frequently the sperm whale, the humpback, the pike-
headed, and other species came near enough also to lie captured by the shore parties. The
stations were generally established near a projecting headland, close to which there was deep
SEC. v, VOL. 11 14
210 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
water, and where, from the lofty summit of the headland, a good view could be had of the offing
aud of any whales whii'h mighl chance tu sport there. The advantages rendered the site an eligi-
ble one. The season for which the men engaged themselves began with the mouth of May aud
lusted until the beginning of October, extending through a period of five mouths, which in New
Zealaud includes the winter season. Uuriug these mouths the cow whales resort to the coast w th
their young calves.
"It required a large sum of money to equip a whaling station. A pair of shears, such as arc
used for taking out or putting in the masts of ships, had to be erected in order to raise the immense
carcasses a hove water, so that they could be ni^re conveniently and expeditiously cut up. It was
also necessary to build 'try-works,' as they were called, being furnaces for melting the blubber.
Storehouses were erected and well supplied with spirit, cord, and canvas. Three or four well-
built and well-found boats completed the outfit. All these establishments seem to have been
'conducted on the same system. The men-employed in the active part of the work received a certain
per cent, of the oil procured, aud the remainder was the share of the merchant at whose expense
the station had been lifted up, and who had also the advantage of taking the oil at his own valu-
ation, which very generally was largely in his favor. In looking over some old records kept at
one of the stations near the East Cape I find that in one year forty-one whales were caught, which
yielded 145 tons of oil aud H tons of bone. I have been informed by old whalers here that as
much as 14 tons of oil had been obtained from one whale. A breeding cow and calf produce about
1 cwt. of bone to 1 ton of oil, but a small fat whale a much less proportion.
" The flourishing condition of the fisheries attracted vessels from all parts of the world. In 1843
as many as twenty whaling vessels were seen at one time in the harbor of C tago, Middle Island.
At a later period Russell, Bay of Islands, became the favorite resort of the whalers. The fisheries.
however, began to decline rapidly, notwithstanding the employment of an increased number of
boats and men. The places which were once the favorite haunts of whales soon became entirely
deserted by them. The country at that time was without a representative form of government,
and no laws were enacted to protect the fisheries. The whales frequenting the coast of New Zea-
land were soon extirpated or driven off to other regions. They were attacked by the shore parties
the moment they reached the coast, when they had generally by their side a calf too young to
support itself without being suckled by the mother, and which perished as a natural consequence
of her loss. Had an act been passed making it unlawful to kill the whale until a later period in
the season, many of the calves would have been spared to return the following year.
"In 1858 the legislative assembly of New Zealand, with a vie\\ of improving the condition
of the whale fisheries, passed an act, which is still in force, requiring the. proprietors of whaling-
stations to give valid security on future produce of oil and bone. There had been very general
complaint among the whalers that the merchants would not advance money or goods without legal
security. The act enabled the merchant to receive a mortgage on the oil and bone which the pro-
prietors of the whaling stations might obtain dining the ensuing season. The mortgage must be
in duplicate, and recorded, so that no subsequent sale by the whaler can affect the security. If
the whaler should refuse to deliver the oil and bone specified therein the owner of the security can
take possession of the same.
"This security is made transferable by deed, and by indorsement, and every transferee has
the same right, title, aud interest as the person in whose name such security was originally taken.
The security can also be canceled by the registrar at any time at (he request of the owner. The
act further provides that if fraud should be practiced on the owner lie can recover double the
amount of the consideration named in the mortgage, and every one found aiding or abetting such
frauds shall be fined double the amount of the consideration.
THE WHALE F1SIIEUY. 211
"The proprietor of one of the whaling stations on the North Island has described to me the
nu'tliod of catching the whale by the shore parties. Tlie men are enrolled under three classes,
viz, headsman, boat steerer, and common man. The headsman is the commander of the boat, and
liis post is at the helm, except during the time of killing the \vhalc, which honor also falls to his
lot. The boat-steerer pulls the oar nearest to the bow, always steering under the direction of the
headsman, and fastens the harpoon to the \vhule. The headsman then kills the whale. The com-
mon men have nothing to do bn't to ply their oars according to orders, except one called the tub-
oarsman, who sits near the tub containing the \vhale line, and sees that, no entanglement takes place.
"The wages are the shares of the prolits of the fishery, apportioned to the men according to
their rank. The headsman gets more than the boat-steerer, and the boat-steerer more than the
common man. The leader of the party commanding the boat is called the chief headsman. A
certain code of etiquette or laws exists among the whalers. This code has been handed down
by tradition, and is in all cases faithfully adhered to. It regulates and settles the various claims
to the whale. Each station has its own laws and customs. It is a fundamental rule, however,
among all of them that he who once made fast has the right to the whale even should he be obliged
to cut his line, provided his harpoon still remains in the whale. Each harpoon has its owner's
private mark, and there can be no dispute about the ownership of the weapon. The boat mak-
ing fast to the calf has aright to the cow, because it is well known that the cow will not desert
her young. A boat demanding assistance from a rival party must share equally with the party
granting the assistance. These unwritten laws are universally recognized among whalers. A
dispute seldom occurs as to the ownership of the whale. Should such a dispute arise it is always
satisfactorily settled according to the code.
" The whale-boat used by the shore parties differs in size and construction from those used by
whaling vessels. The former is clinker shaped, sharp at both ends, and is higher out of water at
the bow and stern than it is amidships. It is usually about 30 feet long and narrow in width, and
especially adapted for riding on the surf. A platform is erected at the stern, reaching forward
about 0 feet, even with the gunwales. To this is attached a cylindrical piece of wood used for check-
ing the whale-line, and it is a custom to cut a notch in this wood for every whale killed by the boat.
••A constant lookout for whales is kept from a site near the station, and when a whale is
sighted three or four boats arc immediately launched and proceed at racing speed, the spout of
the whale, like a small column of smoke on the horizon, indicating the direction to be taken.
When the fastest boat reaches the whale, the boat-steerer drives the harpoon straight into the
animal. A turn is taken around the loggerhead to check the rapidity with which the line runs
out, and the boat flies through the water, forming ridges of foam above the sides. The skill of
the headsman is now shown in steering and watching the course of the whale. Other harpoons
are thrown into the animal, which, alter diving several times, soon becomes exhausted. The
headsman then lets fly his lance into the spot where life is said to be. The animal soon afterwards
spouts thick blood and is a sure prize. This method of catching whales is, however, not so satis-
factory or profitable as that pursued by whaling vessels, and is principally practiced now by the
.Maori, or native race.
'• The sperm whale is more frequently met with in the New Zealand waters than any other
kind of whale. Mr. Eldridge. the first officer of the American bark .Tanus, informed me that during
last March he saw forty or lifty of these whales near the East Cape. The sperm whale travels at
the rate of 1 or 5 miles ati hour. Adult females, or those with young in their company evince a
strong atfeuion for eat-h other, and when one is killed or sustains injury the parents or companions
hover about, and even render assistance. The whalers take advantage of this trait and kill a
number before the others make off. When, however, a company of male \\hales are found, and
212 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
one is attacked, all the others desert their wounded companion. The whale will sometimes lie with
its mouth wide open, as if waiting for the ' squid,' its principal article, of food, aud will close upon it
like a trap. Some say that tin- squid is ;it: racted by the pearly teeth of the whale. The sperm
whale is known by the act of blowing, which is performed with regularity every ten minutes. The
spout sent up can be seen at a distance of 3 miles. Mr. Eldridge tells me that when one is sighted
the boats leave the ships very quietly, the men making as little noise as possible with their oars and
paddles. When struck, the whale generally sounds, or descends to a great depth, taking out the
lines belonging to the boat. When spent with the loss of blood it becomes unable to sound, but
passes rapidly along the surface, towing after it the boats. If it does not turn, the men draw in
the line and dispatch him. When a whale is killed, the boats are fastened to its body and brought
alongside the ship. A hole is cut back of the head, a hook is inserted, and the fat or blubber is
cut in long, spiral-shaped strips aud hoisted on deck. The head is then opened and the spermaceti
taken out. The fat is then boiled 011 board in the furnaces, the scraps serving as fuel. The oil
is then put in casks. It is generally supposed that it is water which the animal propels through
its vents, but such is not the case. It propels the vapor of water, just as all animals expire their
breath, only the vapor on coming iu contact with the cold air immediately condenses, at first in a
white cloud and afterwards in a small fine rain. The volume of air thrown up along with the
surrounding moisture and condensed vapor often rises in a great jet. Sperm whales travel the
seas in great herds, from one hundred to three hundred, and they are said to acknowledge a
leader, who swims in advance and gives the signal of combat or flight by uttering a peculiar roar.
It can remain under water for an hour and twenty minutes at a time; sometimes it leaps out of
water fully 25 feet into the air and shows its entire body. The neck vertebrae of the sperm whale
are fused together. The upper surface of the broad, shoe-shaped skull has a large, basin-like
cavity, wherein the spermaceti is lodged.
"The sperm whale is also remarkable for the ambergris which is sometimes found in it.
Ambergris is the most precious of all the ingredients used in the manufacture of perfumes. It is
now very generally acknowledged to be a morbid secretion of the liver of the spermaceti whale.
It is remarkable that the two most precious products of the sea, ambergris and pearl, are the
results of disease. Ambergris is found floating on the ocean and is sometimes washed ashore. It
is a little lighter than water aud bears some resemblance to the bark of a tree. It is described as
of a waxy ure, streaked with yellow, gray, aud black, aud emitting a peculiar aromatic odor.
It fuses at 140° and 150° F., aud at a higher temperature, gives out a white smoke, which con-
denses in a crystalline fatty matter. It varies in size from 1 to 30 pounds, but occasionally pieces
are found iu whales weighing from 100 to 200 pounds. Its use in the manufacture of perfumes is
not so much on account of its fragrance as its peculiar property of causing other ingredients to
throw out their odors. It is compared in this respect to mordant in dyes, without which the color
would fail to become permanent. Perfumes that contain ambergris are very expensive, aud those
made without it smell of alcohol. It varies in price from $12 to >OO per ounce.
"Among the whales peculiar to this colony is the New Zealand Jln-nnlinn. It is a species of
ziphoid whale. One was captured not long ago off the coast of Canterbury. It was described
by Dr. Julius Haast as ;!0.\ feet long, of beautiful velvety color, with a grayish belly. The female
Berardiua gives birth to a single young one in the autumn. They feed chiefly on cuttle-fish. The
skull is most peculiar iu having two crests at the occiput, of most unequal size and figure, and
the cheek-bones at the roof of the beak are raised into a pair of huge elevators. The upper jaw is
toothless, and the. lower jaw has only two or three small teeth. The neck vertebra? are united, and.
moreover, the stomach is remarkable. c\en aiming ceiaeea, for the number of chamlieis it contains
there being six or seven divisions.
TIIK \VI1ALK FI81IUUY.
213
"The right whale (Hnlirnii (inti/iinliiiii) is often caught in the New Zealand waters. In this
animal the baleen plates take the place id' teeth anil hang suspended from the root' of the month.
Captain (liant, of Horatio, is said to have captured a whale oil' this coast, New Zealand, yielding
over-' tons of whalebone. The baleen [dates vary in si/e from a few inches to 12 feet in length.
Their chemical composit ion is aHiuinen, hardened by small particles of the phosphate of lime. In
their natural state t!ic\ are of a bluish black color, striped with white. They are covered with
small libers, which are carefully scraped oil'; the plates are then boiled until they are soft enough
to cut : the color being objectionable-, they are dyed black before being sent to market. The dyeing
i> generally done during the process of boiling.
•• In 1ST*, the number of American whaling vessels which arrived at the various ports of New
Zealand was thirteen, with an aggregate tonnage of 3,422. In 1879, the number was fifteen, and
the tonnage .'!.7!>2. Captain Fisher, of the American whaling bark Alaska, now at Uussell, Bay
of Islands, New Zealand, informs me that he has cruised off the coast of these islands for a period of
six years, and during that time he has taken over 7,00(1 barrels of sperm oil, which he thinks is
above the amount taken by any other vessel in the same length of time. He took home with him on
his last voyage, according to the New Bedford IJepublicau Standard, the most valuable cargo of
sperm oil ever brought to that place, which is a good deal to say, inasmuch as New Bedford is the
largest port for whaling vessels iu the world. Captain Fisher writes me at lUissell, Bay of Islands,
New Zealand, under date of the 13th of May last, 'that he will sail lor New Bedford on the 20th
instant with 930 barrels of oil (<S(H> sperm and i;!0 whale oil) and about COO pounds of whalebone.
"I give below a table showing the quantity and value of whalebone, whale oil, and sperm oil
exported from the various parts of New Zealand for each year since 18G9 to 1880 :
r»ar.
Wh;ilu-
bone.
Whale
oil.
Sin i in
oil.
V.llllr hi
A nil 1 ll-.lll
I U1TC11CV.
l™;n
Pounds.
5, 1 i::
Gallons
Gallons.
$1, 525
18 509
17 190
1 640
5 835
1870
5,959
1 698
20 095
29 ',178
1871
•:, HIT
1. Jiid
3 893
" ma
40 li"t>
58 ii'Ti
1872
1': 71"
:; Mm
40,070
41.2s:.
:: ic.i)
1873
3,544
560
r> 787
10
L874
•' "i)ii
11,790
9, 650
10 550
1875
l.i 500
187G
I :,::ii
21.470
1877
I.', ciil
°0 160
Is |.-::
1879
1 i M
. I'll!
l.i 717
Is 7"i
1880
3 584
:; nir.
26, 255
214 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
WHALE FISHERY AT BARBADOES.
5Ir. Alleyne S. Archer, in an article in The Field, the Country Gentleman's Newspaper, for
October 22, 1881, thus refers to the whale fishery at Barbadoes :
"The whale fishery was started by rue some fourteen years ago in this island, and I have
carried it on every year up to the one last past. I find that the whales have not decreased, nor
do they appear any wilder or harder to be caught; on the contrary, with the improved weapons
that have been introduced of late years, and with the experience that has been gained by all who
engage in it, the catching and killing of them may now be considered as pretty easy, although at
times a very tiresome work. When first I engaged in it Demerara offered a very remunerative
price for the oil, which is made from what we call the black or humpback whale. I then readily
obtained 5s. 6d. per imperial gallon for the oil, which at that time was largely used there for
lubricating as well as for burning. Tear by year has witnessed its decline in value in every
market ia the world. A few years after I had first started, Demerara rejected it, and would not
purchase it at any price, kerosene having superseded it as a burner, and lard oil as a lubricator.
Trinidad for a year or two then afforded a good market; but from the great influx of oil from
Grenada, St. Vincent, &c., the market became glutted, and the price has never gone back to any-
thing like a remunerative figure. The United States was then tried, but the heavy duty of 20 per
cent, ad valorem on foreign catch entirely hindered any further exportation to those shores. The
only market now where the oil or bone can be sold to any advantage is the English, that is to say,
in London. This oil is of much the same value as that procured from the large Tight whale,'
which sometimes yields 150 barrels of oil, while these humpbacks never give more than 90 to 100
barrels, 45 being the average. Right whales and sperm whales are never seen in these waters, but
the latter are often taken amongst the Leeward Islands. The bone obtained from the humpback
is about from 1 to 3 feet long, while the bone from the right whale is from 6 to 12 feet long, and
now worth £500 per ton. The carcass of the whale has recently been utilized for the purpose of
manure manufacture, and all the bones thereof have been used up: and this, with the oil and
baleen (or bones from the mouth), would make the business profitable, notwithstanding the low
quotation of oil and bone as given before.
"The fishery is carried on now in the central part of the island (to leeward). The boiling-
house, where we try out the blubber, is on the shore, close to the beach; the boats are hung on
davits on a jetty, which is about 200 feet long, and built in very smooth water. The whale is
taken to the end of the jetty, where we have a depth of water of 2 fathoms. A large whale is
generally about from 50 to CO feet in length, and makes from 50 to 60 barrels of oil ; and we rarely
catch larger. This is cut in in about twenty-four hours, and then boiled out in forty-eight hours.
Four boats lower every week day ; two go north, and two go south. Each boat has seven men :
one officer, who sticks and kills the whale; one boat-steerer, who steers and attends to the line
when the whale is struck; and five men to use the paddles and oars. <Jcc.
"Whales make their appearance here in January and leave in June, but we do not employ
men to go after them until March ; we, however, keep the boats ready in January, and if an oppor-
tunity offers we avail ourselves of it ; and I have many times killed whales in January and Feb-
ruary. In the month of March they begin to arrive pretty plentifully, and the cows then begin to
calve, or bring their young calves with them to feed close in shore in smooth water. Whenever
we see a cow and calf we generally succeed in taking them ; but when the bull is with them our
chances are not so good, as he seems to keep a first-rate watch, so that' we cannot approach as we
otherwise should do. However, the way we set to work is this: the boat is provided with 300
fathoms of mauila whale-line, four toggle-irons (harpoons), three hand-lances with spear-shaped
TTIH WHAM'; FISHERY.
215
heads (the lance being six feet long <ui a wooden pole ,~> feet long), one breech-loading bomb-gun
and live or six explosive-bomb lances. All the whaling is done under sail when, theie is wind
enough to propel the boat; otherwise: we use oars and paddles. We endeavor to keep a little
behind the whale, but on one side or the other, and when, we get a favorable chance to get onto
it uuperceived, we do so. We always strike the calf first if there is one; if not, strike any whale
we get near enough to; the otiicer puts two irons in if he gets a chance, if not only one. He then
directs the men to haul the boat close up to the whale (right on top of it very often), when he shoots
a bomb into it and darts his hand-lance as near the heart as he can get it, some two or three times,
when he slacks oil' the boat to allow the whale to kick and tumble about in the agony produced
by the lances. When the lancing has been effective the whale generally at once spouts blood (but
not at all times) and soon expires, perhaps in ten minutes; again, perhaps not in twelve hours, as
I have known them spout thick blood at sunrise, and to get away at sunset, but" such cases are
now very rare, half an hour being about the average time required to kill it.
"It i.s very interesting to see the whale at feed in the shallow and clear water, and to notice
the manner in which the mother protects her offspring and the way it suckles her. A whale on
being struck darts off with velocity, and the men have to be very careful in their movements,
otherwise they may lose their lives. I was once taken out of the boat by the line getting round
me while I was in the act of shooting a large 70-barrel whale, yet I managed to get off safely; but
such an escape is very rare, as the line takes the man down so quickly that he is at once drowned.
" Sometimes the boats get knocked to pieces by the flukes of the whale, then the other boat
comes to the rescue. Six years ago we struck a calf at daylight close in to the shore, and soon
after we fastened to the cow. She spouted blood in a few minutes, notwithstanding which she
took us to the windward of Saint Lucia before dark ; she then died after we gave her some sixteen
bomb lances. I happened to be in the boat that killed her, and directed the whale to be taken
into Martinique, where we boiled it out, getting 8 tuns of oil. The flesh of the whale is very much
consumed here by all classes, and is considered to be not unlike beef, and is preferred by many to
the bad cattle usually slaughtered in the leeward parishes of Barbadoes. I give an abstract of
the catch for ten years past."
Abstract ol ' u-lialc nil taken at Vvrliadocs from 1869 to 1878.
[Tuns whale oil of 2,">2 gallons each.]
Tear.
Tuns.
Ynir.
Tims.
1?69
11)
65
1870
55
1872
50
1*77. ..
60
40
FISIIKTCY OF C1J1I.I.
There are several whaling stations or shore parlies along the south coast of Chili. A small
fleet of whaling vessels is owned by some Chilian companies. Their cruising grounds extend from
Panama Bay to Chiloe, in latitude 47° south, and from the coast as tar seaward as 120° west lon-
gitude. The sperm oil is chiefly shipped to England and the other oils consumed iii Chili.
WHALE FISHERY IN THE GULF OF SAINT LAWRENCE.
The Canadian fisheries yield annually about one thousand white whale or porpoise hides, and
abont$15,000 worth of whale oil. The skins are prepared as leather, producing an excellent article,
largely used for sportsmen's boots and for other purposes.
216 HISTORY AND ME1HODS OF THE FISHERIES.
In the report of the Commissioner of Fisheries of Canada for the year 1875 is the following
reference to the whale fishery :
•• Whaling expeditions on our coasts began only when the New England loyalists settled on
the shores of Gaspe, after the peace of 1763. Experienced in whale hunting, which they had prac-
ticed on the coast of New England, these settlers were not long in discovering what profits could
be made by following a pursuit which they were well versed in. Such were the beginning of the
first whaling expeditious. Vessels engaged in them were not at first numerous, being composed
of small crait, but their number became larger by degrees, and in a short time not less than one
dozen line large schooners were reckoned as being engaged in that fishery. This was the golden
time for Gaspe, and the oldest inhabitants, who still remember the enormous profits realized in
these expeditions, cannot sufficiently condemn the improvidence of whalers who were not prudent
enough to secuse at that time the wealth and abundance which was pouring on them. The mi in
ber of schooners engaged in this pursuit has gradually decreased until it is now reduced to three.
"The waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence are frequented by three kinds of whales, but the
species most sought after is that called the humpbacked, so named from the peculiar formation of
their backs. Whales had been so eagerly pursued for some years past by Gaspe fishermen that
they disappeared for the same causes, I presume, which led them to abandon the shores of Europe
and America. This fishery having become unremunerative was abandoned. Helped by this short
breathing time whales had an opportunity to reproduce their species, and during the past two
years they have been noticed in as large quantities as formerly. Whalers engaged in fishing this
season state they saw thousands of them in the Gulf, but that bad weather prevented the making
of a large catch. Three vessels fitted out at Gaspe Basiu during the month of June, and had fair
success — the Admiration, Captain Tripp; the Lord Douglass, Captain Baker, and the Violet,
Captain Suddard. The results of these expeditious were as follows:
Oil.
Admiration '-Mil
220
120
Lord Douglass . .
Violet -.
"The fishing mostly took place on the coast of Labrador and in the Strait of Belle Isle; the
cargo of the Violet was secured within a short distance from ( !aspe. This fishery would have been
twice as productive had not rough weather and floating ice made navigation dangerous during the
summer and fall. Oil sold for 50 cents a gallon."
For the season of 1880 the following report is made by Mr. George H. Hall, United States
consul at Gaspe Basin :
"Whaling has proved so unremunerative a pursuit for a number of years past that there
remains but one small vessel employed in that business. The voyage occupies the summer months,
and generally is in the vicinity of the Strait of Belle Isle. About 0,000 gallons of oil, a few hun-
dredweight of small whalebone, and a few barrels of whale meat were the product of this sum-
mer's cruise. Price of oil, -45 cents per gallon ; whalebone (small), $10 per cwt.r
The condition of the whale fisheries within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in 1852 is discussed
by Mr. M. H. Perley, as follows : *
* Reports on the Sea and River Fisheries of New Brunswick. By Mr. M. H. PERLEY, Fredericlou,
TIIK \YIIAl.i; K1SI1KUY. 217
"Tin- extent to which the whale fishery is curried on within the Gull' ol Saint Lawrence by
\esselsfrom Newfoundland is very little known, nor is its value appreciated. The Jersey bouses
who have fishing establishments in Gaspe also fit out vessels for this fishery, which cruise about
Auticosti and the northern shore of the Saint Lawrence. Mr. MacGregoi , in an official repjrt to
the Hoard of Trade, thus describes this fishery :
'"The whales caught in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence are those called humpbacks, which yield
on an average about .°. Ions of oil, some having been taken 70 feet long, which produced 8 tons.
The mode of taking them is somewhat different from that followed by the Greenland fishers ; and
the Gaspe fishermen first acquired an acquaintance with it from the people of Nantucket. An
active man, accustomed to boats and schooners, may become fully acquainted with everything
connected wit h this fishery in one season. The vessels adapted for this purpose are schooners
from 70 to 80 tons burden, maimed with a crew of eight men, including the master. Each
schooner requires two boats, about 20 feet long, built narrow and sharp, and with pink-sterns;
and 220 fathoms of line are necessary to each boat, with spare harpoons and lances. The men
row towards the whale, and when they are very near use paddles, which make less noise than oars.
Whales are sometimes taken in fifteen minutes after they are struck with the harpoon. The Gaspe
fishermen never go out ill quest of them until some of the smaller ones, which enter tie bay
about the beginning of June, appear ; these swim too fast to be easily harpooned, and are not,
besides, worth the trouble. The large whales are taken off the entrance of Gaspe Bay, on each
side of the island of Anticosti, and up the river Saint Lawrence as far as Bic.'
••Mr. I'.ouchette, in his work on Lower Canada, represents the whale fishery of the Gulf as
meriting the attention of the legislature, and needing encouragement, by which, he says, the
number of vessels employed would be considerably increased, and this important branch of busi-
nets would be as effectually carried on by the hardy inhabitants of Gaspe. as to compete, in some
degree, if not rival, that of the Americans, who were, at the time Mr. Bouclicfte wrote, almost in
the exclusive enjoyment of it, and carried on their enterprising fisheries in the very mouths of the
bays and harbors of Lower Canada.
" Sir Richard Bonuycastle, in his work entitled ' Newfoundland in 1842,' says, ' The coast and
Gulf whale fishery is now being of much value to Newfoundland.' Sir Richard states that the
vessels employed are large schooners, with crews of ten men each ; that the fishery is pursued
during the whole of the summer months along the coast of Labrador, and in and through the
Straits of Belle Isle, and that whales of all sizes are taken, from the smallest 'tinner' up to the
largest itii/xtiir-lns, or great common oil whale of the northern ocean, which occasionally visits these
regions.
" It is believed that hitherto no attempt has been made by the people of New Brunswick to
enter into this whale fishery, and it is a very proper subject for inquiry, whether it might not be
profitably conducted by New Brunswick vessels, and the active and enterprising fishermen of the
Bay of Chaleur, who aie equally well placed for carrying it on as their hardy comrades on the
Gaspe side of the bay."
WHALE FISHERY OF GEKMANI.
Bremen and some other German ports were lormerly largely interested in the whale fishery.
An excellent historical review of this industry is given by Dr. Lindemau, in his work entitled
" Die arktische Fiseherei der deutscheu Seestiidte, 16HO-18CS."
218
HISTOBY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The whale fishery of Bremen iu 1864 employed five vessels, iu 1805 three vessels, and in 1866
four vessels. The imports of oil aiid bone into Bremen iu 1865 and 1866 were as follows :
18
35.
56.
Quantity.
Value.
Quantity.
Value.
427 050
386 190
$°59 444
169 212
Ill ' I"S
2:V.' 7^2
304 349
Some German vessels have engaged in the North Pacific whale fishery. Among these vessels
were the ship Comet, cruising from 1861 to 1868 ; the Oregon, from 1864 to 1867, and the Julian,
from 1865 to 1868.
2.— THE WHALEMEN, VESSELS AND BOATS, APPARATUS, AND
METHODS OF THE WHALE FISHERY.
By JAMES TEMPLEMAN BEOWN.
I. THE WHALEMEN.
NATIONALITIES. — As to the nationality* of the crews now employed in the whale fishery, I
should say I hat the captains are almost always of American birth, usually residents of the New Eng-
land States, and rarely a native of the Western Islands. The mates are usually New Euglanders,
but occasionally Portuguese, or perhaps a half-breed Indian from Gay Head, Mass., or Montauk
Point, Long Island, may fill the office. As a rule the boat steerers arc foreigners, principally Por-
tuguese, Indians, or Kanakas. Formerly the crews were composed almost entirely of Americans,
and were made up, for the most part, of residents of New Bedford or the New England States,
with an occasional delegate from almost every State iu the Union. Subsequently there seemed to
be a gigantic .funnel, with its nozzle inserted in New Bedford, through which all classes and
conditions of men from all parts of the United States found an outlet to the broad ocean. Still
later, the intelligent American-born citizen withdrew from the forecastle of the whaler, and his
place was supplied by a foreign element from the various islands and coasts visited by the vessels
during their voyages. Though the foremost hands are representatives of almost all nations, they
arc mainly natives of the Azores, or Western Islands, Cape Verde. Annobon, St. Thomas, or some of
the numerous other little islands on the west coast of Africa, with a sprinkling of Kanakas, Guamies,
Lascars, New Zealanders or Maories, West Indiaiuen, half-breeds — a mixture of Spaniard and
Indian— from the coasts of Peru, Colombia, and other parts of the South American coast, English,
I ditch, Scotch, Irish, Italian, French, and occasionally an American. A more heterogeneous group
of men has never assembled in so small a space than is always found in the forecastle of a New
Bedford sperm whaler.
In case of death or desertion during the voyage vacancies are filled by some of the above-
named classes, or by an amalgamated class of comparatively worthless men of different uationali-
* Of the three thousand eight, hundred and ninety-six men composing the crews of the New Bedford whaling fleet
in 1860, it is estimated that one-third \vnv Ainrrk-au born, one-third Azoreau and Cape Verde Islands Portuguese, and
the remainder negroes, Kanakas, and other nationalities.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 219
ties, known as "seasoncrs,"* "beeeh combers," and •• slanders." Some oi them may be engaged
l'..r i In- season, and olliers for (he halaiiee of the voyage; although the terms are speeitied when
the i>a]iers are signed, they are, seldom respected or observed by this class of men. Upon their
arrival at ISfew Bedford the crews are not disposed .to ship again as whalemen, preferring to try
their luck with the coasters in the carrying trade, or perhaps in the, fisheries. But these branches
*
of the service rarely suit them, and as I hey are constitutionally opposed to manual labor ashore.
being accustomed in their native islands to the open sea, many of them are compelled to ship again
in self defense as wh -ileinen, or to be shipped, nolens volens, by their boarding masters for debt.
They rarely return to this country, however. No one seems to know or care where this vagabond
element goes or how it disposes of itself.
The natives of the Azores, Cape Verde, Anuobon, and St. Thomas, though of the negro element,
speak a corrupt form of the Portuguese language. The "Cape Verdes," as they call themselves,
are mulattoes — a mixture of negro and Portuguese — and more intelligent than the Bravas, Fogoes,
and Anuobous, who are exceedingly black. Botu classes may mingle freely in business matters,
but socially the Cape Verdes consider themselves superior. The Kanakas, Maories, Guainies,
Lascars, Auuobous, West ludiameu. and some of the Portuguese, make good whalemen, but
indifferent sailors. On their native islands their eyes have been educated in distinguishing remote
objects on the surface of the sea; hence they are especially desirable at the lookout of a whaling-
vessel, since they can often detect the slight puff of the sperm whale's breath amid the surface
mist peculiar to low latitudes. More especially is this true of the Kanakas. They know no fear
and never hesitate to approach a whale and harpoon it ; but on the vessel they are lazy and Shift-
less.
The remnants of the Chilmark Indians (half-breeds) at Gay Head (Martha's Vineyard) and
.Montauk Point (Long Island) furnish excellent material for the whale-fishery, and upon them New
Bedford relies more or less for her boat steerers. The mate and two boat-steerers of ship Niger,
which sailed from New Bedford in October. ISSi', were Indians. In the early days of whaling, and
indeed alter this industry had established a solid fooling, the white man relied in part upon the
Indian to man his boats and to perform other duties in this fishery, t
Few Americans below the rank of mates and captains are to be found on whaling vessels now
sailing from our ports. Informer days, New England's best sous were trained in this nursery;
commencing as they did as cabin boys or foremast hands, they worked their way through the
various gradations of promotion. The sous and other male connections of the commission mer-
* The "seasoners" are men who may be obtained on any coast to .--hip for the season, but. the term is, in a measure,
'tiymons, or nearly so, with " beach-combers '' : the principal difference is. that it' there is any respectable element
at all in cither class it may lie found in the former. Many of them are adventurers, growlers, and deserters from
whale ships. They prowl about the shores of the various islands in the Atlantic' and I'aritie, and can only be induced
to aunin enter the service- v, hen necessity drives them to it. It is seldom thev can lie depended upon to discharge
their d-:!ies, even after they sign the articles. The "beach-combers " may also lie found about the shores. They are
a lazy, shiftless, degraded class of men who have no respect for the.nselves ami. < •< . , receive none from
othi rs. They embrace different nationalities, many of them nd the majority of them are unreliable.
They are at times compelled to ship as whalemen !o obtain means of subs. ' several
"able-bodied meals." and receive supplies of clothing from the "slop chest," they desert at the lirsi opportunity, and
lice their lays. being m. belief off than before, excepting that they have had a temporary home in the ship and
leave with bet tei clothing on their hacks. The " are hall'-! lixtnrc o f Spaniard and Indian, frcipicnt-
ing the coasts of Pern, Chili, and Colombia. They an- Usually engaged for UJM season, and are fair whale-men.
Formerly masters of well . declined to ship any of I ' Imt at present
they are compelled to make up their clew from this element when they are short-handed on the voyage.
tin 167;* the town of Sonthampion, Long Island, p: : der I'm- the regulation of whaling and the employ-
ment of the '• I inly mis to goa-whaling," in \vhich it is stated t hat an Indian should not n for his Hire above one
Trucking Cloth Coat, for each Whale bee am'. : my shall Kill. 01 ithont the Whale Bone,
under a Penalty therein exprcst." — ALKXAXHF.I: Si.ua-.txk: Ilisi. Amci. Whale Fishery.
220 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
chants and ship-owners of Xantucket were not deemed competent as business men until they
became familiar, by actual experience, with every detail of the fishery ; and. according to " Miriam
Coffin,'' so strong were the prejudices against any man who was not a whale-fisherman, that the
daughters of Xantucket formed an organization of "female Freemasons," and refused to marry a
man who had not first killed his whale.*
The New England fleet at this time was manned almost exclusively by American-born citizens.
Crews for the Xew Bedford vessels were made up from neighboring towns. Capt. Isaiah West,
now eighty-six years of age, tells me that he remembers when he picked his crew within a radius
of GO miles of Xew Bedford; that oftentimes he was acquainted, either personally or through
report, with the social standing or business qualificalions of every man on his vessel ; and also
that he remembers the first foreigner, an Irishman, that shipped with him, the circumstance
being commented upon at that time as a remarkable one.
The Provincetown vessels are engaged exclusively in the Atlantic fishery, and consequently
the natives of the numerous islands of the Pacific Ocean are seldom found in this fleet. The main
dependence is placed upon Portuguese! from the Cape Verdes and Azores, and a small percentage
of white men from Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Occasionally an Irishman
is shipped. Probably about one-fourth of the Provincetown crews is composed of Americans. The
crews shipped at San Francisco are composed of negroes, Mexicans, Kanakas, and Americans, and,
rarely, an Indian from Cape Flattery.
DISCIPLINE ON THE VESSELS. — There is a certain kind of relaxed discipline on all whaling-
vessels; for, as might be expected from the character and morale of the present crews, if the cap-
tain once " looses his grip on his men," the voyage will result in a failure. Manacles and handcuffs
are usually (tarried, though seldom used, the captains preferring in all cases to rule and govern
their men by moral suasion. Occasionally, however, it may be necessary to iron an insubor-
dinate, pugilistic, or drunken man. lie is then placed in the run of the vessel, or between decks
in the blubber room, and kept on bread and water until willing to comply with the rules of the
"The author of Miriam Coffin, in continuation of his remarks iu regard to Freemasonry upon the island of Nan-
tucket, says:
" It was never fairly understood what were the secret obligations of these female Mascms ; anil it was even donated
whether they had any 'secrets worth kn»- much as no important operations, either of good or evil tendency,
were known to he. put in practice in Hie little town of Sherburue [Kantucket]. or to disturb the world at large. This
much, houc\r], raine afterwards to be di\ nlgcd : an obligation, if not under the solemnity of an oath or affirmation,
was at least assumed by the novitiate under I he eh irge of the officiating mistress, Hint she would favour the courageous
whale-fisherman, under every circumstance, in preference to a stranger and a landsman, if the alternative should
ever occur. The letter and the spirit of I his charge were for a long time pertinaciously adhered to by the unmarried
members; and some of them were known to carry it so far as to make it a «/'»<• i/in/ nun in permitting the addresses of
I hen .suitors, that they should have struck their whale, at least, before I he smallest encouragement would be given
or a l'.-i\ouring smile awarded as the' earnest of preferment.
"It has been shrewdly suspected that the chivalric ordeal, thus enforced by the fair maidens of the isle, was set on
foot, by some of the patriotic- whale-fishermen and oil merchants of the place, in order to perpetuate a nursery of
peculiar seamen; while iu doing SO, thej were Sure to secure valorous hn shards, and a certain < ompeteLcy for their
ilau".htei>, as well as a mouopoh of the trade to the island. The intermarriage- ot so many whale-fishermen with the
daughters of whale-fisheruieu, until almost all the inhabitants did, in reality, claim near relationship, and call each
• cousin,' at all events would seem to point that way, and to favour the presumption. Certain it is, that the daughters
of some of the wealthiest men of the island had already formed a compact not to accept the addre-ses of sighing swain.-,
much less to enter into the holy bonds of matrimony with any but .such as had been on a voyage, and could produce
ample proof of successfully striking a whale." — Miriam f'oljia, or Tin1 Whale- Fishermen, pp. .r>7, 58.
tThe Portuguese are gaining a foothold on some parts of the eastern .cast. Through an increasing importation
by whaling-vessels, they arc becoming quite numerous in New Bedford, and have quartered themselves in one sec
I ion ol1 the city which is known as " f'ayal." .Some of them are property-holders, and make good citizens, and, lil.e
the true negro, believe in the unfailing powers of conjuratiou. The Cape Cod I'orluguese usually engage in the- cod
lishcry, and as they iiud this branch of industry remunerative, they rarely ship as whalemen again, unless they do so
purposely to invite a difficulty with an officer at sea and to seek redress at the end of the voyage, the law ior the pro-
tection of seamen being very stringent.
TUT. \YI1A1;K FISIIKIIY. 221
ship. "Wlii-ii ;i rebellious seaman is guilty ol' a misdemeanor, il lies within the province of the
captain, so long as he keeps within the bounds of the law, to dele-mine what punishment should be
eonimeiisurate with the oll'cnse. In early days complaints of harsh treatment were frequently
entered against overbearing masters ; but such is i-arely the case now. The present captains in
the Heel are intelligent men with broad and enlightened views, and kindly disposed towards their
men. I'.y the judicious s\stem of pay which grants each man a certain interest in the proceeds ol'
the voyage, the men are kept in a better state of subordination than would be the case if they
received stipulated Sums in compensation tor their services. On the one hand, they have every
motive to promote the interests <>r the ship; in doin.tr this, they contribute to the success of the
voyage and put money in their own pockets ; on the other hand, they would naturally feel as a
wage-earning people, whether they worked early or late, their pay would still go MI, and the suc-
cessful termination of the voyage would be a matter of indifference to them.
LIFE ASHORE. — One word in regard to the ordinary whaleman's boarding-house. I visited
several of these institutions, both in the day-time and at night. Those located in the section of
New Bedford known as Fayal are two-story frame structures with no pretensions whatever to any-
thing but plainness and simplicity. On an average, they compare favorably with other cheap
boarding-houses patronized by the laboring classes in almost any section of the country. The fare
is plain and substantial, and while there are no superfluous articles of domestic furniture, there is
no lack of such articles as the actual necessities of a boarder require I noticed a marked dif-
ference between the houses kept by the Cape Verdes and those kept by the Briivas. The former
were cleaner, better furnished, and more homelike and inviting. The Cape Verdes also are more
particular as to the kind of men they entertain, while the Bra vas indiscriminately take any one who
applies for board, provided he is able to pay for it. The price for board and lodging varies from
s:; to *."> a week. The boarding-house keepers "drum up1' customers in different ways. Some of
them write letters to their friends or relatives in their native islands, requesting then) to notify the
whalemen who ship on American vessels that touch at their ports for supplies and men that board
and lodging can be obtained upon their arrival at such and such a number on a certain street in
New Bedford. As soon as a whale-ship is reported, the boarding-house keepers and outfitters
charter a small vessel and board the whaler, usually after she gets into. the harbor. In some cases,
1 am told, the foreigners arriving in this country for the first time, have letters from parties in
their native islands addressed to the New Bedford boarding-house kerpeis. In this ease, the
immigrants gladly avail themselves of their opportunities ; but if they have no letters, they become
the prey of the " >harks."
The I'ortuguese have their regular weekly dances on certain nights. Tiie spare moments of
late arrivals seem to be occupied in sitting idly about the wharves or stores, or in standing in
little knots or groups about the streets, awaiting the settlement of the voyage. Those who live
at a distance sometimes take the train, shortly after the arrival of the vessel, for their homes, and
return within a few days for their lays ; those who have no homes repair to the boarding houses,
i.nd impatiently wait for their money, and hasten io ship again. The truly unfortunate and indi-
gent whaleman may find a temporary abode at a charitable institution, the Mariner's Home, until
he is enabled to shift for himself, provided he does not stay too long. The Seamen's Bethel is
open for divine .service every Sunday.
THE PF.nsoNM'.r. <>F A \\IIAI.IXC vr.sst.t.. — The personnel of a whaling bark or ship cair.x ing
four boats consists of the captain, four mates, four boat-sic erers, a cooper, a blacksmith or carpenter,
a cook, a steward, a cabin boy, and about sixteen or eighteen foieuiiist hands, making all told about
thirtv one or thirty two men. Some' ii lies an ordinary seaman, or a green hand, may also lie -hipped
222 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
as a carpenter or blacksmith. Three-boat vessels usually have about twenty-one men, and two-
boaters about sixteen. A fifth mate is usually shipped on steam whalers to head the starboard
bow-boat. He is shipped as " tif'th mate aud boat-header," but does not receive as profitable a
lay as the other mates, although he ranks as an officer. He may sometimes be requited to stand
watch, more especially it' another officer is sick. The steam whalers usually carry a cabin steward
and a cabin boy. A whaling vessel does not always leave Xew Bedford with her full complement
ol men, since she may obtain the balance of her crew at the "Western Islands, where she almost
always stops for supplies on her way lo the Pacific.
Tim captain. — The captain has of course absolute command of the ship, and is responsible for
her well-doing and safe return to port. When the wide nature of his functions are taken into
consideration, it is not surprising that he should be a man above the average ability, and pecu-
liarly adapted to his profession; for he has sometimes to serve in the capacity of physician,
surgeon, lawyer, navigator, peace-maker, and paterfamilias* ; besides, he must have good execu-
tive ability. The captain's is also an office of both dignity and responsibility, aud if he acquits
himself in it zealously and circumspectly, he may, in the course of time, be enabled to retire to
private life with all of the honors of his profession.
Formerly the captain always participated in the capture of whales, but at present, especially
on large vessels, he remains on board when the boats are down. It was the custom, aud I believe
it is now practiced on some ships, for the master to lower during the first part of the voyage. The
captains of the steam barks in the Arctic regions seldom if ever engage in actual capture. There
seems to be a diversity of opinion as to the. captain's place at such times, but it is generally con-
ceded that when the boats are down he should remain on his vessel, as the boat-crews have more
confidence in him as a ship-keeper than they would in a subordinate who takes his place in his
absence. The master can, of course, take upon himself more responsibility in managing the ship
and in directing the movements of the boats.t
The mates. — There areas many iiiaUs on a whaling vessel as Ihere are boats for active duty, or,
to use a technical expression, " on the cranes." The mates are the executive officers of the vessel,
as is well known, and also the officers in charge of the boats when engaged in the capture, and in
this capacity they are knowji as "boat-headers." They are, of course, subordinate to the captain
and act under his orders; but when down for whales they oftentimes exercise their own discre-
tion and carry out their own plans, subject, however, to the directions ol the master signaled from
the ship.
The mates kill the whales, cut oft' the blubber, superintend the " boarding," and have direct
charge of boiling out the oil and of stowing it away.
The boat-stetrers. — The boat-steerer has several names. His legitimate title is perhaps har-
pooner; but his comrades, and others intimately connected with the fishery, seldom call him by
that name. If shipped to enter immediately upon the duties of his office, his name is recorded on
' Tin- cu[>t;iiu is known to his own crew, behind his back, as the "old 111:111" ; but to the crew of another vessel as
r;i|it:iin or skipper. A man si •] ••, in", on om< vessel recognizes his commander as his "old man"; but when he ships on
another vessel, his pi i becomes tin; "old man" and his former commander the captain.
tThe rrovim -ctou -n capi : lower with their boats, but usually only on rare occasions, as when they
strike a large school n|' whale-. Is fast to a vicious whale. If a I'rovincctowti captain lowers In-
takes charge di'h is own boat, and the ihird mate strikes the whale ; should (he captain decide not to lower, the third
male heads the captain's lioat, and cither the ship-keeper, steward, or on.' of the foremast hands, usually the former, if
competent, strikes the whale ; but on three I I vessels the mate usually lowers his boat first and '• takes the lead of
the whaling."
If the captains from New - . .ink il, policy io lower for whales, (hey have tin- vessel in charge of a compe-
tent person, usually the cooper — the ol'iici • Iieiu •; 'known as '• ship- keeper " — who lakes en I in- charge for the time being,
assisted In- about six men, when all Ih 1 -hip.''
THE WHALE FISHERY. 223
the ship's papers simply as boat-steerer* ; if shipped to take the place of a regular bo;it-steerer,
who ma,\ be disabled by accident, or whose office may become vacant by death, he is entered as
•• spare boat-steerer" or as •• preventer boat-steerer. !'f lie is known in the fishery as lioat-steerer,
and out of it as harpooner. lie should be. a man of unusual personal courage, and with firm aud
steady nerves. This class of whalemen has won a name and record which, for bravery and the
faithful performance of duty, is honored and respected throughout the fleet ; so much so, that the
expression •' coward harpooner " would seem at once contradictory and out of place. But the har-
pooners of the fleet have degenerated with the lishery. In the palmy days of whaling the flower of
^New England's sons won the right to dart the harpoon by that spirit of fearlessness and gallantry f
which characterized the early American patriot ; but now almost, every harpooner that sails from
New liedl'ord is the representative of an inferior race.
The boat-steerers are petty officers and rank next to tbe mates. Their duties are manifold;
they are required to stand their watches at the mast-head on the lookout for whales, to act as
oarsmen in approaching whales, to dart the harpoon, to go down upon the whale while :- cutting
in," to stand before the try- works when "boiling out", and during the intervals they are expected to
keep the boats and apparatus always ready for the capture. They take great pride in their boats
and equipments, more especially the harpoons. They are in the liu°, of promotion, and if capable
aud efficient both as whalemen and seamen, the chances for commanding whaling vessels are in
their favor. Great care is exercised by the captains in ihe selection of their harpoouers. As a
rule they are picked men, who have made one or more voyages, who are skillful in managing boats,
aud courageous enough to face death without shrinking. If they become confused or frightened,
and miss their whales, they may be deposed until they have an opportunity to regain their former
prestige, provided the captain gives them the chance. This is what might be termed "hard luck,"
but it is one of the cast-iron rules of the fishery. Some, captains may perhaps give their boat-
steel ers two or three "chances," as they are termed, but if they miss several chances in succes-
sion, other men are put in their places. The success of the voyage depends in a great measure
upon the boat-steerers, aud the captains cannot have a personal preference in their appointments.
The office of harpooucr has always been one of prominence and importance, and the scarcity
of suitable men or the iucoinpeteucy of incumbents has often occasioned serious drawbacks.
Both the English and Dutch relied solely upon the Biscayans for their harpoouers when they first
embarked in the Greenland fishery. England soon found it to the interest of her fleet to pre-
scribe certain laws in regard to the selection of her harpooners.
Sroresby says that at the inception of the Greenland fishery the English harpoouers com-
inandod the whaleboats, harpooned the whales, and killed them with the lances. Also that they
* It is but natural to suppose from the terms " boat-header" and "boat-steerer" that the position of the former
was at the head of the boar, and that of the latter at (he stem simply attending to his unties of steering the boat, as
the- t ei in w on hi i i.pl\ . Such, however, is not I he1 case \vlieii approaching a whale, and to avoid the confusion of these
terms I will more fully explain the duties of these t \\ o lurn in a subsequent account of the capture of the whale.
(Although i In- term "preventer" is more general ly used in the Province! own licet, some of i he vessels hailing from
.Ni \\ liedl'ord record their extra harpooners as " preventer hoat-stcerers" ; but the crew invariably call them "spare boat-
steerers. " The ten; 'ami ••pie\cuter " an d Tor anything held in reserve. 'J'he lerm "boat-steerer"
owes its origin to the fact that the harpooner. after ^triking the whale, takes the steering oar and so directs t he move-
ment soft lie boat as to enable the officer to kill the whale. The term " sle \veiy ' a si ang expression, is also somei imes used.
t In the pi • iif i his industry t lie •• chock- pin," a slender wooden peg for holding the whale-line ill its
proper place at the head of the boat when fast to a whale, was the bad^e of ihe hai | ncr, the emblem of his office,
aud attested his filne.ss for tin- p<>Mt io.i he proudly maintained and his skill a ml courage ill striking whales. Mole
particularly, I am told, was ihis th- When the fortunate boat-steerers returned from successful
usertedchi upper button-holey of their coats as insignia of rank, todisi inguish them
from the common foremast hands or dei Hie> walked the streets of their native island, attracting the
attention of the fair 'Tiickeicrs in their sea-girt home.
224 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
ranked next to the captain of the vessel, and "had unlimited control of the people of the fishery,"
while the captain acted properly as navigator during a whaling voyage to the Greenland seas.*
The same author also speaks of the consideration with which the English harpooners were
treated: "All the harpooners (seven in number) were invited to dine with me. I usually call
them together on our entrance into fishing stations, to deliver to them such instructions as my own
views of the business, the success of our exertions, and the liberal treatment of other adventurers
who may happen to become our competitors, seem to require. On this occasion I urged them to
activity, perseverance, and unanimity among themselves ; to a benevolent exertion for the assist-
ance of all ships, of all nations, to whom it might be useful, whenever that assistance could be
rendered without evident detriment to their own prosperity ; and gave them a code of rules to
assist their judgment in cases of difficulty or danger.''t
During the wars bet ween the Dutch and English in the middle part of the seventeenth century,
Holland endeavored to cripple the British whaling fleet by issuing a proclamation prohibiting,
among other officers, the Dutch harpoouers from engaging in the whale trade of any foreign country. J
Oarsmen ; forenmxf hands. — In the whaleboat-the foremast hands are the oarsmen. Commenc-
ing at the bow of the boat, the oarsmen are placed' as follows : (1) the harpoouer, or boat-Steerer.
who has the extreme forward thwart ; (2) the bowman, who occupies the bow-thwart, pulls the bow-
oar, assists the boat stoerer in setting the mast and taking it in; makes himself useful in various
ways to the boat-yteerer, or boat header, as the case may be, and also attends to the line when
bowing on. Among the oarsmen his is the most important position, as will hereaiter be seen, and
the best-trained man on the ship is usually selected for the position. (3) The midship oarsmen
occupies the midship thwart, and pulls the midship oar. (4) The tub oarsmen has the tub-thwart,
and manipulates the tub-oar, his duties being to " wet line" when the whale is running or sound-
ing; and (5) the stroke oarsman, who is usually the lightest man in the boat; he, occupies the after
thwart, and pulls the stroke-oar; he also assists the boat-steerer in coiling the line when recovered
from the whale, and in disposing of the mast after the whale has been struck ; he also bails the
boat, keeps the water kegs supplied with fresh water, and assists the boat-steerer in "rigging"
the. boat.
* All the early adventurers < n Ihe " hale- fishery, both English and others, were obliged to lie indebted to the 1 '.is
i avails for their superintendence and help. The- office of harpoouer requiring great experience as well as personal
courage, was only suited to the liiseayans, who had lout; been Inured to the dangers and difficulties attendant on the
fishery of the tin-whale. The I'.iscayans were likew ise looked to for coopers, " skillful in setting np the sta vi-d cask."
At this period, each ship can led two principals: the commander, who was a native, was properly the navigator, as
hi- chief charge cotisi- ed in conducting the ship to and fioni Greenland; the other, \vho was called by the Dutch
x]H'i-kxi/nrlcr, or cutter of the fat, as his name implies, was a Hisca.yan, and had the unlimited conttol of the people in
the fishery; and ind< ed everj operation belonging to it was entirely confided to him. When, however, the fishery
became belter known, the commander like wisi- assumed the superintendence of the fishery. The office of specksioneer.
as it is called by Ihe English, was nevertheless continued, and remains to this day, though with a more limited pre-
rogative. The s|iccksioneer is now considered the principal harpooner, and has the " ordering of Ihe fat," and extract-
ing or boiling of the oil of the whale: but he serves entirely under the direction of the commander of the vessel. —
Si OKI si;v: vol. •_', ::--IU.
Whence also are derived the terms speciMroiejA ia reccpiade for blubber) and speck-falls (the cutting falls used
in hoisting in tin1 blubber), peculiar to English whalemen. — J. T. B.
t Whale ship Hiiffni. of Liverpool, William Scoresby, jr., count ander; on her third voyage to the Greenland whale
lislh-i \ , in the sptin .; nf 1 .-••_'•,;.- -S< -o i :rsnv : X. Whale Fishery, ls-J:!, p. :i:i.
{ The Dutch being at war with Kngland in 1053, and having neither men nor ships of war to spare for the protec-
tion of their whale fishery, this lucrative branch of commerce wa- obliged, for the season, to be suspended. In the
war of Ki.VJ, as well as in that of li.i;:, and two following years, tin- fishery was also < onditioually prohibit! d. As at
such I lines Iheir iiucinplo\ cil li.,hing officers might lie induced to engage in the service of foreign nations, and thus
carry the trade abroad to the disparagement of their own country, a proclamation was issued, prohibiting, under severe
penalties, all commanders, harpnnuers. hoat-stccrers. Ac., from embarking in the. whale fishery trade in the ships of
any other nation during the war.- SCORESBY : Arctic I legions. Vol. •!, p. '>'>.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 225
The foremast hands, besides performing nil kinds of work incident to the life of a common
seaman, stand watches aloft and below, heave at the windlass when cutting in a whale, assist in
stowing away the blubber, in preparing il for the try-pots, stowing it down, and scrub decks after
the fare has been boiled out.
THK M.VNNKU OF SHIPPING A CREW. — The crews at New Bedford are generally furnished by
a elass of merchants known as "outfitters," assisted by boarding-house keepers. The onliitlers
keep stores containing different kinds of merchandise, usually ready-made clothing-, men's furnish-
ing goods, boots, shoes, hats, and the cheaper grades of dry goods, and the latter keep the common
sailors' boarding-house. Both of these classes are known locally as "sharks." When the agent
of a ship wants a crew he notifies the outfitters, who draw upon the " shipping masters" in New
York or Boston, or the boarding-house keepers in New Bedford, for the number of men required.
The expenses of men coming from a distance are paid as far as New Bedford; the outfitter meets
them at the depot and conducts them to a boarding-house. If the men go on the voyage, the
shipping-master receives $10 per capita, which amount, as well as the cost of their outfits, is
charged to the men individually, and at the end of the voyage deducted from their profits; but
upon their arrival in New Bedford, if the men refuse to go on the vessel, the shipping-master loses
the fares to New Bedford, as well as his bonus, and the outfitter may be the loser on account of
the men's board bill. The men are therefore placed under the closest surveillance, but they some-
times depart clandestinely with a portion of their outfit at the eleventh hour. An outfitter's
business is attended with great risk. His profits, however, must be large, to cover deficiencies,
for all of the men engaged in this business seem to prosper. Some of them also have the patron-
age of the citizens of the community, keeping, as they do, a general stock of goods. When the
ship is about to sail, the outfitter, having every confidence in his men, furnishes each with a small
wooden chest, or "donkey," of clothing, a straw bed, and other necessary articles; but he never
permits the men to acquire a title of possession until they go aboard the ship; uor does he pay
the boarding-house keepers the amounts due them until he is satisfied that the men are on board.
The "outfit" of a whaleman consists of money, board bills, and clothing advanced by the outfitter;
and the stock and trade of the latter consist of the profits he makes on the supplies, which profits
are large, the goods being almost invariably charged above the regular prices. The agents may
select a captain and mate ; but oftentimes it is difficult to find competent officers, and the outfitters,
taking advantage of this situation of affairs, furnish both officers and men, the profits being
derived mainly from the. officers. If a four-boater is fitting out, and the, outfitter is granted the
privilege of furnishing the captain or first mate, time-honored custom gives him the right to ship
four additioual men, either able-bodied seamen or green hands, and to supply the five with outfits.
If he furnishes a second mate, he is entitled to outfit three men ; if a third mate, two men; if a
fourth mate, boat steerer, cook, or steward, one man each. The "outfit" of a foremast hand
varies from 875 to $125; of a boat-steerer, from $100 to $200; and of a mate, from $100 to $800,
depending altogether upon the desires or actual necessities of the men, or what they think may
be their necessities in the future. The "outfit" of each man is charged to his account with the
vessel, and deducted from his profit at the end of the voyage ; but the outfitters having expended
both labor and cash in obtaining a crew, or part of a crew, and furnishing them with the necessary
supplies — acts of kindness which are duly appreciated, under the circumstances, by both the
agents and owners — are not compelled to wait until the ship receives its equivalent from the men,
but settlements are. usually made from thirty days to six months after the departure of the vessel.
The outfitters therefore look to the agents for their pay, and the agents, in behalf of the owners,
run the risk of getting their money from the men at the expiration of the voyage. Some of the
SEC. T, VOL. ii 15
226 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
crews, both officers and men, more especially those living at New Bedford or near by, among
whom may be numbered the thrifty, intelligent, and expert whalemen, purchase their outfit ou
their owu account, thereby saving about one-half the amount it would cost them if their supplies
were furnished by an outfitter; but the green hands, owing to their inexperience, must be initiated
into the mysteries of the whale fishery, and whether they are so disposed or not, they fall into the
toils of the outfitter, and must pay their fees without grumbling for their first degree. The
improvideut and reckless whaleman who has just returned from a four years' voyage is almost
always compelled to ship again, and, although he " knows the ropes " as well as the outfitter does,
on account of his straightened circumstances, he must, in self-defense, but contrary to his own
inclination, go to the men who dispense favors.
So much has been said concerning the character and practices of the "sharks" — this term
should not be so construed as to refer to outfitters only — I deem it of sufficient importance to say
that the former method of dealing with seafaring men at the port of New Bedford and elsewhere
has been so leavened with the ennobling spirit of civilization and the influence of Christianity that
the past and present should not be associated. The modern outfitter is simply a sharp, shrewd
tradesman, who, like many others in this broad land, resorts to every means to induce a liberal
supply of patronage, and to dispose of the largest stock of goods at the best profit.
The outfitters are also "iufitters," that is, they furnish the men with such supplies and articles
of clothing as they may need when the vessel returns. A whaleman purchasing supplies under
such conditions is merely a customer who requires goods, but has no money to buy. He was also
a customer when he entered the service, but his vessel, after he had signed the " articles," was
his surety, and the agent held him as a hostage. The merchant is as anxious to "iufit" as he was
to " outfit" him, but the man must now bring an order from the agent or owner of the vessel. If
a poor voyage has been made, or if the man has drawn on the "slop-chest" during a voyage to
such an extent as to ruin his credit, he becomes bankrupt ashore, and may be obliged to change
his mind instead of his raiment; for, instead of " infittiug" himself with long togs, consisting of
ready-made suits, the luxurious white shirt, collars, cuffs, gay-colored neckties, handkerchiefs,
gloves, scarf-pins, and other jewelry, fine shoes, and fashionable hats, for all the outfitters keep an
abundant supply of these things, he must " outfit" himself with wearing apparel of coarser ma-
terials suitable for voyage at sea, and ship for another voyage.
QUARTERS ON THE VESSELS. — The captain, mates, and boat-steerers are quartered in the
after part of the ship. The former, on large vessels, has a state-room on the starboard side, and
a private cabin or kind of office in the central portion of the after part of the vessel. Both rooms
are plainly but comfortably furnished, and the cabin usually contains a bedstead, the only one, by
the way, on board ship, the balance of the ship's company occupying bunks. The captain is some-
times accompanied by his wife and children, and his .apartments have a home-like and comfort-
able appearance. The state-room, or bunk, of the first officer is just forward of the captain's
quarters on the port side adjacent to the pantry ; forward of the latter are the bunks of the third
and fourth mates, and just opposite, on the starboard side, is the second mate's cabin. The boat-
steerers, cooper, and carpenter occupy separate bunks on the port side. The foremast hands are
confined to the forecastle. Their bunks are arranged in tiers about the forward end and on either
side of the ship as far aft as the forecastle extends. They are made of ordinary plank, and usually
painted when the ship is fitting for a voyage, but during the cruise they become well worn and
greasy enough. The first man on board ship has the first choice of bunks, and writes his name,
or initials of his name, on tin- side with chalk, or pre-empts the spot by depositing his bed-sack,
and retains possession during the voyage. The conveniences of living and the accommodations
THE WHALE FISHERY. 227
•
of tbe quarters for both officers and men depend upon the size of the vessel ; in schooners and
brigs the apartments are necessarily circumscribed, and the domestic felicity is sometimes marred
liy too intimate association or unfriendly contact, while on barks and .sliips there is much more
latitude.
MESSING. — The modes of life and customs of whalemen are essentially in keeping- with their
surroundings, and common to the majority of seafaring men engaged in the mercantile marine
service in all quarters of the globe. The bills of fare are not varied or comprehensive, since the
vessels are confined principally to what may be termed out-of-the way places. Seldom touching a
port, the men are deprived of those things which, though called by landsmen the necessaries of
life, are regarded by whalemen as luxuries. Although wanting in variety, ample provision is other-
wise made; for well-cooked, wholesome food, and plenty of it, such as it is, constitutes a bond of
sympathy between the men and the ship, and while there is a disposition on the part of some men
to " growl," the majority feel satisfied that the best that can be done under the circumstances is
being done for their welfare, and so accept it.
A whaling vessel is furnished with all the large and small conveniences known in the house-
keeper's economy. Since the improved methods of preserving fish, meats, vegetables, and other
food stuffs have been introduced, the vessels sailing from New Bedford are provided with all of
the modern conveniences iu the way of provisions that may be kept in any climate; but the main-
slay after all is salt beef, salt pork, commonly known as "salt horse," or "salt junk," and ship-
bread. The last-named article occupies an important place iu the whaleman's dietary. It is better
known perhaps as "hard tack," to distinguish it from the bread sometimes made on board .ship,
which is called " soft bread." About 50 barrels of flour produce 100 barrels of bread, which amount
was usually included in the outfit of a vessel of the largest class; but at present so large a quan-
tity is seldom taken by one vessel, since fresh bread may be " freighted " by others.
When fitting the .ship for a voyage several casks of bread, pork, bee!', and other provisions
"in bulk," are placed in accessible places where they may be opened as required, the remaining
and larger number being brought to light from time to time during the voyage when stowing down
the oil or as they may be needed. A careful and closely calculating master will order the entry
in his log of. every cask of bread, pork, beef, and the like, opened during the voyage. Beef and
pork for immediate use are oftentimes kept on deck iu a wooden receptacle called a "harness-cask,"
lashed to the deck iu a convenient place for the cook, who draws his daily supplies from it. There
are two apartments in such a cask ; one for pork and the other for beef; and as fast as their con-
tents are exhausted, they are replenished from the original packages. Potatoes and other vege-
tables may iu warm latitudes be kept in a wooden compartment called a " potato pen," a structure
which is made with a view to a thorough ventilation.
The cook is an important personage on board a whaler, as he is indeed everywhere. He is
usually a colored man, and generally known as "Doctor," or perhaps " Skillet." The "cook's
office," or galley, is furnished with all the modern appliances iu the way of "cooking gear" for
vessels, which embraces a range, or "caboose," and the accompanying boilers or steamers, usually
called " coppers." cast-iron baking-pans, and articles of this kind. The captain and the mates mess
together iu the forward cabin ; their tables are furnished with glassware and chiuaware; the boat-
si eerers, cooper, and carpenter, mess in the steerage. The foremast hands mess in the forecastle ;
their meals are cooked iu the galley and served to them on the commonest tinware. They use
their "donkeys" as tables and keep their pans and dishes in a locker in the after part of the fore-
castle. They wash their own dishes and clean up everything after meals.
228 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Tin- Imnrs or meals lor all hands are as follows : breakfast, 7 ;:. in.; dinner, 1:? in.; and supper,
.". p. ID. These arc tin- regular hours, but they may often be changed when the boats are down for
whales, or when the men are cutting in a whale under stress of weather. The bill of fare also
varies, but rarely.
The oljiceis' breakfast is usually salt beef, port, hard bread, soft bread or "lobsconse"*— or
perhaps bread Lash, or if potatoes are plentiful potato hash, coffee, sugar, and butter, when if is to
be had, and sometimes slapjacks. The boat-steerers' bill of fare embraces about the same, except
they do not always have sugar and butter, which is served regularly in cabin. The breakfast of
foremast hands consists mainly of salt beef, salt pork, bard bread, scouse, bread hash, coffee, and
molasses.
For dinner in the cabin : salt pork, salt beef, and hard bread. Tea or coffee, and sugar are not
usually served for dinner; the boat-steerers have about the same as the cabin, and for the fore-
castle salt junk and hard bread. For supper in the cabin: salt beef and pork, warm soft tack,
butter, sugar, tea, and sometimes hash, and probably pie. The boat-steerers have the same, and
the foremast hands, salt beef, pork, and hard tack, and occasionally pie.
To the above-mentioned fare should be added, when they can be had, the '' raanarolins " of the
whalemen— that is, fresh meat, vegetables, milk, butter, eggs, and fruits, which may be obtained
when the vessel touches upon a foreign shore, but these are the luxuries of life that cannot always
be had. Duff t is served generally three times a week for dinner fore and aft, and perhaps "lob
scouse," "dandy-funk,'' " sea-pie,'' or "dough-boys" (a kind of flour dumpling with the flesh and
bones of porpoise), but the foremast hands do not usually get as much of these dainties as the
officers. When a porpoise is caught, all hands are regaled with " sea- pies " and " forced-meat
balls."
Captains of all whaling vessels discourage the use of whisky by the crew. Formerly it was
the custom to include in the outfit of a whaler, about seven or eight barrels of whisky or New
England rum. This was dealt out from time to time as grog. Some vessels carry whisky now,
but principally for trade. Liquors are also carried in the medicine chest, but they are under the
immediate supervision of the captain, who dispenses them as he sees tit. Capt. Isaiah West was the
first master sailing from the port of Xew Bedford, who refused to carry whisky on his ship. This
was in 1831, in consequence of continued intoxication of one of his officers on a previous voyage.
Such a. thing at the time was unheard of; the owners thought that it was impossible to ship a
crew or to make a voyage, but Captain West adhered to his resolution and carried his point.
Since that time whisky has not been included as a part of a whaling outfit.
* Lobscouse is the most common, of the fancy dishes. It is made of hard bread and salt meat, seasoned with
pepper. Fin- a mess of this kind for all hands, about three buckets of hard bread, seven pounds of pork and beef,
and about a quarter of a pound of pepper are required. The meat, usually the remnants of a former meal, is cut into
small pieces and the bread is broken into fragments. Water is added and as the pot boils and simmers, the ingre-
dients are mixed and stirred together with a large iron spoon; pepper is added, and the dish is served smoking hot in
a wooden '.lied a " kid," by one of the watch who carries it forward to the foreeastle. Potato-scouse is simi-
lar to tbe above except that, a smaller quantity of bread is used, potatoes being highly esteemed as a substitute.
When potatoes are plentiful potato bash or lobscouse is usually made for breakfast; but when the vessel has
been out for two or three months, bread hash is mainly relied upon.
t Duff is served to all bauds ; one for i he cabin, one for tbe b,.at -steerers, or steerage, and oue for each watch forward.
It is the favorite dish, and Sunday is always a " dull1 day,'' dnft and molasses being served for dinner. Dandy-funk,
dnndee-fnnk, or dnndee pudding, is made of hard bread. ui'd:)ss.-s. ami a little salt I'a i pork. The bread is broken n)i
and the pork chopped ami deposited in a copper ; a little water is added, and when 1 lie mixture becomes lukewarm,
"igh molasses to sweeten it is pomvd iii. It is then stirred until the boiling point is reached, at which time tbe
copper is removed, and tin- dish is served hot in a kid. About two pounds of fat pork are usually required fora
mess for all hands. Dnmb-e pudding was also a, favorite, dish with the fishermen of the eastern coast frequenting
Ceov^es bank in 1- ,1 on fishing vessels now. It was made of hard bread pounded up,
sweetened wiHi molasses, with enough Hour added to give it adhesiveness.
TIIK \\11.\LK FISI1KKY. 229
CIIOIISIM; TIIK WATCH. — When fairly mnlrr way the ship's company is told olV in two divis-
sinus, or parties, which alternately lelievo each other in the performance of (lie dmies connected
with the vessel during the \o\a-e. in order that one-half of the ere\v may obtain recreation, while
tin- other half is at work. Kach subdivision is known as I ho. "watch;"' reckoning from 11! in.
there are seven watches: live of four hours each, and two of two hours each; called dogwatches.
The divisions of the crew are known as the starboard and larboard watches, commanded
respectively by the lirM and M'cond mates or the second and third mates, who are known as
•• watch-headers." The ollieers select, their own men when the subdivision is made. Those divis-
ions are again divided into boats' crews. One watch, or half of the crew, is always on deck,
except at I he bc^immm of the voyage, when both watches are usually employed during the day in
rigging the boats, besides standing their watches at night. When a ship is mating her pas-
the crew stand whole watches, or sea watches, four hours on and four off, usually called '-watch
ami watch." On the whaling ground in the southern fishery, when a ship is hove to in mid-
ocean they stand •' quarter-watches," one-fourth of the working bauds, or half of each watch being
on duty, headed by the boat-steerers; but in the Arctic regious when near the shore the usual
watches are kept.
In the southern fishery the men in bad weather stand four hours on deck and eight below on
a three-boat vessel, and four hours on deck and twelve below on a four-boater.
On three boat vessels they stand " boats' crews'' watches, the time being divided between
supper and breakfast, when outward bound and sometimes on whaling grounds. When riot engaged
in whaling the watch may be employed in making sennit of spun yarn, mats for chafing-gear.
overhauling cutting gear, and in many other duties connected with the vessel.
The day on a whale ship begins at an early hour; the crew usually get breakfast at sunrise,
after which sail is set, the decks scrubbed, and men sent aloft to look out for whales. The duties
of the men at the mast head will be mentioned elsewhere.
At 4 ]>. in. the decks are swept and washed off; from 4 to 5 being the first hour of the dog
watch, all the watch, except the men on the lookout for whales and the man at the wheel, engage
in this work At 5 p. m. the watch has supper, and at 5.30 the men at the mast-heads and the
wheel are relieved. From 5 to 7 the watch is allowed to loaf, smoke, and spin yarns, the only
time for such liberties during the day.
On the whaling ground in the southern fisheries the men are recalled from the mast-heads at
sunset, and all hands — both watches — are summoned to shorten sail; the starboard watch takes
in the main and the mizzen sail and the larboard watch the foremast and head sails. During this
work the mate has charge of the forward part of the vessel and the second mate the afterpart, and in
reeling the topsails the boat-steercrs haul out the earings and the foremast hands knot the points.
S];T.I-:C'TK>X OF BOATS' CHEWS. — One of the first duties to be attended to is tiie selection of the
boats' crews. If the vessel has four boats on their cranes, her crew must be subdivided into a cor-
responding number of boats' crews. The captain and his mates select their own crews; and the
men are chosen with reference to the positions for which, in the opinions of the oQicers, they are
host adapted.
The following account of the manner in which boa is' crews and watches are selected may vary
somewhat when applied to all vessels ; but it is the custom usually adopted on the average New
Bedford sperm whaler. The captain has first choice, and picks his harpoouer; the mate, second
mate, and third mate, severally and consecutively in the order of their rank, select their boat
stern-is, and the fourth mate takes -• Hopkins' choice" from the remaining material available for
harpooners, and, as is sometimes the case, -els the best man after all. The oarsmen are selected
230 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
in the same manner in their regular order, the captain commencing with the bowman for his boat,
and so on with the rest of the crew. The supernumeraries help the ship-keeper to work the vessel
when the boats are down for whales.
The boats' crews aud watches being disposed of, the captain makes a short address * to the
ship's company, explaining the nature and object of the voyage ; defines the positions and duties
of all on board ; establishes his rules and regulations to which he enjoins strict obedience, and
also calls attention to the penalties of disobedience. He reminds each one, man and officer, that
lie has certain positions to fill and duties to perform, and endeavors to impress upon him the impor-
tance of a strict compliance with every law he may see fit to establish at the outset.
RIGGING BOATS. — As whales may be raised at any time by an outward-bound vessel, one of the
first duties of the captain, after the watches and boats' crews have been chosen, is to rig his boats
for the capture. This work is usually commenced on the first or second clay of sailing, provided
the weather is propitious, and some captains keep all hands engaged in this work until the boats
arc properly equipped.
There is considerable work to be done eveu in rigging old boats ; but when an entirely new
vessel is under foot, this kind of work is vastly augmented aud the lime proportionately
extended. Everything is new and " stiff"; and the feeling seems to be unanimous with the officers
and men, that, so far as the labor of rigging the boats is concerned, they prefer to sail on an old
vessel rather than on a new one. The officers "cun"t their own boats when getting them ready for
whaling; the boat-steerers perform most of the skilled labor, in which they are assisted by the
oarsmen. The officers generally have the care of the hand-lances, aud the boat-steerers of the
harpoons.
On vessels that have made one or more voyages, the greater part of the apparatus may again
be used, but it must be carefully overhauled. When making the home port, the smaller implements
of capture, and accessories, are stowed away in alarge cask, and marked " boat gear." The harpoons
lances, boat-spades, aud boat-hooks, are bundled and stowed away. On arrival, the casks and
bundles are placed in the lofts of buildings usually belonging to the owners of the ship. When,
the vessel is about to leave for another voyage, these implements are again placed aboard, aud as
everything belonging to a whale-boat has its proper place and appropriate marks, there is no
trouble in redistributing the gear. The harpoons and lances are " set up" — that is, they have their
poles and necessary ropes attached — aud sharpened, and placed in the boat as soon as possible.
Everything necessary for the capture of the whale, except the heavy line-tub, is kept inviolate in
its proper place in the boat when on the cranes.
If the vessel is an old one, the boat-sails may be rigged up and used until time and opportunity
is offered for making uew ones. If it is necessary to make new sails, cotton drilling is gotten out,
and as many good sewers, as can be spared from the crew, are sometimes set to work upon them,
"The following is about the1 .style1 of .speech delivered by the captain on such occasions: "Now, my nieu, I suppose
you all know what we are here leu-. \\Y li.-eve started for a cargo of oil, aud I expect that every man will <lo hisbest.
First, I want good, sharp, lookouts krpt, aud sing out for everything you see. Go, when you are sent, and come when
you are called, aud it 1 \va.\s repeat the onler I hat's given you. You shall have enough to cat of what is in the ship; but
I want nothing wasted. II your food is not. properly cooked, or if .you do not ge1! enough of it, come to me, and I will
see that you do hare enough ami I hat it is properly cooked. I want no growling with the- cook. No fighting on board.
If any of you want to light, come to me, and / will attend to your ease. Now, boat-si ee-rer.s, your place is abaft the
try-works; bear that in mind. 1 want you to sing out for everything yem see at the1 masthead, if it is nothing more
than a porpoise. You will have two chances ; if you miss them, yon can't have any more, aboard this ship."
tTo con (or can, as it is more ye-ucrally pronounced), implies to direct the movements of the vessel, or more
properly, to direct the helmsman in steering the vessel; and in this instance means to oversee or have general charge
aud direction of equipping the boats.
THE \VUALK KISI1 1'U Y. 231
but generally the olliocrs and boal -steerers make the sails themselves. Mcaniimc the carpenter is
busily engaged in lifting I lie, boat- masts, anil the cooper makes or overhauls the line-tubs, boat-
buckets, lantern-kegs and other like utensils.
The green hands are allowed a certain time to become familiar with their duties. Atthe expira-
tion of the given time those who have tailed to improve their opportunities lose their watch below
during the day until they learn more thoroughly. There is always plenty of work on an outward-
bound whaler, and it is of a varied character, and any one disposed to learn may soon become
master of the situation.
PASTIMES. — When uot at work the men amuse themselves during week days according to
their several dispositions, by patching and mending their clothes, playing cards or back-gammon,
spinning yarns, smoking, reading, and mannfactming various articles of utility and fancy. As
a rule the captains do not allow card playing ; but some of the crew usually provide themselves
with cards and manage to have games in the forecastle, the only available "stake" being tobacco.
The owners of the vessel usually furnish the men with illustrated papers, magazines, and books,
and many of these, like the playing cards, become so well worn and greasy from excessive mani-
pulation that scarcely a trace of legibility is left by which they may be identified. But the greatest
delight of the whaleman was on the Sabbath day, when in olden times it was his custom to over-
haul his chest of clothing and trim his ditty box.* This was called the "sailor's pleasure." All of the
" sea clothes" were taken out, unfolded, shaken, examined for holes or rents, carefully folded again
and put away in their accustomed places; the "home clothes," or " long togs," were also taken
out and viewed with a feeling of peculiar delight ; the photographs of friends and relations were
brought to light, and old letters were read again and again. Every Sunday was alike in this
respect. On Ihe Sabbath day also the whaling captains of the old school, after certain routine
•work had been performed in the forenoon, distributed Bibles, tracts, or other religious publications,
among the men ; some of whom, in good weather, in the southern fishery, congregated about the
deck in little knots, and digested the contents of the books and papers, while others, not so dis-
posed, showed their outward and invisible sign by gentlemanly demeanor and polite conduct, in
letting those who wished to do so, read in comfort.
One of the most fruitful sources of amusement to a whale-fisherman, and one which often so
engrosses his time and attention as to cause him to neglect his duties, is known as "scrimshawing.''t
Scrimshawing, which, by the way, is the more acceptable form of the term, is the art, if art it be,
of manufacturing useful and ornamental articles at sea; and its chief aim is to fight ofi' the dull
monotony, which, at times, environs the life of the whaleman. Many of the objects produced in
this manner, however, prove valuable to the makers as souvenirs, or trophies, of their exploits
and adventures, or useful to themselves and families in the economy of the domestic household;
and also possess a certain di gree of interest, as well as intrinsic; value, to curiosity-seekers, besides
forming interesting acquisitions to museums. One of its most prominent features is the develop
meiit of the ingenuity and artistic tastes of the whalemen : and some of them attain a high degree
of skill in the production of numerous articles of this kind. Some of these have an appreciable
* A small wooden box for needles, buttons, llin ail, pieres of doth for patches, hits of wax. an old brass or steel
tliimblr. anil a pair of scissurs. In addition to tlt<-~e in c utensils and mall-rial, the ditty box contains
tin- most varied enlleetion of pieei-s of old iron or wood, sln-lls, probably an old park nf raids, or may hi- a N'ew Testa-
ment, small stones or minerals, ton-inn nuts, and enrios obtained from the nalm-s of I lie islands in the Southern
Pacific.
t This word appears to be of doubtful orthography, hem;; vanm-sly written " skrimshoniug," " scrimshorning,"
" skrimschoutinv!." and "skrimsuandor," and has, like many of the idioms that form I Ins very pith ami essence of the
whaleman's language, gained i-nnvm-y ai tin- leading whaling centers, though seldom heard in the interior of the
country. As to its etymology. I can only say that I lu\e liaeed its anteeedenls to the island of Nantncket, and
although I am unable to substantiate, my theory, I am of the opinion that it is a eorrnpt form of an Indian word.
232 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
artistic merit ; while others, for example, implements made at sea for use iu whaling, for the ship's
use, and for the use of the men during the voyage, are generally improvised under stress of cir-
cumstances; therefore, many of them are exceedingly rough and ungainly in appearance.
Scrimshawing has been principally confined to the southern fleet, mainly the sperm whale-
men, as the voyages were longer and the men had more leisure time ; but it is also indulged iu, to
a i -I'rtain extent, by -the men iu the Arctic fishery. In the first-named fishery, a vessel may often
cruise for weeks, and even mouths, without "raising a whale." and, iu fact, without encountering
anything to break the monotonous routine of life at sea.
It would appear that the officers have much better opportunities and facilities for promoting
the art of scrimshawing than the foremast hands, since the latter are not allowed, except on duty,
in the after part of the ship, where the material available for this or other like purposes is kept;
they are therefore compelled to rely upon their own fertile imagination and fruitful genius for the
ways and means of carrying out any cherished plan, acd to make the best of what may accidentally
fall iu their way. Some of the common seamen, however, excel iu this work.*
2. THE WHALING VESSELS AND THEIR OUTFIT.
The American whaling fleet iu 1880 numbered one hundred and seventy one vessels, measur-
ing 38,633.38 tons, and valued with outfits at $2,891,G50.t In the fleet there were one hun-
dred and seven barks averaging L.'(>4.10 tons each, seven ships averaging 358.88 tons, nine brigs
averaging 138.11 tons, forty-six schooners averaging 98 08 tons, and two steam barks averaging
1 .'ii. OG tons. The average size vessel iu the entire fleet was L.'L.'O.OO tons. The largest vessel was
I he steam bark Belvedere, measuring 440.12 tons,! and the smallest employed in ocean whaling was
* Let us examine some of the scrimshaw wovk. \Vo lind handsome writing desks, toilet boxes, and work boxes
made of foreign woods, inlaid with hundreds of other pieces of precious woods of various shapes and shades ; crib-
hage boards and chess boards, inlaid wit h rare wood or mother-of-pearl ; work tables for ladies, or center tables I'.ir
the whaleman's parlor at home, veneered with mahogany and finished in the most approved manner; wall brackets
and [lockets made of satin wood, walnut, or mahogany ; picture frames made of ivory of the sperm whale teeth or
w alms tusks ; photograph frames, made of the same material, suspended upon two or three finely finished and highly
dee.. rated walrus tusks, ready for the photographs of the maker, await the wife or sweetheart when the vessel returns
to her home port; canes made of baleen wrapped spirally with highly polished cords and strips of the same, sur-
mounted by fanciful or grotesque designs, rarved from the tooth of the sperm whale' or a section of walrus tusk ; canes
made full length from the ivory of the '• pan " of the sperm whale, turned and polished, with a hand-piece of the,
same material, and a ferrule of copper or perhaps silver; canes made of the tusk of the uarwal, or from the backbone
of the shark — the vertebra- being strung on an iron rod and turned in a lathe, or from a piece of wood of some favorite
ship. the. handle inlaid with ivory or pearl: folding and expanding reels, or " swifts," for winding yarn, elegantly
made of strips of ivory, and decorated with bits of gay-colored ribbon ; whips made from the long elastic and grace-
fully tapering slabs of lia I. -en ; usclul articles for the writ ing desk, rulers, pen holders, paper cutters, as well as butter
knives, jagging knives, chopping knives, finger rings, collar and sleeve buttons, bodkins, watch stands, jewelry caskets,
rhanus for watch chains, masonic emblems, small blocks ,ind pulleys, man-rope stanchions, splicing fids, and small
toggles, made of ivory and bone, and various other implements whose mention would form too long a list.
tMessrs. Swift & Allen, commission merchants and ship owners of New Bcdfoid, till me that the whaling vessels
of that port, are seldom wholly owned by their agents ; but the agent is usually the largest owner, and conducts the.
business affairs of the vessel on commission without the aid of the other owners. At present. Is-:;, the only incor-
porated whaling company thai they know of is in Sau Francisco; it has six si cam whalers and one sailing vessel.
I hey think all the other whalers are owned by individuals, seldom less than five, and often ten iu number, and each
owner, however small his share ma\ be, is responsible for any deliciency on the part of the other owners in the pay-
ment, of the ship's bills 01- drafis during I ho voyage. They also say they know of an instance where two owners
v, ho held only one-sixteenth each had to make up fcr the deficiencies of tin- others. At Frovincetown, the vessels are
owned for the most part by private parlies. Perhaps fifteen or sixteen stockholders have as inai-y shares or "pieces."
as they are called, in one vessel. When the vessel is at her home port the captain is her agent ; but on a voyage one
of the resident owners, called (In- " shove agent,'1 oil whom the captain may draw in foreign ports for money or neces-
saiy supplies, is appointed, w hose duty it is to transact, all business connected with the vessel. The whaling vessels
at San Francisco are also owned each by several parties who hold shares, and each vessel has its own agent.
t Some larger .steam vessels have since been added to the fleet. One of these, the steam-bark Bowhead, 533 tons,
was lost in the Arctic iu 1884.
TIIIO WHALE FISHERY. 233
:hc schooner Union. tiii.L'L' Inns. Most of the. schooner and .smaller vessels of Hie other classes
were employed in the Atlantic Ocean whaling, while the largest and best equipped vessels were
sent to the I'aeilic and the Arctic Oceans.
The tyi>ical \vhalerin the southern fleet may bo a little old fashioned, and perhaps a trifle
more rusty and greasy when on a cruise, than her sister ships in the merchant service, and becom-
ing well saturated in oil she lives to a green, old age, unless some fatal talisman finds a place
aboard of her. She is heavily built, full bodied, with bluff bows, and high square stern, and
designed more for seaworthiness and carrying capacity than for speed or graceful lines; couse
quently we do not find in this fishery the graceful type of the modern fishing vessel peculiar to the
Gloucester fleet. Some of the whaling schooners have the old poop deck and an after house tor
tbe officers, but the tendency has been for many years to supersede the former by a flush deck,
and to place the quarters of tbe officers below. The steam whaler, however, possesses all of the
advantages and improvements that have been applied by modern science to naval architecture.
The old whale ships frequently cruised in unfamiliar waters and visited unknown and hostile
shores; they therefore adopted the plau of painting their sides to resemble the ports of men-
of-war, to give them a formidable appearance and intimidate the natives, by whom the crews
were sometimes attacked. This custom is also adhered to at the present time, but it is confined to
the old ships.
The vessels composing the present fleet may roughly be divided into two classes — the sailing
craft and steamers. The former, embracing vessels of all types except the sloop, are employed in
the southern fishery, and the latter exclusively in the Arctic fishery. At the iuceptiou of open-sea
whaling, sloops, such as were used at that time in the coasting trade, were principally relied upon;
brigs and schooners were subsequently introduced, and these three types were mainly depended
upon until deep-sea whaling began; at which time l.irger vessels were needed, and although ships
and barks were employed, the former were more popular. At present there is not a sloop in the
whaling fleet ; brigs and schooners are employed principally in the Atlantic fishery and in the
Hudson Bay region, ships and barks in the Southern Pacific, and steam barks in the Arctic
regions on the western side of the continent.
The Atlantic fishery was formerly prosecuted with the smaller class of vessels known as "plum
pud'ners,'' which made short voyages called >< plum-pudding voyages," leaving their ports in early
spring, and returning, if possible, before the September gales " came on to blow ;" but in some
instances the cruises were more extended. The crews therefore had fresh provisions and an abun-
dant supply of plum pudding, or plum duff; a kind of dish though sometimes made of "Nantucket
raisins," that is, dried apples, has always been relished by seafaring men. Hence we have the
origin of the term •• plum-pudding fleet."* As the fishery increased in magnitude and importance,
and the green pastures of the vast feeding ground of the sperm whale in the Pacific were disclosed
to the whalemen, the '• plum pud'uers " of New Bedford gave way to larger vessels, principally ships
This change brought a system of discipline in the whaling fleet. The master became a commander,
and occupied his cabin and state-room in the after part of the ship; the mates and boat-steerers
also lived aft, and were not allowed to mingle familiarly with the foremast hands ; the latter bunked
and messed in the forecastle and were not tolerated socially on the quarter deck, and the former
name of the fleet was transfer; ed to i.he schooners of Proviucetowu, which are still sometimes called
•' plum pud'ners," though the term is now becoming obsolete.
' 1 liavu been told that iu tbe old Province itowii fleet the iren had an abuudance of duff and plenty of raisins, or
mliiT dried fruit; but the New Bedford owners lor sanitary reasons prohibited fruit, but sanctioned the nse of phiiu
duff ; and tor this reason the term was applied to the Provincetown fleet.
234 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
When making her passage, a whaling vessel may readily be distinguished by her large wooden
davits and the unusual display of boats suspended over her side, as well as by the square set,
bulky try-works on the forward part of her deck, and by the presence of the large number of men
comprising her crew. When cruising for whales, in addition to the above-mentioned peculiarities,
she is rendered conspicuous by having her sails shortened, and men at her mast-heads on the look-
out for whales ; or perhaps by the absence of a topmast which may have been sent below ; or she
may have "grease alongside," or boiling out the oil, which last are unmistakable signs of her pro-
fession. Going aboard such a craft when she is outward bound, or even on her home passage, you
may be somewhat surprised to find her deck so free from oil, and that she is as clean and as ship-
shape as the average merchantman. It is only when the whale is being cut in, or when the oil is
cooking, that we find her decks objectionable. After these processes, the first duty of the whale-
men is to scrub the deck and wash the bulwarks, and between catches she is as clean as any other
vessel. I have seen the decks of some whalers that had been scrubbed until they were, as the
whalemeu expressed it, " as white as chalk." As might be expected, her rigging, spars, and sails
may be somewhat begrimed with smoke from the try-works, or perhaps her mainmast and cutting-
falls may have a greasy appearance, or probably be coated with pieces of black skin. On the home
passage, however, the ship is painted, masts are scraped, rigging overhauled, and a new suit of sails
bent; for the average captain takes pride in going into his home port with all the becoming honors
and dignity appropriate to the occasion.
The main hatch is used as a temporary store-room for the blubber; and the fore, main, and
after hatches for stowing away provisions and supplies at the beginning of the voyage and oil dur-
ing the voyage. A long, stout wooden strip extends fore and aft inside the bulwarks on either
side of the vessel. This is called the " lash rail," and is peculiar to whaling vessels. When cooling
the oil to be stowed away in the hold, the casks are rolled to the side of the vessel out of the way
of the bustling and hurrying gangs of men, and lashed to this rail to prevent them from rolling
in heavy weather. The main deck is always sheathed ; an after house on barks and ships is built
over the quarter-deck for the transportation of spare boats, and sometimes a forward house is
erected over the try-works.
The terms "blubber hunter" and "whaler," sometimes applied erroneously to the men
employed in this fishery by landsmen, are the legitimate titles of the whaling vessel. The vessel
also has a name, peculiar to whalemen, which she derives from the number of boats carried on her
cranes, such as a "three boater," or " four boater," and some of the old Nantucket whalemen used
the name '' hooker."
The quarters of both the officers and men on the larger vessels are as cleanly as it, is possible
to keep them during a voyage of three or four years' duration. The ventilation being defective,
we mast expect an odor more or less mephitic, to which, however, the men become accustomed
through the remarkable power of association. The quarters of some of the schooners, however,
that I have seen, more especially the forecastles, which are filled by the most degraded types of
man, were fairly reeking with filth, and the most abominable stench fairly arose through the com-
panionway in a cloud of putrid vapor. This should not condemn all the small vessels, for the
quarters on many of those I visited, more especially in the fleet hailing from Provincetown, were
as cleanly, comfortable, and home-like as on most of the larger vessels of New Bedford.
Formerly all the oil obtained by any one vessel during her vuyagr, more especially when she
cruised beyond the Western Islands, was conveyed to this country in her own bottom. Later,
however, it was found more profitable for the vessel to ship her cargo by returning whalers or by
TI1K \VIIAU<; KISIIUIIY. 235
coinmun carriers, and continue her voyage in pursuit, of other whales. Oil shipped in this manner
is known as " freight oil," 1o distinguish it, f'rotn the oil the. vessel herself has derived from her own
captures. A vessel may l>e spoken at sea and report 1,425 barrels of sperm oil and 380 barrels of
whale oil, " all told," and 5(1(1 barrels of whale and 150 barrels of sperm ".on board." This would
make her total catch, at the time she was spoken, 1,SO.~> barrels, 1,15,". of which amount had been
shipped by another vessel. Or a vessel may arrive at her home purl and hail for 1,200 barrels;
500 barrels of this amount may be. freight, oil and belongs to another firm, upon which the owners
of the vessel reali/.e merely the cost of transportation, and the balance, 700 barrels, the property
of the vessel, upon which her owners realize the full market value.
Taking into consideration the threat distances traversed by whaling vessels, sometimes cir-
cumnavigating the globe during their voyages; the dangerous localities visited in both the
northern and the southern hemisphere, the treacherous coral reefs and the insidious teredo of the
South Pacific, and the dangerous ice-fields of the Arctic regions; the unusual risks to which they
are exposed from the nature of their calling, the imminent danger of attacks on the part of
revengeful and ferocious whales, or of complete destruction by conflagration through fire communi-
cated by the try-works, or by the act of incendiarism at the hands of mutinous crews, it is a matter
of surprise that so few are lost at sea.* Unless, however, some fatal talisman has found a place
aboard the whaler, her life on the average is as long as that of other vessels employed in other
branches of the service. The destroying angel, the emissary of three several wars, has done more
to annihilate our whaling fleet than all the elements combined. Harassed and annoyed in irs
infancy by the depredations of French and Spanish privateers upon the English commerce in
1741, when the fleet was excluded from the grounds of the Davis Strait fishery, and crippled by
the French privateers in 1755 and the ensuing years, it was again despoiled by the French and
Spaniards in 1771. Paralyzed by the Revolution, it had scarcely regained its footing when it was
exposed, in 1798, to the ravages of the French privateers, which ravages gave rise subsequently
to the French spoliation claims. It was then kept in a state of feverish excitement and annoyance
until, just prior to the war of 1812, when the Pacific fleet was exposed to the depredations of the
Peruvian pirates, who plundered the vessels and prevented them from entering Chilian ports where
the fleet was accustomed to obtain its " recruits." t The war of 1812 burst upon the American
whaling fleet like an angry storm cloud, and so disastrous were the effects when the cloud passed
over, that, with the exception of a few vessels belonging to Nantucket, it may be said the whale
fishery was practically abandoned ; but the whalemen with their characteristic energy built and
equipped other vessels, and when the late rebellion came upon us like a thief in the night, the
majority of the vessels were scattered over the seas in all parts of the world; .or, with a sense of
security under the American flag, those which were at that time in port were fitted out and dis-
patehcd on their accustomed voyages; but in both cases they were exposed to the attacks of the
Alabama or Shenandoah, whose commanders lay in wait for them on the highways of commerce,
and by making bonfires of some, attracted others to the scene in order that they might be treated
in a similar manner. During this war some of the ships were also transferred to the merchant
service, and forty were purchased by the Government and sent with the two "stone fleets" which
were sunk off the harbors of Charleston and .Savannah to blockade these ports. Scarcely had the
fleet recovered from the disastrous effects of the rebellion when the news of the terrible destruction
of the Arctic fleet in 1871 reached our ears. Thirty-three vessels were crushed in the ice off Point
Belcher, representing a loss that exceeded $1,000,000.
* The reader is referred to a chapter of accidents, by Alex. Starhuck, entitle.! "The Dangers of the Whale Fish-
ery," in Report of Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Part IV, p. 114 et seq.
t Provisions, supplies, &c.
236 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
STEAMERS. — The American whaling fleet was composed entirely of sailing vessels until the
hazardous fishery of the Arctic regions, as well as the ever-increasing demand for quicker trips
from one whaling ground to another, and for rapid transportation to market, suggested the steam
whaling barks now successfully used in the North Pacific. The first steam whaler from the United
States was the bark Pioneer, 212 tons, Ebenezer Morgan tnaster. She was originally built at
Oharlestowi), Mass., as a Government transport, and rebuilt in 1805 for the whale fishery. The
projectors of this enterprise were Messrs. Williams & Havens, of New London, Conn., whose names
are prominently connected with theGriuuell Expeditions. The Pioneer sailed from her port April
L'S, isiiil, for the Davis Strait fishery, and returned November 14, 1866, with 340 barrels of whale
oil and .~»..'!iH) pounds of bone. During her second season, in July, I8i>7, she was crushed in the
ice and abandoned. I am indebted to Mr. John A. Tibbits, collector of customs, New London.
Conn., for the above particulars in regard to the Pioneer. The bark Java sailed from New Bedford
October 2, 1872, with a donkey engine, which was used as a power for hoisting purposes. This
gave rise to the report, which gained currency in the fishery, that she was the first steam whaler
from America ; but, after diligent search, I am convinced that the Pioneer has the precedence.
The most prominent vessel of this type, however, both so far as the initial step in the North
Pacific is concerned, as well as in a historical point of view, was the late Rodgers, formerly the
Mary and Helen, which was lost in the search for the Jeannette in 1881.
In 1879 William Lewis, of New Bedford, as agent and part owner, with others, caused to be
constructed a bark with all modem appliances, including auxiliary steam-power as a motor,
which, among other advantages, enabled her to make quick passages in calms, as well as to pro-
ceed through the ice at a rate of from G to 8 miles per hour when necessary. The space occupied
by the boiler and engine was about one-eighth of the vessel. She was also provided with a separate
engine forward for working the anchor and rotating the windlass when hoisting in blubber.
She was christened Mary and Helen, in honor of the daughters of Edward Haskell, and grand-
daughters of Alexander H. Seabury, who was also one of the owners, all of New Bedford. She
sailed from her home port September 12, 187!>, and was sent into the ice in 18-10 under the command
of Captain Leander C. Owen. After a successful cruise she was sold to the United States (io\ em-
inent for $100,000, and under the name of Rodgers proceeded in search of the missing research
steamer Jeannette and the whalers Mount Wollastou and Vigilant. She went into winter quar-
ters at St. Lawrence Bay, Siberia, in 1881. Ou November 30 of that year, a fire broke out in her
tore-hold and she was abandoned. Her officers and crew were rescued by Captain Owen, her
former commander, tlien master of the steam whaler North Star. The North Star, in a remarkable
succession of events, was afterwards, during the same season, crushed by ice while cruising for
whales, at an almost total loss to her owners. Immediately alter the sale of Mary and Helen to
the Government, orders were given to build a twin ship, and Mary and Helen (No. 2) is now afloat
in the whaling service. She is a counterpart of her predecessor.*
* The. steamer Bowhead, .",.",:'> ti.ns, lost in Hie Arctic in I~.r4, was in her day tin- largest vessel ;. float in Ilir whaling
service. The Mary and Helen (No. •_'), f,i»: tons, ranked next in size. The Orca, 46'2 tons, of San Francisco, is now
the largest steam whaler, and rhe Lucrdia, •.':('. tuns, of \e\v Medford. the smallest. Eight steu'n whalers are. now
employed ; six of them hail from San Francisco anil two from New Jli-dlbnl.
The following particulars respecting I he dimensions and the cons! ruction of the present steam whalers were
supplied by Messrs. Goss, Sawyer and Packard, Bath, Me.
Length between perpendiculars, L50fee1 ; length overall. Kiu ; breadth of beam.::] J icct. and depth of hull, Hi fed ;
tonnage. ;,]-.' tons gross and 343 8 net. The engines are single, direct-acting, with two 1. oilers of the Scotch type.
Either anthracite or bituminous eoal may be used ; 7 tonsare consumed in twenty-lour hours' steaming. The rate of
speed is about, HI knots ;,n hour. The propeller is non-hoisting, has t wo blade-, and is made of yellow metal. In the
ice it is protected by the stem and rudder posts, the blades being in a Hue. The planking is of oak and yellow pine
The bow is sheathed with three-eighths of au iuch yellow metal, and solidly timbered. Provisions are made for thirty
T11K WHALE FISHERY. 237
England, however, preceded (lie- United States in the use, of steamers in the whale fishery.
She dispatched a vessel of this character to Davis Straits in 1S57, a note of which e\ cut was made
at the time by one of our Eastern papers.' Mr. Southwell records this event, together with other
items of interest in connection with tin- seal fishery, which 1 quole in lull. He sa.\s:
"Steam was first introduced into the whale fishery in IS.'iT, when the iron steamship innnit
was sent out to Davis Strait, and the following spring she proceeded to the Greenland seal fishery,
returning to 1'elerhead after a- voyage of three weeks with l."iO tuns of oil. Her .success raised
the cupidity of the iron steamship owners of Hull and Newcastle; and as the Baltic, where most
of these steamers were employed, is often closed during the months of March and April, it is not
surprising that the prospect of earning some £10,001) in about thirty days was irresistible to them.
The consequence of this was that in IS.j'.t lifty-two vessels were lying in Bressay Sound, bound for
the seal fishery. So dillieult was it to make up their complement of men that some of the vessels
had to go on to Orkney to complete their crews. The result of the, voyage has been given above.
" Iron steamships, however, had but a short reign. In due course they sailed, but some never
returned. Meeting wi:h rough weather several of them came in contact with the ice, and the
Empress of India, the Recruit, and the Innuit went to the bottom. Since this disastrous voyage,
(with one exception, the Itiver Tay, from Dundee, which met with a like fateiu Davis Straits in 1868,
her first year), no iron steamships have ventured to brave the thick-ribbed ice.
" The Dundee whaler Tay. a fulled rigged ship of 600 tons, was fitted with an auxiliary screw
in l.SfiS ; and the introduction of steam soon proved so advantageous that new wooden steam-vessels
were speedily built, and the old sailing vessels converted, so that in 186!) the whole of the Dundee
fleet were screw-steamers. At first the crews of the; steam vessels, from want of knowledge of the
habits of their prey, were not very successful; but after a time it was discovered, that if the seals
were sighted in the water and followed till they took to the ice to produce their young, by allowing
two or three days to elapse, they became so reluctant to desert their offspring that both parent
and young fell easy victims. The men were then let loose, and shot down every mother seal which
ventured upon the ice to suckle its young or even showed its head above water; the young seals
being of little value so early in the season were allowed to crawl away and die. It need hardly be
said that this mode of hunting the seals simply meant extermination, and rapidly produced most
disastrous effects.''!
OUTFITS FOR A WHALING VOYAGE. — When a whaler goes into commission, she is overhauled
inside and out; her rigging is set np, new sails are made and bent, and the wood and iron work
is painted. If an old vessel, she may be heeled over, and her bottom and sides planked and calked;
old masts are unstepped and new ones put in, and the spars and rigging critically examined.
Meantime the cooper has taken measurements of the ship's hold, and his gang of men are busily
men in the crew, and the quarters are heated by pipes leading from the toilers. The Thrasher, to which the above
-iireinents refer, was the 1 1-1 steam whaler constructed, and is the most complete iu her equipment. She has
1 latent try -works anil iron tanks in the lower hold ; her engines an • : :ri 'el-acting, with independent conden^-i
and |iuni]is. The cylinders are 22 by 36 inches. This type of engine is, in the opinion of the firm, better adapted
for whaling purposes than the compound engine, and more economical. The bow of the Thrasher is protected and
strengthened in every « ay possible, and the vessel is ;i great improvement on the .steamers Mary and Helen. Belvedere,
and .North Star, which were also built by this linn for the Arctic whale fishery.
" \VllAI.lNG BY STIC AM. — During the present year, steamers lit ted with t lie screw have for the first time been enf
in the tiieeiiland fisheries from Kngland. Lasl month an iron vessel of Him tons, fitted with a propeller, left the 'I
lor ]>a\is Snails, and it is anticipated that she will be able to pern Irate many of the haunts of the whale and seal
in the small bays and inlets into which sailing vessels are unable, to find their wa.y. — Gloucester Telegraph, June 17,
tOn the lieaked or Bottle-nose Whale (Z////»r<mf/i>» rostratue). Seals and i he Seal Fishery. p,\ Thomas Southwell,
F. /,. S.. read I'.'th December. 1882. pp. 1 1-- l-'.i. Keprinted fiom the Transactions of the Norfolk and Noi wicl) Natural
. Vol. III.
238 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
engaged pounding away at the enormous casks in a neighboring shop. While the ship is " abeam
ends," and the carpenters are pottering away at her bottom and sides, there is little of interest to
the outsider. But when she has been righted upon an even keel, and the carpenters, calkers,
painters, riggers, and blacksmiths, swarmed about her sides, decks, and masts, the scene becomes
a lively one. It is not, however, until the mechanics have progressed far enough in their different
kinds of work to permit the approach of the stevedore, with his troup of never-tiring longshore-
men, with their incessant tramp, tramp, tramp, up and down the gang-plank, carrying packages
of provisions of all kinds, that the actual busy scene commences. During the operation of fitting
ouc a whaler for a four years' voyage, her wharf presents a scene of unusual bustle and activity ; and
when one sees the vast amount and variety of provisions, and the great quantity of domestic uten-
sils stowed away in the different parts of the ship, the idea of housekeeping on a gigantic scale
naturally suggests itself. The long rakish oil jiggers, drawn by two stout horses, come rumbling
and jolting along, laden with oil-casks, try-pots, cutting- tackles, blnbber-hooks, and other heavy
articles; the light jobbing wagons, with parties who are interested in fitting the vessel or, perhaps,
filled with provisions or clothing, drive along cautiously, keeping clear of the strong wheels of the
jigger; light express wagons, with packages from Boston or elsewhere, endeavor to deliver their
loads and get away; wagons of all descriptions— from shops, stores, factories, and warehouses,
representing almost every branch of the industries, hasten to deposit their loads and depart ; or
perhaps the outfitters, owners, or agent of the vessel, in their light and stylish buggies or car-
riages, persist in threading their way carefully through the blockade of incoming and outgoing-
wagons, to see what is going on, or tc give an order to the "ship keeper" or "boss stevedore."
Letter-carriers hasten to deliver their mail, and the swiftly running Western Union Telegraph
boys hunt in vain the owners or agent. In the mean time, also, conies the long skeleton boat- wagon,
drawn by one horse, consisting of a light running gear with slender upright recurved arms extend-
ing from the axles and embracing the whale-boat as it is transported from the shop to the vessel.
The outfits for a whaling voyage consist of the ordinary vessel supplies, provisions, clothing,
domestic utensils, carpenters', coopers', and blacksmiths' tools, apparatus for the capture of the
whale, for removing the blubber and hoisting it in, for preparing it for the try-works, and for boil
ing out the oil, and for stowing the oil away.
The oil-casks must be stowed away carefully and compactly; and iii order to economize space,
they are filled with salt water, both to ballast the ship and to preserve the wood, with fresh water
for the ship's use, provisions, clothing, and other supplies, consisting of the heads and hoops of
other casks, spare sails, and cordage. To convey an intelligent account of the manner in which
the hold is broken out to stow down a fare of oil at sea, it will first be necessary to describe the
manner in which the casks are stowed away at home. Oil-casks are always stowed lengthwise, or
"fore and aft," as it is called, and never athwartships, with bung-holes up.* The largest casks
are laid off in the ground tier, and filled with fresh water from the Acushnet Eiver, by means of
a flexible hose attached to a hydrant on the wharf. The water is then "salted," about three pecks
of salt being the proper amount for a 44-inch cask, and proportionate quantities for the other
sizes. The manner of stowing away the riding casks is practically the same on all of the large
vessels belonging to New Bedford; but the positions of the casks which contain fresh water and
other supplies vary to a large extent, depending upon the desires of the master and upon the size
of the vessel. It is important that the fresh-water casks should be stowed in accessible places.
" " Bung up arid bilge free"is the Excelsior of the whaleman iii stowing his cargo. This expression, originally
applied to a well-stored cask, has become an idiomatic phrase as applied to a person in good health or in a prosperous
condition.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 239
Sometimes all of the riding ('asks contain I'resh water, and as fast as they are emptied they are
cither tilled with oil, if the vessel has "greasy luck," or, if not, with salt water from overboard to
preserve the wood, to prevent them from falling to pieces and to ballast the ship. Two large
tanks, with a capacity of from 50 to 100 barrels each, were formerly used on the largest ships for
fresh water. At present some of our northern barks have such tanks; but as a smaller class of
vessels is now employed in the southern fisheries, the captains, though they appreciate the con-
venience of such receptacles, led that they cannot spare the space these tanks would occupy;
therefore the oil-casks are temporarily utilized for the purpose. When the large full-rigged ships
were, fitted out from Nantucket and New Bedford three tiers of casks were stowed in the lower
hold; but the present vessels, even of the largest size, can stow only two tiers in the lower hold
The largest vessels were rated as "three-tier ships," and the smallest as "two-tier ships." lu the
former class the ground-tier casks were always salted ; some of the second-tier casks were filled
with salt water and some with fresh water, and those in the third tier with fresh water, hard
bread, slops, shooks, cask heads, and other supplies not immediately needed. Although the
ground casks iu a modern '• two-tier ship" are usually filled with salt water, they may sometimes
be filled with fresh water; the second tier contains fresh water and other dry and wet supplies.
In this tier the shooks, spare heads and hoops of the oil-casks may be stowed forward of the fore
hatch; packages of meat, molasses, and other provisions abaft the mainmast, and fresh water
forward of the fore hatch. Between decks the casks are usually stowed " ou the head." They
contain a general assortment of ship's stores. The empty casks are carried under the main hatch.
The fore-hold abreast the hatches contains a miscellaneous assortment, and often in the most dire
confusion, of cutting-gear, such as blocks, falls, hooks, chains, and toggles, spare rigging, spare
pots, old craft, or junk, and bears the same relation to the ship that the garret does to an old
dwelling-house. Lumber, oars, spare harpoon poles, and boat boards may be stowed between the
cai lines ou each side of the vessel between the fore and main hatchways. The small stores, tobacco,
soap, canned meats and vegetables, articles for trade, duplicate harpoons, and other similar ma-
terial may be stowed in the run.
There are two ways of stowing casks, technically known as stowing " bilge and cuntline,"
and " stowing square tier" ; both processes being essential in fitting ship. The process of stowing
the casks, when fitting a ship for the voyage and when stowing down the oil is practically the
same ; the principal difference is that, with the exception of the ground tier, which always receives
the strictest care and attention in both cases, greater care is taken in " chocking off a hold" than
with supplies.
From the time the vessel arrives at her wharf until she sails, unless she is laid up for a con-
siderable length of time, she is in charge of a ship-keeper, who has absolute control. He never
leaves his post of duty or relinquishes his command until the vessel leaves her wharf. The day
of sailing is made a day of rejoicing and festivity aboard the whaler. The day before her de-
parture the crew are sent aboard ; the vessel leaves her wharf and swings into the stream and
anchors to prevent the crew from going ashore. The whale-boats are sent out to the shir, and
hoisted on the cranes. The next morning, the sailing day, the owners with a goodly number of
invited guests go aboard; the steam-tug "hooks ou" and the vessel is' towed out of the harbor,
and well out to sea. The owners and guests, the stay-at-homes on a pleasure trip, are as jolly
as can be, and the whalemen who are to endure the hardships of a long voyage affect an air of
jollity, but their countenances belie it. There is an abundance of eatables, wines, and cigars ; it
is a gala day, and every one is free to mingle with the happy crowd of smiling faces and to par-
take of the good cheer of the occasion.
240 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Towards night the guests are transferred to the tug, the lines are cast off, and with farewell
greetings of good luck, and a boisterous hurrah, the tug steams back to the harbor of New Bed-
ford ; the whaler heads for the Pacific, and the whaleman realizes for the first time, perhaps, that
he is just commencing a voyage of four years' duration; but he feels that the unpleasantness of
leaving home has been tempered by a warm "send off" of friends and acquaintances who have
accompanied him at least part of the way.
3. THE WHALE-BOAT.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION. — The vessel being too large to take an active part in the capture of
the whale, carries boats to the cruising grounds and sends them off to kill the cetacean and to
bring back its body. The whale- boat, therefore, becomes the most important factor in the capture.
Owing to its unparalleled seaworthiness and peculiar adaptation to the whale fishery, this type of
boat has been employed in almost its present shape for over a century. It was formerly " clinker-
built"; a term arising from the noise made when going through the water; but as the whales
grew wary, it was found unsuitable, and therefore a smooth-bottomed boat, to glide comparatively
noiselessly upon the unsuspecting animal, was suggested and finally adopted. As this kind of
craft must be propelled backward, the moment the harpoon is darted the steru should necessarily
be sharp. It is therefore a " double euder," progressive motion being obtained with equal facility
by either head or stern. The boats originally built for the whale fishery were heavy, unwieldy,
and much shorter and narrower than those of the present; but it is very generally conceded from
the outset that they were made sharp at both ends. They had round or canoe bottoms also, and
were made without center-boards.
BOAT EQUIPMENT. — Few people outside the whale fishery have an adequate idea of the number,
character, and varieties of implements of all kinds employed on the various vessels engaged in
this industry. When we look into a whale-boat which is almost filled with utensils scattered here
and there, we naturally teel slightly incredulous, when we are told that six men must get into it
before the outfit is completed. Such a craft should of course carry not only all the instruments
required for the capture, and for working the boat, as well as those necessary for the comfort of
the men when separated from the ship, but other instruments which may be termed accessories.
We have in such a boat six long oars, the largest and heaviest used steadily in any branch of the
service, varying from 1C to 22 feet in length ; six paddles; two tubs, one of them almost as large
as f»n ordinary wash-tub, for the whale-lines; one bucket for wetting the line to prevent friction
when carried out by a whale; one wooden keg for fresh water; one piggin for bailing the boat; one
utensil, in the shape of the frastrum of a cone, termed the lantern-keg, for the lantern, tinder-box,
matches, candles, pipes, tobacco, hard bread, &c. ; one drag, or " drug" as it is called, to impede
the motions of a wounded whale or calf; a '' blackfish-poke" and several small Hags with very long
poles for "waifing" dead whales; several pairs of canvas nippers for handling the whale-line; one
boat-hatchet for cutting harpoon handles from dead whales and other purposes; one fog-horn; two
knives to cut the whale line should it "null" or foul when fastened to the whale; one boinb-guu or
a darting gun; a bag containing bomb-lances; five or six harpoons; three hand-lances; a boat-spade
for cutting holes in the lips of the whale to reeve the tow-rope; one large mast, a mainsail, and jib.
We should also remember that the boat has a center-board and five thwarts which take up consid-
erable room, and 300 fathoms of whale line, a portion of which must be led both fore and aft over
the oars, and around the loggerhead to communicate with the harpoons. Yet when the boat is
lowered from the side of a vessel, every man takes his place, and she skims over the water without
the least confusion, provided <;he men are trained.
Till; \Y11.\I.K KIS11KUY. 241
Tin- harpoons, hand lances, and boat-spades, arc nsualh called '-craft, " and the other imple-
ments -gear." Kach I ma I lias its own crew, consisting of the "header,'' -stecrer," ami four oars-
men, and its own gear and craft.
DIMENSIONS OF TUT. v\ HALE-BOAT. — According to early records the length of the whale-boat
used in 172-1 was 20 feet ; and from the .statements of our oldest builders we learn that it was
increased to 2,3 feet before 1*00. Mr. James Beetle, of New Bedford, tells me that in 1827 he
built boats from 27 to 28 feet Ion-, and that they remained of this length until 1840. Meantime,
however, the boats carried by (lie smaller class of vessels were LI.") leet long. During the decade
of 1S40-7>0 Mr. Beetle, made whale- boats 3G feet long, with 7 pulling oars, for the whaler Sallie
Ann, of New Bedford. That vessel used the boats hi Delago Bay whaling, but they were employed
chiefly for towing and wcie tinalh condemned, being too heavy and unwieldy. Mr. George W.
Rogers, boat-builder, of New London, tells me that he made 9-oared whale-boats 38 feet long, 6
feet beam and 2 leet and - inches deep amidships. These boats were used by the ship Hanuibal,
of New London, Captain lioyce, for capturing sulphur-bottom whales near Spitzbergen and Nova
Xembla. These, however, are exceptional lengths. In 1800, when the Arctic fishery made a suc-
cessful footing, the length of the whale-boat was increased to 28 and 2!) feet, and since that time
to 30 and occasionally to 31 feet. The 28 and 29 foot boats are now more generally used, and it
may be said that the largest boats are used in the Arctic fishery, and the smallest ones in the
Southern fishery. The small schooners generally carry 28-foot boats. Mr. Ebeu Leonard, boat-
builder, of Long Plain, Mass., tells me that the usual dimensions of whale-boats are as follows :
The 28 foot boats are G feet 2 or 3 inches wide and 26 inches deep ; the 29-foot boats, 6 feet 4 or
0 inches wide and 27 inches deep, and the 30-foot boats G feet G inches wide and 27 or 28 inches
deep. He also tells me that he has made whale-boats 30 feet G inches long, 7 feet wide, and 28
inches deep, but the large boats are not popular. Capt. J. W. Beaty, in 1880, sent me the fol-
lowing dimensions of the Proviucetown whale-boat: Length on top, 28 feet ; length oil keel, 20
feet; keel, 4 inches in rocker; width of boat, 5 feet 8 inches; depth, 2G inches. Forty-eight timbers
are used iu the straight-keel boat, and fifty-eight in a center-board boat. The keel, gunwales,
timbers, stem and stern post, are made of the best white oak, and the outside planking of half-
inch white cedar with galvanized fastenings. The boat has two sets of ribbons made of oak,
and twelve knees made of white, oak or hackmatack steamed.
BOAT AVOEK AND MATERIAL.— -White oak, yellow bark or gray oak, cedar, spruce, and
uortheru pine are employed in the manufacture of the whale-boat, Mr. James Beetle, of New
I'.edford, the oldest whale-boat builder in America, speaking of the New Bedford boat trade, tells
me, that the white oak, from which the stems and the timbers are made, and the cedar for the
planking and ceiling, arc obtained principally from Bristol County, Massachusetts; the yellow
bark oak, although found in Massachusetts and Ehode Island, is for the most part obtained from
Connecticut, in the region between Hartford and Norwich. The boat-builders claim that the
timber from that section is better suited for their work as it is free from knots for a length of 30
feet or more. Cedar is invariably used for the strakes. It is not so hard as oak, but more durable ;
and although it " splinters" when dry, it is tough and leathery when wet; besides it has the nec-
essary qualification of lightm-
THE SAIL AMI srr.KD or THE WHALE-BOAT. — The locomotive appliances of the whale-boat
are common to all small craft, embracing oars, sails, and paddles. The steering-gear consists of
an unusually long and heavy oar and a light rudder; the former is used when "laying the boat
on the whale," and the latter when sailing free. The tireless, never- complaining motor, steam,
has been employed in the larger craft, such as launches and schooners, for "going on to whales,"
SEC. v, VOL. ii 1G
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
but for reasons which we shall presently have occasion to mention, it has never, as a rule, come
into general use. Few sails were used in whale-boats iu early days, but now they are exclusively
used. The rate of .speed varies with different boats. Whalemen take pride in having a fast sailer,
and as it is a difficult matter to combine both sailing and pulling qualities, they prefer the former
iu all cases. The present boat is capable of making about 7 or 8 knots per hour in a smooth sea
with a good fresh breeze well aft on the quarter. Under favorable conditions some whalemen
claim a speed of 8 knots under sail and others 10; but from 4 to (> knots per hour perhaps would
be a fair average when down for whales. Sails are iu variably used in connection with the paddles
whenever the wind gives a rate of speed of about 2 miles an hour iu approaching a whale, as the
boat moves much more quietly under sail than when propelled by oars. As to the speed by means
of oars, a well trained crew may in smooth water pull at the rate of 5 knots an hour during the
first hour when lowered from the ship, but generally they do not make more than 4 during the
second. Pulling to windward with a fair breeze, they would probably make about 4 knots an hour;
with a green crew probably not over 3 knots.
THE LIFE OF A WHALE-BOAT. — As to the durability or life of this kind of boat I should say
that some vessels return with the same boats they took out, which have, however, undergone many
repairs during the voyage ; but usually the boats are so much disabled iu the service as to render
substitutes imperative. One of the most destructive agents is the flukes of the whale. In the
Arctic regions the boats are frequently stove by collision with ice. As a rule, however, they suffer
the greatest damage when hoisted and lowered to and from the vessel, particularly in rough
weather. This has a tendency to split the strakes, break the gunwales, and rack the boat to
pieces generally. Towing dead whales to the ship also weakens the boat and sometimes " starts"
the nails.
THE COLOR OF A WHALE-BOAT. — When finished the boats are generally painted white unless
otherwise ordered, since this color is more popular. But the color depends upon the localities
in which the ship is expected to cruise; for example, the boats used about the Gulf Stream are
sometimes painted of a leather or salmon tint, and others may be painted of a lead color or a light
blue. White is preferable in the Arctic regions as it assimilates to the color of the ice and dimin-
ishes the chances of " gallyiug" the whales. Some builders simply prime the boats and the whale-
men paint them on board ship. The top strake is usually of a color differing from that of the rest
of the boat; it is green, black, or perhaps blue, dependent upon the fancy of the officer in charge.
Previous to 1818 I am told it was not customary to paint whale-boats at all; they were, however,
pitched with hot resin.
THE WEIGHT OF THE WHALE-BOAT. — Messrs. Beeves and Kelley, boat-builders of New
London, tell me that the boats of their manufacture weigh from 500 to 550 pounds. The whale-
boat in the F. S. National Museum, the gift of Messrs. I. H. Bartlett & Sons, of New Bedford, weighs,
with the masts, sails, oars, and all necessary apparatus of capture and accessories, 1,528 pounds.
If we add to the above the weight of a crew of six men, we shall have the average weight of a
whale-boat when engaged iu the capture.
THE PRICES OF THE WHALE-BOAT.— In 1880, the 28-foot boats sold for $90 and the 30-foot
boats for $100 each, at New Bedford; at Provincetowu the price was from $110 to $120 each.
When the smooth-bottom boats were first made, the difference in price between them and the lap-
streak boats was 810 each in favor of the former.
TRANSPORTATION OF BOATS ON WHALING VESSELS. — Ships and barks in the whale fishery
carry four boats for immediate use, and two or perhaps three spare boats; the former on the
cranes suspended out-board and the latter with reversed bottoms lashed to the after deck house.
Tin-: \YIIALI: HSHKUY. 243
These vessels -arc denominated " four-boaters," and carry one boat ou the starboard side and
three mi the port. The Arctic steamers, however, carry live boats on the cranes,* two on the
starboard and three on the port side. Schooners and brigs carry from two to three boats for
immediate use and a spare boat at the stern on projecting timbers called " tail feathers." The cap-
tain's boat (so called from courtesy and habit, but usually headed by the fourth mate) occupies its
position on the starboard quarter ; the mate's boat on the larboard t quarter; the second mate's
boat at the waist, and the third mate's boat on the larboard bow. They are familiarly known as
(I) the .starboard, (i!) larboard, (.'.>) waist, and(4) bow-boats. Steam barks carry a fifth boat| on the
starboard bow. Boats are not carried at the starboard waist, as this portion of the vessel is used
on all whalers, for cutting in the whale.
Ou a three-boat vessel the captain has the starboard boat, the first officer the port-quarter
boat, the second officer the waist boat, and a third man is shipped as a "third mate and boat
steerer," to take charge of the captain's boat or to steer the captain as the case may be. Ou a two-
boat vessel the captain has charge of the starboard boat and the mate the port boat. The boats
are lowered from and raised to the parts of the ship in the order just referred to; but on short
vessels the third mate's boat may be lowered from the starboard side, forward of the waist.
The manner of transporting the boats for active use to the whaling grounds is by means of
davits and cranes. The principle of suspension is common to all vessels ; on whalers the boats
are invariably suspended outboard. The attention of the reader is directed to the accompanying
plate, which represents the manner of carrying the starboard- quarter boat and the spare boats,§
one of which latter is visible.
The davits (d d) are made of white oak " bntt timber," squaring about 8 or 9 inches when
dressed, with a length varying from 12 to 10 feet. Two scarfs are sawed lengthwise in the upper end,
in a wedge like form; the timber is steamed, bent on a frame, and fastened with iron bolts to
retain the curve from the perpendicular.]] On the starboard quarter (of a ship) the distance
between the davits is from 21 to 21 feet, as the requirements may be, in order that boats of vary-
ing lengths may be accommodated. On the port side the interval between each pair is about 9
feet, affording sufficient room for the boats to "swing" without coming into collision. The heads
of the davits, about 10 feet above the main rail, are mortised for sheaves with friction rollers.
The falls (/) are of manila, 2i inches in circumference, and connect with a two-sheaved 9-iuch block,
which hooks into the " hoisting straps " (e e). The hoisting straps are the iron rods or " boat-iron,"
with rigid eyes at the head and stern of the boat respectively.
* Triangular-shaped wooden brackets upon which the koels of the boats rest.
tThe whalemen are the only class of seamen who have not adopted the term port instead of larboard, except iu
working ship. The larboard boat \\as this boat t<> their great-grandfathers and it is so with the present generation.
Mori' especially is this the ea>e in the Atlantic' and South Pacific fleets; but recently the term port-boat has come into
HM- in the Arctic Heel.
{Some of the new steamers built since 1.-'-.! carry sixth and seventh boats.
6 Nomenclature of starboard niiarter of a whale ship, sli manner of transporting the captain's boat and
I lie spare boats: .«. starboard quarter of the ship; a, whale-boat on cranes transported to the whaling grounds;
6 b l> ]>, bearers against which the. inboard side of b >ut rests; r, c, cranes upon which keel of boat rests; dil, davits.
These are the usual form of davits, although ! of conjoined wood have been used : c <-, hoisting straps into
which the fallen hooks of davit-tackle arc inserted when lowering or hoisting the boat ; //, davit-tackle falls for
hoisting and lowering; ;/ ;/, uripe.s for lashing boat to prevent chafing, &c.; h li, iron braces to hold cranes in posi-
tion when boat, has been hoisted ; i i, span' boat on skills or gallows-frame ; /, end of skill rest ing ou stanchion ; k,
lashing to hold boat iu position; I I 1 I, shrouds; m m m m, back-stays, topmast, topgallant, and royal back-
stays; B, main brace; p p p p p, miming rigging; q, mizzen mast; »• r, ratlines; s, spanker-boom ; t, spanker jack-
stay; u, channels; v, chain-plates.
I lie davits on whalers are usually made of wood ; iron davits have been tried, bni were (bund too stiff.
244 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
These rods are strong enough to bear the weight of the boat and its necessary apparatus when
suspended. The irons now in use are technically termed "long irons," in contradistinction to
those formerly used, which were called "short irons." The boats may be hoisted and lowered, as
it is termed, "loggerhead and clumsy cleat," or "by the ends." This depends upon the positions
of the hoisting .straps in the boats, and it very materially affects the distances between the davits.*
During an ordinary gale the cranes maybe fleeted up,t and the boats " davy-headed." During
a heavy gale the lee boats may be turned up on their sides, especially if the davits are short, by
means of tackles from aloft, and lashed with their gunwales resting on the cranes, to prevent them
from filling with water when a heavy sea. comes aboard, or they may be turned up on both side's
of the ship when running before a gale.
The cranes (c c) have the form of a right-angle triangle, and are made of pieces of oak from
3 to 4 inches square; the cross-piece, upon which the keel of the boat rests, is about 3i feet long.
The upright piece at the back is fastened to the bearer with pintles and eye-bolts. This triangular
contrivance swings freely to either side. When the boats are hoisted, the cranes, two to each boat,
are swung under and held in position by iron braces (/< //). In some cases the top pieces of the
cranes have cleats with notches, or "jogs," from 1 to 1J inches deep, covered with mats for the
keel to rest in, while in others cleats are dispensed with and mats only are used.
Slide-boards (b b) are bent over the channels («) to prevent the boat from fouling when hoisted
and lowered. The lower ends of these boards are bolted to the ship, and the upper ends usually
to the bottom of upright tapering pieces of timber called " bearers."
When the boats are in position on the cranes the heavy line-tubs are removed and placed
upon wooden gratings, which are made fast to the bearers and the stanchions of the after house,
to relieve the bottoms of the boat from unnecessary weight. The grating is triced up when the
boat is hoisted, and then lowered and fastened with two laniards. Sometimes, however, the tubs
are transferred to the after-deck house and lashed.
To prevent the boats from chafing when the vessel pitches, they are held by the head with
gig-tackle, and to prevent them from chafing when she rolls, they are lashed with gripes. The
former consists of a double and single block connected by a 9-thread inanila rope. The long
strap, made fast to the double block, has a crupper-like arrangement' at the forward end, covered
with leather, which fits over the bow-chocks of the boat. The short strap, made fast to the single
block at the after-end, has a small hook, which, when in use, should be inserted in an eye attached
to the bearer. The tackle being adjusted, the falls are hauled taut. A reference to the illustration
will better explain this contrivance. The bearer is represented by b / the crupper or loop of for-
ward strap, hitched to the port bow-chock, by c, and the falls fastened to the cleat d, by a. Some
of the gig-tackles are plain and commonplace enough, while others are made with extraordinary
care and taste, and are quite attractive in appearance. The boat-steerers make them usually on
board ship, and formerly they took great pride in this work. The blocks and sheaves weie ofteu-
*The forward irou strap was formerly inserted in the eyes of the boat, and ruffed to the stem; the after one
pierced the stern about 4 inches from the head of the stern post and was rutted to the toe of this post. This arrange-
ment rendered it imperative that tin- hoals should be hoisted "by the ends " or "stein and stern. ;> But on account,
of the heavy strain brought, to bear upon them, the mechanical and philosophical principle of which is obvious totho
reader, it became necessary thai the hoisting tackles should be brought closer together ; consequently, some builders
shortened the distance lirt \\ een I he irons by running them through the clumsy cleat and cuddy board respectively, and
boats were hoisted "clumsy cleat and loggerhead. " Other builders, however, instead of the removing the first-
named set, placed the additional set in the parts of the boat I have just named. By this arrangement boats of this
construction may be adapted to any davits, which are. not always placed at regular intervals from each other.
tTwo or three gudgeons are inserted in each bearer, and the cranes may be raised in this manner.
TIIK VVIIAU-; KISMKKV.
245
times made of ivory — tlic teetli or pan of the .sperm whale; the straps were nicely laid, covered
with canvas, grafted, and lancilully painted. The " boat gripes," about 8 feet long, are made of a
L'^-inch rope, double, and seized together with canvas. The middle portion is covered with leather
HEAD OF WHALE-BOAT, SHOWING GIC.-T.VKl.F,.
to pre%Tent chafing. One end is made fast to a hook on the side of the vessel, and the other, with
a laniard attached, is passed around the boat and hauled taut.*
From one to three spare boats are held in readiness to be lowered in case of accident to the
boats on the cranes, one on schooners and brigs, and two or three on barks. It is also customary
to carry duplicate parts of boats, such as keels, knees, gunwales, timbers, stem and stern posts,
and boat boards, as well as boat nails' for repairing boats which may be stove by whales or broken
when lowered or hoisted. During the voyage, as the boats are destroyed by accident, others may
be purchased at some convenient port where whaling supplies are kept, and usually at exorbitant
juices; but they are of American manufacture, having been sent out to supply the demand, or
they may be obtained from homeward-bound ships. The manner of transporting the extra boats
on barks and ships is inboard on skids or deck-houses, and on schooners outboard at the stern.
The skids or gallows frames are merely a timber frame-work. Four wooden stanchions,
two on each side of the ship in the after part, resting upon the plank-shear on the outside of
the vessel, are bolted to the bulwarks. Two pieces of timber, extending athwartships, rest upon
the stanchions, and are held in position by a mortise-aud-teuon joint. To impart additional
strength, some of the frames are kneed at the junction of the oveihead timbers and stanchions.
Such a frame is high enough above the deck to '; clear the head of the longest man of the crew."
The spare boats are turned upside down, with their heads and sterns resting upon the transverse
timbers, and lashed. The skeleton frame is seldom found on the present New Bedford ships; and
it is my impression that it was one of the peculiarities of the craft belonging to Nantncket and
I-Mgartown. The storage-house, with which I am familial-, may be found on the largest vessels
hailing from the first-named port. It is a kind of shed called the " after-house," or " after-deck
house," built over the qirurter deck. Its roof and sides are weather proof, and the ends are open.
It affords an excellent shelter for the alter deck. On its top may be found the spare boats, har-
poons, lances, boat-sails, rudders, oars, and other articles of boat-gear; and under it, implements
with long poles, such as cutting spades, tinkers, porpoise irons, and grains.
Although the spare boats are carried at the stern of brigs and schooners, they are never
lowered from the after part of the vessels, as, in heavy weather, great difficulty would be expe-
" All i T the boats ha\ e thus been provided I'm, spreaders arc, in snnic- instances, placed transversely iu them. The
spreaders :nv merely -wooden slicks, which, in tin- words of an old Provincetown whaleman, arc "jusl as l^ny as the
lioats arc wide," witli shoulders or notches cut in each end to hold them in (heir proper positions on the gunwales, to
keep the linats i'nun u.i][,iu^. Thc\ arc used in the southern fishery only, where the boat« are exposed to the pow-
erful rays of a tropical sun.
246 TI1STOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
rieuced. This is the method of transportation ou small vessels, the object being to economize
space by placing the boats outboard. The manner of carrying a spare boat ou a schooner is as
follows: Two pieces of timber, or "bearers," bolted to the stern-frame, project outboard perhaps
4 or 5 feet. These projections are facetiously termed " tail-feathers." On some vessels the boat
merely rests head and stern upon the bearers; but ou others, the keel of the boat rests upon a
heavy plank extending athwartships and fastened to the outboard ends of the bearers. The boats
are held in position by means of a piece of plank at each end bolted to the bearers.* Spare oars,
harpoon poles, and other implements of this kind, are also stowed outboard with the boats.
THE STEAM CUTTER. — Owing to the noise made by the escape of steam, boats propelled by
this motor have not, until very recently, been used to advantage in approaching whales. The
Norwegians employ steamers in the capture of the whale, heavy gnus placed on deck being used
to throw the projectiles. Americans have also used steamers entirely decked over, as the White-
law and the Rocket, off the San Francisco heads, in the capture of fin-backs, and I am told that
the Northwest Whaling Company employed a small steam launch on the south coast of Alaska
for fastening on to whales by means of the whaling rocket, a weapon also used by the Califor-
nia steamers. It should be borne in mind that the above-mentioned steamers operated near the
coast and used pieces of ordnance or rocket guns, and consequently were enabled at times to prose-
cute this branch of the fishery successfully ; but the necessities of open-sea whaling require smal 1
boats that may be lowered from the vessels to intercept the whales, as such large objects as ships
would galley them. The desideratum of the whaleman is to fasten his whale to the, boat by means
of the harpoon and line, in order that the animal may, in a measure, be under control. Having
accomplished this object the whale may be dispatched with bomb-lances. The early method
adopted for the capture in deep-sea whaling was to approach the whale in boats propelled by
oars, or, whenever the whales evinced the slightest timidity, by the use of paddles. As little noise
as possible should be made at such times. It soon became evident, however, that speed in "going
on to a whale" was of the utmost importance; and although sails were suggested, it was believed
that such conspicuous objects would not only frighten the whales, but probably also be the meaus
of swamping the boat, or otherwise endangering the lives of the crew during the actual capture. But
James Beetle, of New Bedford, applied the patent mast-hinge to this kind of craft; sails were set,
the boat swiftly approached the whale, and the mast and sail were lower* d together with the
greatest ease soon after the harpoouer darted his instrument into the whale. All whales are now
struck under canvas, and a whaleman who does not sail on his whale under favorable conditious
does not understand his calling. But the whales are becoming educated or getting their eyes
open, so to speak, to the present system of warfare waged upon them ; and it now becomes nec-
essary to introduce a motor for facilitating the transit of boats to the objects of capture. To this
end Prof. Spencer F. Baird, United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, and Lieut. Z. L.
Tanner, United States Navy, Commander United States Fish Commission steamer Albatross, sug-
gested the use of one of the Herreshoff steam -cutters as an experiment in this fishery. Acting upon
the advice of these gentlemen, Messrs. I. El. Bartlett & Sons, of New Bedford, introduced one of the
proposed launches iu the North Pacific during the year issj. This launch is US fret long, with a
beam of 7 feet. It has an upright boiler, uses " arctic coal" as fuel, and is of the same kind as those
now employed by some of the steamers of the Navy. It was not intended, however, by the pro-
jectors of this scheme that the launch should be used in the actual capture ; its object being. solely to
"According to Manby's account (Voyage lodivrulaud, 79) English whalers carried spare boats at the stern. "While
on the English ship Baffin, the Gmuilumhnan Vigilant, of London, homeward bound to that port, was spoken. In
the boat hanging over her stern was a coffin containing the remains of one of her boat-steerers who had been killed
by a whale."
THE WllAU-1 FISIllOTJY. 247
tow the whale-boats nearer (lie whale, thereby economizing I hnr, and to aflonl means of approach-
ing whales during cnliiis, when they might otherwise be inaccessible, and afterwards to tow dead
whales to I he vessel. But from the account of ('apt. Bernard Cogan, who first used this cutter
in counection with the bark Rainbow, in the Arctic regions, it appears that the steamer has been
employed in killing wounded whales as well as in gelling fast •• .second boat." In a letter to Mr.
William H. Bartlett, Captain Cogan says that the cutter was " used to advantage towing boats
to windward and towing whales to ship in light winds. Found her most useful in chasing wounded
whales that got loose. It is hard for a wounded whale to get away from her in open water, and
she always got fast second boat. We used the darting gnu, hand lance, and bomb lances. We
got two whales with her, and saved one wounded whale that we would have lost if we did not
have her. Used properly, one steam-launch is a big advantage to a ship." The career of this little
craft will be watched with much interest, not only by the whaling fraternity, but by sea-faring men
of every nation, and as it is the first attempt in this direction, it will undoubtedly prove an impor-
tant record in the history of the America.] i whale-fishery.
4. THE APPARATUS OF CAPTURE.*
IMPRACTICABLE SCHEMES. — NETS, PRUSSIC ACID, AND ELECTRICITY.
It was my first intention to describe only the ordinary methods of capture ; but in arranging
and elaborating the results of my investigations, I find that I have several accounts of extraordi-
nary and impracticable schemes for the destruction of the whale.
Among the most remarkable schemes that have fallen short of successful application should
be mentioned (1) nets, (i') prussic acid, and (.'_!) electricity.
THE CAPTURE OF WHALES WITH NETS. — Attempts have been made by both English and
American whalemen to capture the " white whale," or white dolphin, in nets. So far as the Eng-
lish are concerned, or were concerned. I have no data except that which has been published by
Scoresby, who tells us that this species was taken in the large rivers flowing into Hudson Bay and
Davis Straits by "harpoons or strong nets": but in regard to the steps taken in this direction
by American whalemen I am prepared to speak more definitely. Mr. H. L. Crandell, home
manager of the firm of Messrs. C. A. Williams & Co., Xew London, Conn., tells me that the old
firm of Williams, Haven & Co. made two attempts to capture the white whale with nets at the
mouths of the large rivers in Cumberland Inlet. The nets were made of ruanila lobster twine
capable of lifting 200 pounds. This net had a 0 inch mesh and was 500 fathoms long, 3 fathoms
deep in the bunt, and tapered to L! fathoms at the ends. It was hung on manila whale-line with
weights and corks, and cost §1.000. It was used by hark Coucordia, in 1871, at Kingann, Cum-
berland Inlet. It was set from a platform built across two whale-boats and towed from shore to
shore by five boats of the same type. At one setting five hundred white whales or "white gram-
puses,''as they are also called by whalemen, were entrapped and killed with guns and lances in
less than an hour. This catch stowed down 750 barrels of oil. Thirty-seven men were employed
at each ebb-tide, and 1,000 barrels of oil were taken during the season. A second net was made
of the same material and with a mesh of the same size; it was 1,000 fathoms long; the bunt was
300 fathoms long, and fished 4 feet deep; the next 300 fathoms on either side fished 3 feet, and
the remaining 400 fathoms at each end fished from 2 feet to 1 foot. It was also strung with whale-
line, and had adjustable cast-iron sinkers weighing from 8 to 24 pounds each. This net was used
in 1872 at the locality above mentioned by the steamer Tigress, of St. John's, Newfoundland,
* For more detailed description ol' apparatus see the section of I his report, ou APPARATUS OF TIIF, FISIIKRIES.
248 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
chartered by Williams, lla\en & Co. Tliis steamer was accompanied by the schooner Helen F.,
owned by that firm. The net was set from a seine-boat, mode at St. John's, at a cost of $500, with a
carrying capacity of 25 tons and a deck 24 feet wide. This craft was towed into position by six-
whale-boats. At the first setting the net was cut into three pieces by the sharp rocks and for the.
time being rendered useless. The men endeavored to keep the whales in deep water until ebb
tide, when they could have an opportunity of mending the net. It appears, however, that the
cunning dolphins did not like this mode of imprisonment; the entire school made a violent rush,
and carried away 150 fathoms of the bunt, and almost swamped the whale-boats. The net was
again rigged and a second attempt was made; but operations were delayed by the boats running
afoul of the rocks, and the whales escaped. It is estimated that about 2,000 dolphius were in the
net each time, but only about two hundred were captured. Neither of the above experiments
was regarded with much favor by the projectors of the scheme, and they have since practically
abandoned nets.
In the fall of 1882 I met Capt. Josiah Ghenn, the veteran Provincetown whaleman, and he
told me that when he was master of the schooner OounciJ, about the year 1848, he was cruising oft'
the coast of Labrador, .and undertook to capture a bowhead whale by means of a net. The net
was made of whale-line on board his vessel; it was 159 fathoms long, 8 fathoms deep, and with
meshes of extraordinary size. It was set from the shore 50 fathoms in a straight line in an easterly
direction ; turning at right angles the remaining 100 fathoms were carried north parallel to the shore,
leaving the northern end open for the whales to enter. A bowhead whale entered this trap at
night and carried away the entire net ; and Captain Ghenu added that he has " never seen the
whale or net since."
The fishermen of the Faroe Islands have been very successful in their captures, by means of
nets, of the "grind-whale" or blaekfish (G. melas) at Vestmanhavu. This fishery is discussed in
the next chapter.
It is altogether possible that nets may be used locally under favorable conditions to captuie
the smaller species of cetaceans, such as the white whale and blacklish. but for the larger members
of the order they are without doubt impracticable.
PEUSSIC ACID. — Hydrocyanic acid has been used to destroy the life of the whale ; but its
deleterious effects soon abolished its use. In low latitudes Hie men at work in the blubber-room
cut off the bottoms of their trousers and with bare feet and legs stowaway the unctuous pieces of
fat. Several men, who possibly had sores upon their hands or feet, were fatally poisoned by the
blubber of a whale that had been killed with prussic acid. The news soon spread through the
fleet, and the beginning and end of this method of capture occurred almost simultaneously.
As to the origin of the use of poison in the whale fishery there are many conflicting reports.
The American whalemen unanimously attribute the inauguration of this enterprise to the Freuch,
from the fact that several of our ships fell in with French whalers that carried the so-called "prus-
sic acid harpoon "; but so far as 1 can ascertain the harpoons were not generally used. Mr. F. C.
Sanfoid, of Nantucket, Mass., tells me that poisoned harpoons were carried by the ship Susan
Swain, which sailed from Nautiieket November, 17. 1833 : but Charles E. Allen, an "apothecary"
in Nantucket, who was mate on the Susan on that voyage, says the crew never used them, as they
were frightened by reports concerning the death of whalemen from handling poisoned blubber.
Captain Allen also says that during a subsequent voyage, on the northwest coast he shipped a
Frenchman who reported that some <>f his countrymen killed a whale with a prussic-acid harpoon,
and that when " cutting in," the man who was working on the whale received a flesh wound and died
from the effects of the poison. Mr. Samuel Tuck, eighty-three years of age, of Williamsburg,
TFIE WITALE FISHERY. 249
N. T., formerly agent of tin- Susan, s;i.ys that a harpoon similar to the oM double-barbed iron was
made liy a Nantncket blacksmith, \vitli slots for bottles of arid, 1ml it \vas not used at all during
the voyage.
My correspondents, among whom are numbered some of the oldest whalemen, tell me that
they are of the opinion that prussic aeid has never been used in the American fleet. While col-
lecting objects of interest connected with the whale fishery in the fall of 1882 for the London
Fisheries Exposition, I obtained two harpoons intended to be used with prussie aeid. They were
presented by Mr. Joseph P>. Macy. of Nantucket, and are now displayed in the fisheries section of
the II. S. National .Museum (Nos. 56,200 and 50,261).
It would appear that the method of destroying the whale by means of poison originated in
Scotland, and that Dr. Robert Ghristison, of Edinburgh, was instrumental in promoting this uovel
enterprise. An exhaustive paper on the subject was read by him before the Royal Society of
Edinburgh, in 1800.*
In a communication to Prof. Spencer F. Baird, U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries,
Capt. William Adams, of the Scotch whaling fleet, gives the following account of a whale killed
with prussie acid.
"During the winter of 1861 a large two-grooved rifle was made by Messrs. Dixon, of Edin-
burgh, from plans and instructions of Mr. James Miln, of 'Murie.' The weight of the rifle was
2S pounds. Shells were made for it and filled with one-half ounce concentrated prussic acid and
a small charge of powder fired by a 10-second time-fuse. The prussic aeid was made for me by
Dr. Stevenson McAdam, of Edinburgh.
[Extract from Journal.]
" MAY 12, 1862. (Off the island of Disco.)
"10 a. in. Saw a whale and lowered away two boats.
"10.30 a. in. Saw several whales; called all hands and lowered five more boats.
"11 a. in. The mate, Scott, got fast with the gun harpoon; whale sounded and took four lines
(480 fathoms).
"11.30 a. in. Lowered the S. quarter boat, Captain Nicoll being in tow with the large rifle.
'• li! noon. Whale came up and a shell (prussic acid) wafe fired into her. She went under for
four or five minutes, and on coming up another shell was fired into her. She then seemed quite
helpless.
"Three gun harpoons were then fired into her as she lay on her side.
"At 12.30 p. in. she was quite dead.
"We had no difficulty with the men in regard to the poison, but we never got another chance
to use it."
ELKCTRTC WHALING ATPARATUS. — In presenting an account of this apparatus it is not to
be inferred that it lias ever been brought into practical use, for as far as I can ascertain it has
not; but it is interesting to know that modern science has not overlooked the needs of the whale
fishery, and I mention it merely as one' of the emiosities of the subject. In 1852 letters patents
were granted by the United States Patent Otliee to two gentlemen living in Germany for an elec-
tric whaling apparatus. According to the specification this contrivance consisted of a magneto
electric rotation machine, a metallic wire attached to the harpoon, and a coppered whale-boat
constructed in such a manner that the electric current might be recondncted from the whale wheli
* On the capture of whales by poi<on. by Robert Clini.MMiu, M. D., Professor of Matrriii M<-di.-;i m 1 'HIM icityof
Edinburgh. Eilin. Xr\v 1'liil. .Imir , li'.l, m-\v .-.rues, xii, Isiin, pp. T-'-sO.
250 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
harpooned tb rough the water to the machine. The boat was made 1! fret longer than usual to
make room for the apparatus. The harpoon was of the ordinary pattern, but so constructed that
the wooden pole might be easily detached with a small line. The harpoon was intended to be
darted by hand, ami when the pole was withdrawn the head and the conductor should remain in
the whale; then the machine should be set in motion and the electric current circulated through
the body of the whale. At each revolution of the machine handle it is claimed that the whale
receives about eight tremendous shocks, or 960 strokes per minute — "so formidable a power that
no living being can resist the same."
THE ORTHODOX AND CUSTOMARY METHODS OF CAPTURE.
"FASTENING ON TO "WHALES."— In considering the various methods and appliances that have
been employed from time to time in the capture of the whale, the primitive style, by means of the
harpoon, line, and band-lance, is of first importance. The next step was the introduction of the
harpoon-gun, which finally gave way to the bomb-gun and suggested the system now universally
employed of discharging explosives in the vital parts of the whale. But the initial step now taken
in the capture is identical with that of the early days of whaling, for the harpoon is still relied
upon to fasten the whale to the boat. The hand-lance, formerly the only instrument available in
giving the death blow, has been almost entirely superseded by the bomb-lance, and its discontinu-
ance is merely a question of time. An implement called the boat-spade was formerly used to
disable a running right whale by severing the tendons which connect the body and the flukes;
but, so far as its legitimate duty is concerned, it also has been virtually displaced by the explosive
lance.
The practice of "fastening on to" whales is as old as the fishery. It was resorted to by the
Biscayans, from whom both the Dutch and English borrowed their ideas, and has been adopted
by all nations that have engaged in whaling. The Indians of Cape Flattery, the only representa-
tives of their race south of Alaska who capture the whale, first fasten on to the animal, and then
murder it with lances and other rude implements; and according to their traditions this method
of capture has been handed down through countless ages. As early as 1613, Purchas says', in an
account of "a hunting spectacle of the greatest chase wh'ch nature yieldeth," that the "harping
iron principally" serves "to fasten him to the shallop;" after which "they strike him with lances
made for that purpose, about 12 feet long." For over two hundred and fifty years this method of
capture has passed from generation to generation, and is rigidly practiced at the present writing.
Frederich Marten, ii; his account of a voyage to Spitsbergen in the ship " Jonas in the Whale"
(Jonas im Walfisch), during the year 1671, says, in his quaint style, that they fastened the long-boat
to the whale "that he might not run away." and then " launced" him until he was dead.
THE HARPOON.— The harpoon is of primary importance, for to this instrument the whalemen
look for success and profit. The primitive or typical harpoon, forms of which are still preserved, is
sagittate, and known to whalemen as the "two-fined iron;" the next step was the harpoon, with
one fixed barb, the "one-fined iron," and the third, the instrument now in use, with a movable
barb or toggle which acts upon the principle of the lily-iron of the sword fishermen. The lily-
iron, which was evidently suggested by the adjustable bone and ivory harpoon heads of the Eskimo
tribes, was used on whaling vessels for striking porpoises when "sea-pies" were needed, and for
other purposes, but it was not strong enough for whaling. Considerable complaint was lodged
against the, old harpoon (Vom the fact that oftentimes it would "draw" and let the whale escape,
and the urgent need of a new and better instrument became apparent daily. The "one-fined"
harpoon was introduced, being made with the diameter of the neck smaller than the shank, to
THE WTTAI.F, FISITl'RY. 251
produce ;i weak place, which would bend without .breaking when the whale started oil' harnessed
to (lie boat ; but this \\ as also tbmid unsatisfactory. Finally Lewis Temple, a colored man, of New
I'.ctltbrd, conceived the idea of the toggle-harpoon. He manufactured his first iron in 1848, and
since that time it has been used by the American whalemen to the exclusion of all others.*
The shanks of the harpoons are forced by hand in blacksmith shops from the best and toughest
Swedish iron and not of steel; the heads, though usually east from annealed or malleable iron,
are sometimes wrought. I have seen shanks of harpomis that have been twisted into the most
questionable shapes by the actions of dying whales; some had complete circles or loops bent in
them, and none of the instruments could be used until forged anew. When the whale is towing
the boat the shanks of the harpoons, usually the portions known as the "necks," are sometimes
reduced in diameter by tractile force. That the fibers of cold iron can be drawn out in this manner
has been doubted by skeptics, but it does not seem improbable to persons who are familiar with
the ductility of metals, or with the great strain brought to bear upon the harpoon when the boat
is towed through a heavy sea, and more particularly when the harpoon is fastened under a rib of
the whale. I have seen very interesting specimens of this character, and in the fall of 1882 I sent
three "stretched7' harpoons to the National Museum. Sometimes the harpoon breaks, and the
portion which remains in the whale may long afterwards be cut ont by the crew of the same or
another vessel. Owing to the marks, subsequently referred to, the instrument may be easily
identified. The wound becomes cicatrized, and perhaps after many years, by attrition, the pro-
jecting shank may be worn to a mere shred. A boat-steerer belonging to the Ansel Gibbs, of New
Bedford, threw his harpoon into a bowhead whale in Hudson Bay, and several years afterwards
the ship Cornelius Howland, also of New Bedford, captured the same whale in the Arctic regions
on the •western coast. The whale had traversed the great northwest passage, which is as yet
unknown to man, and carried with it the harpoon, which was branded with the names of the Gibbs
and of the blacksmith who made it.t
It is the popular impression that the harpoon is employed solely to kill the whale. This is
also erroneous. It is used mainly to fasten the whale to the boat by means of the line in order
that the animal may be killed with either the hand-lance or the explosive lance. I am aware that
in many cases \\hales have been killed by the harpoon when it penetrated a vital spot, but these
are the exceptions rather than the rule.
MAKKED CRAFT. — Tue harpoons are marked with the initials of the names of the vessels
and the boats to which they belong. Thus, the irons belonging to the mate's boat or bow-boat of
the ship Susan should be stamped with a cold chisel, S, or S... , B. B., and as long as such a
harpoon remains in a whale no ship of any nation can legitimately claim the whale or its product.
On some vessels, instead of using the initial of the boats, straight marks or a series of dots are made;
thus, S on one side and | | | | or : ; ; ; on the reverse has the same meaning as above noted.
Capt, W. H. JIacy, author and whaleman, of Nautucket, in the " Log of the Arethnsa," says that
" marked craft claims the • fish ' so long as it is in the water, dead or alive." Also that if the captain
of one ship is found in the act of cutting in a whale with the marked haipoon belonging to another,
the claimant has a right to cut off the blubber even with the plankshear of the vessel and take
what is below, but cannot claim anything that has been hoisted into the ship. This is the whale-
* To convey some idea of the magnitude of the harpoon trade, I should say that the books of Mr. James Durfee,
the veteran harpoon-maker of New Bedford, show that, from IS>8 tn 1808, iucln i;ide and sold ."-..".17 har-
poons. Of this nunil.er •!:., in:: were the old-fasi led irons, including luith the do»l> -Land the
rcmaindEj- were the improved toggle-irons. We si lake into eoiisaderatlou that during this time there were
about eight or ten harpoon-makers at work in New Bedford,
t Jireh Swift, New Bedtoid.
252 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
men's law, as determined by custom, and nothing better could be devised. In March, 1688, tlie.
universally recognized law of whalemen that "craft claims the whale'' was placed on the colonial
records of Massachusetts Bay, wherein, among other things, it is specified "Gly, that each com-
pany's harping lion & lance lie Distimkly marked on ye heads and socketts'with a public mark:
to ye prevention of strife."' '
THE HAND LANCE. — Next in importance to the harpoon was the old baud-lance, which has
been superseded by the bomb lance. Its head is made of steel and its shank of the best wrought
iron. The total length, including the handle, is about 12 feet. The lance itself is from 5$ to 6 feet
long. It is used by ihe ollieer of the boat to kill the whale after it has been harpooned. Not-
withstanding hand-lances are rarely employed at present, three of them are always included iu tlie
outfit of a whale-boat to be used in cases of necessity. Oapt. William Martin, of Provincetown,
tells me he always lulls his sperm whales with the hand-lance, but uses the bomb-lance for right
whales and humpbacks.
THE WHALE LINE. — It is essential that the whale line or "main-warp" should be of the
best quality of its kind, for should it "part" the whale would of course escape. It is loose laid,
soft, pliable, and may be stretched until its diameter is greatly reduced before it breaks. Unlike
cordage, it is fn e from tar, but during the process of manufacture the tow is sprinkled with whale
oil as a preservative. It is made of the fibers of the "manila hemp" or wild plantain (Musa tex-
tilts), an endogenous plant, indigenous in the Philippine Isles, and the islands of the Indian Archi-
pelago, and known as Abaca to the natives of the first-named group.
The whale-line is laid in Flemish coils in two tubs, 21! 5 fathoms in the large tub and 75
fathoms in the small tub. The upper and lower ends of each line are exposed and provided with
eye-splices in order that one end of the line may be made fast to the harpoon and the other end
to the other line when fast to a whale. Each boat carries 300 fathoms of line, and if a whale by
running or sounding a great distance takes it all out another boat is signaled and assists in the
capture. It is, however, unusual for a whale to take out over two thirds of the 300 fathoms belong-
ing to a boat; but of course much depends upon the disposition of the whale and the skill of its
captors.
One end of the whale-line is made f'.ist to the "first iron," that is, the first harpoon darted at
or into the whale, and the "second iron " is connected with the main line by a short warp attached
by a running bow line. The harpooner, having darted the first iron, endeavors to dispose of the
second in a similar manner as soon as possible; but if the whale gets beyond darting distance he
" heaves " it overboard anyhow to prevent it from fouling with the main line. During the capture,
harpoon No. 2 is towed, and usually found near the head of the boat.
THE "WHALING GUN. — The whaling-gun was primarily intended to impel harpoons, but as the
weight of the line deflected the instruments from their true course of flight it became necessary
that a uiii-sile should be so constructed as to be used with the gun for killing the whale instead of
merely fastening to it. The gun-harpoon has therefore given way to the bomb-lance. "We must
give the English the credit for inventing the whaling-gnn, that is, the heavy swivel-gun. The
eminent whaleman and author, Scoresby, tells us that this gun was invented in 1731, but was little
used, and also that in 1771 or 1772 it was again brought forward, having been improved so much
that it was regarded as a new invention. The Society of Arts urged its introduction in the Green-
land fishery, and offered rewaids for whales killed with it. But the early English and Dutch,
particularly the latter, apparently feared the gun more than they did the whales. American
* Hist. Amer. Whale Fishery, Alexander Stai-buck ; published iu U. S. Fish Commission Report, part iv, p. 8, :i ud
Mass. Col. MSB., Treasury, iii, p. 80.
Till-: WHALE FISOERY. 253
whalemen, however, have never regarded the swivel-gun with much favor, although it has occa-
sionally been used by them on the California coast in de\ il fishing, or elsewhere iu humpbackiug,
tiubacking, and right whaling, and soinetiines in bowhcading in the Okhotsk .Sea, as well as iu
humpbacking on the southern coast of Africa, but principally on .soundings. They preferred th«
light shoulder-guns, which oftentimes •• tired alt" with more emphasis than they did forward.
The consequence was that the gunner was kicked as far aft as 'midships, and it was found neces-
sary then, even as it is now, to tie the gun to the boat with a laniard in order that it could be
regained when it was •• hoisted overboard." The recoil of the old shoulder-guns was immense. 1
have heard of two men who had their collar bones broken by a heavy gun.
The shoulder-guns which are now iu such general use are of American invention and manu-
facture. The tirst were muzzle loading, and I'roviucetown still clings to this type, one of which,
the Brand, they prefer. The New Bedford whalemen prefer the improved breech-loading gnus.
Of the latter there are two kinds now in use, the "Pierce & Eggers" and the "Cunningham &
Cogau." The first named is made of gun metal throughout, and the second has the stock of cast
iron and barrel of steel. Central-fire cartridges are used. The Eggers requires a Winchester
cartridge No. 8, the bomb-lance being loaded separately, and the Cunningham has a bomb-lance
and cartridge combined, made expressly for it, which are placed in the gun simultaneously. A
rifle has been used, but it was found impracticable.
When fire arms were introduced into this fishery there were, as might be expected in regard to
any innovation, many arguments against them, but the necessities of the occasion demanded their
use, and now the echo of the whaling-gun bounds over the billows in every clime.
The Brand bomb-gnu is worthy of mention as being the first gun successfully used in the
American whale fishery. There are three sizes, all of which are muzzle-loaders. The caliber,
length, and weight are as follows : No. 1, 38 inches long ; weight, 23 pounds; caliber, seven-eighths
of an inch; No. -, ,'JO inches long; weight, IDA pounds; caliber, 1^- inches. The length and
weight of No. 3 have been lost among my notes, but its caliber is 1^ inches. Some of the barrels
are " blued " and others " browned." The ramrods are made of hickory, with brass thimbles and
screws. Three drams of powder, sea shooting FFG-, are recommended by the manufacturer as a
charge for impelling a bomb-lance.
The Pierce & Eggers gun is one of the latest improved shoulder-guns, and the most popular
and effective that has ever been introduced in the whale fishery. It may be used with either the
Pierce or Brand explosive lance. It is also one of the most attractive whaling guns iu appearance.
It is made entirely of gun metal, with a skeleton stock and reinforced barrel. Charge, 2i drams
of powder. Its length is .'KJA inches and its weight 24 pounds. It is manufactured by S. Eggers,
New Bedford, Mass.
The Cunningham & Cogau gnu is manufactured by Patrick Cunningham, under the direction
of William Lewis, New Bedford, Mass. It is used principally by the crews of the steam barks
in the Arctic legions iu connection with the Cunningham & Cogan bomb lance. Its total length
is :;;.; inches and its weight L'7 pcunds. The stock is made of gray iron, skeleton; the stock and
breech-piece are east in one piece with a small rigid eye at the rear of the guard-plate for the
laniard. The barrel is steel, with a bore of 1 inch, reinforced and screwed to the stock. The
breech-block, containing the firing pin, is hinged to the stock, and when closed is held by a snap-
spring. The bomb-lance and cartridge combined is loaded at the breech.
At sea the mates usually have charge of the shoulder guns and the boat-steerers of the darting-
guns. On board ship these weapons are kept in the state rooms suspended over the bunks. In
the whale-boat the shoulder-gun is carried at the starboard bow in a long box covered with a
254 LLlSiOUY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
piece of caovas, extending under the bead sheets or perhaps simply under a flap of oiled canvas
nailed to the boat. It is made fast to the forward "hoisting-strap,"* by means of a laniard to
prevent its loss overboard, as its recoil is often so great as to prostrate the gunner. It is dis-
charged from the bow by the officer, and is aimed and tired in the same manner as the ordinary
shotgun or rifle.
THE DARTING-GUN. — It has been the custom of American whalemen for the past three
decades to "fasten on to" the whale with the harpoon, and then, standing off at a safe distance,
kill it with a bomb-lance. But the great bowhead, which yields excellent baleen and the next
best oil to that of the spermaceti whale, has been the means of bringing about a change in the
modern art of whaling. When fastened to in the Arctic regions — the home of this cetacean — with
the ordinary harpoon, the great polar whale may dart under the ice, and if the crew do not care,
to follow it they must "cut line" and lose the whale and such material as it carries away. Capt.
Ebeu Pierce and Mr. Patrick Cunningham, of New Bedford, have respectively perfected an instru-
ment, known as the "darting- gun," expressly for this fishery. This weapon consists of a stockless
gun- metal barrel («) attached to an ordinary harpoon pole (B). A harpoon (C), with the whale-
line attached, fits loosely in two brass projections or Ings (d d) on the gun. The apparatus is
loaded with a cartridge or charge of powder and the bomb lance (I) and darted at the whale.
The harpoon entering the blubber brings a long wire rod (#), projecting over the muzzle of the
gun, in contact with the whale. This rod is the trigger, and by impact the bomb lance is auto-
matically thrown into the very soul of the cetacean, as the harpoon simultaneously fastens it to
the boat, and if mysticetus is not killed he is thoroughly disgusted and willing to succumb. Were
it not for this kind of gun, ice-whaling could not be successfully pursued.!
THE WHALING KQCKET. — The whaling rocket is of recent invention, and is intended to be
projected from the decks of vessels. The " gun," so-called, is merely a rest from which the rocket
is discharged ; it is supported by an iron standard, and fired while resting on, and not against,
the shoulder. The projectile is a large locket, harpoon, and bomb-lance combined, weighing 18 or
I'O pounds, and is pre-eminently the most powerful and destructive agent ever used for killing
whules.J
Mr. C. D. Voy, of California, in a letter to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, cites
an instance where a rocket at short range was fired entirely through the body of a whale and
toggled itself on the side. He also says that during a series of experiments with the bombs on
the beach one of them "carried a whale-line almost 60 fathoms, which shows what power they
have, since a bomb and 20 fathoms of line weigh about 5."> pounds."
THE BOMB-LANCE. — Robert Allen, of Norwich, Conn., invented the first explosive lance in
America for killing whales. This occurred in 1846. The lance, a type of which is preserved in
the National Museum, is long and slender, and the absence of guiding- wings rendered it uncertain
in its effects. It was just as liable to strike the whale, as the whalemen express it, "broadside"
as with the point; hence it failed in its mission. In 1852 C. C. Brand, also of Norwich, made
improvements in the Allen lance, and was mainly instrumental in introducing the present form
into the whaling fleet, thus inaugurating a new mode of capture, which in part revolutionized the
process.
* An iron rod or strap, with a projecting <-ye at each end of the boat, by means of which the boats are hoisted
and lowered to and from the vessel.
tWhen darted at a whale the gun is regained by means of a laniard attached to the shank of the socket.
t This weapon, like the darting-gun, serves two purposes; it both fastens on to the whale and kills or seriously
wounds it. Both actions are simultaneous. The chain and toggle are released when the bomb is exploded to pre-
vent tli'; implement from withdrawing.
THE W II ALE FISHERY. 255
The system of manufacturing the modified forms is for the most part based upon the principles
embodied in the Brand lance, differing, however, in the internal detonating mechanism.
The magazines, or shells, of the Brand lances are cast iron, annealed, east with heads or
points which have three catting edges, and resemble in appearance an engraver's scraper. This
lance is exploded by a time-fuse ignited by the detonation of n primer, to which tire is communi-
cated by a tiring-pin, the latter being operated upon by the discharge of the gun. The wings are
of vulcanized rubber.
The shell or chamber of the. Pierce lauce is composed of seamless brass-tubing; the instru-
ment has metal wings; the internal operative mechanism for exploding the lance is placed in or
near the anterior end, and the explosion is caused by the concussion of the discharge of the gnu,
which ignites a time-fuse by means of a percussion cap.
The Cunningham & Cogan lance is composed of iron piping, to which is affixed (screwed) a
malleable cast-iron point with three cutting edges. The instrument has rubber wings, and is
exploded by a time-fuse ignited by a central-fire cartridge rigidly fixed to the lance and forming a
part of it.
The above lances differ in their internal construction and arrangement; and, with the excep-
tion of the Brand No. 4, which is especially designed for Greener's swivel-gun, they may be used
in connection with the shoulder guns.
The Allen lauce prevented the egress of water by the issue of flame in its rear caused by the
burning of the fuse; the present lances are rendered impervious to water, either by tight screw-
joints or by being hermetically sealed.
Piercc's and Cunningham's lances weigh, each, 1£ pounds, and the Brand No. 2 (new model,
for example) U pounds. These weights do not include the amount of powder required for the
charges.
The retail price of the Brand lance is from $3 to $5 each: the sizes are determined by
numbers varying from one to four, inclusive. The charge for the smallest size is 1 ounce and 5
drains of powder. The Cunningham lance is 17 inches long and sells at retail for $3. Two
ounces of powder constitute a charge for the magazine or bomb, and 3 drains for a cartridge.
The Pierce bomb is 19 inches long, and the charge 1! ounces and 4 drams of powder.
All of the bomb-lances are cylindro-couoidal in shape, and the mechanism for exploding the
magazines is always concealed. The powder is fired by a fuse ignited by coucussive force or by
the flash of the gun when discharged. Explosive lances, called "darting-bombs," without wings
are used in connection with the darting-gun. They are 14 or 1C inches long, and made of brass
tubing or malleable cast-iron piping.
5. THE METHODS OF CAPTURE ; ACCIDENTS.
RAISING- WHALES.* — When cruising for whales, watches, consisting of the mates, boat-
steerers, and foremast, hands, are, stationed at the lookouts, standing upon the cross-trees and
supporting themselves by iron hoops Mid the rigging at the main top if rugged weather, and at
the mainroyal or maintop-gallant if smooth weather. The men ''stand their mast-heads from sun
to sun,'' being relieved every two hours. In the southern fishery they stand usually on the horns,
the projecting ends of the, cross-trees, and sometimes on small planks which are placed across the
projecting ends ; but in the Arctic regions they stand in a "crow's-nest" made of canvas, painted so
* The, whalemen are " quaint cotnpoimders nf expressions," and as these expressions are singularly pertinent
and remarkable I'm- Tlnii o ewplox I'or the dilii-rcnt subjects in this part of
luy report. The, idioms peculiar to whalemen an- as I rhaps as the provincial or national idiim.s, and
justice could not be done the subject it' lliej
256 IIISTOIIY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
as to exclude the chilling blasts. lu the latter fishery such a receptacle accommodates comfort-
ably about three ineii — an officer, a boat steerer, and a foremast hand; and when the captain
desires to go aloft, the hitter goes out in the rigging during the interview, or, it' very cold and
the consultation prolonged, he goes below. In this fishery the inconveniences of standing mast-
head are vastly augmented by the extreme cold, and in the southern fishery by the rays of a
tropical sun.
When whales are raised from the mast-head the species may be determined by their appar-
ently sportive actions as well as by their spouts. In the latter case they are of course easily
recognized, as the cachalot has one spiracle and the others two.*
The sperm whalemen sometimes cruise for months in succession without seeing whales, con-
sequently there is great rejoicing, more especially if the vessel has been a long time from home
with a "clean hold." or if there have been unusually long intervals "between catches," when an
individual makes its ''rising" within the range of vision, and by the vaporous column ejected from
time to time indicates its whereabouts to the men on watch. The expressions employed by the
men on the lookouts to notify the crew that whales are near have apparently changed with the
limes. Hector St. John, describing the methods of whaling adopted by the "first proprietors of
Nautncket," says that, "as soon as they arrive in those latitudes where they expect to meet with
whales, a man is sent up to the mast-head; if he sees one he immediately cries out 'Awaite
Pawaual't They all remain still and silent until he repeats 'Pawana' (a whale), when in less
than six minutes the two boats are. launched, filled with every implement necessary for the
.1 1 tack."
Capt. N. E. Atwood, of Provincetowu, tells rue that the cry used by some of the old Cape Cod
whalemen from the mast-head to notify the crew was "Towno ! " and Captain Davis J makes use
of this cry in a sense signifying help. His statement is corroborated by the old whalemen of New
Bedford, who tell me that it was the custom when they encountered a larger turtle on the
Gallapagos Islands than they could manage, they invoke the assistance of the crew by shouting
"Towno! Towuo!" This term is also mentioned by Bennett, who, speaking of the English south
seamen, says: " It was formerly the custom in this fishery to announce the spouting of a whale by
i he cry of 'Town, oh,' which, although not very clear in its derivation or meaning, is yet employed
by some amongst the crew of a whale-ship, when seeking turtle, &c., on shore, to announce the
view of a prize, and establish an individual claim to the discovery ."§
Frederick Marten says, in his journal of a voyage to ripity.bcrgen in 1071, that when the Dutch
whalemen saw whales, "or when they heard them blow or spout, they call in to the ship 'Fall! Fall!'
* The nostrils of the sperm whale are ou the 1 ft side M|' the cranium, and coalesce in one passage, "which com-
municates with an external fissure near the front and upper extremity of the head, which portion is known to
whalemen as the " noddle end." Through this orifice the animal ejects the column of expired air from its lungs.
The "spout" may at times, as the animal makes its rising, when the spiracle is submerged by the waves of a. rough
sea, lie composed of or mingled with surface, water, which is elevated by the column of breath as it escapes upward ;
otherwise the, "spout" is merch a c lensation of warm air from the lungs as it comes iu contact with the colder air
of the atmosphere.
The right whale has two •• blow-holes" at the summit of the large, protuberance on the back of the head,
amiliarly known as (he "crown;" and the vaporous emissions, which are thrown up vertically, part at the top and
liill on either side. The bifurcate appearance of the column has giv&u origin to the name "forked spout," applied to
I his species by the Nantucket whalemen. It is all the more apparent as the whale approaches — provided you take
time to investigate the matter — or recedes from you, in a direct line. The finback whale also has two spiracles ; but
as thu column* nuite near the base, it ha*, at a dislauce, the appearance of one spout. But to the experienced eye
the spout of this whale can never be confused with that of the sperm whale; the former ascends at almost right
angles with the horizon, and the latter is thrown forward at au angle of about 4f, degrees, or, as the whalemen say,
about a "four-point course."
t Which is probably a "Nattick" expression, signifying " Here is a whale." — (J. T. B.)
{ Niinrod ol'tlie Sea, p. 104.
$ Whaling Voyage Around the Globe, 1840, -. <d. ii, p. iJO^.
Tin-] WHAM: FISIIKKV. 257
then everybody must be ready to get into the long boat that he doth belong to." Scoresby says it
was customary with I lie Knglish lisherineii when a whale was sighted to call out "A lisli! A fish!
or a fish mine!" and when it was harpooned a small Hag or jack was displaced in the last. boat.
When the men on watch on the ship perceived this signal, they immediately shouted "A tall! A
tall!" and at the same time stamping on the deck to give the alarm to the sleeping erew below.*
The present well-known cry of ••There she blows! "has long been employed by American
whalemen, the feminine being used as the epicene gender of whales. The direction of the whale
from the ship is then indicated by the men on duty. If the cetaee.au, instead of pursuing the even
tenor of its way, should hnppen to be indulging in some of its queer antics, these are also reported.
LO\VF.KIM; I'UK \\TIALKS. — The New liedford captains rarely lower for whales, especially in
the Arctic fishery, as they prefer to remain on board to look out for the ice, which momentarily
threatens their vessels, and to direct the movements of the boats by means of signals, previously
agreed upon, made usually with the light sails. The code of signals is entirely arbitrary, aud
varies, of course, on different ships, as it would not be policy for a master of one vessel to make
known his orders to the commander of another.! Lowering the gaff-topsail or .spanker on one vessel
may, therefore, mean that whales are •• astern," aud that the officers of the boats should proceed
in that direction to intercept them ; but the same signal displayed by another vessel may have an
*At this alarm the erew jump from their beds, rush upon deck, with their clothes titd l>y a string in their hands,
aud crowd into their boats, with a t -mpcrature of /.LTD. The crew, under such occasions, an- shielded only by their
drawers, .stockings, and shirts, nr other habiliments in which they sleep. They generally emu rive to dress themselves,
in part at least, as the boats are lowered dowu: but sometimes they push off in the state in which they rise from their
beds, row away towards the fast boat, and have uo opportunity to clothe themselves for a length of time afterwards.
The alarm of a "Fall" has a singular etl'eci mi ilir IV, lings of a sleeping person, unaccustomed to the whale-fishing
business. It has often been mistaken as a cry of distress. A landsman in a Hull ship, seeing the crew, on au occasion
of a "fall," rush upon deck, with their clothes in their hands, when there was no appearance of danger, thought the
men were all mad; but with another individual the, eil'eet. was totally different. Alarmed with, the extraordinary
noise, and still more so, when ho reached the' deck, with the appearance of all the crew seated in the boats in their
shirts, lie imagined the ship was sinking. He therefore endea\ mvi] to get in to a boat himself, but. every one of them
being fully manned he was always repulsed. Afler several fruitless endeavors to gain a place among his comiades he
cried out, with feelings of evident alarm, "What shall I do* Will none of you take me in .' " — Aiini-inin \til/iral
Hinlitrif. Uotlman. rot. Hi, p. lo'li. f'oiiipileil I'rtim Antir Ri'ifunis, ml. ii .
tCoDE OF SIGNALS. — It is the custom of t he captain of every first-class whale ship to employ a code of signals'
for the guidance of the' limits' crews when lowered fur whales. The signals vary on the different ships, or, in other
words, there are as many codes as there are ships. In many cases they are entirely arbitrary, as it is only intended
that they should be understood by the crews belonging tollm vessel that uses them; but whatever code maybe
agreed upon, the more simple and comprehensive it is the I" • mnplii -a led signals are apt to mislead or 1)6-
wilderthe oflieers. It is the prerogative of the master of the vessel to determine what signals shall be employed, aud
after the code has been perfected he explains its significance to the boat-headers. Sonic masters employ the ship's
sails, while others u<e balls or Hags, m- a combination of all may be utilized. There are published accounts of the
signals employed by the English as well as American whaling vessels, ('apt. (i. B. Burden, of New Bedford, who at.
present is engaged in whaling, has furnished I he- following system for ibis report: "A very common code consists of
the red, white, aud blue colors — one flag each of these colors, and a fourth of the three combined. These four flags
represent the four boats, the starboard, port, waist, and bou boat*. These arc the same kind of flags used in the
boats, and when so used they are called waifs (duplicates). The four flags also represent the four important bearings
from the ship. Red for starboard quarter (corresponding to the positions of boats on the cranes); white for port
quarter: blue lor waist or beam ; anil red. while, and blue for bow. By using the flags separately aud by combining
them the boats can be duelled very easily ill any direction. Every vessel uses a flag called the whaling signal. It
is au attention signal. It may lie of any color, aud when sei at either fore or main mast head it indicates that the
whales are up. At mizzeii peak it calls the boats on board. If file whales are not seen by the boa's when the atten-
tion flag is set, their bearings are pointed out by the code thus: If on starboard beam the red and blue — red tirst, or
blue under red. For pm -| beam white aud blue, and so on through a combination of colors and a series of positions of
flags.
•• By the use of il.e flags or waifs in the boats they can be identified when fast, to a whale or need assistance, and
by their n . d a master can call an\ -part n m1 i assist another, aud can also direct its movements to a
desired point. By the use of the four flags separately aud combined at different mast-heads an excellent code may
be established ; but often in calm we.n her, or when the bn.it •, :;n -a long way from the ship, the signals or flags cannot
be distinguished. II I lien becomes necessarj to adopl other n of .igualiiig. The light sails answer this purpose
SEC. v, VOL. ii 17
258 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
entirely different meaning. The master arranges the system of signals and explains its significance
t<> the boat-headers. Some of the Provincetown masters lower with the boats, especially when an
" ugly" whale or a large school is attacked, and some prefer to take an active part in the capture.
On large vessels it is to the interest of all concerned that the commander should remain on board;
for when he lowers, the office of " ship keeper" devolves usually upon the cooper, and, as might be
expected, the officers, when detached from the vessel, prefer to rely upon the judgment of the com-
mander. The master can also take upon himself more responsibility than the cooper, or any other
subordinate would dare or care to assume. Great skill and experience is required at times in
directing the movements of the boats, and such tactics may be compared, on a smaller scale it is
true, to handling a body of men in attacking a wily enemy. The captain, by staying aloft with the
marine glass, has better opportunities than the men in the boats for ascertaining the positions of the
whales and for observiug their movements ; and he can telegraph his orders by means of sails or
Hags to the boat-headers, and direct the movements of the vessel viva voce of the men below.
The men at the first alarm come swarming up the companion-way of the forcastle. In the
extreme southern fishery they divest themselves of superfluous articles of clothing and scatter them
indiscriminately about the deck; rolling up their trousers and girding their loins with their
leather belts, taking a double reef until supper time, they hold themselves in readiness to go over
the side of the vessel at the word of command. There, is a certain order, or systematic action,
observed on all first-class whaling vessels, however imperfectly disciplined some of the boats'
crews may be. The captain indicates the boats he wishes to attack the whales; the boat-header
and the boat-steeier take their proper positions in the boat — the former at the stern and the latter
at the head — while suspended from the davits. At the proper moment the davit-tackles are run
out by men on deck, and the boats drop with a lively splash. The sprightly oarsmen meantime
leap the ship's rail, and swinging themselves down the side of the vessel, partly assisted by the
chains or channels, and jump into the boats just about the time the latter strike the water.
Although it may lie said there is a general scramble, there is not the least confusion; every
person and thing has the proper place assigned to it in a whale-boat.
GOING ON TO A WHALE. — When squarely in the water the sail may be set, or the men spring
lively to their oars. If they approach a whale during a calm, oars are thrown aside and the boat
propelled with paddles. As soon as the boat leaves the ship the order is to line the oars. It is
important that this should be attended to before the whale is harpooned or a capsized boat may
be the result. The whale-line is passed forward and arranged in such a manner* that it may be
taken out by the whale without fouling.
well. We will suppose ;i vessel to be uniler top-gallant sails (the royals are seldom, if ever, used on a cruising-
ground), and nearly or quite calm ; the boats down after whales -which may come up ahead of the ship, a long distance
from ;incl not in sight of the .boats; the flying-jib being hauled down, signals for ahead, and the boats then proceed in
this direction. If the whales are going quickly, the flying-jib should be run up and down rapidly for the boats to go
fiister. Gail-topsail or spanker down, whales astern. Should the whales come up on the weather bovr, say four points,
the weather clew of foretop-gallaut sail goes up ; on weather-beam, maintop-gallant sail ; weather quarter, say four
points, mizzentop-gallaut sail, or if the vessel is a bark, the gaff-topsail, in connection with weather clew of main-
top-gallant sail. Either of the gallant-sails lowered on the cap is a signal for the boats to heave to — gone far enough ;
and so on, by working the light sails, separately and conjointly, a very comprehensive code may be established.
"In right whaling a pointer in connection with the whaling-signal is often used. The pointer is a large basket
or frame of wood covered with canvas and painted black, placed at the end of a 12-foot pole, used at mast-head and
pointed in the direction of the whale. This does not answer the requirements of sperm whaling. The sperm whales
are very timid, and we cannot approach near enough with the ship to make the pointer understood without danger
of galley ing them.
"I have also seen large balls (canvas-covered baskets painted black) worked on the fore and aft stays for signals,
but can give but little information regarding them."
* The top end of the line in the largo tub is led forward, and about 3 or 4 fathoms coiled iu the box of the boat.
is n luiv-warp. The bight of the line is carried aft and thrown over the loggerhead. The line runs fore and aft
T1IK YVIIALK riSIIEHY. 259
The officer, or boat -header, is at tliis time in tin- stern sheets manipulating tlie steering oar,
or. as tbe term implies, he "heads the boat." or lays the harpooner on the whale. He has standing
room only, being the only one for whom a thwart has uot been provided. His duties arc. among
others, to so shape the course of the boat as to get within "darting distance" without "galh ing"
the whale. As the sail oftentimes obstructs the view of the officer, preventing him from seeing
I he whale, he must rely upon the harpooner for instructions to steer the boat.
The boat-steerer is at the head of the boat attending to his duties as oarsman. When the
proper moment arrives he springs to his feet, sometimes at the word of command from the boat
header, and, with his harpoon well in hand, darts it into the whale. When the animal has been
fastened to "good and solid" the harpooner and officer immediately change places. The former
attends to steering the boat, while the latter proceeds to kill the whale with the hand-lance, if
such an instrument is used. If the whale is to be towed to the vessel, the header and harpooner
again shift ends, the former taking the steering oar; but when the ship goes to the whale, they
remain in the positions they occupied when the lancing was done, and the header passes the tow-
line to the ship. In traversing the distance between the ship and the whale, the boats may move
in single file or en echelon, with a total disregard, however, to the order of these .evolutions, since
it is not intended that such tactics should be employed. As may naturally be inferred, there is,
even among the boat's crews that belong to the same ship, sharp competition in getting fast to
whales. Many whales are lost in this way. This is called by the New Bedford whalemen "whaling
for victory," or ''victorious whaling," and is merely the result of the desire of certain officers
to kill whales themselves or prevent others from doing so. This utter disregard, which some of
the boat-headers seem to have had in olden times, for the success of the voyage may be attributed
to that desire on the part of many men, in all stations of life, to be the leading spirits in certain
exploits or movements, without regard to their own ability or the consequences. As an illustration
of this kind of whaling, I shall merely say that when the three port boats are lowered, they usually
proceed systematically and cautiously to the windward of the whales, with favorable chances of
success; but when the starboard boat is ordered down, if its officer, a "victorious whaleman,"
instead of following the same course taken by the other three and coming in behind, takes a shorter
course for the whales, he invariably gallies them. The result will be, in a majority of cases, that
none of the boats will get fast. This practice, though universally condemned, is oftentimes
resorted to, and can only be broken up by the strictest discipline. As Capt. W. H. Seabury
remarked, in conversation with the writer on this subject, '• the first duty that an officer of a whale-
boat should be taught is that he is on a voyage for oil and not for whales."
Notwithstanding there is, more or less, a spirit of rivalry among the boat's crews, and a sharp
competition among the captains of the vessels, it is oftentimes imperative as a mutual protective
policy that harmonious action should be paramount to all others. When down for whales the
boats belonging to the same vessel are obliged to assist one another. Sometimes two or more
crews belonging to' different vessels unite in the capture, and if successful an equitable division
of iheoil is at'terwaids made. This is called " mating." Two vessels may be gamming* when
whales are raised, and in order to render the capture certain, and for the purpose of working
together harmoniously and effectively, the vessels generally mate. " If there has been no previous
»1 the boat over the oars. This is (lone after the oarsmen have taken their seats. The extreme end of tbe line is first
carried through the chocks, then brought inboard and bent into the eye-splice of the rope strap of the first harpoon.
"•Exchanging visits, getting the latest news, or probably Inn is from home, and otherwise extending the cour-
tesies benttiug the occasion when two whalers meet on the broad ocean and '• speak" eacli other.
260 ' HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
agreement to meet the exigency, a flag is hoisted at the peak of the captain's ship [upon which
they are gamming], which familiar sign, especially on sperm-whale ground, is readily understood,
and when the boats are lowered for the chase, the visiting captain takes charge of the mate's
boat of the ship he is on board, and the executive officer visiting heads the captain's boat."
When two boats belonging to different ships which are not mated approach the same whale
the officer who desires to enter into a copartnership with the other sets a waif in his boat. This
signal is readily understood, and if answered by the officer of the other boat it signifies that the
terms of agreement are ratified, and the whale if captured shall be divided equally between the
vessels.
Two vessels belonging to different nations also sometimes mate. The American and English
vessels cruising on the same ground at times, perceiving that it would be to their interest to
jointly capture a whale, enter into friendly relations and divide the proceeds.
In dismissing this subject 1 should perhaps say that usually the same spirit of acquisition,
and the same competition and sharp dealing that characterizes men on land, is also characteristic
of whalemen afloat. He who can get a whale without exceeding those bounds which hedge us
in all branches ojjite's industries, usually accomplishes his ends with but little compunction of
conscience as to the means; otherwise, under ordinary circumstances, he would at times fare
badly during a cruise.
The swiftest boats, or those lowered under the most favorable circumstances, do not always
plant the. first iron or kill the greatest number of whales. It may be that a boat's crew consists
of an expert officer and harpooner, but the oarsmen, or the majority of them, may be green. Under
these conditions, more especially if they must rely upon the oars as a motive power, the boat may
be behind the others in reaching a school ; but from the experience of the boat-steerer and officer,
they may strike and kill more whales than when the crew is composed entirely of veteran whale-
men, who may so manage their boat as to be the first to attack the school ; yet their harpooner
may either be gallied or miss his chances, and probably not strike as inauy whales as the slow
boat. As a rule, however, the fastest boats kill the most whales. The boats from one ship may
attack a lone whale, which, peaking its flukes, may reappear on the surface closer to one boat
than the other; or they may strike a pod of whales, and the several boats may attack as many
whales, and the results will very materially depend upon the actions of the cetaceans and the skill
and good fortune of the harpooners.
Having overtaken or intercepted a herd of whales, the manner of "going on to them," which
signifies the act of approaching and harpooning them, is so varied as to preclude a system of rules.
The elements of success, however, in performing this feat are introduced in the stereotyped rule of
the whalemen, " Never gaily your whale." Attention to the practice of the most skillful whale-
men, joined with his own experience, must be the guides of the officer who directs the movements
of his boat. Much depends upon circumstances, the kind of whale attacked, and many other con-
siderations, which, arising on the spur of the moment, must be taken in hand and carried out by
the officer as opportunities are offered. The training and courage of the crew is also a question of
no little importance ; for, with some green hands, the first impulse, when the boat-steerer is about
to dart the iron, is to jump from the boat to the water. Some whalemen prefer to sail over a
right whale, striking it about- midships, and throwing the toggle-iron when they are "wood and
blackskin," that is, when the boat and whale are in contact, or nearly so, at which moment the
cetacean immediately "settles," with a marvelous rapidity, thus affording an opportunity for the
boat to sail over without injury to itself or cre\\ . Some whalemen also approach the right whale
1 quartering,'' 011 the starboard side, to give the boat-steerer a right-handed dart; this latter is
TIM-: \VIIAI i: risiiKi;\ 1T,I
always a desirable point to be gained; for. on ilic conl ran, UK- liarpoouer will have a left-handed
thrust over tin- second iron, which, even with a loft handed man. would he an awkward movement.
An officer of a hoat never follows the wake of a right whale, for the moment the hoat strikes the
••suds"* it is maintained that the whale is immediately made acquainted with the fact through
some unknown agene\.and will he Dallied, without, fail, and soon widen the distance between
itself and the c.rew.
So far as I can glean reliable facts from intelligent whalemen, I am of the opinion that the
majority of whales do not willfully or maliciously attack the boats, and that most of the accidents
now on record arc due chiefly to the violent convulsions of the whales in their eageiness to make
their escape rather than to their ferocity or pugnacity. A whale may be quietly and peaceably
making its passage, it may be asleep, or it may be feeding or perhaps cruising over its ground,
when suddenly it is arrested by a harpoon buried several feet in its flesh. There may be times,
when thus .suddenly aroused and smarting under or angered by their wounds, if a sperm whale, it
has rushed headlong upon the boat and demolished it instantaneously. Usually the whale is
terrified beyond measure by this unexpected thrust, and its first impulse is to get out of the way
immediately by burying itself in the depths of the ocean, or to escape by running. The mo-
ment a whale is struck a violent thrashing of the flukes ensues, and they are just as apt to cut
down a boat as not, should it be iu the way, and. of course, the work of destruction would be as
complete as if the whale had premeditated the attack. Several whales of this species, however,
have not only attacked the small boats but have gone " head on" to vessels and disabled them,
and ('apt. Isaiah West tells me he has had them to chase him u like a dog" in the whale-boat. The
remarkable loss of the Mssex will ever be fresh in the memory of the whalemen of all nations, as
evincing the terrible anger and revenge of the mighty cachalot.
While in New Bedford I met Capt. Martin Malloy, who was the master of the bark Osceola
3d when she was attacked by an angry sperm whale after it had demolished three boats.
Gaptain Malloy tells me. that this occurred to the west-northwest of Cape Verde Islands, lati-
tude, 190 degrees north, longitude 28 degrees, December 16, 1866. A large bull sperm whale was
raised ; the waist boat and the starboard boat struck it and were " stove." The mate picked up the
crews of the two "cracked " boats and took them to the ship. The whale in the mean time con-
tinued to fight the portions of the boat and the boat gear, angrily seizing pieces of wood and other
articles and breaking them to pieces with his jaws. Gaptain Malloy did not think it prudent to
attack the whale in the small boats, and went on it with the ship. When within 300 feet of the
whale it turned on one side and made for the ship, with its mouth wide open, as is the habit of the
species iii making an attack. The whale struck the vessel on the bluff of the port bow, knocking
off the the cut-water. The ship trembled from stem to stern, and so great was the concussion that
many articles on board, such as crockery and glassware and other small utensils, were dislodged
from the places where they are usually kept. As the whale crossed the bow two hand-lances and
a bomb-lance were thrown into it. The vessel made for the whale the second time, but it kept off.
All this time the two tow-lines and a portion of one of the stove boats were fastened to the whale,
the lines being entwined about its body. Captain Malloy, with a picked crew, finally approached
the whale and killed it after a desperate fight of twelve hours. The whale stowed down 115 barrels
' Another peculiarity ..I i ' p." Wlu-n tin- sperm whale is alarmed m mi the alert against pnr-
"ii Koin;; down for a run beneath the s:n , lits a purl. ion of nil, or its equivalent. which, for a considerable
period of time, causes a MI ninth. bright sin-face mi t he w ater. This is termed the ;;lip in- wake. The mystery of the
glip is in a n-al or supposed , miimiuiieal ion bet wee u this si ..... _ith spot anil the whale occasioning it. Slum hi t he bnat-
header incaiilioiisly pull his bnat into this glip, or • line between the retreating \vhalc and his ylip, the effect
will be to gallic the animal. — Capt.. WILLIAM M. I).\vis, Ninirod of the Sea, p. 181. This is maintained and substan-
tiated by whalemen generally.— (J. T. B.)
262 II1STOKY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
of oil. The jaw measured iu a straight line from extreme forward end to socket 19 feet and 2
inches, and the flukes 10 feet 4 inches from point to point. Captain Malloy also tells me that when
cut in, the bones of the head of the whale were fractured from the concussion of the severe blow,
which evidently disabled the animal and probably saved the ship.
It sometimes occurs that the boats are lowered and the crew eagerly engage in the chase, but
without success. The whales may perhaps disappear altogether from view, or it may be necessary
to "outline"* and abandon a whale at the approach of night after a long and fierce struggle.
The chase may be postponed on account of fog or rough weather, or a harpoon may "draw'' and
the animal escapes for that time at least. Trouble may also arise from entanglement of the line
(foul line) as it runs from the boat; the whale maybe extremely vicious or "ugly," or it may
escape by running under ice. Again, the whale may be lost by what is known as " opposition
whaling/' when the crews of the small boats belonging to the same vessel infringe upon the rights
of others in going on to a whale, to which we have already referred.
GETTING FAST. — The "fast boat," in the whaleman's dictionary, signifies the boat actually
engaged in the capture, fast to the whale by means of the harpoon and line. A loose boat, on the
other hand, is, as the term implies, one that has not succeeded in striking a whale. The duty of
a loose boat, if near by and not certain of a capture, is to keep within hailing distance of the fast
boat. Still there is no rule laid down for such a procedure. Two boats may fasten to the same
whale, unless it sounds. If one boat is fast and the whale goes below, the second boat usually lays
by. It is sometimes the custom, when a vessel carries four boats, for three of them to get fast to
as many whales as possible, and for the fourth to " play loose boat." When a whale takes out
all of the 300 fathoms of line carried iu one boat, it would escape if assistance were not rendered
on the spot. The " fast boat " is therefore made " loose," and the loose boat fast. The latter comes
to the rescue either by call or signal, provided it has not been taken iu tow by the fast boat, which
is sometimes done. When it is necessary for the loose boat to assist, the officer in charge casts
one end of his line to the officer of the fast boat. The latter bends the line to his own with a roll-
ing hitch over the head of the boat. When the line of the fast boat is almost out — about 1 " fake "
or so remaining- in the tub — the officer tightens his hitch and lets it go. Often the hitch slips to
I lie end of the line where it is brought up by the eye-splice, and the line of the fast boat is thus
attached to the line of the loose boat while the whale is running. This process may be repeated
as long as more line is wanted by the addition of more boats. A fast boat may also become
loose by accident, the iron may draw or break, the line may part, or, on account of ice, or iu very
rough weather, or at the approach of night, it may be necessary to " cut line."
The actions of whales, when attacked, vary with both the species and the individuals. Super
ttcial wounds annoy them and internal ones destroy them. Suffering from the blow of the harpoon,
they endeavor to escape the hand that inflicts it, or to rid themselves of the instrument that irri-
tates and tortures the flesh. To accomplish their ends they can resort only to the most violent
physical exertions and contortions. At such a time, and subsequently, as the boat approaches to
afford the officer an opportunity to use the hand-lance, the imminent danger of one's life is often-
times unparalleled ; but the danger diminishes when the lance penetrates the sensitive lungs or
convoluted intestines, for the unhappy creature then weakens, and becomes quiet under the
soothing influence of departing life.
As a means of defense, the right whale depends solely upon its flukes, which measure from
12 to 15, and sometimes 20 feet, in expansion, and in depth 5 or 6 feet, and weigh several tons.
* When the whale is about, to take tbe end of the line the drug is bent, ou, forward of the chocks with a rolling
hil.rli, with the expectation that when the trouble is over the wh:ilo may be found.
TIIK WHALM FISIII:I;V. :><;;>,
This immense creature uses its caudal tin with remarkable dexterity, and often with the most
frightful results. The northwest coast whale, or the Pacific right whale (Balcena japonica), is
the must dangerous of the bone-bearing whales to encounter. When a I lacked, or MU rounded by
obnoxious objects, it performs an evolution with its flukes commonly called sweeping, that is,
swinging them from side to side, and indeed, when greatly incensed, it "sweeps from eye to eye,"
churning the water into mountains of fi , and demolishing everything in range. Although the
ivhaleinen anticipate this defensive and offensive maneuver, they oftentimes permit their passionate
ardor in the capture to exceed the bounds of prudence, and as a penalty sometimes lose the whale,
boat, apparatus of capture, and even their own lives.
The sperm whale, on the other hand, is, as the whalemen express it, ''dangerous at both
I'nds." Although it does not sweep with its flukes, as the right whale does, it gives them up and
down motions, bringing the broad surface with tremendous force and startling effect upon the
water; yet the caudal member should not be disregarded, if disposed to show fight, it relies
mainly upon its long, slender, treacherous lower jaw, studded with glistening teeth, and to this
dangerous habit, sometimes called "jawing back," may be attributed the death of many whalemen
and the demolition of many boats. Owing to the position of its eyes, it commands a wide oblique
vision, aud consequently guards against premeditated attacks on both sides, but while it may
congratulate itself upon so wise a provision on the part of nature, it seems oblivious to the
fact that for the same reason — the peculiar position of its eyes — it cannot perceive an object imme-
diately in front or behind. To this oversight of nature, the sperm whale may attribute its defeat
and destruction, aud the sperm whaleman his success and profit. The favorite method of capture
:« to " take it head and head," or to "go on the, flukes." In either case, it is better to keep the
"hump," a functionless adipose dorsal flu, and the spout in a line of vision; for in so doing the
boat cannot deviate far enough from its course to " get on the eye" of the whale. Going on head
*ud head is therefore considered a better plan and is always carried out when practicable. As the
joat and whale are moving in opposite directions, they come together more rapidly than when the
crews follow the flukes. A few moments are of the utmost importance to a man about to strike a
whale. Though large, this animal is exceedingly quick in its movements when alarmed. Suddenly
the whale may change its position from a horizontal to almost a perpendicular one, and disappear
beneath the surface; it may "settle" away like a corresponding mass of lead, disappearing rapidly
from view, or with a dexterous movement of the flukes it may strike aud demolish the boat. Many
Hperm whales are lost when the boat "goes on their heads,'' because the harpoouer darts the iron
prematurely, and striking the impenetrable headskin, known as "white horse," bends his harpoon.
This happens, however, usually when an inexperienced or "gallied" boat steerer throws the iron
and loses his whale because he did not wait for the orders of his officer. An expert harpooner,
on the other hand, need not be told when to dart, as he " chooses his chance" aud buries his har-
poon abaft the head as the boat is laid off. In following the flukes, the rule is, of course, first to
overtake the whale. Having accomplished this, the boat is laid off, say to the starboard, to give
the harpooner a right-handed dart, and ranged alongside the whale. When far enough forward,
and about 1 or 2 fathoms, or possibly 3 or -4, from the whale, and moving in a line parallel with it,
*he boat-steerer has an excellent opportunity tor darting the harpoon into the back, or "bilge,"
aud the chances of "drawing" will be lessened if the iron gets fast to one of the costal bones. It
was the old custom with some of the whalemen to carry a small air-tight oil cask in the boat.
When they perceived that a sperm whale, usually an old patriarch, was disposed to show fight,
the cask was thrown overboard, and the ferocious animal immediately proceeded to attack it.
From its buoyancy and the facility with which it revolved on its axis in the water, the ca.sk became
264 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
;it once .in object of interest and annoyance to the wluile, which was too much engaged with this
little nuisance to notice the boat as it stealthily approached. Some sperm whales, when mortall.v
wounded, more especially after eating heartily, are seized with a violent vomiting, and eject from
their capacious stomachs immense "slabs" of the Octopus, upon which this species largely feeds.
If the whale is swimming "top-water," the harpooner has a better target to dart at; but if
swimming under the " rim of the water," or about to sound, he must make the best use of his time
and opportunities and exercise his discretion. Again, the whale may be " scooping" or feeding —
a more horrible sight has never been witnessed ashore or afloat than a large right whale with
contracted upper lips, exposing the long layers of baleen, taking in his food — and while thus engaged
at times pays little attention to surrounding objects, and may be struck with comparatively little
trouble. And yet again, the whale when approached may " turn flukes" and sound; but the men
know by experience about the location where it may make its " rising," which it is compelled to
do for inhalation. It may reappear suddenly under the boat and smash or upset it, or it may come
up within a short distance from the men, in which case the boat is layed on and the boat-steerer
strikes him "wood and blackskiu." Or, as is the case very often in right whaling, the boat may
sail over the whale broadside, striking it about 'midships at the very time the harpoon is thrown.
As before remarked, the right whale has the power to "settle" like a lump of lead when an offen-
sive object comes in contact with it, and the boat sails over without injury. Whales may also be
approached "quartering," the harpoon being thrown as the boat crosses the angle of the flukes.
All these conditions more or less influence the distance the harpoon is thrown, which is commonly
known as "darting distance." In many cases some of the "long-dart men" have thrown their
harpoons effectively as far as 4 or 5 fathoms. There is one case on record in which a remarkable
dart is mentioned. Two boats belonging to different ships, American and English, were chasing
the same whale, when one harpoouer threw his iron over the crew of the other boat and " fastened
on to" his whale. The distance the harpoon may be darted, though varying, as a rule, from close
contiguity to 16 or 18 feet, depends mainly upon the actions of the whales and the most favorable
opportunities offered by them for burying the iron deep enough to take effect without "drawing"
when the tension is brought to bear upon the line by the actions of the cetaceans as they either
sound or run. The boat-steerer " chooses his chances," and, by the way, if he " misses his chances ';
several times, that is, fails to strike two or three whales in succession, under favorable conditions,
the captain deprives him of his office, and he may or may not have another "chance" on that ship.
This is what may be termed " hard luck ; " but the success of the voyage depends in a great measure
upon the skill and ability of the boat-steerers.
Stopping a running right whale with the boat spade is at once the most dangerous and thrill
ing feat ever executed in the varied career of the whaleman; but this method of capture has
been superseded by the bomb-lance. The old whalemen never tire of telling us, as their eyes
sparkle with the tire of youthful daring, how they "fought under the flukes of the whale." A
whale when about to "sound," that is, to descend into the water, must first get a purchase with
its broad, flat tail and then throw it high in the air, in order to dive head first; the officer of the
boat, taking advantage of this evolution, known as "turning flukes," would thrust the sharp-edged
spade into the "small," in which are inclosed the tendons that connect the body and the flukes,
and having severed some o! them, the tail became useless, like the disabled screw of a propeller;
progressive motion was arrested, and the whale became a comparatively easy prey to its captors.
Some of the whalemen were very skillful in this feat, even when the whale was swimming, or
"running," on I he water, and it required powerful arms and courageous hearts to crown their
efforts with success. There, is one case ou record that has come under my observation, where an
TI1K WIIALK FISHERY. 265
officer actually nnjoiutcd tin- tlukes by a tremendous and well-directed blow of Hie spade. The
whale was in a favorable position, the uplifted llukes producing a tension, and the caudal fin,
though still connected, '-hung to one side."* Spading llukes is one of the lost arts of the fishery,
and may never again be revived, but will live with the whalemen from generation to generation.
\Ye should naturally think that it would be far preferable to stand off at a safe distance and kill
the huge floundering cetacean with an explosive lance projected from a gun, rathor than to
approach it while it is lashing the water in its terrible agony, and kill it in close encounter with
the hand lance. Not so with the broad-chested, white-headed whalemen of the old school, who
regard the modern gnu as a travesty upon their forefathers; yet they always acknowledge that if
it were not for the bomb-guns few whales could be taken at present in any ocean.
When the whale has been harpooned, the first order given is "Stern all!" to clear the boat
from the whale, and the next is "Wet line!" to prevent tbefriction from the outrunning line. The
officer and boat-steerer quickly "shift ends," the latter taking down the sail as he goes aft.
As soon as the whale is struck with the harpoon it will endeavor to escape either by sounding
or by running, or, as Marten says, "it runs away with the long boat as swift as the wind/' If the
whale sounds, the crew lay by awaiting its reappearance upon the surface for respiration, and as
fast as the slack-line is retrieved it is laid in loose coils on the after platform. Although the line
is not coiled as carefully the second time as it was in the first place, considerable care must be taken,
for should the whale again take it out it should run as freely as before.
When the whale returns to the surface from its soundings it usually comes up with a bound,
and it is at such a time that accidents should be avoided. To warn the boat's crew of approaching
danger the whale-line is sometimes marked with a bit of colored cloth or flannel, which, as the,
line is hauled in, signifies look out for whale when it appears above the water. If the whale runs,
the boat, of course, is taken in tow, and the excitement of the chase is prolonged until the animal
is tired out, or stopped by means of the boat-spade or bomb-lance.
RATE OP SPEED. — As to the running speed of a whale when first harpooned, I can only say
that it has not been accurately determined. Few of the whalemen can be induced to give an
opinion on a subject upon which they all widely differ, and those who give an opinion are not
willing to be held responsible for it. Bennett t says of the sperm whale that when first pierced
by the harpoon it will tow the attached boat at the rate of more than 15 miles an hour; bnt this
velocity of motion is the effect of extreme excitement and does not continue long. Under ordinary
circumstances of alarm, as when conscious of being pursued by enemies, its speed averages about
8 or 10 miles an hour. Scorseby says that the Greenland whale swims with a velocity, at the
greatest, "of 8 or 9 miles an hour."
Capt. William M. Dans publishes a statement, which I transcribe herewith, condensed from
a series of questions submitted to some of the New Bedford captains. He says :
"The running speed of the sperm and right whales, when galliecl, is supposed to be from 10
to 12 miles an hour. When struck he will frequently go 20 to 25 miles per hour for a short time,
\\hen he will generally stop or ' bring to,' and give the ' boat-header' a chance to kill him. Sperm
whales have been known to run out 300 fathoms of line in four minutes, and sometimes to run out
600 fathoms in sounding."!
Twenty or twenty-five miles per hour is rather a high estimate of the speed of a whale. When
a whale first feels the prick of the harpoon it starts off with an almost astonishing velocity, and it
may then run at the rate of 25 miles per hour, but most assuredly it could not actually make that
distance in the time named.
* This is vouched for by several whalemen of Kdjjarfrown. {Nimrod of the Sea, p. 398.
I BKNNTTT: Whaling Voyage Round the tilolie, vol. 'A ]>. 17-J.
260 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
Very little attention also seems to have been given to the rate of speed when the whale sounds.
Captain Scoresby, however, notices the latter as follows : " When fish have been struck by myself,
I have on different occasions estimated their rate of descent. For the first 300 fathoms, the aver-
age velocity was usually after the rate of 10 miles per hour. In one instance the third line of 120
fathoms was run out in sixty-one seconds ; that is, afc the rate of 8-^ English miles, or 7% nautical
miles, per hour."*
DIFFICULTIES OF CAPTURE. — At times one fast boat may kill a whale, and again, if the animal
shows fight, two or three boats, and sometimes more, may be required. In one instance a vigorous
whale took in tow from four to six boats, and ran out 1,000 fathoms (9,600 feet) of line. All
endeavors to haul up and lance it proved abortive. The loose boats were moored to those that
were fast, the whale all the time towing them steadily on. This occurred, writes Cheever, on
.May I'S, 1817.1
Bennett, speaking of the remarkable endurance of a sperm whale during its capture, says :
" It occurred to Capt. T. Stavers, of the Tuscan, to lose a large whale under circumstances
that exemplified the power of the cachalot in carrying off incumbrances of this kind. The whale
in question, at the time he escaped from the boat, had attached to his body seven harpoons,
three entire boats' lines, (or 1,320 yards of cordage), a line-tub, and numerous drogues; and, with
all these powerfully resisting bodies impeding his progress, ultimately escaped by superior speed.
Two days after the same whale was encountered, and killed with difficulty, by the ship John
Palmer, which, at a subsequent meeting in port, restored to the Tuscan her harpoons and lines
found on the dead whale."!
It is worthy of remark that as soon as a sperm whale is harpooned the news is telegraphed
through some invisible agency to others of the same species, though at a great distance ; a general
stampede ensues, and with noses in the air they all rush to windward. §
The right whale of the northwest coast is extremely shy as well as dangerous, and from repeated
attacks is approached with difficulty. This whale practices aruse de guerre by hollowing its back,
causing the blubber to become loose, or "slack," as it is termed, and preventing the harpoons from
entering. Many a boat-steerer has been dismayed by this maneuver; and although the harpoon
may have been thrown with all the force that could be summoned, the impetus was inadequate to
penetrate the relaxed blubber and flesh.
As to the capture of the California gray whale, I am indebted to Scauimon's account, which
has been paraphrased from his "Marine Mammalia." This species is known to the whalemen as
the devil fish, on account of the great danger attending its capture; the pursuit is called devil
fishing, and the whaleman who engages in the capture a devil fisherman. It is one of the most
dangerous whales to encounter. The fishery for the most part has been conducted in the shallow
inland waters or lagoons on the California coast which this species frequents from November to
May. The cows enter the lagoons to bring forth their young, and the bulls generally remain on
the outside. The several ways of capturing these whales is known as " lagoon whaling," " kelp
whaling," " whaling among the breakers," and "whaling out at sea," the first named being accom-
panied with the greatest danger. When struck at sea, an opportunity may be had for keeping
* Op. cil., Vol. 2, p. 544. t The AVliale and bis Captors, p. '.'11. } BE.NXETT: Op. cit., pp. 'JO?, l>08.
§ Bermett, in writing on this subject, says: " It isa continued tact, and our often noticed with snprise by southern
whales, that upon a cachalot beiug struck from a. boat others many miles distant from the spot \villalmost instanta-
neously express by their actions an apparent consciousness of what has occurred, or at least of some untoward event,
and either make off in alarm or coiue down to the assistance of their injured companion. But, without attributing lo
the cachalol an extraordinary aeutenessof sight or hearing, or any more mysterious sensibility, v»e may, perhaps, find
that the violent agitation of the sea produced by the plunge's of the harpooned whale, and the more rapid and distinct
conveyance of sound iu water than in air, are sufficient to account for the above pheuomenou."
nil-: WIIAU: risiiKi.-y. 267
the boat clear of tin- whale; but in (In- swift tide of (lie shallow and turbid waters in the narrow
passages of the lagoons, the dangeis arc greatly augmented by tin1 terrible lashings of the ponderous
lluki's, and scarcely a day passes in this fishery but there is a general upsetting and staving of
boats, and occasionally the loss of a liuib, severe cuts, and bruises. These whales have been
attacked and escaped so lepcatedly that they have become remarkably shy and wary, and tbe
greatest strategy must be practiced by the whalemen to insure a capture. Some of them assume
positions which leads their captors to believe that they are dead, or at least tractable; but upon
the approach of the boat within shooting distance they are on the move again, and out of sight
in a moment. When an officer of a boat discovers a whale he sets a waif in his boat and gives
chase; the boats belonging to another vessel will not interfere, but go in pursuit of other whales.*
Many whales float along tlie ritn of tbe water, their backs a little above the surface, while
others swim " top water."
Accidents during the capture of the whale may be attributed primarily to the energetic
actions of the huge cetaceans to get out of the way of their pursuers or hide themselves from
them; secondarily, to carelessness or inexperience of the men, and to the vain desire of some officers
of the boats to be the first to strike t)hc whale, or to strike more whales than any one else — a prac-
tice known to the old New Bedford whalemen as ''whaling for victory," which every commander
should condemn ; to unavoidable accidents which may occur with the utmost care, and, finally, to
the disposition of "ugly'' whales to attack and destroy the boats. Not that all whales a.e vicious
or pugnacious — some are; but when these immense creatures endeavor to hide themselves in the
depths below, they must get a "purchase" with their horizontal flukes to "round out" in order
that they may go down head iirst, and when these enormous caudal attachments crash through a
frail cedar boat containing six men, lives and limbs are in danger. It makes no difference whether
tbe whale strikes a boat intentionally or accidentally, the ell'ect is substantially and emphatically
the same.
The capture of the whale, full of perils at all times, has been shorn of some of its dangers by
the introduction of guns and bomb-lances. At least, it would seem so. Still, the record of acci-
dents shows that the mishaps of the old style of fishing and those of the new are about eveuly
balanced. The dangers incident to "hamstringing" a whale with the boat-spade and killing it
with the hand-lance may be offset by accidents resulting from the use of tire-arms.
MANNER OF USING SHOULDER-GUNS. — The distance from the whale at which it is customary
to discharge the shoulder-gun depends upon the skill of the gunner and the position and actions of
the "fish.'' The officer prefers to get as close to the whale as possible without gallyiugf it; not that
the gun will not shoot accurately at a greater distance, but because the whale swims so low as to
cause the. bonib-lance to traverse a considerable distance through water. Capt. William M. Barnes
tells me that in killing bowhead whales, the shoulder-gun should be fired at from 20 to 50 feet
from the "fish," sometimes a greater distance; and also that a bomb fired at a distance of 100 feet
would in most cases prove ineffectual. As a matter of choice the whalemen prefer to be as near
the whale as IS feet in order that the bomb may penetrate that part of the animal called the "life''
(lungs), which is usually submerged ; but there are instances on recoid where whales have been
almost instantly killed with bomb-lances at a distance of 30 feet. Captain Scammon says}: that
the Brand gun does good execution within a range of I!.") yards, and Messrs. Wright, Bowue & Co.,
' Marine Mammalia and American Whale Fishery, p. -jr..
t This word "Dallied" is in constant use among whalemen in tin- sense of frightened m conln.--d. It is perhaps
a corruption of the obsolete verb 0a22ow, to IM- found iu old writers. Thus Shakspeare has, in Kin-; Lear, •• The wrath-
ful skies gallow the deep wanderers of the dark."— W. II. MACY There She Blows, p. 7'^.
t Marine Mammalia and American Whale FNi.-i^, j. -j-jii.
268 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
of San Francisco, tell me that they use the Cunningham" & Oogan shoulder-gun in killing bowhcad
whales, and that the bomb-lance may be fired effectively from GO to 90 feet. The Pierce & Eggers
gnu is sighted for 20 yards, and will shoot accurately at that range, but I am told it is also effect-
ive at 40 yards.*
MATERNAL AFFECTION OF WHALES. — The implement known as the "drug," or "drag," is often
used successfully during the capture. It may be fastened to a wounded adult by means of a har-
poon, called a " drug-iron," to retard the progressive motion of the animal in order that it may more
easily be killed; or it may be used advantageously when a school is attacked, by fastening it to
a calf whale to attract the mother or other sympathizing cows. Such a process is called " drugging
a whale." The harpooner never throws his " drug-iron " into the calf with the intention of killing
it, for if the little "sucker" dies the females forsake it. If alive and struggling energetically in
the water, the dam swims about it and endeavors to assist it in making its escape. It is very gen-
erally conceded that the same maternal devotion for the young that characterizes both the higher
and lower orders of laud animals is also shared by the marine mammalia, and the whalemen, taking
advantage of this, oftentimes make captures that could not otherwise be effected. Paul Dudley
says : " The care of their young is very remarkable ; they not only carry them on their tails, and
suckling them, but often rising with them for the benefit of the air; and however they are chased
or wounded, yet as long as they have sense and perceive life in their young, they will never leave
them, nor will they then strike with their tail, and if, in their running, the young one loses his
hold and drops off the dam comes about, and passing underneath, takes it on again. And there-
fore care is taken by those who kill these mate fish (as they are called) only to fasten the calf, but
not to kill her, till they have first secured the cow. For so soon as ever the calf is dead the cow
perceives it, and grows so violent that there is no managing her."t
Captain Manby gives an interesting accountf of the maternal affection shown by cow whales.
He says :
" Nothing cau surpass the tender attachment and maternal attention which a female whale
will sometimes manifest if her young one be harpooned; she joins it at the surface whenever it
has occasion to rise for respiration, encourages it, to swim off, assists its flight by taking it under
her fin, and seldom deserts it while life remains. She is then dangerous to approach, but affords
frequent opportunities for attack. She loses all regard for her own safety in anxiety for the
preservation of her young ; dashes through the midst of her enemies; despises the dangers that
threaten her; and even voluntarily remains with her offspring after various attacks on herself
from the harpoons of the fishers. An extraordinary instance of this is related by Captain
Scoresby : ' In June, 1811, one of my harpooners struck a sucker, with the hope of its leading to
the capture of the mother. Presently she arose close to the fast boat, and, seizing the young one,
dragged out of the boat about 100 fathoms of line with remarkable force and velocity ; again she
arose to the surface, darted furiously to and fro, frequently stopped short and suddenly changed
her direction, and gave every possible indication of extreme agony. For a length of time she
continued to act thus, although closely pursued by the boats; and, inspired with courage and
resolution for the welfare of her offspring, seemed regardless of the dangers which surrounded
herself. At length one of the boats approached so near that a harpoon was thrown at her; it
* Witli a load of 2f drams of powder the Pierce & Eggers gun discharged a Pierce bomb-lance three times into
a solid pine block 11 inches square at a distance of 20 yards. Twice the lance penetrated the block 9 inches and
once 9| inches. —FRANK E. BROWN, New Bedford, Mass.
tPhilos. Trans., vol. xxxiii, 1726, p. 261. Paul Dudley is in error when he says whales carry their young as he
has mentioned. — J. T. B.
t Voyage to Greenland, 1822, pp. 33, 34.
T11H WHALE FISIIKRY. 269
struck, but did not attach itself; a secoud was thrown; this also failed; but a third was more
effectual, and yet she did not attempt to escape, but allowed three other boats to approach, so
that in a few minule.s three more harpoons were fastened, aud in the space of an hour afterwards
she was killed.'"*
Captain Scamimni,t referring to the manner of capturing the California gray whale, says it is
rare that a dam will forsake her young; when first struck she momentarily forgets the calf in
her endeavor to escape, but instantly she recovers her self-possession, will suddenly "bring to"
and --sweep" around in search, aud when the boat approaches her she sometimes demolishes it.
FINNING OUT. — The " flurry" is the whaleman's name for the dying actions of the cetacean,
and "tinning out " is the, death. As the old style of killing the whale with the hand-lance was not
only more dangerous but more exciting, I shall briefly refer to the manner in which it was accom-
plished. The whale being well harnessed to the boat by means of the tow-line, which is fastened
to the flesh-embedded harpoon, it may either " turn flukes" and " sound," or, bellowing at times
like a bull — with a great volume of voice, however — it may " run," as it is termed, taking the boat
in tow at a rate, it has been estimated, all the way from 15 to 25 miles an hour, when it first starts
off, but settling down to about S or 10 knots per hour when it gets warmed up to its work. This
is the old "Nautucket sleigh ride." The whale having tired itself by running, the boat is hauled
up by the line and the affrighted whale, startled anew by the close proximity of so strange a load,
rushes through the surging and fast receding waters. The officer " gets a set " with his hand-lance
aud plunges about 5 or 6 feet of cold steel into the lungs of the victim, aud persevering without
ceasing iu the up and down motions, familiarly known as " churning," as the boat persistently
clings to the whale, until the " spout" of the unfortunate cetacean is tinged with the crimson of its
own life-blood dyeing the waters iu the vicinity; the muscles of the strong arms now relax upon
the lance; the boat is laid off, aud the dying whale swims round and round iu an unbroken
circle. This is the "flurry." Death is now merely a question of time. In intense agony the huge
cetacean follows its circumscribed course, laboriously plowing its way through the bloody water,
nntil the throes of death are about to convulse its enormous frame. The blood ejected through the
spiracles now becomes as "thick as tar." It is not only believed by whalemen, but it is usually
the case, that the whale during its dying moments so times its encircling path as to place the
head to the sun ; it makes a heavy lurch ; the sea is lashed into a maelstrom of angry, bloody
water, aud the ponderous whale rolls heavily on its side, or partly on its back, with its dorsal fin
projecting above the water. This is " finning out."
To use a paradoxical expression, some dead whales are not always dead. It may be iu a
comatose state but averse to vivisection : but as the men again approach it and cut holes
through the lips to make the line fast, when the whale is to be towed to the vessel, a demolished
boat or loss of life and limbs may be the result. Hence the more cautious whalemen " prick his
eye," by inserting about a foot or so of the hand-lance into the eye-ball, and if the whale does not
flinch it is supposed to be dead. A dead whale may be towed more easily head first, and it is also
"But Bennett, on the other hand, says (Whaling Voyage Round the Globe, 1840, p. 180) : '•! believe that we have
sir ii the female purchase her own safety by the desertion of her youug. On several occasions our boats destroyed a suck-
ling calf, in the midst of a school, without sufficient interference on the part of the mot her to lead to her being identified
liy the harpooiier. In one instance, the boats, while pursuing a school, killed a calf with a single lance wound ; the body
of the little whale remained floating on the water, but none of the adults discontinued their flight. On another occasion
\M- noticed a herd of females make off with great rapidity, and leave a small calf swimming in an anxious, bewildered
manner iu the vicinity of the ship; it continued thus deserted for some time, but was ultimately rejoined by the mother,
when they both set off to overtake the main body of fugitives."
tMariiu- Mammalia and History of the American Whale Fishery.
270 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
worthy of mention that a dead whale, when cast adrift, will beat to windward, the natural motions
of the flukes having a tendency to propel the body.
SUNK WHAT.KS. — Since the whale is very nearly of the same specific gravity as the water of
the ocean,* some individuals sink when dead, and others float heavily as if water-logged, the line
of notation being considerably above the axis of the body, Hence it is difficult to locate afreshly-
killed whale. Subsequently, as it commences to decompose, the animal becomes more buoyant.
When several whales are killed, therefore, the "floaters" are conspicuously marked by attaching a
small flag, previously referred to as the boat waif, the blackflsh poke, or perhaps an implement
termed a " waif-drug." When the waif is used, a hole is morticed in the blubber with a boat-spade,
and the pole, which has several notches at the lower end to retain its hold, is planted therein. A
whale is said to be " waifed " when this flag is hoisted over it ; it then becomes the property of the
ship whose agents were instrumental in its death, and in case it floats off during the capture of
other whales, its whereabouts may be ascertained by means of the flag, either from the boats or
from the masthead of the vessel.
When the "pokes" are used, the officer gives the order to "Blow up! Blow up!" and a man
with sound lungs grasps one of these membranous pouches and inflates it until it has the external
appearance of an "overgrown hypertrophied dropsical spider." It is then attached to the whale,
and being of a white color may be readily seen at quite a distance from the ship.
The "waif-drug," or "flag-drogue," may be used to impede the flight of a wounded whale and
to waif a dead whale as well. This kind of drug consists merely of a flag rigidly fastened by its
pole to a small piece of plank ; the latter is loaded with lead to retain the dag in an elevated posi-
tion. It is fastened to the whale with a harpoon and line.
It is not unusual for the right whale to sink when killed; the sperm whale sometimes sinks,
but the humpback and finback almost always go to the bottom.
Bowhead whales sink ottener than right whales, but it is seldom they descend so far below
the surface that they cannot be hauled up by one or two boats' crews. They are generally cap-
tured in shoal water, where the carcasses may be anchored or buoyed, and usually rise a day or
two afterwards, while whales that sink in very deep water may never come to the surface. Some
whales float when first killed, but shortly afterwards commence to sink gradually until they descend
so far that the boats have to cut their lines.
In consequence of their great tendency for sinking, the capture of humpbacks and finbacks,
in order to be accomplished successfully, must be conducted on soundings. The hncupbackers
go prepared for this contingency. Some of them use the large harpoons, previously described,
* Scoresby says that the whale being very nearly of the same specific gravity as sea water the weight may be
calculated with considerable precision. The body of the whale may be divided into three segments, forming toler-
ably regular geometric solids. First, the head, a parabolic conoid, which, in the sucking whale, is 4 feet in diameter
and 5-i feet in height ; its solid content about 34| cubic feet. Secondly, the middle segment, extending from the head
to the thickest part of the- Imdy ; I his is a frustum of a cone, in the sucking whale. :( fret in length and 4 to 5 feet in
diameter, producing a solid content of 48 cubic feet. Thirdly, the posterior .segment, extending from the greatest
circumference to the tail; this segment is a paraboloid, or parabolic conoid, with its smaller end truncated. Its
length in the sucking whale is s tret, its diameters 1 and 5 feet, and its solid content 81| cubic feet; and to these
products may be added about 10 cubic I'cct, (he estimated bulk of the tins and tail, which make an amount of 174
cubic feet; this sum divided by :J,5, the number of cubic feet of sea water in the Greenland ocean in a ton weight,
gives the weight of the animal 5 tons withiu a cubic foot.
One of the largest m\ sticelc, of (ill i'cet in length, the head 20 feet in length by 12 feet in diameter, the middle
-ection 0 feet by 1:1 diameter, the third section 2ii feet in length by 12 and 2 feet diameier, will appear (if calculated
i he same way, with an allowance of,") tuns for the tins and tail) to be of the prodigious weight of 114 tons! But as
the last section is somewhat more slender than the body to which it is referred, this calculation maybe a little in excess.
The largest animals of this species may, however, I conceive, be safely staled at 100 tons in weighr, and an ordinary
full-grown animal at 70 tons!— SCOKESBV : Journal of a Voyage to the Northern Whale Fishery, pp. 155, 156.
TIIH \YIIALM FISmWY. 271
to raise sunk \vli;iles to tin- surface. AYhen a wounded whale is about to "turn up," flic hump-
back-iron, with a stout line attached, is thrown into the so-called "neck" — properly speaking, the
whale has no neck, since there is no constriction at the junction of the head and body — or into
ihe region about the spout holes, where the blubber 'is unusually tough. The whale remains at
the bottom for several days, and becoming somewhat buoyant by the gases generated by incipient
decomposition, it is very materially aided in making its reappearance upon the surface by the
men who haul upon the large lines attached to the harpoon. Weights are also used to drive the
large harpoon into the blubber of a sunk whale. For this purpose tlr.> pole of an ordinary cutting-
spade is "rigged'1 to a humpback-iron. Two iron hoops nailed to the pole, one near the butt and
the other about 6 feet from the other extremity, act as guides in directing the instrument in its
descent. A piece of pig-iron, weighing about 30 pounds, to overcome the density of the water, is
lashed to the forward end of the pole with spun yarn. A line by which the whale is to be hauled
up is made i'ast to the harpoon. The whale-line, which was used in the capture, is rove through
the iron hoops on the second harpoon and hauled taut in a perpendicular position. The large
harpoon with weight attached is held as nearly as possible over the whale and dropped from the
boat. Accelerated by the iron weight, and guided by the whale-line and hoops, the barbed head
penetrates the blubber of the whale. This operation, however, may have to be repeated before
the iron enters.
An apparatus for raising sunk whales to the surface of the water was patented by Thomas
AV. Roys, of New York, June 3, 1862, but I have no account of its use. This was termed by the
inventor a "whale-raiser," and consisted of a harpoon-like instrument about 10 feet long and
weighing about 200 pounds. It had two movable wings or toggles at the forward end, which
closed when entering the flesh and expanded when the line was drawn upon. This instrument
when released from its position in the whale-boat, was intended to fall by its own gravity, being
guided by the harpoon-line upon which it traveled, and bury its point into the whale. By means
of a cod-line attached to the " raiser," before its release from the boat, a hawser may be made fast
under water and attached to the ship's windlass which applies the power for floating the whale. I
have not heard of any occasions upon which this device has been applied.
Captain Sea in in on* mentions another method of raising whales. He says: "We have known
many whales to be recovered when sunk in from 40 to 60 fathoms of water. The modus operandi
in hauling these decomposing subjects to the surface is : If the water is rough, the line is
taken into the bow-chocks of the boat, then uniting two crews in the after part of one boat
they either haul on the line by hand or with a tackle until the boat's bow is nearly submerged, or
the whale is lifted; or, if in a smooth bay, two boats are sometimes used, by laying a spar across
both, and taking the line between them over the spar, which serves as a sort of windlass purchase.
If the dead animal has been long down, in a considerable depth, care is taken to avoid its coming
up under the boat ; for as the carcass nears the surface its velocity is so much accelerated that in
some instances the animal rises with a bound which equals its sprightliest actions before life became
extinct."
Towiss'G-iN. — The labors of the men, however, do not end with the death of the whale. The
dead inert mass must be conveyed to the ship in order that the commercial products may be secured.
Let us now return to our capture as it lies partly on its side.
Some whalemen tow the whales to the vessel " flukes first,'' while others tow it "head first";
but the majority of them claim that the whale may be towed with greater facility in its natural
position, the action of the flukes driving it forward. If the ship is near by, the boat that first
• Mai'iui' Mauimalia and A m an Wlialr. l-'islirry, p. 46.
272 HISTOllY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
struck the whale conveys one end of the tow-line to her, and the whale is hauled alongside. In
transporting a sperm whale to the vessel a hole is made through the tough covering of the head
at or near the spout-hole, through the nib end, or the lower forward corner of the junk. A "short-
warp," a piece of whale-line about 5 fathoms long, is rove through the hole, doubled and knotted.
About 200 feet of the line used in the capture is cut off, rove through the strap, and doubled. In
towing the right whale the lips are triced together over the scalp with a warp ; the whale is then
rolled over and the warp "parbuckled". The fins are "sewed up" with a rope which is rove through
holes made in the thin parts and lashed under the belly ; a hole is cut through the chin, and the
tow-rope rove through. Several boats take their positions in tandem line, the tow-ropes are prop-
erly adjusted, and the men, with merry boat song, commence the laborious and monotonous ta.sk ot
lowing the whale to the vessel. If the ship is to windward of the whale she runs directly for it;
if .she is too far to leeward and the weather is calm or nearly so, the boat, or boats as the case may
be, tow the whale in the direction of the ship. The rate of speed under these circumstances, which
varies perhaps from 1 to 3 miles per hour, depends upon the number of boats ill tow and the
velocity of the wind. The ship in the mean time works toward the whale. As she approaches it,
if the wind is strong, sail is shortened, the head-yards are squared in so as to throw the sails upon
them aback, and the ship's headway is stopped as much as possible. The whale is hauled along-
side and fastened.
ACCIDENTS.— The life of a whaleman is full of danger at all times. Aside from the perils
incident to the career of all seafaring men, he is exposed to the dangers incident to his calling.
When "cuttiug-iu" in lower latitudes he has the sharks to contend with as well as the sharp-
edged cutting spades to avoid. In boiling out, a foaming or bursting pot may envelope the ship
in flames, or in a heavy gale the immense casks upon the deck may break from their lashings.
When down for whales, he is exposed to many perils which neither a landsman nor a sailor in
the merchant marine service know of. The captures are attended, in many cases, with the most
frightful calamities in the way of loss of life or limbs. Lives are jeopardized by such risks as a
'• foul line" or perhaps, in some cases, though seldom, the logger-head may be wrenched from its
position;* by the premature' explosion of lances in gun barrels ; by the heavy recoil of the immense
shoulder-guns, which has knocked the men down, or "kicked" them pretty well aft in the boat,
and perhaps breaking a collar-bone, or the boat may be broken into many pieces or capsized by
the whale. Few accidents, however, now occur from the guns and lances. When the guns were
first used they were charged with powder from cans, horns, or flasks, and instead of following
the printed instructions furnished by the inventors or manufacturers, . the men would often
charge the guns too heavily, and in many cases neglected to keep the barrels clean. Under
such circumstances, together with the weight and uuwieldiness of the weapons, many accident. s
ensued. At present the improved guns, aside from being lighter and perfected otherwise, are
provided with cartridges, and it is seldom an accident is reported, except in those extreme cases
when such a thing is brought about in an unaccountable or unavoidable manner, or possibly the
result of carelessness. The bomb-lances, owing also to their present state of perfection, seldom if
ever explode before entering the whale.
The dangers more to be feared by whalemen when down for whales are such accidents as foul
line, stove boat, or lost at sea. A foul line, as it leaps like a thing of life from its coils in the tub,
is the most treacherous; smoking hot by a brisk confiscation with the wood-work, it travels the
full length of the boat, and if it catches the arm or leg of one of the crew, as it sometimes does,
* This has occurred, ami in one instance very severely injured oue of tlic oarsmen, iullic ting a severe wound on his
head.
THE WHALE FISHERY. 273
the unfortunate man would be earned out before any assistance could be rendered him; or by
fouling in the chocks the danger of being towed under the water is imminent. We have many
published accounts of instances where men have been snatched from the boats so suddenly that the
survivors were not aware of their sudden removal. Cheever mentions instances where two boats
were carried down and the entire crews lost. One was lost ou "False I '.auks," and another, belong-
ing to the whaling bark Janet, of Westport, with the captain, who was acting as a boat-header,
and the crew of live men, were all carried down and drowned by flic boat line getting foul while
fast to a whale. It is seldom, however, that a whole boat's crew is lost in this manner.
It is not my intention to reduplicate the long list of accidents that has been made up by the
various writers in whaling literature, but I shall refer to several mishaps that have occurred to
whalemen with whom I am more or less acquainted.
Capt. Amos C. Baker, the present keeper of Clark's Point Light, near New Bedford, was
badly used tip by a right whale, and from him I obtained the following account of his accident
and subsequent sufferings. He says: "When I was third mate of bark Awashonks, of New
Bedford, we were cruising for right whales on the coast of Patagonia. Ou October 13, 1864, we
raised two about noon ; the first, by the way, we had seen since we left Port St. Catharine's, Brazil.
We got dinner and lowered three boats — the mate's, the second mate's, and the third mate's. The
whales were together, coming toward the bark and boats, and we took them head and head. The
second mate got slightly fast to one by the lip. Both whales sounded, and shortly afterwards
broke water together, the fast one fighting hard and sending the white water almost mast-head
high. I tried to strike the loose whale, but he would settle every time that I got within two dart's
of him. Meantime Mr. Norton, the mate, having struck the fast whale, he and the second mate
sterned oft' to wait for the whale to get quiet. I got tired of trying for the loose whale, and went
into the suds and struck the fast one ; but I came very near getting cracked. The whales sounded
at a short distance; when the loose one broke water he was comparatively quiet. I asked Mr.
Norton if I should cut line and strike the loose one again. His answer was, 'I don't like to say
either way.' However, I cut my line and chased the loose whale a short distance, but finally
gave it up and came back to the fast whale, which was fighting hard, and sending the Whitewater
in all directions. I pulled in ahead and took it quartering on the head, and Tom, my harpooner,
sent two more irons into him. Tom and I shifted ends; I set my lance down in his life twice — and
the next thing I remember I was lying on one-half of the boat. I felt no pain at "first, but could
not move. It so happened that the part of the boat I was on did not roll over with me ; had it
done so, I should have been drowned. But it was not to be so. I was in the most trying and
dangerous situation. The part of the wreck I was on was foul in the line. I tried to cut the line,
but I could not move, and every time the whale kicked, he would 'yank' me and the wreck of
the boat right up to his flukes. I expected that he would crush me every moment. I then noticed
the after oarsman hanging on the steering-oar, which was attached to the part of the boat I was
on. I implored him to cut the line. He crawled up and cut us from the whale. I next saw the
whale spout thick blood. About this time the mate's boat ran alongside of me. He was still
fast. I told him I was badly hurt and could not move. He replied, 'Mr. Fisher'— the fourth
mate, who had come down in the starboard boat — ' will pick you up. He is right here.' I saw Mr.
Fisher with the rest of my crew, excepting the one who was with me. The bow-oarsman was badly
cut and bruised. When they took hold of me to lift me into the boat 1 began to realize how badly I
was hurt. I thought that they would kill me. Of course they handled me as gently as they could;
but it seemed to me that they were very rough. The ship was about L! miles off, and every stroke
the oarsmen made seemed like taking my life. We reached the ship at last, and Captain Wing said,
SEC. v, VOL. n 18
L'74 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
'Put a rope around him under his arms, aud haul him up.' I was worked up to that pitch that it
seemed to rue I did not care much which way I weut, up or down ; but I said if you take rue up at all I
waut to be hoisted in the boat. Captaiu Wing then saw how badly I was hurt. I was carried below
to my berth, my clothes were cut oft, and the lower part of my leg bound up iu spliuts. Meanwhile the
whale had ' turned up' and the men left me to take it alongside. Mrs. Wing, the captain's wife, was
very kind to me, aud did all she could to make me comfortable. I sent the steward for the captain,
and told him my leg was broken above the knee, and he said at first 'No;' but I told him it surely
was, because I could feel it. He then concluded that it was, and bound up the upper portion of
my leg with splints, and kept the bandages wet with ram and salt water. The blood was washed
from my head and beard. My head was cut badly and my chin split open. All my wounds were
dressed, and, taking it altogether, I thought I was about used up. My bunk was very dismal, and
alter lying there for two days Mr. Norton gave me his room ; I found it much lighter and better
ventilated than my berth. The cooper made a box for the lower part of my leg, and for eighty days
I lay upon my back. Old Tom, my boat-steerer, a Cape Verde Portuguese, came to see me often.
During his first visit he said, 'You killed that whale, Mr. Baker; that whale most killed you.'
Tom is still alive, aud was afterwards promoted to second mate, as high as he could get. Mr.
Fisher, the fourth mate, took my boat's crew while I was sick and killed a right whale. Tom
gave the whale two irons to the hitches, and three of the crew jumped overboard just before he
darted his first iron; they must have been frightened. We did not make land for seven months
after my leg was broken, when we touched at St. Catharine's. I was then walking on crutches, and
some of the officers frequently told me that I would never kill another whale. During our home-
ward passage, on June 30, 1865, latitude 10° 30' north, longitude 39° west, we raised two schools
of sperm whales. Captain Wing did not want me to lower, but I insisted upon it. The mate and
myself went for one school and the second and fourth mate for the other. A whale came up just
right for me to strike him, and I went for him, keeping the hump aud spout-hole in range. I was
still on crutches. We were right over his flukes when Tom darted the iron, and the boat was cut
iu two about 'midships, and all of us were sent up into the air. I have often wondered how I got
clear without breaking my leg again; but it did not happen to strike anything. The boat was
stove so badly we did not think she was worth picking up. On my next voyage I went out as
second mate of bark Stafford, aud my boat-steerer got his line riding while the first whale I struck
was sounding, a«d down went the boat. This made three times iu succession that I got a good
soaking, and I began to think I was a Jonah; but I had better luck afterwards. When I was
before the mast, in the John Dawsoii, we struck a large sperm whale off Madagascar; he smashed
up three boats, and even ' shocked' some of the line-tubs. One man was badly hurt."
In 1879 I met Capt. J. T. Dunham, who was at that time keeper of the light house on the
extreme tip of Cape Cod. He lost a leg by a foul line and was carried under water a considerable
distance. I am indebted to Mr. E. W. Swift, of Provincetown, who has kindly forwarded Mr.
Dunham's account of the accident. When he was boat-steerer on the schooner Clara L. Sparks,
of Provincetowu, he struck a whale near the island of Bequia, West Indies. As soon as the whale
felt the iron he struck the boat with his flukes, stove it, and half filled it with water. Mr. Dun-
ham was precipitated into the, water aud one of his legs was entangled with the line. The whale
sounded so suddenly that Captain Sparks, who headed the boat, did not notice Dunham's disap-
pearance, but afterwards missing him concluded that he must have been caught in the line, and
taken overboard. The crew pulled ahead with the hope that the whale would stop sounding
before the line came taut. The whale, on the other hand, continued his downward motions and
the line straightened out. In a few moments Mr. Dunham came to the surface more dead than
TLIF, \\\\ \L:; FI>SUEI;\. 275
alive. The crew pulled up to him, and the captain hauled him into the boat. Until he got into
the boat Hi: Dunham did not know that one ol' his feet was gone. It appears that his right foot
was foul in the line when the whale stalled off, the half turn rapidly revolving around his ankle,
cut its way through the flesh to the bone, and when the line straightened out the bone snapped
off. Captain Sparks set a signal for the mate to come to his assistance. Duuham was traDsferred
to the vessel and all sail made for Bequia. Arriving at I'.eqnia, a doctor advised Captain Sparks
to take Mr. Dunham to St. Vincent, where he would luive the proper care and attention. Captain
Dunham, after this experience, sailed as master of several vessels.
In 18S1 an article was published in the newspapers to the effect that Capt. James 11. Hunt-
ting, of Bridgeliampton, Long island, had the presence, of mind, resolution, and bodily strength to
double up, reach forward, and with a- sheath knife cut the line beyond his foot, and come alive to
the surface, when the whale was sounding at the rate of 20 miles an hour. In the first place, this
may be considered an almost impossible rate of sounding speed for a whale ; in the second place,
Captain Hunttiug, in a letter to the writer, dated October 2, 1881, denies the statement. He
says :
" I know of no instance of a man cutting himself clear of line with the whale descending at
the rate of 20 miles an hour, neither do I believe it ever has or will be done. In my own case, I
was taken out by foul line and carried some distance under water, but the whale rose to the sur-
face and stopped his headway, and I was then able to cut myself clear. Had the whale continued
to sound, I could not have done it. My own case occurred July, 1846, in the Japan Sea. I was
on ship Portland, of Sag Harbor, Capt. J. E. Corwin, and acting as mate at the time. I will give
you an instance of a man who was caught in a foul line by the upsetting of a boat, and carried
almost instantly 50 rods under water. He was picked up with his foot and hand gone, torn off by
the line. I amputated the limb above the ankle, and took out the crushed bones of the hand, and
the man lived at least ten years alter, and may be alive at this day. He was alive the last time
I was in New Bedford. This occurred in April, 1853, on the coast of Chili, when I was master of
ship Jefferson, of Sag Harbor. How this man could have lived under water so long is a most
unaccountable thing. I could not have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes."
Captain Cottle, who was once master of the Eugenia, of New Bedford, when second mate of
the Champion, of Edgartowu, was, in 1849 or 1850, taken out of his boat by a foul line. He cut
the line while under water, and was almost dead when he was rescued.
Captain Baker tells me that one of his bow-oarsmen, Mr. Tinkham, got a turn around his
ankle when the line was running out, but disengaged it as he was going over the head of the boat.
He was badly hurt, but recovered, and has since made two whaling voyages as master.
During my investigations of the whale fishery, and more particularly while on my tour of
collecting objects for the TJ. S. National Museum, I have from time to time met with discarded
implements, or parts of implements, which brought me face to lace with the dark side of the whale-
man's life. In the fall of 18S2 the schooner Admiral Blake, Captain Hathaway, of Marion, came
into the port of New Bedford with a disabled boat, which was a silent witaess of a remarkable
tragedy enacted upon the high seas. It appears that on July 13, 18SL', a whale was struck with a
darting-gun, but the harpoon did not enter the blubber sufficiently deep to discharge the bomb-
lance. As the first officer of the schooner, who thought the gun had been regularly discharged,
was putting it away under the thwarts, it went off; the bomb passed through the body of James
Alcoin, killing him instantly, and then struck Charles Smith, the after-oarsman, in the back,
and appeared on the other side above the right, hip.
276 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
It is not often the case lhat a whale-boat, when clowii for whales, is unable to make the ship;
yet there are far too many accidents of this nature on record. Separated from the ship, suffering
from exposure, and emaciated by the ravages of hunger and thirst, the unfortunate crew are
doomed to wander upon the face of the trackless ocean until rescued by a passing ship or relieved
bv death. While we write, the news of the loss of Captain Sparks, svith a boat's crew, of the
schooner Edward Lee, of Provincetowu, Mass., conies to us ; and while pondering over the myste-
rious ways of Providence, the sate arrival of the party is announced at Pensacola, Fla,, almost
simultaneously with the arrival of the schooner at Proviucetown. Having been tossed upon the
ocean for eleven days, they were picked up and brought to an American port by a German bark.
A letter was immediately addressed to Captain Sparks, with the request that he would forward a
detailed account of his wanderings and sufferings. The captain, after refitting his vessel, has again
sailed on a whaling voyage, but before leaving port he kindly made the following statement to
Mr. P.. W. Swift, of Provincetown, for publication in this report:
"We raised a school of sperm whales at 12.30 p. m. May 14, 1881, in latitude 17° 50' north and
longitude 46° 50'. My mate and myself lowered and gave chase. The mate selected a 40-barrel
whale and fastened to him ; I continued to chase the school, but could not get within darting
distance. Finding that I wa.s getting too far from the vessel, I gave up the chase at 4 o'clock.
At 5 o'clock I made the vessel, which was heading directly for me, and an hour afterwards her
hull was plainly visible. Night coming on, we steered the boat by compass in the direction
the vessel was last seen ; but not seeing her lights, we hove to at 8 o'clock, and lay by until
morning. At daylight we found nothing in sight; but we steered in a northerly course until 1
o'clock p. m., at which time I changed the course to southwest in hopes of finding the vessel.
During the second night I again hove to. In the morning, under sail, we steered in a westerly
course until uoou, when our course was changed to the northwest until night. During all this
time I had not seen a sail. I was then forced to believe that we were lost in mid-ocean, fully 1,000
miles from land. We were dressed in our shirts and trousers only — not a single coat or jacket —
and every one of us were barefooted. When we left the vessel the beaker was full of water, but
every drop was consumed before we gave up the chase for whales. I decided to head the boat
for the West India group, with the hope that if we were not rescued by some passing vessel we
might be able to reach some or one of the Windward Islands. On the sixth day of our wanderings
May 20, we saw a school of sperm whales, and although every man in the boat was greatly
reduced from exposure and his long fast, I thought it best to make an attempt at least to capture
a whale to furnish us food. I placed myself in the head of the boat, holding the iron as well as I
could, and selected a whale to strike ; the momentum of the boat forced the harpoon into the
whale, which fortunately was not an ugly one, and he was finally killed. While dying, however,
he struck the boat so hard as to injure it and it sprung a leak. I cut 15 pounds of flesh from the
whale, which we ate raw. This lasted us two days, and we again suffered the pangs of hunger.
Bain-showers could be seen passing on each side of the boat, but very little fell on us. During
the eleven days of our exposure I judged that about 2 gallons of water were caught in the boat;
but being mixed with salt water we could not quench our thirst, Sometimes during the night the
mist would wet our shirts and we greedily sucked them; sometimes we we-e compelled to drink
salt water, but this had a very bad effect upon us. One night a flying-fish jumped iuto the boat ;
I divided it into sixteen pieces, all of which was greedily devoured by the half-starving men. We
continued on our course for the land without seeing a single sail. On May 25, the eleventh day
of our separation from the, Edward Lee — all of us were prostrated from the want of food and water;
one of the men was lying helpless in the bottom of the boat — we sighted a sail which proved to be
THi: WIIALK KISIIKRY. 277
<i German bark two days out from Guadaloupc, bound to Gibralter, loaded with sugar. I informed
the captain of oar situation, but ho gave us no invitation to go on board. \Yc had sailed 750
miles in an open boat Without food, and his treatment seemed rather hard. I begged of him to
give us food and water. lie made, no reply, but in about ten minutes his cook brought each one
of us a drop of water and one sea biscuit. 1 then requested accommodations for myself and men
aboard his ship, but. he sternly refused, lie told me to go aboard of another vessel which had
just hove in sight. [ told the captain that he might shoot me and luy men and throw us over-
board, but we would not willingly leave his ship and run the risk of not being seen by the other
\essel, which was quite a distance off. Finally the bark was liove to, and a signal set, which was
noticed by the other vessel. Shortly after this the captain insisted that I should leave with my
men and pull for the other vessel, and promised to lay by until he was sure the second vessel saw
us. With this promise we were helped into the boat, and as soon as our line was cast off the
yards of the bark was squared and she was off. I did not learn her name, as I had neither time
nor opportunity to do so. I only wish I had. The second vessel was about 2 miles away, and
proved to be. the German bark A. Klochtnan, Gapt. Henry Abel, of Memie, who kindly took us on
board. The fare on board this vessel, consisting as it did only of water and hard-tack, was hardly
suitable for men in our condition ; but we rejoiced in the hope of temporary relief and in the
prospect of getting to laud. We remained on board the Klochmau twenty-two days, and finally
lauded at Peusacola, Fla., where we were kindly treated and cared for by the Masons and Odd
Fellows, who provided us with the means to return to our friends. While, in Pensacola I tele-
graphed to my agent at Proviucetown for instructions, and received word that the Edward Lee
had arrived home the day before. I sold my boat and deposited the money with Mr. Toung, a
notary public, Captain Abel having made a demand on me for $65 for bringing us into port. I
had already given him $40 worth of whale-line before we landed, and I supposed that would
satisfy him for what he had done for us. We had the coarsest of fare while on his vessel. Twice
in the twenty-two days the captain gave me white bread, and the balance of the time I had the
same as the foremast hands, which was, as I have before stated, merely water and hard-tack.
G. THE METHODS OF SAVING THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS OF THE WHALE.*
CUTTING-IN AND TRYING-OUT.
CUTTING-IN THE WHALE. — The process known to the English as "flensing," to the Ameri-
cans as "cutting-in," and to the old Nantuokoters as "flinching" the whale is the act of removing
its oleaginous blanket and transferring it to the vessel; and the process of "trying-out " is the
reduction of the blubber to oil.
When the ship-keeper perceives that a capture has been made, he makes sail, if possible, and
endeavors to shorten the distance between the vessel and the boats. Meantime every prepara-
tion is made to save, the blubber. The cutting-spades and boarding-knives are brought on deck,
the officers' stages t are "slung" over the side of the vessel, the heavy cutting-tackles are sent
aloft, and the bulwarks removed in the waist of the ship to make a gangway. The whale is
brought alongside the vessel and fastened with its flukes forward to the starboard side with a
'The met hods employed in •• cur ting in '; tlir whale; tin- oil making ; preparation of w halehmie ; ambergris, &e.,
will be more fully discussed iu the section of this rcpoit on l-'rrpaiatinn of l'i,xhn\ 1'rodncu.
t The cutting stage is a kind of platform suspended o\rr llie side of a ship liy ropes, for the oflieers to stand
upon while cutting-in a whale. Of the e.irlie.-i form there are two kinds; I hey are Known as the " forward cutting
stage1' and the "after cutting stage," from the fart that they an- plaeed respectively forward and abaft the
•4-Migway. They are made of spruce plant; aliont 1\! inches wide and vary in length on different ships. Some
vessels have discarded this kind altogether, while others still retain them, in addition to longer cues, known as
"outrigger stages." The "outrigger" is from 18 to -_'-j fen long, -jo feet being about the average length, and 15 to
278 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
chain, which is passed around the "small,"* rove through a port-hole in the bulwarks, and made
fast to the bowsprit or a small upright post in the deck, called a "bitt." Tbe whale being
thus secured, the order is to -'Supper the watch!'1 or "Dinner the watch!" and immediately after
the meal the process of "cutting-in" begins. It is necessary that the blubber should be removed
as soon as possible, since it may "blast" on the whale, or in all probability rough weather
may set iu and delay the work, or it may be desirable to lower the boats for other whales. The
mm and officers take their proper positions. The first and .second officers go into the forward
and after cutting stages respectively. The captain, assisted by his first mate, usually decapitates
the whale; the second mate "scarfs," or cuts the body blubber; the third mate has charge of the
waist of the vessel and of boarding the blubber, in which duties he is assisted by the fourth
officer, or perhaps the latter may be with the foremast hands at the windlass; one of the har-
pooners stands ready to go down upon the whale, (that is, if a sperm whale), to manipulate the
blubber hook when necessary, and another harpoouer has charge of stowing away the blubber
between decks. On the quarter-deck the cooper, assisted usually by one of the laziest men on the
ship to turn the grindstone, is kept busy sharpening the spades, which are dulled from time to time
by striking harpoons in the whale or the bones in cutting off the head. No one is allowed to ''cut
on the whale " except an officer ; it would be a presumption on the part of a foremast hand, at. such
a time, to go into a cutting stage.
The head of the whale is first cut off, and the process of removing the blubber from the body
begins. The manner of decapitating and dissecting the head of a right whale differs some-
what from the method of decapitating a sperm whale. Eemoviug the body blubber, however,
has practically no distinguishing features that need to be explained here. In cuttiug-in a right
whale the first officer, with a long-handled spade, makes a ".scarf" around the eye and fin (from H
to E and I, as shown iu the accompanying illustration, Fig. 1). A chain is adjusted about the
tin (B) and one of the cutting-tackles is attached to the ring (C); the men heave at the windlass
and literally tear off both the fin and blubber, the former being skillfully unjoiuted by the officer
before the huge cetacean rolls in the water. As the whale revolves upon its axis, a motion
imparted by the cutting tails which are manipulated by the men at the windlass, the officer con-
tinues to cut the blubber as indicated by the spiral lines t in the diagram, and the helical strip of
blubber is peeled in a continuous piece the entire length of the whale, from the fins to the flukes.
As it is hoisted on board it is subdivided into smaller sections, about 14 feet long and G feet wide,
called "blanket-pieces." The subdivisions are made by the officer who stands in the waist of the
vessel, with a long ensiform implement called the boarding-knife, the process being-called "board-
ing the blubber." He severs the immense strip of fat whenever one of the cutting-tackles "comes
two blocks"; the other tackle is made fast to the blubber before the officer severs It, and when
the first tackle lowers the blanket-piece the second tackle '-conies two blocks." and another piece
is cut off. This alternating process continues until the blubber has been dispo. cd of.
The blanket pieces are lowered through the main hatch into the blubber-room, where they are
subsequently reduced to smaller sections or "horse- pieces." The pieces of flesh and muscles or
"lean" — the whaleman's name for the flesh of the whale — which adhere to the inside of the blub-
1* in. -lies wide. The i rds or "arms"— some rail them " Ir^s'1— that brace the stage from the Teasel, are from ? to 10
feet long ; son I'll ic- in are bolted rigidly to the stage, while otliersaie adjustable. This kind of stage is suspended over
the vessel l>v two or thn-c tackles from the mast-brail or from davits. For convenience anil safety of the cutters, when
;it work.ii long pole or rope, usually the latter, is lashed to iron stanchions from X to :U feet high, forming
a secure railing and support for the officers, the whale, of course, being between the. stage and the ship. When not in
use the "arms" are folded, ami the stage i-i turned np alongside, the ship and lashed securely.
* The slender portion of the body ot the whale, at its junction with the flukes.
1 The officer iloes not mat b cut as suowu in the lines in the diagram. The actual incisions in the Wnh-
ber Of the whale form zigy.:i.g lines, Cashes m:ll]« |,v the perpendicular thrusts of the keen-edged spades.
Till: WIIALU l<MSII!<:i;y.
279
her, are removed by the blubber-room gang with sharp knives to prevent the discoloration of oil
when boiled. This process is called "leaning." When ready to boil the blubber the "horse-
pieces" (a) are pitched upon deck with forks and minced either with baud-knives or machinery.*
The slices (<•) are about half an inch thick, almost as long as the blubber is thick, and resemble
71
/
y
A
/ " _
1
/ I
/ \
b
/
i
i
.
• •
I
i
i
11 II) BLUDBER ON MINtLV: HORSE.
great pieces of fat pork. The pieces are called "books" or "bibles," from a fancied resemblance
to the leaves of a book. In this condition the blubber is pitched into the try-pots and the oil ex-
tracted. The residuum, termed "scrap," is used in boiling out the "catch," the fires being first
started with wood. Meantime the flukes of the whale are cut off, and at times hoisted on deck and
the blubber saved. The carcass is cut adrift, and, surrounded by a school of ravenous sharks and a
troup of greedy, garrulous birds, floats away and usually sinks. The head, which had in the first
place been detached from the trunk and moored by chains to the vessel, should next be cared for.
If the capture is an unusually large sperm whale, the head may be divided into two sections, the
"case"' and the "junk," and hoisted in separately. Previous to this, however, the lower jaw with
the teeth is wrenched from its socket and hoisted in. If a small sperm whale, the entire head may
be hoisted in and dissected on deck. The '-head matter" or spermaceti is removed and placed in
casks or other receptacles df a similar nature, and the worthless remains are pushed through the
gangway into the sea. If a right whale, the upper part of the head, containing the whalebone, is
hoisted on deck, and the baleen cut out with spades, cleaned, dried, and bundled for the market.
The two lower lips are hoisted in separately and the blubber cut up and boiled. The body oil and
head oil of the sperm whale are kept in separate casks and marked "11." and '' Sp. O.'' The oil
from all parts of the right whale is barreled indiscriminately, since there is no difference in the
quality. As last as the oil is cooked it is bailed from the try-pots into a large copper tank called
the cooler, whence it is transferred to large casks, lashed to long rails on both sides of the vessel,
and kept on deck until cool enough to stow away below. It is then run down into the casks in
the hold of the vessel through a flexible pipe. The casks are "chocked off1' or braced from each
other and from the ship by pieces of wood called '• beds,'' and remain in. statit quo unless the hold
is broken out to ship the oil by another vessel or when broken out in port.
"The mincing-horse used in hand-mincing is niroplj M IH.TC of two-inch jilauk (1>) ulmnt tlirro feet long and a
foot wide, \viih sc-vrral pegs (rf.i in the sidi-s to ke.-p (be hoi. i phiei-. One . ml slips with ;i rleat under the
main rail (/) and the other end rests on ilie mincing tnli. As last ae the blubber is minced it falls into the tub.
280
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The lower block of the cutting-tackle is usually strapped with rope. In boarding, the blubber
hook is detached, and the strap, with a groin met, (It) is passed through a hole cut in the blubber
(a) and toggled (<•) on the opposite, side, as shown in the accompanying illustration.
IlKAli OF T.UYXKK'I' I'lT-IT.
1'T ROPF -STRAPPED KL'M'K.
An improvement, however, has been made, although it is not so regarded by some whalemen,
by strapping the lower block with chain. Strapped in this manner, the obviously awkward rope
attachment is dispensed with, and the chain tail (b) may be rove through holes (re) in the blubber («),
as shown in the accompanying cut, and moused into the sister hooks (</) thus :
Hi-' AH OK ]:i,.\-.KFTlMI!l'E MOl.sTIil) BY CIIAIN-STRA1TKI) BLOCK.
THE WIIALK FISHERY. 281
The above illustrations represent the under or "fat" side of the blubber with chain attached,
and also the reverse or "blaekskin" side.
The head of the right whale and l)o\vhead may be hoisted by means of the rope-strapped
blocks and fid, or by the chain-Strapped blocks, the same as shown above for hoisting the blubber.
A word in regard to some of the implements used in manipulating a dead whale and removing
its blubber.* The falls are made of manila hemp, composed of four strands, and measure in circum-
ference 5J inches. The lower block is 18 by 12 by 10 inches, the upper blocks IS by 12 by 6
inches and the guy-block 13 by 9 by G inches. The guy rope is 4f inches in circumference. The
blubber hooks vary in weight from 75 to 150 pounds each, depending upon the size of the vessel.
The cutting-tackles, when in position for active use, are suspended by pendants lashed to the main-
mast-head above the eyes of the rigging. The pendants are large cables (a, Fig. 4), of a size that
would be required perhaps to anchor a 300-ton ship. They are usually about 12 feet long ; the
variation in length, however, is governed by the size of the vessel. They are connected with the
cutting-tackles by means of two immense iron shackles (Fig. 2, a a) 16 inches long 9 inches wide in
the clear and from li to 1 J inches in diameter.
The implements with which the incisions are made in the blubber are called cutting-spades.
The blades are made of Norway iron, faced with steel, and the poles, are of spruce. The total
length varies from 12 to 20 feet. With these apparently awkward implements all of the cutting-
is done upon the whale. The narrow ones are used to cut through the blubber to the flesh and
the wide ones to sever the muscles or pieces of flesh that persist iu binding the fat to the body of
the whale. The former process is called "scarfing," and the latter "leaning up.'T The half-
round spade is used to mortice holes iu the blubber in order that the cutting tackle may be attached,
as previously described.
DUTIES OF CEEW. — In cutting in a whale the same discipline is enforced on board ship that
was observed in the boat when engaged in the capture. Next to making the home passage with
a full ship, the disrobing of a whale of its oleaginous covering constitutes one of the most joyous
occasions. When a wliale is " raised," the exultations of the whalemen cannot be called genuine,
for the capture may not be made ; but when the prize is made fast to the ship, the most sanguine
anticipations, barring wind and weather, may be realized. A violent storm may part the fluke-
chain, or it may become necessary for the safety of the vessel to cast the whale adrift.
The captain has general supervision of all work, and may sometimes participate actively in
cutting the whale. He may prefer, especially when the animal is to be decapitated, to accompany
his first officer on the stage, and assisted by him, perform this operation, which is regarded a
delicate and important one by whalemen; but he usually goes on deck when the head has been
severed from the body and assumes general charge of matters there, leaving the details of the
cutting to his first officer. Aside from the general work of cutting, which claims his close atten-
tion, he has the ship to care for, more particularly if surrounded by ice iu the Arctic fishery.
* Indix to illustrations of cutting falls.
Fig. 1. Lower block strapped with rope (a a a) and blubber hook (g) .shackled inio tin; grooimet (d). The rope
beckets(cce) are nxrd l'..r convenience in handling the block, and the back lashing (h) by the officer in directing the
point of the hook into a hole in the blubber.
Fig. 2. Upper blocks (l> b), guy block (c), pendant shackles (a a), and links.
Fig. 3. Lower block (6) strapped with chain (rf) and sister hooks (c) into which the tail may be coupled by means
of the link (2).
Fig. 4. Perspective view of the cutting-tackle, showing the position it assumes when suspended from theinast-
head. It should be guyed out by means of thegny liloek and rope (e), and the end of the cutting-falls (e) should
lead to the windlass.
Fig. 5. AD implement called the small blubber hook used to manipulate blubber on the vessel.
2R2 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
He may also, perhaps, visit tbe mast-head when whales are in sight, to ascertain if there is a
prospect for lowering I IK- boats for another capture. It may also happen that two or more boats
are down for whales, in which case be performs the duties of the first and second officers on the
stage. When cutting-in a sperm whale on a Provincetown vessel, if the mate is not skillful, the
captain, assisted by the first and second mate and boat-steerers, severs the head from the body.
On the New Bedford vessels, if the captain does not make his appearance on the stage, his first
officer has sole charge and direction of cutting off tbe bead. After the captain leaves the stage
tbe mate remains and " leans" the blubber from the carcass until tbe last piece has been hoisted
in. The second officer's post of duty confines him to the forward end of the outrigger stage, where
he is engaged hi " scarfing "* and " leaning up"; he also cuts off the flukes, and remains upon
the stage till tbe last piece of blubber and the flnkes, if a sperm whale, are hoisted in. The third
mate has charge of the waist and tbe general directions of boarding the blubber; he uses the
boarding-knife in cutting holes in the blanket-pieces for attaching the cutting-tackle; subdivides
the blanket pieces into sections and sees that they are properly lowered in the main hatch.
Although not actively engaged in cutting the whale, he occupies an important position, and upon
him, in a great measure, depends tbe length of time consumed in this operation, with the excep-
tion, of course, of wind and weather. It is also bis duty to see that the hatchway is kept
clear, and that all implements necessary for carrying on the work are at hand aud in their
proper places. Some captains, especially in the olden days of whaling, after decapitating the
whale took charge of the boarding ; but they seldom do this now. Sometimes on the steam barks
in the Arctic regions the third and fifth mates work in the waist, or tbe captain may, when
"pushed," take charge of tbe boarding, and send the fifth mate between decks to stow away tbe
blubber. The fourth mate on some vessels assists the third officer in the waist. It' he is a person
of good executive ability the latter is perhaps tbe best place for him. On some vessels it would
be better, under certain conditions, for him to be at tbe mast-bead on tbe lookout for whales,
but this is not usually the case. In sperm whaling be may be in the waist with the third officer,
when not on the stage cutting on the head; but, as before stated, be usually retires to the deck
when the whale is decapitated. Three of tbe boat-steerers work in tbe waist, of the ship, assisting
the third officer, and the fourth takes it "overboard", and also has charge of stowing the blubber
between decks. The captain's boat-steerer takes all tbe "overboards" on the first whale captured,
aud the others in the order of their rank on each whale subsequently taken, their duties being to
insert the blubber book in tbe hole made in the blubber, to reeve the head-needle, and to perform
any other duty that may, under the circumstances, be required of them which could not be
accomplished by the ol'licers from tbe stages. The carpenter, or cooper, usually tbe latter,
sharpens the spades aud knives at tbe grindstone on the quarter-deck, assisted by one of the crew,
who turns the crank. As the spades are frequently dulled by striking bones, especially while
cutting on the head, there is very little cessation in this work. A common grindstone, with an
elliptical wooden tub, full of fresh water to prevent iron rust, is always carried on tbe ship for this
and similar purposes. Tbe cook and steward are engaged in their regular duties, but may, at,
times, especially when hoisting in the heaviest parts of the whale, be called forward to the wind-
lass. Tbe majority of the crew heave at the windlass. One man is sometimes placed on the
lookout for whales — though usually when cutting-in and boiling out, mastheads are not
kept — and two sharp, active, and wide-awake foremast hands are selected to "tend the falls,"
* The terra scarf, usually pronounced *c«ff, has rather an elastic definition. A lio.it -builder scnr/xtwo pieces of
timber when he joins them permanently together; a whaleman, on the other hand, when he scarfs the blubber,
separates it entirely by incisions made with the spade.
T1IK WIIAI.I! KIS11KKY. 283
one mau to each tackle, called '• falls lenders.'' Two men in each watch belong to the " blubber-
room gang," employed in .sto\\ ing a\\a\ I lie blubber. ( >ne man, on a sperm whaler, is stationed on
the main or mizzen chains or in the starboard boat with a scoop net, to "skiin slicks" while the
head of the whale is being severed from the body, that is, to save the small pieces of blubber and
"loose" oil which float upon the water. On some ships, however, the man whose duty it is to
assist the cooper has charge of the scoop-net, or is "captain of the scoop-net," and in this case,
when his services are required, especially when cutting about the roots of the "case," whence the
spermaceti flows, the cry of "Scoop-net! Scoop-net!!'1 calls him from his ignominious post at the
grindstone to the more exalted position of "skimming slicks," the contents of the net being placed
in a wooden receptacle on deck, called a scrap-tub, and afterwards boiled out.*
TIME CONSUMED IN CUTTING IN. — The time consumed in the process of "cuttiug-iu" depends
upon the age of the whale, the condition of the weather, the kind of apparatus and accessories,
and the skill and ability of the cutlers. Under favorable conditions a small or medium sized whale
might be disposed of in tive or six hours, and a large one, a "one hundred barreler," perhaps in
twelve hours ; but in a rough sea the crew may be four or five days in cutting in a whale which, in
smooth weather, should be cared for in six or eight hours. Three days is about the average time for
boiling out the blubber of a large sperm whale ; but this also depends upon the weather, fatness of
the cetacean, and size of the pots. Formerly, if a one-huudred-barrel whale were captured, cut-in,
boiled out, and stowed down in a week, it was regarded fair work ; but with the modern appli-
ances the same work should, under favorable circumstances, he accomplished in less time. The
blubber of right whales may be boiled out with greater facility than that of sperm whales. Less
skill and time is required to cut a right or bowhead whale than a sperm whale ; three or four hours
•During the process of cutting, as the crew heave away at the windlass they arc urged to their work by the inspira-
tion ot song, peculiar to them. The order from the captain is to "heave away and chanty up," the word "chanty"
meaning to sing, the songs being known as "shanty songs."
Touching this point I reproduce he-re the following extract from :\ letter from rapt. William M. Barnes:
" When a whale ship is so fortunate as to lind whales, time becomes of importance, and as a ship when in the act
of cutting is in a great degree motionless, whalemen are anxious to tinish the work and to get under sail again. Often
a storm is seen approaching, or the ice is dose at hand to lee\\ aril, or night and darkness are near. Experience has
shown that the men work more cheerfully at the w iuillass when their quite tires >mc anil monotonous labor is enlivened
with a good song, and masters of whalers congratulate theruselvc- if they lind among their crew one who can lead off
at the windlass with a rousing song. The men forget their fatigue ; they quit Crumbling, and with merry laughter
join in a rattling chorus, while cicaKing falls and clanking pawls, and the frequent shout of 'Board, Oh!' tell them
that the work is fast being accomplished. It will be a happy change when the tireless, uncomplaining power of steam
is used in the ' cutting-in.' The work will lie done more quickly, and the men will be available for other uses. I wish
I e->itld give you a few of the songs the 'shanty men' sing, but as a great part of the- singing is extempore, and only
suited to the occasion, one does not remember it unless himself a singer. Many popular tunes are brought into requisi-
tion, being often changed by ihe singers. The winds seldom amount to much, nn less the singer chances to be witty,
when he may make happy allusions to passing- , -\ents. The tunes ate exhilarating and selected on this account.
Among the songs, I may mention ln-ie. • John Brown's body.' 'I'ijie,' 'Matching through Georgia,' 'Old Dan
Tucker,' with many variations, to which could lie added many oiln-is. 1 think an Arctic whaleman would prefer a
lively chorus at his windlass to the np.-ras of the best masters. 1 can ••eenllecl when on my first voyage when the
work was lagging the captain would hail thecook, with • Doctor, w here an- you .' Come ! Wake 'em up there!' And
the old darky would roll along forward, and opening a capacious mouth start a song and the work at the same- time.
II is songs were few in number, Im* they were not injured by n-petit ion. 1 remember a line or two :
.—A dandy ship and a dandy i n-w .
ML— Hi ho, m\ damh . ••
('mil. -A dandy mate and skipper, too,
.•111. — Hi ho, my dandy, oh!
( 1,'epeai w it h variations.)
Cool-'. — Oh, what shall 1 do I'm- ni\ dand\ crewf
All.— Hi ho, m\ dandy. Oh !
I 'mil,. — I'll give them wine and brandy, too.
All. -Hi ho, my dandy. Oh!"
284 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
being the average, under auspicious circumstances, for cutting one of the first-named species,
whose yield would be about 100 barrels. Capt. G-. B. Borden tells me he once picked up a bow-
head whale, whose death was caused by "killers," which he took alongside, cut-in, and boiled
out in twenty-one hours, making 140 barrels of oil.
SWEEPING AND FLUKING A WHALE. — When a whale has been towed alongside the vessel
the fltike-chaiu is made fast to the "small." The preliminary steps for adjusting this chain are
termed "sweeping ihe whale," and the act of adjusting it is known as "fluking the whale." The
following is an account of the processes as well as a description of the implements employed:
The bnoy-line, or as it is also called the "bob and line," or the "lead and buoy," consists of
a piece of tow-line — usually about 7 or 8 fathoms in length — a buoy and lead. The buoy, bent on to
one end of the line, is made of pine wood, which is often painted white in order that it may be
more readily distinguished, as it is frequently necessary to use it at night. A small hand-lead, or
" shot," about 6 pounds in weight, is also bent on to the line, about 1£ or 2 fathoms from
the buoy. When the whale has been hauled alongside, the ship is so laid as to forge ahead a little
and at the same to bring the cetacean along with it, flukes forward. The lead is .now dropped
overboard between the ship and the whale on the side of the " small " near the flukes. The lead, of
course, takes the buoy under water. The line is then pulled up, which raises the lead, and the
buoy, released, floats on the surface. If the buoy should come up on the opposite side of the
" small" it is hooked up with the line-hook, or with a hook that may be improvised from a broken
harpoon shank attached to a pole, and taken on board. If, on the other hand, the buoy should
appear on the surface of the water on the same side of the " small" ou which it descended, the
lead will have to be dropped again and again, and the operation repeated, as is often the case,
until the maneuver is successfully accomplished. Having passed a small line around the " small,''
the fluke-chain may be bent on and hauled around in a similar manner. One end of the fluke-
chain is hauled up to the plank-sheer in the gangway and rove through a ring or shackle at the
other end. The bowline is singled and the ring slacked to the "small."* The chain is stoppered
in the waist, one end being led forward through a hawse-hole t or chain-pipe. Ou the bluff of the
bulwarks, on the starboard side, a rope is made fast to the chain on which all hands haul, bringing
the end of the chain forward. When the whale is far enough forward to be conveniently cut, the
chain having been hauled up short, about 1£ fathoms, it is made fast to the bow-sprit or a bit made
for the purpose, and the whale is said to be " fluked." If a fluke-rope is used it may have an
eye-splice in one end; or, if not, a clinch may be made and slipped down to its place. The whale
thus secured lies with its flukes to the bow of the ship and on top of the water, and the fluke-chain
may be veered out as occasion may require during the operation of cutting-in. The after part
of the whale's head, as it now lies, is nearly abreast the after part of the main rigging, provided
the ship is about 110 feet long, and is made fast by a good stout rope to a bit or a ring in the deck.
The whale is now made fast and everything is ready for cutting it in.
Recently some enterprising whaleman has improvised an instrument, termed a " fluker," from
an old hand-lance, simply by cut ting off the head and con vert ing Ihe shank into a large round-bend
hook. A small laniard with a buoy at one end is " stopped " to the point, and the instrument is thrust
under water between th<- whale and vessel. When low enough in the water the point is turned
outboard, the instrument is hauled up under the " small," and the buoy with a line to which the
fluke-chain is attached appears on the other side. The buoy is detached, removed with the line-
* See diagram ot'cutting-iu :i l>u« hi-ail m polar whale, A.
t Many vessels have two liawsr-|iipes, M-vcral feet apart, to be used when two whales have been killed, and some-
times two chains are taken through one hawse-pipe.
TIIK WHALE FISHERY. 285
hook, and the fluke-chain adjusted as before mentioned. This is a much better and quicker method
than when the buoy and line is used, and although iliis instrument, which is also known as the
"Joe Crook," is not familiar to Ihe majority of whalemen, its importance will be very readily
appreciated by them.
Large ropes were formerly used for fastening the whale to a vessel, but I believe very few of
them, if any, are to be found now. Home-times a large iope may be used when a vessel is towing
a whale or in veering out a whale in heavy weather when it would be impossible for her to lay by it.
This rope is made of manilla, usually manufactured for the. purpose, and varies in size from 7 to
11 inches in circumference. It is slack laid and about the same kind as those carried by the large
steamers on Long Island Sound, for instanre, and is sometimes stradded to prevent chafing.
BOILING AND STOWING THE OIL.
DUTIES OF CREW. — During the process of boiling out the oil (described in the section on
PREPARATION OF FISHERY PRODUCTS), which includes the preparation of the blubber before
cooking, the master has general supervision of the work, but the mate attends to all business that
requires active superintendence. Both the officers and men, with the exception of the cooper,
stand their regular watches before the try works day and night. On some vessels the first officer
is exempt from such a duty. It is expected that the. officers should only superintend the boiling
of the oil, but oftentimes they perform as much manual labor as the petty officers.
The boat-steerers stand their watches before the works, and if they find time they also rig
their boats for another capture.
The men perform the menial duties of the ship. Two in each watch are kept at work in (he
blubber-room preparing the blubber for the mincer. This is the blubber-room gang; it is headed
by a man iu each watch, who is regularly appointed to fill this position during the voyage; his
assistant, however, is not regularly appointed, the selection being made from any of the foremast
hands composing that watch. If the machine is used for mincing, three or four men may be needed:
one to "feed," one to "hook off," or remove the blubber, one to trim the thick pieces of fat, and
probably one or two to keep the apparatus in motion. But when the mincing is done by hand,
the services of one man iu each watch only are required for slicing the fat.
The other men of the watch carry horse-pieces from the main hatch to the mincer, 'upper up
decks, remove scraps, bail out oil, stand their mast-heads, serve their tricks at the wheel, or lend
a hand wherever and whenever needed.
The cooper is seldom on duty at night, that is, if he is industrious and prepares a sufficient
number of casks during the day to last the watch over night. It is also his duty, during the day,
to grind the blubber-knives, or to bail the oil from the cooling tanks.
The Arctic ships have watch and watch (six hours each) when boiling. In sperm whaling, on
some ships the watches are set, for instance, from 7 a. m. until 11. .'{(I a. m. This gives the forenoon
watch below half an hour for dinner ; the other watch goes below at 11! m. and is called at 1 p. m.
One watch gets supper at U. ami the other at C..">0. At 7 p. in. the watch is set for the night,
dividing the time until 7 in the morning. In the morning the watch below is called at 0.30, in
order that the men may get breakfast in time to be on deck at 7.
The duties of the crew during the operation of running down the oil into the casks in the hold
of the vessel from the receptacles in winch it cools on deck vary s ewhat, both on the different
vessels and in the sperm and Arctic fisheries. The sperm whalemen have more sea-room and
more time at their disposal when stowing down than the Arctic whalemen. It is also important
that they should exercise unusual care in this process, without involving the question of time, for
286 HISTORY AND MimiODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the oil usually remains in the holds of their vessels much longer than is the custom in the Arctic
fleet. In sperm whaling, as a rule, the captain directs all \vork, measures the hold, and gives
orders for the casks, which, in his opinion, should be coopered for riders, forelaying to run the
ciisks of the proper size in order that they may be ready for coopering. The first officer generally
Has charge of all work on deck; at times, however, he may superintend the work in the hold, in
which case the second mate remains on deck. Une of the officers or boat-steerers also tends the
hose cock when filling the casks. The cooper has all he can do in coopering such casks as fast
as they are called for. As the Arctic whalemen are usually beset by ice, which momentarily
threatens their ship, and on account of the presence of ice they are unable to get as much sea
loom as the sperm whalemen, they are in consequence compelled to store away their oil as speedily
as possible, and at times under great difficulties. The master usually devotes his attention to
stowing down, but at times he may shift the greater part of the responsibility on his officers, and
will himself look after the ship, spending perhaps the greater portion of his time at the mast-head,
"conning" his vessel and looking for whales. The first officer has charge of the deck, iiiuuiugdown
the oil, inspecting I lie cooperage, sending the disks below as fast as they arc needed, and pushing
the work with the utmost speed and vigor. This custom, however, often varies, for sometimes the
first officer may stow the hold and the second mate may remain on deck. Since the oil cools rap-
idly in the Arctic regions, the crews under favorable circumstances are enabled to clear their
decks much sooner after boiling out than in the southern fishery. Stowing down, boiling out.
and the performance of other necessary work required in working the ship, may be carried on
simultaneously; one man may be called upon to perform the duties which, in the regular order of
things, properly belong to another, but the master, under all circumstances, feeling his responsi
bility, always satisfies himself that the oil casks are properly stowed away. If the mates in the
Proviucetown fleet are efficient and trustworthy, the captain devotes very little attention to the
process of stowing down, other than to designate such casks as should be filled. The mate has
charge of the deck ; it is his duty to see that the casks are well swabbed out and free from water;
that the oil is sufficiently cool; that no dregs have been transferred from the cooler, and that the
work in all details is properly attended to. The second mate usually has entire charge of the
hold. One boat-steerer bails the oil from the cooler, and one cuts off the oil as fast as the sepa-
rate casks are filled.
MAKING-OFF ; SCRUBBING.
MAKING-OFF.— Paring and barreling blubber, termed making- off, was, and is now, conducted
by the Dutch, English, and Scotch whalemen. Commander Scoresby* and Lafngt give a full ac-
count of the process. Maldng-off blubber was carried on at leisure hours when the crew were not
engaged in the pursuit of whales. The blubber in this condition was transported to the English
and Scotch ports and the oil extracted on shore, by which time the blubber was more or less rancid,
and it is not much of a wonder after all that the odor should be offensive when the cargo was broken
out in port, or when the oil was extracted.
The process of inaking-off is not practiced among the American whalemen. At the inception
of the Aiueiican whale fishery (as before referred to) it was the custom, in shore whaling, to brin.L;
the blubber home and extract the oil, but as the voyages were short, the blubber was compara-
tively in a good and healthy condition. In the Arctic regions, however, it is now customary with
some ships, when they find whales abundant, not to delay matters by boiling out, but they stow
away the blubber 'tween decks (where, in this cold climate, it will hold its own for a long time), and,
when full, put out for Plover May and boil out at anchor. In Hudson Bay it is said by some
* Arctic Kegious, vol. ii. t Voyage to Spitzbergeu, pp. 133, 134.
THE \VIIAI, i<; FISHKUY. 287
whalemen that when a whale is taken among th<- icr and cannot be towed to the vessel, small
tackles are carried in the boats to the whale, ami where they are enabled to gut sufficient pur-
chase to roll the animal they take off the blubber, cut it into horse-pieces and drag it to
(lie ship on sleds. In sperm whaling, however, no delay can be suffered in extruding the oil,
which is attended to as soon as possible, or the blubber will blast, ami wheu put into the pots
will, as it is termed, run together, forming a consistency of, and almost as sticky, as glue, and in
this condition the oil becomes black and unsalable. In the English sperm fishery, in isuo, the oil
was reduced from the blubber shortly after it was taken on board, in the try-works, \\ith which
the ships engaged in this fishery were always provided. There were two coppers (kettles) in the
try works, placed side by side, near the fore-hatch. These, with their furnaces, did not dill'er from
those now in use on American ships. They were made of brick-work, occupied a space of 5 or ti
fed in length by s or 9 in breadth (fore and aft, and athwart ship), and 4 or 5 feet in height.
There was also a cistern for the water/
SCRUBBING. — When cruising in low latitudes during warm weather many of the sperm
whalemen deposit their blubber on deck, instead of stowing it away in the blubber-room. In this
case the decks are infrequently washed wheu running the works; they are, however, "lippered up'
regularly while boiling, for the sake of cleanliness aud economy as well, it being desirable to save'
the oil which exudes copiously from the blubber. Except wheu whaling or boiling out, or when
something of an extraordinary nature occurs to prevent, it, the deck of the sperm whaler is
•^•rubbed daily, Sundays excepted. .Many of the southern right whalemen, instead of washing
their decks, cleau them by means of the ordinary scraper, a small triangular instrument
with sharp edges aud wooden handle, familiar to all seafaring meu. There is always more or less
fog on right-whale grounds, accompanied by a tine mist, called by some whalemen a fog-storm,
since the water drips freely from the mast-heads, yards, ropes, aud rigging, and rather gives the
impression that the ship is in a state of profuse perspiiation. During these light rains, the water
being obtained from the cisterns of the clouds without manual labor, the decks are usually swept
with brooms several times a day. After leaving the whaling grounds for the home port all right
whalemen have a general scrubbing; many of them commence at the lower mast-heads and wash
down, using lye and sand in abundance. On all whaling vessels the decks are well scrubbed after
each fare has been boiled out and stowed away. A liberal supply of salt water is thrown on, and
the scrubbing in the southern fishery is usually done with cocoauut brooms; the bulwarks are
washed with lye made from the ashes of scraps, or perhaps with salt \\ater and sand. Scrubbing
the decks of a well-soaked blubber hunter in the lower latitudes is an ungrateful task, except in
so far as the superficial filth is carried away, for the powerful rays of a tropical sun draws the oil
from the planks and renders the condition of the deck almost as bad as before. In lippering up
decks a man takes an oil scoop in one hand and the lipperf in the other, with which he brushes
the refuse fluid into the receptacles and transfers it to the tubs.
Holy-stones, so extensively employed in the Navy, are seldom if ever used by whalemen. The
latter rely solely upon their scrub-brooms aud the calcined ashes of scraps for removing sperm
oil, aud upon the scraper for removing right whale oil. Sperm oil in its natural condition when
fresh may be washed off with comparative ease, but after being cooked it is removed with diffi-
culty. Right-whale oil, ou the other ha-ud, has a tendency to glue up or gum up the decks — whence
* Gocliuaa.
t A lipper is a piece of thin blubber of an oblong shape, with incisions in om: end I'm- ili«- mm to -jrasp. The
lippera best adapted to this pu • ut from i of the flukes, and sometimes pieces
nl' Ihr ln-:iil skiu an- usi-d. Sometimes ;i pi... r «[' I,MI]I< T mix li.- used. Dili iipli'.v different uteusils of
this kind. A largo metal ladle used lor ^ -noping np tin- oil from the deeK. is also called the
288 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the name '; right- whale glue" often given this kind of oil — consequently considerable labor and
strong lye is required to wash it off. Humpback oil has the same effect, and should be treated iu
the same manner.
Some whalemen contend that it is bad luck to wash off the blackskiu which has accumulated
on the maiu-mast during the process of boarding the blubber, and indeed some of the old sperm
whalemen will not permit it to be removed until the seasou is over. They will tell you that the
presence of blackskin on the mast cannot possibly influence their catch of whales ; that whales
will be scarce or plentiful as the case may be, but they show that there is a discrepancy between
their words and their actions by declining to remove the substance until a full ship is reported, or
until the season is up. They contend that a mast patched with pieces of whale skin does not look
so bad after all ; on the contrary, their presence should be hailed as an emblem of industry and
activity, and overwhelming proof that all hands have been hard at work. This is one of the
whaleman's superstitious, to the influence of which he usually yields with becoming modesty and
gracefulness.
7. THE HOMEWAED PASSAGE AND ARRIVAL.
MAKING THE HOME PASSAGE. — Should the ship be in the Pacific or in the Indian Ocean, very
little, if anything, is done towards fitting the vessel for the home passage until "square away for
home," and then it generally occupies nearly all of the passage, usually about three months, to get
everything in ship-shape. The vessel now, it may be said, for the time being, loses her identity
as a whaling craft, and becomes a carrier, and the captain is anxious to go into port with a clean
and "smart-looking" vessel. The first thing to be attended to is the rigging, which is "setup"
wherever needed. The seizings are "squared" on the lower rigging; the rigging is "capped,"
"rattled down" (which expression signifies that it is "rattled up"), and finally "tarred." By this
time, if the ship has "good luck," she maybe iu the Atlantic Ocean, probably well up to the
-line," and, having been thoroughly washed, the crew, alter cleaning the iron-work, get ready to
"paint ship," including the outside (bulwarks), inside, and spars. This is usually done while run-
ning through the northeast trades. The mast-heads are manned during this time, unless the ship
has her holds "chocked off," in which case it would not be necessary to keep the men on the look-
out. As the ship nears the Gulf Stream it was formerly customary to "overboard try -works."
When she strikes soundings all of the gear is taken out of the boats; the craft bundled up and
stowed down overhead, care being taken to keep the gear of each boat separate. The boat sails
are unbent, and, with the drags, short-warps, lantern-kegs, boat-knives, hatchets, compasses,
rowlocks, and other smaller articles belonging to the boat are stowed away iu a large cask and
marked "boat gear." The cutting pendants in the mean time have been taken from the mast-heads
The craft is bundled up with canvas around the points. The boat-masts, paddles, and rudders
are stowed on the afterhouse. The oars are usually left in the boats. The blubber-hooks, the
cutting-falls, the blubber-tubs. &c., are stowed iu the fore-hold.
A ship cruising in the Atlantic Ocean usually commences to lit up ship about a mouth before
starting fur home, tarring, rattling, and capping the rigging, but she waits until making her pass-
age before she commences to paint. The spars, yards, and masts are painted while the sails are
set, the crew taking advantage cu a good "spell of weather" for the purpose. It often happens,
however, as the whalemen express it, they "get caught," and are compelled to shorten sail before
the paint has dried, which, as can be readily imagined, produces a very bad state of affairs.
TI1K WHALE KISIIKIIV. 289
The crews are always willing workers at such times, more especially it' they have a good fare.
"(Jetting home," an old whaleman tells me, "if a man has a home, from one of these voyages is
the only real pleasant thing about the whole trip. The days of arrival have been the happiest I
have ever seen.''*
WETTING THE HOLD. — During the voyage it is important that the oil casks be kept wet in
order that the hoops may tit tightly and remain intact to prevent leakage of oil. To this end the
hose is brought to the hatches about three times a week and a copious supply of water is run down
into the hold and deluges the casks. Sometimes in low latitudes the hatches are removed aud
water thrown down. The casks are also wet as soon as the hold has been stowed.
THE ARRIVAL HOME. — The return of a vessel is a signal for an animated scene upon the streets
and docks of New Bedford. Perhaps a revenue cutter or some coasting vessel may sight, the
returning whaler off Block Island and convey the news directly or indirectly to New Bedford, or
the vessel may bear down upon Clark's Point, particularly at night, before any one at her home
port is aware of her proximity to the coast. The custom-house officials, who are always on the <////
vire for arrivals, usually ascend the cupola of the building when an arrival is reported, aud with
marine glasses endeavor to recognize an old acquaintance in the vessel, whose identity can be
established by certain peculiarities, which, to trained and familiar eyes, characterize every ship.
The name of the vessel being known, her agent, or owners, immediately hire a tug and steam out to
meet her, to hasten her arrival to the dock whence she sailed. Meantime the " sharks" — an immense
school of them — which now consist of infitters, boarding masters, and cartmen, are among the most
* The following sailors' chanty for heaving at windlass has been forwarded by Capt. Amos C. Baker, Clark's Poiut
Light. Massachusetts :
I thought I heard our captain say :
Good by, fare you well ; good by, tare you well ;
That to-morrow is our sailing day ;
Hurrah, my boys, we're homeward bound.
We're homeward bound to New Bedford Town ;
Gooil liy, fare you well; good by, fare you well;
When we get there we will walk around;
Hurrah, my boys, we're homeward bound.
Heave away, my boys, heave away;
Good by, fare you well ; good by, fare you well ;
To-morrow is our sailing day ;
Hurrah, my boys, we're homeward bound.
And now our ship is full, my boys ;
Good by, fare you well ; good by, fare you well ;
We'll think of home and all its joys;
Hurrah, my boys, we're homeward bound.
With a flowing sheet we're homeward bound;
Good by, fare you well ; good by, tare you well ;
When we get there we can stand around ;
Hurrah, my boys, we're homeward bound.
Its when you see those New Bedford girl.s;
Good by, fare you well : good by, fan; you well ;
Witli their bright blue eyes aud (lowing cm Is:
Hun-all, my boys, we're homeward bound.
When \\e are paid nil', we'll have a gond lime;
Good by, tare you well ; good by, faro you well ;
The sparking of girls and the drinking of wine;
Hurrah, my boys, we're homeward bound.
We'll spend our money free when we're on shore:
flood by, tare you well; good by, fare, you well ;
And when its all gone we'll to sea for more;
Hurrah, niv boys, we're homeward bound.
SEC. v, VOL. n ir>
290 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
active and energetic. They are usually aware of the approach of the vessel before any one else
knows of it ; they can tell her name with greater ease and at a greater distance than any one else,
and they always have the " smartest" and best-sailing sloop or schooner in the harbor. During
the fall of 1882 I watched these maneuvers with a peculiar interest, and being myself a participant
iu the exciting scene in search of news and "curios" I was sometimes thrown rather too intimately
in contact with them. It was to their interest financially to board every incoming whaler; it was
to my interest as an investigator to be also among the first. Oftentimes I accompanied Capt. James
V. Cox, the custom-house official, and again one of the reporters of the New Bedford papers,
and sometimes I engaged a small boat with a Portuguese as a motive power. All of the boarding
is done between Clark's Point and the dock. When the "sharks" stipulate for a vessel, they agree
to pay a certain amount pro rata, and watching their opportunity their little vessel shoots rapidly
alongside the swiftly incoming whaler, as the noisy little tug hurries it along; and without stop-
ping, but upon the point of osculation, the "sharks " spring from the deck of their little craft to that
of the whaler, and the boat that landed them, circling gracefully around like a bird upon the wing,
makes a complete detour of the returning vessel, and shoots alongside her warf. The whalemen,
many of whom are strangers to us and our customs, are idle spectators of the busy bustle of
numerous little boats about them, their vessel being under snug sail and in care of the tug. The
old hands know what to expect, but they cannot avoid it ; and the new ones know not what to
expect and have something to learn. All of them have packed their chests and tied their super-
fluous clothing in bags made of cotton duck, and both chests and bags are securely fastened with
frequent turns of pieces of lance warp or whale-line. The men, leaning upon the bulwarks or main
rail, gaze listlessly upon the little boats darting hither and thither ; but the scene changes when the
"sharks" swoop down upon them. One "shark" fastens upon a whaleman, another upon his chest
of clothing, and a third upon his bundle; some exact promises for trade and others for board. •
The boarding-house keeper having induced a whaleman to sojourn at his house, marks its number
and name of street upon the chest with a piece of chalk. Now the cartman comes in for his profit,
which is 25 cents for every chest or bundle he conveys to the hotel, the sum being paid on the
delivery of goods by the boarding-house keeper and ;i fter wards collected from the boarder, for be it
remembered that the whaleman under all circumstances foots the bills. The head cartman, there
fore, who may be engaged by the "sharks,'' or a part of them, takes under bis charge every package
marked by the boarding-house keeper for whom he is working, all agreements having been previ-
ously made. A lively scuffle sometimes ensues; the "sharks" may show their teeth and snap at one
another ; sometimes there is a rough-and-tumble fight or a bitter war of words when plying their
vocation, and even afterwards, for the defeated " sharks" generally evince their displeasure by abus-
ing the more fortunate ones. At times a school of garrulous " sharks" may surround a pilgrim who
has no knowledge of English nor of the manner of conducting matters upon the arrival of a whaler
in an American port, but, amazed and confused by the surrounding incidents, in answer to perhaps
a dozen calls upon him at once, not knowing what to say, he may nod assent to all, which the
nearest "shark" takes in affirmative, and while "shark" No. 1 i? searching for the chest, "shark"
No. 2 may also approach the unfortunate and also receive a pantomimic answer signifying an uncon-
ditional surrender. Consequently, when number one returns with a writ of habeas corpus in the
shape of a clothes chest, number two enters a nolle prosequi with a clothes bag, and the result will
be a lively passage at arms. But to the victor does not always belong the spoils, for a third " shark "
steps in, while the other two are fighting, and carries off the boarder and his baggage. During
these exciting times I usually pre-empted a convenient spot where I could see and hear, and, as
soon as the battle of the -'sharks" was over, and sundry piles of baggage and plunder lay about
the field, I interviewed the crew for news and "curios'".
THE WHALE FISHERY. 291
THE WHALEMAN'S SHARE OE LAY.
THE LAYS. — As the financial matters of a whaling vessel are conducted on the mutual co-op-
erative system, none of the men receive wages, but are paid a certain proportion of the earnings
of the vessel, drawing in the mean time such supplies as they need, which are charged to them
and deducted from their profits at the end of the voyage when settlements are made. This system
originated with the Dutch, in the early part of the seventeenth century, when they reorganized
the Greenland fishery, in the interest of economy and efficiency, and it has ever been the basis
upon which the settlements for whaling voyages have been adjusted in this country. The owners
of the vessel provide all the necessary outfit of apparatus and food supplies and bear all the
expenses of preparing the vessel for the voyage and of discharging the cargo on arrival home or
for its transshipment from foreign ports. The shares, universally termed "lays," are the propor-
tionate parts of the value of the cargo. " Short lays " are the perquisites of the officers, being
graded according to rank, and are the most profitable ; the " long lays " are received by the crew.
The lays vary somewhat with the times, as well as at the different ports, and they also depend upon
the disposition of the owners or agents of the vessels, and upon the abundance or scarcity of whale-
men when the crew is shipped. The experience of a veteran whaling captain of New Bedford
illustrates the system of lays, as well as the grades of promotion peculiar to whaling vessels. He
says : " When I was a cabin boy in the old ship Messenger, a four-boater, I had the a-fs laJ ; the
next voyage, before the mast, in the bark John Dawson, a three-boater, I had the ^ lay ; the
next voyage, as boat-steerer in the same bark, I had the -^ ; the next voyage, as third mate of the
Awashouks, a four-boater, I had the -^g lay; the next voyage, as second mate of the Stafford, a
three-boater, I had the /g lay ; the next voyage, as mate of bark Atlantic, a four-boater, I had the
-2*3 lay ; the next voyage, as master of the A. E. Tucker, a three-boater, I had the -/g- lay, and the
last voyage, in the same vessel, I had the jV lay. The captain sometimes receives as high as the
8th, 10th, and 12th lay, depending upon his experience, especial fitness for certain branches of the
fishery, and the terms he can make with agents, and sometimes he gets a bonus besides."
The crews of San Francisco receive the following lays : Captain, iV; mate, ^V; second mate,
sV ; third mate, ^ ; fourth mate, -^ ; fifth mate and boat-steerer, -^ ; boat-steerers, -^ ; cooper,
/(, ; cook, -j-^j; steward, y-^; blacksmith, y^; foremast hands (whalemen),-!^; and foremast
(green), ^5.
Until within five or six years the agents charged the crew $12 to $15 each for loading the
vessel and discharging the cargo, the work being done by outside labor. At the present time,
however, the agents pay all expenses of getting the vessel ready for sea and of discharging cargo
on her return.
While the oil is on the ship it is at the risk of the crew, but when it leaves the ship the owners
of the vessel insure it for the benefit of the crew. Sometimes it is insured by the officers of the
ship who are often large owners.
When a vessel is returning home with an amount of freight in addition to the regular cargo
the crew may receive wages besides their lay or share in the voyage.
The following are the most common lays received by the New Bedford sperm whalemen:
The green hands in a four-boater get from the 180th to the 190th; in a three-boater in ::. the
170th to the 180th. Those who have made a voyage would get in a four-boater about from the
160th to the 195th. The seamen get from 140th to 160th.
292
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The cooper in a four-boater, if he has made one or more voyages and is a capable ship-keeper,
would yej: about I lie Tidth or the 55th lay, but if green, about the 75th. In a two-boater a, compe-
tent cooper would yet about the -|.">th lay anil a green one about the (JOth.
The steward iii a four-boater would get from the 100th to the 150th, aud in a three-boater the
30th.
The cook would receive about the same lay as the seamen, arid, iu addition, a certain percent-
aye of the "slush."*
The boat-steerer or harpooner in a four-boater gets from the 75th to the 90th lay. If he is a
"crack" man, and has "struck everything and never missed his chance," he would receive the
75th, if green about the 80th or 90th. In a three-boater a skillful harpoouer would get about the
(Mth lay, and one less skillful the 75th.
The fourth mate yets ah nit the GOth or C5th lay.
The third mate in a four-boater gets from the 45th to the fiOtli lay ; in a three-boater, from the
:;sth to the 45th.
The second mate in a four-boater gets from the 30th to the 40th ; in a three-boater, from the
L'.sth to the :!5tli.
The mate iu a four-boa-ter gets from the 20th to the 25th ; in a three-boater, from the 18th to
the l!3d.
The master gets in a four-boater from the 12th to the 17th and in a three-boater from the loth
to the 16th.
The men sailing from Provincetown receive shorter lays than the New Bedford whalemen.
The vessels of the former port are of a smaller class, and instead of making extended cruises to
distant points in the Pacific Ocean aud the Arctic regions, make short voyages in the Atlantic,
and consequently their outfits are not so expensive as those of the ships and barks of New Bed-
ford, aud the owners can afford to offer greater inducements to the crews. t Capt. N. E. Atwood,
of Provincetown, kindly furnishes the accompanying data concerning the lays at this port.
The following is a sample of the lays paid by the owners to the officers and crews sailing from
Provincetown in issii:
SrllCIC
No. of
men.
ner Carrie W. Clark, 116.34 tons,
tlircn 1 IH.
Schooner Clara L. Sparks, '.ifi.TC tuna,
two boats.
Srliocmrr Antilirtic, 100.00 toils, two
boats.
Hank. Lay.
No. of
men.
Bank.
Lay.
No. of
t men.
Rank.
Lay.
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
10th.
16th.
21st.
45th.
43d.
55th.
41st.
80th.
140th.
lar.tii.
160th.
1
1
1
1
1
1
l
1
4
10th.
12th.
•JOtb.
22cl.
33(1.
OOtll.
90th.
75th.
00th.
100th.
120th.
1
1
2
1
1
1
8
1
10th.
12th.
22d.
35th.
45th.
80th.
100th.
140th.
160th.
Mate
Mate
Mate
do
Ship-keeper
do
Coot .. -
Steward
Cook
17
23
15
• Y.trioux l<inds nf grease saved during the voyage in the galley. A sperm whaler will bring borne perhaps four
or five barrels of "slush," which tire suld to snap manufacturers.
t The rrovliiretmvn vessels do not, however, bring in such largo and valuable cargoes, but their trips are more
frequent.
T1IK WHALE KISHKKV L'J);;
The |ir(,lils of Hit- whalemen have for many years been veiy imeertain. Many inontlis may be
spent in an unsueeessfiil cruise over many quarters of the ocean, and the vessel return home with-
out a barrel of oil. Again, a vo.va.ye of short duration may result in very great success, and the
ollicers and crew receive .suitable recompense for their dangerous toil.
Among the most successful voyages may be mentioned that of the ship Envoy, which sailed
in 1S4S. lu a 55 days' cruise in the North Pacific this vessel secured 2,800 barrels of whale oil
and 40,000 pounds of bone. This oil and bone was transshipped home, and a second cruise made,
when 2,500 barrels of oil and 35,000 pounds of bone were secured. Including some oil purchased
at a nominal price from a wrecked vessel, the profits of this voyage were about $138,000. The ship
Corinthian sailed in 1862 from a four years' cruise, having secured a cargo valued at *275,ooo. In
more recent years some profitable voyages have beeu made. The bark Alaska arrived at New
Bedford iu 1880, having taken 3,255 barrels of sperm-oil, the largest quantity ever secured on a
single voyage. In 1878 the bark Adeline Gibbs made the remarkable find of 132',' pounds of
ambergris, which sold for $23,231.25.
As au example of the "hard luck" sometimes experienced by whalemen, (Japt. Gurdon L.
Allyn, a veteran sealer and whaler, who had made several successful voyages, tells me that he
sailed from New London on the bark Tempest May 21, 1857, bound for Spitzbergen, with hopes
of a successful voyage such as Scoresby and other early whalers used to make. On July 2S the
Spit/bergen mountains were sighted, but no whales had been seen. "We crossed to East Green-
land and after a mouth's unsuccessful cruising made sail for the Azores, which we reached Sep-
tember S without having seen a whale. Here we learned, much to our disgust, that the sperm
whalers had beeu very successful. We cruised over the usual grounds, but the season being late
we found none. We continued south, bound for the Indian Ocean, and on December 31 caught
our first whale near the Crozette group." Captain Allyn continued his cruise from the Indian
Ocean into the Southern Pacific, and thence to the North Pacific and Okhotsk Sea, but had little
success. After three years' almost total loss of time the little oil secured was transshipped at
Honolulu and the vessel turned over to another captain, but only after Captain Allyii, who was
owner of the vessel, had suffered a loss of $7,000 by the voyage.
XVI.
THE BLACKFISH AND PORPOISE FISHERIES.
By A. HOWARD CLARK.
1.— THE BLACKFISH FISHERY.
History, present condition, and methods of the fishery.
2.— THE PORPOISE FISHERY.
The porpoise lishrry of New England and North Carolina.
295
THE BLACKFISH AND PORPOISE FISHERIES.
By A. HOWARD CLARK.
1.— THE BLACKFISH FISHERY.
HISTOKT AND METHODS OF THE FISHERY.
THE FISHERY IN NEW ENGLAND. — Enormous schools of blackfish (GloMocepJialus melas)occnr
everywhere iu the Northwestern Atlantic, and indeed, if identical, as is supposed by many, with
the European species, throughout the North Atlantic. They often strand on the sandy beaches
of Cape Cod, and when a school of them approaches the shore they may be driven in upon tin-
beach with the greatest ease. In the year 1874 it is estimated that three thousand blackfish
were stranded on the sandy shores of Cape Cod, and smaller schools have frequently been driven
ashore at that cape and other places in New England, so that the entire number secured during the
past twenty years will reach several thousand. As there is very little expense connected with
their capture, the proceeds obtained from their sale is almost clear gain to the captors. Another
species of blackfish (<?. Scammonii) abounds in the Pacific, but is not a special object of pursuit.
The excitement which is created in the fishing towns of Cape Cod when a school of blackfish
appears off the shore is illustrated by a story told by a correspondent of the Worcester Spy:
" There are many amusing stories told about the appearance of blackfish. On one occasion when
services were being held in the village church here, the minister being engaged in his sermon,
someone iu the street cried out, < Blackfish!' Many in the congregation heard it, and a rush
made for the door, when the minister cried out, ' Stop ! ' Some turned about, expecting to be
reproved, but the minister in his excitement only said, 'Now all take a fair start,' and joined the
crowd himself; and when pursuing the fish shouted out, 'Hallelujah! hallelujah!' He got his
share, which amounted to $25. At another time one man who had failed to put in an appearance
until the fish were driven iu claimed his share, as he had not heard the alarm as soon as the others.
A town meeting had to be called to settle the matter, and though it was a unanimous vote that
his share was forfeited, yet he pleaded his case so eloquently that ' half a share' was voted him."
Capt. N. E. Atwood, of Provincetown, says that when he was a boy he used to hear his grand-
father talk about blackiish running ashore. His father, born in 1784, knew nothing about them,
but when he, born in 1817, came to be a man grown, they began to come back into the bay.
297
298 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
This was doubtless in 1829 wbeu, we are told, a school, about forty iu number, was taken at Prov-
iucetown, being the first for many years. Sometimes there have been three, or four years when
they have not appeared, then for twelve or thirteen years they are abundant.
" In August, 1875," says Mr. G. Brown Goode, '• news was received at the headquarters of the
U. S. Fish Commission at Wood's Holl that a school of blackfish had been driven ashore at Dennis.
A party was dispatched by the first train, with instructions to bring home some of the largest, to
be molded in plaster of paris for the fishery collection then in preparation for the International
Exhibition in Philadelphia, iu 1876. They reached Yarmouth Station, and took wagons across
the cape to Dennis, where an assemblage of great carcasses was found on the shore, while their
owners, to the number of forty or fifty men and boys, comprising all who had been in the boats
which drove them ashore, were standing about on the beach or sheltered in the lee of a row of
fish-houses, the day being damp and drizzly. The blackfish varied in length from 6 to 20 feet,
many of them being cows with sucking calves. A gash in the breast of one of the cows allowed
a stream of rich, white milk, 2 or 3 gallons at least, to gush out. One of the pregnant females,
not exceeding 12 feet in length, was dissected, and specimens of young blackfish of various sizes
obtained from it, the largest at least 6 feet long. These unborn calves were bluish instead of
black in color on the back, and grayish-white beneath. In every instance they were marked by a
spiral line of lighter color, which wound about the body five or six times, and which were supposed
to have been caused by the pressure of the placenta! envelope. The old males were the largest,
and could be distinguished by the prominent hump between and over the eyes. The school num-
bered one hundred and nineteen, and were sold that evening to Provincetown oil-makers at the rate
of $11 each. The Fish Commission party had previously bought three, for which they paid $14
each, making iu all $1,318, or perhaps $25 or $30 to each captor. All business negotiations were
conducted by a committee of seven men, selected from the oldest and most reliable of the company.
In the settlement a boy draws half a share, a man or a boat a full share. The blackfish are usually
sold at auction, and if there are several buyers they usually bid off the bodies by deputy and then
have a second auction, at which only those bid who wish to try out the blubber. We could not
handle the largest and were obliged to be content with some about 14 feet long, which we had
transported on wood- wagons to Yarmouth, and conveyed to Wood's Holl by special train, getting
in after midnight. Dissecting and modeling were vigorously pursued for the next week, and
many trophies of this day's work decorate the walls of the U. S. National Museum."
The following account of the manner in which blackfish are driven ushore and killed is from
the pen of a veteran fisherman of Provincetown:
'' They make their appearance about the shores of Cape Cod and Barustable Bay from early in
the summer till early in the winter, and when it becomes known that a school of blackfish is in the
bay the boats are manned and proceed at once to get in their rear, and as the fish are on the sur-
face of the water the most of the time, it is easy to tell how to manage to keep them between the
boats and the shore. And while in this position the men in the boats will make all the noise with
their oars they can, and that will cause them to go in the opposite direction from the boats and
toward the shore ; and when the fish find that they are in shoal water, by seeing the sandy bottom,
they become alarmed and go with all their might till they run fast aground on the sand. The
boats then row in their midst, the men, with lance in hand, jump out their boats in the water and
butcher them as a butcher would a hog, and it becomes one of the most exciting occasions that it
is possible to imagine, for the water flies in every direction and the blood flows freely until death
puts an end to the great tragedy.
THE BLACKFISH AND POEi'OlSK FISHERIES. 299
'• When the water ebbs and leaves them dry npon the beach, then their blubber is taken off,
cut in slices and the oil fried out, about 30 gallons of oil, upon an average, being obtained from
each fish, besides about 6 quarts of extra oil from the melon. The melons are taken from the top
of the head, reaching from the spout-hole to the end of the nose and from the top of the head down
to the upper jaw, and when taken oif in one piece they represent a half water-melon, weighing
about 25 pounds, and when the knife is put into the center of this melon the oil runs more freely
than the water does from a very nice water-melon ; hence the name melon oil."
As may be inferred from what has already been written, blackfish oil is of considerable value,
and a school of these cetaceans is no small windfall to one of the cape villages. The oil is rated as
rcmiinon whale oil, and for a few years has sold at from .'!() to 50 cents a gallon. Cape Cod has two
oil factories, established chiefly for the purpose of trying out blackfish blubber.
The head oil or melon oil, as also oil from the jaws, is refined in small quantities for the use
of watch and instrument makers, and is sold under the name of porpoise-jaw oil. A history of its
manufacture is given below in the discussion of the Porpoise fishery.
CAPTURE BY WHALERS. — Blacktish are not usually an object of pursuit by whalemen, but
when the larger prey is scarce their time is sometimes occupied in taking these animals.
In addition to the shore fishery for blackfish, Proviucetown for many years sent three or four
vessels of its whaling fleet to the east of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland in search of blackfish.
They were equipped like the sperm whalers and employed the same methods of oil manufacture.
It was by one of these vessels, the Edwin and Rienzi, that the Hatteras sperm-whale cruising
ground was discovered in 1837. Captain Henry Clay, of New Bedford, tells me that the blackfish
captured at sea average larger than those that are beached. The average yield of oil is about
40 gallons, but he has seen individuals that yielded 150 gallons, and has heard of some that stowed
down over five barrels each. Few whalemen take the trouble to separate the head and body
oil. The method of capture practiced by the Provincetown whalers was as follows : As soon as a
school was sighted, two boats' crews were lowered, and chased the fish as they would a school of
whales. The boat-steerer fastened on to one or perhaps two at a time. The second fish he fastened
to with the second iron. Number two would flounce about without drawing the harpoon. The
boat-header killed either one he could reach first. Instead of towing the dead fish to the vessel,
air-tight kegs or " pokes" were made fast to them so that the ship-keeper could pick them up, and the
boats cut the lines and followed the school. When the water is bloody the fish apparently make
no exertion to escape, and oftentimes a dozen or fifteen would be killed at a lowering. In remov-
ing the blubber, cutting-gear similar to that used for cutting in whales, but lighter, was employed.
If the fish were small a strap was put round the flukes and they were hoisted in to be cut up on
deck; but the large ones were decapitated in the water. The head was hoisted in, and the
blubber cut lengthwise of the fish, and a circle round the body near the "small"; a long shanked
hook attached to the cutting tackle was inserted in the blubber, and as the men heaved at the
windlass the carcass revolved in the water, and the blubber, in one piece with the fins attached,
was peeled off with one revolution. The blubber was also removed from the " small." The head
was dissected on deck; first the melon was removed, then the throat, next the under jaw, and
lastly the " head-skin," which is the whaleman's term for the blubber on top of the head. The sides
and back of the neck are mainly " white-horse."
The method of capture by the Pacific whalemen is thus described by Scammon : " When a ship's
boat is lowered for blackfish, the chase begins as for other whales, although many masters have
their boats all ready and run just ahead of or into a 'school' with the ship before lowering, by
which means the animals are so frightened or ' gallied,' that they 'bring to,' or move slowly in
300
HISTORY AND METHODS OF TOE FISHERIES.
all directions, giving the boats, which are instantly lowered, a good chance to ' get fast.' The har-
poon frequently kills the fish ; if not, a few darts with the hand-lance dispatch it. As soon as it
is dead the prize almost invariably sinks, and if the ship is close at hand, it is towed to the ves-
sel at once; but if a considerable distance away, it is either made fast to the ' loggerhead ' at I In
stern of the boat, or a buoy is tied to it and left, to be afterwards recovered, the boats still con
tinning the chase. In this way qnite a uuniher are captured from one school."*
The following list of arrivals, though incomplete, will give an idea of the quantity of black -tish
oil, in addition to their regular cargoes, brought home by some of the whaling vessels :
Naiue of vt-ssi'l.
Home port.
Date of
arrival.
Q unutity
ol oil
Srpt 1" I:- :•'
9
Viiv "•' !S4r,
r,
Bristol R.I
GO
30
14
40
Sept ''0 ISfi]
10
do
Mav ir, Is.'l
13
.. . do
July 28 1851
8
Sea Shell . . ...
Au'r ir> isr.i
20
29
do
M'n "0 1*V'
50
do
An". Ill IK.'.L'
7(1
do
May 20 1853
25
Do
do
34
\V liln K
June ''7 1#53
Julv 26
Xe\v Bedford
-Julv "1 1854
William P. Dolliver...
Naut ticket. . .
15
136
10
Xaiit
NoDp
Peru .
D
' Vlart
.Malta
Stella .
C.H. C
Ilecla .
Abb.N
I I., I;
Apr "4 lv~>~>
C
Ort 14 IS.V-
150
Mav 31 1>K;~'">
Jin
Do
do...
May 7, 1R63
12
arean
Proviucetown
Aug. 29, 1866
Aug 5 18GG
8
30
la
New Bedford . .. .
Lost
C
[ Cook
Aue 10 1867
15
la
New Bedford
11
Auf 31 IN;S
8
do
Sept 90 1869
15
do
.Tune 14 1870
10
Miv 13 1870
2
sidrnt, 'Jd
.. do
S.-nt 20 1.-7I
10
HISTORICAL NOTES AND STATISTICS OF THE BLACKFISH FISHERY OF CAPE COD. — The
following items, gathered from various sources, show the importance of the blackfish fishery dur-
ing the past one hundred and fifty years :
1741.
In May, 1741, we are told a Spanish privateer, under Don Francisco Lewis, captured and
carried away a whaling sloop from Barnstable. The season was unfavorable lor whaling on the
capes, but, late in the summer and the early fall of 1741 the inhabitants were cheered by the
advent of great numbers of blackfish and porpoises. By the end of October they had killed one
* SCAMMON: Marine Mammalia, p. 87.
Till; P.I. . \CKKISIl AND I'OUl'OISK I-'ISII KKIRS. 301
liniulrcd and lifty porpoises and over one thousand blacktish, yielding them about 1,500 ham-Is
of oil. for the most of which they found immediate sale. " This unexpected sueeess so late iu the
year put new life into SOUK- who had spent all the former .season of the year in toil and labor to
little or no purpose."*
1744.
In 1744, it is narrated by the I'.oston News Letter, a Nautucket Indian struck a blackfish, was
caught by a foul line, carried down, and drowned. This and the preceding are the first instances
of I lie use of the name which I have met with.
1753.
In 175:; is was voted, " for the time to come, if any person shall take a boy under ten years
old to drive blaeklish or porpoises, ho or they shall have nothing- allowed for the boy ; and that
when any blaeklish or porpoise, shall be driven ashore and killed by any number of boats of the
inhabitants of this town, if one man or more shall insist on having the fish divided to each boat,
it shall be done."
1770.
In 1770, it is said by Pratt in his History of Wellfleet, all the oysters in Wellfleet Bay died.
•• What caused this dest ruction is not certainly known, but it is supposed that, as, at this time, a
large number of blackfish died and came on shore, where their carcasses remained, producing a
very filthy condition of the water, it caused this mortality."
Another historian of Wellfleet, in the last century, remarks : "• It would be curious indeed to
a countryman, who lives at a distance from the sea, to be acquainted with the method of killing
blacktish. Their size, is from 4 to 5 tons weight, when full grown. When they come within our
harbors boats surround them. They are as easily driven to the shore as cattle or sheep are driven
on the land. The tide leaves them and they are easily killed. They are a fish of the whale kind,
and will average a barrel of oil each. I have seen nearly four hundred at one time lying dead on
the shore. It is not, however, very often of late that these fish come into our harbor." t
1828.
The Barnstable Journal of November 7, 1828, records that " Last week a shoal consisting of
fifteen of these fish were surrounded by boats and driven on shore at Truro. The day following
seventeen more were taken in like manner at the same place. A number have been take at Or-
leans."
"A quantity of oil from the grampus lately caught at Harpswell, Me., has been sold at Bath,
at $18 per barrel." £
1834.
"The blackfish driven ashore at Sandy Neck, Barustable, by several fish boats were stripped
of their blubber, which was taken on board of the vessels to which the boats belonged on Friday
last and carried to Provincetown for the purpose of trying it out. We learn from one of the men
engaged in the business that there were about one hundred and forty driven on shore, of which one
hundred and eight only were saved, the undertow of the next tide taking the others off again une\
pectedly. It was thought that the blubber saved was sufficient to make !.">() barrels, which is worth
from $10 to $15 per barrel." §
'Starbnck, HIM. Ann Tic -an \Vhalr Fishing, p. 33. f Gloucester Telegraph, November 8, 1826.
i LKVI WHITMAN in Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., 1794, iii, j Barnstublu Patriot, August '-'6. 1K14.
lirsr MM., pp. 119-1'il.
302 HISTOUV AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
1837.
"A small party of fishermen from Squam captured a school of thirty-six blackfish measuring
from 12 to 20 feet in length. They were seen near shore, and the fishermen surrounded them in
their wherries and drove them ashore, where they killed them with knives, pitchforks, &c. The oil
worth $300 to $400." *
1843.
" July 20 about one hundred blackfish entered this harbor. Captain Baxter, keeper ot
light, discovered them. They were driven into shoal water by the splashing of the oars. Dei.th
blows were inflicted with all sorts of implements from a bowie knife to a rake handle, including
rusty bayonets, blades of scythes, &c. Seventy-five barrels of oil were obtained. Some of the
fish were from 20 to 25 feet long and 15 feet in circumference. If one of the school is lanced so as
to bring blood the whole school will follow the track of the wounded fish, hence the first wounded
must be driven toward the shore in order to capture the school." t
1850-1852.
" About one hundred and fifty blackfish were captured on Truro beach on Friday week, and
one hundred and eighty'at Eastham on Monday ." J
" Saturday night a school of blackfish was driven ashore at North Eastham, and twenty-eight
were captured." §
1853.
"The Nan tucket Inquirer and Mirror of the 4th August gives an account of the capture of
blackfish on the 30th ultimo. They took ninety-one in all — the entire school. They attacked these
fish in water up to their waists. They are from 10 to 20 feet in length and average half a ton each.
The yield will be 150 barrels."
1855.
"On Saturday evening, 31st March, some gentlemen at Little Beach captured a blackfish 18
feet in length. The blubber produced 2 barrels of oil." ||
"Ninety blackfish, the product of which was valued at $1,500, were driven ashore at Well-
fleet on Cape Cod, in June, 1855, by a number of boats and vessels that happened to be in the
neighborhood. It is unusual for this species to be driven ashore before August, and their appear-
ance so early would indicate their great abundance. Another school was sighted in Proviucetown
harbor in the same month but the people would not attack them on Sunday.''^
" BLACKFISH. — On Sunday week a large school of very large blackfish were driven ashore at
East Brewster and various other points in Orleans and Eastham, where, they were nearly all
captured. Another school came ashore Monday and were discovered by some fishermen near
Wellfleet, The whole number taken was about two hundred and thirty. They were very largo,
and their oil is valued at $4,000 or $5,000." **
"BLACKFISH.— As the Orleans packet was on her way to Boston Monday she encountered a
school of blackfish in the bay and drove them on shore, where they were nearly all captured. They
were about fifty in number, and were not probably worth less than $1,000. * * * Fishermen say
that they always come in large numbers when mackerel are plenty in the bay, as they subsist on
the same food as mackerel. Once in the bay and they are pretty sure to be captured, as they keep
close into the shore, in shoal water, and have not the sagacity to find their way out again.
* Gloucester Telegraph, October 14, 1837. || Lewis & Ncwhall's History of Lynn, p. 443.
t Barnstable Patriot, July 26, 1843. K Yarmouth Register.
t Gloucester TVU-gniiib, September 11, 1850. ** Barnstable Patriot, July 10, 1885.
$ Barnstable Patriot, August 24, 1852.
THE BLACKFISH AND PORPOISE FISHERIES. 303
"They are. very frequently found in the flats and marshes, where they have been left by the
receding tide, and it is customary for the finder to mark them by cutting his initials on their
Hesh uutil it is convenient; others, to make the matter doubly sure, drive down stakes ami fasten
them thereby. The keeper of Billiusgate light-house in Easthaui a few mornings since found (he
shore for a long distance strewed with these fish, that had been frightened ashore during the
night by being pursued by some fishing vessels during the day. He proceeded to mark them,
according to custom, jumped in his boat and went over to Proviucetown, where he sold out his
right It i *1,000, and his purchasers made a good bargain at that.
"On Friday last. rapt. Joseph Hainblin, of Yarmouth, with two or three other gentlemen, drove
between seventy or eighty blacklish into our harbor. After pursuing them for a considerable
distance they finally drove them ashore, and succeeded in killing seventy-one of their number, and
they are now engaged in trying out the oil. This school will yield some $1,500 worth of oil."*
'• On the 2d instant about sixty blackfish were captured in Truro on the bay side. They were
worth $1,000." t
1859.
" BLACKFISH — LARGE HAUL. — On Saturday last four boats belonging to Brewster, Eastham,
and Orleans succeeded in driving ashore at Brewster a large school of blackfish, and, with the
aid of people on shore, they were slaughtered by spears, lances, scythes, and whatever came to
hand. Nearly seven hundred were captured, the proceeds from which must be something near
$7,000, divided among about twenty persons."!
1865.
Capt. Jonathan Cook, of Provincetowu, says : " In November, 1865, I bought seven hundred
and sixty-eight blackfish at Welltieet, at $12 apiece, and paid $9,216 for them."
" BLACKFISH. — A school of blackfish was discovered off Proviucetown on Monday night, week
by some fishing boats, which were immediately put on the chase, and the whole school, numbering
two hundred and thirty four, were driven on the beach at Brewster the next day. The fish as they
lay on the beach were worth some $10,000. About two hundred men and boats were employed in
capturing them, and the shares were quickly sold at some $50 each, making a good day's work.
The beach was visited by hundreds of people to behold such a quantity of fish. This is probably
the greatest catch of blackfish ever made in these parts." §
1870.
" A young blackfish, 8 feet long and weighing about 200 pounds, was captured at Ipswich on
Friday by some fishermen." ||
"The enterprising town of Wellfleet is in luck this year. Its inhabitants have been blessed
with a rich harvest in the mackerel fisheries the past season, and last week the packet schooner
Nellie Baker, when a short distance from that port on her passage to Boston, fell in with a large
school of blackfish, and with the assistance of about twenty boats and seventy-five men from Bil-
lingsgate Point, succeeded in capturing seven hundred and forty-one of them. Some of the fish
measured over 25 feet in length, and that reliable individual, the 'oldest inhabitant,' averred that
there has been nothing like it since he can remember. It is estimated that these fish will yield fully
700 barrels of oil, and they have been purchased by Wellfleet and Provincetowu parties at $12
apiece, as they lie on the beach, thus realizing the sum of nearly $9,000."fi
* Ham-la!.]. • Patriot, Jnly 17, 1855. $ Ibid.. November 7, 1865.
t/Wrf.. August 14, l-.v, || Gloucester Telegraph, December 7, 1870.
{ Ibid., August 16, 1859. t Hid., December 3, 1870.
304 HISTOIJV AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
" THE BLACKFISH AT WKLLPLEET. — Mr. Cook, of ProvincetowD, who purchased the black-
fish captured by Wellflcet fishermen a few days since, is in this city to-day and states that probably
1,0(10 barrels of oil will be obtained from the lot. It was the largest school of blackfish that was
ever driven on the cape, and another remarkable circumstance is that there was only about a
dozen calves among the lot of over seven hundred."*
1873.
"Ninety-three blacktisli, yielding 100 barrels of oil, were taken in December at Scitnate, near
Sandwich. Mass."t
1874.
;' In the clearing up of a snow-storm at Friendship, Me., one morning last week, the, people
living round the harbor were astonished to see it literally filled with blackfish. In a very short
time every l»>at and dory was manned by hardy fishermen, who rowed to the mouth of the harbor,
forming a line from shore to shore, and then commenced driving the fish slowly up the harbor, and
through a narrow passage into Shipyard Cove. Then the work of killing them commenced. There
were one hundred and eighty-one fish slaughtered, the largest 10 feet long, and probably weighing
2 tons; the smallest at least 10 feet; probable average length, 15 feet. It is estimated that they
will make lf>o barrels of oil, the blubber filling the decks of three large schooners. The oldest fish-
ermen there never saw a blackfish that side of George's Island before."
"LARGE SCHOOL OP BLACKFISH. — Last Wednesday a school of twenty-eight blackfish went
ashore near North Trnro station. On Friday morning about 7 o'clock more were sighted from the
shore. A great number of boats started in hot pursuit, and overtaking them it was discovered
the school was a very large one. The driving toward shore immediately began amid great excite-
ment on part of fish, and men too. It was with a good deal of difficulty that the fish were grounded,
many having to be slaughtered in water 5 or 6 feet deep. Five hundred and forty-six were, how-
ever, landed; but before this was accomplished another school was sighted heading for shore;
seventy-two were found to be in this lot, which were secured, making in all six hundred and eight-
een fish lauded that morning, and six hundred and forty -six during the week, lining the shore of
North Truro for nearly a mile. There are, including boats, nearly three hundred shares to divide
spoils among — clerks, printers, clergymen, veteran whalers, shipmasters, and photographer?, all
participating in the fracas, and all coming in for a portion of the proceeds. The following gentlemen
bought fish at the auction sale Saturday morning. Capt. Gideon Bow7ley, auctioneer: Eben
Cook (for firms of E. & E. K. Cook & Co., and H. & S. Cook & Co.); Charles A. Cook; B. A.
Lewis & Co. ; Mr. Long, of Harwich ; John Thompson, of Truro ; George Holmes ; Harvey S.
Cook, and others. Several parties besides those named being associated with those bidding the
fish in. They averaged $9.25 each, distributing $5,777.25 among the people of this town and
Truro, many of whom it will materially assist in providing for their winter wants, aid well timed
by an overruling Providence." |
" In 1874 twenty-three hundred blackfish was driven ashore at Truro, stocking from $20,000
to si'."., 000. Two hundred and eight came on shore November 12, and were sold for $1,300 as they
lay."§ "Six hundred and eighteen blackfish were captured at North Truro September 8, 1874,
and sold for $5,805.25. The purchasers expect to make $20,000 from the oil."||
1875.
In 1875 one hundred and nineteen were driven ashore in North Dennis, and sold for $1,309.
* New Bedford .Standard, December 6, 1*70. § New Bedford Mercury, November, 1374.
i Provincctown Advocate, December 24, 187°i. || Cape Ann Advertiser, September, 11, 1874.
\Tbid., September 9, 1874.
THE BLACKF1SLI A>7L> PORPOISK FISHERIES.
30o
1876.
lu 1876 one hundred aiid eighty blacktish were driven by Proviucetown people, and grounded
at Orleans. They sold at auction for $2,200.
" October 27, 1876, one hundred and thirty were driven ashore at Yarmouth. The monsters
were driven ashore by boat-hooks, axes, forks, &c. One hundred fish were captured, or nearly all
the school. They were sold to out-of-town parties for $8 to $10 each."
1878.
In the first week in January, 1878, one school of one hundred and eleven, another of one
hundred and fifty, blackfish were driven ashore at Cape Cod. The first were sold at an average
price of $6.25 each.
1879.
About the 1st of November, 1879, a school of blackfish visited Ipswich Bay, Massachusetts.
The fishermen on the north side of Cape Ann, as soon as they found it out, set to work to capture
some of them, and a number were driven upon Coffin's Beach and killed. On the 5th of November
they heard that another school had entered the bay ; nine dories, containing twenty men, immedi-
ately set out from the shore, and about eighty blackfish were driven upon the beach ; the next day
fourteen were driven ashore, and five more were captured at Plum Cove, making in all ninety-
nine fish secured in three days, and by twenty men. The fish varied in length from 8 to 20 feet.
The blubber was sold to Dodd & Co., of Gloucester, at 2 cents per pound, and the heads at $1.25
and $1.50 each, yielding $1,000 to the fishermen.
A few blacktish had been taken here before this time. Capt. George Davis, one of the oldest
residents in this vicinity, remembers a school of fourteen being driven ashore and captured in
October, 1844 or 1845. He also says that a small number were taken here about ten years ago.
The following table shows some of the catches of blackfish on the New England coast during
the past one hundred and forty years :
Tear.
Month.
Locality.
Number
taken.
Barrels of
oil.
Value of
oil.
1741
Cape Cod
1,000
1,300
1828
Truro and Orleans
32
30
$600
1834
1837
August
Bariist able
140
36
150
40
3,500
350
July
100
75
1 200
22
25
500
1850
Truro and East ham
330
350
6,000
1852
28
30
600
1854
1855
Nantucket
91
1
150
2
3,000
40
1855
July
71
75
1,500
July
"Wellfleet
230
250
'
5,000
July
50
45
1,000
60
50
1,000
1859
Anguat
Brewater
"Wellfieet
700
768
750
1 000
5,000
9,216
1870
do
735
1,000
10,000
93
100
1,000
1873
150
125
1,300
1874
S t b r
Truro
•646
830
5,777
1874
P
do
208
200
1,300
December
181
150
1,200
1675
1876
1876
August
October
North Dennis
Orleans
119
180
130
125
160
125
1,309
2,200
1,040
1879
9?
80
1,000
• Caleb Cook states that throe thousand blackfish were found stranded at different points on Cape Cod in 1874.
SEC. v, VOL. it 20
306 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
THE BLACKFISH FISHERY AT THE FAROE ISLES.* — At the Faroe Islands the blackflsh
(Globiocephalus melas) fishery is carried oil in practically the same manner as at Gape Cod, on the
Massachusetts coast. The schools of blackfish are driven ashore and killed, or are lanced and
towed ashore. They are in some cases kept in the bays or fiords by a large net, a smaller one some-
times being used to gather the animals nearer together so as to drive them ashore. When im-
possible to drive them the crew of each boat kill as many as possible with lances or harpoons.
When a herd is discovered, a signal is given, and boats from the different islands meet at the
place appointed by the signal fires or by the white-blanket signals displayed on the hills. The
boats immediately form in half circle about the school, and by throwing stones in the water drive
the animals to the fiord. A noise with tin pans is sometimes made to increase their confusion.
Leaders are elected, who give orders to the several boats, and every person is obliged to obey
instructions given. Besides stones for throwing in the water, each boat has whale lances and
hooks — the largest boats four lances and three hooks. The lances are 12 inches long and 4 inches
broad, on a wooden shaft C feet long. The harpoon is seldom used, and only at the last extremity,
when it is found impossible to drive the animals.
The net used for driving is 200 fathoms long, 8 fathoms deep, with meshes 6 inches square
7uade of 9-yarn rope; lead sinkers on the bottom rope, and fifty oak barrels for floats.
The name "grind" is given to a herd of blackfish, a single whale being called a "griudshval"
or "griudfish," the young ones being known as "Leiptnr." In olden times these fish, sometimes
known as "Huidiugur," were a great source of food to tlie people of Iceland.
White-painted stones are useful to drive the whales. Tin plates beaten against stones are
often used to scare the animals. A grind is sometimes held "at bay" in a fiord all night, or until
the weather moderates so that they can be driven to the slaughtering ground. When thus " at
bay" the herd is called "grinder," and lies quietly stowed together in a limited space as docile as a
flock of sheep. The use of a harpoon is prohibited until it is evident that the animals cannot be
driven, then each man "goes it alone,." The net is trawled behind and about the herd so as to
drive them into the fiord and keep them there. Sometimes they rush under or over the net. To
avoid their loss in this manner a second net was devised, used within the first, and has been
very successfully used for many years.
The smaller net, of 100 fathoms length, and "much easier to handle than the large one, is used
to bar the grind upon a smaller portion of the harbor, by which means much time is saved when
the grind breaks through the smaller net, as it has not a fourth part of the harbor to move in."
Not a single fish has escaped since this plan was devised. From 1843 to 1878 six thousand and
thirty whales were caught in this way, worth £20,100; while from 1584 to 1843, two hundred and
sixty years, only two thousand one hundred and sixty-nine were caught.
" When the grind has arrived at the mouth of the whale voe the boats are arranged for the
attack, generally in three rows, with a proper distance between each row, in order that if the grind
should break through the first row the second may take its place and turn it, and so on."
The attack is called " holding a grind to." One of the boats in the first row approaches close
to the herd as it swims about in 5 fathoms of water, and wounds one animal with a lance; the
wounded animal rushes among the herd and frightens them, when they rush about, generally
toward the beach, and many are stranded. The first row of boats rush among the herd and with
lances and knives kill as many as possible. The second and third rows of boats keep outside, in
clear water, until it is evident the animals are bewildered and seek the bloody water; they then
join the other boats, and in a short time dispatch the entire herd.
* Compiled from prize essay by H. C. Miiller, published in the Prize Essays of the Edinburgh Fisheries Exhi-
bition.
THE BLACKFISH AND PORPOISE FISHERIES.
307
The first animal ia struck iu the hind part of the body as the herd is headed toward the
shore ; if it be struck forward of the back fin it will roll ou its side and swim obliquely, and the rest
following will break through the rows of boats and perhaps escape.
" From the boats and from the shore the men rush into the shallow wattr and with a cut in the
neck with knives kill the animals, and making fast with their hook and line drag the animals on
the beach. On one occasion, in 1873, six hundred and fifty-seven whales were killed in four hours."
"When lauded, sworn appraisers mark each whale with number and value; the valuing is done
after the old computation of gylden and heind. A whale of medium fatness measures 10 feet from
eye to anus, and, according to the regulations, is worth one gylden (20 heind). Few are larger than
that."
Each whale yields on an average 1 Danish barrel of oil (30 English gallons), worth about 45s
The meat, is worth half as much, so that a whale of medium size is worth £3 7s. 6d.
The division is next made as soon as possible, so that each may get his share of meat, which is
wholesome and nutritious, and generally pickled.
One-tenth share goes to the Crown, the church, and the minister. The largest and best anima]
is uext selected by the crew of the boat that first reached the herd, and the head of this whale goes
to the man who discovered them. A compensation is then made to the village where the killing
is done, for entertainment of valuers, and then an allowance for damage to boats and implements
aud personal injuries ; another allowance for keeping watch and valuing ; also for the poor box
and school fund. The remainder is then divided into four parts. The owner of the land where
the whales are killed gets a share, aud the rest goes to the "Eagstesmand," which includes the men
who do the killing and also the villagers at the killing place.
About a tenth of the whales killed usually sink, and are within ten days fished up and sold at
public auction, a salvage of one-tenth beiug deducted and expended in repairs of bridges and land-
ing places, on the islands. After ten days the whales found are the property of the finder, with the
tenth deduction. Each village and person entitled to a share receives a ticket with the number of
the whale belonging to them, and they proceed at once to secure it. In the mean time dancing
has been going on, and as each boat puts off with its whale or blubber and meat a song of praise
is sung. Whales belonging to the public funds are sold at auction.
Number of blaclcjiah taken at the Faroe Islands, 1813 to 1877, arranged by m/nilli«.
[Add oue-teiilli t'nr snnk whales.]
Tear.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May.
Jnne.
July.
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Total.
1813 to 1859
223
205
348
873
798
7,152
16,401
Hi, 4!l!l
6,666
1,607
897
721
52, 480
1860
•JIT
26
397
640
10
111
Til
147
341
186°
138
482
SOS
1, 129
318
180
205
709
36
192
574
1865
182
146
92
95
ii, -
J70
1,254
213
57
660
89
433
300
1,752
1867
2
40
171
177
390
1868
419
1
420
1869
100
98
711
248
460
136
814
259
510
769
105
553
82
516
1,051
2, 307
187^
142
35
1. 389
101
1,667
153
299
124
576
506
237
26
769
1876
182
410
189
781
252
125
377
308 HISTORY AND METHODS L>F THE FISHERIES.
2.— THE PORPOISE FISHERY.
THE PORPOISE FISHERY OF NEW ENGLAND AND NORTH CAROLINA.
The porpoise, though abundant along the Atlantic coast of the United States, is not captured
except at a few places, and in limited numbers. In the Bay of Fundy the Indians shoot harbor
porpoises to some extent for their oil. A very graphic description of porpoise shooting by the
Passamaquoddy Indians appeared in Scribner's Monthly Magazine for October, 1880.
Along the North Carolina coast porpoises were formerly taken in considerable numbers, but
the business was abandoned. There is a porpoise iishery of small importance on the Gulf coast
of Florida.*
There appears to have been some interest taken in the porpoise fishery in the last century, for
in 1740, according to the Annals of Salem, Mass., "Thomas Lee is on a committee to consider the
proposal of William Paine, of Eastham, and his associates, to catch porpoise with a net. The
report on this subject was accepted, and an order passed for granting the petition till the last of May,
1742, which was sent up and allowed. The conditions were, that 2s. should be paid by the province
treasurer for each middle part of a porpoise's tail delivered, on oath, to the town clerk where the
shipper or owner belonged, that it was caught in the vessel of the latter, and then the clerk gave
a certificate that he had consumed the said part. One original certificate of 1740 declares that
sixteen such parts had been consumed, and another that one hundred and ninety-one had been
alike destroyed. As the fabled Venus is represented to have saved her life by assuming the shape
of a fish, so many a porpoise experienced like preservation by the shortness of the above monopoly.
The mode of securing this is among the curiosities whose practical existence has passed away. We
love to have an occasional interview with them through the vision of memory and then dismiss
them with a hearty good-bye." t
At various times numbers of porpoises have been taken at Cape Cod and other places, as in
the summer of 1741 when one hundred and fifty porpoises as also a large number of blackfish
were captured at Barnstable, Mass.
We are iuforuied by Mr. Earll that the stretch of coast from Cape Hatteras to Bear Inlet,
North Carolina, is a favorite run for the porpoise, and often immense herds of them may be seen
moving along within a few rods of the shore. As early as 1810 parties engaged in this fishery, and
from one to three crews followed it quite regularly up to 1860, when the fishery was discontinued
and has not since been resumed. t
The method of capture consisted in having four seines of 200 yards each loaded in separate
boats, and as the lookout gave the signal the boats took their positions, the two outer seines were
lashed together, and at the next signal the seines were shot in the form of a semicircle to the shore,
the inner ends of the shore seines reaching toward the land, while the outer ends met or overlapped
the inner ends of the middle seines and were securely fastened. The distance between the boats was
always about the length of the seine, and the boats always shot the outer ends of their respective
seines first. While the ends of this united seine were being brought to land one or two boatmen
would remain near by to pound on his boat or "jab" the bottom with an oar to keep the porpoise
from escaping; but when the ends reached the shore and the porpoise securely penned, the net was
* Since the above was written porpoise fisheries have been resumed at New Jersey and North Carolina, and there
is a prospect of the business increasing, as the skins have been found useful for leather, aud the flesh may have a
commercial value for food. See account by Frederick W. True in Bulletin U. S. Fish Commission, 1884.
(FELT: Anuals of Saiem, vol. ii, p. 226.
THE BLACKFISH AND PORPOISE FISHERIES. 309
dropped and a smaller net, made of heavy rope, was used to drag them upon the shore. The outer
nets were usually made with 11-inch mesh, while the inner was but 9 inches. Though the porpoise
seldom tried to break through the net they often jumped over the cork line, and it is said that if
one jumped it was difficult to keep the rest from following, and that they would often jump 4 to fi
feet out of the water.
An average catch in former years was from four to five hundred porpoise to the season,
requiring from five to six for a barrel of oil. The crews usually numbered from fifteen to eighteen
men, and the season lasted from the latter part of December to the 1st of April, some fishing as
late as the 15th of April. There seems to be a growing disposition on the part of the fishermen
to resume this fishery, but it requires an outlay of about $400 for nets and boats, and few have
the money to invest in this way. During April, 1880, the porpoise were very abundant, and it
was a common occurrence to see droves of fifty to a hundred together, while the fishermen say
that they were even more abundant earlier in the season.
WATCH OIL FROM PORPOISE AND BLACKFISH.— "About the year 1816," says Caleb Cook, of
Provincetown, ''sailors and fishermen having caught a porpoise on their voyage, would sometimes
extract the oil from the jaw-bone and give it to carpenters and those who used oil stones for sharp-
ening their tools. Finding in this way that it did not gum or glue, suggested the idea that it was
just what was wanted for a nice lubricator. It was noticed that the weather at zero would not
congeal it, neither would it corrode on brass.
"Watchmakers were then using olive oil as the only fitting oil for watches; but by experi-
menting with the porpoise-jaw oil they found it superior to the olive or any other oil, consequently
the sailors and fishermen found a ready market for all they were able to obtain.
" This state of things continued until the year 1829, when a shoal of blackfish, about forty in
number, was taken at Provincetown, Mass., being the first for many years. Solomon Cook of that
town took from the jaws of these blackfish a few gallons of oil and sent it to Ezra Kelley, of New
Bedford, Mass., a skillful watchmaker, to be tested for watch oil. Mr. Kelley soon found that
this oil was superior to the porpoise oil, as it had more substance and less chill. He contracted
with Mr. Cook to supply him from year to year until 1840, when the latter died, and his son sup-
plied Mr. Kelley until the demand was so great that the jaws of the blackfish were not sufficient
to supply the market.
" Porpoise-jaw oil can be refined a little by exposure to the cold at zero, and in that state,
with the atmosphere at zero, it is strained through a cotton-flannel strainer made in the shape of
a cone, but when filtered through paper it is so limpid that it has no lubricating properties what-
ever, and becomes useless. This oil is called porpoise-jaw oil, but is taken from the blackfish,
belonging in the family of whales, by a method known only to myself. It is warranted not to
congeal at zero, though it will thicken and turn a little milky in appearance. It is warranted not
to corrode on brass or rust on steel, and it will not glue on the finest watch. Ezra Kelley, of New
Bedford, has made it a business for years to put it up for watch use, and has led in the market,
while B. H. Tisdale, of Newport, R. I., and I. M. Bachelder, of Boston, are getting quite popular in
the European market.
" Caleb Cook, youngest sou of Solomon, from scientific experiments, did discover, about the year
1832, that the melon oil of the blackfish was far superior to the jaw oil in every respect, so much
so, that Mr. Kelley, who had about this time become very popular in preparing this oil for the trade,
would not buy it until he was told what it was produced from, and from that time to the present
(1870) Caleb Cook's blackfish-melou (watch) oil has been refined by Kelley, of New Bedford, Batchel-
der, of Boston, Tisdale, of Newport, and many others on a smaller scale, for the world's use. Since
310 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the year 18-12 Caleb Cook, of Provincetown, Mass., claims to be the only person who understands
the art of producing this oil free from all glutinous matter and fit for use. This, he says, is done
by a process known only to himself — not by mixing other oils or liquids with it, but by extracting
all the oil and gluten from it, and leaving the oil pure for the finest and most delicate machinery.
This, he says, cannot be done by the chilling and straining process; for when it becomes perfectly
transparent at zero, the lubricating properties are all gone, the oil runs off the pivots, spreads on
the plates, dries up, the pivots cut, turn red, and the oil is worse thau worthless, for the valuable
timekeeper is no longer what it was once for the want of oil with more substance and lubricating
properties.
" Porpoise-jaw oil and blackfish-melon oil are worth from $5 to $15 per gallon, according to
supply. These oils are sold uader the above trade names, and also under the names ' watch oil'
and ' clock oil.' They are used largely by manufacturers of fire-arms, watches, and philosophical
apparatus. Smith & Wesson, of Springfield, Mass., the Ethan Allen factory at Worcester, Bye &
Johnson, of Worcester, the Howard Watch Company, the Elgin Watch Company, the Waltham
Watch Company, and the clock factories in Connecticut, use them constantly. The philosophical
instrument makers use them for air pumps, as they keep the leather soft and pliable. Telegraph
instrument makers use them when they can get them. They are used in Government light-houses
for the clocks of revolving lights. The color of the oils is very light, and can be made very white
by placing in the window, where they will bleach in a short time. One drop of water in one pint
of oil will injure it very much."
XVII.
THE PACIFIC WALRUS FISHERY.
liy A. HOWARD CLARK.
1. Geographical distribution and habits of the Parilir
walrus.
~Z. Development of iha fishery.
'). Methods of capture.
4. Stripping and preparing the blubber.
:"). Walrus ivory.
ti. Walrus oil.
7. gtatistics of oil and ivory, l.-vO to
311
THE PACIFIC WALRUS FISHERY.
By A. HOWARD CLARK.
1. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND HABITS OF THE PACIFIC WALRUS.
The Pacific walrus is found principally in the Bering Sea and the Arctic Ocean. In the latter
part of May and the first of June the ice in the sea commences to break up and, boi ue northward by
the current, carries the walrus with it. In the latter part of June they are very abundant in Bering
Strait and soon after in the Arctic Ocean. It is while the whaling vessels are waiting in the
Arctic near the Asiatic shore for the ice to break up sufficiently to allow a passage across to Point
Barrow that they capture the walrus. During this period of waiting, which occupies nearly all of
July and part of August, the walrus is found on the ice near the mainland north of the strait and
drifting about the open parts of the ocean with the current.
In August they begin to return through the strait to Bering Sea, and are soon seen in great
numbers on St. Matthew's Island and in Bristol Bay. Before October they have all left the Arctic
and entered Bering Sea, where they pass their winters waiting until the warm currents of the
next summer shall scatter the ice and again bear them northward into the cooler waters of the
Arctic.
One of their chief resorts while in the Arctic is in the vicinity of Cape Serdze-kamen, on
the Asiatic shore, where within a range of 130 miles they congregate in great numbers, the ice
being black with them for miles. They are always found near the outer edges of the ice, never
in the pack, so that they may better watch and observe the movements of one of their principal
enemies, the polar bear. These groups of walrus on the ice are by the whalers called "pods."
They cannot endure great fatigue, and sleep is very necessary to them. In years past it
was common for whale-boats to pursue them along the ice pack till the animals would drop
asleep in the water and fall an easy prey .to their pursuers. They sleep in different positions in
the water, often with the head under water and raised only at intervals to breathe, which is done
without waking. They often sleep in an upright position and it is an amusing sight to find them
wiih their heads above the ice that has congealed around them while taking their repose.
They apparently have the power of inflating themselves with air so as to float more easily
while sleeping, and if suddenly disturbed they cannot go down without expelling the air. They
are extremely affectionate toward their young and courageous in defending them. The mother will
never leave her calf but will rather perish than forsake it. In making their passage it is common
to see the mother carrying her young, the little one clinging with its flippers to its dam.
313
314 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Some of the whalers say that only the mothers care for the young and that the bulls nev(:r
defend the little ones from danger ; when the mother is shot the young walrus will immediately
go to another female.
Captain Scainrnon states, on the authority of an experienced whaling master, that on one
occasion a female walrus " was captured 2 miles from the ship, and the young cub kept close to
the boats that were towing its dead mother to the vessel, and when arrived made every effort to
follow her as she was being hoisted on board. A rope with a bowline was easily thrown over it,
and the bereaved creature taken on deck, when it instantly mounted its mother's back and there
clung with mournful solicitude until forced by the sailors to again return to the sea; but even
then it remained in the vicinity of the ship, bemoaning the loss of its parent by uttering distressful
cries.
" A male and a female with her cub are often seen together ; yet herds of old and young of
both sexes are met with, both in the water and upon the ice. When undisturbed they are quite
inoffensive, but if hotly pursued they make a fierce resistance. Their mode of attack is by hook-
ing their tusks over the gunwales of the boat, which may overturn it, or they strike a blow through
the planking, which has repeatedly been the means of staving and sinking it." *
2. DEVELOPMENT OF THE FISHERY.
It was not until twenty years after the whalers first entered the Arctic that they thought
of capturing the walrus, partly because whales were so plenty that they needed nothing else to
help make up a cargo and partly through a dread of these auimals, of whose ferocity the men
had read exaggerated accounts. For some years it was considered a bold thing for a vessel to
capture half a dozen walrus ; but as whales became scarce and men became better acquainted
with the walrus, it was a common thing to hear of vessels taking fifty, seventy, and even a hundred
barrels of oil. Although small quantities of oil were secured by various vessels, no great quantity-
was taken until the year 1860 or 1861, when the baik Oarib, of San Francisco, took 100 barrels.
In 1869 and 1870 some vessels took 500 barrels each, and according to Captain Scammou 50,000
barrels were taken from that time to 1874. It has been common since then for one vessel to take
from 1,000 to 1,500 barrels in a season. Large numbers of walrus have been taken during the last
few years, and they are rapidly decreasing ; a few years hence they will not be worth seeking.
3. METHODS OF CAPTURE.
In the first few years of the walrus fishery the harpoon and lance were the instruments used
in capturing them, but for ten years it has been customary for the whalers, and even the natives,
to use a rifle.t Great numbers have been shot at one time, which is easily done, since they always
congregate in large numbers; and often the number killed is only limited by the power to take
care of them, for a ship's company cannot manage more than two or three hundred at one time.
An outfit for walrusing consists of a dingey, or small ship's boat, with a crew of three men,
the gunner and two seamen, and includes a rifle, a box containing ammunition, and a boat which
follows to assist in skinning the walrus, having as its equipment a small watch tackle, six gafl's,
six pikes, six sheath knives, three rippers, two steels, a file, a whetstone, ice hooks, spade, hand-
* Marine Mammalia, p. 178.
t Capt. L. C. Owen thinks Everett Smith was the first whaleman to shoot walrus ; this was in the season of 1869.
About forty were thus killed that year.
Till'. PACIFIC WALRUS K1SHKUY. 315
lance, six hand hooks to hold tin- blubber while skinning, an :i\. lour pieces of rope or short warps
and several boat wail's. The dingey is used in the actual capture. Sometimes two rifles are car-
ried, since the rapid firing soon overheats them.
If the whalemen, alter shooting a tew walrus, can get on the same piece of ice with the dead
ones he may be sure of the whole lot, or as many as he chooses to kill. Great care must be taken
when approaching the ice to be as quiet as possible, for if the walrus, which is very timid, detects
your approach, the whole company will immediately tumble off into the water and disappear.
Capt. Wm. M. Barnes, of New Bedford, thinks that if this method of capturing the walrus is
pursued for any length of time it will surely result in their extermination, for the greater part of
the animals thus killed are females, accompanied by their offspring, nearly all too young to live
without their mothers. When the earlier method of catching them with harpoons was employed,
only a few could be caught out of a large herd, and the calves of those captured would follow the
walrus that escaped. Often two or three calves were seen with a single cow, arJll the whalemen
used to bone that the little orphans would be adopted into these families, and receive more charity
from their kind than the human race had extended to them. But under the present method of
shooting, the whole herd of grown animals is slaughtered, and the little ones remain on the ice
hovering around the carcasses of their mothers until death from starvation silences their meanings
These animals are very useful to the inhabitants of the Arctic shores, furnishing them with
food, dwellings, and boats. Therefore to reduce the numbers of the walrus in a great degree, or
to drive them to other regions, would be a sad calamity to those people.
The most common mode of capture among whalers is as follows: The captain of the vessel,
with one or two men, quietly approach the herd in a dingey, or small boat, and when within "0
to 50 yards the captain shoots one of the animals in the temple between the eye and the ear,
using for the purpose a Sharps' or Henry rifle. If successful in the first shot, he hastens on the
ice and slays as many as can be cared for by the vessel's crew. If the animal is not killed it will
immediately scramble for the water, followed by the whole herd, and none can be captured. Once
among the herd the hunter shoots right and left as rapidly as possible, using a second rifle as soon
as the first becomes heated. Walrus go by scent rather than sound, so that if the hunter
approaches from leeward it is comparatively easy to get within a lew yards before they are aware
of danger. They seem to care little for sound, for they take scarcely any notice of the constant
report of the rifle. Some of those caught by whalers are very large; one taken near Point Mul-
grave, in the Arctic, weighed 1,854 pounds.
Capt. John Heppingstone, of East Wareham, Mass., an old whaleman and walrus hunter,
has kindly furnished the following account of the walrus and its capture.
" Some of the difficulties encountered in the capture of walrus are as follows : Often a pod of
walrus will be found on cakes of old and rotten ice, and after shooting a goodly number of them
the large quantity of warm blood will melt the ice, causing it to break, with the loss of a part, and
many times, the whole of the pod. Another difficulty we have to contend with, and to avoid,
if possible, is the wounding of a walrus, as his bellowing will frighten and drive others off. iMany
times walrus will haul up on cakes of ice, where there is no shelter for the gunner, and in such
cases they are shot from the dingey. A school of walrus in the water, bellowing, will keep the pod
on the ice restless and make it difficult to shoot them. There is not much danger attending the
capture of the walrus. Sometimes the ice breaks from their weight and results in the loss of the
dead animals, and perhaps the rifle also, with a cold bath to the men who may chance to be upon
the cake. In working through a school of walrus there is some danger of their coming up under
the boat and rolling it over. Such cases have occurred. I have been pulling along in my boat
316 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
and had them coine up and put their tusks into a plank and tear it down two streaks before
clearing themselves. They frequently approach and throw their tusks over the gunwale of a
boat. I have known of two cases where men were hurt in this way, one where the walrus put his
tusk through the foot of one man, and in the other case he hooked his tusk into the clothes of the
other man and took him down. Where two or more are shooting, great caution should be exercised,
as serious results may happen. Sometimes a ball may strike a tusk and glance off. Such a case
has occurred, and it resulted in the death of the man. The walrus shooting is exciting, and to the
sportsman would be considered fine game.
"When walrus are raised from the mast-head, the ship is worked up to within about three miles
of them, always keeping to leeward, as their scent is very keen. After placing the ship in position,
the gunner with his two men takes his dingey and starts for the ice where the walrus are hauled
up. We generally send a boat with the dingey to tow her, or to render assistance if needed. When
within about a naif mile of the ice the boat lets go and the dingey works carefully up towards the
ice, as walrus are very easily gallied, and it is sometimes two or three hours before they can be
approached near enough to be killed. The gunner gets out, and, crawling on hands and knees,
seeks shelter behind a piece of ice to get a shot at them, care being exercised to keep to the leeward,
for if the animals get scent of man they are apt to leave in haste. After getting a good position,
and the gunner finding that the walrus are not aware of his presence, he picks his chance, as it is
of importance that the first walrus he shoots should be killed at once, for if he were to wound one
it might gaily the rest and they would leave the ice. But after he has shot some of them, he may
get on their carcasses and continue shooting ; for at times the walrus do not seem to mind the
presence of a man or a report of a gun, and at other times they take fright very easily. The
gunner usually wears a white suit, to keep as near the color of the ice as possible. One of the best
times for shooting walrus is a bright sunny day, as they are then stupid and sleepy ; but as stupid
as they seem, they can show fight. A captain in our fleet was one day shooting on the ice. He
encountered one that showed pretty good play, and the captain had quite a tussle with him to
see which should have the rifle. The captain, however, won the battle and a dead walrus to boot.
I think he must have been a king walrus, as I have not heard of any more such battles; but as a
rule the walrus is a harmless animal."
4. STRIPPING AND PREPARING THE BLUBBER.
When a sufficient number* of walrus have been killed, the men strip off the hide and blubber.
For this purpose a sharp knife is used, often a razor fastened in a wooden handle. Cuts are made
through the hide and blubber, making strips about 7 by 12 inches called "horse pieces." The end
of a piece is held in one baud, while, with a knife in the other, the hunter separates the
blubber from the flesh, and throws the pieces aside to be taken to the vessels. The head is cut off
with an ax, and the tongue is saved to be pickled for food. Whalers frequently save the heart
and liver, which are fried and eaten as in the case of bullocks ; these dishes are said to be very
palatable. The flesh is often cooked in the style of sausage meat, though it is sometimes roasted,
and has been called by some whalers '' marine beef." When made into sausage, as is also the meat
of the whale, it is called " forced-meat balls." The galls are sometimes saved and sold to Chinamen
at San Francisco, who are said to use them in the manufacture of silk. Whalers seldom save the
hides on account of their little commercial value and the trouble of stripping them off. They are
saved, however, by the natives and by foreign walrus hunters, and sell for quite a sum in Russia
*Capt. L. C. Owen states that his crew took 1,600 walrus from Jane 10 to July 4, 1877, and that they secured
700 of them in forty-eight hours.
THE PACIFIC WALRUS FISHERY. 317
ami Sweden, where they are made into harness and sole leather; sometimes they are boiled into
Slue. But whalers care nothing for the hides, their purpose being to get as much oil and ivory as
possible. Having prepared the blubber, heads, and tusks for transportation to the vessel, they
are loaded in the whale-boats, which are capable of carrying the products of eight or ten walrus.
Arrived on board the vessel, the blubber is prepared for the try-pot. The horse pieces are
spread on a cutting table, and with an ordinary skinning knife, having a blade 8 inches in length,
the hide is separated from the blubber. The cutting table is usually of triangular shape, made of
two boards nailed together at the edges, the ends generally resting oil the top of casks, and the
pieces of blubber are thrown over the upright edge of the table.
The next operation is to set the table up on one edge, and to cut the strips of blubber into small
pieces, au inch or two in width, ready to be thrown into the try-pot. A few years ago the general
custom was to put the skinned blubber in a shallow tub and mince it with a spade, but now the
cutting table is almost universally used.
5. WALRUS IVORY.
The tusks of the walrus vary much, both in quality and weight, in the different animals. The
tusks of the male sometimes weigh 16 or 18 pounds each, though often not more than one-quarter
of a pound.
In the season of 1869, 3,000 pounds of ivory were secured from 700 walrus, averaging about 4f
pounds to each animal. The tusks of the male are large and of a much coarser texture than those
of the female, which are generally fine and free from cracks. The male tusks are less valuable
than those of the female, the proportion of pith to sound exterior ivory being far greater in a large
than in a small tusk. This ivory is better in some respects than elephant ivory, and is used for
nearly the same purposes; but the pith spoils it for many uses, since it is slightly discolored and
as the ivory becomes yellow by exposure it is not so valuable as that of the elephant. Among the
articles made from it are knife handles, small brushes, umbrella handles, tally balls, dice, dog
whistles, and small ornaments. Globular cane handles and parasol handles have been made from
the pith alone, which presents a mottled appearance and is very pleasing. The Innuits near the
Arctic sometimes dig out the tusks for drinking vessels, and also use them as implements of chase.
A large part of the walrus ivory received in the markets of the world during the past ten years
has been supplied by the Arctic whaling fleet. It is received at San Francisco and transshipped
by rail or vessel to New York, China, Japan, and London, where it is manufactured into various
articles by the ivory workers. Walrus ivory is no harder to manipulate than elephant ivory, and
is worked by the same methods.
The value of this ivory varies according to the quantity received in the market; in the year
1880 it was worth $1 to $1.25 per pound, while in 1879, when the supply was greater, it sold at 45
and 50 cents per pound. Nordenskiokl, in his " Voyage of the Vega," says the largest walrus tusks
he ever saw were two of a male purchased at Saint Lawrence Island in 1879. They were 830 and 825
millimeters in length, 227 and 230 millimeters in circumference, and weighed together 6,680 grams.*
The tusks of a female were seen of nearly the same length , but much more slender. " The surface
is always full of cracks, but under it there is a layer of ivory free of cracks, which again incloses a
grained kernel of bone which at some places is semi-transparent, as if drenched with oil."
Walrus ivory often serves as the spare change of the whalemen. Whenever the vessels touch
at the Sandwich Islands or other ports it is used to buy provisions or pay for repairs.
* A little more than 26 pounds.
318
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
6. WALRUS OIL.
Walrus blubber is easily t.ried out, and the oil is whiter and more expansive than whale oil.
The quantity of oil to a single walrus varies very much in different animals and from year to
year, for in some years they are much fatter than in others. The female yields more oil than the
male. The whale ship Onward, in the season of 1874, took 1,000 walrus that stowed down 600
barrels of oil, which was considered an unusual yield, and in 1869 the Progress got 700 walrus
that yielded 565 barrels of oil. The Mercury in 1877 killed 2,000 walrus that stowed down 1,100
barrels of oil. Captain Barnes, of the Sea Breeze, states that up to July 23, 1880, he had that
season taken in the Arctic 400 walrus, yielding 300 barrels of oil.
7. STATISTICS OF OIL AND IVORY, 1870 TO 1880.
The Arctic whaling fleet from 1870 to 1880, inclusive, is estimated to have captured 100,000
walrus, producing 1,996,000 gallons of oil and 398,868 pounds of ivory, of a total value of $1,260,000.
Year.
Oil.
Ivory.
Total value
oil and
ivory.
1870
Gallons.
315,000
Pounds.
63 800
1871
189, 000
37, 600
1872 . .
160, 000
32, 000
1873 .
220, 500
44,000
1874
165, 000
33, 000
1875
126, 000
25. 400
1876
157, 500
31, 500
1877
221,000
44, 600
1878 .
125, 000
24, 000
1879
190, 000
38, 318
[$11, 990]
1880 . .
127, 000
24, 650
[8, 735]
Total . -
1 990, 000
398, 668
1 260,000
FART XVIII.
THE SEAL AND SEA-OTTER INDUSTRIES
1.— THE FUK-SEAL INDUSTRY OF THE PE1BYLOV ISLANDS, ALASKA.
BY HENRY W. ELLIOTT.
1. Discovery of the Pribylov Islands.
2. Description of the Pnbylov Islands.
:'. Description of the fur-seal rookeries of Saint Paul and
Saint George.
4. The total number of seals on the islands.
5. The increase or diminution of seal life, past, present,
and prospective.
6. Statistics of seals killed.
?. The manner of taking the seals.
8. Manner of raring for and shipping the skins.
0. Economic value of the skins, oil, and flesh of the fin-
seal.
10. The Russian seal industry at the Pribylov Islands.
11. The organization of the Russian American Fur Com-
pany.
12. The Alaska Commercial Company.
13. The law protecting the seal islands.
14. Comments upon the legislation of Congress.
1'.— THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF CAPE FLATTERY. WASHINGTON TERRITORY
BY JAMES G. SWAN.
1. History, present condition, and methods of the fishery. | 2. Statistics of catch in 1880.
3.— THE ANTARCTIC FUR-SEAL AND SEA-ELEPHANT INDUSTRIES.
BY A. HOWARD CLARK.
1 . Origin and development of the industries.
2. The sealing grounds.
1!. Sealing vessels and crews.
4. Methods of capture and of taking the skins and oil.
.">. Statistical review.
6. Eecoril of Antarctic .sealing voyages from 1783 to 1880.
7. Narrative of an Antarctic sealing voyage in the ship
Neptune, :796-'99.
1. Capture of the sea-lion.
4.— THE SEA-LION HUNT.
BY HENRY W. ELLIOTT.
| 2. Economic uses of the sea-lion.
5.— THE NORTH ATLANTIC SEAL FISHERY.
BY A. HOWARD CLARK.
1 . The sealing grounds.
2. American sealing vessels.
3. The products.
4. The seal hunt.
6.— THE SEA-OTTER FISHERY.
BY HENRY W. ELLIOTT.
1. The discovery and geographical distribution of the
sea-otter.
2. The habits of the sea-otter.
3. Methods of capture.
319
XVIII.
THE SEAL AND SEA-OTTER INDUSTRIES.
1.— THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY ON THE PR1BYLOV GROUP,
ALASKA.
BY HENEY W. ELLIOTT.
1. DISCOVERY OF THE PRIBYLOV ISLANDS.
SEARCH OF RUSSIAN EXPLORERS FOR SEA-OTTERS AND SEALS. — All writers on the subject of
Alaskan exploration and enterprise agree as to the cause of the discovery of the Pribylov Islands
in the last century. It was due to the feverish anxiety of a handful of Russian fur-gatherers,
who desired to find new fields of gain when they had exhausted those last uncovered. Altasov,
and his band of Russians, Tartars, and Kossacks, arrived at Kamtchatka toward the close of the
seventeenth century, and they first found, of all men, the beautiful, costly, rare fur of the sea-otter.
The animal bearing this pelage abounded then on that coast, but by the middle of the eighteenth
century they and those who came after them had entirely extirpated it from that country. Then
the survivors of Bering's second voyage of observation, in 1741-'42, and Tscherikov brought back
an enormous number of skins from Bering Island; then Michael Novodiskov discovered Attoo and
the contiguous islands, in 1745; Paikov came after him and opened out the Fox Islands, in the
same chain, during 1759; then succeeded Stepau Glotov, who determined Kadiak in 1763, and
the peninsula of Alaska followed by Krenitsiu, 1768. During these long years a great many Rus-
sian companies fitted out at the mouth of the Amoor River, in the Okhotsk Sea, and prospected
therefrom this whole Aleutian Archipelago in search of the sea-otter. There were perhaps twenty-
five or thirty different companies, with quite a fleet of small vessels, and so energetic and thorough
were they in their search and capture of the sea-otter that by 1772 and 1774 the catch in that
group had dwindled from thousands and tens of thousands at first, to hundreds and tens of hun-
dreds at last. A change of search and inquiry was now in order, and then 'he fur-seal, which had
been noted, but not valued much, every year as it went north in the spring through the passes and
channels of the Aleutian chain, then going back south again in the fall, became the source of
much speculation as to where it spent its time on land and how it bred. No one had ever heard
ol its landing on a rock or beach throughout all Alaska or the northwest coast. The natives,
when questioned, expressed themselves as entirely ignorant, though they believed that these seals
repaired to some unknown land in the north every summer and left every winter. They also rea-
soned then, that when they left the unknown land to the north in the fall, and went south into the
North Pacific, they traveled to some other strange island or continent there, upon which in turn
322 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
to spend the winter. Naturally the Eussians preferred to look for the supposed winter resting-
places of the fur-seal, and forthwith a hundred schooners and shallops sailed into storm and fog
to the northward occasionally, but generally to the southward, in search of this rumored breeding-
ground. Indeed, if the record can be credited, the whole bent of this Eussian attention and search
for the fur-seal islands was devoted to that region south of the Aleutian Islands, between Japan
and Oregon.
PRIBYLOV'S DISCOVERY OF THE ISLANDS WHICH BEAR HIS NAME. — It was not until 1786,
after more than eighteen years of unremitting search by hardy navigators, that the Pribylov Isl-
ands were discovered. It seems that a rugged Muscovitic " stoorman " or ship's " mate," Gehrman
Pribylov by name, serving under the direction and in the pay of one of the many companies at
that time engaged in the fur business, was much moved and exercised in his mind by the revela-
tions of an old Aleutian shaman at Oonalashka, who pretended to recite a legend of the natives
wherein he declared that certain islands in the Bering Sea had long been known to the Aleuts.
Pribylov commanded a small sloop, the " Saint George,"which he employed for three succes-
sive years in constant, though fruitless, explorations to the northward of Oonalashka and Oouiinak,
ranging over the whole of Bering Sea from the straits above. His ill-success does not seem strange
now, as we understand the currents, the winds, and fogs of those waters. Eecently the writer has
been on one of the best manned vessels that ever sailed from any port, provided with those charts
and equipped with all the marine machinery known to navigation, and that vessel has hovered for
nine successive days off the north point and around Saint Paul's Island, sometimes almost on the
reef, and never more than 10 miles away, without actually knowing where the island was. So
Pribylov did well, considering, when, at the beginning of the third summer's tedious search, in
July, 178G, his old sloop ran up against the walls of Tolstoi Mees, at Saint George; and then,
though the fog was so thick that he could see scarce the length of his vessel, his ears were regaled
by the sweet music of rookeries wafted out to him on the heavy air. He then knew that he had
found the object of his search, and he at once took possession of the island in the Eussiau name
and that of his cral't.
But his secret could not long be kept. He had left some of his men behind him to hold the
island, and when he returned to Ooualashka they were gone. And, after the next season had
fairly opened, a dozen vessels were watching him and trimming in his wake. Of course they all
found the island, and in that year, July, 1787, the sailors of Pribylov, on Saint George, while
climlimg the bluffs and straining their eyes for a relief-ship, descried the low coast and scattered
cones of Saint, Paul, 30 miles to the northwest of them. When they lauded at Saint George, not a
si- if nor a vestige of human habitation was found thereon ; but, d'uriug the succeeding year, as they
crossed over to Saint Paul and took possession of it, in turn, they were surprised at finding on the
south L-oast of that island, at a point now known as English bay, the remains of a recent fire.
There were charred embers of driftwood, and places where grass had been scorched ; there was
a pipe, ami a brass knife handle, which, I regret to say, have long passed beyond the cogni/ance
of any ethnologist. This much appears in the Eussian records.
2. DESCEIPTION OF THE PEIBYLOV ISLANDS.
The Pribylov Islands lie in the heart of Bering Sea, and are among the most insignificant
landmarks known to that ocean. They are situated 192 miles north of Ooualashka, 200 miles south
of Saint Matthews, and about the same distance to the westward of Cape Newenham on the main-
laud.
THE FUR SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 323
The islands of Saint George, and Saint Paul are from 27 to 30 miles apart, Saiut George lying
to the southeastward of Saint Paul. They are far enough south to be beyond the reach during
winter of permanent ice-floes, upon which i>olar bears would have made their way to the islands,
though a few of these animals were, doubtless, always present. They were also distant enough from
the inhabited Aleutian districts and the coast of the mainland to have remained unknown to savage
men. Hence they afforded the fur-seal the happiest shelter and isolation, lor their position seems
to be such as to surround and envelop them with fog-banks that fairly shut out the sun uine days
in every ten, during the summer and bn eding season.
CLIMATE. — In this location, ocean currents from the great Pacific, warmer than the normal
temperature of this latitude, trending up from the southward, ebb and flow around the islands, as
they pass giving rise during the summer and early autumn to constant, dense, humid fog and
drizzling mists, which hang in heavy banks over the ground and the sea line — seldom dissolving
away to indicate a pleasant day. By the middle or end of October, strong cold winds, refrigerated
on the Siberian steppes, sweep down over the islands, carrying off the moisture and clearing up
the air. By the end of January or early in February, they usually bring, by their steady pressure
from the north and northwest, great fields of broken ice, sludgy floes, with nothing in them approxi-
mating or approaching glacial ice. They are not very heavy or thick, but as the wind blows hard
they compactly cover the whole surface of the sea, shutting completely in and around the land,
•and for mouths at a time hushing the wonted roar of the surf. In the exceptionally cold seasons
that succeed each other up there every four or five years, for periods of three and even four months —
from December to May, and sometimes into June — the islands will be completely environed and
ice bound. The exceptional mild winters occur on the other hand, in about the same rotation, in
which not even the sight of an ice-floe is recorded during the whole winter, and when there is very
little skating on the shallow lakes and lagoons peculiar to Saint Paul and Saint George; this, how-
ever, is not often the case.
The breaking up of winter weather and the precipitation of summer (for there is no real spring
or autumn in these latitudes) usually commences about the first week in April. The ice begins to
leave or dissolve at that time, or a little later, so that by the 1st or 5th of May the beaches and
rocky sea-margin beneath the mural precipices are generally clear and free from ice and snow ;
although the latter occasionally lies in gullies and on leeward hill-slopes where it has drifted dur-
ing the winter, until the end of July or the middle of August. Fog, damp, thick, and heavy, rolls
up from the sea, and closes over the laud about the end of May ; this, the habitual sign of summer,
holds on steadily to the middle or end of October again.
The periods of change in climate are exceedingly irregular during the autumn and spring, so-
called, but in summer the cool, moist, shady, gray fog is constantly present. To this certainty of
favored climate, coupled with the perfect isolation and the exceeding fitness of the ground, is due,
without doubt, that preference manifested by the warm-blooded animals which come here every
year, in thousands and hundreds of thousands, to breed, to the practical exclusion of all other
ground.
A large amount of information in regard to the climate of these islands has been collected and
recorded by the Signal Service, United States Army, and similar observations are still continued
by the agents of the Alaska Commercial Company. I simply remark here that the winter which
I passed upon Saint Paul's Island (187l'-'73) was one of great severity, and, according to the natives,
such as is very seldom experienced. Cold as it was, however, the lowest marking by thermometer
was only ll'° Fahr. below xcro, and that lasted but a few hours during a single day in February,
while tin- uieau of that month was J.s° above. I found that March was the coldest month. Then
324 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the mean was 12° above, and I have since learned that March continues to be the meanest month
of the year. The lowest average of a usual winter ranges from 22° to 26° above zero; but these
quiet figures are simply inadequate to impress the reader with the exceeding discomfort of whiter
iu that location. It is the wind that tortures and cripples out-door exercises there, as it does on
all the sea-coast and islands of Alaska. It is blowing, blowing, from every point of the compass
and at all times ; it is an everlasting succession of furious gales, laden with snow and sleety spicula3,
whirling iu great drifts to-day, while to-morrow the wind will blow from a quarter directly oppo-
site, and rever.se its drift-building action of the day preceding.
Without being cold enough to suffer, one is literally confined and chained to his room from
December to April by thisieolian tension. I remember very well that, during the winter of 1872-'73,
I was watching with all the impatience which a man iu full health and tired of confinement
can possess, every opportunity to seize upon quiet intervals between the storms in which I could
make short trips out along the tracks over which I was habituated to walk during the summer; but
iu all that hyemal season I got out but three times, and then only by theexertion of great physical
energy. On a day in March, for example, the velocity of the wind at Saint Paul, recorded by one of
the signal service anemometers, was at the rate of 88 miles per hour, with as low a temperature
as — 4°! This particular wind-storm, with snow, blew at such a velocity for six days without an
hour's cessation, while the natives passed fioiu house to house crawling on all-fours ; no man could
stand up against it, and no man wanted to. At a much higher temperature — say at 15° or 16°
above zero — with the wind blowing only 20 or 25 miles an hour, it is necessary when journeying to
be most thoroughly wrapped up to guard against freezing for any journey to be made on foot.
As I have said, there are here virtually but two seasons — winter and summer. To the
former belong November and the following months up to the end of April, with a mean tem-
perature, of 20° to 28°; while the transition of summer is but a very slight elevation of that
temperature, not more than 15° or 20°. Of the summer months, July, perhaps, is the warmest,
with an average temperature between 46° and 50° in ordinary seasons. When the sun breaks out
through the fog, and bathes the dripping, water-soaked hills and flats of the island in its hot flood
of light, I have, known the thermometer to rise to 60° and 64° in the shade, while the natives
crawled out of the fervent and unwonted heat, anathematizing its brillancy and potency. Sun-
shine does them no good ; for, like the seals, they seem under its influence to swell up at the neck.
A little of it suffices handsomely for both Aleuts and piunipedia during the summer mouths.
It is astonishing how rapidly snow melts here. This is due, probably, to the saline character
of the air; for when the temperature is only a single degree above freezing, and after several
successive days in April or May, at 34° and 36°, grass begins to grow, even if it be below melting
drifts and the frost has penetrated the ground many feet below. I have said that this humidity
and fog, so strongly and peculiarly characteristic of the Pribylov group, was due to the warmer
ocean currents setting up from the coast of Japan, trending to the Arctic through Bering Strait,
and deflected to the southward into the North Pacific, laving, as it flows, the numerous passes
and channels of the great Aleutian chain ; but I do not think, nor do I wish to be understood as
saying, that my observation in this respect warrants any conclusion as to so large a gulf-stream
flowing north, such as mariners and hydrographers recognize upon the Atlantic coast. I do not
surmise that there is anything of the kind equal to it iu Bering Sea. I believe, however, that
there is a steady set up to the northward from the southward around the Seal Islands, which is
continued through Bering Strait, and drifts steadily off to the northeast, until it is lost beyond
Point Barrow. That this pelagic circulation exists, is clearly proven by the logs of the whalers,
who, from 1815 to 1856, literally filled the air over those waters with the smoke of their " try-fires,"
THE FUR SEAL INDUSTRY CF ALASKA. 325
and plowed every square rod of thai sii]>rrlii-ial marine area with their adventurous keels. While
no two, perhaps, of those old whaling captains living to-day, will agree as to exact course of tides,*
for there does not seem to be any order to Alaskan tides, they all affirm the existence of a steady
current, passing up from I he. south to the northeast, through Bering Strait. The flow is not
rapid, and is doubtless checked at times, for short intervals, by other causes, which may not be
discussed here. It is certain, however, that there is warm water enough abnormal to tJie latitude,
for the evolution of the characteristic fog-banks, which almost discomfited Pribylov nearly one
hundred years ago, and which have remained ever since.
Without this fog the fur-seal would never have rested there as he has done; but when he
came on his voyage of discovery ages ago, up from the rocky coasts of Patagonia mayhap, had he
not found this cool, moist temperature of Saint Paul and Saint George, he would have kept on,
completed the circuit, and returned to those congenial antipodes of his birth.
DIMENSIONS AND CONTOUR OF THE ISLANDS. — Until my arrival on the Seal Islands in April,
l.sTi'. 7io steps had ever been taken .by any mau whomsoever towards ascertaining the extent and the
real importance of these interests of the Government, the Russians never having made even an
approximate survey of the land, while our own people did no better. I was very much surprised,
immediately after landing, and calling for a map of the island Saint Paul, to have an odd sketch,
traced from an old Russian chart, placed before me, that my eye stamped instantly as grotesque, by
the land-bearings which I took out of my window on the spot. It was a matter of no special concern
however, to the Russians; had it been, doubtless they woidd have accurately surveyed the whole
field. But it was and it is quite different with us ; and, that no agent of the Treasury Department,
or other branches of the Government, had, up to that date of my arrival, given it the slightest
thought or attention, struck me as rather lame. It was, and is, and ever will be, a matter of first im-
portance to a correct and succinct understanding of the subject, and it was the first thing about
which 1 busied myself. I present, therefore, with this memoir, a careful chart of each island, and
the contiguous islets, which are the first surveys ever made upon the ground, having the slightest
pretension to accuracy or respect.t The reader will observe, as he turns to these maps, the strik-
ing dissimilarity which exists between them, not only in contour but in physical structure, Saint
Paul's island being the largest in superficial area, and receiving a vast majority of the pinnipedia
that belong to both. As it lies in Bering Sea to-day, this island is in its greatest length, between
Northeast and Southwest Points, 13 miles, air line, and, at points of greatest width, a little less
than 6. It has a superficial area of about 33 square miles, 21,120 acres, of diversified, rough, and
rocky uplands, nigged hills, and smooth volcanic cones, which either set down boldly to the sea or
fade out into extensive wet and mossy flats, passing at the sea-margins into dry, drifting, sand-
dune tracts. It has 42 miles of shore line, and of this coast, 16£ miles are hauled over by fur seals
i-ii iiniftfti'. At the time of its first upheaval above the sea, it doubtless presented the appearance
of ten or twelve small rocky, bluffy islets and points, upon some of which were craters that vomited
breccia and cinders, with little or no lava oveiflowing. Active plutonic agency must have soon
ceased after this elevation, and then the sea around about commenced the work which it is now
engaged in, of building on to the skeleton thus created ; and it has progressed to-day so thoroughly
' The rise rind l';ill of tide at the Seal Islands 1 carefully watched one whole season at St. Paul. The irregularity,
however, of eUi and flow, is the most prominent feature of the matter. The highest, rise in tlie spring tides was a
trille over -I feet, while th.it of I he neap tides not ranch over 2. Owing to the nature of the case, it is impossible to
prepare a tidal calendar for Alaska, above the Aleutian Islands, which will even faintly foreshadow a correct regis-
tration in advance.
t These surveys have since been confirmed and elaborated by H. W. Mclntyre, of tin- Alaska Commercial Co.,
and Lieutenant Mayuard. U. S. N.
326 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
and successfully in its labor of sand-shifting, together with the aid of ice-floes, in their action of
grinding, lifting, and shoving, that nearly all of these scattered islets within the present area of
the island, and marked by its bluffs and higher uplands, are completely bound together by ropes
of sand, changed into enduring bars and ridges of water- worn bowlders. These are raised above
the highest tides by winds that whirl the sand up, over, and on them, as it dries out from the wash
of the surf and from the interstices of those rocks, lifted up and pushed there by ice-fields.
The sand which plays so important a part in the formation of Saint Paul's Island, and which is
almost entirely wanting in and around the others in this Pribylov Group, is principally composed of
foraminifera, together with (liatomacea, mixed in with a volcanic base of fine comminuted black and
reddish lavas and old friable gray slates. It constitutes the chief beauty of the sea-shore here, for it
changes color like a chameleon, as it passes from wet to dry, being a rich steely-black at the surf-
margin and then drying out to a soft purplish brown and gray, succeeding to tints most delicate
of reddish and pale neutral, when warmed by the sun and drifting up on to the higher ground
with the wind. The sand-dune tracts on this island are really attractive in the summer, especially
so during those rare days when the sun comes out, and the unwonted light shimmers over them
and the most luxuriant grass and variety of beautiful flowers, which exist in profusion thereon. In
past time, as these sand and bowlder bars were forming on Saint Paul's Island, they, in making
across from islet to islet, inclosed small bodies of sea- water. These have, by evaporation and time,
by the flooding of rains and annual melting of snow, become, nearly every one of them, fresh ;
they are all, great and small, well shown on my map, which locates quite a large area of pure
water. In them, as I have hinted, are no reptiles ; but an exquisite species of tiny viviparous
fish exists in the lagoon estuary near the village, and the small pure-water lakes of the natives
just under the flanks of Telegraph Hill. The Aleuts assured me that they had caught fish in the
great lake toward Northeast Point, when they lived in their old village out there, but I never
succeeded in getting a single specimen. The waters of these pools and ponds are fairly alive with
vast numbers of minute rotifera, which sport about in all of them whenever they are examined.
Many water-plants, pond lilies, £c., and alga? flourish, especially so in the large lake " Mee-sulk-
mah-nee," which is very shallow.
The backbone of the island, running directly east and west from shore to shore between
Polavina Point and Einahnuhto Hills, constitutes the high land of the island: Polavina Sopka, an
old extinct cinder-crater, 550 feet; Bogaslov, an upheaved mass of splinted lava, 600 feet, and the
hills frowning over the bluffs there, on the west shore, are also GOO feet in elevation above the sea.
But the. average height of the upland between is not much over 100 to 150 feet above water-level,
rising here and there into little hills and broad rocky ridges, which are minutely sketched upon
the map. From the northern base of Polavina Sopka a long stretch of low sand-flats extend,
inclosing the great lake, and ending in a narrow neck where it unites with Novastoshnah, or
Northeast Point. Here the volcanic nodule known as Hutchinson's Hill, with its low, gradual
slopes, trending to the east and southward, makes a rocky foundation secure and broad, upon
which the great single rookery of the island, the greatest in the world, undoubtedly, is located.
The natives say that when they first came to these islands Novastoshnah was an island by itself,
to which they went in boats from Vesolia Mista; and the lagoon now so tightly inclosed was then
an open harbor, in which the ships of the old Russian company rode safely at anchor. To-day no
vessel drawing 10 feet of water can safely get nearer than half a mile of the village, or a mile
from this lagoon at low tide.
LACK OF HARBORS — ANCHORAGES. — The total absence of a harbor at the Pribylov Islands
is much to be regretted. The village of Saint Paul, as will be seen by reference to the map, is so
THE FUR SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 327
located as to command the best landings for vessels that can be made during the. prevalence of
any ami all winds, except those from the south. From these there is no shelter for ships, unless
they run around to the north side, where they are unable to hold practicable communication with
the people or to discharge. At Saint George matters are still worse, for the prevailing northerly,
westerly, and easterly winds drive the boats away from the village roadstead; and weeks often
pass at either island, but more frequently at the latter, ere a cargo is landed at its destination.
Under the very best circumstances, it is both hazardous and trying to load and unload ship at any
of these places. The approach to Saint Paul by water during thick weather is doubtful and
dangerous, for the land is mostly low at the coast, and the fogs hang so dense and heavy over and
around the hills as to completely obliterate their presence from vision. The captain fairly feels
his way in, by throwing his lead-line and straining his ear to catch the muffled roar of the seal-
rookeries, which are easily detected when once understood, high above the booming of the surf.
At Saint George, however, the bold, abrupt, bluffy coast every where all around, with its circling
girdle of flying water-birds far out to sea, looms up quite prominently, even in the fog; or, in other
words, the navigator can notice it before he is hard aground or struggling to haul to windward from
the breakers under his lee. Th^re are no reefs making out from Saint George worthy of notice, but
there are several very dangerous and extended ones peculiar to Saint Paul, which Capt. John G.
Baker, in command of the vessel* under my direction, carefully sounded out, and which I have
placed upon my chart for the guidance of those who may sail in my wake hereafter.
When the wind blows from the north, northwest, and west to southwest, the company's steamer
drops her anchor in 8 fathoms of water abreast of the black bluffs opposite the village, from which
anchorage her stores are lightered ashore; but in the northeasterly, easterly, and southeasterly
winds, she hauls around to the Lagoon Bay west of the village, and there, little less than half a
mile from the landing, she drops her anchor in 9 fathoms of water, and makes considerable head-
way at discharging the cargo. Sailing craft come to both anchorages, but, however, keep still
farther out, though they choose relatively the same positions, but seek deeper water to swing to
their cables in ; the holding-ground is excellent. At Saint George the steamer comes, wind permit-
ting, directly to the village on the north shore, close in, and finds her anchorage at 10 fathoms of
water, over poor holding-ground; but it is only when three or four days have passed free from
northerly, westerly, or easterly winds, that she can make the first attempt to safely unload. The
landing here is a very bad one, surf breaking most all the year around.
OTTER ISLAND. — The observer will notice that 6 miles to the southward and westward of the
reef of Saint Paul's Island is a bluffy islet, called by the Russians Otter Island, because in olden
time the Proinishlyniks are said to have captured many thousands of sea-otters on its rocky coast.
It rises from the ocean, sheer and bold, an unbroken mural precipice of sea front, extending nearly
all around, but dropping on its northern margin, at the water, low, and slightly elevated above
the surf-wash, with a broken, rocky beach and no sand. The height of the bluffs, at their greatest
elevation over the west end, is 300 feet, while the eastern extremity is quite low, and terminated
by a queer funnel-shaped crater bill, which is as distinctly denned, and as plainly scorched, and
devoid of the slightest sign of vegetation within, as though it had burned up and out yesterday.
This crater point on Otter Island is the only unique feature of the place, for with the exception of
this low north shore, before mentioned, where a few thousand of "bachelor" seals haul out during
the season every year, there is nothing else worthy of notice concerning it. A bad reef makes
* United States revenue-marine cutter Reliance, June to October, 1874. Captain Baker was and is one of the
most thorough-going seamen that it has ever been my good fortune to bo associated with. His work can be absolutely
relied upon.
328 HISTOBY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
out to the westward and northward, which I have indicated from my observation of the rocks
awash, looking down upon them from the bluffs. Great numbers of water-fowl roost upon the
cliffs, and there are here about as many blue foxes to the acre as the law of life allows. A small,
shallow pool of impure water lies close dowu to the north shore, right under a low hill, upon whicli
the Eussians in olden time erected a huge Greek cross, which is still standing; indeed, it was their
habit to erect crosses on all the hills in those old times; one of them is standing at Northeast
Point, on the huge sand-dune which I have called Saint John, or Gross Hill; and another one, a
sound, stalwart stick, yet faces the gale and driving "poorgas" to-day on Boga Slov, as it lias
faced them for the last sixty years. Otter Island has, since my return in 1872, had considerable
attention in the Treasury Department, owing to the fact that certain parties contended that it lies
without the jurisdiction of the law which covers and protects the seal-life on the Pribylov Islands.
This survey of mine, however, settles that question: the island is within the pale of law. It is a
rock adjacent to and in the waters of Saint Paul, and resorted to only by those seals which are born
and belong upon the breeding-grounds of Saint Paul and Saint George, and I have never seen at any
one time more than three or four thousand "holluschickie" hauled out here.
WALEUS ISLAND. — To the eastward, 6 miles from Northeast Point, will be noticed a small
rock named Walrus Island. It is a mere ledge of lava, flat-capped, lifted just above the wash of
angry waves; indeed, in storms of great power, the observer, standing on either Cross or. Hutch-
insou's Hills, with a field-glass, can see the water breaking clear over it. These storms, however,
occur late in the season, usually in October or November. This island has little or no commercial
importance, being scarcely more than a quarter of a mile in length and 100 yards in point of
greatest width, with bold water all around, entirely free from reefs or sunken rocks. As might be
expected, there is no fresh water on it. In a fog it makes an ugly neighbor for the sea-captains
when they are searching for Saint Paul; they all know it, and they all dread it. It is not resorted
to by the fur-seals or by sea-lions in particular; but, singularly enough, it is frequented by
several hundred male walrus, to the exclusion of females, every summer. A few sea-lions, but only
a very few, however, breed here. On account of the rough weather, fogs, etc., this little islet is
seldom visited by the natives of Saint Paul, and then only in the egging season of late June and
early July; then this surf-beaten rock literally swarms with breeding water-fowl.
This low, tiny, rocky islet is. perhaps, the most interesting single spot now known to the nat-
uralist, who may land in northern seas, to study the habits of bird-life; for here, without exertion
or risk, he can observe and walk among tens upon tens of thousands of screaming water-fowl, and
as he sits down upon the polished lava rock, he becomes literally ignored and environed by these
feathered friends, as they reassuine their varied positions of incubation, which he disturbs them
from by his arrival. Generation after generation of their kind have resorted to this rock unmo-
lested, and to-day, when you get among them, all doubt and distrust seems to have been eliminated
from their natures. The island itself is rather unusual in those formations which we find peculiar to
Alaskan waters. It is almost flat, with slight, irregular undulations on top, spreading over an area
of five acres, perhaps. It rises abruptly, though low, from the sea, and it has no safe beach upon
which a person can land from a boat; not a stick of timber or twig of shrubbery ever grew upon
it, though the scant presence of low, crawling grasses in the central portions prevents the state-
ment that all vegetation is denied. Were it not for the frequent rains and dissolving fog, char-
acteristic of summer weather here, the guano accumulation would be something wonderful to con-
template— Peru would have a rival. As it is, however, the birds, when they return, year after
year, find their nesting-floor swept as clean as though they had never sojourned there before. The
scene of confusion and uproar that presented itself to my astonished senses when 1 approached
T11E KM; SKAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. ,329
this [dace in search of eggs, one threatening, foggy June morning, may be better imagined than
described, for as the clumsy bidarrah eame under I lie lee of the low cliffs, swarm upon swarm of
thousands of inurres or •' aries" dropped in fright from their nesting-shelves, and before they had
control of their flight, they struck to the right and left of me, like so many cannou balls. I was
forced, in self-protection, to instantly crouch for a few moments under the gunwale of the boat
until the struggling, startled Hock passed, like an irresistible, surging wave, over my head. Words
cannot depict the amazement and curiosity with which I gax.cd around, after climbing up to the
rocky plateau and standing among myriads of breeding birds, that fairly covered the entire sur-
face of the island with their shrinking forms, while others whirled in rapid flight over uiy head, as
wheels within wheels, so thickly inter-running that the blue and gray of the sky was hidden from
my view. Add to this impression the stunning whir of hundreds of thousands of strong beating
wings, the shrill screams of the gulls, and the muffled croaking of the "aries," coupled with an
indescribable, disagreeable smell which arose from the broken eggs and other decaying substances,
and a taint idea may be evoked of the strange reality spread before me. Were it not for this island
and the ease with which the natives can gather, in a few hours, tons upon tons of sea fowl eggs,
the people of the village would be obliged to go to the westward, and suspend themselves over
the lofty cliffs of Einahuuhto, dangling over the sea by ropes, as their neighbors are only too
glad and willing to do at Saint George.
SAINT PAUL. — A glance at the map of Saint Paul shows that nearly half of its superficial
area is low and quite flat, not much elevated above the sea. Wherever the sand-dune tracts are
located, and that is right along the coast, is found an irregular succession of hummocks and hillocks
drifted by the wind, which are very characteristic. On the summits of these hillocks the Elytmis
has taken root in times past, and as the sand drifts up, it keeps growing on and up, so that the
quaint spectacle is presented of large stretches to the view, wherein sand-dunes, entirely bare of
all vegetation at their base and on their sides, are crowned with a living cap of the brightest green,
a tuft of long, waving grass blades, which will not down. ]Sone of this peculiar landscaping, how-
ever, is seen on Saint George, not eveu in the faintest degree. Travel about Saint Paul, with the
exception of the road to Northeast Point, where the natives take advantage of the low water to
run on the hard, wet sand, is exceedingly difficult walking, and there are examples of only a few
white men who have ever taken the trouble and expended the physical energy necessary to accom-
plish the comparatively short walk from the village to Xahsayyernia, or the north shore. Walking
over the moss-hidden and slippery rocks, or tumbling over slightly uncertain tussocks, is a task and
not a pleasure. On Saint George, with the exception of a half-mile path to the village cemetery
and back, nobody pretends to walk except the natives, who go to and from the rookeries in their
regular seal-drives. Indeed, 1 am told that I am the only white man who has ever traversed the
entire coast-line of both islands.
SAINT GEOKGE. — Turning to Saint George and its profile, presented by the accompanying
map, the observer will be struck at once by the solidity of that little island and its great boldness,
rising, as it does, sheer and precipitous from the sea all around, except at the three short reaches
of the coast indicated on the chart, and where the only chance to come ashore exists.
The seals naturally have no such opportunity to gain a footing here as they have on Saint
Paul, hence their comparative insignificance as to number. The island itself is a trifle over 10
miles in extreme length east and west, and about 4£ miles of greatest width, north and south. It
looks, when plotted, somewhat like an old stone ax; and, indeed, when I had finished my first
contours from my field-notes, the ancient stone-ax outline so disturbed me that I felt obliged to
resurvey the southern shore, in order that I might satisfy my own mind as to the accuracy of my
330 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
first work. It consists of two great plateaus, with a high upland valley between, the western
table-laud dropping abruptly to the sea at Dalnoi Mees, while the eastern falls as precipitately at
Waterfall Head and Tolstoi Mees. There are several little reservoirsof fresh water — I can scarcely
call them lakes — on this island; pools, rather, that the wet sphagnum seems to always keep full,
and from which drinking-water in abundance is every where found. At Garden Cove a small stream,
the only one on the Pribylov Group, empties into the sea.
Saint George has an area of about 27 square miles ; it has 29 miles of coast-line, of which only
2£ are visited by the fur-seals, and which is in fact all the eligible landing ground afforded them
by the structure of tbe island. Nearly half of the shore of Saint Paul is a sandy bcacb, while on
Saint George there is less than a mile of it all put together, namely, a few hundred yards in front
of the village, the same extent on the Garden Cove beach, southeast side, and less than half a mile
at Zapadnie on the south side.
Just above the Garden Cove, under the overhanging bluffs, .several thousand sea-lions hold
exclusive, though shy, possession. Here there is a half mile of good landing. On the north shore
of the island, 3 miles west from the village, a grand bluff wall, of basalt and tufa intercalated, rises
abruptly from the sea to a sheer height of 920 feet at its reach of greatest elevation, thence, drop-
ping a little, runs clear around the island to Zapadnie, a distance of nearly 10 miles, without
affording a single passage-way tip or down to the sea tbat thunders at its base. Upon its innu-
merable narrow shelf-margins, and in its countless chinks and crannies, and back therefrom over
the extended area of lava-shingled inland ridges and terraces, millions upon millions of water-fowl
breed during the summer mouths.
Tbe general elevation of Saint George, though in itself not great, has, however, an average
three times higher tban that of Saint Paul, the elevation of which is quite low, and slopes gently
down to the sea east and north ; Saint George rises abruptly, with exceptional spots for la,nding.
The loftiest summit on Saint George, the top of the hill right back to the southward of the village,
is 930 feet, and is called by the natives Ahluckeyak. Tbat on Saint Paul, as I have before said,
is Boga SIov Hill, 600 feet. All elevations on either island, 15 or 20 feet above sea-level, are
rough and hummocky, with the exception of the sand-dune tracts at Saint Paul and the summits
of the Cinder Hills, on both islands. Weathered out or washed from the basalt and pockets of
oliviue on both islands are aggregates of augite, seen most abundant on the summit slopes of
Ahluckeyak Hill, Saint George. Specimens from the stratified bands of old, friable, gray lavas, so
conspicuous on the shore of this latter island, show the existence of hornblende and vitreous feld-
spar in considerable quantity, while on the south shore, near the Garden cove, is a large dike of
a bluish and greenish-gray phonolith, in which numerous small crystals of spinal are found. A
dike, with well-defined walls of old, close grained, clay-colored lava, is near the village of Saint
George, about a quarter of a mile east from the landing, in the face of those reddish breccia bluffs
that rise from -the sea. It is the only example of the kind on the islands. The bases or founda-
tions of the Pribylov islands are, all of them, basaltic ; some are compact and grayish-white, but
most of them exceedingly porous and ferruginous. Upon this solid floor are many hills of brown
and red tufa, cinder-heaps, &c. Polaviua Sopka, the second point in elevation on Saint Paul
Island, is almost entirely built up of red scoria aud breccia ; so is Ahluckeyak Hill, on Saint George,
and the cap to the high bluffs opposite. The village hill at Saint Paul, Cone Hill, the Einah-
nuhto Peaks, Crater Hill, North Hill, and Little Polavina are all ash-heaps of this character. The
bluffs at the shore of Polavina Point, Saint Paul, show in a striking manner a section of the geo-
logical structure of the island. The tufas on both islands, at the surface, decompose and weather
into the base of good soil, which the severe climate, however, renders useless to the husbandman.
THE ]'[ i; SEAL INIU-STHY OF ALASKA. 331
There is not a trace of granitic or a .uneissic rock found in xitit. Metamorphic bowlders have been
collected along the bcaclics and pushed up by tlie ice-Hoes which have brought them down from
I he Siberian coast a way to the northwest. The dark-brown tufa bluiTsand the breccia, walls at the
east landing of Sain l Paul Island, known as "Black Binds," rise suddenly from the sea CO to SO
feet, with stratified horizontal lines of light gray calcareous conglomerate, or cement, in which are
imbedded sundry fossils characteristic of and belonging to the Tertiary age, such as Curt! him
grcmlandicum, ('. ili'cnnitum, C. axtarle, G. pectunculata, &<••. This is the only locality within the
purview of the Pribylov islands where any paleontological evidence of their age can be found.
These specimens, as indicated, are exceedingly abundant. I brought down a whole series, gathered
there at the east laudiug or " Navastock," iu a short half-hour's search and labor.
WHY THESE ISLANDS ARE FREQUENTED BY FUR-SEALS. — The fact that the fur-seals frequent
these islands and those of Bering and Copper, on the Russian side, to the exclusion of other laud,
seems at first a little singular, to say the least : but when we come to examine the subject we find
that these animals, when they repair hither to rest for two or three mouths on the land, as
they must do by their habit during the breeding season, require a cool moist atmosphere, impera-
tively coupled with firm, well-drained land, or dry, broken rocks, or shingle rather, upon which to
take their positions and remain undisturbed by the, weather and the sea for the lengthy period of
reproduction. If the rookery ground is hard and flat, with an admixture of loam or soil, puddles
are speedily formed in this climate, where it rains almost every day, and when not raining, rain-
fogs take quick succession and continue the saturation, making thus a muddy slime, which very
quickly takes the hair oft' the animals whenever it plasters or wherever it fastens on them ; hence,
they carefully avoid any such landing. If they occupy a sandy shore the rain beats that material
into their large, sensitive eyes, and into their fur, so they are obliged, from simple irritation, to
leave and hunt the sea for relief.
The seal-islands now under discussion offer to the Pinnipenia very remarkable advantages for
landing, especially Saint Paul, where the ground of basaltic rock and of volcanic tufa or cement
slopes up from so many points gradually above the sea, making thereby a perfectly adapted rest-
ing place for any number, from a thousand to millions, of those intelligent animals, which can lie
out here from May until October every year in perfect physical peace and security. There is not
a rod of this ground of that character offered to these animals elsewhere iu all Alaska, not on the
Aleutian chain, not on the mainland, not on Saint Matthew or Saint Lawrence. Both of the latter
islands were surveyed by myself, with special reference to this query, iu 1874; every foot of Saint
Matthew shore line was examined, and I know that the fur-seal could not rest on the low clayey
lava flats there in contentment a single day ; hence he never has rested there, nor will he in the
future. As to Saint Lawrence, it is so ice-bound and snow-covered in spring and early summer, to
say nothing of numerous other physical disadvantages, that it never becomes of the slightest in-
terest to the seals.
COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OF THE ALASKA ROOKERIES. — With the exception of these seal-
islands of Bering Sea, there are none elsewhere in the world of the slightest importance to-day;
the vast breeding-grounds bordering on the Antarctic have been, by the united efforts of all
nationalities — misguided, short-sighted, and greedy of gain — entirely depopulated ; only a few thou-
sand unhappy stragglers are now to be seen throughout all that southern area, where millions
once were found, and a small rookery protected and fostered by the government of a South Amer-
ican state, north and south of the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. When, therefore, we note the
eagerness with which our civilization calls for seal-skin fur, the fact that, in spite of fashion and its
caprices, this fur is and always will be an article of intrinsic value and in demand, the thought at
332 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
once occurs, that the Government is exceedingly fortunate in having this great amphibious stock-
yard far up and away in the quiet seclusion of Bering Sea, from which it shall draw an everlasting
revenue, and on which its wise regulations and its firm hand can continue the seals forever.
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE FDR-SEAL ROOKERIES OF SAINT PAUL AND SAINT
GEORGE.
DEARTH OF INFORMATION CONCERNING- THE ROOKERIES. — Before I can intelligently and
clearly present an arr.nrate estimate of the aggregate number of fur seals which appear upon these
great breeding-grounds of the Pribylov group every season, I must take up, in regular sequence,
my surveys of these remarkable rookeries which I have illustrated in this memoir by the accom-
panying sketch-maps, showing topographically the superficial area and distribution assumed by
the seal-life at each locality.
It will be observed, that the sum total on Saint Paul Island preponderates, and completely over-
shadows that which is represented at Saint George. Before passing to the detailed discussion of
each rookery, it is well to call attention to a few salient features in regard to the present appear-
ance of the seals on these breeding grounds. Touching the location of the fur-seals to-day, as I
have recorded and surveyed it, compared with their distribution in early times, I am sorry to say
that there is not a single line ou a chart, or a word printed in a book, or a note made in manu-
script, which refers to this all-important subject, prior to my own work, which 1 present herewith
for examination. The absence of definite information in regard to what I conceive to be of vital
interest and importance to the whole business, astonished me; I could not at first believe it; and,
for four or five years, I searched carefully among the archives of the old Russian company, as I
searched diligently when up there, and elsewhere in the Territory of Alaska, for some evidence in
contradiction of this statement which I have just made. I wanted to find, 1 hoped to discover,
some old record, some clew, by which I could measure with authority and entire satisfaction to my
own mind, the relative volume of seal-life in the past, as compared with that which I record in
the present, but was disappointed.
I am unable, throughout the whole of the following discussion, to cite a single reliable state-
ment which can give any idea as to the condition and numbers of the fur-seal on these islands,
when they were discovered in 178G-'S7, or during the whole time of their occupation since, up to
the date of my arrival. I mark this so conspicuously, for it is certainly a very strange oversight,
a kind of neglect, which, in my opinion, has been, to say the least, inexcusable.
RUSSIAN RECORDS. — In attempting to 'form a conception of what the seals were or might
have been in those early days, as they spread themselves over the hauling and breeding grounds
of these islands, I have been thrown entirely upon the vague statements given to me by the natives
and one or two of the first American pioneers in Alaska. The only Russian record which touches
upon the subject* contains the remarkable statement, which is, in the light of my survey, simply
ridiculous now, that is, that the number of fur seals on Saint George during the first years of
Russian occupation was nearly as great as that on Saint Paul. The most superficial examination of
the geological character portrayed on the accompanying maps of the islands will satisfy any
unprejudiced mind as to the error of such a statement. Only a mere tithe of the multitudes which
* VENIAMINOV : Zapieskie ob Oonalashkeuskabo Otdayla, 2 vols., St. Petersburg, 1842. This -work of Bishop Inno-
cent Veniaminov is the. only one -which the Russians can lay claim to as exhibiting anything like .a history of Western
Alaska, or of giving a skpti-h of its inhabitants and resources, that has the least merit of truth, or the faintest stamp
of reliability. Without it we should be simply in the dark as to much of what the Russians were, about during the
whole period of their occupation and possession of that country. Veniaminov died at Moscow, April '2'2, 1879, set. 94.
THE FUR SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 333
repair to Saint Paul, in perfect comfort, over the 16 to 20 miles of splendid landing-ground found
thereon conld visit Saint George, when all of the coast-line tit for their reception at this island is a
scant 2£ miles; there were afloat, at the time of the beginning of my investigation, a score of
equally wild and incredible legends in regard to the rookeries on Saint Paul and Saint George.
Finding, therefore, that the whole work must be undertaken de novo. I set about it without further
delay.
IMMENSE MORTALITY OF THE SEALS IN 1836. — No native on the islands seemed to have
any direct knowledge or was acquainted with a legendary tradition even, in relation to the seals,
concerning their area and distribution on theland here, prior to the year 1835 ; but they all chimed
in with great unanimity, saying that the winter preceding this season (1835-'36) was one of
frightful severity; that many of their ancestors who had lived on these islands in large barraboras
just back of the Black bluffs, near the present village, and at Polaviua, then perished miserably.
They say that the cold continued far into the summer; that immense masses of clearer and
stronger ice-floes than had ever been known about the islands, or were ever seen since, were brought,
down and shoved high up on to all the rookery margins, forming an icy wall completely around
the island looming up 20 to 30 feet above the surf; they further state that this wall did not melt
or in any way disappear until the middle or end of August, 1836.
They affirm that for this reason the fur-seals, when they attempted to laud, according to their
habit and their necessity, during June and July, were unable to do so in any considerable numbers.
The females were compelled to bring forth their young in the water and at the wet, storm-beaten
surf-margins, which caused multitudes of the mothers and all of the young to perish. The
result was virtual annihilation of the breeding- seals. Hence, at the following season, only a
spectral, a shadowy imitation of past times could be observed upon the seal-grounds of Saint Paul
and Saint George.
On the Lagoon rookery, now opposite the village of Saint Paul, there were then only two males,
with a number of cows. At Nah Speel, close by and light under the village, there were then
only some 2,000 ; this the natives know because they counted them. On Zapadnie there were
about 1,000 cows, bulls, and pups; at Southwest Point there were none. Two small rookeries were
then on the north shore of Saint Paul, near a place called " Maroonitch "; and there were seven small
rookeries running round Northeast Point, but on all of these there were only 1,500 males, females,
and young; and this number includes the " holluschickie," which, in those days, lay in among the
breeding-seals, there being so few old males that they were permitted to do so. On Polavina
there were about 500 cows, bulls, pups, and "holluschickie"; on Lukannon and Keetavie about
300 ; but on Keetavie there were only ten bulls and so few young males lying in altogether, that
these old natives, as they told me, took no note of them on the rookeries just cited. On the Reef,
in Gorbotch, were only about 1,000 ; in this number last mentioned may be included some 800
" holluschickie," which lay in with the breeding-seals. There were only twenty old bulls on Gor-
botch, and about ten old males on the Eeef. The village was placed on its present site ten years
prior to this period of 1835-'36.
Such, briefly and succinctly, is the sum and the substance of all information which I could
gather prior to 1835-'36; and while I do not entirely credit these statements, yet the earnest,
straightforward agreement of the natives has impressed me so that I narrate it here. It certainly
seems as though this enumeration of the old Aleuts was painfully short.
Then, again, with regard to the probable truth of the foregoing statement of the natives, per-
ha.ps I should call attention to the fact that the entire sum of seal-life in 1S36, as given by them,
is just 4,100, of all classes, distributed as I have indicated above. Now, on turning to Bishop
334 HISTORY AXD METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Veuiaminov, by whom was published the only statement of any kind in regard to the killing on
these islands from 1817 to 1837, the year when he finished his work, I find that ho makes a record
of slaughter of seals in the year 1836, of 4,052, which were killed and taken for their skins ; but if
the natives' statements are right, then only 50 seals were left on the island for 1837, in which year,
however, 4,220 were again killed, according to the bishop's table, according to which there was
also a steady increase in the size of this return from that date along up to 1850, when the Rus-
sians governed their catch by the market alone, always having more seals than they knew what
to do with.
Again, in this connection, the natives say that until 1847, the practice on these islands was
to kill indiscriminately both females and males for skins ; but after this year, 1847, the strict
respect now paid to the breeding-seals, and exemption of all females, was enforced for the first
time, and has continued up to date.
Thus it will be seen that there is, frankly stated, nothing to guide to a fair or even an approxi-
mate estimate as to the numbers of the fur-seals on these two islands, prior to my labor.
MANNEK OF COMPUTING THE NUMBER OF SEALS. — After a careful study of the subject,
during three entire consecutive seasons, and a confirmatory review of it in 1876, I feel confident
that the following figures and surveys will, upon their own face, speak authoritatively as to their
truthful character.
At the close of my investigation, during the first season of my labor on the ground, in 1872,
the fact became evident that the breeding-seals obeyed an imperative and instinctive natural
law of distribution — a law recognized by each and every seal upon the rookeries, prompted
by a fine consciousness of necessity to its own well-being. The breeding-grounds occupied by them
were, therefore, invariably covered by seals in exact ratio, greater or less, as the area upon
which they rested was larger or smaller. They always covered this ground evenly, never crowd-
ing in at one place here, to scatter out there. The seals lie just as thickly together, where the
rookery is boundless in its eligible unoccupied area at their rear and by them, as they do in the
little strips which are abruptly cut off aud narrowed by rocky walls behind. For instance, on a
rod of ground, under the face of bluffs which hemmed it in to the laud from the sea, there are
just as many seals, no more and no less, as will be found on any other rod of rookery-ground
throughout the whole list, great and small ; always exactly so many seals, under any and all cir-
cumstances to a given area of breeding-ground. There are just as many cows, bulls, and pups
on a square rod at Nah Speel, near the village, where, in 1874, al! told, there were only seven or
eight thousand, as there are on any square rod at Northeast Poiut, where a million of them con-
gregate.
This fact being determined, it is evident that, just in proportion as the breeding-grounds of the
fur-seal on 'these islands expand or contract in area from their present dimensions, the seals will
increase or diminish in number.
My discovery, at the close of the season of 1872, of this law of distribution, gave me at once
the clew I was searching for in order to take steps by which I could arrive at a sound conclusion
as to the entire number of seals herding on the island.
I noticed, and time has confirmed my observation, that the period for taking these boundaries
of the rookeries, so as to show this exact margin of expansion at the week of its greatest volume,
or when they arc as full as they are to be for the season, is between the 10th and 20th of July of
every year; not a day earlier, and not many days later. After the 20th of July the regular system
of compact, even organization breaks up. The seals then scatter out in pods or clusters, the pups
THE FUli SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 335
leading the way, .straying fur back — tbe same number instantly covering twice and thrice as much
ground as they did the day or week before, when they lay in solid masses and were marshaled on
the rookery ground proper.
There is no more difficulty in surveying these seal margins during this week or ten days in
July, than there is in drawing sights along and around the curbs of a stone fence surrounding a
ticld. The breeding seals remain perfectly quiet under your eyes all over the rookery, and almost
within your touch, everywhere on the outside of their territory that you may stand or walk. The
margins of massed life, which 1 have indicated on the topographical surveys of these breeding
grounds of Saint Paul and Saint George, are as clean cut and as well denned against the soil and
vegetation as is the shading on my maps. There is not much difficulty in making the surveys, and
in making them correctly.
Now, with a knowledge of the superficial area of these breeding grounds, the way is clearly
open to a very interesting calculation as to the number of fur-seals upon them. I am well aware
of the fact, when I enter upon this discussion, that I cannot claim perfect accuracy, but, as
shadowing my plan of thought and method of computation, 1 propose to present every step in the
processes which have guided me to the result.
ROOKERY SPACE OCCUPIED BY SINGLE SEALS. — When the adult males and females, fifteen
or twenty of the latter to every one of the former, have arrived upon the rookery, I think an area
a little less than 2 square feet tor each female may be considered as the superficial space required
by each animal with regard to its size and in obedience to its habits; and this limit may safely
be said to be over the mark. Xow, every female, or cow, on this 2 square feet space, doubles her-
self by bringing forth her young ; and in a few days or a week, perhaps, after its birth, the cow
takes to the water to wash and feed, and is not back on this allotted space one-fourth of the time
again during the season. In this way. is it not clear that the females almost double their number
on the rookery grounds, without causing the expansion of the same beyond the limits that would
be actually required, did they not bear any young at all? For every 100,000 breeding seals,
there will be found more than 85,000 females, and less than 15,000 males ; and in a few weeks after
the lauding of these females, they will show for themselves; that is, for this 100,000, fully 180,000
males, females, and young instead, on the same area of ground occupied previously to the birth of
the pups.
It must be borne in mind, that perhaps 10 or 12 per cent, of the entire number of females were
yearlings last season, and come up on to these breeding grounds as virgins for the first time during
this season — as two-year old cows; they of course bear no young.
The males being treble and quadruple the physical bulk of the females, require about 4 feet
square for their use of this same rookery ground, but as they are less than one-fifteenth the mini
ber of the females, much less, in fact, they therefore occupy only one-eighth of the space over the
breeding ground, where we have located the supposed 100,000 ; this surplus area of the males is
also more than balanced and equalized by the 15,000 or 20,000 virgin females which come on to
this rookery for the first time to meet the males. They come, rest a few days or a week, and
retire, leaving no young to show their presence on the ground.
Taking all these points into consideration, and they are features of fact, I quite safely calculate
upon an average of 2 square feet to every animal, big and little, on the breeding grounds, as the
initial point upon which to base an intelligent computation of the entire number of seals before us.
Without following this system of enumeration, a person may look over these swarming myriads
between Southwest Point and Xovo.-,tohnah, guessing vaguely and widely, at any figure from one
million up to ten or twelve millions, as has been done repeatedly. How few people know what a
336
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
million really is; it is very easy to talk of a million, but it is a tedious task to count it oft', and
makes one's statements as to " millions " decidedly more conservative after the labor has been
accomplished.
REVIEW OF THE ROOKERIES OF SAINT PAUL.
Before summing up the grand total, I shall now, in sequence, review each one of the several
rookeries of Saint Paul, taking them in their order as they occur, going north from the Reef point.
The accompanying maps show the exact area occupied by the breeding seals and their young in
the season of 1874, which is the date of my latest field work on the Pribylov Islands.
THE REEF ROOKERY. — By reference first to the general map, it will be observed that this
large breeding-ground, on that grotesquely-shaped neck which ends in the Reef point, is directly
contiguous to the village — indeed, it may be fairly said to be right under the lee of the houses on
the hill. It is one of the most striking of all the rookeries, owing probably to the fact that on
every side it is sharply and clearly exposed to the vision, as the circuit is made in boats. A reach
of very beautiful drifting sand, a quarter of a mile from the village hill to the Reef blufl's, separates
the breeding grounds proper from the habitations of the people. These Zoltoi sands are, however,
a famous rendezvous for the " holluschickie," and from them, during the season, the natives make
regular drives, having only to step out from their houses in the morning and walk a few rods to
find their fur bearing quarry.
REEF ROOKERV
Scale-.
Passing over the sands on our way down to the point, we quickly come to a basaltic ridge or
back-bone, over which the sand has been rifted by the winds, and which supports a luxuriant growth
of ElyinHx and other grasses, with beautiful flowers. A few hundred feet farther along our course
THE Fri; SKA i, r;i>rsTi;v or ALASKA. 337
brings us in full view, as \\ e i,Mik t<> the south, of one of the most entrancing spectacles which seals
afford to man. AVe look down upon and along a grand promenade -round, which slopes gently to
tlic eastward, and trends southward down to the water from the abrupt walls bordering on the
sea on the west, over a parade-ground as smooth as the floor of a ball-room, L'.IUiO feet in length,
from 500 to 1.000 feet in width, over which multitudes of " uolluschickic " are tiling in long strings,
or deploying in vast platoons, hundreds abreast, in an unceasing march and countermarch; tin-
breath which rises into the cold air from a hundred thousand hot throats hangs like clouds of white
steam in the gray fog itself; indeed, it may be said to be a seal fog peculiar to the spot, while the
din. the roar arising over all. defies our description.
We notice to our right and to onr left, an immense solid mass of breeding seals at Gorbotch,
and those stretching and trending around nearly a mile from onr feet, far around to the Reef point
below and opposite the parade ground, with here and there a neutral passage is left open for the
"holluschickie" to go down and come up from the waves.
The adaptation of this ground of the Reef rookery to the requirements of the seal is perfect. It
falls gently from its high Zoltoi Bay margin on the west to the sea on the east ; and upon its broad
expanse not a solitary puddle of mud-spotting is to be seen, though everything is reeking with
moisture, and the fog even dissolves into rain as we view the scene. Every trace of vegetation
upon this parade has been obliterated; a fe*v tufts of grass, capping the summits of those rocky
hillocks, indicated on the eastern and middle slope, are the only signs of botanical life which the
seals have suffered to remain.
A small rock. '• Seevitehie Kamrnin," 500 or 600 feet right to the southward and out at sea,
is also covered with the black and yellow forms of fur-seals and sea-lions. It is environed by
shoal reefs, rough, and kelp-grown, which the navigators prudently avoid.
This rookery of the Reef proper has 4.01G feet of sea margin, with an average depth of 15(1
feet, making ground for 301,000 breeding seals and their young. Gorbotch rookery has 3,660 feet
of sea margin, with an average depth of 100 feet, making ground for 183,000 breeding seals and
their young; an aggregate for this great Reef rookery of 484,000 breeding seals and their young.
Heavy as this enumeration is, yet the aggregate only makes the Reef rookery third in impor-
tance, compared with the others which we are yet to describe.
LAGOON ROOKERY. — We now pass from the Reef up to the village, where one naturally would
not expect to find breeding seals within less than a pistol-shot from the natives' houses; but it is
a fact, nevertheless, for on looking at the sketch map of the Lagoon rookery herewith presented.
it will be noticed that I have located a little gathering of breeding seals right under the village
hill to the westward of that place called "Nah Speel." This is in itself an insignificant rookery
and never has been a large one, though it is one of the oldest on the island. It is only interesting.
however, superficially so, on account of its position, and the fact that through every day of the
season half the population of the entire village go and come to the summit of the bluff, which over-
hangs it, where they peer down for hours at a time ii| on the methods and evolutions of ihe "kan-
tickie" below, the seals themselves looking up with intelligent appreciation of the fact that, though
they are in the hands of man. yet he is wise enough not to disturb them there as they rest.
If at Nah Speel, or that point rounding into the village cove, there were any suitable ground
for a rookery to grow upon or spread over, the se;ils would doubtless have been there long ago.
There are, however, no such natural ad\antages offered them; what there is they have availed
themselves of.
I, unking from the village across the cove ami down upon the Lagoon, still another strange
contradiction appears — at least it seems a natural contradiction to one's usual idea<. Here we see
Sr.c. v. VOL. ii i'i'
338 HISTORY AXD METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the Lagoon rookery, a reach of ground upon which some twenty-five or thirty thousand breeding
seals come out regularly every year during the appointed time, and go through their whole elabo-
rate system of reproduction, without showing the slightest concern for or attention to the scene
directly east of them and across that shallow slough not forty feet in width. There are the great
slaughtering fields of Saint Paul Island ; there are the sand flats where every seal has been slaugh-
tered for years upon years back, for its skin ; and even as we take this note, fort3T men are standing
there knocking down a drove of two or three thousand "holluschickie" for the day's work, and as
they labor, the whacking of their clubs and the sound of their voices must be as plain to those
breeding seals which are not one hundred feet from them, as it is to us, a quarter of a mile distant.
In addition to this enumeration of disturbances, well calculated to amaze, and dismay, and drive
off every seal within their influence, are the decaying bodies of the last year's catch, 75,000 or
85,000 uuburied carcasses, that are sloughing away into the sand, which two or three seasons
from now nature will, in its infinite charity, cover with the greenest of all green grasses. The
whitened bones and grinning skulls of over 3,000,000 seals have bleached out on that slaughtering
spot, and are buried below its surface now.
Directly under the north face of the Village Hill, where it falls to the narrow flat between its
feet and the cove, the natives have sunk a well. It was excavated in 1857, they say, and sub-
sequently deepened to its present condition in 1868. It is 12 feet deep, and the diggers said that
they fouud bones of the sea-lion and fur-seal thickly distributed every foot down, from top to bottom ;
how much lower these osteological remains of prehistoric pinnipeds can be found, no one knows
as yet; the water here, on that account, has never been fit to drink, or even to cook with; but
being soft, was and is used by the natives for washing clothes, etc. Most likely it records the spot
where the Russians, during the heydays of their early occupation, drove the unhappy visitors of
Nah Speel to slaughter. There is no Golgotha known to man elsewhere in the world as extensive
as this one of Saint Paul.
Yet the natives say that this Lagoon rookery is a new feature in the distribution of the seals ;
that when the people first came there and located a part of the present village, in 1824 up to 1847,
there never had been a breeding seal on that Lagoon rookery of to-day; so they have hauled up
here from a small beginning, not very long ago, until they have attained their present numerical
expansion, in spite of all these exhibitions of butchery of their kind, executed right under their
eyes, and in full knowledge of their nostrils, while the groans and low meanings of their stricken
species stretched out beneath the clubs of the sealers, must have been and are far plainer in their
ears than they are in our own.
Still they come — they multiply, and they increase — knowing so well that they belong to a class
which intelligent men never molest ; to-day at least they must know it, or they would not submit
to these manifestations which we have just cited, so close to their knowledge.
The Lagoon rookery, however, never can be a large one on account of the very nature of the
ground selected by the seal; for it is a bar simply pushed up above the surf -wash of bowlders,
water-worn and rounded, which has almost inclosed and cut out the Lagoon from its parent sea.
In my opinion the time is not far distant when that estuary will be another inland lake of Saint
Paul, walled out from salt water and freshened by rain and melting snow, as are the other pools,
lakes, and lakelets on the island.
LUKANNON AND KEETAVIE ROOKERIES. — The next rookeries in order can be found at
Lukanuou and Keetavie. Here is a joint blending of two large breeding grounds, their continuity
broken by a short reach of sea wall right under and at the eastern foot of Lukannon Hill. The
appearance of these rookeries is like all the others, peculiar to themselves. There is a rounded,
TIIK H'1; SKAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 339
swelling hill at the foot of Lukaimon Bay, which rises perhaps 160 or 170 feet from the sea, abruptly
at the point, but swelling out, gently up from the sand dunes iu Lukannon Bay to its summit at
the northwest and south. The great rookery rests upon tin- northern slope. Here is a beautiful
adaptation of the finest drainage, with a profusion of those, rocky nodules scattered everywhere
over it, upon which the female seals so delight in resting.
Standing on the bald summit of Lukauuon Ilill, we turn to the south, and look over Kee-
tavie Point, where another large aggregate of breeding rookery rests under our eyes. The hill
falls away into a series of faintly terraced tables, which drop down to a flat that again abruptly
descends to the sea at Keetavie Point. Between us and the Keetavie rookery is the parade ground
of Lukannon, a sight almost as grand as that on the reef which we have feebly attempted to
portray. The sand dimes to the west and to the north are covered with the most luxuriant grass,
abruptly euiargiuated by the sharp abrasion of the hauling seals;, this is shown very clearly on
the general map. Keetavie Point is a solid basalt shelf. Lukannon Hill, the summit of it, is
composed of volcanic tufa and cement, with irregular cubes and fragments of pure basalt scattered
all over its flipper-worn slopes. Lukannou proper has 2,270 feet of sea margin, with an average
depth of 150 feet, making ground for 170,000 breeding seals and their young. Keetavie rookery
has 2,200 feet of sea margin, with an average depth of 150 feet, making ground for 165,000 breed-
ing seals and their young, a whole aggregate of 335,000 breeding seals and their young. This is
the point down along the flat shoals of Lukannon Bay, where the sand dunes are most characteristic,
as they rise in their wind-whirled forms just above the surf wash. This also is where the natives
come from the village during the early mornings of the season, for driving, to get any number of
" holluschickie" or "bachelor" seals.
It is a beautiful sight, glancing from the summit of this great rookery hill, up to the north over
that low reach of coast to Tonkie Mees, where the waves seem to roll in with crests that rise in
unbroken ridges for a mile in length each, ere they break so grandly and uniformly on the beach.
In these rollers the " holluschickie " are playing like sea birds, seeming to sport the most joyously
at the very moment when the heavy billow breaks and falls upon them.
TOLSTOI ROOKERY. -Directly to the west from Lukannon, up along and around the head
of the lagoon, is the sealpath road over which the natives bring the "holluschickie" from Tolstoi.
We follow this and take up our position on several lofty grass-grown dunes close to and overlook-
ing another rookery of large size ; this is Tolstoi.
We have here the greatest hill slope of breeding seals on either island, peculiarly massed on
the abruptly sloping flanks of Tolstoi ridge, as it falls to the sands of English Bay, and ends sud-
denly in the precipitous termination of its own name, Tolstoi Point. Here the seals are in some
places crowded up to the enormous depth of 500 measured feet, from the sea margin of the rookery
to its outer boundary and limitation; and, when viewed as I viewed it in July, taking the angles
and lines shown on the accompanying sketch-map, I considered it, with the bluffs terminating it
at the south, and its bold sweep, which ends on the sands of English Bay, to be the most pictur-
esque, though it is not the most impressive, rookery on the island, especially when that parade
ground, lying just back and over the point, and upon its table-rock surface, is reached by the climb-
ing seals.
If the observer will glance at the map, he will see that the parade ground in question lies
directly over and about 150 feet above the breeding seals immediately under it. The sand-dune
tracts which border the great body of the rookery seem to check these holluschickie from hauling
to the rear, since sand drifts here, in this locality so high and exposed to the full force of winds,
with more rapidity, and consequently more disagreeable energy to the seal, than anywhere else on
the islaud.
340 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
A comical feature of this rookery is that appearance of blue foxes in the chinks under this
parade ground and interstices of the clift's; their melancholy barking and short yelps of astonish-
inent, as we walk about, contrast quite sensibly with the utter indifference of the seals to our
presence.
From Tolstoi at this point, sweeping around 3 miles to Zapaduie, is the broad sand reach
of English Bay, upon which ami back over its gently rising flats are the great hauling grounds of
the holluschickie, which I have indicated on the general map, and to which I made reference in
a previous section of this chapter. Looking at the myriads of " bachelor seals" spread out in
their restless hundreds ami hundreds of thousands upon this ground, one feels the utter impotency
of verbal description, and reluctantly shuts his note and sketch books to gaze upon it with
renewed fascination and perfect helplessness.
Tolstoi rookery has attained, I think, its utmost limit of expansion. The seals have already
pushed themselves as far out upon the sand at the north as they can or are willing to go, while
the abrupt cliff's, hanging over more than one-half of the sea margin, shut out all access to the
rear for the breeding seals. The natives said that this rookery had increased very much during
the last four or five years prior to the date of my making the accompanying survey. If it
continues to increase, the fact can be instantly noted, by checking off the ground and comparing
it with the sketch map herewith presented. Tolstoi rookery has 3,000 feet of sea margin, with an
average depth of 150 feet, making ground for 225,000 breeding seals and their young.
ZAPADNIE EOOKERY.— From Tolstoi, before going north, we turn our attention directly to
Zapadnie on the west, a little over 2 miles as the crow flies, across English Bay, which lies
between them. Here again we find another magnificent rookery, with features peculiar to itself,
consisting of great wings separating one from the other, by a short stretch of 500 or 600 feet of
the shunned sand reach, which makes a landing and a beach just between them. The northern
Zapaduie lies mostly on the gently sloping, but exceedingly rocky, flats of a rough volcanic ridge
which drops there to the sea. It, too, has an approximation to the Tolstoi depth, but not to such
a solid extent. It is the one rookery which I have reason to believe has sensibly increased since
my first survey in 1872. It has overflowed from the boundary which I laid down at that time,
and has filled up for nearly half a mile, a long ribbon-like strip of breeding ground to the north-
east from the hill slope, ending at a point where a few detached rocks jut out, and the sand takes
exclusive possession of the rest of the coast. These rocks aforesaid are called by the natives
" Nearhpahskie kammin," because they are a favorite resort for the hair-seals. Although this
extension of a quite decided margin of breeding ground, over half a mile in length, between 1872
and 1876, does not, in the aggregate, point to a very large increased number, still it is gratifying
evidence that the rookeries, instead of tending to diminish in the slightest, are more than holding
their own.
Zapadnie, in itself, is something like the reef plateau on its eastern face, for it slopes up
gradually and gently to the parade plateau on top — a parade ground not so smooth, however,
being very rough and rocky, but which the seals enjoy. Just around the point, a low reach of
rocks and beach connects it with the ridge walls of Southwest Point. A very small breeding
rookery, so small that it is not worthy of a survey, is located here. I think, probably, on account
of the nature of the ground, that it will never hold its own, and is more than likely abandoned by
this time.
One of the prehistoric villages, the village of Pribylov's time, was established here between
this point and the cemetery ridge on which the northern wing of Zapadnie rests. The old
burying ground, with its characteristic Russian crosses aud faded pictures of the saints, is plainly
THU Hi; SKAI, INIM'STKY OF ALASKA. 341
marked mi tlir ridge. It was at this bight of sandy landing that I'ribylov's men first came ashore
anil took possession of tlie island, \vliilc others in t lie same season proceeded to Northeast I'oint
and to the north shore, to establish settlements of tbeir own older. When the indiscriminate
sealing of ISliS was in progress, one of the parties lived here, and a salt-house which was then
erected by them still stands; it is in a very fair state of preservation, although it has never been
since occupied, except by the natives \\lio come over here from the village in the summer to pick
the berries of the Einpi'lnun and It/ihi/x, which abound in the greatest profusion around the
rough and rocky flats that environ the little adjacent lake. The young people, of Saint Paul are
very fond of this berry festival, so-called among themselves, and they stay here every August,
camping out a week or ten days at a time, before returning to their homes in the village.
Zapadnie rookery has, the two wings included, 5,880 feet of sea margin, with an average
depth of 150 feet, making ground for 441,000 breeding seals and their young, being the second
rookery on the island as to size and importance.
The holluscliiekie that sport here on the parade plateau, and indeed over all of the western
extent of the English Bay hauling grounds, have never been visited by the natives for the purpose
of selecting killing drives since 1872, inasmuch as more seals than were wanted have always been
procured from Zoltoi, Lukannon, and Lower Tolstoi Points, which are all very close to the village.
I have been told, since making this survey, that during the past year the breeding seals of
Zapadnie have overflowed, so as to occupy all of the sand strip which is vacant between them
on the accompanying map.
POLAVINA ROOKEET. — Half way between the village and Northeast Point lies Polavina,
another one of the seven large breeding grounds on this island. The conspicuous cone-shaped
head of Polavina Sopka rises clearly cut and smooth from the plateau at its base, which falls 2
miles to the eastward and southeastward, sharp off into the sea, presenting a bluff margin over
a mile in length, at the base of which the sea thunders incessantly. It exhibits a very beautiful
geological section of the simple structure of Saint Paul. The ringing, iron-like basaltic foundations
of the island are here setting boldly up from the sea to a height of 40 or 50 feet — black and pur-
plish-red, polished like ebony by the friction of the surf, and worn by its agency into grotesque
arches, tiny caverns, and deep fissures. Surmounting this lava lied is a cap of ferruginous cement
and tufa, from 3 to 10 feet in thickness, making a reddish floor, upon which the seals patter in their
restless, never ceasing evolutions, sleeping or waking, on the land. It is as great a single parade
plateau of polished cement as that of the Eeef, but we are unable from any point of observation to
appreciate it, inasmuch as we cannot stand high enough to overlook it, unless we ascend Polavinu
Sopka, and then the distances, with the perspective fore-shortening, destroy the effect.
The rookery itself occupies only a small portion of the seal visited area at this spot. It is placed
at the southern termination and gentle sloping of the long reach of bluff wall, which is the only
cliff between Lukannon and Novastoshnah. It presents itself to the eye, however, in a very pecul-
iar manner, and with great scenic effect, when the observer views it from the extreme point of its
mural elevation; scanned from thence, nearly a mile to the northeast, it rises as a front of
bicolored lava wall, high above the sea that is breaking at its base, and is covered with an infinite
detail of massed seals in reproduction : at first sight, one wonders how they got there. No pas-
jes whatever can be seen, down or up. A further survey, however, discloses the common occur-
rence of rain water-runs berweeii surf-beaten devices, which make many stairways for the adhesive
feet of Calloi-JiiiiitK. amply safe and comfortable.
For the reason cited in a similar example at Zapadnie, no " holluschickie" have been driven
from this point since 1872, though it is one of the easiest worked. It was in the Russian times a
342 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
pet sealing ground with them. The remains of the old village have nearly all been buried in the
sand near the lake, and there is really no mark of its early habitation, unless it be the singular
effect of a human graveyard being dug out and despoiled by the attrition of seal bodies and
flippers. The old cemetery just above and to the right of the barrabkie, near the little lake, was
originally established, so the natives told me, far away from the hauling of the " holluscuickie."
It was, when I saw it in 1870, in a melancholy state of ruin — a thousand young seals at least moved
off from its suface as I came up, and they had actually trampled out many sandy graves, rolling the
bones and skulls of Aleutian ancestry in every direction. Beyond this old barrabkie, which the
present natives established as a house of refuge during the winter when they were trapping foxes,
looking to the west over the lake, is a large expanse of low, flat swale and tundra, which is ter-
minated by the rocky ridge of Kaminista; every foot of it has been placed there subsequent to the
original elevation of the island by the action of the sea, beyond all question. It is covered with a
thick growth of the rankest sphagnum, which quakes and trembles like a bog under one's feet, but
over which the most beatiful mosses ever and anon crop out, including the characteristic floral
display before referred to in speaking of the island; most of the way from the village up to North-
east Point, as will be seen by a cursory glance at the map, with the exception of this bluff of Pola-
viua and the terraced table setting back from its face to Polavina Sopka, the whole island is
slightly elevated above the level of the sea, and its coast line is lying just above and beyond the
reach of the surf, where great ridges of sand have been piled up by the wind, capped with sheafs
and tufts of rank-growing Elymus.
There is a small rookery, which I call " Little Polavina " indicated here, that does not promise
much for the future ; the sand cuts it off ou the north, and sand has blown around so at its rear
as to make all other ground not now occupied by the breeding seals there quite ineligible. Polavina
rookery has 4,000 feet of sea margin, including Little Polavina, with 150 feet of average depth,
making ground for 300,000 breeding seals and their young.
NORTHEAST POINT OK NOVASTOSHNAH ROOKERY. — Though this is the last of the Saint Paul
rookeries which I notice, yet it is so much greater than any other one on the island, or two others
for that matter, that it forms the central feature of Saint Paul, and in truth presents a most aston-
ishing and extraordinary sight. It was a view of such multitudes of amphibians, when I first stood
upon the summit of Hutchiuson Hill, and looked at the immense spread around me, that suggested
to my mind a doubt whether the accurate investigation which I was making would give me
courage to maintain the truth in regard to the subject.
The result of my first survey here presented such a startling array of superficial area massed
over by the breeding seals, that I was fairly disconcerted at the magnitude of the result. It
troubled me so when my initial plottings were made, and I had worked them out so as to place them
tangibly before me, that I laid the whole preliminary survey aside, and seizing upon the next favor-
able day went over the entire field again. The two plats then, laid side by side, substantially agreed,
and I now present the great rookery to the public. It is in itself, as the others are, endowed with
its own particular physiognomy, having au extensive sweep, everywhere surrounded by the sea,
except at that intersection of the narrow neck of sand which joins it to the main laud. Hutchiusou
Hill is the foundation of the point, a solid basaltic floor, upon which a mass of breccia has been
poured at its northwest corner, which is so rough, and yet polished so highly by the countless
pattering flippers of its visitors us to leave it entirely bare and luld of every spear of grass or
trace of cryptogamic life. The hill is about 120 feet high ; it has a rounded summit flecked entirely
over by the "holluschickie," while, the great belt of breeding rookery sweeps high up on its flanks,
and around right and left, for nearly 3J miles unbroken, an amazing sight in its aggregate, and
infinite in its detail.
THE FUi; SKA I. IXDi'STRY <>!' ALASKA.
343
The picturesque feature, also, of the rookery hen-, is Ilic appearance ol' the la\\ny, yellowish
bodies of several thousand sea-lions,* which lay ill and among the fur seals at the several points
designated on the sketeh map, though never Car from the water. Sea-Lion Neck, a little tongue of
low basaltic jutting, is the principal comer where the natives take these animals from when they
eaptnre them in the tall for their hides and sinews.
Cross. (>]• Saint John's, Hill, which rises near the lake, to a height of <!<) or 7(1 feet, and quite
a landmark in itself, is a perfect cone of sand entirely covered with a luxuriant growth of Eli/mus.
It is growing constantly higher by the fresh sand deposit brought by winds, and its retention by the
annually rising grasses.
At this point, it will be noticed, there is a salt-house, and here is the killing ground for North-
east Point, where nineteen or twenty thousand "bolluschickie'' are disposed of for their skins every
season, their carcasses being spread out on the sand dunes between the foot of Cross Hill and
Webster's house ; a squad of sea lets live there during the three or four weeks that they are engaged
in the work. The "hollnschickie" are driven from the large hauling grounds on the sand Hats
immediately adjacent to the killing grounds, being obtained without the slightest difficulty.
There also was the sire of a village, once the largest one on this island ere its transfer to the
sole control and charge of the old Ifussian-American Company, ten years after its discovery in
1786. The ancient cemetery and the turf lines of the decayed barraboras are still plainly visible.
NORTH EAST POINT
Scale:
I'll, sea-lions bi> < •>! on no one of the rookni.-s ;it this ishiucl, the insignificant number that I noticed on Seevit-
eliic Kammin r\< rpicd. A I S. Mil ]i \vcM I Vint. b,,v\ ,-% <T. I fun ml a small sea -lion rookery, but then- are no breeding fur-
seals then-. A handful of r.iimi'liiinnx used to hired on Otter Wand, but do not no\v MUM- it lias been necessary to
sl.-itiou (Joveniim-nl agents tlinv. I'm- thr apinvhcn.sion ol' fur-seal pirates, during tbo sealing season.
344 HISTOUY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The company's steamer runs up here, watching her opportunity, and drops her anchor, as
indicated on the general chart, right south of the salt house, in about 4 fathoms of water ; then the
skins are invariably hustled aboard, no time being lost, because it is an exceedingly uncertain place
to load.
There is no impression in my mind to-day more vivid than is the one which was planted there
during the afternoon of that July day, when I first made my survey of this ground ; indeed, while I
pause to think of the subject the great rookery of Novastoshuah rises promptly to my view, and I
am fairly rendered dumb as I try to speak definitely of the spectacle. In the first place, this slope
from Sea Lion Neck to the summit of Hutchiusou's Hill is a sheer mile, smooth and gradual from
the sea to the hill top; the parade ground lying between is also nearly three-quarters of a mile in
width, sheer and unbroken. Now, upon that area before my eyes, this day and date of which I
have spoken, were the forms of not less than three-fourths of a million seals — pause a moment —
think of the number, three-fourths of a million seals engaged in moving iu one solid mass from
sleep to frolicksome gambols, backward, forvard, over, around, changing and interchanging their
heavy squadrons, until the whole mind is so confused and charmed by the vastuess of mighty
hosts that it refuses to analyze any further. Then, too, I remember that the day was one of exceed-
ing beauty for that region; it was a swift alternation overhead of those characteristic rain fogs,
between the succession of which the sun breaks out with transcendant brilliancy through the foggy
halos about it ; this parade field reflected the light like a mirror, and the seals, when they broke
apart here and there for a moment, just enough to show its surface, seemed as though they walked
upon the water. What a scene to put upon canvas, that amphibian host involved in those alter-
nate rainbow lights and blue-gray shadows of the fog !
RECAPITULATION OF THE ESTIMATES OF NUMBER OF SEALS. — Below is a recapitulation of the
figures made from my surveys of the area and position of the breeding grounds of Saint Paul Island
between the 10th and 18th of July, 1872, confirmed and revised at that date in 1874. It is the first
survey ever made on the island of its rookeries.
BltEKIUM. '.l.i.l SDS Of THE FUR-SEAL, SA1XT PAUL ISLAND.
Nntuber of
seals, male,
female, ami
young.
' Keef rookery " lias 4.01U feet ul '»uu njaigin, wilh l.'.u feet of average depth, making ground for
1 Goruotch rookery " has 3,660 feet of sea margin, with 100 feet of average depth, making ground for
'Lagoon rookery" has 750 feet of sea margin, with 100 feet of average depth, making ground for
•NahSpeel rookery" has 400 feet of sea margin, with 40 feet of average depth making ground for
• Lukannon rookery " has 2,270 feet of sea margin, witli l.'iO feet of average depth, making ground for
•Keetavie rookery" has 2,200 feet of sea margin, with l.'d feet nf average depth, making ground for
' Tolstoi rookery " has 3,000 feet of sea margin, with I.MI |t-< i of average depth, making ground for
' Zapadnie rookery " has 5,880 feet of soa margin, with 150 feet of average depth, making ground for
' Polavina rookery" has 4,000 feet of sea margin, with 150 feet of average depth, making ground for
4 Novastoshnah or Northeast point" has 15,840 feet of aea margin, with 150 feet of average depth, making ground for .
A grand total of breeding seals and young for St. Paul Island in 1874 of
301,000
183, 000
37, 000
8,000
17ll, COtl
1155, 000
225, 000
441,000
300, 000
1,200,000
3, 030, COO
THE KOOKKUIES OF .SAINT UEOUGE.
Saint George is now in order, and this island has only a trifling contribution for the grand total
of the seal life ; but though small, nevertheless it is of much value and interest. Certainly Pribylov,
not knowing of the existence of Saint Paul, was as well satisfied as it he had possessed the boundless
universe, when he first found it. As in the case of Saint Paul Island, I have been unable to learn
much here in regard to the early status of the rookeries, none of the natives having any real infor-
mation. The drift of their sentiment goes to show that there never was a great assemblage of
Tin: KI i; SKAL ixiirsTuv OK ALASKA.
345
tin- seals on Saint (itorge; in fact, never as many as there are to-day, insignificant as the exhibit is,
compared with that of Saint I'aul. They say that, at first, the sea-lions owned this island, and
that the Russians, becoming cognizant of the fact, made a regular business of driving off the
•• seevitchie," in order that the fur-seals might be encouraged to hind.* Touching this slatemenl ,
with my experience on Saint I'aul, v here there is no eonllict at all between the fifteen or twenty
thousand sea lions which breed around on the outer edge of the seal-rookeries there, and at South-
west 1'oint, I cannot agree, to the Saint (ieorge legend. 1 am inclined to believe, however, indeed it
is more than probable, that there were u, great many more sea lions on and about Saint ( ieorge before
if was occupied by man — a hundredfold greater, perhaps, than now; because a sea-lion is an
exceedingly timid, cowardly creature when it is in the proximity of man, and will always desert
any resting place where it is constantly brought into contact with man.
The scantiness of the Saint (ieorge rookeries is due to the configuration of the island itself.
There are five separate, well-defined rookeries on Saint George, as follows:
XAPADNIE ROOKERY.— Directly across the island, from its north shore to Zapadnie Bay, a
little over 3 miles from the village, is a point where the southern bluff walls of the island turn
ZAPADNTE
ROCKY FLATS
* Th IN statement »f the natives has ;i si i . u i ^ i 1 1 e unistaut ui 1 back i ni; !>\ I he pnol islu d account of < 'hurls. a French
gentleman nf leisure, and amateur naturalist and artist, who lauded at Saint George in Isiil (July) ; In- passed several
days ot}' and on the la ml : lie wrote a1 sliort length in regard to the sea-lion, saying "that (he slimes were covered with
innumerable troops of sea-lions. The odor whirl) arose from them was insupportable. These animals were, all the time
rutting," iV e., yet nowhen- does he speak in I he chapter, or elsewhere- in his volume, of the fur-seal on Saint George,
hut incidentally remarks that over on Saint I'aul il is the chief animal and most abundant. Although this writing of
(.'lions in legard to the subject is brief, superficial, and indetinile. M I I value the record he made, because it is jiriinn
fiirif evidcm e. lo ni\ mind, that had the tin-seal ln-en nearly as nil menu is on Saint George then as it was on Saint I'aul,
he would have spoken of the fact siirch . inasi -h as he w as searching for .pist such items with which to illuminale his
projected book of tra\ els. The old Knssian record as to the relative number of fur-seals on the t wo islands of Saint
George and Saint Paul is He,-irly us palpably enoncous for 1820. as I found it to lie in IST'-J, 1*73. No inti-lligent ste]is
toward ascertaining thai ratio wen- e\er taken until 1 made my survey. — loi/iiin I'llton-mim iiiilmir (In \lnnili-. //c\
'x, pp. 1'J. I:',, pi. xiv. I--.".'.
346 HISTORY A^D METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
north, and drop quickly down from their lofty elevation in a succession of heavy terraces, to an
expanse of rocky flat, bordered by a sea saud beach ; just between the sand beach, however, and
these terraces, is a stretch of about 2,000 feet of low, rocky shingle, which borders the flat country
back of it, and upon which the surf breaks free and boldly. Midway between the two points is the
rookery; and a small detachment of it rests on the direct sloping of the bluff itself, to the south-
ward; while in and around the rookery, falling back to some distance, the "bolluschickie" are found.
A great many confusing statements have been made to me about this rookery — more than in
regard to any other on the islands. It has been said, with niuch positiveuess, that, in the times of
the Russian rule, this was an immense rookery for Saint George; or, in other words, it covered the
entire ground between that low plateau to the north and the high plateau to the south, as indicated
on the map; and it is also cited in proof of this that the main village of the island, for many years,
thirty or forty, was placed on or near the limited drifting sand dune tracts just above the plateau,
to the westward. Be the case as it may, it is certain that for a great, great many years back, no
such rookery has ever existed here. When seals have rested on a chosen piece of ground to breed,
they wear off the sharp edges of fractured basaltic bowlders., and polish the breccia and cement
between them so thoroughly and so finely that years and years of chiseling by frost, and covering
by lichens, and creeping of mosses, will be required to efface that record. Hence I was able, act-
ing on the suggestion of the natives at Saint Paul, to trace out those deserted fur-seal rookeries on
the shores of that island. At Maroouitch, which had, according to their account, been abandoned
for over sixty years by the seals, still, at their prompting, when I searched the shore, I found the
old boundaries tolerably well defined; I could find nothing like them at Zapadnie.
Zapadnie rookery in July, 1873, had 600 feet of sea margin, with 60 feet of average depth,
making ground for 18,000 breeding seals and their young. In 1874 I resurveyed the field, and it
seemed very clear to me that there had been a slight increase, perhaps to the number of 5,000
according to the expansion of the superficial area over that of 1873.
From Zapaduie we pass to the north shore, where all the other rookeries are located, with the
village at a central point between them on the immediate border of the sea. And, in connection
with this point, it is interesting to record the fact that every year, until recently, it has been the
regular habit of the natives to drive the "• holluschickie" over the 2£ or 3 miles of rough basaltic
uplands which separate the hauling ground of Zapadnie from the village ; driving them to the kill-
ing grounds there, in order to save the delay and trouble generally experienced in loading these
skins in the open bay. The prevailing westerly and northwesterly winds during July and August
makeit, for weeks at a time, a marine impossibility to effect a landing at Zapadnie, suitable for the
safe transit of cargo 1<> the steamer.
This three miles of the roughest of all rough walks that can be imagined, is made by the fur-
seals in about seven or eiglit hours, when driven by the Aleuts ; and, the weather is cool and foggy.
I have known one Treasury agent, who, after making the trip from the village to Zapadnie, seated
himself down in the ban-abide there, and declared that no money would induce him to walk back
the same way that same day, so severe is the exercise to one not accustomed to it ; but it exhibits
the power of laud-locomotion possessed by the "holluschickie."*
* The peculiarly rough character to this trail is given liy the largo, loos,-, sharp-edged basaltic bowlders, which
an- strewn thickly over all those lower plateau that bridge the island between the high bluffs at Stairy Ateel aud the
slopes of the Ahlnckeyak Hill. The summits of the two broader, higher plateaus, cast, and west , respectively, are
comparatively smooth and easy to travel over: aud so is the sea-level llat ar /apaduic itself. Ou the map of Saint
George, a number of very small ponds will lie noticed: they are the fresh-water reservoirs of the island. The two
largest of these are near the summit of this ron^h divide; the seal trail from /apaduie to the village runs just west
of them, aud comes out on the north shore, a liltle to tin eastward of the hauling grounds of Star'-y Ateel, -where it
forks aud unites with that path. The direct line between the \ ilkige and /.ipadnie, thoii.nh nearly a mile shorter on
the chart, is equal to 5 miles more of distance by reason of its superlative rocky inequalities.
TIIK I'l'i; SKA I, lXI>rSTl,^ OF ALASKA.
347
ST,\I;I;Y AUTKKI, *. — Tliis tookci-y is (lie next in order, and it is the most remarkable one on
S;iinl ( !cm u'e, lying as it does ill one hold sweep from I lie se;i, up a, steeply inelined slope fo :i point
where the lihill's th:it border it seaward are over 100 feet high ; the seals being just as closely
crowded at the summit of this lofty breeding plat as I hey are :it I he water's edge; the whole oblong
oval on (he side hill, as designated by the accompanying survey, is covered by their thickly clus-
tered forms. It is a strange sight, also, to sail under these bluffs with the boat, in. fair weather, for
STARRY ATEEL
Scale:
a landing ; and, as you walk the beach, over which the cliff wall frowns a sheer 500 feet, there,
directly over your head, the craning necks and twisting forms of the restless seals, ever and anon,
as yon glance upward, appear as if ready to launch out and fall below, so closely and boldly do
they press the very edge of the precipice. t There is a low, rocky beach to the eastward of this
* '• St. -i] TV A i tee] " or " Old Settlement "; ;i few hundred yards fo tin- easi \v:ml of I lu> rookery is the1 earthen ruin
of one of the pi 'i-r settlements in 1'ribyjov's time, and which the n:itives s:iy, marks the lirsi spot selected hy the
Russians fur their village, after the discovery "I' Saint George, in 17,-C,, "Ateel " on I lie ma|> should lie "Arteel."
tl have him repeatedly astonished at a supernatural power possessed liythe t'ur-seal of resistance to death
shocks which would rationally occur to an} other animal. To explain eh-arly, the reader will observe, by reference
to the maps, that I here .tic a great munv <•! ill's places lie I ween t he rookeries on the shore lines of I lie islands. Some
of these bluff, ai" niiur than IIM feet iii sheer elevation above the surf ami roeks awash In-low. I'leqneully "Iiollus-
ehiekie" in ones, or twos, or threes will stray tar away hack from the great masses of their kind, and fall asleep in
the thick <;rass and herbage which covers these mural reaches. Sometimes they will lie down and n st very close to
the edge, and then as you conn- I ramping ahni{t you discover and startle them and yourself alike. They, Minded by
their tirst transports of alarm, pinnae promptly over the brink, snorl inn, coughing, and spit I ing a's they jj(>. Curiously
["•el ing after them and looking down upon the rocks, ."ii.i t" inn feet lielo\\ . iu-ira,l of see inn' their stunned and motion-
less line I ii-s. you « ill iuvarialih Batch sight of them rapidly si-ramlilini; iuio I he water; ami, v» hen in it, swimming oil'
like arrows from the liow. Three " hollnsi -hiekie " were thus inadvi'ileni ly surprised liy me mi i he ed^e of the \\ est
fac'e to ( liter I slam I. The-,, plunged over IV an ele\ a t ion, there, not less than 200 feet in sheer elevation, and I dis-
tinctly saw them fall in srranililin^. whirling evolutions, down, thumping upon the rock\ shingle, beneath, from
which they hounded, as they si ruck, like s anj ruhber lialls. Two of 1 hi' in never mo\ ed after the rebound ceased,
hut the third one reacheil the \\aici an. I swam a\\a\ like a Innl on the winj;.
While they s,.,.|n to escajie without I H.I iily injury incident to such hard falls as ensue from dropping f>n or (in feet
upon pebbly beach and rough bowlders belo\\,aml even nieaiei eh -\ at ions. \ el ] am inclined to think that some
internal injuries an- necessarily sustained in most every case, which soon de\ clop and cause dial, i; tl veilcmeut
and the vitality of tin- seal, at the moment of I In- I'-rrilie ^hock, is able to sustain and conceal the real injury for the
time being.
348
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
rookery, over which the " holluschickie " haul in proportionate number, and from which the natives
make their drives, coining from the village for this purpose, and directing the seals back, in their
tracks.* Starry Arteel has 500 feet of sea and cliff margin, with 125 feet of average depth, making
ground for 30,420 breeding seals and their young.
FORTH ROOKERY. —Next in order, and half a mile to the eastward, is this breeding ground,
which sweeps for 2.750 feet along and around the sea front of a gently sloping plateau ; t being in
full sight of and close to the village. It has a superficial area occupied by 77,000 breeding seals
LOW PLATEAU
fi;tnTi 6rc<-s3. ^"-^ very Flo
. ow
PL ATEAu
l^ORTH ROOKERY
Scale.
=oo[t.
'Driving the "liolluscbickic" oil Sainl George, owing to the relative scantiness of hauling area lur those animals
there, and consequent .small numbers found upon these grounds at any one time, is a very arduous series of daily
exercises on the part of the natives \vho at tend to it. Glancing at the map, the marked considerable distance, over
an exceedingly rough rjad, will be noticed between Zapadnie and the village; yet, in 1872, eleven different drives
across the island, of -1111) to 500 seals each, were made in the short four weeks of that season.
The following table shows plainly the striking inferiority of the seal life, as to aggregate number, on this island,
compared with that of Saint Paul.
Rookeries of Saint Geni '->•
Xutnlier of
ll'.l \ r^ Illlul''
iu 1ST:
Nunil" o]
MMls llliVfll.
11
5,194
1 Starry Arteel ' (between June G and July 29)
14
:•, -JT4
• Xurtli Ilookfl v " fl etwi-eu .Tune 1 ami July '_'7)
16
4, sis
"Hreat K;t.stern " (between June 5 and July 28)
1C
!t, 714
The same activity in " .sweeping " the hauling grounds of Saint Paul would bring ill ten times as many seals, and
the labor be vastly less. The driving at Saint Paul is generally doue with an eye to securing each day of the season
only as many as can be well killed and skinned on that day, according as it be warmish or cooler.
tl should say "a gently sloping and alternating bluff plateau ; " '2,000 feet are directly under the abrupt faees nf
low cliffs, while the other 750 feet slope down gradually to the water's edge; these narrow cliff belts of breeding fur-
seals might be properly styled "rookery ribbons."
THE l-Ti; SEAL IN1HSTHY OK ALASKA.
349
and their young. From this rookery to the village, a distance of less than a quarter of a mile, the
•• holluschickie " arc driven, which are killed for their skins, on the common track or seal-worn
trail that not only the " bachelors" hut ourselves travel over i-n route to and from Starry Arteel
and Xapadnie; it is a broad, hard-packed erosion through the sphagnum, and across the rocky
plateaux — in fact a regular seal road, which has been used by the drivers and victims during the
last eighty or ninety years. The fashion on Saint George, in this matter of driving seals, is quite
ditferent from that on Saint Paul. To get their maximum quota of 25,000 annually, it is necessary
for the natives to visit every morning the hauling grounds of each one of these four rookeries on
the north shore, and bring what they may rind back with them for the day.
LITTLE EASTERN ROOKERY.* — From the village to the eastward, about half a mile again, is
a little eastern rookery, which lies on a low, bluffy slope, and is not a piece of ground admitting
of much more expansion. It has superficial area for the reception of about 13,000 breeding seals
and their young.
LITTLE EASTERN
Sca-.e:
\
THE GREAT EASTERN. — This is the last rookery that we find on Saint George. It is an imita-
tion, in miniature, of Tolstoi on Saint Paul, with the exception of there being no parade ground in
the rear, of any character whatever. It is from the summit of the cliffs overlooking the narrow
ribbon of breeding seals right under them that I have been able to study the movements of the
fur-seal in the water to my heart's content ; for out, and under the water, the rocks, to a consider-
able distance, are covered with a whitish algoid growth, that renders the dark bodies of the
*The site of this breeding ground and that of the marine slope of the killing grounds to the. east of the village,
on this island, is where sea-lions held exclusive possession prim- to their driving off by the Kussians— so the natives
affirm — the only place on Saint (lenrge now where the Etiiii/t<i/iian breeds is that one indicated on the general chart
between Garden cove and Tolstoi Meea.
350 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
swimming seals and sea-lions as conspicuous as is the image thrown by a magic lantern of a
silhouette on a screen prepared for its reception.* The low rocky flats around the pool to the
westward and northwest of the rookery seemed to be filled up with a muddy alluvial wash that
the seals do not favor; Lence nothing but "holluschickie" range round about them.
RECAPITULATION. — In recapitulation, therefore, the breeding grounds on Saint George Island
according to these surveys, which I made between the 12th and 15th of July, 1873, gave the follow-
ing figures. They are also, as in the case of Saint Paul, the first surveys ever made here :
Name of breeding grounds, July 12-15, 1873.
Seals : rf ? 0.
'Zapadnie" rookery has 600 feet of sea margin, with 60 feet of average depth, making ground for
' Starry Arteel " rookery has 500 feet of sea-margin, with 125 feet of average depth, making ground for
1 North rookery" has 750 feet of sea margin, with 150 feet of average depth, and 2,000 feet of sea margin, with 25 feet of
average depth, making grounds in all for.
' Little Eastern" rookery has 750 feet of sea margin, with 40 feet of average depth, making ground for.
' Great Eastern " rookery has 900 feet of sea margin, with 60 feet of average depth, making ground for. .
18,000
.10, 420
77, 000
13, 000
25, 000
A grand total of the seal life for Saint George Island, breeding seals and young, of. .
Grand total for Saint Paul Island, brought forward, breeding seals and young, of . . . .
Grand sum total for tho Pribylov Islands (season of 1873), breeding seals and yonng.
1H3, 420
3, 030, 000
3, 193, 420
4.— THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SEALS ON THE ISLANDS.
The figures above thus show a grand total of 3,193,420 breeding seals and their young. This
enormous aggregate is entirely exclusive of the great numbers of the non-breeding seals, that, as
we have pointed out, are never permitted to come up on these grounds, which have been surveyed
and epitomized by the table just exhibited. That cla.ss of seals, the "holluschickie," in generat
terms, all males, and those to which the killing is confined, come up on the laud and sea beaches
between the rookeries, in immense straggling droves, going to and from the sea at irregular inter-
vals, from the beginning to the closing of the entire season. The method of the " holluschickie " on
these hauling grounds is not systematic — it is not distinct, like the manner and law prescribed and
obeyed by the breeding seals, which till up these rookery grounds to the certain points as surveyed,
and keep these points intact for a week or ten days at a time during the height of every season
in July and August; but, to the contrary, upon the hauling grounds to day, an immense drove
"The algoid vegetation of the marine shores of these islands is one that adds a peculiar charm and beauty to
their treeless, suuless coasts. Every kelp bed that floats raftlike in Bering Sea, or is anchored to its rocky reefs, in
fairly alive with minute sea shrimps, tiny crabs, and little shells, which cling to its masses of interwoven fronds or
dart in ceaseless motion through, yet within, its interstices. It is my firm belief that no better base of operations can
be found for studying marine in vertebrata than is the post of Saint Paul or Saint George ; the pelagic and the littora)
forms are simply abundant beyond all estimation within bounds of reason. The phosphorescence of the waters of
Bering's Sea surpasses, in continued strength of brilliant illumination, anything that I have seen in southern and
equatorial oceans. The crests t>f the long unbroken line of breakers on Lukanuou beach looked to me, one night in
August, like instantaneous flashing of lightning, between Tolsti Meesand Lukannou head, as the billows successively
rolled in and broke ; the seals swimming under the water, here on Saint George and beneath the Black Blufl's, streaked
their rapid course like cornets in the sky ; and every time their black heads popped above the surface of the sea they
were marked by a blaze of scintillant light :
" Within the shadow of the ship
1 watched their rich attire ;
Blue, glossy-green, and velvet black
They coiled and swain ; and every track
Was a flash of golden lire.
They moved in tracks of shining white
And when they reared, the. eliish light
Fell off iu hoary flakes."
[ Ancient Mariner.
Fri; SKAL IMH'STKY or ALASKA.
351
of 100,0(10 will be seen before you at English I'.ay, sweeping hither and surging thither
over Ilie polished surface which they have \voru wilh their restless Ilippers, tracing and
"•tracing Iheir tireless inarches; then, to-morrow, if the weather is rainy or hot. only a few desul-
tory thousands will he seen over this same area whereon } on observed swarming myriads \esterday:
consequently the amount of ground occupied by the " holluschickie " is vastly iu excess of whai
(&i+^jfUifau^jl*uf>
,, HIGH PLAT r. AU
GREAT EASTERN
Scale:
they would require did they conform to the same law of distribution observed by the breeding
seals ; and this foundation is therefore wholly untenable for any such definite basis and satisfactory
conclusion as is that which I have surveyed on the rookeries. Hence, in giving an estimate of the
aggregate number of "liolluschickie'' or non-breeding seals, on the Pribylov Islands, embracing
as it does all the males under six or seven years of age and all the yearling females, it must,
necessarily, be a simple opinion of mine founded upon nothing better than my individual judgment.
This .is my conclusion :
The non-breeding seals seem nearly equal in number to that of the adult breeding-seals; but
without putting them down at a ligure quite so high, I may safely say that the sum total of
1,500,000 iii round numbers is a fair enumeration, and quite within bonds of fact. This makes the
grand sum total, of the fur-seal life on the I'ribylov Islands, over 4,700,001).
5. THE INCREASE OK DIMINUTION OF THE SEAL-LIFE, PAST, PRESENT, AND
PROSPECTIVE.
Oiie stereotyped question has been addressed to me universally by my friends since my return,
first in 1ST."., from the seal islands. The qncr\ is: "At the present rale of killing the seals, it will
not be long ere they are exterminated; how much longer will they last:'" My answer is now as
it was then, "Provided matters are conducted on the seal islands in the future as they are to-da\,
100,000 male seals under the age of live years and over one may be safely taken ever\ year from
the Pribylov Islands, without the slightest injury to the regular birth-rates, or natural increase
352 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
thereon; provided, also, that tbe fur-seals are not visited by any plague, or pests, or any abnormal
cause for their destruction, which might be beyond the control of men ; and to which, like any
other great body of animal life, they must ever be subjected to the danger of."*
Loss OF LIFE SUSTAINED BY THE YOUNG SEALS. — From my calculations, given above, it
will be seen that 1,000,000 pups, or young seals, in round numbers, are born upon these islands of
the Pribylov Group every year; of this million, one half are males. These 500,000 young males,
before they leave the islands for .sea, during October and November, and when they are between
five and six months old, fat and hardy, have suffered but a trifling loss in numbers, say one per
cent., while on and about the islands of their birth; surrounding which, and upon which, they
have no enemies whatever to speak of; but, after they get well down to the Pacific, spread out
over an immense area of watery highways in quest of piscatorial food they form the most helpless
of their kind to resist or elude the murderous teeth and carnivorous attacks of basking sharks!
and killer-whales. | By these agencies, during their absence from the islands until their reap-
pearance in the following year, and in July, they are so perceptibly diminished in number that I
do not think, fairly considered, more than one half of the legion which left the ground of their
birth, last October, came up the next July to these favorite landing-places; that is, only 250,000 of
them return out of the 500,000 born last year. The same statement, in every respect, applies to the
going and the coming of the 500,000 female pups, which are identical in size, shape, and behavior.
As yearlings, however, these 250,000 survivors of last year's birth have become strong, lithe,
and active swimmers ; and, when they again leave the hauling-grouuds as before, in the fall, they
are fully as able as are the older class to take care of themselves; and when they reappear next
year, at least 225,000 of them safely return in the second season after birth ; from this on I believe
that they live out their natural lives of fifteen to twenty years each; the death-rate now caused
by the visitation of marine enemies not affecting them, in the aggregate, but slightly. And again,
the same will hold good touching the females, the average natural life of which, however, I take
to be only nine or ten years each.
* The thought of what a deadly epidemic would effect among these vast congregations of Pinnipedia was one that
was constant, in my mind, when on the ground and among them. I have found in the British Annuls (Flemings), on
page 17, an extract from the notes of Dr. Trail : " In 18H3 I inquired for my old acquaintances, the seals of the Hole
of Papa Westray, and was informed that about four years before they had totally deserted the island, and had only
within the last few months begun to reappear. * * About fifty years ago multitudes of their carcasses were east
ashore in every bay in the uorth of Scotland, Orkney, and Shetland, and numbers were found at sea in a sickly state.''
This note of Trail is the only record which I can find of a fatal epidemic aiming 1 he seals ; it is not reasonable to sup-
pose that the Pribylov rookeries have never suffered from distempers in the past, or are not to, in the future, simply
because no occasion seems to have risen during the comparatively brief period of their human domination.
t Somniosus microcepJialus. Some of these sharks are of very large size, and when caught by the Indians of the north-
west coast, basking or asleep on the surface of the sea, they will, when transfixed by the natives' harpoons, take a
whole fleet of canoes in tow and run swiftly with them several hours before exhaustion enables the savages to final I \
dispatch them. A Hudson Bay trader, William Manson (at Fort Alexander, in 1865), told me that his father had killed
one in the smooth waters of Millbauk Sound, which measured 24 feet in length, and its liver alone yielded 3(i gallons
of oil. The Somniosus lies motionless for long intervals in calm waters of the North Pacific, just under and at the surface,
with its dorsal fin clearly exposed above; what havoc such a carnivorous fish would be likely to effect in a "pod" of
young fur-seals, can be better imagined than described.
t Orca gladiator. While revolving this particular line of inquiry in luy mind when, on the ground and among the
seals, I involuntarily looked constantly for some sign of disturbance in the sea which would indicate the presence of
an enemy: aucl. save >eein<; a l<-\\ examples of the Orca, I never detected anything ; if the killer- whale was common
here, it would be pat cut to the must casual eve, because it is the habit of this ferocious cetacean to swim so closely at the
surface as to show its peculiar sharp, dorsal lin high above the water ; possibly a very superficial observer could and
would confound the long, trenchant Ihike of the Orva with the stubby node upon the spine of the humpback whale,
which that animal exhibits only when it is about to dive. Humpbacks feed around the islands, but not commonly —
they are the exception ; they do not, however, molest the seals in any manner whatever; and little squads of these
pinnipeds seem to delight themselves by swimming in endless circles around and under the huge bodies of those whales,
frequently leaping out and entirely over the cetacean's back, as witnessed on one occasion by myself and the crew of
the Reliance, off the coast of Kailiak, June, 1874.
THE FUR SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 353
Out of these 225,000 young males, we are required to save only one-fifteenth of their number
to pass over to the breeding-grounds, and meet there the 225,000 young females ; in other words,
the polygamous habit of this animal is such that, by its own volition, I do not think that more
than one male annually out of fifteen born is needed on the breeding-ground in the future; but
in my calculations, to be within the margin and to make sure that I save two-year-old males
enough every season, I will more than double this proportion, and set aside every fifth one of the
young males in question ; that will leave 180,000 seals in good condition, that can be safely killed
every year without the slightest injury to the perpetuation of the stock itself forever in all its
original integrity.*
In the above showing I have put the very extreme estimate upon the loss sustained at sea by
the pup-seals too large, I am morally certain ; but in attempting to draw this line safely, I wish
to place the matter in the very worst light in which it can be put, and to give the seals the full
benefit of every doubt. Surely, I have clearly presented the case, and certainly no one will question
the premises after they have studied the habit and disposition of the rookeries ; hence, it is a
positive and tenable statement, that no danger of the slightest appreciable degree of injury to the
interests of the Government on the seal islands of Alaska exists as long as the present law pro-
tecting it, and the management executing it, continues.
COURSE PURSUED BY THE SEALS AFTEB LEAVING THE ISLANDS. — These fur-seals of the
Pribylov group, after leaving the islands in the autumn and early winter, do not visit land again
until the time of their return, in the following spring and early summer, to these same rookery and
hauling grounds, unless they touch, as they are navigating their lengthened journey back, at the
Eus.sian Copper, and Bering Islands, 700 miles to the westward of the Pribylov group. They leave
the islands by independent squads, each one looking out for itself; apparently all turn 'by common
consent to the south, disappearing toward the horizon, and are soon lost in the vast expanse below,
where they spread themselves over the entire North Pacific as far south as the forty-eighth and
even the forty-seventh parallels of north latitude. Over the immense area between Japan and
Oregon, doubtless, many extensive submarine fishing shoals and banks are known to them ; at
least, it is definitely understood that Bering Sea does not contain them long when they depart
from the.breediug-rookeries and the hauling-grouuds therein. While it is carried in mind that
they sleep and rest in the water with soundness and with the greatest comfort on its surface, and
that even when around the land, during the summer, they frequently put off from the beaches to
take a bath and a quiet snooze just beyond the surf, we can readily agree that it is no inconven-
ience whatever, when the reproductive functions have been discharged, and their coats renewed,
for them to stay the balance of the time in their most congenial element — the briny deep.
NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE FUR-SEALS. — That these animals are preyed upon extensively
by killer-whales (Orca gladiator), in especial, and by sharks, and probably other submarine foes
now unknown, is at once evident ; for, were they not held in check by some such cause, they
* When regarding the subject in 1872-'73, of how many surplus young males could be wisely taken from the Priby-
lov stock, I satisfied myself that more than 100,000 could be drawn upon annually for their skins, and hence was
impressed with the idea that the business might be safely developed to a greater maximum ; since then, however, I
have been giving attention to the other side of the question, which involves the market for the skins and the practical
working of any sliding scale of increased killing, such as I then recommended. A careful review of the whole matter
modifies my original idea and causes me to think that, all things considered, it is better to "let well enongh alom-."
Although it would be a most interesting commercial experiment to develop the yield of the Pribylov Islands to tln-ii
full rapacity, yet, in view of the anomalous and curious features of the case, it is wiser to be satisfied with the assured
guarantee of perpetuation in all original integrity, which the experience of the last ten years gives us on the present
liasis df 10(1,000, tlian to risk it by possibly doubling the revenue therefrom. Therefore, I am not now in favor of my
earlier proposition of gradually increasing the killing, until the maximum number of surplus " holluschickie " should
be ascertained.
SEC. v, VOL. ii 23
354 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
would, as they exist to-day on Saint Paul, quickly multiply, by arithmetical progression, to so great
an extent that the island, nay, Bering Sea itself, could not contain them.' The present annual
killing of one hundred thousand out of a yearly total of over a million males does not, in an appre-
ciable degree, diminish the seal-life, or interfere in the slightest with its regular, sure perpetuation
on the breeding grounds every year. We may, therefore, properly look upon this aggregate of
four and five millions of fur-seals, as we see them every season on these Pribylov Islands, as the
maximum limit of increase assigned to them by natural law. The great equilibrium, which nature
holds in life upon this earth, must be sustained at Saint Paul as well as elsewhere.
FOOD CONSUMED BY THE FUR-SEALS. — Why, only think of the enormous food-consumption
of these rookeries and hauling grounds ; what an immense quantity of finny prey must pass down
their voracious throats as every year rolls by. A creature so full of life, strung with nerves,
muscles like bands of steel, cannot live on air, or absorb it from the sea. Their food is fish, to the
practical exclusion of all other diet. I have never seen them touch, or disturb with the intention
of touching it, one solitary example in the flocks of water-fowl which rest upon the surface of the
water all about the islands. I was especially careful in noting this, because it seemed to me that
the canine armature of their mouths must suggest flesh for food at times as well as fish; but fish
we know they eat. Whole windrows of the heads of cod and wolf fishes (AnarrMchas sp.), bitten off
by these animals at the nape, were washed up on the south shore of Saint George during a gale in
the summer of 1873; this pelagic decapitation evidently marked the progress and the appetite of a
band of fur-seals to the windward of the island as they passed into and through a stray school of
these fishes.
How many pounds per diem is required by an adult seal, and taken by it when feeding, is not
certain in my mind. Judging from the appetite, however, of kindred animals, such as sea-lions
fed in confinement at Woodward's Gardens, San Francisco, I can safely say that 40 pounds for a
full-grown fur-seal is a fair allowance, with at least 10 or 12 pounds per diem to every adult
female, and not much less, if any, to the rapidly growing pups and young " holluschickie."
Therefore, this great body of four and five millions of hearty, active animals which we know on the
seal islands must consume an enormous amount of such food every year. They cannot average
less than 10 pounds of fish each per diem (and this is not half enough for an adult male), which
gives the consumption, as exhibited by their appetite, of over 6,000,000 tons of fish every year.
What wonder, then, that nature should do something to hold these active fishermen in check.*
• I feel confident that 1 have placed this average of fish eaten per diem by each seal at a starvation allowance, or,
in other words, it is a certain minimum of the whole consumption. If the seals can get double the quantity which I
credit them with above, startling as it seems, still I firmly believe that they eat it every year. Au adequate realiza-
tion by iethyologists and fishermen as to what havoc the fur-seal hosts am annually making among the cod, herring,
and salmon of the northwest coast and Alaska would disconcert and astonish them. Happily for the peace of political
economists who may turn their attention to the settlement and growth of the Pacific coast of America, it bids fair to
never be known with anything like precision. The fishing of man, both aboriginal and civilized, in the past, present,
and prospective, has never been, is not, nor will it be, more than a drop in the bucket contrasted with the piscatorial
labors of these icthyophagi in those waters of and adjacent to their birth. What catholic knowledge of fish and
fishing banks any one of those old "seecatchie " must possess which we observe hauled out on the Pribylov rool.<
each summer. It has, undoubtedly, during the eighteen or twenty year*, uf its lite, explored every fish eddy, bank,
or shoal throughout the whole of that vast immensity of the North Pacific and Bering Sea. It has had more piscine
sport in a single twelve month than Jznak Walton had in his whole 111'.-.
An old sea captain, Dampier, who, cruising around the world just about two hundred years ago, wrote diligently
thereof (or, rather, one Funnel is said to have written for him), and wrote well. He had frequent reference to meeting
hair-seals and sea-lions, fur-seals, &c., and fell to repeating thismaxim, evidently of his own making : " For wherever
there be plenty of fysh, there be seals." I am sure that, unless avast abundance of good fishing ground was near by,
no such congregation of seal-life as is that under discussion on the seal islauds could exist. The whole eastern half
of Bering Sea, in its entirety, is a single fish-spawuiug bauk, nowhere deeper than 50 to 75 fathoms, averaging,
perhaps, 40 ; also, there are great reaches of fishing shoals up and down the northwest coast, from and above the
THE FUB SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 355
PELAGIC RANGE OF FUK-SEALS FOR FOOD. — During the winter solstice — between the lapse
of the autumnal and the verging of the vernal equinoxes — in order to get this enormous food
supply, the fur-seals are necessarily obliged to disperse over a very large area of fishing ground,
ranging throughout the North Pacific 5,000 miles across between Japan and the Straits of Fuca.
In feeding, they are brought to the southward all this time ; and, as they go, they come more and
more in contact with those natural enemies peculiar to the sea of these southern latitudes, which
are almost strangers and are really unknown to the waters of Bering Sea; for I did not observe,
with the exception of ten or twelve perhaps, certainly no more, killer-whales,* a single marine
disturbance, or molestation, during the three seasons which I passed upon the islands, that could
be regarded in the slightest degree inimical to the peace and life of the Pinnipedia ; and thus,
from my own observation, I am led to believe that it is not until they descend well to the south of
the Aleutian Islands, and in the North Pacific, that they meet with sharks to any extent, and are
diminished by the butchery of killer-whales.t
The young fur-seals going out to sea for the first time, and following in the wake of their
elders, are the clumsy members of the family. When they go to sleep on the surface of the water,
they rest much sounder than the others ; and their alert and wary nature, which is handsomely
developed ere they are two seasons old, is in its infancy. Hence, I believe that large numbers of
them are easily captured by marine foes, as they are stupidly sleeping, or awkwardly fishing.
BEHAVIOR OF FUR-SEALS IN THE WATERS AROUND THE ISLANDS. — In this connection I
wish to record an impression very strongly made upon my mind, in regard to their diverse behavior
when out at sea, away from the islands, and when congregated thereon. As I have plainly
exhibited on a preceding page, they are practically without fear of man when he visits them on
the laud of their birth and recreation ; but the same seal that noticed you with quiet indifference
at St. Paul, in June and July, and the rest of the season while he was there, or gamboled around
your boat when you rowed from the ship to shore, as a dog will play about your horses when you
drive from the gate to the house, that same seal, when you meet him in one of the passes of the
Straits of Fuca, bordering the entire southern, or Pacific, coast of the Aleutian Islands. The aggregate of cod, herring
and salmon which the seals find upon these vast icthyological areas of reproduction must be simply enormous, and
fully equal (o the most extravagant demand of the voracious appetites of Callorhinii.
When, however, the fish retire from spawning here, there, and everywhere over these shallows of Alaska and the
northwest coast along by the end of September to 1st of November, every year, I believe that the young fur-seal, in
following them into the depths of the great Pacific, must have a really arduous struggle for existence — unless it knows
of lishing banks unknown to us. The yearlings, however, and all above that age, are endowed with sufficient muscular
energy to dive rapidly in deep soundings, and to fish with undoubted success. The pup, however, when it goes to sea,
five or six months old, is not lithe and sinewy like the yearling ; it is podgy and fat, a comparative clumsy swimmer,
and does not develop, I believe, into a good fisherman until it has become pretty well starved after leaving the Pribylo vs.
It sails away from the islands in the wake of. its elder relatives very much as a kettle-bottomed scow trims its course
after a graceful and speedy clipper-built ship.
I must not be understood as saying that fish alone constitutes the diet of the Pribylov pinnipeds; I know that
they feed, to a limited extent, upon crustaceans and upon the squid (Loligo), also eating tender algoid sprouts; I
believe that the pup-seals live for the first five or six months at sea largely, if not wholly, upon crustaceans and
squids ; they are not agile enough, in my opinion, to fish successfully in any great degree, when they first depart from
the rookeries.
•But I did observe a very striking exhibition, however, of this character one afternoon while looking over Lu-
kannon Bay. I saw a "killer" chasing the alert "holluschickie" out beyond the breakers, when suddenly, in an
instant, the cruel cetacean was turned toward the beach in hot pursuit, and in less time than this is read the ugly
brute was high and dry upon the sands. The natives were called, and a great feast was in prospect when I left the
carcass.
But this was the only instance of the orca in pursuit of seals that came directly under my observation ; hence,
though it does undoubtedly capture a few here every year, yet it is an insignificant cause of destruction, on account
of its rarity.
t In the stomach of one of these animals, year before last, 14 small harp-seals were found. — Michael Carroll's Ktporl
of Seal and Herring Fisheries of Newfoundland.
356 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Aleutian chain, 100 or 200 miles away from here, as the case may be, or to the southward of that
archipelago, is the shiest and wariest creature your ingenuity can define. Happy are you in get-
ting but a single glimpse of him, first; you will never see him after, until he hauls out, and winks
and blinks across Lukannon sands.*
But the companionship and the exceeding number of the seals, when assembled together annu-
ally, makes them bold ; largely due, perhaps, to their fine instinctive understanding, dating, probably,
back many years, seeming to know that man, after all, is not wantonly destroying them, and what
he takes is from the ravenous inaw only of the killer- whale or the saw-tipped teeth of a Japan shark.
As they sleep in the water, oft' the Straits of Fuca, and the northwest coast as far as Dixon's Sound,
the Indians belonging to that region surprise them with spears and rifle, capturing quite a num-
ber every year.
ENCYSTED BULLETS, ARROWS, &c., IN FTJR-SEALS.— On the killing grounds at Saint George,
in June, 1873, the natives would frequently call my attention to seals that they were skinning, in
the hides of which buckshot were embedded and encysted just under the skin in the blubber. From
one animal I picked out fifteen shot, and the holes which they must have made in the skin were so
entirely healed over as not to leave the faintest trace of a scar. These buckshot were undoubtedly
received from the natives of the northwest coast, anywhere between the Straits of Fuca and the
Aleutian Islands. The number taken by these hunters on the high seas is, however, inconsidera-
ble ; the annual average, perhaps, of five thousand skins is a fair figure— some seasons more, some
seasons less.t The natives have also found on the killing grounds, in the manner just indicated,
specimens of the implements employed by the Aleuts to the southward, such as the tips of birds'
spears and bone lances, comfortably encysted in the blubber under the skin; but only very small
fragments are found, because I believe that any larger pieces would create suppuration and slough
out of the wounds. J
* When fur-seals were noticed, by myself, far away from these islands, at sea, I observed that then they were as shy
and as wary as the most timorous animal which, in dreading man's proximity, could be — sinking instantly on appre-
hending the approach or presence of the ship, seldom to reappear to my gaze. But, when gathered in such immense
numbers at the Pribylov Islands, they are suddenly metamorphosed into creatures wholly indifferent to my person.
It must canse a very curious sentiment in the mind of him who comes for the first time, during the summer season, to
the Island of St. Paul; where, when the landing boat or lighter carries Iiim ashore from the vessel, the whole short
marine journey is enlivened by the gambols and aquatic evolutions of fur-seal convoys to the "Bidarrah," which
sport joyously and fearlessly round and round his craft, as she is rowed lustily ahead by the natives; the fur-seals,
then, of all classes, "holluschickie" principally, pop their dark heads up wit of the sea, rising neck and shoulders
erect above the surface, to peer and ogle at him and at his boat, diving quickly to reappear just ahead or right behind,
hardly beyond striking distance from the oars; these gymnastics of Callorhinus are not wholly performed thus in
silence, for it usually snorts and chuckles with hearty reiteration.
The sea-lions up here also manifest much the same marine interest, and give the voyager an exhibition quite
similar to the one which I have just spoken of, when a small boat is rowed in the neighborhood of its shore rookery ;
it is not, however, so bold, confident, and social as the fur-seal under the circumstances, and utters only a short, stifled
growl of surprise, perhaps ; its mobility, however, of vocalization is sadly deficient when compared with the scope
and compass of its valuable relative's polyglottis.
The hair-Beals (P. mtulina) around these islands never approached our boats in this manner, and I never caught
more than a furtive glimpse of their short, bull-dog heads.
The walrus (Sosmarus otesus) also, like Phoca ritulina, gave undoubted evidence of sore alarm over the presence
of my boat and crew anywhere near its proximity in similar situations, only showing itself once or twice, perhaps, at
a safe distance by elevating nothing but the extreme tip of its muzzle and its bleared popping eyes above the water:
it uttered no sound except a dull, muffled grunt, or else a choking, gurgling bellow.
tSee report, in a subsequent chapter, by James G. Swan, on Fur Sealing at Cape Flattery, S,traits of Fuca.
} Touching this matter of the approximate numbers of fur seals which are annually slain in the open sea, straits,
and estuaries of Bering and the North Pacific Oceans, I have, necessarily, no definite <lnta upon which to base a calcu-
lation ; but, such as I have points to the capture every year of one thousand to one thousand four hundred young fur-
seals in the waters of Oomnak Pass, and as many in the straits adjoining Borka Village, by the resident Aleuts ; I liese
are the only two points throughout the entire Aleutian chain and the peninsula where any Callorliimis is taken by the
natives, except an odd example now and then elsewhere. On the northwest coast, betwceu San Francisco and Prince
William's Sound, the fur-seal is only apprehended, to any extent, at two points, viz, off the Straits of Fuca, 10 to 20
THE FUR SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA.
357
INCREASE OF THE SEAL-LIFE. — I am tree to say that it is not within the power of human man-
agement to promote this end to the slightest appreciable degree over its present extent and condi-
tion as it stands in the state of nature, heretofore described. It cannot fail to be evident, from my
detailed narration of the habits and life of the fur-seal on these islands during so large a part of
every year, that could man have the same supervision and control over this animal during the
whole season which ho has at his command while they visit the land, he might cause them to multi-
ply and increase, as he would so many cattle, to an indefinite number — only limited by time and
the means of feeding them. But the case in question, unfortunately, is one where the fur-seal is
taken, by demands for food, at least six mouths out of every year, far beyond the reach or even
cognizance of any man, where it is all this time exposed to many known powerful and destructive
natural enemies, and probably many others, equally so, unknown, which prey upon it, and, in
accordance with that well -recognized law of nature, keeps this seal-life at a certain number — at a
figure which has been reached, for ages past, and will continue to be in the future, as far as they
now are — their present maximum limit of increase, namely, between fonr and five million seals, in
round numbers. This law holds good everywhere throughout the animal kingdom, regulating and
preserving the equilibrium of life in the state of nature ; did it not hold good, these seal-islands
and all Bering Sea would have been literally covered, and have swarmed like the Medusce of the
waters, long before the Russians discovered them. But, according to the silent testimony of the
rookeries, which have been abandoned by the seals, and the noisy, emphatic assurance of those
now occupied to-day, there were no more seals when first seen here by human eyes in 1786 and
1787, than there are now in 1881, as far as all evidence goes.
miles at sea, sweeping over a series of large fishing shoals which are located there, and in that reach of water between
Queen Charlotte Island and the mouth of Dixoli Sound. Several small schooners, with native crews, and the Indians,
themselves, in their own canoes, cruise for them here during May and June of each year. How many they secure every
season is merely a matter of estimation, and therefore not a subject of definite anonuncement. In my judgment, after
carefully investigating the question at Victoria and Port Towusend in 1874, 1 believe, as an average, that these pelagic
fur-sealers do not, altogether, secure five thousand animals annually.
Those seals killed by the Aleuts of Mankushin and Borka settlements, above referred to, are all pnps, and are used
at home— none exported for trade.
The last record which I can find of fur-seals being taken on land other than that of the Pribylov group of the
American side, is the following brief table of Techmainov, who, in 1863, published (in 2 volumes) a long recapitula-
tion of the Russian- American Company's labors in Alaska as illustrated by a voluminous series of personal letters by
the several agents of that company. Techmainov says that these fur-seals were taken on the Farrallones, which are
small islets just abreast the entrance to the Golden Gate, California.
Taken on th e Farrallonw, California coaat
1824.
1825.
1826.
1827.
1828.
1829.
1830.
1831.
1832.
1833.
1834.
1 050
455
290
210
287
205
118
54
This period of 1824-1834 was the one passed by the Russians in their occupation of Ross or Bodega, California,
where a colony was engaged in raising cereals and beef, &c., for the stations in Alaska. I am inclined so think, how-
ever, that, very likely many of the specimens of CaJlorhinus counted in this table were shot or speared, as they now
are out at sea off the Straits of Fuca. The number is insignificant, but the pelts were not very valuable in those days,
and probably very slight exertions were made to get them ; or, otherwise, three thousand or five thousand annually
could have been secured at sea then, as they are to-day, by our people and the Indians of Cape Flattery.
The record, however, of killing fur-seals on the Farallones, between 1806 and 1837, by the Russians, who were
established then at Bodega, California, is an honest one. I do not find any mention made of the fact that they bred
there, and I am inclined to think they did not. I believe that when small squads of CallorJtiniw itrsinus hauled out on
the California Islets, they did so lured by the large numbers of breeding Zalophus, and the Eitmetopias which repaired
there then, as they do now, for that purpose. Had the-sea-lions not been there, in the manner aforesaid, the presence
of fur-seals on North American land, elsewhere than on that of the Pribylov group, would not have been thus deter-
mined and established.
Again, in this connection, and corroborative is the fact that in 1878 a few hundred fur-seals were taken by sea-lion
hunters among the Zalnphus at Santa Barbara and Guadalonpe Islands, southern Californian coast. I am assured of
this fact by the evidence of the. gentleman who himself purchased the skins from the lucky hunters. None have ever
been seen there before by our people, and none have been taken since. The Russian archives give no testimony on
this score.
858 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
SITES OF ABANDONED ROOKERIES. — With reference to the amount of ground covered by the
seals, when first discovered by the Russians, I have examined every foot of the shore line of both
islands where the bones, polished rocks, &c., might be lying on any deserted areas. Since then,
after carefully surveying the new ground now occupied by the seals, and comparing this area
with that which they have deserted, I feel justified in stating that for the last twelve or fifteen
years, at least, the fur-seals on these islands have not diminished, nor have they increased as a
body to any noteworthy degree; and throughout this time the breeding grounds have never been
disturbed except at that brief but tumultuous interregnum during 1868; and they have been
living since in a perfectly quiet and natural condition. Without some stop-brake upon this seal-
life, with a million of young born every year during the last ten or fifteen seasons, at least, the
annual taking of one hundred thousand males would not, could not, in the slightest degree retard
that increase which would set in at once, were it not for this check on the high seas aforesaid.
CAN THE NUMBER BE INCREASED? — What can be done to promote their increase? We can-
not cause a greater number of females to be born every year than are born now ; we do not touch
or disturb these females as they grow up and live; and never will we, if the law and present
management is continued. We save double — we save more than enough males to serve; nothing
more can be done by human agency; it is beyond our power to protect them from their deadly
marine enemies as they wander into the boundless ocean searching for food.*
In view, therefore, of all these facts, I have no hesitation in saying, quite confidently, that
under the present rules and regulations governing the sealing interests on these islands, the
increase or diminution of the seal-life thereon will amount to nothing in the future; that the seals
will exist, as they do exist, in all time to come a* about the same number and condition recorded
in this report. To test this theory of mine, I here, in the record of my surveys of the rookeries,
have put stakes down which will answer, upon those breeding grounds, as a correct guide as to
their present, as well as their future, condition, from year to year.
SURVEYING THE CONDITION OF THE ROOKERIES.— During the first week of inspection of
some of those earliest arrivals, the " seecatchie," or full-grown males, will frequently take flight
to the water when approached; but these runaways quickly return. By the end of May, however,
the same seals will hardly move to the right or left when you attempt to pass through them.
Then, two weeks before the females begin to come in, and quickly after their arrival, the organi-
zation of the fur-seal rookery is rendered entirely indifferent to man's presence on visits of quiet
inspection, or anything else, save their own kind, and so continues during the rest of the season.
I have called attention to the singular fact, that the breeding-seals upon the rookeries and
hauling grounds are not affected by the smell of blood or carrion arising from the killing fields, or
the stench of blubber fires which burn in the native villages. This trait is beautifully illustrated,
and conclusively, by the attitude of those two rookeries near the village of Saint Paul ; for the
breeding ground on this spit, at the head of the lagoon, is not more than 40 yards from the great
killing grounds to the eastward ; being separated from those spots of slaughter, and the seventy
or eighty thousand rotting carcasses thereon, by a slough not more than 10 yards wide. These
seals can smell the blood and carcasses, upon this field, from the time they land in the spring until
*A great deal of speculation in regard to the probable increase of diminution of the seal-life would end, if it were
possible to pen these animals up and feed them, like hogs, on the Pribylov Islands ; hnt that is theoretically and
practically out of the question. In the one case granted, for the sake of argument, that we could secure for them at
the start the ten or twelve million tons of fish required as subsistence in a single year, what should we do with them
when the snow and sleet of winter would render sea-bathing, on a large scale, imperative for their well-being? We
can neither feed nor can we ever control their movements in the slightest degree, with reference to their protection
in the sea or increase on the land, beyond what we are DOW doing. I trust that no man's desire, no matter how wort'jy
his ambition, will ever got him or the seals into trouble on this score.
THE FUR SEAL INDUSTRY OP ALASKA. 351)
they leave in the nut mini ; while the general southerly winds waft to them the odor and sounds
of the village of Saint Paul, not over 200 rods south of them, and above them, in plain sight. All
this has no effect upon the seals — they know that they are not disturbed — and the rookery, the
natives declare, has been slightly but steadily increasing. Therefore, with regard to surveying
and taking these boundaries assumed by the breeding-seals every year, at that point of high tide,
and greatest expansion, which they assume between the 8th and 15th of July, it is an entirely
practicable and simple task. You can go everywhere on the skirts of the rookeries almost within
reaching distance of the harems, and they will greet you with quiet, inoffensive notice, and permit
close, unbroken observation, when it is subdued and undemonstrative, paying very little attention
to your approach.
Ten years have passed, with the end of last season, in which nearly 100,000 young males have
been annually taken on St. Paul and St. George ; 75,000 from the former, and 25,000 from the
latter, as a rule ; and we now have the experience with which to enlighten our understanding, and
to make our statements correct. That affirmation is, that if the effect of annually killing 100,000
young male seals is either to increase or diminish the seal-life on the Pribylov Islands, it cannot
be seen ; it cannot be noticed ; it has not to a certainty wrought injury, and it has not promoted
an increase. I advanced this hypothesis in 1873; and I now find it completely verified and con-
firmed by the united, intelligent testimony of those who have followed on the ground in my foot-
steps. The last reports received from the seal islands, filed in the Treasury Department, by
gentlemen of the best character, and of excellent ability, with whom, I regret to say, I have not a
personal acquaintance, declare that the seals are increasing ; that the rookeries have expanded
perceptibly over the margins which I have laid down on these maps. They had my data, because
I left a copy of these manuscript surveys, reproduced herein, in their respective ofiices on the two
islands.
PECUNIARY VALUE OF THE SEAL-LIFE ON THE PRIBYLOV ISLANDS. — The theoretical value
of these interests of the Government on the Pribylov Islands, represented by 2,500,000 to 3,000,000
fur-seals, male and female, in good condition, is not less than $10,000,000 to $12,000,000; taking,
however, the females out of the question, and from this calculation, and looking at the "hollus-
chickie" alone, as they really represent the only killable seals, then the commercial value of the
same would be expressed by the sum of $1,800,000 to $2,000,000 ; this is a permanent prin-
cipal invested here, which now nets the public treasury more than 15 per cent, annually ; a very
handsome rate of interest, surely.
STRANGE IGNORANCE OF THIS VALUE IN 1867. — Considering that this return is the only one
made to the Government by Alaska since its transfer, and that it was never taken into account
at first, by the most ardent advocates of the purchase of Russian America, it is in itself highly
creditable and interesting ; to Senator Sumner the friends of the acquisition of this territory in
1867 delegated the task of making the principal argument in its favor. Everything that was
written in strange tongues was carefully translated by the Government, so that the choice bits of
mention which could be found of Alaska's value should be placed in Sumner's hands. Hence his
speech* on the subject possesses this interest: it is the embodiment of everything that could be
scraped together, having the faintest shadow of authenticity, by all of the eager friends of the
purchase, which gave the least idea of any valuable natural resources in Alaska; therefore,
when, in summing all this up, Sumner makes no reference whatever to the seal islands, or the
fur-seal itself, the extraordinary ignorance at home and abroad relative to the Pribylov Islands
can be well appreciated.
* Speech on cession of Russian America, U. S. Senate, 1867; "Summary," p. 48.
360 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
THE SAFE PERPETUATION OP THESE INTERESTS. — We know uow, to a certainty, that we
can take 100,000 young male seals every year froiu these hauling grounds of Saint Paul and Saint
Goerge, without the slighest injury to the interest of the Government thereon. How many more
can be taken annually, is a problem which, perhaps, to the best interests of all concerned, had
better remain unsolved. As a mere pleasure of calculation and evolution from known facts, I was
satisfied, and am now, that 150,000 to 180,000 "holluschickie" could annually be taken without any
sign of future detriment ; but, though at first I did not, yet I should now, for one, object to a full
business execution ; because these curious, anomalous, and valuable interests of the Government
might as well stand " well enough alone."
The Government derives a handsome revenue, as matters now go on, and the increased tax
which might accrue to the public treasury from a higher development of the business, would hardly
pay, when weighed against the slighest risk of its injury in the future.
THOUGHTS UPON THE POSSIBLE MOVEMENTS OF THE FUR-SEALS IN THE FUTURE. — As
these animals live and breed upon the Pribylov Islands, the foregoing studies of their habit declare
certain natural conditions of landing-ground and climate to be necessary for their existence and
perpetuation. From my surveys made upon the islands to the north, Saint Matthew and Saint Law-
rence, together with the scientific and corroborating testimony of those who have visited all of the
mainland coast of Alaska, and the islands contiguous, including the peninsula and the great
Aleutian Archipelago, I have no hesitation in stating that the fur-seal cannot breed, or rest for
that matter, on any other land than that now resorted to, which lies within our boundary lines ;
the natural obstacles are insuperable. Therefore, so far as our possessions extend, we have, in
the Pribylov Group, the only eligible land to which the fur-seal can repair for breeding; and ou
which, at Saint Paul Island alone, there is still room enough of unoccupied rookery- ground for the
accommodation of twice as many seals as we find there to-day. But we must not forget a very
important prospect; for, we know that to the westward, only 700 miles, and within the jurisdiction
of Russia, are two other seal-islands — one very large, on which the fur-seal regularly breeds also;
and though from the meager testimony in my possession, compared with Saint Paul, the fur seal life
upon them is small, still, if that land within the pale of the Czar's dominion be as suitable for the
reception of the rookeries as is that of Saint Paul, then what guarantee have we that the seal-life on
Copper and Bering Islands, at some future time, may not be greatly augmented by a corresponding-
diminution of our own, with no other than natural causes operating? Certainly, if the ground
on either Bering or Copper Island, in the Commander Group, is as well situated for the wants of
the breeding fur-seal as is that exhibited by the Pribylov Islands, then I say confidently that we
may at any time note a diminution here and find a corresponding augmentation there; for I
have clearly shown, in my chapter on the habits of these animals (see Section I of this report), that
they are not so particularly attached to the respective places of their birth, but that they rather
land with an instinctive appreciation of the fitness of that ground as a whole.
MORE DEFINITE KNOWLEDGE NEEDED OF THE RUSSIAN SEAL-ISLANDS. — If W6, however,
possess ail the best suited ground, then we can count upon retaining the seal-life as we now have
it, by a vast majority, and, in no other way ; for it is not unlikely that some season may occur
when an immense number of the fur-seals, which have lived during the last four or five years on
the Pribylov Islands, should be deflected from their usual feeding-range at sea by the shifting of
schools of fish, and other abnormal causes, which would bring them around quite close to the
Asiatic seal-grounds, in the spring ; and the scent from those rookeries would act as a powerful
stimulant and attraction for them to land there, where the conditions for their breeding may be
just as favorable as they desire. Such being the case, this diminution, therefore, which we would
THi: I I R SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 361
notice on the I'ribylov Group, might bo the great increase- observed at the Commander Islands,
and nor iluc to any mismanagement on the part of the men in charge of these interests. Thus, it
appears to me necessary that drlinite knowledge concerning the Commander Islands and the.
Kuriles should be gathered; without it, I do not hesitate to say that any report made by an agent
of the Government as to a visible diminution of the seal-life on the Pribylovs, due in his opinion
to the effect of killing as it is conducted there, would be without good foundation ; that this dimi-
nution would have been noticed just the same, h\ all likelihood, had there been no taking of seals
at all on the Pribylov Islands, and that the missing seals were, more than probable, over on the
Russian grounds.
If we find, however, that the character of this Eussian seal-laud is restricted to narrow beach-
margins, under bluffs, as at Saint George, then we shall know that a great body of seals will never
attempt to laud there when they could not do so without suffering, and in violation of their laws
during the breeding-season. Therefore, with this correct understanding to start on, we can then
feel alarmed with good reason, should we ever observe any diminution, to a noteworthy degree,
on our seal-islands of Bering Sea.
POSSIBLE DEFLECTION OF SEALS IN FEEDING. — I do not call attention to this subject with
the slightest idea in my mind, as I write, of any such contingency arising, even for an indefinite
time to come ; but still I am sensible of the fact that it is possible for it to occur any season. But
the seals undoubtedly feed on their pelagic fields in systematic routine of travel, from the time
they leave the Pribylov Islands until that of their return ; therefore, in all probability, unless the
fish upon which they are nourished suddenly become scarce in our waters and soundings, the
seals will not change their base, as matters now progress; but it is possible for the finny shoals
and schools to be so deflected from their migration to and from their spawning-beds, as to carry
this seal-life with it, as I have hinted above. Thus it cannot be superfluous to call up this ques-
tion, so that it shall be prominent in discussion, and suggestion for future thought.
NEED OF CAREFUL YEAELY EXAMINATION. — In the mean time the movements of the seals
upon the great breeding-rookeries of Saint Paul and those of Saint George should be faithfully noted
and recorded every year ; and as time goes on, this record will place the topic of their increase or
diminution beyond all theory or cavil.
6.— STATISTICS OF SEALS TAKEN FEOM THE ISLANDS.
EXHIBIT OF ALL SKINS SHIPPED FEOJI THE PEIBYLOV ISLANDS. — As an exhibit of the
entire number of fur-seal skins taken for taxes and sale from the Pribylov Islands, between 1797
and 1880, inclusive, I present the following table, which, although it may vary a few thousand
skins — not over one hundred thousand in all, from the true aggregate — during the long period of
nearly one hundred years covered by it, I am nevertheless satisfied that it is the best evidence of
the kind which can be obtained. Prior to the year 1868 it will be noticed that I have given only
a series of estimates for the period antedating that year, as far back as 1862. The reason for this
is, that I can find nowhere, in writing, an authenticated record of the catch. It was the policy of
the old liussian Company invariably to take more skins, every year, from these islands down to
Sitka than they could profitably dispose of annually in the markets of the world ; a large surplus
being yearly left over, which were suffered to decay or be destroyed by moths, and subsequently
thrown into the sea. I can only judge, therefore, of what they took in that period, from what I
know they had on hand in their salt-house at Saint George and Saint Paul during 1867, which was
forty thousand to forty-eight thousand skins; and this the natives told me was a larger average than
362
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
they had taken for a great many years prior to that date. Hence, I have proportioned it back to
the last record, which I find in Techmainov, whose figures, embraced in the three periods, from
1796 to 1861, have been given as copied by him from the authentic archives of the old Russian
Company ; he is careful to say in this connection that the exhibit does not show all skins that
were taken from the seal-islands, but only those which the Russians ttfok'for sale from Sitka.
And, again, other Russian authors, rather than this historian of the Russian- American Com-
pany, have said that immense numbers of fur-seal skins— hundreds of thousands — were frequently
accumulated in the warehouses at Sitka only to decay and be destroyed. Their aggregate cannot
be estimated within any bound of accuracy, and it is not in the sum total of the following table.
What we have taken on the island, since 1868, is presented below, almost correct. In the following
table, relative to the Pribylov Group, it will be noticed that there is a gap of ten years between
1786, the date of their discovery, and 1797, the time of the earliest Russian record. How many were
taken then, there is not the faintest evidence in black and white ; but we do know that from the
time of the discovery of the Pribylov Islands up to 1799, the taking of fur-seals on both of these
islands progressed without count or lists ; and without any responsible head or director ; because
there were then, upon those islands, seven or eight different companies, represented by as many
agents or leaders, and all of them vied one with the other in taking as many fur-seals as they could.*
Fur-seal skins taken for shipment and sale (Callorhinus ursinus) from the Pribylov Islands.
Period.
Number of
skins.
Period.
Number of
Rkinn.
Period.
Number of
skins.
1 232 374
1867
?48 000
1875
99 500
458 502
1868
242 000
1876
99 000
372 000
1869
87, 000
1877
83 500
?20 000
1870
9,965
1878 . . .
95 000
1861
?25 000
1871
93, 000
1879
99 968
1864
?26 000
1872
99, 000
1880
99 950
1865
?40 000
1873 . -
99 630
1866
142 000
1874
99 820
Total 1797 to 1880
3 561 051
* Including about 5,000 annually from the Commander Islands.
The following table shows the number of fur seals taken on Commander Islands from 1862 to
1880:
Fur-seal skins taken for shipment (Callorhinus ursinus) from the Commands Islands.
Tears.
Number
of seals
taken.
Tears.
Number
of seals
taken.
Tears.
Number
of seals
taken.
186°
4 000
1869
24 000
1876
26 960
1863
4 500
1870
24 000
1S77 . .
21 532
1864
S 000
1871
3 614
1878
31 340
1865
4 000
1872
29 318
1879
42 752
1866
4 000
1873
30 396
1880
48 504
1867
4 000
1874
31 272
1868
12 000
1875
36 274
Total, 1862 to 1880 . . .
387, 462
* The attempt, on my part, to get an authentic list of the numbers of fur-seals slain upon the Pribylov Islands,
prior to 1868, has simply been, to my mind, a partial failure. My investigation and search for such record has satis-
fied me that it does not exist ; memoranda of shipments only, each season, were made by the agents of the Russian
Company when the vessels took those skins from the seal islands to Sitka ; and of these skins, again, count was only
made of such as were exported to China or Russia, no msntion being made anywhere of the number which was
consumed in Alaska by the company's large force of attache's, or else destroyed at New Archangel. This method of
accounting for the yield from the Pribylovs from 1806 or 1817 up to 1867, naturally confuses a correct determination
as to the sum total — renders it, perhaps, very inaccurate.
THE FUR SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 363
7.— THE MANNER OF TAKING THE SEALS.
THE MANNER IN WHICH THE SEALS ARE TAKEN. — By reference to the habits of the fur-seal,
which I have discussed elsewhere, it is now plain and beyond doubt that two-thirds of all the males
which are born, and they are equal in numbers to the females born, are never permitted by the
remaining third, strongest by natural selection, to land upon the same breeding ground with the
females, which always herd thereupon en masse. Hence this great band of "bachelor" seals, or
(i hollusch ickie," so fitly termed, when it visits the island is obliged to live apart entirely — sometimes,
and some places, miles away from the rookeries ; and in this admirably perfect method of nature
are those seals which can be properly killed without injury to the rookeries, selected and held aside
by their own volition, so that the natives can visit and take them, as they would so many hogs,
without disturbing, in the least degree, the utter peace and entire quiet of the breeding grounds,
where the stock is perpetuated.
The manner in which the natives capture and drive the " holluschickie" up from the hauling
grounds to the slaughter-fields near the two villages of Saint Paul and Saint George, and elsewhere
on the islands, cannot be improved upon. The routine which they follow is most satisfactory ; it is
in this way : At the beginning of every sealing season, that is, during May and June, large bodies
of the jouug "bachelor" seals do not haul up on land very far from the water — a few rods at, the
most — and, when these first arrivals are sought after, the natives, in capturing them, are obliged
to approach slyly and run quickly between the dozing seals and the surf, before they can take
alarm and bolt into the sea ; thus, in this way a dozen Aleuts, running down the sand beach of
English Bay, in the early morning of some June day, will turn back from the water thousands of
seals, just as the mold-board of a plow lays over and back a furrow of earth. When the sleeping
seals are first startled, they arise, and, seeing men between them and the water, immediately turn,
lope, and scramble rapidly back up and over the land ; the natives then leisurely walk on the
flanks and in the rear of the drove thus secured, directing and driving them over to the killing
grounds, close by the village.*
PROGRESSION OF A SEAL-DRIVE. — A drove of seals on hard or firm grassy ground, in cool and
moist weather, may be driven with safety at the rate of half a mile an hour ; they can be urged
along, with the expenditure of a great many lives, however, at the speed of a mile or a mile and
a quarter per hour ; but this is highly injurious, and it is seldom ever done. An old bull seal, fat
and unwieldy, cannot travel with the younger ones, though it can lope or gallop as it starts over
the ground as fast as an ordinary man can run, over 100 yards ; but then it fails utterly, falls to the
earth supine, entirely exhausted, hot, and gasping for breath.
* The task of getting up early in the morning, and going out to the several hauling grounds, closely adjacent, is
really all there is of the labor involved in securing the number of seals required for the day's work on the killing
gronnds. The two, three, or four natives upon whom, in rotation, this duty is devolved by the order of their chief,
rise at first glimpse of dawn, between 1 and 2 o'clock, and hasten over to Lukannon, Tolstoi, or Zoltoi, as the case
may be, " walk out" their "hollaschickie," and have them duly on the slaughter field before 6 or 7 o'clock, as a rule,
in the morning. In favorable weather the " drive" from Tolstoi consumes two and a half to three hours' time ; from
Lnkannon, about two hours, and is often done in an hour and a half ; while Zoltoi is so near by that the time is merely
nominal.
I heard a great deal of talk among the white residents of Saint Paul, when I first landed and the sealing-si-a^on
opened, abont the necessity of "resting" the hauling gronnds ; in other words, they said that if the seals were driven
in repeated daily rotation from any one of the hanling grounds, that this would so disturb these animals as to prrvcnt
their coming to any extent again thereon, during the rest of the season. This theory seemed rational enough to
me at the beginning of my investigations, and I was not disposed to question its accuracy ; but siibsequeut observa-
tion, directed to this point particularly, satisfied me, and the sealers themselves with whom I was associated, that
the driving of the seals had no effect whatever upon the hanling which took place soon or immediately after the field,
for the hour, had been swept clean of seals by the drivers. If the weather was favorable for landing, i. «., cool, moist,
and foggy, the fresh hauling of the " hollnschickie " would cover the bare grounds again in a very short space of time
364 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The "holluschickie" are urged along over the path leading to the killing grounds with very
little trouble, and require only three or four men to guide and secure as many thousand at a time.
They are permitted to frequently halt and cool oft', as heating them injures their fur. These seal-
halts on the road always impressed me with a species of sentimentalism and regard for the creatures
themselves. The men dropping back for a few moments, the awkward shambling and scuffling of
the march at once ceases, and the seals stop in their tracks to fan themselves with their hind-flip-
pers, while their heaving flanks give rise to subdued panting sounds. As soon as they apparently
cease to pant for want of breath, and are cooled off comparatively, the natives step up once more,
clatter a few bones with a shout along the line, and the seal-shamble begins again — their march to
death and the markets of the world is taken up anew.
I was also impressed by the singular docility and amiability of these animals when driven
along the road ; they never show fight any more than a flock of sheep would do ; if, however, a
few old seals get mixed in, they usually get so weary that they prefer to come to a stand-still and
tight rather than move ; otherwise no sign whatever of resistance is made by the drove from the
moment it is intercepted, and turned up from the hauling grounds, to the time of its destruction at
the hands of the sealing gang.
This disposition of the old seals to fight rather than endure the panting torture of travel is of
great advantage to all parties concerned; for they are worthless commercially, and the natives are
only too glad to let them drop behind, where they remain unmolested, eventually returning to the
sea. The fur on them is of little or no value, their under wool being very much shorter, coarser,
and more scant than in the younger; especially so on the posterior parts along the median line of
the back.
This change for the worse or deterioration of the pelage of the fur-seal takes place, as a rule,
in the fifth year of their age ; it is thickest and finest in texture during the third and fourth year of
life, hence, in driving the seals on Saint Paul and Saint George up from the hauling-grounds the
natives make as far as practicable a selection from males of that age.
It is quite impossible, however, to get them all of one age without an extraordinary amount
of stir and bustle, which the Aleuts do not like to precipitate ; hence the drive will be found to
consist usually of a bare majority of three and four year olds, the rest being two-year-olds princi-
pally, and a very few, at wide intervals, five-year-olds, the yearlings seldom ever getting mixed up.
METHOD OF LAND TRAVEL. — As the drove progresses along the path to the slaughtering-
grounds, the seals all move in about the same way; they go ahead with a kind of walking step
and a sliding, shambling gallop. The progression of the whole caravan is a succession of starts,
spasmodic and irregular, made every few minutes, the seals pausing to catch their breath, and
make, as it were, a plaintive survey and mute protest. Every now and then a seal will get weak
in the lumbar region, then drag his posteriors along for a short distance, finally drop breathless
and exhausted, quivering and panting, not to revive for hours — days, perhaps — and often never.
During the driest driving days, or those days when the temperature does not combine with wet
sometimes in a few hours after the driving of every seal from Zoltoi Bands over to the killing fields adjacent, those
dunes and the beach in question would be swarming anew with fresh arrivals. If, however, the weather is abnor-
mally warm and sunny, during its prevalence, even if for several consecutive days, no seals to speak of will haul out
on the emptied space ; indeed, if these "holluschickie" had not been taken away by man from Zoltoi or any other
hauling ground on the islands when " tayopli" weather prevailed, most of such seals would have vacated their terres-
trial loating places pro tern, for the cooler embraces of the sea.
The importance of clearly understanding this fact as to the readiness of the "holluschickie" to haul promptly
out on steadily "swept" ground, provided the weather is inviting, is very great; because, when not understood, it
was deemed necessary, even as late as the season of 1872, to "rest" the hauling grounds near the village (from which all
the driving has been made since), and make trips to far-away Polavina and distant Zapadnie — an unnecessary expen-
diture of human time, and a causeless infliction of physical misery upon phocine backs and flippers.
THE FUK SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 365
fog to keep the path moist and cool, quite a large number of the weakest seals in the drove will
be thus laid out and left on the track. If one of these prostrate seals is not too much heated at
the time, the native driver usually taps the beast over the head and removes its skin.*
PROSTRATION OF FUR-SEALS BY HEAT. — This prostration from exertion will always happen,
no matter how carefully they are driven ; and in the longer drives, such as 24 and 5 miles from
/apaduie on the west, or Polaviua on the north, to the village of Saint Paul, as much as 3 or I per
cent, of the whole drive will be thus dropped on the road; hence I feel satisfied, from my observa-
tion and close attention to this feature, that a considerable number of those that are thus rejected
from the drove, and are able to rally and return to the water, die subsequently from internal
injuries sustained on the trip, superinduced by this over-exertion. I, therefore, think it highly
improper and impolitic to extend drives of the ''holluschickie" over any distance on Saint Paul
Island exceeding a mile or a mile and a half; it is better for all parties concerned, and the business
too, that salt-houses be erected, and killing-grounds established adjacent and contiguous to all of
the great hauling-grounds, 2 miles distant from the village on Saint Paul Island, should the busi-
ness ever be developed above the present limit : or should the exigencies of the future require a
quota from all these places, in order to make up the 100,000 which may be lawfully taken.
ABUNDANT SUPPLY OF "HOLLUSCHICKIE." — As matters are to-day, 100,000 seals alone
on Saint Paul can be taken and sikiuned in less than forty working days, within a radius of li
miles from the village, and from the salt-house at Northeast Point; hence the driving, with the
exception of two experimental droves which I witnessed in 1872, has never been made from longer
distances than Tolstoi to the eastward, Lukannon to the northward, and Zoltoi to the south-
ward of the killing-grounds at Saint Paul village. Should, however, an abnormal season recur in
which the larger proportion of days during the right period for taking the skins be warmish and
dry, it might be necessary, in order to get even 75,000 seals within the twenty -eight or thirty
days of their prime condition, for drives to be made from the other great hauling-grouuds to the
westward and northward, which are now, and have been for the last ten years, entirely
unnoticed by the sealers.
KILLING THE SEALS. — The seals, when finally driven up on to those flats between the east
landing and the village, and almost under the windows of the dwellings, are herded there until
cool and rested. The drives are usually made very early in the morning, at the first breaking of
day, which is 1.30 to 2 o'clock of June and July in these latitudes. They arrive and cool off on
the slaughtering-grounds, so that by 6 or 7 o'clock a. m., after breakfast, the able-bodied male
population turn out from the village and go down to engage in the work of slaughter. The men
are dressed in their ordinary working-garb of thick flannel shirts, stout cassiinere or canvas pants,
over which the" tarbossa" boots are drawn; if it rain's they wear their "kainlaikas, " made of the
intestines and throats of the sea-lion and fur-seal. Thus dressed, they are armed with a club
piece, a stout oaken or hickory bludgeon, which have been made particularly for the purpose at
New London, Connecticut, and imported here for this especial service. These sealing clubs are
about 5 or 6 feet in length, 3 inches in diameter at their heads, and the thickness of a man's fore-
* The fur-seal, like all of the pinnipeds, has no sweat-glands ; hence, when it is heated, it cools off by the same
process of panting which is so characteristic of the dog, accompanied by the fanning thai I have hitherto fully
described ; the panting and low grunting of a tired drove of seals, on a warmer day than usual, can be hoard several
hundred yards away. It is surprising how quickly the hair and fur will come out »f the skin of a blood- lira toil seal—
literally rubs bodily off at a touch of the finger. A line specimen of a three-year-old " holliisohak " fell in its tracks
at the head of a lagoon while being driven to the village killing-grounds. I asked that it In- skinned with special
reference to mounting ; accordingly a native was sent for, who was on the spot, knife in hand, within loss than thirty
minutes from the moment that this seal fell in the road ; yet, soon after he had got fairly to work, patches of the fur
and hair came off here and there wherever he chanced to clutch the skin.
366 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
arm where they are grasped by the hands. Each native also has his stabbing-knife, his skinning-
kuife, and his whetstone ; these are laid upon the grass convenient, when the work of braining or
knocking the seals down is in progress. This is all the apparatus which they have for killing
and skinning.
THE KILLING GANG AT WORK. — When the men gather for work they are under the control of
their chosen foremen or chiefs; usually, on Saint Paul, divided into two working parties at the
village, and a sub-party up at Northeast Point, where another salt-house and slaughtering-field is
established. At the signal of the chief the work of the day begins by the men stepping into the
drove, corraled on the flats; and, driving out from it one hundred or one hundred and fifty seals
at a time, make what they call a " pod, " which they surround in a circle, huddling the seals one
on another as they narrow it down, until they are directly within reach and under their clubs.
Then the chief, after he has cast his experienced eye over the struggling, writhing ukautickie" in
the center, passes the word that such and such a seal is bitten, that such and such a seal is too
young, that such and such a seal is too old ; the attention of his men being called to these points, he
gives the word " strike," and instantly the heavy clubs come down all around, and every one that
is eligible is stretched out stunned and motionless, in less time, really, than I take to tell it.
Those seals spared by order of the chief now struggle from under and over the' bodies of their
insensible companions, and pass, hustled off by the natives, back to the sea.*
METHOD OF ALEUTS IN SKINNING FTJE-SEALS. — The clubs are dropped, the men seize the
prostrate seals by the hind-flippers, and drag them out, so they are spread on the ground without
touching each other ; then every sealer takes his knife and drives it into the heart at a point
between the fore- flippers of each stunned form; the blood gushes forth, and the quivering of the
animal presently ceases. A single stroke of a heavy oak bludgeon, well and fairly delivered, will
crush in at once the slight, thin bones of a fur-seal's skull, and lay the creature out almost lifeless.
These blows are, however, usually repeated two or three times with each animal, but they are
very quickly done. The bleeding, which is immediately effected, is so speedily undertaken iu
order that the strange reaction, which the sealers call u heating," shall be delayed for half an hour
or so, or until the seals can all be drawn out, and laid in some disposition for skinning.
I have noticed that within less than thirty minutes from the time a perfectly sound seal was
knocked down, it had so " heated," owing to the day being warmer and drier than usual, that,
when touching it with my foot, great patches of hair and fur scaled off. This is a rather exception
ally rapid metamorphosis — it will, however, take place in every instance within an hour or an
hour and a half, on these warm days, after the first blow is struck, and the seal is quiet in death ;
* The aim and' force with which the native directs his blow determines the death of the seal ; if struck direct
and violently, a single stroke is enough ; the seals' heads are stricken so hard sometimes that those crystalline lenses
to their eyes fly out from the orbital sockets like hail-stones, or little pebbles, and frequently struck me sharply in
the face, or elsewhere, while I stood near by watching the killing-gang at work.
A singular lurid green light suddenly suffuses the eye of the fur-seal at intervals when it is very much excited, as
the "podding" for the clubbers is in progress; and, at the moment when last raising its head it si-es the uplifted
bludgeons on every hand above, fear seems then for the first time to possess it and to instantly gild its eye in this
strange mauuer. When the seal is brained in this state of optical coloration, I have noticed that the opalescent
tinting remained well defined for many hours to a whole day after death; these remarkable flashes are very char-
acteristic to the eyes of the old males during their hurly-burly on the rookeries, but never appear in the younger
classes unless as just described, as far as I could observe.
This tenderness and extreme susceptibility of the whole seal-tribe, save the walrus, to a blow upon the ethmoid
processes, was well understood by the Ancients, and is thus expressed by them :
Non hami penetrant phocas, ssevique tridentes
In caput incutient, et circuin tempora pulsat.
Nam subita percuut capitas per viiluora morte.
Oppian.
THE PUE SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 367
hence no time is lost by the prudent chief ill directing the removal of the skins as rapidly as the
seals are knocked down and dragged out. If it is a cool day, after bleeding the first " pod" which
has been prostrated in the manner described, and after carefully drawing the slain from the, heap
in which they have fallen, so that the bodies will spread over the ground just free from touching
one another, they turn to and strike down another "pod''; and so on, until a whole thousand or
two are laid out, or the drove, as corraled, is finished. The day, however, must be raw and cold
for this wholesale method. Then, after killing, they turn to work and skin; but, if it is a warm
day, every pod is skinned as soon as it is knocked down.
The labor of skinning is exceedingly severe, and is trying even to an expert, demanding long
practice ere the muscles of the back and thighs are so developed as to permit a man to bend down
to, and finish well, a fair day's work. The knives used by the natives for skinning are ordinary
kitchen or case-handle butcher-knives. They are sharpened to cutting edges as keen as razors ;
but, something about the skins of the seal, perhaps fine comminuted sand along the abdomen, so
dulls these knives, as the natives work, that they are constantly obliged to whet them.
The body of the seal, preparatory to skinning, is rolled over and balanced squarely on its back;
then the native makes a single swift cut through the skin down along the neck, chest, and belly,
from the loner jaw to the root of the tail, using, for this purpose, his long stabbing knife.* The
fore and hind flippers are then successively lifted, as the man straddles the seal and stoops down
to his work over it, and a sweeping circular incision is made through the skin on them just at the
point where the body-fur ends; then, seizing a flap of the hide on either one side or the other of
the abdomen, the man proceeds to rapidly cut with his smaller, shorter butcher-knife, the skin,
clean and free from the body and blubber, which he rolls over and out from the skin by hauling
upon it as he advances with his work, standing all this time stooped over the carcass so that his
hands are but slightly above it or the ground. This operation of skinning a fair-sized "holluschak"
takes the best men only one minute and a half; but the average time made by the gang on the
ground is about four minutes to the seal. Nothing is left of the skin upon the carcass save a
small patch of each upper lip on which the coarse mustache grows, the skin on the top of the
lower jaw, the insignificant tail, together with the bare hide of the flippers.
* When turning the stunned and senseless carcasses, the only physical danger which the sealers run the slightest
risk of, during the whole circuit of their work, occurs thus : at this moment the prone and quivering body of the
"holluschak" is not wholly inert, perhaps, though it is nine times out often, and, as the native takes hold of a fbre-
flipper to jerk the carcass over on to its back, the half-brained seal rouses, snaps suddenly and viciously, often biting
the hands or legs of the unwary skinners, who then come leisurely and unconcernedly up into the surgeon's office at
the village for bandages, &c.; a few men are bitten every day or two during the season on the islands in this manner,
but I have never learned of any serious result following in any case.
They, the sealers, as might be expected, become exceedingly expert in keeping their knives sharp, putting edges
on to them as keen as razors, and in an instant detect any dullness, by passing the balls of their thumbs over the
suspected edges to the blades.
The white sealers of the Antarctic always used the orthodox butchers' " steel " in sharpening their knives, but
these natives never have, and probably never will abandon those little whetstones above referred to.
During the Russian management, and throughout the strife in killing by our own people, in l^liS, a very large
number of the skins were cut through, here and there, by the slipping of the natives' knives, when they were taking
them from the carcasses, and "flensing" them from the superabundance, in spots, of blubber. These knife cuts
through the skin, no matter how slight, give great annoyance to the dresser; hence they are always marked way
down in price. The prompt scrutiny of each skin on the islands, by the agent of the Alaska Commercial Company,
who rejects every one of them thus injured, has caused the natives to exercise greater care, and the number now so
damaged every season is absolutely trifling.
Another source of small loss is due to a habit which the " holluschickie " have of occasionally biting one another
when they are being urged along in the drives, and thus crowded once in a while one upon the other ; usually those
examples of " zoobiiden " are detected by the natives prior to the "knocking down," and spared; yet those which
have been nipped on the chest or abdomen cannot be thus noticed ; and, until the skin is lifted, the damage is not
apprehended.
368 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
BLUBBER OF FUR-SEAL : UNPLEASANT ODOR. — On the removal of the skin from the body of
the fur-seal, the entire surface of the carcass is then covered with a more or less dense layer, or
envelope, of a soft, oily, fat blubber, which in turn completely conceals the muscles or flesh of the
trunk and neck ; this fatty substance, which we now see, resembles that met with in the seals gen-
erally everywhere, only possessing that strange peculiarity not shared by any other of its kind, of
being positively overbearing and offensive in odor to the unaccustomed human nostril. The rot
ting, sloughing carcasses around about did not, when stirred up, affect me more unpleasantly
than did this strong, sickening smell of the fur-seal blubber. It has a character and appearance
intermediate between those belonging to the adipose tissue found on the bodies of cetacea and
some caruivora.
This continuous envelope of blubber to the bodies of the " holluschickie" is thickest in deposit
at those points upon the breast between the fore nippers, reaching entirely around and over the
shoulders, where it is from 1 inch to a little over in depth. Upon the outer side of the chest it is
not half an inch in thickness, frequently not more than a -quarter; and it thins out considerably
as it reaches the median line of the back. The neck and head are clad by an unbroken continu-
ation of the same material, which varies from one-half to one-quarter of an inch in depth. Toward
the middle line of the abdominal region there is a layer of relative greater thickness. This is
coextensive with the sterno-pectoral mass ; but it does not begin to retain its volume as it extends
backward, where this fatty investment of the carcass upon the loins, buttocks, and hinder limbs
fades out finer than on the pectoro-abdomiual parts, and assumes a thickening corresponding to
the depth on the cervical and dorsal regions. As it descends on the limbs this blubber thins out
very perceptibly ; and when reaching the nippers it almost entirely disappears, giving way to a
glistening aureolar tissue, while the flipper skin finally descends in turn to adhere closely and
firmly to the tendinous ligamentary structures beneath, which constitute the tips of the Pinni
pedia.
The flesh and the muscles are not lined between, or within, by fat of any kind. This blubber
envelope contains it all with one exception — that which is found in the folds of the small
intestine and about the kidneys, where there is an abundant secretion of a harder, whiter, though
still offensive, fat.
FLESH OF FUR-SEAL AS AN ARTICLE OF DIET — It is quite natural and very much the fashion
for our people, when they first eat a meal on the Pribylov Islands, to ask questions in regard to
what seal meat looks and tastes like; some of the white residents will answer, saying that they
are very fond of it, cooked so and so ; others will reply that in no shape or manner can they stom
ach the dish. The inquirers must needs try the effect on their own palates. I frankly confess
that I had a slight prejudice against seal meat at first, having preconceived ideas that it must be
fishy in flavor, but I soon satisfied myself to the contrary, and found that the flesh of young seals
not over three years old was full as appetizing and toothsome as most of the beef, mutton, and
pork I was accustomed to at home; the following precautions must be rigidly observed, however,
by the cook who prepares fur-seal steaks and sausage balls for our delectation and subsistence —
he will fail, if he does not :
(1.) The meat must be perfectly cleaned of every vestige of blubber or fat, no matter how
slight.
(2.) Cut the flesh, then, into very thin steaks or slices, and soak them from six to twelve
hours in salt and water (a tablespoon of fine salt to a quart of fresh water) ; this whitens the meat
and removes the residuum of dark venous blood that will otherwise give a slightly disagreeable
taste, hardly definable, though existing.
TllK KUK SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. ;5(j(J
(3.) Fry these steaks, or stew them a lavtode, with a lew thin slices of sweet "breakfast"
bacou, seasoning with pepper and salt ; a rich brown gravy follows the cooking of the meat; serve
hot, and it is, strictly judged, a very excellent meal for the daintiest feeder— and I hereby recom-
mend it confidently as a safe venture for any newcomer to make.
MEAT OF THE SEA-LION. — The flesh of young sea lions is still better than that of the fur-seal,
while the natives say that the meat of the hair-seal (Phoca vitulina) is superior to both, being more
juicy; fur-seal meat is exceedingly dry, hence the necessity of putting bacon into the frying-pau
or stew-pot with it; sea-lion flesh is an improvement in this respect, and also that its fat, strange
to say, is wholly clear, white, and inodorous, while the blubber of the" holluschickie" is sickening
to the smell, and will, nine times out of ten, cause any civilized stomach to throw it up as quickly
as it is swallowed. The natives, however, eat a great deal of it simply because they are too lazy
to clean their fur-seal cuts, and not because they really relish it.
In this connection it may be well to add, that the liver of both CallorMnvs and Eumetoplux is
sweet and wholesome; or, in other words, it is as good as liver usually is in Fulton Market; the
tongues are small, white, and fat ; they are regularly cut out to some extent, and salted in ordinary
water-buckets for exportation to curious friends ; they have but slight claim to gastronomic favor.
The natives are, however, very partial to the liver ; but, though they like the tongues, yet they
are too lazy to prepare them. A few of them, in obeilience to pressing and prayerful appeals from
relatives at Oonalash'^a, do exert themselves enough every season to undergo the extra labor of
putting up a few barrels of fresh salted seal-meat, which, being carried down to Illoolook by the
company's vessels, affords a delightful variation to the steady codfish diet of the Aleutian Islanders.
8. MANNER OF CARING FOR AND SHIPPING THE FUR-SEAL.
CURING THE EAW SKINS. — The skins are taken from the field to the salt-house where they
are laid out, after being again carefully examined, one upon another, "hair to fat," like so many
sheets of paper, with salt profusely spread upon the fleshy sides as they are piled up in the " ken-
ches," or bins.* The salt-house is a large, barn-like frame structure, so built as to afford one-
* The practice of curiug iu early times was quite different from this rapid aud effective process of salting. The
skins were then all air-dried, pegged out, when "green," upon the ground, or else stretched upon a wooden trellis or
frame, which stood like a rude fence adjacent to the killing grounds ; it was the accumulation of such air-dried skint.
from the Pribylov Islands at Sitka which rotted so in 1803 that " 750,000 of them were cut up or thrown out into the
sea," completely destroyed. Had they been treated as they now are, such a calamity and hideous waste could noi
have occurred.
The method of air-drying which the old settlers employed is well portrayed by the practice of the natives up
there now, who treat a few hundred sea-lion skins to the process every fall ; preparing them thus for shipment to
Oonalashka, where they are used by brother Aleuts in covering their bidarkies or kyacks.
The natives, in speaking to me of this matter, said that whenever the weather was rough aud the wind blowing
hard these air-dried seal skins, as they were tossed from the bidarrah to the ship's deck, numbers of them would
frequently turn in the wind and fly clean over the vessel into the water beyond, where they were lost.
Under the old order of affairs, prior to the present management, the skins were packed up and carried 011 tho
backs of the boys aud girls, women and old men, to the salt-houses or drying-frames. When I first arrived, season of
1872, a slight variation was made in this respect by breaking a small Siberian bull into harness and hitching it to a
cart, in which the pelts were hauled. Before the cart was adjusted, however, aud the bull taught to pull, it was
led out to the killing grounds, by a ring in its nose, and literally covered with the green seal hides, which were
thus packed to the kenches. The natives wore delighted with even this partial assistance; but now they have 110
further concern about it at all, for several mules and carts render prompt and ample service. They were introduced
here, first, iu 1874. The Russian Alaska Company and also the Alaska Commercial Company have brought up three
or four horses to Saint Paul, but they have been unfortunate in losing them all by their dying soon after landing, the
voyage and the climate combined being inimical to equine health; but the mules of the present order of affairs have
been successful in their transportation to and residence in the Pribylov Islands. Oue, the first of these horses just
referred to, perhaps did not have a fair chance for its life. It was saddled one morning, and several camp-kettles,
coffee-pots, «fcc., slung on the crupper for tho use of the Russian agent, who was going up to Northeast Point for a
•week or ten days' visit. He got into the saddle, and while en route, near Polaviua, a kettle or pot broke loose be-
hind, the alarmed horse kicked its rider promptly off, and disappeared on a full run, in the fog, going toward the
bogs of Kaninista, where its lifeless and fox-gnawed body was eventually found several days afterwards.
SEC. V, VOL. II 24
370 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
t
third of its width in the center, from end to end, clear and open as a passage-way, while on each
side are rows of stanchions with sliding plauks, which are taken down and put up in the form of
deep bins, or boxes — "kenches," the sealers call them. As the pile of skins is laid at the bottom
of an empty '• kench," and salt thrown in on the outer edges, these planks are also put in place, so
that the salt may be kept intact until the bin is filled as high up as a man can toss the skins.
After lying two or three weeks in this style they become " pickled," and they are suited then at
any time to be taken up and rolled into bundles of two skins to the package, with the hairy side
out, tightly corded, ready for shipment from the islands.*
AVERAGE WEIGHT OF RAW SKINS. — The average weight of a two-year-old skin is ui pounds ;
of a three-year-old skin, 7 pounds; and of a four-year-old skin, 12 pounds, so that, as the major
portion of the catch is two or three year-olds, these bundles of two skius each have an average
weight of from 12 to 15 pounds. In this shape they go into the hold of the company's steamer at
Saint Paul, and are counted out from it in San Francisco. Then they are either at once shipped to
London by the Isthmus of Panama in the same shape, only packed up in large hogsheads of
from twenty to forty bundles to the package, or expressed by railroad, via New York, to the same
destination.
PACKING SKINS FOR SHIPMENT. — The work of bundling the skius is not usually commenced
by the natives until the close of the last week's sealing; or, in other words, those skins which
they first took, three weeks ago, are now so pickled by the salt in which they have been lying ever
since as to render them eligible for this operation and immediate shipment. The moisture of the
air dissolves and destroys a very large quantity of the saline preservative which the company
brings up annually in the form of rock salt, principally obtained at Carmen Island, Lower Cali-
fornia.
LAW PROTECTING THE SEALS. — The Alaska Commercial Company, by the provisions of law
under which they enjoy their franchise, are permitted to take one hundred thousand male seals
annually, and no more, from the Pribylov Islands. This they do in June and July of every year.
After that season the skins rapidly grow worthless, as the animals enter into shedding, and, if
taken would not pay for transportation and the tax. These natives are paid 40 cents a skin for
the catch, and they keep a close account of the progress of the work every day; they do so, as it
is all done by them, and they know within fifty skins, one way or the other, when the whole num-
ber have been secured each season. This is the only occupation of the three hundred and ninety-
eight people here, and they naturally look well after it. The interest and close attention paid by
these natives, on both islands, to the " holluschickie " and this business was both gratifying and
instructive to me during my residence there.
ERRONEOUS POPULAR IDEAS. — The common or popular notion with regard to seal skins is
that they are worn by those animals just as they appear when offered for sale; that the fur-seal
swni - about, exposing the same soft coat with which our .ladies of fashion so delight to cover their
lender forms during inclement winter. This is a very great mistake ; few skius are less attrac-
tive than is the seal skin when it is taken from the creature. The fur is not visible ; it is concealed
entirely by a coat of stiff overhair, dull, gray-brown, and grizzled. It takes three of them to make
a lady's sacque and boa, and, in order that the reason for their costliness may be apparent, I take
great pleasure in submitting a description of the tedious and skillful labor necessary to their dress-
ing ere they are fit for sale. A description of this process will be found in the Section of this
report on PREPARATION OF FISHERY PRODUCTS.
'The bundled skins are carried from tlio salt-houses to the haidar, when the order for shipment is given, and tossed
into that lighter, one by one, to be rapidly stowed ; 700 to 1,200 bundles make the average single load ; then, when
alongside the steamer, they are again tossed up, and cm her deck, from whence they are stowed in the hold.
Till-; KUR SKAL INDUSTRY ON ALASKA. I57 1
SmrMK.vr HI. ?.]•, AI, SKINS TO LONDON. — As I have said before, all of the fin seal catch ou
Saint Paul and Saint George, and the Russian Islands to tlie westward, is shipped by the Alaska
Commercial Compauy directly to London every season, and there, offered for salt: in the great fur
warehouses of that metropolis, where fur buyers, ever since the palmy days of the Hudson Bay Com-
pany when it controlled the fur market of the world, have been accustomed to repair twice a year for
the purpose of bidding in everything known to the trade that was collected over the whole world
and considered, of commercial importance.
9. ECONOMIC VALUE OF THE SKINS, OIL, AND FLESH OF THE FUR-SEAL.
REASON WHY FUR-SEAL-SKINS ARE ALL SOLD IN LONDON. — Ou account of the fact that the
labor in this country, especially skilled labor, commands so much more per diem in the return of
wages than it does in London or Belgium, it is not practicable for the Alaska Commercial Com-
pany, or any other company, to attempt to dress and put upon the market the catch of Bering Sea,
which is almost the entire catch of the whole world. Our people understand the theory of dress-
ing these skins perfectly, but they cannot compete with the cheaper labor of the Old World.
Therefore, nine-tenths nearly of the fur-seal skins taken every year are annually purchased and
dressed in London, and from thence distributed all over the civilized world where furs are worn
and prized.
CAUSE OF VARYING PRICES OF DRESSED SEAL SKINS.— The great variations of the value of
seal skin sacques, ranging from $75 up to $350, and even $500, is not often due to the variance in
the quality of the fur originally, but it is due to the quality of the work whereby the fur was
treated and prepared for wear. For instance, the cheap sacques are so defectively dyed that a
little moisture causes them to soil the collars and cuffs of their owners, and a little exposure causes
them speedily to fade and look ragged. A properly dyed skin, one that has been conscientiously
and laboriously finished, for it is a labor requiring great patience and great skill, will not rub off or
" crock" the whitest linen when moistened ; and it will wear the weather, as I have myself seen it
on the form of a sea captain's wife, for six and seven successive seasons, without showing the least
bit of dimness or raggedness. I speak of dyeing alone ; I might say the earlier steps of unhairing,
in which the over hair is deftly combed out and off from the skin, heated to such a point that fche
roots of the fur are not loosened, while those to the coarser hirsute growth are. If this is not
done with perfect uniformity, the fur will never lay smooth, no matter how skillfully dyed ; it will
always have a rumpled, ruffled look. Therefore the hastily dyed sacques are cheap, and are
enhanced in order of value just as the labor of dyeing is expended upon them.
GRADATION OF THE FUR OF CALLORHINUS ITRSINUS.— The gradation of the fur of Catto-
rhinus may, perhaps, be best presented in the following manner:
1 YEAR OLD g : WELL GROWN : at July 1 of every season :
FUR fully developed as to uniform length and thickness and evenness of distribution ; it is lighter in color, and
softer in texture, than hi .reufter, during the life of the animal; average weight of skin, a8 removed by the sealers
from the carcass, 4^ pounds.
•J YEAR OLD f : WELL GROWN : at -June 1 of every season :
FUR fully developed as to even length and thickness and uniformity of distribution ; it has now attained the
darker bnff and fawn color, sometimes almost brown, which it retains throughout the rest of the life of the
animal; it is slightly and perceptibly firmer and stiffer than it was last year, not being at all "fluffy" as in the
yearling dress now; average weight of skin, as taken from the body, 5| pounds.
3 YEAR OLD <? : WELL GROWN : at June 1 of every season :
FUR fully developed, as to even length, but a shade longer over the shoulders, where the incipient "wig" is
forming ; otherwise perfectly uniform in thickness and even distribution ; this is the very best grade of pelt which
the seal affords during its life ; average weight of skin, as taken from the body, 7 pounds.
372 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
4 YEAR OLD $ : WELL GROWN : at June 1 of every season :
FUR fully developed as to even length, except a decided advance in length and perceptible stiffness over the
shoulders, in the " wig"; otherwise perfectly uniform in thickness and even distribution ; this grade is almost as
safe to take, and as good as is the three-ye^r-old ; average weight "f skin, as removed, 12 pounds.
5 YEAR OLD <J : WELL GROWN : at May to June 1 every season :
FUR fully developed, but much longer and decidedly coarser in the " wig " region ; otherwise, uniform in thick-
ness and distribution ; the coarseness of the fur over the shoulders and disproportionate length thereon destroys
that uniformity necessary for rating A 1 in the market ; in fact it does not pay to take this skin ; average weight,
16 pounds.
6 YEAR OLD $ : WELL GROWN : from May to June 1 every season :
FUR fully developed, still longer and stift'er in the "wig" region, with a slightly thinner distribution over the
post-dorsal region, and shorter; this skin is never taken — it is profitless; average weight, 25 pounds.
7 YEAR OLD AND UPWARD f : from May to June 1 every season :
FUR fully developed, but very unevenly distributed, being relatively scant and short over the posterior dorsal
region, while it is twice as long and very coarse in the covering to the shoulders especially and the neck aud chest.
Skins are valueless to the fur trade ; weights, 45 to 60 pounds.
The analysis, as above, is a brief epitome of the entire subject; only it should be added that
the female skins are as finely furred as are the best grades of the males ; and also, that age does
not cause the quality of their pelage to deteriorate, which it does to so marked an extent in the
males. But, taking them into consideration is entirely out of the question, and ought to be so
forever.
The fo3tal coat of the pup is composed of coarse black hair alone : the underwool not at all
developed; when this is shed and the new coat put on in September and October, it is furred and
haired as a yearling, which I diagnose above; this pelage has, however, no commercial value.
All the skins taken by the company for the last eight years Jiave been prime skins, in the fair
sense of the term; but all the seal-skin sacques made therefrom have not been of the first quality,
by any means.
In order that the rules and regulations and the law governing and protecting the interests of
the Government on these islands may be fully understood, I give them below, pages 388, 390.
OIL or THE FUB-SEAL. — I have spoken of the blubber, and as I mentioned it, doubtless the
thought will occur, what becomes of the oil contained therein; is it all allowed to waste? A most
natural query, and one that I made instantly after my first arrival on the islands. I remember
seeing 40 or 50 hogsheads and tierces headed up and standing near the foot of the village hill, in
which there were many thousands of gallons of fur-seal oil. I asked the agent of the company
when he was going to ship it; he shrugged his shoulders and said: "As soon as it will pay."
I made, during the season, careful notes as to the amount of oil represented by the blubber
exposed on the 100,000 young male seal carcasses, and I found that the two aud three year old
'•holluschickie" bodies as left by the skinner would not clean up on an average more than half a
gallon of oil ; while the four-year-old males would make nearly a gallon. It should be remembered
that quite a large portion of the seal's fat is taken off with the skin, as its presence thereon is
necessary to that proper amalgamation and preservation by the salt when it is applied to its fresh
surface in the "keuches"; hence the amount of oil represented by these carcasses every year is
not much over 60,000 gallons.
CONDITION OF THE FUR-SEAL OIL MAEKET. — When among the seal-oil dealers in New York
City, during the mouth of May, in 1876, I took these notes with me and investigated the standing
and the demand for fur-seal oil in their market aud the markets of the world ; and the statements
of these oil experts and dealers were all in accord as to the striking inferiority of fur-seal oil.
compared with the hair-seal and sea-elephant oil, which they dealt in largely. The inferiority of
the fur-seal oil is due primarily to the offensive odor of the blubber, which I have spoken of here-
tofore. This singularly disagreeable smell does not exist in the blubber of the hair-seal (Phoeidce),
TI1K FUH SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 373
the sea-elephant or sea-lion, and it makes the process of refining it very difficult. They said it
was almost impossible to properly deodorize it and leave the slightest margin of profit for the
manufacturer and the dealer. It was gummy and far darker in color than any other seal oil, hence
it possessed little or no commercial value. Then, again, when the subject of taking oil from the
seal islands of Alaska is considered, the following obstacles, in addition to the first great objection
just cited, arise at once to financial success : The time, trouble, and danger in loading a vessel
with oil at the islands where, on account of the absence of a harbor and the frequent succession
of violent gales, a ship is compelled to anchor from 1J to 3 miles from the coast, on which the surf
is always breaking. The costs, again, of casks and cooperage will amount to 10 cents per gallon;
the cost of the natives' work in securing and bringing the blubber to the try-works, 10 cents per
gallon; the cost of refining it, 10 cents; and the cost of transportation of a cargo of, say, 60,000
gallons will amount to nearly 20 cents per gallon; thus making a gallon of fur-seal oil aggregate
in cost to the taker 50 cents, which entails upon him nothing but pecuniary loss when the cargo
goes upon the market, and where it is worth only from 40 to 50 cents retail, with a dull sale at that.*
FRAGILE CHARACTER OP PUR-SEAL BONES. — I looked at the fur-seal bones, and at first sight
it seemed as though a bone factory might be established there ; but a little examination of the
singularly light and porous osseous structure of the Callorhinus quickly stifled that enterprise.
The skull and larger bones of the skeleton are more like pasteboard than the bone which is so
common to our minds. When dried out, the entire skeleton of a three-year-old male will not weigh
7 pounds ; indeed, I am inclined to think it would be much less than that if thoroughly kiln-dried,
as after the fashion of the bone-mills. Therefore, although one hundred thousand of these skeletons
bleach out and are trodden down annually, upon the Pribylov Islands, yet they have not the
standing for any commercial value whatsoever, considering their distance and difficulty of access
from those impoverished fields where they might serve our farmers as fertilizing elements. The
bones of Callorhinus, though apparently strong, are surprisingly light and porous ; indeed, they
resemble those of Aves more than those commonly credited to mammalia ; the osseous structure,
however, of Phoca vitulina, the hair-seal which I examined there, side by side with that of the fur-
seal, was very much more solid and weighed, bone for bone of equal age, just about one-third
more, the skull especially ; also the shoulder-blades and the pelvic series. If the bones of the
animals were not divested of their cartilaginous continuations and connections, then the aggregate
weight of the fur-seal is equal to its hairy-skinned relative ; the entire skeleton of a three-year-old $
Callorhinus, completely divested by sea-fleas (Amphipoda) of all flesh and fat, but with every
ligameutary union and articulation perfect (the cartilaginous toe-ends all present), was just 8
pounds, and I have reason to believe that when it became air-dried and bleached it did not weigh
more than 4 or 5. The bones of the older seals are relatively very much heavier, but only rela-
tively ; the frailness and fragility is constant through life, though the skulls of the old males do
thicken up on their crests and about the rami of their jaws very perceptibly.
* In 1873, not having had any experience and not even knowing the views of the oil dealers themselves, I left the
seal islands believing that if the special tax which was then laid upon each gallon of oil as it might be rendered was
removed, that it would pay the manufacturer, and in this way employ the natives, many days of the year otherwise
idle, profitably. The company assured me that as far as its conduct in the matter was concerned, it would be per-
fectly willing to employ the natives in rendering fur-seal oil, and give them all the profit, not desiring itself te coin
a single penny out of the whole transaction ; possibly this could be done if the special tax of 55 cents per gallon was
stricken oS. The matter was then urged upon the Treasury Department, by myself, in October, 1873, and the tax
was repealed by the Department soon after. But it seems that I was entirely mistaken as to the quality and value of
the oil itself. I made, to satisfy myself, a very careful investigation of the subject in 1876, going personally to the
leading dealers in whale and seal oil of New York City, and they were unanimous in their opposition to handling fur-
seal oil, some of them saying that they would not touch it at any price. I felt considerably chagrined, because had
I known as much in 1873, I would have saved myself then, and my friends subsequently, a good deal oi unnecessary
trouble and profitless action.
374 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Sea-lion bones are, however, normally strong and heavy ; the bone of the fur-seal is evidently
Stout enough, but it is singularly light, while the walrus, that dull, sluggish brute, has a massive
osteological frame. I made these relative examinations more especially to ascertain something
which might pass for a correct estimate of what the bony waste ou the killing-grounds of the
Pribylov islands amounted to annually, with a view of its possible utilization. The spongy bones
of the whole one hundred thousand annually laid out would not render, according to my best
judgment, 50 tons of dry bone-meal — an insignificant result and unworthy of further notice on
these islands.
DECAY OP SEAL CARCASSES. — Another singular and striking characteristic of the Island of
Saint Paul, is the fact that this immense slaughtering-field, upon which seventy -five to ninety thou-
sand fresh carcasses lay every season, sloughing away into the sand beneath, does not cause any
sickness among the people who live right over them, so to speak. The cool, raw temperature, and
strong winds, peculiar to the place, seem to prevent any unhealthy effect from the fermentation of
decay. The blubber envelopes left upon the carcasses really act as air-tight retorts, holding the
gases arising from the decern position of the viscera within until they are absorbed and soak away
into the sand below; the skinned carcasses seem to fairly melt down into this foundation, so that
they disappear entirely the third season after their creation. The Elymus and other grasses once
more take heart and grow with magical vigor over the unsightly spot, to which the sealing-gang
again return, repeating their bateau, which we have marked before, upon this place, three years
ago. In that way this strip of ground, seen on my inap between the village, the east landing, and
the lagoon, contains the bones and the oil-drippings and other fragments thereof, of more than three
million seals slain since 1786 thereon, while the slaughter-fields at Novastoshnah record the end
of a million more.
I remember well the unmitigated sensations of disgust that possessed me when I first landed,
April 28, 1872, on the Pribylov islands, and passed up from the beach, at Black Bluffs, to the
village, over the killing-grounds; though there was a heavy coat of snow on the fields, yet each
and every one of seventy-five thousand decaying carcasses was there, and bare, having burned,
as it were, their way out to the open air, polluting the same to a sad degree. I was laughed at
by the residents who noticed my facial contortions, and assured that this state of smell was
nothing to what I should soon experience when the frost and snow had fairly melted. They were
correct; the odor along by the end of May was terrific punishment to my olfactories, and con-
tinued so for several weeks until my sense of smell became blunted and callous to this stench by
sheer familiarity. Like the other old residents I then became quite unconscious of the prevalence
of this rich " funk," and ceased to notice it.
Those who land here, as I did, for the first time nervously and invariably declare that such
an atmosphere must breed a plague or a fever of some kind in the village, and hardly credit the
assurance of those who have resided in it for whole periods of their lives that such a thing was
never known to Saint Paul, and that the island is remarkably healthy. It is entirely true, however,
and, after a few weeks' contact, or a couple of mouths' experience at the longest, the most sensi-
tive nose becomes used to that aroma, wafted as it is hourly, day in and out, from decaying seal
flesh, viscera, and blubber; and, also, it ceases to be an object of notice. The cool, sunless climate
during the warmer months has undoubtedly much to do with checking too rapid decomposition,
and consequent trouble therefrom, which would otherwise arise from the killing-grounds.
The freshly skinned carcasses of this season do not seem to rot substantially until the following
year; then they rapidly slough away into the sand upon which they rest; the envelope of blubber
left upon each body seems to act as an air-tight receiver, holding most of the putrid gases within
Till! I'll; SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 375
that spring from the, decaying viscera until this volatile tension causes it to give away ; fortu-
nately the line of least resistance to that merciful retort is usually right where it is adjacent to
the soil, so both putresceut fluids and much of the stench thereof is deodorized and absorbed
before it can contaminate the atmosphere to any great extent. The truth of my observation will
bo promptly verified, if the skeptic chooses to tear open any one of the thousands of gas-distended
carcasses in the fall that were skinned in the killing season ; if he does so, he will be smitten by
the worst smell that human sense can measure; and should he chance to be accompanied by a
native, that callous individual, even, will pinch his grimy nose and exclaim, it is a "keeshla
pahknoot!"
At the close of the third season after the skinning of the seal's body it will have so rotted and
sloughed away as to be marked only by the bones and a few of the tendinous ligaments; in other
words, it requires from thirty to thirty-six months' time for a seal carcass to rot entirely away,
so nothing but whitened bones remain above ground. The natives govern their driving of the seals
and laying out of the fresh bodies according to this fact; for they can, and do, spread this year
a whole season's killing out over the same spot of the field previously covered with such fresh
carcasses three summer's ago ; by alternating with the seasons thus, the natives are enabled to
annually slaughter all of the "holluschickie" on a relatively small area, close by the salt-houses,
and the village, as I have indicated on the map of Saint Paul's.
DESCRIPTION OF KILLING-GROUND OP SAINT PAUL. — The killing-ground of Saint Paul is a
bottomless sand flat, only a few feet above high water, and which unites the village hill and the
reef with the island itself; it is not a stone's throw from the heart of the settlement — in fact, it is
right in town — not even suburban.
DESCRIPTION OF THE KILLING-GROUND AT SAINT GEORGE. — On Saint George the -'hollus-
chickie" are regularly driven to that northeast slope of the village hill, which drops down gently
to the sea, where they are slaughtered, close by and under the houses, as at Saint Paul ; those
droves which are brought in from the North Rookery to the west, and also Starry Ateel, are fre-
quently driven right through the village itself. This slaughtering field of Saint George is hard
tufa and rocky, but it slopes down to the ocean rapidly enough to drain itself well ; hence the
constant rain and humid fogs of summer carry off that which would soon clog and deprive the
natives from using the ground year after year in rotation, as they do. Several seasons have
occurred, however, when this natural and heavenly cleansing of the ground above-mentioned has
not been as thorough as murt be to be used again immediately ; then the seals were skinned
back of the village hill, and in the ravine to the west on the same slope from the summit.
This village site of Saint George to-day, and the killing-grounds adjoining, used to be, during
early Russian occupation, in Pribylov's time, a large sea-lion rookery, the finest one known to
either island, Saint Paul or Saint George. Natives are living there who told me that their fathers
had been employed in shooting and driving these sea-lions so as to deliberately break up the breed-
ing-ground, and thus rid the island of what they considered a superabundant supply of the
Eiimetopiax, aud thereby to aid and encourage the fresh and increased accession of fur-seals from
the vast majority peculiar to Saint Paul, which could not take place while the sea-lions held the
land.*
* The Saint Paul village site is located wholly on the northern slope of the village hill, where it drops from its
greatest elevation, at the flag-staft', of 125 feet gently down to the sandy killing-flats below and between it aud the
main bod of the island. The houses are all placed facing the north, at regular intervals along the terraced streets,
which run east and west. There are sixty-four or seventy native houses, ten large and smaller buildings of the com-
pany, the treasury agent's residence; the church, the cemetery crosses, aud the school building are all stauding here
in coats of pure white paint. The survey of the town site, when rebuilt, was made by Mr. H. W. Mclntyre, of the
Alaska Commercial Company, who himself planned and devised tke entire coustructiou. No oft'al or decaying refuse
376 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
10. THE RUSSIAN SEAL INDUSTRY AT THE PRIBYLOV ISLANDS.*
From the time of the discovery of the Pribylov Islands up to 1805 (or, that is, until the time
of the arrival in America of General Resanov), the taking of fur-seals ou both islands progressed
without count or lists, and without responsible heads or chiefs, because then (1787 to 1805, inclu-
sive) there- were a number of companies, represented by as many agents or leaders, and all of them
vied with each other iu taking as many as the could before the killing was stopped. After this,
in 1806 and 1807, there were no seals taken, and nearly all the people were removed to Oonalashka.
In 1808 killing was again commenced, but the people in this year were allowed to kill only
on Saint George. On Saint Paul hunters were not permitted this year or the next. It was not
until the fourth year after this that as many as half the number previously taken were annually
killed. From this time (Saint George 1808, and Saint Paul 1810) up to 1822, taking fur-seals pro-
gressed on both islands without econemy and with slight circumspection, as if there were a race
in killing for the most skins. Cows were taken in the drives and killed, and were also driven
from the rookeries to places where they were slaughtered.
It was only in 1822 that G. Moorayvev (governor) ordered that young seals should be spared
every year for breeding, and from that time there were taken from the Pribylov Islands, instead
of 40,000 to 50,000, which Moorayvev ordered to be spared in four successive years, no more than
8,000 to 10,000. Since this, G. Chestyahkov, chief ruler after Moorayvev, estimated that from the
increase resulting from the legislation of Moorayvev, which was so honestly carried out on the
Pribylov Islands that, in these four years the seals on Saint Paul had increased to double their
previous number, (that) he could give an order which increased the number to be annually slain to
40,000; and this last order, or course, directed for these islands, demanded as many seals as could
be got ; but with all possible exertion hardly 28,000 were obtained.
After this, when it was most plainly seen that the seals were, on account of this wicked killing,
steadily growing less and less in number, the directions were observed for greater caution in kill-
ing the grown seals and young females, which came in with the droves of killing-seals, and to
endeavor to separate, if possible, these from those which should be slain.
But all this hardly served to do more than keep the seals at one figure or number, and hence
did not cause an increase. Finally, in 1834, the governor of the company, upon the clear (or
"handsome") argument of Baron Wrangel, which was placed before him, resolved to make new
regulations respecting them, to take effect in the same year (1834), and, following this, on the
island of Saint Paul only 4,000 were killed, instead of 12,000.
of any kind is allowed to stand around the dwellings or lie in the streets. It required mneli determined effort on the
party of the whites to effect this sanitary reform, hut now most of the natives take equal pride in keeping their sur-
roundings clean and unpolluted.
The sight of the Saint George settlement is more exposed and bleak than is the one we have just referred to on
Saint Paul. It is planted directly on the rounded summit of one of the first low hills that rise from the sea on the
north shore; indeed, it isthe only hill that does slope directly and gently to the salt water on the island. Here are
twenty-four to thirty native cottages, laid with their doors facing the opposite sides of a short street between, running
also east and west, as at Saint Paul. There, however, each house looks down upon the rear of its neighbor, in front
and below. Here the houses face each other, on the top of the hill. The treasury agent's quarters, the company's sis
or seven buildings, the school-house, and the church are all neatly painted, and this settlement, from its prominent posi-
tion, shows from the sea to a much better advantage than does the larger one of Saint Paul. The same municipal
sanitary regulations are enforced here.
* Translated, by the author, from Veniaminov's Zapieskie, &c., St. Petersburg, 1842, vol. ii, pp. 568. The italics
are the author's, and the translation is nearly literal, as might be inferred by the idiom here and there. — H. W. E.
THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OP ALASKA. 377
On the island of Saint George the seals wore allowed to rest in 1820 and 1S27, and since that
tiino greater caution and care have been observed, and headmen or foremen have kept a careful
count of the killing. *
RUSSIAN WASTE AND SLAUGHTER. — In the first years, on Saint Paul Island, from 50,000
to 60,000 seals were taken annually, and on Saint George from 40,000 to 50,000 every year. Such
horrible killing was neither necessary nor demanded. The skins were frequently taken without
any list or count. In 1803, 800,000 seal-skins had accumulated, and it was impossible to make
advantageous sale of so many skins ; for in this great number so many were spoiled that it
became necessary to cut or throw into the sea 700,000 pelts. If G. Resanov (our minister to
Japan) had not given this his attention, and put himself between the animals and this foolish
management of them, it appears plainly to me that these creatures would have long ago changed
for the worse.
No RECORDS PRIOR TO 1817 : EARLY DRIVING. — Of the number of skins taken up to 1817,
I have no knowledge to rely upon, but from that time and up to the present writing I have true and
reliable accounts, from which it appears that still in 1820, on both islands, there were killed more than
50,000 seals, viz, on Saint Paul, 39,700 ; and on Saint George, 10,250. There were eye-witnesses to
the reason for this diminution of the seals, and it is only wonderful, beside, that they are still exist-
ing, as they have been treated almost without mercy so many years. The cows produce only one pup
each, every year. They have known deadly enemies, and also are still exposed to many foes un-
known. From this killing of the seals they steadily grew less, except on one occasion, which was on
Saint George Island, where an opportunity was given suddenly to kill a large number ; but the cir-
cumstances do not seem to be important. On this occasion a drive was made of 15,000 male and fe-
male seals, but the night was dark, and it was not practicable to separate the cows from the males, and
they were therefore allowed to stand over until daylight should come. The men put in charge of the
hording of the drove were careless, and the seals took advantage of that negligence and made an at-
tempt to escape by throwing themselves from the bluffs over the beach near by into the sea : but, as
this bluff was steep, high, rough, and slippery, they fell over and were all injured. Now, for the
first time, great numbers of seals were missed, and why, it was not significant or apparent; but
in the following year, instead of the appearance and catch of 40,000 or 50,000, less than 30,000 were
killed and taken, and then, too, the numbers of seals were known to diminish, and in the same
way, only greater, on the other island. For instance, in the first years, on the island of Saint
George, the seals were only five or six times less than on Saint Paul, but in 1817 they were only
less than one-fourth ; but in 1826 they were almost one-sixth again.
The diminution of seals there (Saint Paul) and on the other island, from 1817 to 1835, was very
gradual and visible every year, but not always equal.
The killing of seals in 1834, instead of being 80,000 or 60,000, was only 15,751 from both islands
(Saint Paul, 12,700; Saint George, 3,051).
SUM TOTAL OF PUR-SEALS TAKEN. — In the first thirty years (according to Veniaminov's best
understanding), there were taken "more than two and a half millions of seal-skins;" then, in the
next twenty-one years, up to 1838, they took 578,924. During this last taking, from 1817 to 1838,
the skins were worth on an average " no more than 30 rubles each" ($6 apiece).
A great many sea-otters (Enliydra marina) were found on Saint Paul Island at first, and as
many as 5,000 were taken from the island, but years have passed since one has been seen in the
vicinity, even, of the islands.
* A considerable portion of the translation is here omitted. This contains a very interesting exhibition of the
results of the legal protection of the seals, and tables showing the annual capture from year to year. See Elliott's
Report, Tenth Censns, vol. 8, pp. 142, 144.
378
HISTORY A!STD METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
AN EXHIBIT OF VALUES GIVEN BY VENIAMINOV. — Pt. i : Zopieslde, &c., p. 83, showing the rela-
tive importance, commercially, of the laud and marine furs taken from the Ooualashka district (and
sold) in 1833, by the Russian-American Company. (This district embraces the Pribylov Islands.)
Sort of fur.
Number of
skins.
Price per skin.
Sum of
value.
Reduced to
our currency.
Remarks by the author, H. "W. E.
100
45 000
$9 000
300
45 000
9 000
600
15 000
3 000
500
5 000
1 000
1 500
15 000
3 000
SO
4 000
800
15 000
750 000
150 000
100 poods
8 000
1 600
200 poods
8 000
1 600
1 000
200
896 000
179 200
* * * " The country (Alaska) is divided up into five districts : Sitka, Kadiak, Oonalashka,
Atka, and the North." * * *
This whole country is under the control aud government of the •' Russian American Company."
* * * The business is conducted with a head, or a colonial governor, assisted by officers of the
Imperial navy (Russian), and those of the company's fleet, and other chiefs ; in every one of the
districts the company has an office, which is under the direction of an office chief (or agent), and
he in turn has foremen (or " bidarsheeks").
# * * a Tne company on the island of Saiiit Paul killed from 60,000 to 80,000 fur-seals per
;i n i. H in, but in the last time (1833?), with all possible care in getting them, they took only
12,000. On the island of Saint George, instead of getting 40,000 or 35,000, only 1,300 were killed."
* * * [Veniamiuov: Zapieskie, <tc., Pt. i : chap, xii, 1840. j
The table and extracts which I quote above give me the only direct Russian testimony as to
the value of the Pribylov fur-seal catch when the skins were in scant supply. It will be seen that
they were worth then only $10 each.
I now append a brief but significant extract from Techmainov — significant simply because it
demonstrates that all Russian testimony, other than Veniamiuov's, is utterly self-contradictory in
regard to the number of seals taken from the Pribylov Islands. Techmaiuov first gives a series
of tables which he declares are a true transcript and exhibit of the skins sold out of Alaska by
the Russian-American Company. The latest table presented, and up to the date of his writing,
1862, shows that 372,894 fur-seal skins were taken from the Pribylov Islands, via Sitka, to the Rus-
sian markets of the world, in the years 1842-1862, inclusive; or giving an average catch of 18,644
per annum (p. 221). Then, further on, as he writes (nearly one hundred pages), he stultifies
his record above quoted by using the language and figures as follows :
" In earlier times more were taken than in the later; at present (18C2) there are
taken from the island of Saint Paul 70,000 annually without diminishing the number for future
killing; on Saint George, 0,000. * * * From 1842 to 1861 there were taken from the island of
Saint Paul 277.778 seal-skins; blue foxes, 10,508; walrus teeth, 104 poods; from Saint George,
31,923 fur-seals; blue foxes, 24,286." [P. Tcchmainov, Ecstorecheskoi Obozerainia Obrazovania Rus-
sian-American Company, pt. ii, p. 310, 1863, St. Petersbur</.\ Further comment is unnecessary upon
this author, who thus writes a " history of the doings of the Russian-American Company." Still.
since Veuiamiuov's time, 1838-1840, it is the only prima facie testimony that we have touching these
subjects while under Russian domination.
THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 379
11. THE ORGANIZATION OF THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN FUR COMPANY.
PRIBYLOV ISLANDS PASS INTO ITS CONTROL. — The mention made by Veuiaminov, of that
occupation of the Pribylov Islands immediately after their discovery by a score or so of rival
traders and their butchering suites, is authentic ; it is not necessary to paint the selfish details of
the mercenary crews, as I find them drawn in several Russian chronicles. In 1799 the whole ter-
ritory of Alaska went into the control of the Russian-American Company, and a picture of this
organization which managed affairs on the seal-islands for sixty-seven long years, may be inter-
esting in this connection.
CAUSES OF EARLY RUSSIAN FUR-TRADE.— The accidental circumstances connected with
Bering's ill-fated voyage in 1741 were the first direct means of impetus given to Russian explora-
tion and trade in the waters of the North Pacific and Bering Sea ; the skins of the sea-otter and
the blue foxes, in especial, which the survivors took from Bering Island back to Kamtchatka and
Russia, sold for such high prices that it stimulated a large number of hardy, reckless men to scour
those seas in search of fur-bearing lands. This trade, thus commenced, was for many years carried
on by individual adventurers, each of whom acted alternately as a seaman, as a hunter, and as a
trader, solely for his individual profit.
INCEPTION OF THE RUSSIAN -AMERICAN COMPANY. — At length, however, an association was
formed in 1785 among a number of Siberian merchants to carry on the fur trade of the North
Pacific. It received the protection and encouragement of the Empress Catherine, who bestowed
upon it many valuable privileges. G. Shellikov was the ruling spirit of the corporation. Cath-
erine's son and successor, Paul, was, at the outset of his reign, disposed to abolish these imperial
advantages extended to this company by his mother on account of the heartless conduct of
affairs in Alaska. Reasons of state, however, caused him to abandon this resolution, and he
issued a " ukase," dated July 8, 1799, which granted to these united merchants aforesaid a charter,
under the title of the Russian-American Company, that gave them exclusive use and control, for a
period of twenty years, of all the coasts of America on the Pacific and the islands in that ocean,
from Bering Strait to the 55th degree of south latitude, together with the right of occupying any
other territories not previously possessed by civilized nations. The residence of the directors of
ill is company was first fixed at Irkutsk, Siberia, which was the great depository or bonded ware-
house for the Chinese trade with all the Russias, a short distance only from Kiachta, on the fron-
tier, where the Mongols and Muscovites alone could meet for barter. It was afterward transferred
ii> St. Petersburg, and these directors were personally made known to and placed uuder the sur-
veillance of the imperial department of commerce.
Those privileges thus accorded by Paul were confirmed and extended, even, by Alexander,
and under these favorable auspices the power and influence of the Russian-American Company
rapidly advanced. In 1803 its establishments extended from Attoo to Sitka; during 1806 prep-
arations were made to occupy the north of the Columbia River, but that plan was soon abandoned.
AUTOCRATIC POWER OF THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN COMPANY. — The government of Alaska
by this company was arranged and directed in simple despotism ; each trading post was super-
intended by a Russian overseer or "precashcheek," wlio, with the aid of a small number of Rus-
sians, maintained absolute control over all the natives in his district; he compelled them to labor
incesantly, in and out of season, for the benefit of the company. These overseers were in turn
under subserviency to a chief agent, one of which resided in the limits of four natural divisions
of the country ; these men were again directly responsible to the authority of the governor-general,
who resided at Sitka, and who was appointed really by the Imperial Government, though iiorni-
380 HISTOET AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
nally by the directors ; bis powers were supposed to be limited and defined by regulations drawn
up and signed by him in St. Petersburg ; but, in fact, they were absolute, and irresponsible to any
court on earth.
THE IKON-WILLED BARANOV. — The person who filled the office of governor-general soon after
the organization of the Russian-American Company and for many years afterward, was Alexander
Baranov ; he was a man of iron will, of dauntless courage, shrewd, and wholly devoid of tender
feeling. Under his autocratic management the affairs of this company prospered pecuniarily, and
its stock rose accordingly in value ; hence his proceedings were always approved at St. Peters-
burg.
BAD REPUTATION OF PROMYSHLINEKS. — In addition to the natives themselves, the company
transported to Alaska gome four or five hundred Russians, who were termed " promyshlineks," or
" hunters." They were employed as trappers, fishermen, seamen, soldiers, or mechanics, just as
their superiors might demand, and they were under the same rule as that I have just described as
applicable to the natives ; their lot. according to Krusensteru, a Russian who voyaged thither in
1804-1805, seems to have been more uninviting even than that of the wretched natives.
BARANOV'S ATTEMPT TO COLONIZE CALIFORNIA. — Prior to 1812 Sitkawas the extreme south-
ern limit of the Russian-American Company. But old Baranov, greatly annoyed by the loss of
supply ships from the Okhotsk, by which their bread at Kadiak and Sitka was' cut off for years
at a time, determined to settle somewhere south, where these necessaries to a comfortable physical
existence could be raised from the soil ; so he asked the Spanish governor at Monterey permission
to erect a few houses on the shore of the small bay of Bodega, California, in order to "procure and
salt the meat of the wild cattle," which overran that part of the country north of the harbor of
San Francisco, for the "use of the governor's table at New Archangel" (Sitka). The Castilian
was only too happy to oblige a peer ; but in the course of two or three years after this permit was
given, the Russians had formed a large settlement and built a fort. The Spanish governor at first
remonstrated, then commanded Baranov to move off, in the name of his most Catholic Majesty,
the King of Spain. The Spaniard could not enforce this order. The Russian-American Company
remained here unmolested until 1842, when they sold their fixtures to General Sutter, a Swiss-
American, for $30,000, and vacated California.
ATTEMPT TO SECURE THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.— In 1815 Baranov, instead of feeling chilled
by the California unpleasantness, then in full headway, turned his ambitious eyes to the Sandwich
Islands, and actually dispatched a vessel, or rather two of them, under the direction of Dr. Shaeffer,
a German surgeon, who landed on Atooi, with one hundred picked Aleuts ; but they were, at the
lapse of a year, so discouraged by the open opposition of the Russian Government to this scheme
that they abandoned the project.
RAPID DECAY OF THE RUSSIAN- AMERICAN COMPANY AFTER DEATH OF BARANOV. — III
1862, when the third extension of twenty years' lease had expired, the affairs of the Russian-
American Company were in a bad condition financially — deeply in debt, and the Imperial Govern
rnent was not disposed to renew the charter. This state of affairs gave rise in 1864-'1867 to negotia-
tion with other trading organizations for the lease, which finally culminated in the purchase of
Alaska by our Government July, 1867. Such, in brief, was the Russian-American Company ; it
flourished under Baranov, but declined steadily to bankruptcy twenty years after his removal,
when eighty years old, on account of extreme age, in 1818. In short its great compeer, the
Hudson Bay Company, was very much earlier initiated in the same manner June, 1G70, then it
organized with the Northwest Company under its present title, with renewed royal prerogatives
THE FUR-SEAL I NOUS FRY OK ALASKA.
and despotic sway over all British North America in 1821 ; it, too, has declined to a commercial
cipher to day, with its autocratic rights abolished long since; in 1857, I think, they were wholly
rescinded.
FIRST EXEMPTION OF FEMALES IN DRIVING. — In the details of an old letter from the Rus-
sian agent of the Russian-American Company, on Saint Paul, in 1847, I find the following side
reference to the number of skins which were shipped from the Pribylov Islands that season : [Ms.
letter of Kazean Shiesneekov, Saiut Paul Island, 1847.]
5,G07 " holluschickov " (youug males).
1,890 "sairiee"(4 and 5 year-old males), or a total of 7,497.
This is interesting because il is the record of the tirst killing on the seal-islands when the
females were entirely exempted from slaughter.
THE SEAL-ISLANDS WERE THE EXCHEQUER OF THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN COMPANY : 179D-
1825. — "The Russians iu their colonial possession under Baranov, made, first, the seal-skin the
basis of all transactions with foreigners by buying up whole cargoes of goods and provisions
brought into this country by English and American traders, and paying for the same in this way.
In other words, the seal-islands were the exchequer where the Russian authorities could with
certainty turn and lay their hands upon the necessary currency. These American, English, and
other foreign sea captains having disposed of their supplies at Sitka or Kadiak in this manner,
took their fur-seal skins to China and disposed of them at a handsome advance for tea, rice, &c.,
iu exchange. The profits made by these foreigners having reached the ears of the Russian home
management of the fur company controlling Alaska, it was ordered then that payments in fur-seal
skins for these foreign supplies should cease, and that the Russians themselves would ship their
skins to China and enjoy the emolument thereof. The result of this action was that the Chinese
market did not prove as valuable to them as it was to the foreigners ; it became overstocked, and
a general stagnation and depression of the seal business took place and continued until a change
of base in this respect was again made, and the skins of the fur-seal were shipped, together with
the beaver, in bulk to the great Chinese depot of Kiakhta, where the Russians exchanged these
peltries for the desired supplies of tea ; the trade thereof assuming such immense proportions
that the record is made where in a single year the Russian Fur Company paid to their Government
the enormous duty upon importations of tea alone of 2,000,000 silver rubles, or $1,500,000. This
was the period in the history of the seal-islands when, for a second time, aud within the writing
of Veniamiuov, the seal life thereon was well nigh exterminated. The first decimation of these
interests took place in the last decade of the eighteenth century and shortly after the discovery
of the islands, when, it is stated, two million skins of these animals were rotting on the ground at
one time. Rezauov applied the correction very promptly in the tirst instance of threatened exter
miuation of these valuable interests, and when the second epoch of decimation occurred, in 1834
to 1836, Baron Wiaugell, admirably seconded by Father Veniaminov, checked its consumption.
These are instances of care and far-sightedness which are refreshing to contemplate." »
12. THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY.
OCCUPATION OF THE ISLANDS BY AMERICANS IN 1868.— The Alaska Commercial Company
deserves and will receive a brief but comprehensive notice at this point. In order that we may
follow it to these islands, and clearly and correctly appreciate the circumstances which gave it
footing and finally control of the business, I will pass back and review the chain of evidence
adduced in this direction from the time of our first occupation, in 1867, of the Territory of Alaska.
* IVAU PliTROV: Kept, ou Pop. and Resources of Alaska, Ex. Doc. No. 40, 40'tb Cong., 3d BBSS., 1881.
382 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
It will be remembered by many people that when we were ratifying the negotiation between
our Government and that of Eussia it was apparent that nobody in this country knew anything
about the subject of Russian America. Every schoolboy knew where it was located, but no pro-
fessor or merchant, however wise or shrewd, knew what was in it, Accordingly, immediately
after the purchase was nia-le and the formal transfer effected, a large number of energetic and
speculative men, some coming from New England even, but most of them residents of the Pacific
coast, turned their attention to Alaska. They went up to Sitka in a little fleet of sail and steam
vessels, but among their number it appears there were only two of our citizens who knew of or had
the faintest appreciation as to the value of the seal-islands. One of these, Mr. H. M. Hutchinson,
a native of New Hampshire, and the other, Captain Ebenezer Morgan, a native of Connecticut,
turned their faces in 1868 toward them. Also, they were known to Captain GustavNiebaum, who,
as an ex-employe" of the Eussian American company, became a United States citizen by the terms of
the treaty of transfer in 1867. Captain Niebauin was the first to put in an appearance on the Seal
Islands after the new order of ownership was proclaimed, for he knew the character of the busi-
ness thoroughly. He was almost immediately followed by Messrs. Hutchiuson and Morgan. Mr.
Hutcbinson gathered his information at Sitka — Captain Morgan had gained his years before by
experience on the South Sea sealing grounds. Mr. Hutchiuson represented a company of San
Francisco or California capitalists when he landed on Saint Paul; Captain Morgan represented
another company of New London capitalists and whaling merchants. They arrived a,lmost simul-
taneously, Morgan afew days or weeks anterior to Hutchinson. He had quietly enough commenced
to survey and pre-empt the rookeries on the islands, or, in other words, the work of putting stakes
down and recording the fact of claiming the ground, as miners do in the mountains; but later agreed
to £0- operate with Mr. Hutchinson. These two parties passed that season of 1868 in exclusive con-
trol of those islands, and they took an immense number of seals. They took so many that it oc-
curred to Mr. Hutchiuson unless something was done to check and protect these wonderful rook-
eries, which he saw here for the first time, and which filled him with amazement, that they would
be wiped out by the end of another season ; although he was the gainer then, and would be per-
haps at the end, if they should be thus eliminated, yet he could not forbear saying to himself that
it was wrong and should not be. To this Captains Morgan and Niebaum also assented^
The island of Saint George in 1868 was occupied by their deputies, though all the sealing there
was done entirely by the natives, the white men giving their chief concern to Saint Paul, where the
vast bulk of seal life was exhibited.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY.— In the fall of 1868 Mr. Hutchin-
son and Captain Morgan, by their personal efforts, interested and aroused the Treasury Department
and Congress, so that a special resolution was enacted declaring the seal-islands a governmental
reservation, and prohibiting any and all parties from taking seals thereon until further action by
Congress. In 1869 seals were taken on those islands, under the direction of the Treasury Depart-
ment, for the subsistence of the natives only ; and in 1S70 Congress passed the present law, a copy
of which I append, for the protection of the fur-bearing animals on those islands, and under its
provisions, and in accordance, after an animated and bitter struggle in competition, the Alaska
Commercial Company, of which Mr. Hutchiuson was a prime organizer, secured the award and
received the franchise which it now enjoys and will enjoy for another decade. The company is an
American corporation, with a charter, rules, and regulations, which I reproduce herein on a sub-
sequent page. They employ a fleet of vessels, sail and steam : four steamers, a dozen or fifteen
ships, barks, and sloops. Their principal occupation and attriili.ni is given naturally to the seal-
islands, though they have stations scattered over the Aleutian Islands and that portion of Alaska
west and north of Kadiak. No post of theirs is less than 500 or 600 miles from Sitka.
T1IK FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 383
Outside of the seal islands all trade in this Territory of Alaska is entirely open to the public.
There is no need of protecting the fur-bearing animals elsewhere, unless it may be by a few whole-
some general restrictions in regard to the sea-otter chase. The country itself protects the animals
on the mainland and other islands by its rugged, forbidding, and inhospitable exterior.
The Treasury officials on the seal -islands are charged with the careful observance of every act
of the company ; a copy of the lease and its covenant is conspicuously posted in their office ; is
translated into Kuissian, and is familiar to all the natives. The company directs its own labor,
in accordance with the law, as it sees fit ; selects its time of working, &c. The natives themselves
work under the direction of their own chosen foremen, or " toyone." These chiefs call out the
men at the break of every working-day, divide them into detachments according to the nature of
the service, and order their doing. All communications with the laborers on the sealing-grouud
and the company passes through their hands; these chiefs having every day an understanding
with the agent of the company as to his wishes, and they govern themselves thereby.
METHODS OF BUSINESS. — The company pays 40 cents for each skin that is taken. The natives
take the skins on the ground ; each man tallying his work and giving the result at the close of
the day to his chief or foreman. When the skins are brought up and counted into the salt-houses,
where the agent of the company receives them from the hands of the natives, the two tallies
usually correspond very closely, if they are not entirely alike. When the quota of skins is taken,
at the close of two or three or four weeks of labor, as the case may be, the total'sum for the entire
catch is paid over in a lump to the chiefs, and these men divide it among the laborers according to
their standing as workmen, which they themselves have exhibited on their special tally-sticks. For
instance, at the annual divisions, or " catch" settlement, made by the natives on Saint Paul Island
among themselves, in 1872, when I was present, the proceeds of their work for that season in
taking and skinning 75,000 seals, at 40 cents per skin, with extra work connected with it, making the
sum of $30,637.37, was divided among them in this way : There were seventy-four shares made up,
representing seventy-four men, though in fact only fifty-six men worked, but they wished to give
a certain proportion to their church, a certain proportion to their priest, and a certain proportion to
their widows ; so they water their stock, commercially speaking. The seventy -four shares were
proportioned as follows :
37 first-class shares, at $451 22 each.
23 second-class shares, at 406 08 each.
4 third-class shares, at 360 97 each.
10 fourth-class shares, at 315 85 each.
These shares do not represent more than fifty-six able-bodied men.
In August, 1873, while on Saint George Island, I was present at a similar division, under
similar circumstances, which caused them to divide among themselves the proceeds of their work in
taking and skinning 25,000 seals, at 40 cents a skin, $10,000. They made the following subdivision :
Per share.
17 shares each, 961 skins $384 40
•2 Nluims each, '.i::.~> skins 374 00
:'• shares each, 821 skins 328 40
1 share each, *yii skins 328 00
3 shares each, 770 skins 308 00
3 shares each, 400 skins 160 00
These twenty-nine shares referred to as above, represent only twenty-five able-bodied men; two
of them were women. This method of division as above given is the result of their own choice.
It is an impossible thing for the company to decide their relative merits as workmen on the ground,
so they have wisely turned its entire discussion over to them. Whatever they do they must agree
384 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
to — whatever the company might do they possibly and probably would never clearly understand,
and hence dissatisfaction and suspicion would inevitably arise; as it is, the whole subject is most
satisfactorily settled.
THE METHODS OP THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY. — Living as the seal-islanders do,
and doing what they do, the seal's life is naturally their great study and objective point. It
nourishes and sustains them. Without it they say they could not live, and they tell the truth.
Hence, their attention to the few simple requirements of the law, so wise in its provisions, is not-
forced or constrained, but is continuous. Self-interest in this respect appeals to them keenly and
eloquently. They know everything that is done and everything that is said by anybody and by
everybody in their little community. Every seal-drive that is made and every skin that is taken,
is recorded and accounted for by them to their chiefs and their church when they make up their
tithing-roll at the close of each day's labor. Nothing can come to the islands by day or by night with-
out being seen by them and spoken of. I regard the presence of these people on the island at the
transfer, and their subsequent retention and entailineut in connection with the seal business, as an
exceedingly good piece of fortune, alike advantageous to the Government, to the company, and to
themselves.
It will be remembered that at the time the question of leasing the islands was before Congress
much opposition to the proposal was made on several grounds, by two classes, one of which argued
against a " monopoly," the other urging that the Government itself would realize more by taking
the whole management of the business into its own hands. At that time, far away from Washing-
ton, in the Rocky Mountains, I do not know what arguments were used in the committee rooms,
or who made them ; but since my careful and prolonged study of the subject on the ground itself,
and of the trade and its conditions, I am now satisfied that the act of June, 1870, directing the
Secretary of the Treasury to lease the seal-islands of Alaska to the highest bidder, under the exist-
ing conditions and qualifications, did the best and the only correct and profitable thing that could
have been done in the matter, both with regard to the preservation of the seal life in its original
integrity and the pecuniary advantage of the Treasury itself. To make this statement perfectly
clear the following facts, by way of illustration, should be presented :
First. When the Government took possession of these interests, in 1868 and 1869, the gross
value of a seal-skin laid down in the best market, at London, was then less in some instances and
in others but slightly above the present tax and royalty paid upon it by the Alaska Commercial
Company.
Second. Through the action of the intelligent business men who took the contract from the
Government, in stimulating and encouraging the dressers of the raw material, and in taking sedulous
care that nothing but good skins should leave the islands, and in combination with leaders of
fashion abroad, the demand for the fur, by this manipulation and management, has been wonderfully
increased.
Third. As matters now stand, the greatest and best interested of the lessees are identical with
those of the Government; what injures one instantly injures the other. In other words, both
strive to guard against anything that shall interfere with the preservation of the seal life in its
original integrity, and both having it to their interest, if possible, to increase that life ; if the lessees
had it in their power, which they certainly have not, to ruin these interests by a few seasons of
rapacity, they are so bonded and so environed that prudence prevents it.
Fourth. The frequent changes in the office of the Secretary of the Treasury, who has very
properly the absolute control of the business as it stands, do not permit upon his part that close,
careful scrutiny which is exercised by the lessees, who, unlike him, have but their one purpose to
THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 385
carry out. The character of tlio leading men among them is enough to assure the public that
the business is iu responsible hands and in the wire of persons who will use every effort for its
preservation and its perpetuation, as it is so plainly their best end to serve. Another great
obstacle to the succi-ss of the business, if controlled entirely by the Government, would be encoun-
tered in disposing of the skins after they had been brought down from the islands. It would not
do to sell them up there to the highest bidder, since that would license the sailing of a thousand
ships to be present at the sale. The rattling of their anchor-chains and the scraping of their keels
on the beaches of the two little islands would alone drive every seal away and over to the Russian
grounds in a remarkably short space of time. The Government would therefore need to offer them
at public auction in this country, and it would be simply history repeating itself — the Government
would be at the mercy of any well organized combination of buyers. The agents conducting the
sale could not counteract the effect of such a combination as can the agents of a private corpora-
tion, who may look after their interest in all the markets of the world in their own time, and in
their own way, according to the exigencies of the season and the demand, and who are supplied
with money which they can use, without public scandal, in the manipulation of the market. On
this ground I feel confident in stating that the Treasury of the United States receives more money,
net, under the system now in operation than it would by taking the exclusive control of the busi-
ness. Were any capable Government officer supplied with, say, $100,000, to expend in " working
the market," and intrusted with the disposal of 100,000 seal-skins wherever he could do so to the
best advantage of the Government, and were this agent a man of first-class business ability and
energy, I think it quite likely that the same success might attend his labor in the London market
that distinguishes the management of the Alaska Commercial Company. But imagine the cry of
fraud and embezzlement that would be raised against him, however' honest he might be! This
alone would bring the whole business into positive disrepute, and make it a national scandal. As
matters are now conducted, there is no room for any scandal — not one single transaction on the
islands but what is as clear to investigation and accountability as the light of the noon-day sun;
what is done is known to everybody, and the tax now laid upon by the Government and paid into
the Treasury every year by the Alaska Commercial Company yields alone a handsome rate of
interest on the entire purchase money expended for the ownership of all Alaska.
It is frequently urged with great persistency, by misinformed or malicious authority, that the
lessees can and do take thousands of skins in excess of the law, and this catch in excess is shipped
sub rosa to Japan from the Pribylov Islands. To show the folly of such a move on the part of the
company, if even it were possible, I will briefly recapitulate the conditions under which the skins
are taken. The natives themselves of Saint Paul and Saint George do, in the manner I have indi-
cated, all the driving and skinning of the seals for the company. No others are permitted or asked
to land upon the islands to do this work, as long as the inhabitants of the islands are equal to it.
They have been equal to it and they are more than equal to it. Every skin taken by the natives
is counted by themselves, as they get 40 cents per pelt for that labor ; and at the expiration of
each day's work in the field, the natives know exactly how many skins have been taken by them,
how many of these skins b«ve been rejected by the company's agent, because they were carelessly
cut and damaged in skinning — usually about three-fourths of 1 per cent, of the whole catch — and
they have it recorded every evening by those among them who are charged with the duty. Thus,
were 101,000 skins taken instead of 100,000 allowed by law, the natives would know it as quickly
as it was done, and they would, on the strength of their record and their tally, demand the full
amount of their compensation for the extra labor ; and were any ship to approach the islands at
any hour these people would know it at once, and would be aware of any shipment of skins that
SEC. v, VOL. ii 25
386 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
might be attempted. It would then be the common talk among the 398 inhabitants of the two
islands, and it would be a matter of record, open to any person who ruight come upon the ground
charged with investigation.
Furthermore, these natives are constantly going to and from Ooualaahka, visiting their rela-
tions in the Aleutiau settlements, hunting for wives, &c. On the mainland they have intimate
intercourse with bitter enemies of the company, with whom they would not hesitate to talk over
the whole state of affairs on the islands, as they always do ; for they know nothing else and think
of nothing else and dream of nothing else. Therefore, should anything be done contrary to the
law, the act could and would be reported by these people. The Government, on its part, through
its four agents stationed on these islands, counts these skins into the ship, and one of their number
goes down to San Francisco upon her. There the collector of the port details experts of his own
who again count them all out of the hold, and upon that record the tax is paid and the certificate
signed by the Government.
It will, therefore, at once be seen, by examining the state of affairs on the islands, and the
conditions upou which the lease is granted, that the most scrupulous care in fulfilling the terms
of the contract is compassed, and that this strict fulfillment is the most profitable course for the
lessees to pursue ; and that it would be downright folly in them to deviate from the letter of the
law, and thus lay themselves open at any day to discovery, the loss of their contract, and forfeiture
of their bonds. Their action can be investigated at any time, any moment, by Congress ; of which
they are fully aware. They cannot bribe these 398 people on the islands to secrecy, any more
successfully than they could conceal their action from them on the sealing fields ; and any man of
average ability could go, and can go, among these natives and inform himself as to the most minute
details of the catch, from the time the lease was granted up to the present hour, should he have
reason to suspect the honesty of the Treasury agents. The road to and from the island is not a
difficult one, though it is traveled only once a year.
The subject of the method and direction of the business of sealing on these islands, involving
as it does a discussion of the law and the action of the Alaska Commercial Company and the
natives combined, is given below.
BY-LAWS OF THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY, SAN FRANCISCO, GAL.
I. The corporate name of this company is the Alaska Commercial Company, and its affairs are
under the control of five trustees, who shall hereafter be chosen by the stockholders of the com-
pany on the second Wednesday of June in each year, and who shall hold office until their
successors are elected. The annual meetings of the stockholders shall be held at the office of the
company. At all elections of trustees by the stockholders, each stockholder shall be entitled to
one vote for every share of stock held by him on the books of the company. Stockholders may
vote by proxy. All proxies shall be signed by the party owning the stock represented.
II. The principal place of business of the company is San Francisco, Cal.
III. The regular meetings of the board of trustees will be held at the office of the company on
the first Wednesday in each month, at 12 o'clock m., and no notice of such meeting to any of the
trustees shall be requisite. Other meetings of the board of trustees may be held upon the call of the
president, by notice, signed by him, of the time and place of meeting, personally served on each
trustee residing within this State, or published in a newspaper of general circulation in San Fran-
cisco for ten days successively next preceding the day of such meeting. Special meetings may be
held upon notice, signed by three trustees, stating the time and pi ace of meeting, and the purpose
for which the meeting is called, having been duly served on each trustee, or published in a news-
THE F1MJ-SKAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 387
paper of general circulation in S;m Francisco 1'or ten days successively iiext preceding the day of
meeting, and no business other thai: that specified in the notice shall be transacted at such special
meeting. At all meetings of the board any three of the trustees being present shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of the business of the company. Adjourned meetings may be held in
pursuance of a resolution of the board adopted at any regular or general meeting of the board.
Any three trustees elected at any annual meeting of the stockholders of the company, and being
present at the close of such stockholders' meeting may, on the same day, without notice to any of
the trustees, meet and organize the board by the election of officers, and may transact such other
business as may come before the board at such meeting.
IV. The officers of the company shall consist of a president, a vice-president, and a secretary,
who shall be chosen by the board of trustees at their first meeting after the annual election of
trustees ; such officers to hold office one year, or until their successors are elected.
V. The president, or in his absence the vice-president, shall preside at the meetings of the
board. In case neither is present, the board may appoint a president pro tempore.
VI. All vacancies in the board may be filled by the board at the next meeting after the exist-
ence of such vacancy, and it shall require the affirmative vote of three trustees to elect. In case
of any vacancy occurring among the officers or agents of the company, the same may be filled at
any meeting of the board.
VII. All certificates of the capital stock of the company shall be signed by the president and
secretary, attested by the corporate seal of the company, and can be issued to the parties entitled
thereto or their authorized agent. All transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the com-
pany by the secretary, upon surrender of the original certificate or certificates, properly indorsed
by the party in whose favor the same was issued. No stock shall be transferred to any person
not a stockholder of the company at the time of such transfer, unless the same shall have been
oftered for sale to the company, or stockholders of the company, and the purchase at the fair cash
or market value refused, except by authority of a resolution of the board of trustees permitting
such transfer.
VIII. The corporate seal of the company consists of a die of the following words: "Alaska
Commercial Company, San Francisco, California/'
IX. The corporate seal, and all property, securities, interests, and business of the company,
shall be under the control and general management of the president, subject to the direction of
the board of trustees. The funds of the company shall be deposited (from time to time as they
are received) to the credit of the company, with a bank doing business in San Francisco, to be
designated by the president, and the said funds can be drawn from such bank only by proper
checks or drafts, signed by the president or vice-president of the company. The books of the
company shall be kept by the secretary, who shall also keep a correct record of all the proceed-
ings of the board of trustees had at their meetings, and perform such other duties as the board of
trustees may require.
X. The pay and salaries of all officers of the company shall be determined, from time to time,
by the board ot trustees.
XI. The president of the company shall have power to appoint and employ such general busi-
ness agents, factors, attorneys, clerks, and other employe's as he may deem proper and requisite
for conducting the business and affairs of the company ; and he shall fix the pay, commissions, or
salaries of all such agents, factors, attorneys, clerks, and other employe's, from time to time, as
circumstances shall require.
388 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
XII. All transfers of the capital stock of this company, made to persons not citizens of the
United States, or made for the use or benefit of any citizen or citizens of any foreign Government,
are absolutely void.
XIII. Dividends from the net profits of the company may be declared and paid by order of
the board of trustees, in accordance with law.
XIV. These by-laws may be altered or amended by the board of trustees in the manner pre-
scribed by law.
REGULATIONS FOE CONDUCT OF AFFAIRS ON THE SEAL ISLANDS.
OFFICE ALASKA COMMERCIAL COMPANY,
San Francisco, January, 1872.
The following regulations are prescribed for the guidance of all concerned :
1. The general management of the company's affairs on the islands of Saint Paul and Saint
George is intrusted to one general agent, whose lawful orders and directions must be implicitly
obeyed by all subordinate agents and employe's.
*2. Seals can only be taken on the islands during the months of June, July, September, and
October in each year, except those killed by the native inhabitants, for food and clothing, under
regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. Female seals and seals less than one
year old will not be killed at any time, and the killing of seals in the waters surrounding the
islands, or on or about the rookeries, beaches, cliffs, or rocks, where they haul up from the sea to
remain, or by the,use of fire-arms, or any other means tending to drive the seals away from the
islands, is expressly forbidden.
3. The use of fire-arms on the islands, during the period from the first arrival of seals in the
spring season until they disappear from the islands in autumn, is prohibited.
4. No dogs will be permitted on the islands.
5. No person will be permitted to kill seals for their skins on the islands, except under the
supervision and authority of the agents of the company.
6. No vessels other than those employed by the company, or vessels of the United States,
will be permitted to touch at the islands, or to land any persons or merchandise thereon, except in
cases of shipwreck or vessels in distress.
* 7. The number of seals which may be annually killed for their skins on Saint Paul Island is
limited to seventy-five thousand, and the number which may be so killed on Saint George Island is
limited to twenty-five thousand.
8. No persons other than American citizens, or the Aleutian inhabitants of said islands, will
be employed by the company on the islands in any capacity.
9. The Aleutian people living on the islands will be employed by the company in taking seals
for their skins, and they will be paid for the labor of taking each skin and delivering the same at
the salt-house 40 cents, coiu, until otherwi.se ordered by the Secretary of the Treasury. For
other labor performed for the company, proper and remunerative wages will be paid, the amount'
to be agreed upon between the agents of the company and the persons employed. Theworkiug-
parties will be under the immediate control of their own chiefs, and no compulsory means will ever
be used to induce the people to labor. All shall be tree to labor or not, as they may choose. The
agents of the company will make selection of the seals to be killed, and are authorized to use all
proper means to prevent the cutting of skins.
* Sections 2 and 7 of the above regulations were based upon the lu\v of July 1, 1870 ; but since then Congress has
given the Secretary of the Treasury the power to fix the rat id for each island upon a more iutelli.nrnt understanding
of the subject, and also to extend the time for taking from thu 1st of June up to the 15th of August.
THE FOR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 389
10. All provisions and merchandise required by the inhabitants for legitimate use will be
furnished them from the company's stores, at prices not higher than ordinary retail prices at San
Francisco, and in no ease at prices above 25 per cent, advance on wholesale or invoice prices in
San Francisco.
11. The necessary supplies of fnel, oil, and salmon will be furnished the people gratis.
12. All widows and orphan children on the islands will be supported by the company.
13. The landing or manufacture on the islands of spirituous or intoxicating liquors or wines
will, under no circumstances, be permitted by the company, and the preparation and use of fer-
mented liquors by the inhabitants must be discouraged in every legitimate manner.
14. Free transportation and subsistence on the company's vessels will be furnished all people
who at any time desire to remove from the islands to any place in the Aleutian group of islands.
15. Free schools will be maintained by the company eight months in each year, four hours
per day, Sundays and holidays excepted, and agents and teachers will endeavor to secure the
attendance of all. The company will furnish the necessary books, stationery, and other appliances
for the use of the schools, without cost to the people.
16. The physicians of the company are required to faithfully attend upon the sick, and both
medical attendance and medicines shall be free to all persons on the islands ; and the acceptance
of gratuities from the people for such services is forbidden.
17. The dwelling-houses now being erected by the company will be occupied by the Aleutian
families free of rent or other charges.
18. No interference on the part of the agents or employes of the company in the local govern-
ment of the people on the islands, or in their social or domestic relations, or in their religious rites
or ceremonies will be countenanced or tolerated.
19. It is strictly enjoined upon all agents and employe's of the company to at all times treat
the inhabitants of the islands with the utmost kindness, and endeavor to preserve amicable rela-
tions with them. Force is never to be used against them, except in defense of life, or to prevent
the wanton destruction of valuable property. The agents and employe's of the company are expected
to instruct the native people in household economy, and, by precept and example, illustrate to
them the principles and benefits of a higher civilization.
20. Faithful and strict compliance with all the provisions and obligations contained in the act
of Congress entitled "An act to prevent the extermination of fur-bearing animals in Alaska",
approved July 1, 1870, and the obligations contained in the lease to the company executed in pur-
suance of said act, and the regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury, prescribed under authority
of said act, is especially enjoined upon all agents and employe's of the company. The authority of
the special agents of the Treasury appointed to reside upon the islands must be respected when-
ever lawfully exercised. The interest of the company in the management of the seal-fisheries being
identical in character with that of the United States, there can be no conflict between the agents
of the company and the agents of the Government, if all concerned faithfully perform their several
duties and comply with the laws and regulations.
21. The general agent of the company will cause to be kept books of record on each island,
in which shall be recorded the names and ages of all the inhabitants of the islands, and, from
time to time, all births, marriages, and deaths which may occur on the islands, stating, in cases of
death, the causes of the same. A full transcript of these records will be annually forwarded to the
home office at San Francisco.
390 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
22. Copies of these regulations will be kept constantly posted in conspicuous places on both
islands, and any willful violation of the same by the agents or employe's of the company will be
followed by the summary removal of the offending party.
JOHN F. MILLER,
President Alaska Commercial Company.
General Miller, in January, 1881, was elected, by the legislature of California, to the Senate of
the United States. He is succeeded as president of the Alaska Commercial Company by Mr.
Lewis Gerstle, who is one of the original stockholders and who. has always been prominently
identified with the business. The affairs of the company are now principally managed by Messrs.
Gerstle, Sloss, Niebaum, and Neumann, on the Pacific coast; by Mr. Hntchinsou, at Washington ;
and Sir Curtis Lampsou in London. — H. W. E.
13. THE LAW PROTECTING THE SEAL-ISLANDS.
AN ACT to prevent the extermination of fur-bearing animals in Alaska.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Con-
gress assembled, That it shall be unlawful to kill any fur-seal upon the islands of Saint Paul and
Saint George, or in the waters adjacent thereto, except during the months of June, July, Septem-
ber, and October, in each year; and it shall be unlawful to kill such seals at any time by the use
of fire-arms, or use of other means tending to drive the seals away from said islands: Provided,
That the natives of said islands shall have the privilege of killing such young seals as may be
necessary for their own food and clothing during other months, and also such old seals as may be
required for their own clothing and for the manufacture of boots for their own use, which killing
shall be limited and controlled by such regulations as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the
Treasury.
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be unlawful to kill any female seal, or any seal
less than one year old, at any season of the year, except as above provided; and it shall also be
unlawful to kill any seal in the waters adjacent to said islands, or on the beaches, cliffs, or rocks
where they haul up from the sea to remain ; and any person who shall violate either of the pro-
visions of this or the first section of this act, shall be punished on conviction thereof, for each
offense, by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $1,000, or by imprisonment not exceeding
six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction
and taking cognizance of the offenses; and all vessels, their tackle, apparel, and furniture, whose
crew shall be found engaged in the violation of any of the provisions of this act, shall be forfeited
to the United States.
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That for the period of twenty years from and after the pas-
sage of this act, the number of fur-seals which may be killed for their skins upon the island of
Saint Paul is hereby limited and restricted to seventy-five thousand per annum; and the number
of fur-seals which maybe killed for their skins upon the island of Saint George is hereby limited
and restricted to twenty -five thousand per annum: Prorided, That the Secretary of the Treasury
may restrict and limit the right of killing, if it shall become necessary for the preservation of such
seals, with such proportionate reduction of the rents reserved to the Government as shall be right
and proper; and if any person shall knowingly violate either of the provisions of this section, he
shall, upon due conviction thereof, be punished in the same way as is provided herein for a violation
of the provisions of the first and second sections of this act.
THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF ALASKA. 391
SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That immediately a ft IT tin- passage of tLis act, the Secretary
of the Treasury shall lease, for the rental mentioned iu section 6 of this act, to proper and respon-
sible parties, to the best advantage of the United States, having due regard to the interests of the
Government, the native inhabit ants, the parties heretofore engaged in the trade, and the protection
of the seal-fisheries, tor :i term of twemy years from the 1st day of May, 1870, the right to engage
in the business of taking fur-seals on the islands of Saint Paul and Saint George, and to send a ves-
sel or vessels to said islands tor the skins of such seals, giving to the lessee or lessees of said islands
a lease duly executed, in duplicate, not transferable, and taking from the lessee or lessees of said
islands a bond, with sufficient sureties, in a sum not less than $500,000, conditioned for the faithful
observance of all the laws and requirements of Congress, and of the regulations of the Secretary
of the Treasury touching the subject-matter of taking fur-seals and disposing of the same, and for
the payment of all taxes and dues accruing to the United States connected therewith. And in
making said lease the Secretary of the Treasury shall have due regard to the preservation of the
seal-fur trade of said islands, and the comfort, maintenance, and education of the natives thereof.
The said lessees shall furnish to the several masters of vessels employed by them certified copies
of the lease held by them, respectively, which shall be presented to the Government revenue officer
fov the time being who may be in charge at the said islands, as the authority of the party for
landing and taking skins.
SEC. 5. And be it further, enacted. That at the expiration of said term of twenty years, or on
surrender or forfeiture of any lease, other leases may be made in manner as aforesaid for other
terms of twenty years; but no persons other than American citizens shall be permitted by lease,
or otherwise, to occupy said islands, or either of them, for the purpose of taking the skins of fur-
seals therefrom, nor shall any foreign vessel be engaged in taking such skins ; and the Secretary
of the Treasury shall vacate and declare any lease forfeited, if the same be held or operated for
the use, benefit, or advantage, directly or indirectly, of any person or persons other than American
citizens. Every lease shall contain a covenant on the part of the lessee that he will not keep, sell,
furnish, give, or dispose of any distilled spirits or spirituous liquors on either of said islands to any
of the natives thereof, such person not being a physician and furnishing the same for use as medi-
cine ; and any person who shall kill any fur-seal on either of said islands, or in the waters adjacent
thereto (excepting natives as provided by this act), without authority of the lessees thereof, and
any person who shall molest, disturb, or interfere with said lessees, or either of them, or their
agents or employe's, in the lawful prosecution of their business, under the provisions of this act,
shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor, and shall for each offense on conviction thereof, be punished
in the same way and by like penalties as prescribed in the second section of this act; and all
vessels, their tackle, apparel, appurtenances, and cargo, whose crews shall be found engaged in any
violation of either of the provisions of this section, shall be forfeited to the United States; and if
any person or company, under any lease, herein authorized, shall knowingly kill, or permit to be
killed, any number of seals exceeding the number for each island in this act prescribed, such
person or company shall, in addition to the penalties and forfeitures aforesaid, also forfeit the whole
number of the skins of seals killed in that year, or, in case the same have been disposed of, then
said person or company shall forfeit the value of the same. And it shall be the duty of any revenue
officer, officially acting as such on either of said islands, to seize and destroy any distilled spirits
or spirituous liquors found thereon : Provided, That such officer shall make detailed report of his
doings to the collector of the port.
SEC. 6. And be it further enacted, That the annual rental to be reserved by said lease shall be
not less than $50,000 dollars per annum, to be secured by deposit of United States bonds to that
392 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
amount, and in addition thereto a revenue tax or duty of $2 is hereby laid upon each fur-seal
skin taken and shipped from said islands during the continuance of such lease, to be paid into the
Treasury of the United States; and the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby empowered and author-
ized to make all needful rules and regulations for the collection and payment of the same; for the
comfort, maintenance, education, and protection of the natives of said islands, and also for carrying
into full effect all the provisions of this act : Provided further, That the Secretary of the Treasury
may terminate any lease given to any person, company, or corporation, on full and satisfactory proof
of the violation of any of the provisions of this act, or rules and regulations established by him :
Provided further, That the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized to deliver to the owners
of the fur-seal skins now stored on the islands, on the payment of $1 for each of said skins taken
and shipped away by said owners.
SEC. 7. And be it further enacted, That the provisions of the seventh and eighth sections of an
act entitled " An act to extend the laws of the United States relating to customs, commerce, and
navigation over the territory ceded to the United States by Russia, to establish a collection dis-
trict therein, and for other purposes," approved July 27, 1868, shall be deemed to apply to this
act ; and all prosecution for offenses committed against the provisions of this act, and all other
proceedings had because of the violations of the provisions of this act, and which are authorized
by said act above mentioned, shall be in accordance with the provisions thereof, and all acts and
parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed.
SEC. 8. And be it further enacted, That the Congress may at any time, hereafter alter, amend, or
repeal this act.
Approved, July 1, 1870.
AMENDED MARCH 24, 1874. — Be it enacted, <£-c., That the act entitled " An act to prevent the
extermination of fur-bearing animals in Alaska," approved July 1, 1S70, is hereby amended so as to
authorize the Secretary of the Treasury, and he is hereby authorized, to designate the months in
which the fur-seals may be taken for their skins on the islands of Saint Paul and Saint George,
in Alaska, and in the waters adjacent thereto, and the number to be taken on or about each island
respectively.
14. COMMENTS UPON THE LEGISLATION OF CONGRESS.
RATIO OF CATCH AT FIRST INCORRECTLY APPORTIONED. — The original text of the existing
law for the protection of the seal-islands provides that the 100,000 seals which may be annually
taken from them shall be proportioned by killing 75,000 on Saint Paul and 25,000 on Saint George.
This ratio was based evidently upon the foregoing table of Veniauimov, which, if accurate, would
clearly show that full one-third as many seals repaired to the smaller island as to the larger one,
and until I made my surveys, 1872-1874, it was so considered by all parties interested. The fact,
however, which I soon discovered, is that Saint George receives only one-eighteeth of the whole
aggregate of fur-seal visitation peculiar to the Pribylov Islands, Saint Paul entertaining the other
seventeen parts.
REASON FOR AMENDMENT OF 1874. — This amazing difference, in the light of prior knowledge
and understanding, caused me, on returning to Washington in October, 1873, to lay the matter
before the Treasury Department, aud ask that the law be so modified that, in the event of abnor-
mally warm killing seasons, a smaller number might be taken from Saint George with a correspond-
ing increase at Saint Paul; for, unless this was done, it might become at any season a matter of
great hardship to secure 25,000 killable seals on Saiut George in the short period allotted by the
THE FUR-SI:AI, INDUSTRY or CAI-K FLATTERY. 393
law of July 1, 1S70. Tin- Treasury Department, while fully concurring in my repiesentations,
seemed tn (li)iilil its power to do so; then, with its sanction, I carried the question before Con-
giess, January. 1S74, and secured from that body an amendment of the act of ,Iuly 1, 1S70,
above, quoted in full (act, &e., approved .March 1' I, 1S74), which gives the Secretary of the Treas-
ury full discretion in the matter, and tixes the hitherto inflexible, ratio of killing on each island
upon a sliding scale, as it were, tor adjustment from season to season, upon a more intelligent
understanding of the subject ; and, also, this amendatory act grants an extension of the legal limit
of killing, by giving the Secretary of the Treasury the power to fix it annually.
LAW WORKS WELL. — As the law is now amended, the killing on the two islands can be sensi-
bly adjusted each season, by the relative number of seals on the two islands, which will vary so
markedly on Saint George according as it may be abnormally dry and warm when the period for
driving the " holluscliickie " is at hand.
SPECIAL AGENTS OP THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT. — Prior to March, 1872, the supervision
of the Treasury Department over its interest, on the Pribylov Islands was directed by the detail of
special agents by the Secretary, who paid them out of a contingent fund of $50,000, which Con-
gress voted in 1868 for the "collection of customs" in Alaska; this appropriation running out, the
secretary drew the following bill, which Congress adopted, and it was approved March 5, 1872 :
SECTION I. Be it enacted, <f-c., That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized to appoint one
agent and three assistant agents, who shall be charged with the management of the seal fisheries iu Alaska, and the
performance of such other duties as .may be assigned to them by the Secretary of the Treasury ; and the said agent
shall receive the sum of &10 pec diem ; one assistant agent the sum of §8 per diem; and two assistant agents the sum
of $6 each per diem while so employed ; and they shall also be allowed their necessary traveling expenses in going to
and returning from Alaska, such expenses not to exceed the sum of $300 in any one year.
SKI.-. II. And hi- it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and is hereby, authorized to erect a
dwelling-house upon each of the islands of Saint Paul and Saint George for the use of said agents, the cost of both not
exceed the sum of $i>,000.
SEC. III. And In' it further enacted, That the said agents be, and they are hereby, empowered to administer oaths
in all cases relating to the service of the United States, and to take testimony in Alaska for the use of the Government
in any manner concerning the public revenues.
Under this law the present force of Treasury officers is creditably maintained on the Pribylov
Islands. Living there, as they do, in perfect isolation, so far from headquarters, it is necessary
that, to insure the personal ability of the officers to be out on the killing grounds in the sealing
season, two agents at least should be detailed upon each island, as they are ; should one fall sick,
then the other is on hand. The work every year of taking the seals, like the moving of the tides,
cannot and will not wait for any man ; it is literally " now or never ! " with its conduct.
2.— THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF CAPE FLATTERY AND
VICINITY.*
JAMES. G. SWAN.
1. HISTORY, PRESENT CONDITION, AND METHODS OF THE INDUSTRY.
The northern fur-seals (Callorliinvs iir.thnis Gray) in their annual migration north, approach
the coast between Point Greuville, Washington Territory, and the western shores of Vancouver
'According to Prof. D. S. Jordan, a few California vessels are employed in the capture of fur-seal. At San
Diego he states the chase of the fur-seal is more important than the fisheries proper. They are sought for chiefly in the
Gnadalonpe Islands. Most of them are killed by shooting, but sometimes they are dispatched with clubs. Theirskins
are sold in San Francisco at, 84 to $(> each. The carcass is thrown away. About $10,000 worth of the skins of fur-
seal from this region were sold in San Francisco in 1879
394 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Island, British Columbia, iu vast herds, and are taken by the Indians of Gape Flattery and the
natives of Vancouver Island, on the ocean off the coast, and occasionally in the Strait of Fuca as
far inland as the Duugeness Light.
The great body of these seals keep well out to sea, and during the present year (1880) have
been reported by vessels bound iu from China and the Sandwich Islands as having been seen from
100 to 300 miles off shore, covering the sea as far as the eye could reach, and looking like vast beds
of kelp iu the distance.
Meteorological causes seem to effect this vast collection, sometimes causing it to keep off from
the shore at a great distance, with only a few scattering ones coming near enough to fall victims
to the Indian's spear. At other times, and notably the present season, the great herd sways inward
toward the land, following the same general movement as may be observed in a school of herring,
the center of the school or herd being invariably the most numerous.
During the voyage of Captain Meares, in 17SS-'S9, as well as those of Portlock, Dixon, Man-
hand, and other early voyagers, but little mention is made of seals, as they were then of such
small value that in the list of furs and skins which the captains were directed to procure no men-
tion is made of them, the sea otter then being the most plentiful, as it was and is at this time the
most costly and beautiful of all the furs.
Black fox-skins were very valuable, as also sable, black beaver, and black martin; but river
otter and seals were classed with inferior furs, which the captains were directed to purchase or not
as they judged best, but to confine their work to the sea-otter.
From all the accounts given in the records of those early voyages, as well as from the traditions
of the Indians, it seems that a hundred years ago the sea-otter were as numerous in this vicinity
;ind tis readily taken by the Indians as the fur-seal is at the present time. Sea-otters are but
rarely taken now, and seem to have abandoned their ancient haunts on the American coast and to
have migrated in a body to the northeastern shores of Asia and the islands off the Siberian coast
and Japan, where they abound. Their places on the American shores are now taken by the fur-
seal, which of late years seem to be steadily on the increase.
From 1857, the date of the first white settlement at Neah Bay, to 1866, but few seals were
taken, they were iu those years very scarce, and it is only since 1866 that they have been known
to resort to the vicinity of Fuca Strait in such large numbers.
The majority of the seals killed by the Makahs, or Cape Flattery Indians, at the commencement
of the season are females and yearling pups; the older males appear to keep well out to sea and
are seldom taken near the shore until toward the close of the season.
The female seals killed by the Indians invariably have foetuses in them in various stages of
development, according to the mouth when taken.*
I procured of an Indian two foetal seal pups on the 20th of May last, which I selected from a
lot the Indian was skinning ; they were far enough advanced to be skinned, although their pelts
\\ere worthless for trade. These two specimens I gave to Professor Jordan, who has them among
the collection he made at 5s"eah Bay.
The time the fur-seals make their appearance in the vicinity of Cape Flattery varies; generally
they do not appear before the 1st of March, but this season the first were taken on the 18th day
* Mr. Swan thinks it possible that the seals bring forth their young iu the ocean, and says that many of the
sealers agree with that opinion. Mr. H. W. Elliott, however, feels certain that it would be impossible for the new-
born seals to live in the ocean, and thinks that no seals at Cape Flattery are so far advanced in pregnancy as to be
unable to reach the Pribylov Islands before the pups are born. — A. HOWARD CLARK.
THE FUK^SEAL INDUSTRY OF GAPE FLATTEKY. 395
of January iu Fuea Strait near \Vaadda Island at the entrance to Neah Bay. The Indians killed
on that day forty-five. This is as early as [ have any recollection of, although the old Indians
tellmetheyhaveknownthem to make their appearance, but raiel.\,as early as tin- last nf Decem-
ber. I think their appearance for au average period often years past would be about the 1st of
March. They remain some seasons as late as July and August, but in 1880 the last catch was
made about the L'Oth of June.
Until within a few years past the Indians have gone to sea boldly in their canoes, starting
out by daybreak and returning at night. Three men usually go in a canoe at such times. Lat-
terly they have put their canoes on board the sealing schooners which take them to the sealing
grounds and lay by while the Indians went off in them and speared the seals. The canoes taken
on board the schooner have but two Indians in each.
The outfit of each canoe consists of one aud sometimes two spears, which are fitted in the
following manner : A pole, 15 or 16 feet long, with a broad place at one end over which the fingers
are clasped, and fitted with two prongs at the other end, which are inserted into the sockets of
two barbed spear-heads, each attached to a stout line, either made fast to the pole near the middle
or held in the hand of spearsman. A club is also provided for knocking the seal on the head after
he is speared, and two buoys made of the skin of the hair-seal (Phoca Pealii Gill) taken off whole
and blown up with the hair side in. These buoys are used either to bend on to the spear line if
the animal is not easily killed, or in case of rough weather they are attached to each side of the
canoe a little forward of the center, and render her steady and seaworthy.
After a strong wind and the accompanying heavy sea have subsided, the seals lie on their
backs in the water and sleep. Then the Indians cautiously and quietly approach them, and
selecting a victim, silently paddle near enough to thrust the spear deeply into its body, and at once
withdrawing the pole, leave the barbs embedded iu its flesh, sometimes killing it outright, but
often only wounding it; the barbed spear-head, however, holds fast, the line is quickly hauled in,
and the seal knocked on the head with the club. They smash in every seal's skull, whether it has
been killed by the spear or not, and so universal is this practice that although I have repeatedly
offered to pay Indians liberally for a perfect skull, I have been unable to procure a single speci-
men.
The Indians here never use fire-arms to kill seals. They say the report would scare them
away, and they strongly object to white men using rifles on the sealing grounds.
After the day's hunting is over, the canoes which have put off from the shore return with the
seals they have taken, which are then skinned by the women, either on the beach or in the lodges.
The canoes belonging to the schooners take their catch on board the vessels, which at first brought
them all on shore to be skinned, but this season they have been mostly skinned and salted on the
schooner.
Each vessel takes as many canoes as she can carry, the number varying, according to the size
of the vessel, from eight to fifteen being the average, although the largest vessels can take twenty,
but very seldom exceed fifteen. The Indians pay one-third of their catch for having themselves
and their canoes transported to the sealing grounds and back to Neah Bay.
These schooners have cabin accommodations for the officers and crews, and the Indians are
assigned quarters iu the hold among the salted skins, reeking carcasses and blubber of the seals,
for the Indians wish to save the blubber to make oil and the carcasses to use for food until they
are too plentiful, when they are thrown overboard, or, if skinned on shore, left on the beach for
the tide to remove.
396 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The largest of the schooners hare forecastle accommodations for some of the Indians, but the
most of them sleep in the hold, where the peculiar odor of the seal-skins and blubber seems to
impart a healthy and invigorating influence on these savages, who appear to thrive and grow fat
during the season.
The blubber taken from tlie seals is tried out by the women in the lodges. They cut it into
small pieces, which they boil in iron pots and brass kettles. The oil, when cold, is put into various
receptacles, generally into large pouches or bottles made from the paunches of seals, sea lions, or
the killer (Orca ater Cope), which abounds in Fuca Strait. These paunches are first cleaned, then
blown up full of wind, and rolled, and rubbed, and stretched, and again and again blown up till
they attain their utmost tension, when they are left to dry, in which condition they retain their
shape, and are serviceable in holding oil.
The cleanest and nicest oil is placed in these paunches, and is used with their food as white
people use sweet oil or butter, and when fresh made is no more disagreeable than lard. Oil that
gets scorched or dirty, or any surplus oil, is sold to the whites.
The quantity of seal oil produced this season can only be ascertained by estimate. I think,
taking the yearlings, which yield scarcely any. and the very large ones, which yield 1£ gallons
each, that the average may be set down at 1 quart to each seal, vhich numbered, as may be seen
in the statistical tables, 6,268. These would make over 1,500 gallons, most of which is used for
food.
Before the fur-seals became so plenty and the pursuit of them so profitable the Cape Flattery
Indians killed many whales, using their oil for food ; but the sealing business now absorbs all
their energies, and, although whales are as plenty about the cape as in former years, the Indians
have uot killed any for some time. They do not appear to have the views of white men about
engaging in different occupations at the same time, but when the season for any kind of work
comes round they will devote themselves exclusively to that, leaving other things to come in their
course.
In former years, before the demand for seal-skins became so great, they devoted themselves
to capturing whales. Then the halibut season commenced, and after that the salmon. Now,
instead of whales, it is seals, and at present (July), the sealing season being over, the whole tribe
are busy with the halibut fishery, which in turn will be succeeded by the salmon.
There have been sis schooners employed during the past season in the seal fishery, from Neah
Bay, viz: Schooner Eudora, 73.36 tons, of San Francisco, Nelson T. Oliver, master ; schooner
Champion, 42.84 tons, of Port Townsend, E. H. McAlmoud, master ; schooner Teazer, 39 tons, of Port
Townsend, James Dalgardno, master; schooner Lottie, 31 tons, of Port Townseud, John Oberg,
master; schooner Letitia, 30.66 tons, of Port Towusend, John Cornish, master; schooner Mist,
10.99 tons, of Port Townsend, Albert Waite, master.
Sealing schooner Three Sisters, 65 tons, S. L. Beckwith, master, arrived from San Francisco
.on the 14th of April, but proceeded north without attempting to take any seals off the cape.
On the Vancouver Island side of the strait, and on the west coast of that island, an equal
number of English vessels belonging to Victoria, British Columbia, have been engaged during the
season in sealing, viz: Schooners Favourite, Onward, Thornton, Anna Beck, Wanderer, and Win-
nifred, having about the same aggregate tonnage as the American schooners.
In the report of Alexander C. Anderson, esq., inspector of fisheries for British Columbia,
made to the minister of marine and fisheries, Ottawa, Canada, for 1879, the number of fur-seal
skins taken on the coast of British Columbia during that season was 12,500, which averaged $8
each, making a total value of $100,000. The price of fur-seal skins having advanced, is estimated
by the trader at this place at an average of $9 each for this season's catch.
THE FUR-SKA L INDUSTRY OF CAPK 1- J.ATTKi; V.
The number of fur-seal skins taken by the Indians belonging to the Makah Indian Reservation,
Cape Flattery, were reported to me as follows:
Total catch reported by the schooners 4,710
Total number purchased by the t raders, independent of vessels 1,558
Total catch of 1880 reported at Noah Bay 6,268
The catch of British Columbia was probably larger than that nf last, yrar, but I will as-
sume the number reported by Mr. Audersou as tiie basis of this year's estimate, nay.. . 12,500
To this should be added the catch of English schooner Favourite, wrecked off Barclay
Sound, British Columbia, and skins totally lost, reported amount 382
Total number of skins taken on west coast of British Columbia, 12,882
Total number taken this season 19, 150
Total value at $9 each $172, 350
I am of the opinion that this amount is under the true estimate, as the catch on the American
side of the strait, being greatly in excess of last year, it is but reasonable to infer that a corre-
sponding increase has been made on the English side, and if the exact number could be ascertained
at this time, I do not hesitate to give it as my opinion that twenty thousand seals have been killed
during the season of 1880, ending with the 30th day of June.
Of the catch on the American side, that portion taken by Indians who went on the schooners,
4.710 skins, one-third were given by the Indians to the vessels to pay for transporting them and
their cauoes to the sealing ground, amounting to 1,570 skins. The remainder, 3,140. added to the
amount sold by the Indians to traders independent of the schooners, 1,558 skins, makes a total of
4,698 skins, for which they received from the traders, in cash and trade, an average of $9 per
skin, equal to $42,282. This sum, divided among two hundred and thirty-two Indians, the whole
number who were engaged in sealing during the season, gives a little over $182 to each Indian
for his six months' work.
The total value of the fur-seal catch of 6,268 skins, reported at Neah Bay as taken by the
Indians of the Makah Reservation, at $9 each, is $56,412.
This .shows the value and importance of one of the interests of Washington Territory of which
hitherto but little has been known, it being evidently for the pecuniary advantage of the very
few persons who have engaged in it to keep the public in the dark as much as possible regarding
its extent and value. This season, however, has shown an increase of the vessels employed, and
it is more than probable that the number will be increased another season. The unprecedented
number of seals which made their appearance, a number which seems to have steadily increased
each season since 1866, will give employment to a larger fleet of vessels another year. One of the
captains remarked to me, "If a hundred schooners could have obtained crews of Indians, there
were more than enough seals to have satisfied them all."
This is a business which cannot be monopolized by one individual or one company any more
than the codfish or whaling business can be monopolized. It is a fishery or pursuit upon the open
ocean and on the high seas, free and open to all ; but whether the assembling of a large fleet of
vessels ar Xeah Bay, which is the only harbor of refuge to which they can repair, would be attended
with any peculiar benefit to the Indians of a Government reservation, whose policy has always
been to prohibit free intercourse of the whites and Indians in Indian country, and to prevent,
under heavy penalties, the assembling of white persons on or near Indian reservations, either for
purposes of settlement or trade, or whether such a collection of vessels with the confusion and
irregularities incident to every fishing village would not be looked upon by the Government as a
398 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
positive injury to the welfare of the Indians, making it desirable to remove them altogether from
Neah Bay to some other place ou the coast south of Cape Flattery, are grave problems which the
Government will, at no distant day, be called upon to solve.
The proximity of Neah Bay to the waters covered each season, with innumerable swarms of
fur-seals, its nearness to the banks where annually thousands of tons of halibut are taken by the
Indians of Cape Flattery and the west coast of Vancouver's Island, the fact that it is 700 miles
nearer the codfish banks of the North Pacific than San Francisco, and that it is the only safe
harbor of refuge at the entrance to Fuca Strait, are commercial questions of great and increasing
value. The near advent of commercial activity on Puget Sound will call the attention of capital-
ists to their importance, and show to the commercial world the necessity of utilizing the many
advantages Neah Bay possesses, and eventuate in building up a thriving village of whites instead
of the unsightly Indian wigwams of the present.
It is a well-ascertained fact that the seals come from the south, approaching the coast in the
vicinity of Point Greuville and Destruction Island, then in the vicinity of Quilleute and Flattery
Rocks, and later in the season along the west coast of Vancouver Island.
At the commencement of the sealing season all the sealing vessels, both American and
English, cruise between Cape Flattery and Point Grenville, and as the great herd slowly moves
northward the English vessels keep within their own waters, and are followed by our own vessels,
which find the harbors of Barclay Sound and Clyoquot convenient places to run for shelter, just
as the English schooners at the commencement of the season will visit Neah Bay as a harbor of
refuge.
The general belief is that these seals go directly north after leaving the vicinity of Cape
Flattery, and some of the English schooners follow them to the region about Queen Charlotte
Islands and the southern coast of Alaska. This is undoubtedly true of a large portion of the herd or
herds, for they do not appear to be in one body, but rather like the salmon in separate schools,
although their time of appearance is the same. But the observations of some of the sealing cap-
tains this season lead them to the conclusion that the fur-seal seen off.Cape Flattery do not go to
Bering Sea at all, but "haul out," as it is termed, on some undiscovered island in the North
Pacific or go direct to the Japanese or Siberian coasts.
Capt. E. H. McAlmond, of schooner Champion, and Capt- N. T. Oliver, of schooner Eudora,
two of the largest vessels in the fleet, which proceeded farther out to sea than either of the others,
both told me that the last of the season the seals appeared to be " striking off due west."
In a conversation I had in February last with Capt. William Spring, of schooner Favourite,
and Capt. Hugh McKay, of schooner Onward, both vessels belonging to Victoria, British Columbia,
which had put in here for a harbor, I found they held the same opinion, that the seals " hauled out
on some undiscovered islands in the North Pacific and did not all go into Bering Sea." These two
gentlemen, with whom I have been personally acquainted for nearly twenty years, are among the
oldest and most experienced men in the seal and sea-otter business.
2. STATISTICS FOR 1880.
The following statements show the condition of the fur-seal fishery of Cape Flattery and vicin-
ity as reported at Neah Bay, Clallam County, Washington Territory, for the season ending June
30, 1880:
THE FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY OF CAPE FLATTERY.
399
(a) The sealing fleet.
Si
H
—
o
m
a
*3 n
^
Name of
yrs.M'l.
Tons.
Master.
Where from.
j?
e
V
ta
§•=•
£5?
uumbei
can-ied.
of India
li canoe.
iiiiinbcr
oarh tri
1
a
§
'O
•o
a
a
-
1.9
•a
o
o
j3
tod
txa
o
n ~
<3
2
5 B
.2 O
£«
p.
fc
^j
k S
d_a
S'5
ro
03
.9
fc
0
O
*
<J
A
'N
CO
CO
CO
t>
tfl
ipion .
42. S4
E. H.McAlmond
Port Tovmsend
W. Gallick.
3
15
2
30
Feb. 6
Juno 30
1,562
$14, 058
Skins salted-
Endora
73.36
N. T. Oliver
San Francisco . .
H. Leibea . .
4
15
2
30
Feb. 24
June 'J4
1,439
12, 951
Do.
Lottie
31.00
W G'tllick
3
10
2
•'h
Letitia
30.66
do
3
I*
2
n j
T 91
Teazer
39.00
James Dalgardus.
do
L. Baiter . .
3
12
2
U4
Mar. 1G
June 29
348
3, 132
Do.
Mist
16.77
Albert "Waite
do
3
8
2
16
T 1<1
*
233.83
19
71
....
142
4,710
42, 390
(6) The trips made by the scaling vessels.
Schooner Champion.
Schooner Endora.
Schooner Lottie.
Schooner Letitia.
Schooner Teazer.
Schooner Mist.
Seals.
Feb. 6 116
Seals.
Feb. 24 210
Seals.
Feb. 6 . . 55
Seals.
Mar 16 51
Seals.
Mar. 16 16
Mar '^ 8
Seals.
Fi-b. in 31
Mar. 1 35
Mar. 10 47
Feb. 10 36
Feb. 24 98
Apr. 3 31
•Vpr IS 1
V.-l>. 24, ll'S
Apr. 16 50
Apr 30 1^0
Apr. 16 38
May 1 25
Mar. 1 86
Mar. 16 160
Feb. 29 15
Mar. 16 116
Apr. 3 102
Mar. 1 60
May 18 183
May "9 1
Mar. 21 77
Ajir. a 59
Apr. 16 119
Mar. 21 10
May °S 41
Apr. 18. 7
Apr. 3 .... 12
Ajir. Ifi 113
Hav 1 220
Apr. 16 108
7 trips 348
6 trips 190
Apr. 26 ... 131
May 19 312
Apr 18 3
May " 170
May 28 70
Apr 29 51
Strips 516
May 13 .69
May 13 39
May 19 . 121
May 20 121
June 1 . . . 298
June 21 38
May 29 32
June 9 47
13 trips 1,439
June 30. 8
14 trips 1,562
15 trips 655
(o) The number of skins procured by traders from Indians who went in their canoes independent of the schooners.
Name of trading post.
Number of
skins.
Number of
canoes.
Number of
Indians.
Neab Bay Village
747
Hosell Village
180
*lo
30
Quilleute Village
602
*20
60
Skins taken up -sound for sale ..
29
1,558
30
90
• Three Indians each.
SUMMARY.
Number of vessels employed .
Amount of tonnage
6
233. 83
Number of whites on vessels 19
X umber of Indians on vessels 142
Number of Indians from trading posts 90
Number ol Indiana 232
Total number of persons employed in catch 251
Number of seal-skina received by the schooners 4, 710
Number of seal-skins receiyed at trading posts 1,558
Total number of seal-skins taken during the season 6,268
Average value of skins as estimated by the trader at Neah Bay, $9 each, making the value of the season's catch, as estimated $56, 412
100 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Of the amount of skins received by the vessels (4,710) one-third was given by the Indians to
the schooners which conveyed them and their canoes to the sealing ground, amounting to 1,570
skins. The remainder, say 3,140 skins, belonging to the Indians, added to the number sold to the
traders independent of the catch of the schooners, i. c., 1,558 skins, makes 4,698 which the Indians
sold to the traders for cash and trade. At an average of $9 per skin, these netted the handsome
amount of $42,282, which, divided among 232 Indians who were engaged in the business, gives a
little over $182 each for the season's work.
The success of the vessels engaged the past season will induce many others to embark in the
business another season, and already preparations are making to secure vessels of a better class
for the next season's work, which will commence late in December or early in January, 1881. The
first seals taken this season were killed by Indians on the 18th day of January, 1880 ; during that
mouth sixty-nine seals were taken. The schooners did not commence until February.
3.— THE ANTARCTIC FUR-SEAL AND SEA-ELEPHANT INDUSTRY.
By A. HOWARD CLARK.
1. ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES.
THE EXTENT OF THE FISHERY IN THE LAST CENTURY. — American vessels first crossed the
equator in search of whales about the year 1774. A few years later they cruised along the South
American coast as far as Patagonia and in the vicinity of the Tristan and Falkland Islands. At
both of these islands fur and hair seals and sea-elephants were then very numerous. The whalers
occasionally killed some seals and brought home seal oil as part of their cargoes. Soon after the
Revolutionary war a Boston lady named Haley was led to bear the expense of fitting out the ship
States for a voyage to the Falklands for hair-seal skins and sea-elephant oil. This was the first
vessel, so far as known, that ever sailed from an American port especially equipped lor engaging
in the seal fishery, and originated an industry that for thirty or forty years was of much import-
ance to the New England fishing ports.
From the manuscript diary of Eben Townsend, supercargo of the ship Neptune, that made a
very profitable fur-sealing voyage from 1797 to 1799, we gather some valuable information concern-
ing the commencement of this seal fishery. The diary begins by narrating the particulars of the
voyage from the date of leaving New York until arriving at the Falkland Islands, where they
began the fur-seal hunt. They anchored in States Harbor, which Mr. Townsend says "derived
its name from a ship of that name which lay here two years to obtain sea-elephant oil and hair-
seal skins. She was a very large ship, towards 1,000 tons, from Boston, fitted from there soon
after the Revolutionary war, and the first ship that we know of that took any fur-seal skins. She
was owned by Lady Haley, living in Boston. They took about 13,000 fur-sea) skins as an experi-
ment, which were sold in New York at about half a dollar each, their value not being known, and
were thought by some to be sea-otter skins. They were afterwards taken to Calcutta and sold
there as sea-otters. From Calcutta they were taken to Canton by Captain Metcalf, from New York,
who started from the United States about the same time tliat Captain Keudricks sailed from
Boston. In Canton these skins were sold at about $5 each. Captain Metcalf carried out the first
seal-skins; and he with Keudricks, from Boston, were the first adventurers from the United
States to the northwest coast of America after sea-otter skins. Keudricks was killed in receiv-
THE ANTAUGTIC SEAL FlSllElf I KS. 40}
ing A salute from another vessel, one of the guns being accidentally loaded with shot. This
happened at Wahoo, one of the Sandwich Islands. Metcalf was killed on the north tvest coast.
Both of these men made several successful voyages from Canton to the coast, lint the vessel
owners were never benefited. They spent it as they went along. Neither was well calculated for
such an enterprise. They were top-heavy with success.
"In the year 1790 Elijah Austin, a very enterprising merchant of New Haven, Conn., fitted
out two vessels on a sealing voyage to the Falkland Islands, in consequence of the informa-
tion derived from Lady Haley's ship. These were the first vessels that undertook the fur-seal
skin voyages for the China market. One was commanded by Capt. Daniel Green, the other by
('apt. Roswell Woodward, both men of uncommon enterprise. They were successful. They
obtained part of their skins at South Georgia. Captain Green only proceeded to Canton ; Captain
Woodward returned to America. On this voyage Captain Green circumnavigated the globe, and
was absent three years."*
Besides the New Haven vessels mentioned by Mr. Townseud there were other vessels sent
out on fur-sealing voyages in 1790. Among these was one from Nantucket that cruised on the
coast of Africa; another was the ship Industry, Captain Patten, of Philadelphia, Captain Patten
with part of his crew, remained on one of the Tristan Islands from August. 1790, to April, 1791, for
the purpose of collecting fur-seal skins. During this time he obtained fifty-six hundred for the
Chinese market.
The fishery rapidly grew, and it was not long before a dozen or more vessels were engaged in
carrying fur-seal skins to Canton from Falkland, South Georgia, Mas a-Fuera, and other islands
where seals were very abundant. In 1792 a full cargo of these skins was obtained at the Falk-
land Islands by the brig Betsey, of 100 tons, commanded by Captain Steele. In 1792 or 1793 the
.-•hip Eliza, Capt. W. R. Stewart, secured a cargo of fur-seal skins at Mas-a-Fuera, and is reported
by Captain Delano to have been the first vessel to take a cargo of skins to Canton from that island.
From that date till about 1806 fur-seals were taken from Mas-a-Fneia by the millions. One of the
most successful voyages ever made in this business was that of the ship Neptune, previously
mentioned, and the particulars of which are given on a subsequent page. The voyage was
to the Falklands, and thence around Cape Horn to Mas-a-Fuera and China, where the skins
were exchanged for Chinese products that yielded over $260,000 in the New York market.
Another very profitable voyage was that of the brig Betsey, from 1797 to 1799, under Capt. Edmund
Fanning, of Stouingtou. The Betsey's cargo, of one hundred thousand fur seal skins, obtained
principally at Mas-a-Fuera, was exchanged at Canton for goods that yielded a net profit of $52,300
to the owners in New York. Many other very successful voyages were made, and the fur-seal
business was generally very prosperous for several years.
THE FISHERIES FKOM: 1800 TO 1881. — In the report of a congressional committee, communi-
cated to the Congress of the United States March 12, 1804, to whom had been referred a memo-
rial from citizens of New York and Hudson, in the State of New York, praying for alterations in
the navigation laws, we find references as follows to the state of the seal fisheries of the country
at that date : " The sea-elephant, like the seal, is understood to be amphibious. They are found
at many of the uninhabited islands of the great Southern Ocean, in particular at Kergnelen Land,
which, at certain seasons, they frequent in great numbers, and, as they make little resistance, are
easily taken by the fishermen. Several American vessels are stated to have been engaged in
this business, and the oil, being of an excellent quality, furnishes a valuable article of exportation
from this country to Europe.
* Manuscript diary of Eben Towsend, lent to the author of this report l>y Mr. Cluirli-n I'd rr«mi, of New Haven, Conn.
SEC. v, VOL. ii 26
402 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
" The American vessels employed in the [fur] seal voyages usually pass round Cape Horn,
and visit the islands of Juan Fernandez and Mas-a-Fuera, at the last of which the seal are said
most to abound. A few seal are also taken at the Falkland Islands, at Tris'an d'Acunha, at
Saint Paul's, and Amsterdam ; but of late years they have been found to have almost entirely
abandoned these islands; and even at Mas-a-Fuera and the islands in its vicinity they are no longer
to be found in that abundance they were met with when these voyages were first undertaken.
For the last ten or twelve years, however, there have been many American vessels engaged in this
business. In 1800 and 1801 not less than ten vessels, principally from New York, Connecticut, and
Massachusetts, were thus employed. Some of the ships are represented to have been very suc-
cessful in their voyages, and to have carried sixty thousand, and, in some instances, as far as one
hundred thousand, seal-skins to the Canton market. The oil of the seal (though it is said to be
equal to whale oil, and it would command a great price if brought to the United States) is not
usually saved, as it will not sell at Canton, or, at least, would not afford a profitable sale. The
skins, however (but few of which are brought to the United States, unless where a ship fails in her
voyage, and is thence induced to return home), are sold at Canton, and the proceeds invested in
teas, silks, nankeens, &c., which are brought to the United States, where they pay a higher or
lower duty, according as they are imported in bona fide American vessels or those of a different
description."*
After the extermination of the fur-seals at Mas-a-Fuera and other islands on the west coast of
South America, vessels cruised throughout the southern seas in search of new grounds. Many
large cargoes were obtained at South Georgia, at the Aucklands, Crozets, Border's Island, and
other places. In 1819 the great rookeries at South Shetlauds were discovered, and during the
next three years there was an indiscriminate slaughter of the animals there.
From 1825 to 1845 a few vessels made good fur-seal voyages, but the attention of sealers was
more especially given to the capture of sea-elephants, and these animals continued to be the chief
object of sealing voyages until the year 1871, when the merchants of New London sent a fleet of
three schooners to the South Shetlands for fur-seal. These vessels returned in 1872 with about
eight thousand skins of the choicest and richest quality. Their success led to the fitting out of
another fleet, and the next season eight vessels secured 15,000 skius. In 1874 six vessels arrived
home with 10,000 skins. A very successful voyage was made to the Cape Horn region by Captain
Athearn in the schooner Florence. He arrived home in 1876, having secured skins valued at over
$100,000. From 1870 to 1880 the sealing fleet brought home 92,756 fur-seal skins, nearly all of
them from the South Shetlands and the vicinity of Cape Horn and Terra del Fuego.
The sea-elephant hunting was prosperous from 1840 to 1870, but since the latter date it has
decreased in importance. The quantity of sea-elephant oil brought homo between 1850 and 1860
was 1,976,751 gallons; from 1860 to 1870, 1,536,664 gallons, and from 1870 to 1880, 1,071,472 gallons.
In the season of 1880 the fleet engaged in the capture of fur seals and sea-elephants comprised one
bark, one brig, and eight schooners, aggregating 1,277 tons. Three of these were owned at Ston-
ington, Conn., six at New London, Conn., and one at New Bedford, Mass. During the season of
1881 the fleet secured 4,170 fur-seal skins and 1,320 barrels of oil, and during 1882, 5,100 skius, but
mi oil.
* American State Papers, vol. i, p. 574.
Tin: ANTAurnu SEAL FISHERIES. 403
2. T1IE SEALING GROUNDS.
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION (IK SEALS IN SOUTHERN OCEANS.
Tlu> Southern fur seal (Arcti>ci'ph(tli<s uuxtralix), which is b nil ted for its valuable skin, is found
in but few localities in Antarctic waters or south of the equator. The principal grounds now vis-
ited by the sealing fleet are the lonely outlying rocks in tbe vicinity of Cape Horn. At the South
Shetlands, a desolate group of islands south of Cape Horn, these animals were very abundant sixty
years ago, and during the years from 1871 to 187G, some good cargoes of very .superior skins were
secured there, but since the latter date the number of fur seals killed at these islands has been
very small. The other sealing grounds are at Kerguelen Land and Heard's Island, in the Southern
Indian Ocean. But at these islands very few seals are now annually taken. At the mouth of the
River Plate in South America is Lobos Island, where a few thousand fur seals annually congregate.
This small rookery is protected by the Government of the Argentine Republic, which allows only
a limited number of seals to be captured each year.
It is possible that on some undiscovered islands in the far south there may still be a consider-
able abundance of these animals. The adventurous sealers of New England occasionally go in
search of new islands or revisit those where fur seals were once so plenty.
The sea-elephant, or elephant seal (Macrorhinus leoninus), yields an oil little inferior to sperm
oil. It is found in abundance only in southern oceans, and generally in about the same localities
as the fur seal. The place ot its greatest abundance is at Heard's Island, in the Southern Indian
Ocean, a small desolate pile of rocks and ice about 15 or 20 miles in extent. This place has> from
year to year been visited by the hardy sealers, who have, however, been poorly paid for their toil,
since even here, where once the seal were found by thousands, they can now be taken in but small
numbers, and these only on almost inaccessible beaches. At the island of South Georgia, in the
Southern Atlantic, two or three vessels during the past ten years have secured fair cargoes of sea-
elephant oil. One s*essel, the Trinity, made some very successful voyages to South Georgia a few
years ago, and then, in the hope of securing greater profit, made a, voyage to Heard's Island, and
was lost there in 1880, her crew being rescued from their lonely island home by a United States
vessel sent to their relief.
At the beginning of the present century the fur seal was in great abundance on nearly all the
islands off the west coast of South America, from Cape Horn to the equator, and was taken in
great numbers from the islands of Juan Fernandez and Mas-a-Fuera, from St. Felix and St. Ambrose
Islands, the Gallipagos and numerous other islands off that coast. It was captured also in 1820
to 1825 at the South Shetlands in great quantities. The islands of the Falkland Group, the South
Georgia Islands, the Sandwich Group, and other places south and east of South America, were
annually visited by fleets of vessels. Off the west coast of Africa they were taken as late as 1835
to 1840, when they became almost extinct. At Desolation or Kergueleu Land, at the Aucklands,
the Antipodes, the Crozet Group, and everywhere on islands in those cold waters, the fur-seal
was found and captured ; but so eager were the sealers for gain that no regard was paid to the
danger of exterminating the animals by an indiscriminate slaughter of young and old seals, so that
it was but a comparatively short time before once famous sealing grounds could no longer be
visited with profit to the hunter.
Almost the same story might be told in regard to sea-elephants, for wherever they were found
they were slaughtered. This animal is still far more abundant than the fur-seal in southern seas,
but is nowhere found in such great herds as were once seen on the Falkland and other islands.
Thousands of barrels of elephant oil were taken fifty years ago by American and English vessels
404 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
and those belonging to other nationalities, especially at Desolation and the Falklands. These
animals abounded on all the islands frequented by the fur-seal. They were specially numerous at
Desolation or Kerguelen Land until 1850 or I860. At Heard's'Tsland, south of Desolation, they
were found in great numbers when that island was first "worked" in 1854, and that place is still
their principal hauling ground. From the Tristan Islands, South Georgia, South Shetlauds, and the-
vicinity of Cape Horn ; from the islands of Ichaboe and Mercury, and other places on the southwest
coast of Africa; from the Crozet and Prince Edward Islands and numerous other islands in the
Southern Atlantic and Southern Indian Oceans, large cargoes of sea-elepbant oil were taken in
the early history of this industry.
CAPE HORN REGION.
At the southern extremity of South America, south and southeast of the Straits of Magellan, is
a large group of islands, known as Terra del Fuego, or '• land of fire." The name was wisely given,
for the entire group is of volcanic origin, aud more desolate islands could hardly be found. The
group extends north and south about 200 miles, and east and west some 380 miles. At its eastern
extremity are the Straits of Le Maire and the western limit is Stateu Island. South of the main
cluster of Terra del Fuego are numerous small islands or rocks, and the most southern is known
as Horn Island, whose southern extremity is the famous Cape Horn.
The few inhabitants of the larger islands of the Terra del Fuego Group are half-starved
miserable beings who live on fish and seal's flesh. Captain Delano says that they eat the seals
raw and nearly rotten. There are some good harbors among the islands, where the sealing vessels
lie at anchor while the crews are ashore in search of their prey. The islands of Diego Ramirez
form a small group some 50 miles southwest of Cape Horn, and extending for about 4 or 5 miles
northwest and southeast. There are three principal islands and numerous rocks above water.
Nowhere is there any vegetation, nothing but barren rocks upon which the fur-seals love to
climb.
The dangers of sealing among the islands about Terra del Fuego are very great, aud many
vessels have been lost there iu the history of the business. Only five or six years ago the
schooner Charles Shearer, of Stonington, left a crew of sealers on Diego Eamirez and proceeded
farther in search of new rookeries. The vessel never returned, but the crew were rescued by a
passing merchant vessel bound to San Francisco. After the departure of their vessel from the
island the crew secured several hundred skins that were left there and afterwards brought to
Stouington by a vessel sent out after them. The owners of the Shearer supposed that their vessel
had gone to South Shetlands, and the United States Government sent a vessel there in hopes of
rescuing any men that might be left in those desolate isles, but no traces of vessel or men could
be found.
Capt. George F. Athearn writes from West Tisbun , Mass., under date of April 11. 1881, con-
cerning the danger of sealing in the Cape Horn region, as follows:
" The dangers of the scaling business are many. The southwest coast of Terra del Fuego and
islands of Cape Horn are exposed to almost endless gales of wind, accompanied with thick rain,
snow, or hail. The days of good weather are lew. These westerly gales bring in a heavy swell
on all this coast aud Western Patagonia. This coast is composed of hundreds of islands, growing
smaller and more barren as they approach the sea-coast, the whole line of which is iron ted by outlying
rocks and blind breakers. It is on these outlying rocks that the seal are found. The constantly
prevailing swell may aud does tor months prevent boats from landing, and when it is possible to laud
it is done with great difficulty and danger. But the greatest danger is in approaching these out-
lying rocks from the outer belt of islands. In daylight and clear weather there is not much danger,
THK ANTAKCTIC SKAL FISHERIES. 405
;ix with a good lookout at the masthead any rock that would take a vessel up would be seen; but
to be caught by a sudden squall, terminating in a gale, and night coming on, while returning from
the outer rocks, the navigation is as bad as it can well be. In the winter, in thick, blowing
weather, the nights are eighteen hours long. During the forty months that I was constantly
working that coast in the schooner Florence, a time extending over three winters and four sum-
mers, I of course passed through many bad times and tight places, and how I got clear I can't
tell, and 1 don't think any one else can tell, even those who are in the business, but I got through
it without any injury to the vessel or the loss of a man ; still, other vessels have not been so for-
tunate, most all have lost more or less men. The report came a few days ago of two sealing vessels
that had lost men this past season. I sailed in the Eliza Jane from New Bedford, October 2-i,
1861, and after some rather rough experience in the vicinity of Cape Horn, in the months of May
and June, having lost an anchor and got out of several bad scrapes, I came up the east coast of
Patagonia, and lost her on the 5th of August, 1862, 60 miles up the Gulf, west of Kio Negro, in a
heavy gale from the south. We all suffered greatly for want of water before arriving at the river,
which passage we made on foot without the loss of a man."
THE SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS.
The South Shetlauds, or, as sometimes called, New South Shetlands, is an archipelago in the
South Atlantic Ocean, about 300 miles south of Cape Horn, included between latitude 60° 32' to
67° 15' south, and longitude 44° 53' to 68° 15' west. There is no vegetation except a species of
moss. The principal islands of the group are Adelaide, Bridgeman, Smith, Saddle, Coronation,
Livingston, King George, and Elephant.
Capt. Edmund Fanning, of Stonington, who visited the South Shetlauds more than fifty years
ago, describes the group as "a chain of rough, rocky, and mountainous islands whose valleys or
chasms are partially filled with everlasting ice, and during tl:e greatest part of the year they are
covered with snow. The chain consists of upwards of fifty islands, stretching in a southwest and
northeast direction. The navigation among the group is dangerous on account of many sunken
reefs. The weather is similar to that of South Georgia. There is very little earth or vegetation,
ixcept the winter moss, and not a tree or shrub to be found. Deception Island, the most south-
-erly, is a curious phenomenon of nature, and is beyond doubt of volcanic origin. In form it is a
mountain ridge, making the interior round the bay in appearance an immense bowl, while iu the
east side, as it were, is a piece broken out ; this forms an opening or passage by which vessels
enter the bay. At the northeast inner bay side is the harbor called Yankee Harbor, near to
which, along the shore, is a stream of hot or boiling water; this keeps the water of the bay, for a
little distance round, quite warm, and is much resorted to by disabled and wounded penguins,
who appear fond of and anxious to remain in it. By scraping down a few inches into the sand of
the beach, a few yards distant from the boiling fount, the heat is so great as to render it impos-
sible to hold the hand in any length of time, notwithstanding very near by, in the cavity of the
mountain, is an iceberg of solid flint ice several hundred feet in height."*
Sealing on the South Shetland Islands began in 1819, when the brig Hersilia, of Stoningtou,
Conn., and an English vessel from Buenos Ayres visited the islands and obtained cargoes of very
rich fur-seal skins. In the year 1818 Captain Smith, in the English brig William, bound from
Montevideo to Valparaiso, discovered,! on the 15th of October, in latitude 62° 30' south, and
longitude 60° west, a new land where were fur-seal in abundance.
"Fauniug's Voyages, New York, 183:f, \>\<. -»:tt,.|.M.
tThe islands were first discovered aliout I lie yi-ar HiUO by Captain (iln-i lit/,, a Dutch navigator.
406 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
In his journal Captain Smith thus mentions the discovery: " After taking our departure from
Montevideo, nothing material occurred until I got into the latitude of Cape Horn, with a fair
wind to go to the westward, and steering S.SE. with the intention to make the island again, and
continuing this course for a few days, I, to my great satisfaction, discovered land on the 15th of
October, at 6 p. m., in latitude 62° 30' south, and longitude GO0 west. Arrived at Valparaiso 24th
of November, after a passage of sixty days from Montevideo."*
In 1819, according to Captain Davidson, of Stoningtou, a brig was fitted at Buenos Ayres for
sealing in the new land. At this season the brig Hersilia, of Stonington, was cruising about in
search of seals, and had left Capt. Nath. Palmer aud others of her crew at the Falklands while
the vessels went on a short trip about Cape Horn, to return to the Falklands for those left behind.
In the mean time the Buenos Ayres brig put into the Falklands, and Captain Palmer, always
on the watch for information about new sealing grounds, was not slow in obtaining from the mate
of the brig definite knowledge of a new land where fur-seals could be captured by the thousands.
The brig went on her course, and Captain Palmer waited impatiently for the Hersilia, which at last
made her appearance, and very quickly prepared for the four days' sail to South Shetlands. It so
happened that they arrived at the new land at a time when the entire crew of the Buenos Ayres
brig were busy in the hold salting and stowing seal-skins. The newcomers were nevertheless
welcomed, and at once went to work to secure a share from the immense number of fur-seal on the
shores. It was now February, 1820. the season far advanced, and the Hersilia's supply of salt was
limited, so that only about eleven thousand of the choicest and richest skins conld safely be taken,
though with her crew of twenty -four men fifty thousand skins might have been secured in a short
time.
As they were anxions to report the discovery at Stonington, the Hersilia hastened home, and
from the sale of her cargo realized a large profit to her owners, though the skins were at this time
valued at only about $2 each. At Stonington there was now great activity among vessel owners
in preparation for the next season, and a fleet of nine sail was soon ready at this port, besides as
many more from other ports. The names of the vessels as remembered by Captain Davidson, who
was on the schooner Express, were the following :
Brigs Frederick, Hersilia, Catherine, Emmeline, and Clothier ;t schooners Express and Free
Gift, with sloops Hero and Essex as tenders to the fleet, all hailing from Stonington. From
Nantucket there was the schooner Huntress ; New Haven sent the ship Huron; the brigs Charity
and Henry and schooners Wasp and Aurora sailed from New York, while Boston and Salem sent
the ship General Kuox, the schooner Esther O'Kane, and one other vessel. This fleet of eighteen
vessels arrived at the South Shetlands late in the autumn of 1820. Besides the American
fleet there arrived ten English and two Russian sealing vessels, making a total fleet of 30
sealers, each anxious to secure a large cargo. As at South Georgia, so here, there was an indis-
criminate slaughter of the animals, and in a few weeks upwards of 250,000 skins were salted, of
which number the American fleet secured 150,000, while thpusands of seals were killed and lost.
As a consequence, when vessels visited the same locality the next season not over 5,000 good
skins were taken.
Weddell, in 1825, gives the following account of the South Shetland seal fishery: "The
quantity of [fur] seals taken off these islands, by vessels from different parts, during the
years 1821 and 1822 may be computed at 320,000, and the quantity of sea-elephant oil at
940 tons. This valuable animal, the fur-seal, might, by a law similar to that which restrains
* Weddell's Voyages, p. 130.
t The Clothier was wrecked on the Shetlands, :i.nd her "Imnrs, " s.-iys <':i]>l;iin l):iviilson, are still "bleaching on the
rocks."
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 407
fishermen in the size of tin- mesh of their nets, have been spared to render annually 100,000 fur-
seals for many years to come. This would have followed from not killing the mothers till the
yonug were able to take the water ; and even then, only those which appeared to be old, together
with a proportion of the males, thereby diminishing their total number, but in slow progression.
This system is praeticed at t lie island of Lobo.s, mouth of river Plate, whence from 5,000 to 0,000
skins are annually taken under (he direction of the Argentine Government. The system of
extermination was practiced, however, at the South Shetlands; for whenever a seal reached the
beach, of whatever denomination, he was immediately killed and his skin taken, and by this means
at the end of the second year the animals became uearly extinct ; the young, having lost their
mothers when only three or four days old, of course died, which at the lowest calculation
exceeded 100,000."*
While in search of new sealing grounds American vessels have cruised over many miles in
the Antarctic seas. During the season of 1820-'21, when thirty vessels were at the South Shet-
lands, one of the more venturesome of the sealers hoped to discover other fur-seal rookeries still
farther south. Captain Peudleton had reported that from an elevated station at South Shetlands
he had ou a clear day seen land to the southward. Accordingly Capt. N. B. Palmer was sent out
from the Shetlauds in the sloop Hero, of about 40 tons, to explore the new laud. He found it
very sterile and desolate, and covered with ice and snow. Plenty of sea-leopards were there, but
no fur seal. While returning to the Shetlands the Hero was becalmed in a fog. As the fog began
to lift, what was the surprise of Captain Palmer to find his vessel between a frigate and a sloop of
war. These strange vessels proved to be two Russian ships on an exploring expedition. The
commodore of the ships supposed himself to be the discoverer of the lands to the south, and was
greatly surprised to see such a little Yankee vessel in such a remote quarter of the globe. So
forcibly was the commodore struck with the circumstances of the case that he named the coast
Palmer's Land, in honor of Captain Palmer.
MAS-A-FUERA, JUAN FERNANDEZ, AND OTHER ISLANDS ON WEST COAST OP SOUTH AMERICA.
Another very important sealing ground visited by both the English and Americans in the
early history of this fishery was the island of Mas-A-Fuera, on the coast of Chili, from which place,
between the years 1793 and 1807, upwards of 5,500,000 fur-seal skins were obtained, and most of
them taken to China. The first American vessel to take a cargo from this island to China was the
ship Eliza, of New York, Captain Stewart, which arrived at Canton in March, 1793, with 38,000
skins, that sold for $16,000. In 1798 Captain Fanning took 100,000 skins to China, partly from the
same place, in the ship Betsey, of New York, and he estimated that there was still remaining on
the island after his departure between 500,000 and 700,000 seals. He estimates that about a million
of seal skins were subsequently taken to Canton from this island. Captain Morrell states that in
1807 " the business was scarcely worth following at Mas-a-Fuera, and in 1824 the island, like its
neighbor, Juan Fernandez, was almost entirely abandoned by these animals." t
Delano, in his "Voyages," written in 1817, says: "When the Americans came to Mas-a-Fuera
about the year 17H7, and began to make a business of killing seals, there is no doubt but there were
two or three millions of them on the island. I have made an estimate of more than three millions
that have been carried to Canton from thence in the space of seven years. I have carried more
than one hundred thousand myself, and have been at the place when there were the people of
fourteen ships or vessels on the island at one time, killing seals." \
• Weddcll's Voyage's pp. 141-142.
t Morrell's Voyages, New York, 1832, p. 130.
t AMASA DELANO : Narrative of Voyages and Travels ; linslmi, IS17; p. 30fi.
408 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Concerning the voyage of the ship Eliza to China with skins from Mas-a-Fuera, Captain Delano
says :
"The first ship that came to Mas a-Fuera for the purpose of procuring seals for the Chinese
market was the Eliza, Capt. William R. Stewart, which I took command of on her arrival at Can-
ton, in the year 1793. She had been a long time on her voyage. Captain Palmer, who started from
(he United States with her, had left her previous to her arrival in China. Captain Stewart wished
to find a market for his skins, and after I became acquainted with him we concluded to go to
Canton together, leaving his ship in the harbor of Larksbay. I had come to Macao for the pur-
pose of getting a passage home to America, and thought the Eliza would afford me one opportunely.
It was in March when we were in Canton. * * * The price of seal-skins was very low at this
time, and Stewart was not able to raise funds enough to load his ship on his own account, although
she was small. He therefore took a freight of sugar for Osteud, in Flanders. * * * Having
agreed for a freight, Captain Stewart ordered his ship to Canton. He sold his cargo of seal-skins,
38,000, for only $16,000, so reduced was the price of this article."
Concerning the abundance of fur-seals on the island of Juan Fernandez in 1683, Dampier thus
writes in his work, entitled "A New Voyage Bound the World," published in 1703 : u Seals swarm
as thick about this Island of John Fernando as if they had no other place in the World to live in ;
for there is not a Bay nor Eock that one can get asboar on, but is full of them. * * * These at
John Fernando's have fine thick short Fnrr; the like I have not taken notice of any where but in
these Seas. Here are always thousands, I might say possibly millions of them, either sitting on
the Bays, or going and coming in the Sea round the Island, which is covered with them (as they lie
at the top of the Water playing and sunning themselves) for a mile or two from the shore. When
they come out of the Sea they bleat like Sheep for their young, and though they pass through
hundreds of other's young ones before they come to their own, yet they will not suffer any of them
to suck. The young ones are like Puppies and lie much ash oar, but when beaten by any of us,
they, as well as the old ones, will make, towards the Sea and swim very swift and nimble ; tho'
on shoar they lie very sluggishly, and will not go out of our way unless we beat them, but snap
at us. A blow on the Nose soon kills them. Large Ships might here load themselves with Seal
Skins and Trayne oyl ; for they are extraordinary fat."
Captain Scammon states that the sealing fleet off the coast of Chili in 1801 numbered thirty
vessels, many of them ships of the larger class, and nearly all carried the American flag.
u The two islands discovered by Juan Fernandez in 1563," says Captain Morrell, "are about
110 leagues from the continent, bearing nearly west by south from Valparaiso. The largest of the
two, or Robinson Crusoe's Island, is nearest to the main, and is therefore called by the Spaniards
Mas-a tierra, or 'near the land,' while the other, which lies 3 leagues farther west, is termed in
the Spanish language Mas-a-Fuera, signifying ' farther off,' or more remote. Juan Fernandez, or
Robinson Crusoe's island, is in latitude 33° 40' south, longitude 78° 58' west, being 90 miles east-
ward of Mas-a-Fuera, which is in latitude 33° 46' south, longitude 30° 38' west. The former island,
which is of very irregular shape, about 10 miles long and 5 wide, was formerly frequented by fur
and hair seals, bnt as early as 1824 these animals had found some other place of resort, though no
cause has been assigned for the change. Mas-aVFuera is of circular form, and about 20 miles in cir-
cumference. Its surface is well covered with wood, and is generally very fertile, although it has evi-
dently suffered from frequent volcanic eruption. This island has been celebrated for the immense
numbers of seals which have been found on its shores. From 1793 to 1807 there were constantly
more or less ships' crews stationed here for the purpose of taking fur-seal skins, a part of which
time there were from twelve to fifteen crews on shore at the same time, American and English."
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 409
The islands of Saint Felix, Saint Ambrose, and oilier small islands oil' tin- west const of South
America, were of greater or less importance in the early days of the fur-seal fishery. Even as far
north as the Galapagos Islands, on the equator, fur-seals were found and captured by American
sealers. All of those grounds have now been abandoned by the fur-seals.
lu the letters of Ebeu Townsend, of ship Neptune, which are quoted at the close of this chapter,
will be found au interesting description of Mas-a-Fuera and other seal islands along this coast.
PITCAIRN ISLAND.
Among the numerous islands that have been visited by American vessels in search of fur-
seals is Pitcairn Island, in the South Pacific Ocean, in latitude 25° 2' south, and longitude 133° 21'
west, about 3,000 miles west of South America. It was discovered in 17C7 by Carteret, who
describes it as riot more than 5 miles in circumference, covered with trees, and apparently
uninhabited. It received its name in honor of a son of Major Pitcairn, who accompanied the
expedition.
Capt. Mayhew Folger, in the sealing-ship Topaz, of Boston, in February, 1808, visited the
island in search of fur-seals. He found no seals, but did find one of the mutinous crew of the
English ship Bounty, lost to England for twenty years.*
The Bounty left England in December, 1787, on an expedition to Otaheite to obtain the
bread-fruit tree for the West Indies. There were on board forty four men in all, under command
of Lieutenant Bligh. They arrived at Otaheite in October, 1788, and remained there until April,
1789, when, having a sufficient quantity of plants, they set sail for the West Indies. On the 28th
of April part of the crew mutinied and put Lieutenant Bligh with eighteen others in a boat and set
them adrift, while the mutineers, twenty-five in number, took possession of the vessel. The lieu-
tenant with eleven of his company reached England after a se ries of adventures. The vessel
returned to Otaheite, when a part of the mutineers tarried at Otaheite, while nine of their number
took the Bounty and sailed for a more remote place. They arrived at Pitcairn Island on the 21st
of September, 1790, and finding some difficulty in landing they ran the vessel on the rocks and
destroyed her. They had brought sis Otaheitan men and some women with them.
After a few years' residence on this lonely isle, the Otaheitan men killed all but one of the
Englishmen, when the women turned and killed the six Otaheitau men. There was now left a
number of women and one man, who lived in peace and seclusion for many years.
November 19, 1790, the ship Pandora sailed from England in search of the Bounty and her
mutinous crew. Ten of the mutineers were found at OtaJieite and taken back to England, where
they were tried and three were executed, the others being acquitted or pardoned. The party on
Pitcairn Island saw no vessel, or at least none lauded there until Captain Folger came there in
1808. Subseqeunt to that date many vessels have visited the island.
THE FALKLAND ISLANDS.
These islands, just prior to the beginning of the present century, were amougthe most important
sealing-grounds in southern seas, but lor many years past no seals have been taken there. They
form a group of some two hundred islands about 250 miles northeast of Terra del Fuego, between
latitude 51° to 53° south and longitude 57° to 62° west. Only two of them are of any size, Ea.st
and West Falkland, separated by Falkland Sound. The former of these two islands is 85 miles
long by 53 miles broad, and the latter 80 miles long by 40 miles broad. The number of inhabitants
there in 187G was 1,153, who are subjects of Great Britain. The islands were discovered in 1592 by
* For lull ilrlniln SIT I >i'l;un>'s Voyeurs :iml Travels, Ho.slon, 1817, ]>|>. 111-144.
410 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Captain Davis, and in 1594 were visited by Sir Richard Hawkins. They were afterwards seen by
the navigators Dampier, Strong, and others. Strong gave them their name in honor of Viscount
Falkland. They were uninhabited when discovered by the English. In 1763, after losing Canada,
the French made the first attempt to settle these islands, selecting them as a place of shelter for
vessels bound to the south seas. The British took possession of the islands in 1765, but both
attempts at settlements were unsuccessful The French ceded their settlement to the Spaniards
in 1767, and the English abandoned theirs as useless in 1774,
Mr. Eben Townsend, who was sealing at the Falklands in 1797, writes in his diary as follows :
''There are two principal islands, called English and Spanish Maloons, with a number of small
islands. Each of the Maloou Islands is from 200 to 300 miles in length, and owned by the Spaniards,
who, on the western part of the Spanish Maloon, keep a garrison. They have in several instances
been troublesome to the Americans, but we saw nothing of them. The title to these islands has
formerly been a subject of much controversy among the maritime powers. In 1790 the British
took possession of Port Egmont. The Spaniards protested against it, to which no attention being
given an expedition was fitted out from Buenos Ayres, which drove them off. The British Gov-
ernment demanded satisfaction for being dispossessed by force, and the imbecile Spanish Govern-
ment, although in the right, acknowledged themselves in the wrong, disavowing their instructions
to their officers, and ordered everything to be restored and placed as it was when they attacked it.
The English, finding it of no importance, voluntarily evacuated it soon afterwards. In 1792 a cow
was shot there that had been ranging the island alone for about twenty years. She was fat and
in fine order. On that island there are plenty of hogs from the English stock, which are better
than on the other islands. There is very little wood on any of the islands, but there is plenty of
excellent water. The most convenient for a ship is West Point, or New Island. The latter place
is in latitude 51° 40' south, which is the most general for the whalemen. At Little West Point
Harbor there is good water and plenty of hogs and some goats. All the islands produce plenty of
wild fowl, geese, ducks, teal, rooks, curlews, &c., and plenty of eggs in October, November, and
December, the albatross beginning to lay about the 1st to the 10th of October. Gulls, penguins,
and other birds are taken. I have seen a dozen acres covered with the albatross nests, with just
room to walk between them, built up with mud and straw about 2 feet in height. One of the eggs
would about fill a tumbler. They were equal in flavor to hens' eggs. We took on board about twenty
hogsheads for ships' stores, and we had them good for about four months. There are also plenty of
gulls' and penguins' eggs ; of the latter there are various kinds. The jackass penguins, making a
noise like the bray of a jackass, burrow in the ground, where they lay their eggs. The gintoo pen-
guins are in rookeries, like the albatross. As they have no wings and walk erect, whenever we
walked among them they very gently opened to the right and left for us to pass. We found very
few fish. We occasionally caught some alongside the ship. About the middle of December we
took a few barrels of mullet in States Harbor with a seine. We also in that harbor found round
clams, and among all the islands there are great plenty of mussels, which are very good; some
winkles and limpets, which are small shell fish, that adhere to the rocks ; a small blow suddenly
given takes them off. They have but a single shell. We also found on these islands plenty of rats
and some foxes, and in the earth the common angle-worm, l'n the whole these islands are bounti-
ful. A man with a gun and ammunition might live very well. The climate is not pleasant,
being subject to squalls of snow and hail, winter and summer; but it is never very warm nor very
cold. I never saw ice there half an inch thick, and our sailors never put on stockings or wanted them
during the winter. We had but little snow. There was no ice made in the harbor where w«
lay excepting a little on the edge of the shore.
TIIK ANTAKCTIC SKAL FISHERIES. 411
"The soil of these islands is ton cold ;md sour to be advantageously cultivated ; but with the
skill aiid industry of an English gardener many kinds of vegetables might be raised. We found
very excellent celery on several of the islands, particularly at West Point, at the edge of the runs
of water, very tender and well bleached, being protected from the sun by the surrounding grass.
Cattle would find good grazing. The hogs support themselves, principally on what we call tussock
grass. They are therefore not fat, but furnish good sweet meat. The tussock grass grows in
bunches or clusters, of 5 or 6 feet in circumference and about 6 or 8 feet in height, so that we have
free walk among them. The root and much of the stalk is what the hogs feed on. I was hunting
among these tussock bogs one day when I suddenly came upon a wild hog, so near him that I
stepped back one or two paces that the muzzle of my gun might not touch him. I snapped my
gun twice; it missed fire. I then took out my knife and with it having sharpened niy Hint fired and
killed him. During all this time the hog never moved, but looked directly at me. It is probable
he had never seen a human being before. There is no fruit except berries of two or three kinds,
all inferior, excepting what we called the tussock berry, which grew on a vine and had much the
taste of our winter green. So variable is the atmosphere that I have frequently been picking
berries in snow squalls."*
The following is related by Captain Morrell :
" In entering Falkland Sound from the south west there are three islands on the starboard
side, one of which, called Eagle Island, has been the scene of a drama unparalleled in the annals of
navigation for ingratitude, treachery, and perfidy. I allude to the treatment received by Capt.
Charles H. Barnard, of New York, from the officers and crew of an English ship, whom he had
previously rescued from all the horrors of shipwreck on a desolate island. In return for his kind
offices they treacherously seized his vessel and made their escape, leaving him and part of his
crew to endure all the privations and sufferings from which he had nobly preserved them ! Captain
Barnard's narrative of this horrible transaction is before the public, and ought to be in the hands
of every reader. For nearly two years he was compelled to drag out a miserable existence on an
nniuhabitated island, in as high a south latitude as Kamtchatka is in the north.
" This unnatural act of perfidy wa.s perpetrated in the year 1813, some time in the month of
April, while Captain Barnard was engaged in a sealing voyage at the Falkland Islands, in a brig
from New York, called the Nanina. On the 9th of February previous, the British ship Isabella,
on her passage from Port Jackson, New South Wales, to London, had been wrecked on Eagle
Island, a place where navigators seldom touch. From that time until they were relieved by the
noble exertions of Captain Barnard, the officers, passengers, and crew of the Isabella remained on
this uninhabited and inhospitable island, with no prospect before them but an uncertain period of
precarious subsistence, to terminate in a fearful death from cold or famine, or both combined.
There were several females among them to share the same fate.
"Captain Barnard had laid his brig up in Barnard's Harbor, and was in search of seal at Fox
Bay, opposite Eagle Island, in a small shallop built for that purpose, when his attention was
attracted by a rising smoke on the other side the strait. Suspecting the real cause of this unusual
appearance, and prompted by his characteristic benevolence of heart, he immediately crossed
Falkland Sound in his shallop for the purpose of relieving the sufferers, whoever they might prove
to be. His errand of mercy was successful ; and though they proved to be subjects of England,
with whom our country was then at war, the benevolent purpose of Captain Barnard remained
unchanged." t
'Manuscript, Diary, 1797. t Mori-nil's Voya^i-n, p. •"'•">.
412 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
SOUTH GEOEGIA ISLAND.
Among the first places visited by American and English sealing vessels was the island of
South Georgia, in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is in about latitude 54° 58' south, a few hundred
miles eastward of Cape Horn, and, with the adjacent Clerke's Rocks,* forms a group of desolate
uninhabited islands, fit only for the home of hardy seals. This island was discovered by Monsieur
La Roche in the year 1675, and was visited by a vessel called the Lyon in 1756, but was not brought
to public notice until Captain Cook in the Resolution explored the island in 1771, and in his offi-
cial report gave an account of the abundance of sea-elephants, or, as he termed them, " sea-lions,"
and fur-seals found upon the shores. Vessels were soon equipped by enterprising merchants for
the purpose of taking these amphibious animals.
In the spring of 1800 Captain Fanning sailed from New York in the ship Aspasia, bound on
an exploring and sealing voyage to the south seas. The ship was commissioned as a letter of marque,
and was armed with twenty-two guns. After visiting the Tristan Islands without securing any
seals, the Aspasia sailed for South Georgia, and during the sealing season secured 57,000 fur-
seal skins. Owing to the severe gales of wind at these islands it was necessary to moor the
Aspasia with three anchors ahead and two astern. As was usual on these voyages a shallop was
built for cruising along shore among the islands while searching for seals. Captain Fanning
states that when the summer season set in, in November, " seventeen sail of sealing vessels, mostly
ships with their shallops, arrived at this island. We had rather the start, however, for our men
having been previously placed at the different stations, and aided as they were by the fast sailing
little vessel, were enabled, out of the 112,000 fur-seal skins taken by the crews of all vessels dur-
ing the season, to secure 57,000 for our share."
Captain Weddell, writing about South Georgia in 1825, says that ''since the year in which
seals were known to be so abundant not less than 20,000 tons of the sea-elephant oil has been
procured for the London market. A quantity of fur-seal skins were usually brought along with a
cargo of oil; but formerly the furriers in England had not the method of dressing them, on which
account they were of so little value as to be almost neglected. At the same time, however, the
Americans were carrying from Georgia cargoes of these skins to China, where they frequently
obtained a price of from $5 to $6 apiece. It is generally known that the English did not enjoy
the same privilege, by which means the Americans took entirely out of our hands this valuable
article of trade. The number of skins brought from off Georgia cannot be estimated at fewer than
1.200,000. I may here also remark that the island of Desolation, which Captain Cook likewise
visited, and first made known, has been a source of scarcely less profit than the island of Georgia.
Hence it may be presumed that during the time these two islands have been resorted to for the
jiurpose of trade more than 2,000 tons of shipping and from two to three hundred seamen have
been employed annually in this traffic.
" Having thus given," continues Weddell. " an idea of the value of what has already been
discovered in the south seas, I shall say something of the island of Georgia, as to its extent smd
peculiarities. The island is about 96 miles long, and its mean breadth about 10 miles. It is so
indented with bays that in several places, where they are on opposite sides, they are so deep as
to make the distance from one side to the other very small. Near the middle is an iceberg, which
seems to run from side to side. The tops of the mountains are lofty, and perpetually covered with
snow ; but in the valleys, during the summer season, vegetation is rather abundant. Almost the
* Named after Captain Clarke, second in command to Captain Cook.
Til!-; ANTAi;<TK' SKAL K1SII KIM US. 41 ;)
*
only natural production of tin- soil is a strong-Hailed grass, the length of which is in general about
2 feet. It grows in tufts on mounds 3 or 4 feet from the ground. No land quadrupeds are found
here; birds and amphibious animals are the only inhabitants."*
The sealing business at Scuth Georgia, was most prosperous about the year 1SOO. In the
season commencing November. 1SOO, and ending in February, 1S01, sixteen American and Eng!;.sh
vessels took 112,000 fur-seal skins from this place.
The island was not visited by sealers for many years, and as a result, the seals being undis-
turbed, began to increase iu numbers. Since the year 1870 several cargoes of sea-elephant oil and
some fur-seal skins have been obtained there by American vessels. There seems no probability,
however, that there will ever again be as many seals here as was found in the early part of the
present century.
BOUVETTE'S ISLAND AND SANDWICH LAND.
Bouvette's Island is east of South Georgia, iu latitude 54° 15' south, longitude 6° 11' east,
about 1,200 miles south-southwest from Cape of Good Hope. It was first seen and named by Cap-
tain Bouvette iu October, 180S. It is about 25 miles in circumference. The island is of volcanic
origin, and rises in one part to a height of 3,000 feet. On the western shore is a large number of
ice islands, some of them a mile or more in circumference. Captain Worrell secured a few hundred
fur-seal skins here in 1822, aud many other American sealers obtained partial cargoes.
Sandwich Laud, a group of rocky islands, about 200 miles south of South Georgia, was fre-
quented by American sealing vessels prior to 1830, and partial cargoes of fur-seal skins and sea-
elephant oil obtained there. There is no large island in the group, but a series of volcanic rocks,
the more important of which are Candlemas, Saunders, Montague, and Bristol Islands, and South-
ern Thule.
Captain Morrell visited Saudwich Laud in 1823, and thus describes this region : " On Friday,
the 28th of February, the cheering cry of 'land ho!' resounded from aloft. This proved to be
Candlemas Isles, the most northerly islands of Sandwich Land; latitude 57° 10' south, longitude
26° 59' west (from Greenwich). These two islands are of no great extent, but one of them is of
considerable height, both being burning volcanoes, and the most western having burnt down
nearly to a level with the sea. We continued examining these islands towards the south, until we
arrived at the Southern Thule, where, on the northeast side of the westernmost island, we found
a good harbor. In this group we saw nine burning volcanoes — fire in abundance, but no fuel for
the Wasp. Three, of these islands had vomited out so much of their entrails that their surfaces
were nearly even with the water. We looked on these islands in vain for wood, of which we were
very much iu want, as we had not made a fire on board the Wasp but once a week for the last
fourteen days, having with that; fire boiled meat sufficient to serve the officers and crew for seven
days ; aud this economical regulation we were obliged to adhere to until we arrived at Stateu Land,
on the 24th of March. All the islands which constitute Sandwich Land are entirely barren. Those
parts which have not been consumed by internal fires are very high and covered with perpetual
snow; the rest is broken laud. The westernmost of the Southern Thule is in latitude 59° 35' 10"
smith, longitude 1'T3 42' .'ill" west. After having examined the islands of Saudwich Land without
discovering a single fur-seal and only about four hundred sea-elephants, together with about fifty
sea do^s, we again directed our attention towards the Antarctic Seas."t
TRISTAN D'ACUNHA.
Tristan d'Acunha is a group of three islands situated in mid-ocean, nearly on a line from
Cape. Horn to Cape of Good Hope, about 1,500 miles west by south of the latter, and 2,000 miles
* Weddell's Voyages, 18rf&, ]>I>. 53-55. tMonvll's Voyag.-s, New York, 18:W, p. 00.
414 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
from the former. Tristan, the largest of the group, is about 15 miles in circumference, and its
highest peak, elevated some 8,326 feet above the sea, is visible for nearly 75 miles. The other
two islands are called Inaccessible and Nightingale, the three, about 10 miles apart, forming
a triangle, with Tristan as the northeast point. The group was discovered by the Portuguese
in the sixteenth century, and was further explored by the Dutch in 1643 and by the French
in 1767.
The islands were for many years a favorite resort of whaling and sealing vessels. Fur-seals
were here very plenty at the close of the last and beginning of the present century. In the season
of 1790, lasting from August in that year to April, 1791, the schooner Industry, of Philadelphia,
under Captain Patten, obtained here 5,600 skins for the Chinese market. Captain Patten says
he could have loaded a large ship with oil in three weeks, so abundant were, the sea-elephants.
September he reckoned to be the best month for making oil at these islands.
About the year 1810 three of the crew of an American sealing vessel then at the island deter-
mined to remain there a few years in order to prepare seal skins and oil and sell the same to
vessels that might touch there. They were Yankees, and with Yankee pluck they cleared about
50 acres of land and planted coffee, sugar-cane, and seeds of other plants. Success crowned their
efforts, and it seemed as if an important settlement might be the outgrowth of this little colony.
One of the number, Jonathan Lambert, declared himself sovereign proprietor *of these islands.
The project was abandoned in a few years, and in 1817 the British Government took possession
with a detachment of troops. After the withdrawal of the troops a corporal named Glass received
permission to remain, and a small colony soon after sprung up, which has survived till the present
time and numbered in 1873 about ninety persons.
The English exploring ship Challenger visited the place a few years ago, and Mr. Moseley, in
his narative of the expedition, describes the Tristan group as follows : " It has a cold, barren appear-
ance; a terrible climate; for nine months of the year constant storm and rain, with snow. It is
only in the three summer months that the weather is at all fine. In October, the 'bad season,' as
the islanders called it, was just beginning to pass away, but the weather was so uncertain that
the ship might have had to leave her anchorage at a moment's notice, and only a steamer dared
anchor at all.
"The cottages are built of huge blocks of a soft red stuff, fitted together with mortar, and are
thatched with tussock-grass. They are all low one-storied structures, formed with low stone walls
about them, in which a few vegetables are grown, and pigs and geese roam about. The potato
fields are all walled for protection from the wind. * * *
"The sea-elephants (Morunga elephanta) have almost deserted the island. The last was seen
two years before our visit on the beach just below the settlement. The islanders make yearly
visits to Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands in pursuit of seals, but these are becoming scarcer
every year."
At Inaccessible Island, which is about 23 miles distant from Tristan Island proper, and which
has an area of about 4 square miles, Mr. Moseley found two Germans, who had been there two
/ears, having been landed by a whaling vessel in hopes of their obtaining some fur-seals, but in
•his they were disappointed.
Nightingale Island is about 20 miles southwest of Tristan Island, and has an area of about
one square mile. It is very rocky, and is covered with tussock-grass higher than a man's head.
Numerous caves in the low cliff's along the shore are frequented by fur seals. Mr. Mosely states
diat 1,400 were killed by one ship's crew in 1869 or 1870. The island is visited annually by the
Tristan pe6ple, though but few seals are captured.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 415
GOUGE'S ISLAND.
Gough's Island, or Diego Alvarez, as it was originally named by the Portuguese, who discov-
ered it, is in latitude -HP 1!)' south, !P II' west longitude, a short distance to the southward of the
Tristan Group. It was seen in 171."., by Capt. Charles Gough, in the Richmond, bound to China,
and has since gone by his name. The highest part of the island rises some 4,000 feet above the
sea. The island at one time abounded with fur seals and sea-elephants, but is now about deserted
by those animals. About 1X2~>, a party of American sealers lived there, but met with such indiffer-
ent success that it was abandoned.
WEST COAST OF AFRICA.
The southwest coast of Africa, from Cape of Good Hope to about 16° south latitude, was
frequented by American sealing vessels at the beginning of this century, and until about the year
1833, when fur-seals had become very scarce. As many as 500 to 700 skins were sometimes
taken in a day by the crew of a small vessel; the fur of about the same value as of those captured
at Falkland or at Cape Horn. It is impossible to estimate the total number of skins secured on
the African coast by American vessels, but it certainly numbered several thousands.
Capt. Gurdon L. Allyn, of Gale's Ferry, Conn., gives us an account of his experience on this
coast in 1830, and subsequent voyages until 1835. In 1830 he commanded the sealing schooner
Spark, of New London, Conn. In describing this voyage, he says:
•• \Ve arrived on the barren coast of Africa, in the latitude of 26° south, on January 14, 1830.
At that place is a small island, a mile or more from the coast, on the inside of which is a fair
anchorage. This island, called Ichaboe, is the rendezvous of millions of sea-birds, which there lay
their eggs and hatch their young, and we obtained at this time and afterwards quantities of eggs,
many of which are excellent for food. The birds were so thick as to prevent our traveling on
shore without first beating passage-way with our seal-clubs, and yet we endeavored not to hurt
them, although they regarded us as intruders, and attacked us with ferocity, scratching and biting
with such effect as to draw blood through the legs of our pantaloons. We were plentifully sup-
plied with eggs during the fifteen months that we were on this coast, our men eating gulls' and
penguins' eggs without much distinction, although the former are much superior. We had arrived
at this island too late for the season, for an examination of the shore revealed about a thousand
carcasses of seals which had been deprived of their skins by those who had arrived there on a
similiar errand to ours.
" The coast was well sealed, and we could only glean a few from the roughest rocks. Six days
passed, and our consort, the schooner General Putnam, of Newburyport, arrived ; and as we were
likely to fall short of water, this being a barren, sandy coast, without rain oftener than once a year,
we put our water-casks and our mate on board of her and despatched her south to Saldafia Bay, while
her captain came on board of our vessel and proceeded with us to seal along the coast. We found
a few seals at each landing, * * * and by the (Jth of September had taken 600 seal skins.
On the 13th of September we obtained 175 fur-seal skins; * * * on November 21 we took 234
prime seal-skins ; on December 29 230 seal-skins, and on the 31st 250 skins ; January 1, 1831, took
500 skins ; March 2 we took 740 skins, which was a good day's work, and attended with great
labor and excitement. On March 21, we started for home."*
In the year 1834 Captain Allyn was on a sealing voyage on the African coast in the schooner
Betsy, in company with the brig Tampico. They arrived on the coast October 5, and at Angra
* The Old Sitilor'g Story ; Norwich, Conn. : 1879.
4 1 fi HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Pequefia Bay lauded surplus provisions, shoots, and some other articles, and prepared for cruising.
Captain Allyn says: "On the third or fourth day we started northward, examining rocks and
islands on onr way with little success. We proceeded to Ichaboe Island, where we found plenty of
eggs and crawfish, a sort of lobster, with no large claws. We went to Mercury Island, thence to
Bird Island, 70 miles farther, the farthest off-shore island on this part of the coast, where the
anchorage is bad on account of rocky bottom, and the surf oftentimes renders landing difficult and
dangerous. Here we procured a few seal, then skirted the coast back to Angra, where we set up
casks and made general preparations for both whaling and sealing.
" The usual time of the seals coming on shore is from the 10th to the 25th of November, where
they remain, if undisturbed, several mouths, or until the young, which are ushered into existence
soon after the landing, are able to take care of themselves. They generally shed their coats of hair
in February, and the pups become silver-gray and pass as yearlings at about eight months of age.
During the season which now followed we found the seal scarce and shy, but by diligence we man
aged to secure some 800 skins, which was a slim season's work, as we had the whole coast to
ourselves. It was now the 1st of June, 1835, and we consorted awhile with the whale ship Bingham.
exchanging our first mate's with their boats' crews, and cruised up and down the coast seeking
whales and finding none. After a month and a half, during which time the Biugham secured one
whale and we one less, we concluded whaling was rather slim, so I started on a cruise to the south-
ward, doubled the Cape of Good Hope and landed on Dyer's Island, where we procured 700 prime
seal skins, which somewhat revived our drooping spirits. We returned to Angra, having pro-
cured wood at Cape Voltas on our way, and found the Tampico absent on a cruise to the north-
ward, and a Boston sealing schooner, Captain Clark, in the harbor. It was September, and as no
seals were to be taken, we overhauled and painted the brig, waiting for the seals to come up, occa
sioually examining the rocks, but with little success.
"The seals having been harassed so much the prospect was slim for the next season, but by
putting men on the small rocks to shoot them, and by great diligence, we managed to secure about
1,000 skins to both vessels, which was a slim season's work."
The Betsy sailed for home in January and arrived in March, when, the sealing business having
ceased to be remunerative, on account of a decline in the price of furs, the owners concluded to
send the vessel on a West Indies voyage.
In 1828 Captain Morrell, in the schooner Antarctic, visited the west coast of Africa on a fur-seal
voyage. At Possession Island, iu latitude 26° 51' south, he found evidence of a pestilence among
the fur seals. The whole island, which is about 3 miles long, he states was " covered with the car
casses of fur-seals with their skins still on them. They appeared to have been dead about five years,
and it was evident that they had all met their fate about the same period. I should judge, from
the immense multitude of bones and carcasses, that not less than half a million had perished here
at once, and that they had fallen victims to some mysterious disease or plague."
About 17 miles north of Possession Island are two small islands not over a mile in length,
where Captain Morrell found still further evidence of a plague among the fur-seals. "These two
islands," he says, "have once been the resort of immense numbers of fur-seals, which were doubtless
destroyed by the same plague which made such a devastation among them on Possession Island,
as their remains exhibited the same appearance in both cases."* Other parts of the coast were
visited, and at Ichaboe and Mercury Islands several thousand skins were secured. The latter
island is only about a mile in circumference, and is in latitude 25° 42' south.
* Morrell's Voyages, New York, 1832, p. 291.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 417
PRlXfi: i:i>\VARD AND CROZET ISLANDS.
The Prince Edward group is in the Southern Indian Ocean, about 450 miles southeast of the
Crozet Islands, and 900 miles distant from Algoa Bay, Africa. The group is composed of the
two islands of Marion and Prince Edward, the center of the former being in about latitude 46°
51" south and longitude 37° 45' east, and the center of the latter island in about latitude 40° :;<;'
south and longitude 37° 57' east. Marion, the larger of the islands, is about 11 miles long and
8 wide. Both the islands are volcanic. One peak, on Marion Island, rises to a height of 4,500
feet.
Fur-seals and sea-elephants once abounded here, and the islands were frequently visited by
American sealers until within the last twenty or thirty years. Capt. Gurdou L. Allyu, of New Lon-
don, Conn., who was sealing on the islands in 184H, says: "Marion Island is of a triangular shape,
and has a coast line of about 50 miles. Running through the center, in a southeasterly direction
from the north part, is a rise of high mountains whose peaks are thousands of feet in height, covered
with perpetual snow. The margins and sides of these mountains are composed of volcanic cinders,
called clampers, the walking upon which will thoroughly demoralize a new pair of boots in one
day's time. In some places this island can be approached within a short distance ; in other places
dangerous reefs extend off shore. In several places are strips of beaches which are more or less
frequented by sea-elephants ; in other places large masses of irregular shaped rocks render walk-
ing along the shore impossible. There is one poor harbor, called Uxor, on account of a vessel by
that name having been wrecked there by dragging ashore. The north island is considerably smaller
and the best anchorage is in a small bay or roadstead at the extreme southeast point. Here
we found the holding ground, and rode out several severe gales in safety. The land of both islands
is similar. Probably both are of volcanic origin, and they are a sterile, desolate region, unfitted
for the abode of humanity. Here we found the schooner Emmeline, of Mystic, on the same errand
as ourselves, and we anchored near her. It being late in the season , the elephants were poor,
yielding only a few gallons apiece. We consorted with the Emmeline and worked the beaches
together. We also found a gang of men here from the Cape of Good Hope, taking oil for a
schooner which they expected at a stated time. We worked the beaches of both islands, and
obtained about 175 barrels of oil, and left on the 7th of January, 1853, for the Crozet Islands." *
The Crozet Islands comprise a group of four small uninhabited isles in the Southern Indian
Ocean, between Kerguelen Land and the Prince Edward group. The most eastern island is in
about latitude 46° 27' south and longitude 52° 14' east. They were discovered by Captain Crozet,
who, however, did not land there. By the aid of a copy of the discpverer's manuscript, Capt.
Henry Fanning, in the ship Catherine, of New York, was enabled, about the year 1805, to redis-
cover this group, and to obtain from there a valuable lot of fur-seal skins. The crew of the Cath-
erine are believed to have been the first human beings that ever stepped upon the shores of these
islands. They began the sealing business here which during the next forty years was of much
importance. Besides an abundance of fur-seals, there were great herds of sea-elephants here, and
these were the object of pursuit by numerous English and American oil ships, especially from 1830
to 1840. Whaling vessels spent part of the year here and took sea-elephants for their oil, making
what were called "mixed voyages."
The most southern of this group of islands Captain Fanning named New York Island ; the
most western he called Fanniug's Island, and the third one, which is very high and mountainous,
he named Grand Crozet.
"Tlie Old Sailor's Story ; Norwich, Conn. : 1879.
SEC. v, VOL. n 27
418 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
There was much jealousy and rivalry among the sealers iu early years, and whenever a new
rookery was discovered every effort was made to keep the location a secret as long as possible.
When Captain Fauning found the Crozets and saw abundance of seals there he returned to Prince
Edward Land, where part of his crew had been left, and made preparations to return to the new land
for a cargo of skins. Other sealing vessels were at Prince Edward Land, and that they might no
suspect Captain Fanning's discovery he waited a few days before sailing. Before leaving home
he had received instructions to deposit on Prince Edward Land a record of the location of the
Crozets if he succeeded in rediscovering them. This record would be used by other sealing ves-
sels sent out. by the same firm. Captain Fanning therefore buried a record giving the desired
information, and erected a pile of stones near the spot, though sufficiently distant to deceive stran-
gers. He had been particularly instructed to erect this pile of stone 30 feet northeast of the spot
where he planted the record. Vain efforts were made by the crews of the other sealing vessels at
the island to find Captain Fanning's record. They removed the pile of stones and dug a great
hole, but found nothing. Not long after this the ship for which the record was intended arrived
there, and very easily found the papers and proceeded to the Crozets where Captain Fauning,
after procuring a full cargo, had left a sealing crew to await the coming of this vessel.
DESOLATION ISLAND.
Kergueleu or Desolation Island and Heard's Island have been the principal hunting grounds
for the sea-elephant. From these two islands during the last forty years American sealing vessels
have brought home about 175,000 barrels of sea-elephant oil and a considerable number of fur-seal
skins. The sea-elephant had been taken by whalers for a number of years before vessels specially
fitted for this work were sent out. The headquarters for this business was New London, Conn.,
which place has continued until the present year to send vessels there.
The fishery at Desolation was begun in earnest by Americans in 1837. Prior to that date
English vessels had taken quantities of the oil of that seal, but Americans had not taken an active
part in the business.
At Heard's Island the fishing began, in 1854. The two islands were usually worked together,
Desolation in the colder months and Heard's Island for a brief period in the Antarctic summer.
The islands are about 300 miles apart, in the Southern Indian Ocean. Kerguelen Laud
extends from latitude 48° 39' to 49° 44' south and from longitude 70° 35' to 68° 42' east. Heard's
Island lies to the south and east of Kerguelen, in latitude 53° 10' south and longitude 73° 30'
east. Some 25 miles to the westward of Heard's Island lies McDonald Island, upon which seals
are said to congregate in considerable numbers, but the shores are so precipitous that boats cannot
land.
Kerguelen Land was discovered iu 1772, by M. de Kerguelen, a French navigator. He mis-
took it for a southern continent, and so reported it to his Government. A further examination was
made in 1773, and the mistake discovered. About 1776 Captain Cook visited the islands, but con-
sidered them of such little importance that he named the principal one of the group the " Island of
Desolation." The safe and commodious harbors of the island were favorite resorts for whaling
vessels cruising in that ocean in the early part of the present century. The greatest length of the
island is 85 miles and the greatest breath 79 miles. Its area is about 2,050 square miles. There are
numerous sharp mountain peaks, and Mount Eoss, the principal peak, is 6,120 feet high. The coast
is indented by many deep bays and inlets, making the shore much like that of Norway in general
appearance. "The general aspect of the island," says Dr. Kidder, "is desolate iu the extreme.
Snow covers all of the higher hills, against which the abrupt outlines of their dark basaltic ridges
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 419
are most clearly defined. Only along the si-a-shore is a narrow bell of herbage, of \\ hicli the singu-
lar Kcrguelen cabbage is at once tlie largest, and most conspicuous component. The weather is
also extremely inclement, there being scarcely a day without snow or rain. * * * In former
years the Kergnelen group of islands was noted as a favorite breeding place for the sea-elephant.
On this account it has been much frequented by sealers for the last forty years, and resorted to
also by whalers as a winteringplace, on account of the great security of Three Island Harbor. The
sea-elephants have been so recklessly killed off year after year, no precautions having been taken
to secure the preservation of the species, that now they have become very rare. Only a single
small schooner, the Roswell King, of New London, Conn , was working the island during our
visit (1874-75) ; two others and a bark working Heard's Island, some 300 miles to the south,
where tbe elephants are still found in considerable numbers. Probably they would long since
have abandoned the Kergueleu Island altogether but for a single inaccessible stretch of coast
'Bonfire Beach,' where they still 'haul up' every spring (October and November), and breed in
considerable numbers. The beach is limited at each end by precipitous cliffs, across which it is
quite impossible to transport oil in casks, nor can boats land from the sea or vessels lie in the
offiing, from the fact that the beach is on the west, or windward, coast, and exposed to the full vio-
lence of the wind. * * *
"The increasing scarcity of the sea-elephant, and consequent uncertainty in hunting it, together
with the diminished demand for the oil since the introduction of coal-oil into general use, have
caused a great falling off in the business of elephant-hunting. The Crozet Islands, for example,
had not been worked for five years, and at Kerguelen there was only one smallschooner engaged
in this pursuit, two others making Three Island Harbor their headquarters, but spending the sea-
son at Heard's Island, 300 miles to the southward. It may therefore be reasonably hoped that
these singular animals, but lately far on the way toward extinction, will have an opportunity to
increase again in numbers, and that sealers may learn from past experience to carry on their hunt-
ing operations with more judgment, sparing breeding females and very young cubs. When the
Mouongahela visited the Crozet Islands, on December 1, they found the sea-elephant very numer-
ous, although left undisturbed for only five seasons."*
HEARD'S ISLAND.!
One of the most desolate and at the same time most profitable hunting grounds for the sea-
elephant is the pile of rocks and ice known to sealers as Heard's Island. It was discovered by
Captain Heard or Herd, a Boston navigator, in 1853. Several years prior to that date New London
sealers while cruising south of Desolation, reported that laud could be seen from the mast-head,
but none had gone near enough to be sure of a new land until Captain Heard's discovery. He did
not land on the shores. The first landing was made in 1854 by Capt. E. D. Rogers, of New Lon-
don, who was then on a whaling and sealing cruise in the ship Corinthian.
Captain Rogers gives the following account of this visit:
"In November, 3853, I left New London in the ship Corinthian, bound on a whaling voyage,
and while cruising from Desolation Island in January, 1854, concluded to visit Heard's Island,
that 1 learned had been recently discovered by Captain Heard in a Boston vessel. As soon as we
reached the island men were sent ashore and reported a great abundance of sea-elephants, and iu
fact we could see great numbers of them lying on the beaches. We were the first men, so far as
•Contributions to the Natural History of Kergneleu Island, made in connection with the United States Transit-of-
Veuus Expedition, 187J-75. Ry .1. IT. KII.DKR. M. I). Mull. I'. S. X:it. Mus., No. :!. 1*76.
t Also spelled Herd's Island, as on the accompanying sketch map, prepared liy Capt. H. C. Chester, who spent
several seasons there hunting the sea elephant.
420 HISTOltY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
known, that ever lauded 011 this desolate island. As the summer season was fast drawiug to a
close we concluded to sail immediately to Desolation Island, and, with our tenders, the schooners
Atlas and Mechanic, return to Heard's Island and secure some oil. It is only about 300 miles
from one island to the other, so that by the first of February we had returned to the new land and
anchored in a small bay that we called Corinthian Harbor. The next morning we found that our
ship had dragged anchor and was almost aground. With much difficulty we got her into deeper
water, and having made her as secure as possible with heavy riding anchors, sent ashore about
thirty men to examine the place and kill the elephants. We remained at the island about a week,
our men going ashore each morning and returning to the vessel at night. There were thousands
of the animals upon the sandy beaches, so that there was little difficulty in getting all we wanted.
After securing about 500 barrels of the blubber we sailed for Desolation Island and tried it out.
As soon as possible we sent word of our good luck to our agents, Messrs. Perkins & Smith, at New
London, Conn., and they purchased the ship Laurens, which was thoroughly equipped, and, under
command of Capt. Frank Smith, sailed for this land in September, 1855. The island was fully
explored by Captain Smith and his men, all the headlands and bays named, and a rough map
drawn. A full cargo of elephant oil was obtained, and in May, 1857, the Lanrens arrived home at
New London with about 4,700 barrels of elephant oil and 500 barrels of whale oil, the entire cargo
being valued at f 130,000."
Heard's Island is about 300 miles to the southward of Desolation, and 2,500 miles southeast of
the Cape of Good Hope, in about the same latitude as the Straits of Magellan. It stretches in a
general direction about northwest and southeast. Its greatest length is about 20 miles, and great-
est breadth about 6 miles. Its area is about 80 square miles. It is of irregular form, somewhat
in the shape of a boot with the sole at the southeastern end.
Near the central part of the island a snow-clad peak, known as Big Ben, rises to the height of
5,800 feet, while a large part of the island is covered with ice, making- it difficult to transport
articles from one part to another. There are many .sandy beaches, bluffs, and bays, appropriately
named by the sealers, either from some peculiar characteristics of the place or in honor of vessels
or sealing captains. At one extremity of the island is Cape Laurens, a perpendicular cliff of rocks
named in honor of the sealing bark Laurens, of New London.
Along the northerly side of the island, commencing at the northwestern end, are Corinthian
Bay, Whisky Bay, and Morgan's Bay. On the west side of Corinthian Bay are perpendicular
cliffs. Near the extremity of these cliffs is Shanghai Beach, small in extent. On the easterly
side of the bay are rough rocks, called lleef Kocks. This is the principal anchorage for the ves-
sels, and, compared with the other bays, is well sheltered. A high headland, known as Kodger's
Head, separates Corinthian from Whisks Bay. The latter bay is quite exposed to the sea, so that
vessel.-, must have very heavy riding gear. A few miles off shore from Whisky Bay is a small
cluster of rocks, called Sha/ llocks, where largo numbers of penguins collect. In standing in
toward Whisky Bay in a vessel the island appears to be divided into two parts until you pass
Shag llucks. This appearance is caused by the low laud from the head of the bay across to the
other side of the island.
Saddle Point forms the eastern side of Whisky Bay. Morgan's Point is on the western side of
Morgan's Bay, a very .slight indentation of the coast to the eastward of Whisky Bay. On the
southerly side of the island there are no bays or good anchorage for vessels, nor is there a safe
lauding place for boats, i he whole, side being very much exposed to the wind and waves.
The hauling places lor sea-elephants on the island are the sandy beaches. There are several
of these on both sides of the island. The mo»t important on the north side are Stony Beach
TIT!'; ANTARCTIC SKAL FISHERIES. 421
and Fail-child's Beach, both near the easterly end. At the Ibnner beach no landing can be made,
but blubber must be, rafted oft1. Fairchild's Beach has a good landing place. A long sandy point,
sometimes called Southwest Beach, forms the "toe" of the island. In rough weather the breakers
extend G miles off from this point. Next to Southwest Beach, as we pass along the " sole " of the
island, wo come to Little Beach, where elephants are killed and the blubber either rafted off in
boats or carried across the intervening ice to Southwest Beach.
The " heel " of Heard's Island is a perpendicular bluff of rocks and ice. Near the " heel " on the
southwest side of the island is Long Beach, which is generally covered with sea-elephants the
year round. A sealer's hut is built at each end of this beach, for men to live in that are sent over
from the other side of the island to drive off the elephants, in hopes that they may haul up on more
accessible beaches, where they may be killed and the blubber secured. It is impossible to land
here with boats, and vessels cannot get near on account of reefs and heavy breakers, that extend
5 or G miles seaward. Captain Chester, who was sealing on the island in 1860, estimated that
the number of elephants on Long Beach any day throughout the year would make from 10,000 to
15,000 barrels of oil. The men have to travel over rough icebergs to reach this beach, and it is
quite a dangerous task on account of the many chasms in the bergs that must be leaped over.
Xext to Long Beach is a small stretch of sandy shore, where the elephants are crowded in large
numbers, but the place is inaccessible to man, because of the fearful icebergs intervening. At
Southwest Beach, on this side of the island, opposite "Whisky Bay, sea-elephants are killed, and
after being stripped, the blubber is with great difficulty carried over the icebergs to the huts, where
it is tried out or carried aboard the vessels.
On several parts of the island, but chiefly on the northerly side, are small houses or huts in
which the men live during the elephant season or when wintering here. At the time of Capt. H. C.
Chester's visit there in 1860 there were no huts in Corinthian Bay, but at the head of Whisky Bay
there were two, one of them the " Roman's " house and the other the " Colgate's," called so from the
names of the vessels whose crews built them. At Saddle Point ^here was a house, and a little farther
south another one, built by the Roman's crew. At Fairchild's Beach there was a house, and
beyond that, just eastward of a great flat iceberg, were more houses. On Southwest Beach Point,
at the " toe " of the island, there were three houses, and two previously mentioned at Long Beach.
The English exploring ship Challenger visited Heard's Island in 1874, and from Mr. Moseley's
account of that visit we quote the following interesting description of that dreary place:
" Whisky Bay is near the northernmost extremity of the island. To the southeast of the ship,
as she lay in the small bay, were seen a succession of glaciers descending right down to the beach,
and separated by lateral moraines from one another ; six of these glaciers were visible from the
anchorage, forming by their terminations the coast-line eastward. They rose with a gentle slope,
with the usual rounded, undulating surface, upward towards the interior of the island, but their
origin was hid in the mist and cloud, and Big Ben, the great mountain of the island, said to be
7,000 feet in height, was not seen by us at all.
" One of the glaciers, that nearest the ship, instead of abutting on the sea-shore directly with
its end as did the others, presented towards its lower extremity its side to the action of the waves,
and ending somewhat inland, formed a well-marked but scanty moraine.
"To the sea-shore this glacier presented a vertical wall of ice, resting directly upon the black
volcanic sand composing the beach. In this wall was exposed a very instructive longitudinal sec-
tion of the glacier mass, in which the series of curved bands produced by differential motion were
most plainly marked, and visible from the distance of the anchorage. The ice composing the wall
or cliff was evidently being constantly bulged outwards by internal pressure, and masses were thug
422 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
being split off to fall on the beach, arid be melted, or floated off by the tide. The ice splits off
along the lines of the longitudinal crevasses and falls in slabs of the whole height of the cliff; a
freshly fallen slab, a longitudinal slice of the glacier, was lying on the beach. The fallen ice floats
off with the tide. Some stones, which were dredged in 150 fathoms between Kerguelen's Laud
and Heard's Island, were believed by Mr. Buchanan to have been recently dropped by floating ice
from Heard's Island. The stones in question were as yet not penetrated by the water.
" The other glaciers in sight cut the shore-line at right angles, and thus had no terminal
moraines, the stones brought down by them being washed away by the sea. Above, the glaciers
were covered with snow, which, as one looked higher and higher, was seen to gradually obliterate
the crevasses and assume the appearance of a ne've'. The extent of glacier free from snow was
very small, the region in which thawing can take place to any considerable extent being confined
to a range not far above sea-level. * * * The dirt and stones on the surface of the ice were, as
usual, more abundant towards the termination of the glacier and the moraine, but they were not so
abundant as usual, and there were no large stones amongst them, nor were such to be seen in the
moraine.
" The harpooner of the Emma Jane, the whaling schooner with which we fell in at Kergue-
len's Land, told me that he had always wondered where the stones on the ice came from at all, and
no wonder, for Big Ben is usually hidden from view, and the glaciers seem to have nothing above
from which the stones might come. Most of the stones, no doubt, reach the surface and see the
light only when they are approaching the bottom of the glacier.
" The terminal moraine showed the usual irregular conical heaping, and marks of recent motion
of the stones and earth composing it from the thawing of the ice supporting them, and a small
stream running from the glacier-bed cuts its way to the sea through a short arched tunnel in the
ice, as so commonly occurs elsewhere. A small cascade poured out of the ice-cliff' on to the sea-
shore from an aperture about half way up it. All the moraines showed evidence of the present
shrinking of the glaciers.
" The view along the shore of the successive terminations of the glaciers was very fine. 1 had
never before seen a coast-line composed of cliffs and headlands of ice. None of the glaciers came
actually down into the sea. The bases of their cliffs rested on the sandy beach, and were only
just washed by the waves at high water, or during gales of wind.
"The lateial moraines were of the usual form, with sharp-ridged crest and natural slopes on
either side. They formed lines of separation between the contiguous glaciers. They were some-
what serpentine in course, and two of them were seen to occur immediately above points where the
glaciers on either hand were separated by masses of rock in situ, which masses showed out between
the ice-cliffs on the shore and had the ends of the moraines resting on them.
"A stretch of perfectly level black sand, about half a mile in width, forms the head of the bay
and intervenes between the glaciers and a promontory of rocky, rising land stretching out north-
ward and westward, and forming the other side of the bay. It was on the smooth, sandy beach
bounding this plain that we landed. The surf was not heavy, but we had to drag the boat up at
once. In this we were assisted by six wild-looking sealers, who had made their appearance on the
rocks as soon as the ship entered the bay, with their rifles in their hands, and had gazed on us with
astonishment. The boss said, as we landed, he guessed we were out of our reckoning. They evi-
dently thought no one could have come to Heard's Island on purpose who was not in the sealing
business.
" The sandy plain stretches back from the bay as a dreary waste to another small curved
Ix-ach at the head of another inlet of the sea. Behind this inlet is an irregular rocky mountain
TIIK ANTARCTIC! SKAL FISHERIES. 423
mass, forming I he end of the island, on which are two large glaciers, very steeply inclined, and one
of them terminating in a sheer ice-fall. At its back this mountain mass is bounded by precipices,
with their bases washed by the sea. The plain is traversed by several streams of glacier water
coming from the southern glaciers. These streams are constantly changing their course as the
beach and plain are washed about by the surf in heavy weather. * * * The sandy plain seemed
entirely of glacial origin; it was iii places covered with glacial mud, and was yielding, and heavy
to walk upon. * * *
''The plain was strewed with bones of sea-elephant and sea-leopard, those of the former being
most abundant. There were reiuaius-of thousands of skeletons, and I gathered a good many tusks
of old males. The bones lay in curved lines, looking like tide lines, on either side of the plain
above the beaches, marking the rookeries of old times and tracks of slaughter of the sealers. Some
bones occurred far up on the plain, the elephants having in times of security made their laiis far
from the water's edge. A few whales' vertebrae were also seen lying about.
"On the opposite side of the plain from that bounded by the glacier is a stretch of low bare
rock, with a peculiar smooth and rounded but irregular surface. This rock surface appears from
a distance as if glaciated, but on closer examination it is seen to show very distinct ripple marks
and lines of flow, and the rock-mass is evidently a comparatively recent lava flow from a small
broken-down crater which stands on the shore close by.
* * * "Sir J. D. Hooker, in his latest memoir on the botany of Kergueleu Laud, says:
'The three small archipelagoes of Kergueleu Island (including the Heard Islands), Marion and
Prince Edward's Islands, and the Crozets, are individually and collectively the most barren tracts
on the globe, whether in their own latitude or in a higher one, except such as lie within the
Antarctic Circle itself; for no laud, even within the North Polar area, presents so impoverished a
vegetation.'
* * * " The sealers said that the climate of Heard's Island was far more rigorous than that
of Kergueleu Land. In winter the whole of the ground is frozen, and the streams are stopped,
so that snow has to be melted in order to obtain water. In December, at midsummer, there is
plenty of sunshiuy weather, and Big Beu is often to be seen. It is possible to land in whale boats,
on the average of the whole year only once in three days, so surf- beaten is the shore, so stormy
the weather.
" We saw six sealers; two were Americans and two Portuguese from the Cape Verde Islands.
They were left on the island by the whaling vessels which we met with at Kerguelen Land, their
duty being to hunt sea-elephants. The men engage to remain three years on the island, and see
the whale ships only for a short time in the spring of each year.
"On the more exposed side of the island there is an extensive beach called Long Beach. This
'is covered over with thousands of sea-elephants in the breeding season, but it is only accessible by
land, and then only by crossing two glaciers or icebergs, as the sealers call them. No boat can
live to land on this shore, consequently men are stationed on the beach, and live there in huts ;
and their duty is constantly to drive the elephants from this beach into the sea, which they do
with whips made of the hide of the elephants themselves. The beasts thus ousted swim off, and
often 'haul up,' as the term, is, upon the accessible beaches elsewhere, and there they are killed
and their blubber is taken to be boiled down.
" In very stormy weather, when they are driven into the sea, they are forced to betake them-
selves to the sheltered side of the island ; hence the men find that stormy weather pays them best.
Two or three old males, termed ' beach masters,' hold a beach to themselves and cover it with
cows, but allov/ no other males to haul up. The males tight furiously, and one man told me that
424 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
be bad seen an old male take up a younger one in bis teetb and tbrow him over, lifting him in the
air. The males show tight when whipped, and are with great difficulty driven into the sea. They
are sometimes treated with horrible brutality. Tbe females gave birth to their young soon after
our arrival. The new born young are almost black, unlike the adults, which are of a light slate
brown, and the young of the northern bladder-nose, which are white. They are suckled by the
female for some time, and then left to themselves lying on the beach, where they seem to grow fat
without further feeding. They are always allowed by the sealers thus to lie, in order to make
more oil. This account was corroborated by all the sealers I met with. I do not understand it ;
propably the cows visit their young from time to time unobserved. I believe similar stories are
told of the fattening on nothing of the young of northern seals.
"Peron says that both parent elephant seals stay with the young without feeding at all, until
the young are six or seven weeks old, and that then the old ones conduct the young to the water
ami keep them carefully in their company. The rapid increase in weight is in accordance with
Peron's account.
"Charles Goodrich gives a somewhat different account, namely, that after the females leave
their young the old males and young proceed inland, as far as two miles sometimes, and stop
without food for more than a month, and during this time lose fat. The male elephants come on
shore on the Crozets for the breeding season about the middle of August, the females a little later.
"There are said to be forty men in all upon Heard's Island. Men occasionally get lost upon the
glaciers. Sometimes a man gets desperate from being in so miserable a place, and one of the crew
of a whaler that we met at Kerguelen Land said, after he had had some rum, that occasionally
men had to be shot; a statement which may be true or false, but which expresses at all events the
feeling of the men on the matter.
" The men that we saw seemed contented with their lot. The ' boss' said, in answer to our
inquiries, that he had only one fur-seal skin, which he would sell if he was paid for it, but he guessed
he'd sell it anyhow when he got back to the States. He had been engaged in sealing about the
island since 1854, having landed with the first sealing party which visited the island. For his
present engagement his time was up next year, but he guessed he'd stay two years more. He'd
make $500 or so before he went home, but would probably spend half of that when he touched at
Cape of Good Hope on the way.
" The men had good clothing, and did not look particularly dirty. They lived in wooden huts,
or rather under roofs built over holes in the ground, thus reverting to the condition of the ancient
British. Around their huts were oil casks and tanks, and a hand-barrow for wheeling blubber
about. There were also casks marked molasses, flour, and coal. The men said they had as much
biscuit as they wanted, and also beans and pork, and a little molasses and flour. Their principal
food was penguins, and they used penguin skins with the fat for fuel. Capt. Sir G. S. Nares saw
five such skins piled on the fire one after the other in one of the huts."*
THE AUCKLANDS, BOUNTY ISLES, ANTIPODES, AND STEWART'S ISLAND.
About the year 1800 Vancouver reported that fur-seals could be found in abundance on the
southwest coast of Australia. It was not long before vessels started in search of them. The brig
Union, of New York, Captain Pendleton, went there in 1802, but being unsuccesful in finding seals
* Notes by a naturalist on the Challenger, being an account of various observations made during the voyage of H. M.
S. Challenger around the world, ™ the years 1872-1876, under the command of Capt. Sir G. S. Nares, R. N., K. C. B.,
F. R. S., and Capt. F. T. Thompson, R. N., by H. N. Moseley, M. A., F. R. S., Fellow of Exeter College, &c., with a
map, two colored plates, and numerous wood-cuts. London : MacMillan & Co., 1879. 8 vo., pp. i-xvi, 1-620.
TIIK ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 425
abundant the vessel proceeded to Border's Island, where some 14,000 skins were taken and sold at
Sydney. In a further search for seals the Union visited the Antipodes and left a crew of men there
to take seals and await the return of the. vessel, but she was lost on a southern cruise and the men
on the island were rescued by an English vessel. They had taken some 60,000 skins, which were
carried to China by a vessel chartered at Sydney. (See p. 446.)
" Auckland's Group" says Captain Morrell, " as it is called in the charts, is a cluster of islands,
only one of which is largo enough to deserve the name, and that is 25 miles in length from, north
to south, and 15 in width from east to west. It is situated about250 miles south of New Zealand,
and as many leagues southeast of Van Dienian's Land, being in the South Pacific Ocean, in lat-
titude 51° south, longitude 166° 20' east. It was discovered with its surrounding islets by Capt.
A. Bristow, in 1806. It is moderately elevated, the highest points being about 1,500 feet above
the level of the sea.
*
* * * " In the year 1823 Capt. Eobert Johnson, in the schooner Henry, of New York, took
from this island (Auckland) and the surrounding islets about 13,000 of as good fur-seal skins as
were ever brought to the New York market. He was then in the employment of Messrs. Byers,
Rogers, Mclntyre & Nixon, who fitted him out on his second voyage in the Henry, in the most com-
plete and liberal manner, in the year 1824. From this voyage he never returned. He was last seen
at the south cape of New Zealand in the following year, having lost three men, who were drowned at
Chatham Island. Captain Johnson and the remainder of his crew were then in good health, and
bad 1,700 hundred prime fur-seal skins on board the Henry. My informants further stated that the
Henry left New Zealand on a cruise to the south and east in search of new lands between the
sixtieth and sixty-fifth degree of south latitude, and as he had never been heard of since leaving
New Zealand it is very probable that he made discovery of some new islands near the parallel of
sixty, on which the Henry was shipwrecked.
" Although the Auckland Isles once abounded with numerous herds of fur and hair seal, the
American and English seamen engaged in this business have made such clean work of it as
scarcely to leave a breed; at all events, there was not one fur-seal to be found on the 4th of Jan-
uary, 1S30. We therefore got under way on the morning of Tuesday, the 5th, at 6 o'clock, and
steered for another cluster of islands, or rather rocks, called 'The Snares,' 180 miles north of Auck-
land's group, and about 60 miles south of New Zealand.
"This cluster of craggy rocks is in latitude 48° 4' south, longitude 166° 18' east; extending 5
miles in the direction of east-northeast and west-southwest. They were first discovered by Van-
couver, who gave them a name expressive of their character as being very likely to draw the
unwary mariner into alarming difficulties. "We searched them in vain for fur-seal, with which they
formerly abounded. The population was extinct, cut off root and branch by the sealers of Van
Diemen's Land, Sydney, &c."*
The Bounty Isles were discovered by Lieut. William Bligh,in the English vessel Bounty, Sep-
tember 19, 1788, in latitude 47° 44' south, and longitude 179° 7' east. They are thirteen in num-
ber; are 145 leagues east of the Traps, which are near the south end of New Zealand. Capt.
George F. Athearu states that no seal skins have been taken from these islands in recent years.
Captain Biscor, in the brig Tula, in 1832, visited them for the purpose of taking seals, but it is said
with very indifferent success. Lieutenant Bligh describes these isles as of small extent being only
3£ miles from east to west, and about half a league from north to south. Their number, including
the smaller ones, is thirteen. The most western of the isles is the largest. They are sufficiently
• Mnrn-11's Voyages, p. 363.
426 HISTORY AND MKTHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
elevated in some parts to be seen from a vessel's deck at a distance of 21 miles. They cannot
afford any kind of vegetable production. A few birds and seals are all these desolate rocks can
support.
The Antipodes is a small group of uninhabited isles southeast of New Zealand, and are so called
from being nearly opposite to Great Britain. Their latitude is 49° 42' south, and longitude 178°
43' east. Besides the 60,000 fur-seal skins taken at these islands in about 1804 by a crew of the
American brig Union, it is probable that many other cargoes of which we have no record were
also obtained here.
Stewart's Island, just south of New Zealand, Chatham Island to the east, Campbell's Island
southeast of the Aucklands, and the Royal Company's Island in the same latitude as the Auck-
lands, but farther west, have all been visited by vessels in search of fur-seals and from them more
or less skins have been secured.
3. SEALING VESSELS AND CREWS.
SEALING- VESSELS AND THEIR OUTFIT. — The Antarctic seal fishery is an exceedingly danger-
ous pursuit, and requires vessels of strong build and thoroughly equipped with heavy anchors and
chains and necessary apparatus for battling with storms and ice. They are frequently employed
in whaling as well as sealing, so that in addition to the equipment for sealing they are provided
with try-works and whaling implements.
A typical sealing vessel of the present day is a schooner of from 60 to 150 tons, well coppered
and thoroughly caulked. The spars are shorter and stouter than those of an ordinary fishing
schooner, and the rigging and sails are of the strongest materials. The outfit consists of from
three to five 28-foot boats, camps and equipage for the location of men on seal islands, clubs, guns,
ammunition, lances, knives, two suits of sails, extra clothing for the crew, supplies of salt for pre-
serving the skins and provisions for one or two years. The salt is either taken from the homo
port or obtained at Cape Verde Islands, and is stowed either in casks or bins. It must be of
moderate fineness, for if too coarse it will not sufficiently cover the fleshy part of the skins. Neither
Liverpool nor Turk's Island salt have been found suitable for preserving seal skins. In small ves-
sels it is customary to carry the salt in bins, which are afterwards used for packing a portion of
the skins, while the remainder of the skins are stowed in casks. There are usually two salt-bins,
one on each side of the hold, of a total capacity of 500 to 600 bushels. Large vessels take their
salt and pack their skins in casks. About 300 bushels of salt are needed to preserve 5,000 skins. In
the hair-seal fishery, on the coast of Newfoundland, the vessel's hold is " pounded off" into bins
only a little larger than the skins, which are spread out flat and plentifully sprinkled with salt.
The provisions consist of barrels of beef, pork, bread, and vegetables, canned goods and cabin
stores enough for about two years. The ground-tier of casks is tilled at home with a three months'
supply of water and refilled as opportunity affords.
Boats employed in this fishery are about the same as the ordinary 28-foot whale-boat. They
are made a little stouter and more burdensome than the whale-boat, but of the same general style,
and are used in transporting men, skins, and apparatus between the vessel and shore.
The outfit for a sea-elephant voyage is the same as for fur-sealing, with the addition of extra
casks for the oil. These vessels, however, cariy no salt unless they expect to find fur seals on their
voyage.
In the early days of the fur-seal and sea-elephant fisheries, rnanj of the vessels were of large
size, sometimes ships of 300 tons, and accornpaiued by small schooners or sloops that served as
tenders. This custom is still practiced in the sea-elephant fishery, but in fur sealing the scarcity
Till! ANTARCTIC SEAL FlSllKKI KS. 427
of seals lias led to the employment of ordinary schooners. It was formerly customary for materials
to lit' taken 1>\ the larger craft for the construction of small vessels of 20 or 30 tons, which \veie built
at tlir islands and employed iu cruising along shore, and men were landed at suitable points for
the capture of seals.
At Heard's island, in the sea elephant fishery, the ships were securely anchored iu the har-
bors and partially unrigged, and a few men left aboard as ship-keepers. The balance of the crew,
and i he furnaces, try-pots, and sealing implements, also casks for the oil, and camp equipage, were
transferred to the tenders that landed men and apparatus at convenient points. The tenders
then anchored until a supply of oil was secured, or continued cruising about transferring gangs
of men from one point to another or searching off shore for whales.
Several of the sealing schooners were formerly regular fishing vessels. Among vessels of this
class were the Charles Shearer, Thomas Hunt, and Florence, which were bought from Gloucester,
where they had been employed in the cod and mackerel fisheries. The Florence was refitted at
New London, Conn., in 1872, and sailed for the Cape Horn region, where, after a series of hardships,
>lie finally succeeded in securing a very valuable cargo of skins and returned home in 1876. She
sailed again the same year, and arrived home April 6, 1877, when she was sold to take part in
Captain Howgate's Arctic Expedition to Cumberland Inlet. The Charles Shearer was refitted as
a sealing schooner in 187-1, and sailed for Cape Horn and South Shetlauds. She arrived home in
1S75, having taken 1,600 fur-seal skins, worth about $16,000. On this voyage she lost her entire
ground tackling on two occassions near Cape Horn. This vessel sailed on a second voyage in 1875
and returned in 1876 with 2,700 skins, worth $16,000. Five men were lost by drowning and two
were massacred by Indians. The vessel was with difficulty saved from capture. In 1876 the
Charles Shearer sailed again, and returned in 1877 with 400 seal skins and 50 barrels of sea-
elephant oil. She sailed on her last voyage in 1877 and never returned. She was valued, with
outfit, at $16,000, and carried 22 men. In July she left Stouington, and in October left a sealing
crew of seven men, under charge of the second mate, on the island of Diego Kainirez, with camp
equipage, apparatus, and provisions for sealing. The vessel took her departure for the South
shetlands, but was never heard from. In 1878 the United States Government sent a vessel in
search of her, but she could not be found. In 1879 the schooners Express and Thomas Hunt were
at South Shetlands, but found no trace of the Charles Shearer. The men left on Diego Eamirez
were taken off in March, 1879, by the ship Jabez Howes, jr., and lauded at San Francisco. They
had secured 800 skins, that were brought to St.onington by the Thomas Hunt.
The schooner Thomas Hunt was brought from Gloucester in 1872 and fitted for sealing at
Stoniugton. Conn. This vessel has made several successful voyages and is still employed in sealing
about (.'ape I lorn. Another sealing vessel, formerly a Gloucester fishing schooner, was the Flying-
Fish. This vessel sailed from New London, Conn., in 1870, and after making several sealing voy-
ages, on some of them as tender to the bark Trinity, was abandoned off' Cape Horn iu 1878. Since
the year 1870 two ships, two barks, one brig, and nineteen schooners have been engaged iu the
fur-seal and sea-elephant fisheries. One of the barks was withdrawn from the business in 1874;
the other was lost in 1881. The ship Roman was refitted for whaling iu 1876, and the other ship,
the Nile, is "hauled up to die" at New London. The brig is still employed in the fishery.
The bark Trinity sailed from Xew London, Conn., on June 1, 1880, on a sea-elephant voyage
to Desolation and Hoard's Islands. Up to November, 1881, no news had been received from her,
and as she was expected home in the spring of 1880 it was feared that the vessel had been wrecked
at Heanl's Island, though perhaps the crew might survive. Accordingly, the United States steamer
428
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Marion was ordered to visit the island. The Trinity was found to have been wrecked, but the
crew, with two exceptions, were alive and in good health. They returned home to New London in
the spring of 1882.
THE CREWS OF SEALING VESSELS; SETTLEMENT OF A VOYAGE. — The number of men
required to man the vessels varies from twenty -four to thirty-five according to the number of boats
taken. Most of the crew are shipped at the home ports, but a limited number of green hands are
taken at Cape Verde Islands, the natives of this place being adepts at both whaling and sealing.
In the fitting out of the vessel the owners furnish all the apparatus and everything needed
for the voyage, charging advances in cash or clothing to the officers and crew, awaiting the result
of the cruise for payment. All the crew receive shares in the net proceeds after deducting
advances, interest, and insurance, and extra expenses incurred on the voyage.
The proportionate shares vary on different vessels according to the number and experience of
the men in sealing. At times a superior master gains » percentage above his share and the crew
sometimes receive deserving shares besides their regular allowance. The captain is usually allowed
from one-eleventh to one-fifteenth of the net proceeds, first mate one-twentieth to one-thirtieth,
second mate one-thirtieth to one-fiftieth, third mate one-fortieth to one-sixty-fifth, sealers one-
eightieth to one one-hundred-and-twenty-fifth, and green hands one one-hundred-and-seventy-fifth
to one two-hundredth.
The following statement shows the method of settling a voyage at one of the New England
sealing ports :
Account of settlement of an Antarctic far-seal voyage.
One thousand four hundred fur-seal skins sold in London -$32, 091 89
Less packing, freight, and insurance $58374
Commission on sales 830 90
Cartage in New York and traTeling expenses 77 95
1 J- , 4yj. py
Net proceeds 30,600 00
Crew's share.
One-fifteenth net proceeds $2, 040 00
One-twentieth net proceeds 1, 530 00
One-thirty-fifth net proceeds 874 28
One-fifty-fifth net proceeds 556 36
One-sixtieth net proceeds 510 50
One-seventy-fifth net proceeds 408 00
One one-hundredth net proceeds 306 00
One one-hundred-and-fortieth net proceeds 218 57
Twenty one-hundred-and-eighty-fifths net proceeds (twenty men at $165.40) 3,308 00
9,751 71
DR. Peter McEtien in account with schooner and owners. Cn.
To paid advances, board, clothing, and cash $58 50 By j^B pay in net proceeds, sale of cargo $165 40
To schooner's bills on voyage 15 15
To interest and insurance on advance 11 68
To pay, day's fitting, and discharge 15 00
To cash to balance 85 07
165 40 165 40
Received -
-, of -
, managing owner, sixty-five and !?„ dollars, in full of all demands against schooner —
officers, and agent, of whatsoever natnre, in above voyage.
(Signed) -
-, her owners,
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 429
4. METHODS OF CAPTURE AND OF TAKING THE SKINS AND OIL.
THE FUR-SEAL HUNT.
Fur-seals, according to their sex and age, are known to the sealers as wigs, or adult males;
bulls, or those not quite as old; clapmatches, or adult females; yearlings, or the half grown of
both sexes; gray or silver pups, which are the young of nearly a year old; and the black pups, or
the very young before their coats are changed to gray.
lu size there is a great difference between the male and female, the former, when full grown,
being about 7 feet in length, while the latter never exceeds 4 feet. The large males are not the
most numerous, but are very powerful.
Having reached the seal islands measures are at once taken to effect a landing and search for
the animals. This is often the most difficult part of the sealer's work. It may be several weeks
before it ia possible to get ashore, so dangerous is the boiling surf. Having at last made a landing
the men proceed to erect rude huts or set up their tents, in which to pass perhaps months before
the vessel shall return to take them off. At the island of Diego Ramirez, off Cape Horn, the
vessels usually land two boat crews, with salt and tents and provisions for two months, during
which time the men are expected to take and salt as many skins as possible, to be ready when
their schooner returns, which may be at the appointed time or they may be left for an entire year,
misfortune having overtaken their comrades. At Staten Land, also off Cape Horn, the custom is
for vessels to anchor in harbors on the north side of the island, and the men in boats go round to
the south side and gather the skins, hauling their boats upon the beach and using them as shelter
at night. Each man takes with him a water-tight bag of provisions. In a few days they will
return to their vessel with the skins they have taken, and after receiving a fresh supply of pro-
visions return to the shore for more seals.
In the South Shetland seal fishery the vessels are anchored in the safest harbors, and crews
sent out iu boats to cruise along the shores and to capture seals wherever they can be found.
The common implement of capture is an oak or hickory club about 5 feet long, with which the
animal is stunned, and if need be is stabbed with the sealing knife. At the present day the ani-
mals have become so scarce and shy at the once favorite resorts that the hunter often has to watch
and wait for them singly, and it is frequently difficult to approach near enough to dispatch them
with the club, so that a rifle must bo used. Where new rookeries are found the seals are quite
tame and are easily approached and clubbed. The rifle is never used unless absolutely necessary,
for it makes holes in the skin that greatly reduce their value.
'• In former times," says Scammou, '< when fur-seals abounded, they were captured in large
numbers by the ordinary seal-club in the hands of the sealer, who would slay the animals right
and left by one or two blows upou the head. A large party would cautiously land to leeward of
the rookery, if possible ; then, when in readiness, at a given signal all hands would approach them
shouting and using their clubs to the best advantage in the conflict. Many hundreds were fre-
quently taken in one of these ' knock-downs,' as they were called. As soon as the killing was over
the flaying commenced. Some sealers became great experts in skinning the animals, and the
number of skins one would take off in the course of au hour would be a decidedly fishy story to
tell. However, to flay fifty seals in a day would be regarded as good work. It will readily be
seen that a sealiug-ship's crew, numbering twenty or more, would make great havoc among a seal
rookery iu very short time, and it is no matter of surprise that these valuable fur-bearing animals
soon became comparatively scarce." *
"Marine Mammalia, p. 153.
430 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
As soon as possible after the animal is killed it is skiuned. This work is done on shore, and
the method now employed in stripping the seal is to make a cut with a sharp knife through the
skin around the throat just above the ears, leaving those appendages on the pelt, then down the
chest and belly to the extreme lower part, then cut around the flippers. The skin is now cut free
from the body and is prepared for salting or drying, while the carcass is left on the rocks to be
devoured by birds.
Prior to 1815, about the only market for the sale of the skins was China, where they were
exchanged for tea and other commodities. They were mostly dressed in the same manner as hair
.seal, for the hide. The far was cut off clean and thrown away as useless, and the hides were used
in the manufacture of trunks, valises, &c.
From 1820 to 1840 the fur-seal skin was taken from the animal in the same manner as a calf or
sheep is skinned, leaving the pelt with about one-fourth of an inch of blubber still adhering to it.
Since 1840 they have been skinned so as to leave nearly all the blubber on, but when deposited at
camp or on board the vessel they are placed upon aboard about 10 inches wide, or upon an empty
barrel, and beamed by cutting all the blubber from the pelt. They are then washed or soaked
from blood and dirt, and are pressed for a day or two by putting in piles, thus removing the water.
They are then freely salted and tied up in bundles in book form ; sometimes booked snug with
salt and tied ; sometimes loosely booked and put in bins or packed ; and sometimes packed in
kench after having been resalted, skins to fur, with salt between, in casks. After this has been
done they will require resalting within four months and lookiug after before passing the warm
latitude. Slack salting and want of proper care will bring ruin to the furor pelt by heating and
causing the fur to come out wherever the skin is not completely cured or salted. It is not con-
sidered safe, even after a pelt is no longer capable of absorbing salt, to have them packed in piles
for over four months without overhauling, as they are liable to become heated.
The skins were invariably dried before the year 1815, since which time they have always been
salted, except in exceptional cases, when a few have been taken by natives, or where the stock of
salt on the vessel has been exhausted. The proportion dried under these circumstances would
not be more than 1 per cent, of the number of skius brought to market.
Sealers now beam down close and clean. At the same time if one-fourth of an inch of meat
is left on the pelt it is safer, for the meat takes the salt better than the pelt, and the skin is thus
''cured to greater safety."
The skius are ready to pass into the hold of the vessel as soon as washed and drained of water,
when they may be salted and packed, as before described.
CAPTAIN ATHEARN'S ACCOUNT OF FUR-SEAL HUNTING.
The following letter of advice was written a few years ago by Capt. George F. Athearn, of
West Tisbury, Mass., to Capt. Thomas Warren, who was about to start on a fur-seal voyage to
the Bounty Rocks.
Through the kindness of Captain Athearn we are permitted to publish this letter which
contains very valuable information coucernicg the habits of the Antarctic fur seal, the methods
employed for its capture, and the care of the skins :
" I will now write what I should do if I was going on a sealing voyage such as you are now
abont to start on. First, I should use every reasonable means of making the best of my way to the
seal islands. I have always found it best to be on hand and in season, so as to have some lee-
way for bad weather. The great trouble in working fur-seal islands and rocks is in landing the
salt and provisions. There is not much trouble in taking off skins, for they can betaken off with
ease when you could not laud a thing.
TFIK A MA KM TIC SEAL PISH HUIES. 431
"HABITS OF THE SEALS. — Now I will state the iiahits of flu- fur-seals of Cape Horn : About
MIC first iif November tin1 old wigs (which an1 the old nude seals) come on shore to I'onii the rook-
eries for the pupping season \vhieh is soon to follow. When the old wigs come on shore all the
clapmatehes (or female seals) that reared pups in the .year past are still on the rookeries with their
\oiing, which are now yearlings, anil prime skins. The old wigs when they arrive make it their
business to drive all the yearlings off the rocks, and as soon as they accomplish this the (•lap-
matches leave and take to the water, leaving the rocks in charge of the old and young wigs.
" About the 25th of November the young clapmatches of four or five years, that are to have
their first pups, come on shore, and I have seen a pup as early as the 20th of November, but I he
main herd of the old clapinatches do not begin to haul in any great number before the 5th of
December, and from that to the 25th of December they come iu fast. I don't think it is a good
plan to commence killing until they get well into pupping. Don't kill any of the old wigs until
you have worked off most of the clapmatches, or near the end of the pupping season, as they hold
the other seals aud will uot let them go off the rocks if they can prevent it. If yon should want all
the seals that are on the rocks to make up your cargo, you can all through the pupping season be
working off the young wigs, which are always hauled iu small rookeries near the pupping seal,
driven there by the old wigs.
" Great care should be taken, if the men are landed when the wigs begin to haul, to make as
little show as possible for a few days, until they get well settled, and when the wind blows from
the house direct to the rookeries it is best at that season to make as little smoke as possible, for
the seals have a scent equal to any dog.
" You will bear in mind that the full grown clapmatches, or young wigs that are larger, are
the most valuable. The next in value are the two and three year old seals, that haul at different
times on the rocks. The yearlings that are driven off in November are prime skins, and taking
into account how much less work it is to skin them, and how much less salt, and room they take,
they are worth striving for. The large old wigs are of the least value, taking more work, salt, and
room. Still they are better than nothing.
" You must try and get to the island in time to get all of lastyears pups with the clapmatches.
It' you can get there thus early it will give yon a great start aud make everything smooth for you;
but if you cannot get there iu time to take the young seal season, get there as soon as possible, and
be sure that you examine the islands and rocks thoroughly.
" What I have written about the habits of the fur-seal applies to the region of Cape. Horn. It
may be possible that where you are going their habits may be different, for at the South Shetland?
there are no seal on shore from March to the middle of November. Also at South Georgia, with a
lower latitude than Cape Horn, the seal, after shedding the last of February, take to the water and
do not return till the following November. If they should work the same where you are going yon
see that if you arrive there in September, or up to the middle of October, there may be very few if
any seal hauled, so of course you will have to land and examine the rocks, and it will be easy for
you to tell if there has been any number of seal in the habit of hauling there, although the fre-
quent rains of that latitude will wash away much of the evidence of the past season, so you will
have to use your own judgment. Don't condemn in haste. Make sure you are right.
"THE SEAL HUNT. — If you get to the. islands early in the season, and find the seals hauled in
such numbers that yon think there is a good chance to use up all your salt and more besides, 1
will tell you what I should do. Laud all the men that could work to advantage, with the best
man 1 had to head them, with provisions to last all the season, anil ail the suit except enough
to resall what skins they could take in the time that I could wait and still have time to gel back
432 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
with the salt in time for the pupping season. You know when the pupping season comes on,
and can calculate the time it will take you, but be sure and make plenty of allowance for bad
weather.
" I should first go to Port Chalmers. I have been informed that a vessel leaves there for Eng-
land once a month. If such is the case it would be the best place for many reasons for you to go
to ship your skins and get salt. First, it is so near your work that there will be plenty of time for
you to write the owners so they can get the skins insured here or in England.
" If I got out there early and saw a great show of seals, I should get as many on board as I
could without running any risk of not getting back in time. I would leave on the rocks all the
men that I thought would blab ; go to the most convenient port, ship my skins, get what I needed
and go back to the rocks, and finish up the season and go to Valparaiso without touching at
New Zealand, and I should expect to have another season without company.
"You will remember that you cannot get all the seal from a rookery iu one season. If you get
3,000 the first season you may expect to get 1,000 or more the next, and in the same proportion
for a large or smaller number. If I went to Valparaiso I should write the agent in London, which
the owners had directed me to ship to on their account, one steamer before I sent the skins, so that
they could insure them, and then I should write them that I had shipped so many prime skins, all
in good order, taken in a high southern latitude, of course not mentioning the place. They class
skins differently from what we do, calling clapmatches ' middlings ', three-year old seal ' large
pups', two years old 'smalls', and yearlings 'small pups', which is all set forth in their catalogue,
one of which I will furnish you for future use. ,
" I have been in the habit of landing a boat with the men if there was any outstanding rocks
with seal on them, so that the men in good weather could go and work them off. I think you will
find on the Bounty Rocks seal on more than one of them ; also, you will find the Western Rock
the largest, as in most cases the groups of small islands and rocks in high southern latitudes are
found so. If the weather rocks have the best show of seals of coarse you will land your men on
them, and if the smaller rocks to leeward have any seal, they will be more easy to work by boats
in good weather, from being somewhat protected by the rocks to the westward. I think dories will
be the best boats to use at the Bounties, they are so easy to launch or haul up. I shall favor your
having at least two dories, but the men must be careful to haul them high up above any marks
of the sea, and turn and lash them in the most sheltered place or they will lose them.
" Be sure and warn the men to pitch their tents in as high and sheltered a place as possible;
also to store the salt, and salt the skins higher up than seems really necessary. I make these re-
marks because I once worked a rock two seasons. The first season we stored the salt and salted
the skins in a cave high up, and, as we thought, safe from the sea. All through that season the
weather was as bad as we had in any season, but no sea came near the place. In the short time
that the men were away there came a sea just right to wash over that part of the rock, and
washed the cave out clean, loose rocks and all, so we took the hint the next season and salted
higher up.
" I should make and have on hand, besides the tent coverings, a good lot of tarpaulins, large
enough to make a tent for two or three men and their traps. They will never come amiss, for they
are handy to cover up salt and skins on the rocks. I think you will find it necessary at the Bounties
to land two or three men at a time on the outlying rocks to work them off. Great care should be
taken in approaching an unknown island or group of rocks. During a strong wind and extra
heavy swell is a good time to go for them. In such a time, by keeping a good lookout the hidden
dangers will be very apt to be seen.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL F1S1IKIMHS. 433
" After having men landed through several spells of bad weather from different quarters, if
they are at all observiug they will see and take the bearings of all the shoal places, and by so doing
they will make it easier lor Hie vessel to work afterward.
" FOOD FOR SEALERS. — I will advise you, as a very necessary thing, to see that your men, at
least those who are landed, eat plenty of seal meat, for it is necessary for their health. Theuo is
no danger of any man getting the scurvy if he will use seal meat freely, and as soon as they have
used it a few days they will use no other meat, for it is first-class, and the pups that are three or
four months old are as good as any pig. Take and clean a young seal, cut off all the fat, stuff and
roast it as you would a pig, and you have a delicious dish. You may think this needless advice,
but I will give you my reasons for it.
" I was working seal in Terra del Fuego for forty months, without coming away from there,
three winters and four summers, and by using plenty of seal meat, as I claim, I preserved the
health of my crew, for I did not have a sick man during the entire time.
" The first three seasons no other vessel accompanied us ; the fourth season there were several
other vessels. They landed their men and every one of them lost men by scurvy, and even the
crews of the vessels were taken down by it, and this all in one season. One schooner came and
anchored in the same place with nie. When I went on board the captain told me that he had lost
three out of sis men that he had landed, and that he had one on board so bad that he could live
but a short time, as he was uuable to move. I asked him if his men used seal meat. He said he
had told them to use it but they thought the meat was not good and would not use it. I told him
I had the same trouble with my men during the -first part of the voyage, and had to make the men
eat it. The last three seasons they would not use any other meat. If one of your men should get
the scurvy give him raw seal meat soaked in vinegar.
" October is the laying season in high southern latitudes. If you get there by that time you
will be able to get any quantity of eggs of different kinds. There are some kinds of penguin that
are almost always found on or near seal rocks. By clearing off the rookeries and collecting the eggs
as soou as laid these peugiuns can be kept laying up to February. All the different kinds of
young birds are good eating.
"CARE OF THE SKINS. — You will have men with you that have been in the business before.
Still I will write you how to take care of skins. The way to skin a seal is to cut around the flippers;
then rip the belly open from tail to throat ; then cut around the head forward of the ears, leaving
the ears on the skin. Take the blubber off with the skin. Be sure and soak the blood well out,
for on this depends in great measure the curing of the skin. After being well soaked pile them
in small heaps to drain. Then flinch them by cutting the blubber smoothly off, leaving from one-
eighth to one-fourth inch of blubber on the skin. Be sure to caution the men to hold their knives
flat in flinching if they will cut down to and into the skin in steps the whole length. A skin so
flinched, although there may be no holes clean through it, will go ' damaged in dressing,' and of
course they will make a damaged skin of it. Every defect will be seen in London.
"A flinching-board should be about G feet long and from 1£ to 2 feet wide, with legs long
enough for a man to work without bending too much. The legs can be made to unship, so as to
save room. Brace up the board the right slant, take the skin by the neck, swing it over the board
with the flipper holes on the board, draw the knife across the blubber where it hangs straight on
the board, and cut it off smoothly to the tail, leaving the tail on the skin. Then turn the skin around
and flinch the neck. In salting care should be taken to rub the salt well into the edges and the
neck of the skin, for in kenching or booking them up the edges are very a«pt to roll up and if not
well rubbed with salt will get pink and damaged.
SEC. T, VOL. n 28
434 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
" I think the best way to salt skins on the ro^ks is to build up a place with rocks high enough
to let the rain water run under them. Take the largest skins and form a circle with the tails in
the center, each skin laid down blubber side up. After rubbing well with salt and leaving enough
on to cure it, which will depend, of coarse, on the size and thickness of the skin, take and fold in
the sides far enough to take in the nipper boles. Then fold over the neck far enough so that it
will not turn back. By so doing the outer edges of the circle will be kept the highest and will
keep in all the pickle. If the edges get too high the small skins can be salted spread out flat in
the center.
" When taken on board the vessel the skins should be examined, and if there are any places
that are clear of salt and feel soft and look pinky, and a little thicker than the rest of the skin, care
should be taken to rub salt well into those parts. On board the vessel they can be salted any-
where that there is room to form a kench clear of water underneath, or they can be booked up and
stowed away.
" To book a skin, fold the sides just as in kenching, then fold neck and tail in until they meet
equal, and then fold again. A large skin would have to be folded more times than a small one.
" There are a few things that are handy for the men to have on the rocks, such as a small hook
like a cotton hook, for each man; also a hook or two for each rock, like a chain-hook, only shorter,
shanked with an eye large enough to bend a rope in. These are very useful to haul seal out of
caves, gulches, and cracks in the rocks. Almost always in killing a large number of seals at one
time a good many will tumble down in gulches in heaps. These should be hauled out as soon as
possible and laid separate on the rocks so as not to heat. If there are a great many and the day is
warm it would be well to rip them open and let the heat out.
" In resalting skins for shipment I just cover the lower head of the cask with salt, book up
the skins, stow in a course as tight as possible, stamp them down, sprinkle salt on them, and so
on with successive layers until the cask is full."
FUR-SEAL HUNTING IN 1797.
In the unpublished diary of Eben Townsend, before alluded to, we find the following interesting
account of the manner of taking the fur-seals and the care of their skins in the early days of the
fishery.
Under date of States Harbor, Falkland Islands, December 25, 1797, Mr. Townsend says :
" In the middle of winter we left James Ellis on one of the islands to take care of skins. He
carelessly got out of fire, and was without it fifteen days. The principal inconvenience was that
he could not cook, was obliged to eat his limpets and pork raw. He did not suffer from the cold.
The fuel used by a sealing crew among these islands is the blubber or fat of the seal. This makes
the men nearly as black as negroes. They cook the haslet with the fat of the seal both for fuel
and fat, and it tastes very much like a hog's haslet. A sealing crew want a good stock of bread,
molasses, and peas for coifee, and they can get along with little beef and pork, but to be out of
bread or molasses for sweetening their coffee is very uncomfortable. They get very much attached
to what they call slops, which is tea and coffee, in this cold uncheerful country. We now have
on board about 30,000 fur-seal skins, which we have got by great exertion. I believe every
island where there was any prospect for seals has been thoroughly examined. We calculated on
getting our cargo at these islands and are much disappointed at not having any more. There are
some few hair-seals and sea-elephants among these islands, but they are now pretty well cleared
of everything but birds and hogs.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 435
"The fur-seal which we take have been by travelers distinguished by the name of sea-dogs and
the ursine seal. "We call the male 'old wigs' and the female 'clapmatches.' The hair-seal
males are called sea-lions and the females 'clapmatches' also. The young seals are called 'pups'
until they are old enough to be called yearlings. The hair-seals and the fur-seals never associate.
The former always take a sandy beach and the latter always take a rocky one. They generally
lay in rookeries of from three hundred to several thousand. We take them by getting between
them and the water, and being frightened they huddle together when they are easily killed by a
blow over the nose with a walnut stick about 3 feet long. They sometimes break through for the
water and it is almost impossible to stop them. The old wigs take the lead and the others follow
like sheep. They are sometimes on very high ground, but they will go off a precipice 50 feet,
falling on their breast without apparent injury. Two or three years ago a man was knocked off
by them from a high rock and dashed to pieces. They are not dangerous if a good lookout is kept,
for they move slowly. Our men sometimes get bit by them, but it is through carelessness. After
they are killed the next thing is to skin them. The blubber is generally taken off with the skin,
as it is less labor than to skin close. The skins are then laid on a slab or tanner's beam, and the
blubber all taken off very clean, close to the skin, with what the tanners call a beaming knife.
After this they are all to be washed clean, the flipper holes sewed up, and carried to the pegging
ground, which is frequently a considerable distance, and sometimes en another island. The pegging
ground must be good clean ground, where it is clean and free enough from stones or rocks to get
the pegs down easily with the hand. They are pegged out with ten pegs each, and one good long
clear summer day will make them fit to come out of the pegs, but in this country •w'e frequently
leave them down a week, and sometimes three weeks. After they are out of the pegs, they are to
be stacked and allowed to sweat a little, and in this way they are to be spread and stacked several
times before they are sufficiently cured to take on board the ship. During the whole time they
are in the pegs we are trimming them where they may curl so as not to receive the sun, and
scraping them with our knives to remove whatever blubber may be left on them. While aboard
ship they must be frequently shifted and beat to keep the worms out. The skins taken in the
winter must be salted and freshened in the spring. This requires considerable labor, as they must
be carried on board the ship to be salted, and then taken ashore to be dried. From West Point
we had to carry the skins about 4 miles to the pegging ground, but it was by water. They were
then carried up hill on our backs. There is a great deal of labor in getting a cargo of skins, but
we would not mind that if we could find them. The seal produce young yearly, generally two
pups; those among the islands appear to lay on the rocks most of the time. During the last two
spring months they are off the rocks most of the time, probably to wean their pups, as the pups
remain on the rocks. They remain off till near the pupping time again, which is early in the
summer. The old wigs are very much scarred from their battles for the females. * * * Our
shoes were not expensive here, as we generally wore moccasins. Taking a green seal skin, we put
a foot on it and cut around it, sew up the heel, and run a string round the toe, which draws it
up, and tie it on the instep. By walking it becomes leathered and soft to the foot. Hats got to be
a very scarce article. Some made seal skin hats. I did my own washing and ironing, and did
it well. Perhaps you would have langhed to see me ironing, but we have no idlers and boys.
Steward and all go sealing."
CAPTURE OF SEA-ELEPHANTS AND CARE OP THE OEL.
The bulls or full-aged male sea-elephants are enormous animals, varying from 12 to 24 feet in
length and from 10 to 15 feet in circumference. The females are scarcely one-third the size.
436 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Males alone have an elongated suout or proboscis, which has given this species of seals the name
of sea-elephants. When the bulls first land they are very fat, some of them yielding about 4 barrels
of oil, but after remaining on shore for months and abstaining from food they are very lean and
emaciated, and yield scarcely more than 30 gallons.
"The teeth of sea-elephants," says Lanman, "are short and deeply rooted, the molars small
and pointed, and the caverns very large, and the power of their jaws so great that an angry bull
has been known to seize a dead comrade, weighing a ton, and toss him a considerable distance, as
a dog would a mouse.
" When quite young they are called silver-gray pups, from their color, but as they mature
they become brown, the males inclining to a dark blue, and the females to a yellow shade; their
home is the sea, but they have a fashion of spending much of their time upon the shore, occasion-
ally going inland 2 or 3 miles, and luxuriating in fresh-water marshes." *
The sea-elephants annually haul up in herds upon the sandy beaches of barren islands. Their
habits are in many respects -similiar to the fur-seal, and the periods spent on land are divided into
the bull, pupping-cow, brown cow, bull and cow, and March bull seasons. In the early part of Sep-
tember the bulls approach the shore and are soon followed by the cows, when the pupping season
begins. About the middle if December, the young being old enough to take the water, the whole
breeding herd leaves the shore. By the 1st of January, the yearlings, accompanied by a few
females, called brown cows, come on shore to renew their coats. In February the full grown males
and females do the same, and by the 1st of May all, both young and old, have disappeared.
This animal produces nothing of commercial importance but the oil. The hide is porous, like
pig skin, and is not utilized except by the sealers for coverings to their huts. The sealers often
use the meat for food. The season for taking the sea-elephant at Heard's Island commences about
the middle of October. They are then quite numerous, and will not leave the beaches. When the
season begins, casks and camp equipage are transferred from the larger vessel to the tender.
The tender then cruises along shore and on favorable beaches, where the surf will permit their
landings, boat crews of seven men each are set ashore, furnished with implements of capture.
At a place near the shore try-works are set up and a hut built for the accomodation of the
men. One set of try-works is usually enough for all the boat crews who bring the blubber to the
rendezvous. The huts are often of the rudest sort, being made of stone and covered with sea-
elephant hides. Sticks are taken for hut poles. At Desolation the blubber is taken off to the
vessel to be tried out, but at Heard's Island this work is more frequently done on shore.
In the capture of sea-elephants it is the custom of the sealers to go in the midst of a herd of
the animals as they lie sleeping upon the sandy shores, and with a stout oak club strike the young
animals upon the head, stunning them so that they are easily killed by thrusting a lance in their
side. The young ones are thus easily dispatched and the larger animals are generally docile and
killed without difficulty with the lance, though the great bulls must be killed with a rifle. The
sealer advancing in front of an animal to within a few paces, it will rise on the fore flippers and
at the same time open the mouth widely to send forth a loud roar ; this is the moment to discharge
the ball through the roof of the upper jaw into the brains, whereupon the creature falls forward,
either killed or so much stunned as to give the sealer sufficient time to complete the destruction
with the lance.
Having killed as many as can be conveniently cared for at the time, the men proceed to skin
the animals and take the blubber. For this work they use a ripping knife with 10-inch blade.
The skin is first removed and then the blubber is stripped from the meat, in what are called " horse
* CHARLES LAJHUAN, in Forest and Stream, January 2, 1879.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 437
pieces," that are usually from li to 2 feet long, and about 15 inches wide; in thickness they vary
from 1 to 4 inches, according to the fatness of the animal. The blubber is now strung upon back
poles or piled in wheel-barrows and taken to a running stream, where the sand and blood are
washed off, and the pieces cut into strips about 2 inches wide which can be dropped into the bung-
hole of casks that have been rolled to the spot. If, after stripping the animals, the blubber cannot
be immediately cared for, it is buried in the snow or sand beyond the reach of birds, which are
continually hovering about, and which devour the carcasses of the slain seals.
\Yhen convenient, as at Heard's Island, it is customary to erect try-works near the shore or
running stream, where the blubber can be turned into oil and made ready for transportation to
the vessel. It is often a work of extreme difficulty to get the blubber to the try-works, for it is
sometimes carried several miles over slippery icebergs and rocky shores.
To prepare the blubber for the try-pot the strips that are now about 2 feet long, and 1 to 2
inches in width, are partially cut through at intervals of about an inch, and these strings of email
pieces are ready for boiling.
The blubber of the sea-elephant is harder to boil than whale blubber. From try-works of
100 gallons capacity about 900 gallons of oil can be turned out daily.
Scraps remaining in the try-works are passed through a press to extract any oil that may be
left after the boiling process; after coming from the press the scraps are used for fuel.
If the blubber is tried out on shore it is often a difficult task to get the casks of oil off
to the vessel. To prepare a cask for rafting the quarter hoops are lifted and some beckets put
on and the hoops are then replaced. The casks, sometimes to the number of fifteen or twenty, are
bent on to the raft line at some distance apart, so that they will not strike one another, and are
thus pulled to the side of the tender, which is anchored near the shore. Sometimes the raft-line
is over 300 fathoms long.
Frequently the blubber is tried out on board the vessel, in which case the horse pieces
from the animal are transferred from the beach to the tender by means of a raft rope, which is
about 3 fathoms long, with an eye spb'ce in one end, to which pieces of blubber are made fast and
taken to the edge of the surf. The end of the rope is thrown to a boat just outside the breakers,
and the raft of blubber is towed to the tender or vessel. This rafting process is called by the
sealers " rock hopping."
Captain Scaminon gives some account of the manner of hunting the sea-elephant at Heard's
and Desolation Islands. He says :
" When parties from different vessels are located on the same beach the custom is for all to
work together when killing the animals, as well as when skinning and cutting the blubber from
the bodies into ' horse pieces.' These are thrown into one or more piles, after which the men of
each party are ranged in squads, and each one, in turn, draws a piece from the heap, until all is
disposed of. These divisions are made whenever the animals are found and killed in any consid-
erable numbers; and if far from the rendezvous the blubber is 'backed' or rolled in casks to the
main depot. 'Backing' is the stringing of eight or ten pieces on a pole, which is carried on the
shoulders of two men ; but if a cask is used, three men are allotted to each one of six or eight bar-
rel's capacity, to roll which the distance of 2 miles is allowed to be a day's work. * * *
" While the ship is away, homeward bound, or returning to Heard's Island for another cargo,
the tender may be at Desolation Island, picking up what scattering elephants can be found upon
shores that once swarmed with millions of those huge beasts; or a short whaling cruise is made,
until the time comes for commencing operations at the island.
"Hunting for the scattering animals about the shores of Desolation Island, between seasons
438 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE F1SHERIBS.
is the most exposed arid solitary pursuit either in the whale or seal fishery. The tender takes a
detachment of the crew, and plies along the island coast, landing one or two men on each of the
best beaches, with a supply of water and provisions ; a teut or shanty is erected, partly of wood,
partly of canvas ; and the skins of the elephants furuish the floor, couch, and covering of the
temporary habitation. Here the banished bun ler or hunters rest at night after the fatigues of rang-
ing along the shore, killing and flaying the animals met with, and transporting the blubber to a
place of deposit, where it is buried, to prevent the gulls from devouring it, until taken aboard.
As the season returns at Hoard's Island, the vessels are usually ' on the ground ' ; the treacherous
surf is again passed and repassed in the light, frail whale-boats, landing the fresh crew from home,
who relieve those who have thus literally ' seen the elephant.' The time passes quickly away in
the excitement of killing and flensing and again the floating fragment of the world departs for
the land of civilization, leaving her last crew from home to pass an Antarctic winter amid the
solitude of ice bergs and the snow-covered peaks of the mountain land. No passing sail is seen to
break the monotony of their voluntary exile ; even many varieties of sea-birds found at Desolation
Island do not deign to visit them. Multitudes of penguins, however, periodically resort to the
island, and their eggs, together with the tongues of the sea elephants, and one or two kinds of fish,
furnish a welcome repast for all hands, by way of change from that substantial fare called 'salt-
horse ' and ' hard-tack.' Beside the close stoves in their apartments, which are heated with coal
from the ship or the fat of the elephant pups, and the flickerings of a murky oil-lamp, the long
winter evenings are passed in smoking and playing amusing games, 'old sledge' and 'seven up'
being favorites, and the reckless joking that circulates among adventurers who make light of ill-
luck and turn reverses into ridicule."*
The heavy surf about Heard's Island and the rocky shores make the place very dangerous to
vessels, and many disasters have occurred there. Against the perpendicular cliffs at the north-
westerly end of the island the schooner Frank was dashed to pieces. The crew was rescued by
the noble efforts of one of their number, who with great difficulty climbed the rough cliffs and
helped his comrades off. In 1860 the schooner Exile was driven ashore at Whisky Bay. The
schooner R. B. Sawyer was lost at Stoney Beach, and the schooner Mary Powell was wrecked at a
great flat iceberg south of Fairchild's Beach. On a reef of rocks near the long sandy point at the
southerly end of the island the Alfred, of Fairhaven, and the R. B. Coleman were driven ashore
and wrecked.
Capt. Alfred Turner was at Heard's Island in February, 1863, in the schooner Pacific. No
other vessels were there at the time. Three men were left on board as ship-keepers while the crew
were ashore hunting elephants. The anchor chains parted in a gale at night. The foresail was
set but they could not succeed in getting the vessel off shore, so they drove her on a sandy beach,
and in two hours she went to pieces. The men jumped in the surf and swam ashore. Some
provisions drifted ashore, and these, added to what had been landed for the hunters, sufficed to
keep the entire crew alive till the following October, when another sealing vessel came to the
island and rescued them. During their residence there the men kept at work killing elephants and
trying out the blubber, so that they managed to accummulate considerable oil.
The experience of the crew of the bark Trinity in 1881, mentioned on a preceding page, was
similar that of the Pacific's crew.
* SCAMMON : Marine Mammalia, pp. 123, 113.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES.
439
5. STATISTICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES.
EXTENT OF THE FISHERIES IN 1880.— In 1880 the Antarctic sealing fleet numbered ten vessels,
aggregating 1,277 tons, valued with outfits at $103,000. The crews numbered two hundred aud
seventy-two men. The products for the same year were 9,275 fur-seal skins, valued at $90,431,
aud 42,000 gallons of sea-elephant oil, valued at $21,420. The skins were mostly exported to Lon-
don to be dyed. The oil was refined and used for illuminating purposes, and mixed with sperm
oil for lubrication of machinery. The manner of dressing and dyeing the skins and the prepara-
tion of the oil will be discussed in another section of this report.
The total number of fur-seal skins taken by the Antarctic fleet from 1870 to 1880 was 92,750,
and the quantity of sea-elephant oil brought home during the same period was 1,071,472 gallons.
Earlier statistics of this fishery are given in the review at the beginning of this chapter, and also
in the list of sealing voyages below.
The following tables show the total number and class of vessels in the Antarctic fleet during
each year from 1840 to 1880, and also the number of vessels from the various New England ports
during the same period. The number of individual vessels in the fleet from 1840 to 18SO was 76.
The number and class of Antarctic sealing vesstls and their aggregate tonnage from 1840 to 1880.
Tear.
•a
5d
.ll
$
X
&u
s
Schooners.
Total num-
ber vessels.
j
if
&
Year.
13
a
as
II
S
CO
tc
§
Schooners.
Total num-
ber vessels.
I.
&
is
$
Year.
•o
a
& ED
.l!
&
a
%
Schooners.
Total num-
ber vessels.
§
9
bC
I3
H
1840
2
2
195
1854
8
8
16
3 495
1868
I
5
g
1 124
1841
2
2
3
7
1,194
1855
4
3
7
1 833
1S69
1
4
5
964
1842
2
1
4
7
1 390
1856
6
1
3
10
2 685
1870
4
5
1843
4
1
4
9
1,765
1857
6
1
6
13
3,432
1871
2
6
8
1 463
1844
6
1
6
13
2 180
1858
9
1
g
18
4 527
1872
2
g
g
1 449
1845
3
9
12
1 532
1859
7
1
12
20
4 461
1873
2
10
1°
1 766
1846
2
5
7
1 070
1860
5
6
11
2 600
1874
I
10
11
1 473
1847
3
5
8
1 411
1861
3
7
10
2 167
1875
I
11
12
1 573
1848
4
3
7
1 670
1862
1
5
(}
1 °30
1876
2
10
12
1 771
1849
4
2
6
1 733
1863
1
2
3
563
1877
1
10
11
1 4°2
1850
3
3
6
1 379
1864
1
2
3
652
1878
I
Q
g
1 291
1851. .
4
3
7
1 767
1865
2
3
5
1 137
1879
1
g
9
1 281
1852
4
4
8
1 895
1866
1
4
5
930
1880
I
1
g
10
1 277
1853
7
6
13
2 853
1867
1
4
5
1 038
The number of Antarctic sealing vessels belonging to each port from 1840 to 1881.
Ye»r.
M
K
I
Fairbaven, Mass.
a
g
o
ta
B
OB
t>>
S
Nan tucket, Maes.
New Bedford, Mass.
New London, Conn.
Newport, R. I.
New York, N. T.
Provincetown, Mass.
Stonington, Conn.
Warren, R. I.
1
1840
2
2
1841
1
1
4
1
7
1842
1
5
1
7
1843
1
Q
2
9
1844 „..
1
1
10
1
18
1845
7
5
12
1846
Q
1
7
1847
7
1
g
1848
o
1
7
1849...
.
5
1
8
440
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The number of Antarctic sealing vessels belonging to each porl from 1840 to 1881— Continued.
Year.
Bristol, E. I.
93
ID
1
i
t»
1
9
fc
1
O
.-"
I
E
Nantncket, Mass.
"
a
1
o
W
1
to
New London, Conn.
Newport, E. I.
New York, N. Y.
Provinceton, Mass.
Stonington, Conn.
Warren, R. I.
1
5
1
6
6
1
7
7
1
8
2
8
3
13
3
9
4
16
7
7
10
10
2
11
13
2
1
2
12
1
18
1
3
3
11
2
20
1
2
7
1
11
1861
1
9
10
1
6
6
1863
3
3
1864
3
3
1865
5
5
1866
5
5
1867
4
1
5
1868
5
1
6
1869
5
5
1870
5
5
1871
g
8
1872
g
g
1873
ID
1
1
12
1874
9
1
1
11
1875
Q
1
2
12
1878
10
2
12
1877
g
2
11
1878
t
1
2
9
1879
7
2
9
1880
7
3
10
1881
i
6
3
10
6. LIST OF ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGES FROM 1783 TO 1880.
VOYAGES FROM 1783 TO 1839.
1783 to 1790.
Prior to the Revolutionary war it is probable that no fur-seal voyages were made from the
United States. Shortly after the war the ship States sailed from Boston for the Falkland Islands
and secured a cargo of hair-seal skins and sea-elephant oil. This vessel brought home a few
thousand fur-seal skins as an experiment. She was probably the first vessel regularly fitted from
this country for sealing. Whaling vessels occasionally brought home a small quantity of sea-
elephant oil, obtained while on their regular whaling voyages. In the year 1786 a few vessels were
sent out from Hudson, N. Y., on whaling and sealing voyages.
1790.
From Macy's History of Nantucket we learn the following : " During several years previous
to 1790 many profitable sealing voyages were made from England and other places. This induced
the people of Nantucket to turn their attention to that business, with a view to prosecute it if it
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 441
presented a good prospect of advantage. Sealing was in many respects nearly allied with whaling.
Seals and whales were generally met with on the same coast ; it required as large vessels and as
many men to engage in taking the former as the latter ; the outfits were nearly the same, and the
voyages were of like duration. In 1790 one vessel was fitted out for the coast of Africa, on a
sealing expedition, but the original plan of the voyage was not adhered to, and the cruise was
unsuccessful ; but it had some good effect, for some useful knowledge was acquired respecting the
different parts of the business, which was afterwards prosecuted to a considerable profit."
Two vessels sailed from New Haven, Conn., in 1790 on a fur-seal voyage to Falkland Islands
and South Georgia. One of these, commanded by Capt. Eoswell Woodward, brought a cargo to
the United States. The other vessel, commanded by Capt. Daniel Green, proceeded to Canton,
China, where the skins were exchanged for merchandise. Captain Green on this voyage circum-
navigated the globe.
Captain Patten, of the ship Industry, of Philadelphia, with a part of his crew, remained on
one of the Tristan d'Acunha group of islands from August, 1790 to April, 1791, for the purpose of
collecting fur-seal skins, during which time he obtained 5,600 for the Chinese market, and could,
he says, have loaded a large ship witk oil in three weeks, so abundant were the fur-seals, sea-
lions, and sea elephants.
1792.
A ship sailed from Boston, Mass., in 1792, under Captain Lee, for the Falkland Islands and
Pacific Ocean, whaling and sealing. Betsey, brig, 100 tons, Captain Steele, sailed from New
York May 2, 1792 ; arrived at the Falkland Islands in September. " A full cargo of fur-seal
skins was procured for the brig by the month of January," and the vessel arrived home in June,
1793. Edmund Fanning, who in 1797 sailed again on the Betsey, was one of the crew on this
voyage.*
1793.
Eliza, ship, Capt. W. E. Stewart, of New York, arrived at Canton in March, 1793, with 38,000
fur-seal skins from Mas-a-Fuera. The cargo was sold for $16,000. She had been a long time on
her voyage. This was the first vessel that went to Mas a Fuera for the purpose of procuring seal
skins for the Chinese market. Captain Palmer was in command when she left New York, but he
left her before she arrived in China. Capt. Amasa Delano, of Boston, took command at Canton
and returned with her to the United States, via Cape of Good Hope.t
Schooner Swallow, Capt. Latham Gardner, of Nantucket, sailed for the Falkland Islands in
1793, whaling and sealing; arrived home May 17, 1794.
Capt. William Howell, of New Haven, wrote to his father from the South Sea seal islands, in
1793, that they found plenty of seals, but not knowing how to preserve them they lost one season.J
1796.
Neptune, ship, Capt. D. F. Green, sailed from New Haven, Conn., November 29, 1796, and
arrived at New York February 17, 1799, having taken 50,000 fur-seal skins from Mas a-Fuera to
China, where they were exchanged for goods that yielded over $260,000 in New York. (See sub-
sequent pages for further details of this voyage.)
* Fanning's Voyages. t Delano's Voyages.
t Letter from Charles Peterson, of New Haven. I am indebted to Mr. Peterson for details of several early
voyages.
442 HISTORY AND METHOD'S OF THE FISHERIES.
Mr. Charles Peterson of New Haven, in a letter to Mr. H. W. Hubbell says :
"I have before me the Connecticut Journal, dated at New Haven, July 17, 1799, which
announces the arrival here of the ship Neptune, Capt. Daniel Green, six months from Canton-
sailed October, 1796. The Neptune had been gone two years and eight months. Her voyage was
around Cape Horn to Mas-a-Fuera, where she caught a load of seal skins and took them to Canton
and loaded there for New Haven. She left a part of her crew on Mas-a Fuera under Dr. Fovbes,
who caught another cargo of skins, and the ship immediately returned for them and the skins and
went on to China, making the same voyage as her first one, and the richest voyage ever made out
of this port. The log-book of the second voyage, is now at our historical society."
1797.
Barclay, ship, Capt. Griffen Barney, sailed from New Bedford, Mass., August 25, 1797, for
Pacific Ocean, whaling and sealing; arrived home June 26, 1799, with 700 barrels sperm and 500
barrels whale oil ; had also taken 21,000 fur-seal skins and sold them iu Canton. Mr. F. C. Sanford,
of Nantucket, says: " The Barclay was built at New Bedford by William Botch, of Nantucket, in
1793. When Mr. Rotch returned from London to Nantucket, in 1795, this vessel brought him to
Boston. She had a remarkable career, and was broken up in New Bedford in 1864. She was
once taken by the Spaniards and retaken by Porter (see Farragut's Life by his son)."
Betsey, brig, 100 tons, Capt. Edmund Fanning, of New York, sailed from Stonington, Conn.,
June 13, 1797, on a sealing voyage to coast of Chili. A full cargo of 100,000 fur-seal skins were
procured on the island of Mas-a-Fuera and taken to China, where they were exchanged for teas
and other commodities, with which the vessel, now altered to a ship, arrived in New York April
26, 1799. The owners realized from the voyage a net profit of $52,300.
Maryland, ship, Captain Liscomb, sailed from New Bedford August 25, 1797, for the Pacific
Ocean. The captain, mate, and beat's crew were captured and abused by Spaniards at Saint
Mary's, but were released. The vessel when homeward bound was captured by a French priva-
teer but released after losing 2,000 seal skins. Arrived home 1799, with 20,000 seal skins and 800
barrels sperm oil.
A ship, from Hudson, New York, was sealing at Falkland Islands in 1797, in command of Capt.
David Bunker, also a North River sloop as tender, commanded by Capt. Prince Bunker.
Garland, brig, Capt. Bazilla North, was at the Falkland Islands in 1797, on a sealing voyage.
1798.
Hetty, brig, of New York, Captain Robertson, was on a sealing voyage at Patagonia in 1798.
1799.
Concord, ship, 171 tons, owned by Dudley L. Richardson and others, sailed from Salem, Mass.,
in August, 1799, on a sealing voyage to Mas-a-Fuera and other islands. She proceeded to China,
exchanged her cargo of fur-seal skins for Chinese goods, and arrived home July 17, 1802, one hun-
dred and forty-five days from Canton. The account of the voyage was as follows :
Ship cost $7,500, outfits$6,180 $13,680
Expenses of voyage and crew 11,462
Total expenses 25,142
Vessel and cargo sold at auction at Salem, July 28, 1802, net $67, 794.56.
Minerva, ship, Capt. Mayhew Folger, of Nantucket, sailed from Salem in October, 1799, and
arrived home May 3, 1802, one hundred and fifty-three days from Canton. Felt's Annals of Salem,
under date of May 10, 1802, says : "The ship Minerva, belonging to Clifford Crowinshield and
T1JK ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 443
Nathaniel West, has lately retumed t'lom Chiiui. She sailed round Cape Horn under Capt. Folger
from Nantucket. Stopped one degree south of Cbiloe, went to island of Mas-<i-Fuera; heie she took
seal, wintered at South Lima, and proceeded to China. She came back round Cape of Good Hope.
She was the first Salem vessel that circumnavigated the globe." The Salem Gazette of May 4
1802, says: "Arrived 3d, ship Minerva, Captain Folger, one hundred and fifty three days from
Cautou, and sailed from this port October, 1799, on sealing voyage and has been successful."
Neptune, ship, Captain Howell, sailed from New Haven in 1799 on a sealing voyage to Mas-a-
Fuera and China. Captain Green, who commanded the Neptune on her previous very successful
voyage, had left a crew of men on the island of Mas-a-Fuera. The skins secured by this crew, with
additional ones taken by Captain Howell, were sold in China, and a profitable voyage made.
Oneida, ship, Captain Briutnall, of Nantucket, sailed from New York in 1799 for Mas-a-Fuera
and made a splendid voyage. The Oneida arrived home with a valuable cargo of goods from China.
Perseverance, ship, Capt. Amasa Delano, sailed from Boston, Mass., November 10, 1799, on a
sealing voyage to coas* of Chili ; got a cargo of fur-seal skins and exchanged them at Canton,
China, for teas, sugars, &c., with which the vessel arrived home November, 1802.
Prudence, sloop, Capt. Jonathan Paddock, sailed in 1799 from Nautucket, Mass., for Pata-
gonia on a whaling and sealing voyage. Arrived home July 17, 1802; no report.
Regulator, of New York, lost at South Georgia in 1799. Her cargo of 14,000 fur-seal skins,
together with sails, cables, and other articles saved from the wreck, were sold to an English seal-
ing ship.
Captain Hubbell, of New Haven, went on a sealing voyage in 1799 and returned iu 1802, sail
ing round the world.
1800.
Alexander, ship, Captain Dodge, of Boston, bound on a fur-trading voyage to northwest coast
of America, in the spring of 1800, left a boat crew on St. Ambrose Island to kill fur-seals, intending
to return for them in the fall of that year. Made a ruinous voyage.*
Aspasia, armed Corvette, sailed from New York under Capt. Edmund Fanning May 11, 1800,
on a sealing and exploring voyage to the South Seas. At South Georgia 57,000 fur-seal skins
were secured and taken to China. Captain Fanning reported that at South Georgia sixteen other
American and English vessels procured 65,000 fur-seal skins from November, 1800, to February,
1801. On his way to China he stopped on the coast of Chili, where it was learned that there
were upwards of thirty American sealing vessels, whose cargoes were destined for the China
market.
Miantonomah, ship, Capt. Valentine Swain, sailed from Norwich, Conn., September 5, 1800,
bound for the coast of Chili on a sealing voyage. The vessel was seized by the Spanish and con-
demned at Valparaiso, 1801 ; had taken 50,000 seal skins that spoiled after the seizure but were
subsequently paid for by the Spanish Government.
Little Sarah, schooner, arrived at Norwich, Conn., in 1800, with 7,000 fur-seal skins and 6,000
hair-seal skins from southern oceans.
Sally, ship, Capt. Nathaniel Storer, sailed from New Haven May 22, 1800, arrived home Juno
2, 1803. Concerning this voyage Capt. Peter Storer, aged ninety years, in a letter to the author
dated, Westville, Conn. March 15, 1882, says :
" My father, Nathaniel Storer, commanded the ship Sally on a sealing voyage in 1800, and took
me along with him. I was then nine years and nine months old. We sailed from New Haven
* Manuscript notes of Capt. Caleb Briutnall.
444 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the 22d day of May, 1800, for the coast of Patagonia, where we built our shallop, a schooner of
28 tons, and went to the Falkland Islands in December, 1800, where we took a few skins. From
there we went to South Georgia, and at that island took the greater part of our cargo of fur-seal
skins. We sealed two seasons at South Georgia, 1801 and 1802. We dried the skins at Hurl
Gate Harbor, on the Patagonian coast, and left there early in 1803. Sailing round Cape Horn, we
stopped at all the seal islands on the Pacific coast but got only a few skins. We then sailed for
the Sandwich Islands, where we stopped two or three days and then left for Canton, China, about
the middle of 1802. We arrived at Canton in November with about 45,000 fur-seal skins, all cured
and dried, but had to sell them for 87£ cents apiepe, which was bad news for all hands. We left
Canton for home the last of January, 1803, by the way of the Cape of Good Hope, with a cargo
of tea, silk, nankeens, &c., and arrived at New Haven on the 2d of June, 1803, after a voyage of
three years and ten days. Three men died on the voyage.
" The ship Sally was built on the Connecticut River, opposite Middletown, and was 230 or 240
tons burthen. She was a 20-gun ship, with a crew of officers and men numbering 45. She had
1C waist guns, 4 pounders, and 4 swivels; also small arms, boarding pikes, &c., and was what you
may call a letter of marque, ready to fight her way if necessary. I was powder-monkey for the
two guns aft on the starboard side, and was much pleased when the drum beat to quarters.
" Eben H. Mix was supercargo of the Sally, and Joseph Driggs was doctor; both these men
lived in Middletown, Conn. The Cowles, of Farmington, Conn., were owners in the ship. I don't
think there is one of the crew living that was in the ship with me. When I look back and think
of that voyage I can hardly realize that it is so. Only think, eighty -two years ago last January
I was running on sea-elephants' backs on the island of South Georgia, where these animals lay in
rows on the beach."
Mr. Charles Peterson writes that Capt. N. Storer went on another sealing voyage in the ship
Huntress, but was never heard from.
Trial, ship, Capt. Thomas Coffin, of Nantucket, sailed in 1800 on a sealing voyage on the
Chilian coast. She was seized by the Spaniards and condemned at Valparaiso in 1801.
1801.
Brothers, ship, Captain Kidder, of Nantucket, and ship Favorite, Captain Jonathan Paddock,
went on a sealing voyage to Chili about the year 1801, and so on to China, and returned to Nantucket
with cargoes of silks and other Chinese products.
Mars, ship, Capt. Uriah Swain, sailed from Nantucket in 1800 or 1801, and returned August
12, 1802. She secured a load of fur-seal skins at Mas-a-Fuera and other islands, and took them to
China, and made a good voyage. Mr. F. C. Sanford says: "This vessel wound up at Baltimore
in 1813, being one of those that was sunk in the harbor to prevent the English attack upon that
city. Captain Swain, of the ship Mars, consorted at Mas-a-Fuera with ship Pagassus, of New York,
which was subsequently lost on that island. They buried $40,000, and Swain took it up by agree-
ment, and accounted for it in New York on his return home."
The schooner Grace Greenwood, of New Haven, made a successful sealing voyage to
Mas-a-Fuera and other Pacific islands, and returned to the United States in 1802.
Oneida, ship, Capt. Caleb Brintnall, sailed from New York in 1801 on a sealing voyage to the
Pacific Ocean.
Captain Scannon, in his History of the American Whale Fishery, states that the sealing fleet
oft' the coast of Chili in 1801 numbered thirty sail of vessels, most of which were under the Ameri-
can flag.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 445
1802.
Eliza, ship, Captain Bunker, sailed from Nantucket in July. 1802, bound for southern seas on
a sealing voyage.
Sbip Huron, Captain Moulthorp, of New Haven, sailed September 2 on sealing voyage to coast
of Chili. Brought home 19,000 hair-seal skins obtained on the islands of Mecca, St. Marys, and
Lobos. Returned to Chili, and from the island of Mas-a-Fuera, in March, 1S05, took on board about
15,000 fur-seal skins taken or purchased by the men left there on the previous voyage. Proceeded
to Canton, where the skins were sold at 95 cents each, and a cargo of articles taken for Hamburg.
The Huron sailed thence to St. Petersburg and arrived home October 30, 1806.
Lady Adams, ship, 230 tons, Captain Fitch, sailed from Nantucket August 24, 1802, on a seal-
ing voyage to southern seas. Was last reported bound to China with 32,000 fur-seal skins.
Mr. F. C. Sauford, of Nantucket, says:
" The ship Lady Adams made a sealing voyage in 1801. I have the journal of this voyage that
was made to Chili and thence to Canton, where she exchanged the seal skins for teas, silks, &c.,
and came home in company with the ships Essex, of Salem, and Gossimer, of Philadelphia. The
Lady Adams went whaling from here after that, making splendid voyages, and burned up in Japan
in 1823. None saved from her. She was a very pretty ship. Obed Fitch was her commander,
and was in the same line of Dr. Franklin, from a famous stock. He came iu the ship Mars from
a voyage to Europe, when she was sunk at Baltimore as before stated. When the Essex arrived
at Salem our folks here purchased her in 1804. She made many whaling voyages, and was stove
by a whale between Marquesas and Tahita in 1820. Her men were in boats over ninety days, and
suftVred terribly, being obliged to eat some of their own number."
Minerva, ship, 200 tons, Capt. Jones, sailed from Nantucket in 1802 for the Pacific Ocean,
whaling and sealing. Procured 23,000 seals skins and took them to China. Vessel arrived home
in August, 1804.
1803.
Alliance, ship, Captain Gardner, sailed from Nantucket for Patagonia in 1803. Arrived home
April 14, 1804, full of sea-elephant oil. Arrived from another voyage iu April, 1805, full of sea-
elephant oil.
Dispatch, ship, Captain Howard, of Hartford, was sealing on the coast of Chili in 1803. In
four mouths took 8,000 hair-seal skins.
Draper, ship. Captain Howell, of New Haven, was sealing at St. Mary's Island, coast of Chili,
in 1803.
Perseverance, ship, Capt. Amasa Delano, sailed from Boston September 1!5, 1803, for the coast
of Chili on a sealing voyage. Secured a cargo of fur-seal skins and took them to China. Arrived
at Boston July 26, 1807.
Pilgrim, schooner, 02 tons, Capt. Samuel Delano, sailed from Boston September 25. 1803, as
tender to the Perseverance, on a sealing voyage to coast of Chili. Took a cargo of 13,000 fur-seal
skins to China, where the vessel and cargo were sold.
Rachael, ship, Captain Bunker, of Salem, was at Mas-a-Feura in 1803.
Mr. Joel Root says that several other American sealing vessels and about one hundred and
fifty men reported on Mas a-Fuera in this year.
Rebecca, ship, Captain Pitts, of New York, lauded a sealing gang on the island of Mocca in
1803.
Union, brig, Capt. Isaac Peudletou, sailed from New York in 1803 on a sealing voyage on the
446 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
Australian coast. Discovered Border's Island in latitude 34° 47' south, longitude east of Paris
136° 41'. A small schooner was here built for further exploration. Fourteen thousand fur-seal
skius were secured at Border's Island and landed at Sydney, Australia. The island of South Anti-
podes was rediscovered and a sealing gang of twelve men left there. The Union sailed from
Sydney on a voyage to the Feejee Islands and was lost. The crew left on the Antipodes secured
60,000 prime fur-seal skins, which were taken to China in an English vessel chartered by Mr. Lord
at Sydney. The schooner sailed from Sydney on a southern cruise in search of new seal islands, and
was never heard from.*
Volunteer, brig, Captain Jenkins, sailed from Hudson, N. T., for Patagonia in 1803 ; last
reported with 300 barrels whale oil and some seal skins.
Mr. F. C. Sanford, of Nantucket, writes :
" After 1800 we had many ships in the sealing trade. The ship Rose, Capt. James Gary, made
three voyages between 1803 and 1813, when she was taken by the English and went to England
with a load of tea. This vessel was built at Nautucket. The ship Criterion, Capt. Peter Chase,
sailed on a sealing voyage from Boston for Mr. Samuel Parkman."
1804.
Commerce, ship, Captain Eldrige, sailed from Nantucket in 1804 for the Pacific Ocean. Re-
turned February 15, 1806, full of sea-elephant oil. Captain Eldridge died on the voyage in 1804.
Catherine, ship, Capt. Henry Fanning, sailed from New York in 1804 or 1805 on a sealing voy-
age to the Australian coast and Crozet Islands. An officer and sealing crew were left at Prince
Edward Island, and the vessel, after visiting Cape of Good Hope for the winter, proceeded in search
of the Crozet Islands. Captain Fanning, after considerable search, was fortunate in rediscovering
these islands, and he, with his men, were the first human beings to land there. Abundance of fur-
seal were found, and a gang of men left there who would remain until the next season, when another
vessel, to be sent out under Mr. Fanning's agency, would visit these islands. The Catherine pro-
ceeded to China with her cargo of skins. Two other sealing vessels obtained cargoes at these
islands at the same time as the Catherine, one a ship from Boston, under Captain Percival, the
other from Hudson.*
1805.
Vancouver, ship, Captain Brown, was at Mas-a-Fuera in January, 1805, and supplied the'sealers
there with food. The Vancouver was either on a sealing voyage or was bound on a trading voy-
age to the northwest coast.
A vessel in command of Captain Delano, of Boston, was fur sealing on the island of St. Am-
brose, near Mas-a-Fuera in the spring of 1805.
1806.
Catherine, ship, Capt. H. Fanning, made a sealing voyage about the year 1806 to Crozet and
Prince Edward Islands, southeast of Cape of Good Hope. Secured a cargo on the latter islands,
where other vessels the same year obtained full cargoes.
1807.
Union, brig, Captain Hussey, sailed from Nantucket for Patagonia in 1807, and arrived tome
March 12, 1808, with oil and seal skins.
Triumph, ship, Capt. Caleb Brintnall, of New Haven, January 9, 1807, to August, 1809, on a
fur-sealing voyage to Falkland, Mas-a-Fuera, and other seal islands ; sailed thence to China with
60,000 fur-seal skins.
•Fanning's Voyages.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 447
1808.
Topaz, ship, Captain Folger, of Boston, was on a sealing voyage in 1808, and rediscovered
Pitcairn Island.
1811.
Manilla, ship, Captain McCleave, sailed from Nantucket for Patagonia in 1811, and was cap-
tured within five days' sail of Nantucket by the English letter of marque Tiger, in 1812, full of sea-
elephant oil.
1812.
Nanina, brig, Capt. Valentine Barnard, of Hudson, sailed from New York April 4, 1812, for
the Falkland Islands on a whaling and sealing voyage. Arrived there, the English brig Isabella,
with a number of passengers, was found wrecked. The English officers offered Captain Barnard
all of the Isabella's cargo which could be saved if he would rescue them, to which he replied that
his sense of duty commanded him to relieve them without reference to compensation ; nevertheless,
if they so desired, he would take the remnant of the wrecked cargo as some repayment for a spoiled
voyage. Captain Barnard received the officers, crew, and passengers of the Isabella on board his
vessel, and to reward him for his exertions and loss bis vessel and crew were infamously betrayed
into the hands of English authorities, and he and his crew brutally treated. Tidings of the affair
coining to the ears of the English naval commander in those waters, he dispatched a vessel to
release the American captives. Captain Barnard's protest appears in the Hudson Bee in 1814.*
1815.
Belvidere, brig, Captain Baxton, sailed from Nantucket for Patagonia May 18, 1815, and arrived
home March 6, 1816, with 840 barrels sea elephant oil.
General Scott, ship, whaling and sealing from Hudson, N. Y., in 1815. Made a poor voyage
because of inexperience.
Lydia, ship, 160 tons, Captain McCleave, sailed from Nantucket for Patagonia May 16, 1815,
and arrived home March 10, 1816, with 1,012 barrels sea-elephant oil.
Maria, schooner, Captain Worth, sailed from Nantucket for Patagonia in 1815, and arrived
home April 2, 1816, with 700 barrels sea-elephant oil.
Volunteer, ship, sailed from New York in 1815 on a sealing voyage. Left a boat's crew on
Falkland Islands to gather seal skins, and proceeded to Mas-a Fuera, where 2,000 fur-seal skins and
2,000 hair-seal skins were obtained ; arrived home in 1817.
Zephyr, ship, Capt. Caleb Brinfcnall,of New Haven, made a sealing voyage to the South Seas
in 1815.
1816.
Indus, brig, 262 tons, Captain Joy, sailed from Nantucket for Patagonia May 17, 1816, and
arrived home July 1, 1817, with 1,430 barrels sea elephant oil.
Triumph, ship, Capt. Caleb Brintuall, of New Haven, made a sealing voyage in 1816 or 1817
to the Chilian coast and China. Mr. Mix, the supercargo, was poisoned at the Sandwich Islands.
1817.
Mary, brig, Captain Howland, sailed from New Bedford for Patagonia in May 1817, and
arrived home February 17, 1818, with 1,300 barrels sea-elephant oil.
* STARBUCK : Report on the American Whale Fishery, 1876.
448 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
Sea Fox, ship, sailed from New York for Falkland Islands in 1817, and arrived home in 1818
with 5,000 fur-seal skins and 1,000 barrels sea-elephant oil.
William Thacher, ship Captain Tucker, sailed from New Bedford for Patagonia in May, 1817,
and arrived home February 7, 1818, full of sea-elephant oil.
1818.
Frederick, brig, sailed from Stonington in 1818, on a sealing voyage to Pacific Ocean; got a
cargo of 25,000 hair-seal skins on St. Mary's Island.
Gleaner, brig, Captain Leslie, sailed from New Bedford for .Patagonia in May, 1818, and
arrived home January 10, 1819, with 1,030 barrels sea-elephant oil.
Governor Hawkins, ship, Captain Coffin, sailed from Philadelphia in 1818 on a sealing voyage
and arrived home in 1819 with 4,000 fur-seal skins and 350 barrels sea-elephant oil. Captain
Coffin died on the voyage.
1819.
Gleaner, brig, Captain Leslie, sailed from New Bedford for Patagonia in May, 1819, and re-
turned March 19, 1820, with a cargo of sea-elephant oil.
Hersilia, brig, Capt. James P. Sheffield, sailed from Stoningtou, Conn., in July, 1819, bound
on an exploring and sealing voyage, and arrived home in the spring of 1820 with 11,000 choice
fur-seal skins from New South Shetlands, the first cargo brought from those islands.
1820.
Diana, brig, Captain Bunker, sailed from Nantucket in 1820 on a sealing voyage to South
Atlantic Ocean.
Esther O'Kane, schooner, of Boston, was at the South Shetlands on a sealing voyage in 1820.
General Knox, ship, Captain Orne, sailed from Saletn, Mass., in 1820, for South Shetlauds,
and arrived home June 6, 1821, with 5,000 fur-seal skins and 600 barrels sea-elephant oil.
Brig Henry and schooner Aurora sailed from New York in 1820, on a sealing voyage to South
Shetlands, and arrived home in 1821 with cargoes of fur-seal skins.
Schooner Huntress, Capt. Chris. Burdick, and brig William and Nancy, Capt. Tristram Fol-
ger, sailed from Nantucket in 1820, on sealing voyages to Soutk Shetlauds, and arrived home in
1821.
Nancy, brig, Captain Upton, sailed from Salem, Mass., in 1820, for Falkland and South Shet-
land Islands on a sealing voyage, and arrived home May 27, 1822, with 1,800 fur-seal skins and
100 barrels sea-elephant oil.
A fleet of vessels sailed from Stonington, Conn., in fall of 1820 on sealing voyages to South
Shetlands. This was the first fleet fitted for sealing at these islands. Most of the vessels arrived
home in 1821, with an aggregate of 88,000 fur-seal skins and 1,007 barrels sea-elephant oil. The
brig Clothier was wrecked on the rocky shores of South Shetlands, and sealers tell me that por-
tions of the vessel may still be seen there. The names of the vessels were as follows : Sloop Hero,
Capt. Nath. Palmer; schooners Express, Captain Williams, and Free Gift, Captain Dunbar ; brigs
Catherine, Clothier, Emmeline, Frederick, and Hersilia.
1821.
Charity, brig, Captain Barnard, sailed from New York in 1821 for South Shetlands, and arrived
home in May, 1822, with 8,000 fur-seal skins and some oil.
Essex, sloop, Captain Chester, sailed from Stoniugton in 1821 for South Shetlands, andarrived
TIM'] ANTARCTIC >SKAL I'M SI I KIM MS. 44<j
home in April, 1822, with 2(10 ham-Is sea -elephant oil aiid some fur-seal skins; was tender to the
Stoniugton fleet.
General Scott, brig, sailed from New London, Conn., for South Shetland:* on 1821, and arrived
home in .May, 1S22, with 1,201) fur seal skins and 300 barrels sea-elephant oil.
Harmony, schooner, Captain Hodges, sailed from Nuntiidcct in 1S21, on a sealing voyage to
South Shetlauds and returned June 10, 1822, with 1,000 fur-seal skins, and 250 barrels sea-elephant
oil.
Huron, ship, Captain Davis, sailed from New Haven, Conn., in 1821 for South Shetlands, and
secured a cargo of 12,000 fur-seal skins, 700 barrels sea-elephant oil.
James Munroe, sloop, Captain Palmer, sailed from Newport, E. L, in 1821 for South Shetlands,
and arrived home April 20, 1822, full of oil and furs.
Wasp, schooner, arrived at New York in 1821 with 700 barrels sea-elephant oil; arrived again
in May, 1822, with cargo of hair-seal skins, and sailed June 30, 1822, under Capt. Benjamin Morrell,
on a sealing voyage to South Pacific Ocean. The vessel was sold at Valparaiso in 1824, and h«r
cargo of 7,000 fur-seal skins was shipped home in ship Endeavor, of Salem, Mass.
Six vessels sailed from Stoniugton, Conn., in fall of 1821, and returned in 1822, of which no
record has been found; one of these vessels returned from South Shetlands with 404 fur-seal skins.
The entire fleet in season of 1821-'22 got only 1,600 fur-seal skins at South Shetlands.
1822.
Jane Maria, brig, arrived at New York April 26, 1822, with cargo of fur-seal skias from Falk-
land Islands.
Hersilia, brig, of Stonington, Conn., while on a sealing voyage in 1823 was captured on coast
of Chili by the Spanish. Had sent home 18,000 hair-seal skins.
Henry, schooner, Capt. Eobert Johnson, sailed from New York, June 30, 1822, in company
with schooner Wasp, on a sealing voyage to southern seas. Arrived home in 1824 with 13,000 fur-
seal skins from Auckland Islands, and sailed again the same year for the Aucklands; but after
securing a partial cargo the vessel was lost with all on board while on an exploring cruise.
1823.
Dragon, brig, arrived at New Bedford May 30, 1823, with cargo of sea-elephant oil.
Only Son, sloop, arrived at Stouington in 1823, with 7,500 fur-seal skins from South Atlantic
Ocean.
1824.
Dove, of Nantucket, arrived at Philadelphia August 27, 1824, with sperm oil and two live
sea-elephants.
Tartar, schooner, Capt. Benjamin Morrell, sailed from New York July 19, 1824, on a sealing
voyage to southern oceans, and arrived home May 8, 1826, with 6,000 fur-seal skins.
1825.
Eliza Ann, schooner, arrived at Stonington, Conn., in 1825 with 3,000 fur-seal skins.
1827.
Sarah Atkins, ship, Captain Kenny, sailed from Portsmouth, E. I., in March, 1827, for Falk-
land Islands, and returned in June, 1828, with 4,000 fur-seal skins, some other skins, and oil.
Washington, schooner, Simons, Capt. John Dickenson, arrived at Boston November 10, 1827.
from south seas, whaling and sealing. No rrpoii ot'raryu.
SEC. v, VOL. ii 20
450 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
1828.
Alabama, brig, of Stonington, made three sealing voyages from 1823 to 1828, and brought
home 30,000 hair-seal skins from southern seas.
Antarctic, schooner, 172 tons, Capt. Benjamin Morrell, sailed from .New York in 1828 on a seal-
ing voyage to coast of Africa, and arrived home July 14, 1829, with 4,000 fur-seal skins.
Penguin, schooner, arrived, at Stoniugton in 1828 with 3,000 fur-seal skins from South Atlan-
tic Ocean.
1829.
Alabama, brig, arrived at Stonington in 1829 from south seas with 8,000 fur-seal skins and
15,000 hair-seal skins.
Bogota, brig, arrived at Stonington in 1829 with 3,000 fur-seal skins and 15,000 hair-seal skins
from southern oceans.
General Putnam, schooner, of Newburyport, Mass., took 1,500 fur seal-skins on coast of Africa
in 1828 or 1829. Vessel condemned at Rio Janeiro, March 31, 1829 or 1830.
Pacific schooner, Capt. Jas. Brown sailed from Portsmouth, R. I., October 1, 1829, on a sealing
voyage to South Seas, and left South Georgia March 5, 1830, having taken up to that time 256 skins
and 1,800 gallons of sea-elephant oil.
Penguin, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1829 with 3,000 fur-seal skins from South Atlantic
Ocean.
Seraph, brig, arrived at Stonington in 1829 with 1,000 fur seal skins and 25,000 hair-seal skins
from southern oceans, and sailed again in 1829 in company with brig Anawau on an exploring
and sealing voyage in Antarctic seas.
Spark, schooner, Captain Allyn, sailed from New London, Conn., October 25, 1829, for coast of
Africa, and arrived home May 10, 1831, with 3,700 fur-seal skins.
1830.
Free Gift, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1830 with 5,200 fur-seal skins from southern
seas.
1831.
Alonzo, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1831 with 2,200 fur-seal skins from the coast of
Africa, &c. Arrived again in 1832 with about the same number of fur-seal skins.
Charles Adams, ship, Capt. Alex. Palmer, sailed from Stonington September 1, 1831, for South
Shetlands, and arrived home September 2, 1833, with 1,000 fur-seal skins, 2,100 barrels sea-elephant
oil, and 100 barrels sperm oil. Had schooner Courier, Captain Barnard, as tender.
Penguin, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1831 from southern oceans with 1,400 fur-seal
skius. Arrived again in 1832 with 3,000 fur-seal skins.
Spark, schooner, arrived at New London in 1831 with 3,700 fur-seal skins from southern seas.
Telegraph, schooner, Captain Bray, sailed from Bristol, R. I., in 1831.
Captain Bray sailed from Newburyport in a schooner prior to 1830 on a sealing voyage to
Falkland Islands and vicinity of Cape Horn.. Had shipped home about 3,000 fur-seal skins, but
finally lost his vessel on Terra del Fuego. Part of the crew being out on various seal islands
gathered 1,000 to 1.500 fur-seal skins. After about a year Captain Bray returned to them in a
vessel built out of stuff saved from the wreck. Captained Bray returned to America and sailed as
above iu the Telegraph from Bristol and made two successful voyages, arriving home in 1832 with
about 3, :,()() fur-sea! skins, and in 1,S.>; with about 2,000 fur-seal skins. He sailed again iu 1833
and lost his vessel on Hope Island, southwest coast of Terra del Fuego, in January, 1834.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 451
1832.
Betsey, schooner, Captain Fuller, arrived at New London in 1832 from the coast of Africa
with 1,300 prime fur-seal skins, 500 pup fur-seal skins, and 74 bullock hides.
Montgomery, arrived at Mystic, Conn., with 2,000 fur-seal skius from southern seas.
Superior, schooner, of Stouington, made three voyages to southern seas prior to 1833 and
brought home about 8,000 fur-seal skins.
Talma, schooner, Capt. G. L. Allyn, sailed from New London in July, 1832, for Patagonia and
vicinity, and arrived home in May, 1834, with 2,700 fur-seal skins that sold for $12.50 each.
1833.
Courier, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1833 with 2,000 fur-seal skins from southern seas.
Hamilton, ship, Captain Pendleton, sailed from New York January 9, 1833, for Falkland Isl-
ands, and returned October 9, 1834, with 1,150 fur-seal skins, also whale oil and bone.
Monticello, schooner, arrived at Baltimore, Md., in 1833, with 2,500 fur-seal skins and 3,000
hair-seal skins from Cape Horn and coast of Chili. Sailed again in July, 1833, under Captain Lin-
dell, but did poorly.
Montgomery, schooner, Captain Cliff, sailed from New London in 1 833 on a South Atlantic
whaling and sealing voyage, and arrived home September 1, 1834, with 700 fur-seal skins and
some whale oil and bone. Sailed again in 1834, and returned in 1835 with 1,000 fur-seal skins and
200 other skins.
Only Son, sloop, of Stonington, Captain Cutler, was sealing at Terra del Fuego in 1833.
Sun, schooner, Captain Trott, sailed from New London in 1833 and arrived home from Falk
laud Islands September 27, 1833, with 1,000 fur-seal skins and some oil.
1834.
Betsey, schooner, Captain Elliot, arrived at New London May 7, 1834, with 1,390 fur-seal
skins, 500 pup seal-skins, 74 bullock hides, and some whale oil from the South Atlantic. Sailed
again under Capt. G. L. Allyu July 28, 1834, with a crew of twenty-one men on a whaling and
sealing voyage to coast of Africa, and arrived home in March, 1836, with 1,800 fur-seal skins and
100 barrels of oil.
Elizabeth Jane, schooner, of New York, arrived home in 1834 from southern seas with 800 fur-
seal skins.
Emily, schooner, arrived at New London in 1834 with 40 fur-seal skins from southern seas.
Arrived again in 1835 with 800 fur-seal skins and 200 barrels of sea-elephant oil.
Henrietta, schooner, of Norwich, Conn., arrived home in 1834 from southern seas with 423 fur
seal, 2,946 hair seal, 182 otter, and 102 goat skins.
Ospray, schooner, arrived at New London in 1834 with 74 fur-seal skins from southern seas ;
had sent home about 2,000 fur-seal skins.
Talma, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1834 with 1,220 fur-seal skins from the coast of
Africa.
Tampico, brig, Captain Holmes, of Mystic, was on a sealing voyage on the coast of Africa
and at the Crozets in 1834 and 1835. Was reported in spring of 1835 with 160 fur-seal skins.
1835.
Aaron Howard, schooner, arrived at New London in 1835 from southern seas with 1,000 fur-
seal skins.
452 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Atlas, ship, arrived at Stoningtou iu 1835, from South Atlantic, with 1,500 fur-seal skius, COO
hair-seal skins, and 71 bullocks' hides on freight.
Betsey, schooner, Capt. William Noyes, sailed from New London in July, 1835, for the South
Atlantic, &c., and returned in May, 1S"37, with 500 fur-seal skins, 15,000 hair-seal skins, and 600
otter skins.
Colossus, schooner, arrived at Stoniugton in 1835 with 430 fur-seal skins and 1,000 hair-seal
skins from southern seas.
Eveline, schooner, from South Atlantic Ocean, arrived at Stonington May 3, 1835, with 622
fur-seal skins, 890 hair-seal skins, and 34 bands of sea-elephant oil.
Harriet, schooner, arrived at Stoningtou in 1835 with about 5,000 fur-seal skins from southern
seas.
Hancox, schooner, arrived at Stonington iu 1835 with 450 fur-seal and 25 otter skins from
South Seas.
Maria Jane, schooner, arrived at New York in 1835 from South Atlantic with 1,500 fur-seals
skins.
McDonough, schooner, arrived at New London in 1835 with 654 fur-seal skins from South
Seas.
Penguin, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1835 from South Seas with cargo of 2,015 fur-seal
skins and 350 hair-seal skins ; also on freight from schooners Talma, Betsey, and Aaron Howard,
890 fur-seal skins and 350 hair-seal skins.
Swift, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1835 from the South Atlantic with 1,500 fur-seal
skins.
Talma, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1835 from Cape Horn with 1,200 fur-seal skins.
William, schooner, of Stonington, sold at Chili in 1835; had sent home 6,000 hair-seal skins,
1836.
Atlas, ship, 261 tons, Captain Barnum, sailed from New London for South Atlantic May 17,
1835 or 1836, and returned April 9, 1837, with 1,650 barrels of sea-elephant oil.
Charles Adams, ship, 268 tons, sailed from Stonington October 15, 1836, under command of
< 'uptain Carew, bound on a sealing voyage, but was burned at the Falkland Islands in 1837.
Corvo, ship, 349 tons, Captain Beck, sailed from Stonington in October, 1836, for Falkland
Islands, and arrived home November 13, 1837, with 1,400 barrels sea-elephant oil and 1,300 barrels
whale oil. Had for tenders the schooners La Grange and Bolton.
1837.
Atlas, ship, 261 tons, Captain Bailey, sailed from Mystic, Conn., June 14, 1837, for Crozet
Islands, and was lost wiih her tender, schooner Colossus, on the Crozets in 1837 or 1838.
Bolton, schooner, sailed from Stouingtou in December, 1837, for Falkland Islands, and arrived
home September 1, 1838, full of sea-elephant and whale oil.
Corvo, ship, 349 tons, Captain Bc-ck, sailed from Stonington for Falkland Islands December
27, 1837, and arrived home October 13, 1839, with 1,200 barrels sea-elephant oil and 2,400 barrels
whale oil.
Penguin, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1837, with 1,500 fur-seal skins from southern
seas.
Plutarch, schooner, 81 tons, of Stouingtou, made two sealing voyages to the southern seas in
1835 and 1837, and brought horn.- ;;,500 fur-seal skins.
THE ANTARCTIC SKA1, I- 1 SI I KIM KS. 453
1838.
Antarctic, schooner, arrived at Stonington in 1838 with 3,000 fur-seal skins from southern
seas.
Columbia, ship, 492 tons, Captain Smith, sailed from New London for Desolation Island July
25, 1838, and arrived home May 1, 1839. with 3,700 barrels of sea-elephant oil.
Governor Endicott, ship, 298 tons, Captain Holmes, sailed from Mystic, Conn., July 11, 1838,
for South Seas, and arrived home September 5, 1839, with 1,300 barrels sea-elephant oil. Had for
tender the schooner Plutarch, 81 tons, Captain Stevens. Sailed again December 1, 1839, under
Captain McKinstry, and wrecked on New Holland, July 8, 1840.
Tampico, brig, 99 tons, Captain Bailey, sailed from Mystic, Conn., for Crozet Islands in June,
1838, and arrived home April 8, 1839, with 100 barrels sea-elephant oil.
Uxor, brig, 96 tons, Captain McKinster, sailed from Mystic, Conn., for South Atlantic Ocean,
May 15, 1838, and arrived home March 9, 1839, with 300 barrels sea-elephant oil.
1839.
Aaron Howard, schooler, arrived at New London in 1837 and 1839, with a total of 4,500 fur-
seal skins from southern seas.
Benjamin D'Wolf, schooner, 66 tons, Captain Smiley, sailed from Newport, E. I., March 30,
1839, on a sealing voyage to Cape Horn and vicinity. Captain Smiley made two voyages in this
vessel, and secured each time about 2,000 fur-seal skins. He also made two other sealing voyages
prior to 1844 in another vessel, one a good voyage and the other a failure, and the vessel lost.
Henry, brig, 98 tons, Captain Pendleton, sailed from Stouiugton, Conn., for Crozet Islands,
July 16, 1839, and arrived home May 8, 1840, with 300 barrels sea-elephant oil.
Penguin, schooner, sailed from Stonington in 1839, and arrived home in 1840 with 800 fur-
seal skins from southern seas.
PhUetus, ship, 278 tons, Captain Brewster, sailed from Stonington for Crozet Islands July 10,
1839, and arrived home February 28, 1841, with 1,800 barrels sea-elephant oil.
Eebecca Groves, brig> 129 tons, Captain Baruum, sailed from Stoningtou for Indian Ocean
July 15, 1839, and arrived home June 7, 1840, with 650 barrels sea elephant oil.
Somerset, brig, Captain Baruum, sailed from Stoniugton for Crozet Islands in 1839 and
arrived home in 1840, with 800 barrels sea-elephant oil.
An unknown schooner belonging to Newburyport, Mass., made two sealing voyages to south-
ern seas prior to 1840, aud brought home about 5,000 fur-seal skins.
Tampico, brig, Captain Pendleton. sailed on a sea-elephant voyage from Mystic, Conn., June
L'l', 1839, and arrived home March 6, 1840, with 550 barrels oil.
Uxor, brig, Captain Mitchell, sailed from Mystic, Conn., July 10, 1839, on a sea-elephant
voyage, and arrived home in 1840, with 600 barrels oil.
1840 TO 1880.
The following record of voyages from 1840 to 1880, as well as for preceding years, is compiled
from the files of New London and New Bedford papers, from custom-house records, and from
information obtained from merchants, retired sealers, and others, at the various sealing ports:
454
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGES 1840 TO 1850.
[Arranged alphabetically by Teasel's name.]
Name and home port.
ex
3
90
1
Sealing ground.
Sailed.
Beturned.
Number of fur-
seal skins.
Barrels of sea-
elephant oil.
Remarks.
Stonington, Conn.
70
Ang 10 1844
June 15 1845
800
Bristol, R. I.
America
Newport, R. I.
America
New London, Conn.
Atlas
Bark. ..
Bark .. .
257
217
81
South Pacific
South Atlantic
Oct. 7, 1840
Ang. 31, 1845
Ang. 11 1847
July 22,1844
Stpt. 9,1847
May 2, 1849
4,000
1,200
1,200
SOO
Also sperm and whale oil and bone.
Also 400 barrels whale oil.
Do
do
81
do
Sept. 1 1849
Apr. 22, 1851
220
Betsey . .
do
111
South Pacific
Aug. 14 1840
June 8 1842
200
Also 12 000 hair-seal ekins 200 other skins
Do
do .
Vffi
South Seas
July 18 1842
June 3, 1844
300
and whale oil.
Do
do
l°l>
July 19 1844
and whale oil.
Stonington, Conn.
Bolton
Bark
•"0
July 30 1843
May 24 1844
1 400
Do
do
•">()
July 1 1844
May 30 1845
000
do
170
South Seas
July 20 1843
May 26 1845
1 000
New London, Conn.
Charles Carroll
Ship
404
June 26 1841
Mar. 10,1845
1 200
whalebone.
Also 2 000 barrels whale oil and 17,000
Do
do
41'
do . ...
Ang. 26 1845
May 24, 1847
2, 000
pounds whalebone.
Do
. do
4P
do
July 21 1847
June 3, 1849
3,000
Went to California in 1849.
do
492
July 9 1840
May 6 1842
4 000
Do
do
411"
do
July 13 1842
Apr. 8 1844
3 200
Also 1,000 barrels whale oil and 7, 000 pounds
Corinthian
do .. .
W5
Sept. 3 1847
June 26, 1849
2,000
whalebone.
Do
Myetic, Conn.
...do ....
505
76
do
Sept. 7,1849
July 9 1843
Apr. 27, 1851
Apr 4 1644
650
1,000
600
Also whale oil and bone.
Stonington, Conn.
Enterprise
Brig
95
South Atlantic. . .
Sept 3 1840
May 5, 1842
300
Do
do
15
Coast of Chili
Aug 10 1842
May 30 1844
500
New London, Conn.
Exile
70
July 17 1844
Jan 8 1846
200
Do
. do
R1
do
Apr 9 1846
May 10 1848
330
Do
. .do
SI
.... do
Ann- 14 1848
July 3 1850
260
Franklin . . .
. .do
111
South Atlantic
Auf 13 1842
Apr. 8 1844
120
1 100
Do
..do
II1)
June 5 1844
Apr. 7 1846
500
Do
...do .
111
J ly 28 1846
July 19 1847
400
Do
...do .
111
Sept 7 1849
May 10 1851
183
Garland
Hand
...do....
do
60
86
do
June 17, 1844
Apr 30 184"'
Ten Jt-r to Charles Carroll ; lost on Desola-
lioii in 1848.
Do
...do
80
June 29 1842
Apr 10 1844
300
Do
Do
...do .
fif
June 5 1844
200
Jason
STi
do
Apr 9 184G
May 20 1848
I 000
Julius Caesar
Leader
...do...
347
130
do
Sept. 7,1849
May 10,1851
1,000
Do.
Newport, R. I.
Ohio
Schooner
South Seaa
July 9 1841
1846 ; released in 1847 and eold at Valpa-
raiso.
Stonington, Conn.
Pacific
Do...
. . du . .
...do ...
AufT. 8.1844
Mav 12.1845
1.500
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES.
455
ANTARTIC SEALING VOYAGES FROM 1840 TO 1850— Continued.
[Arranged alphabetically by Teasel's name.]
ir-
id
,,"
Name and home port
Sealing ground.
Sailed.
Returned.
N«
y
Bemarlu.
IS
^3
g$
ti
M
3
fc
I-
New London, Conn.
T> 1 H I 1 d
Ang 14 1848
Ang 8 1850
1 300
Stonington, Conn.
. „
Bark
July 20 1843
Lost at Sonth Shetlands, 1845.
New London, Conn.
55
Jnne 6 1840
Apr. 16 1842
Tender to Columbia.
Do
...do ....
55
do
June 29, 1842
Apr. 10, 1844
115
Do.
Do
55
Jnne 5, 1844
Lost at Desolation with crew of eight men
in 1847.
Stonington, Conn.
United States
Ship
244
Sonth Seas
Apr. 27, 1842
Apr. 19,1843
2,000
Also sperm oil.
Do
do
244
do
June 19, 1843
May 30, 1844
1,800
Also 110 barrels sperm oil.
Do
do
244
do
Dec. 4, 1847
May 3, 1849
1,800
Do
do
°44
Jnne 18, 1849
May 24, 1851
845
Mystic, Conn.
_
July 22 1840
Jan 1 1841
400
Sailed again in 1841 and was lost on Crozet
I0r
Islands October 28.
New London, Conn.
White Oak
Bark.
oqo
South Seas
Apr. 10, 1841
Mar. 15, 1843
500
Also whale and sperm oil.
ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGES FROM 1850 TO 1860.
[Arranged alphabetically by vessel's name.]
Myttic, Conn.
A t
Sliip
265
Sonth Seas
Aug. 9, 1852
May 22, 1853
1,188
Do
do
265
An
July 28, 1853
Jnly 13, 1854
490
New London, Conn.
A!AT+
Bark
T> It' T 1
Oct. 7 1853
June 18 1856
2, 300
Also whale oil and bone.
A it- n ................
Do
do
398 <1"
July 23, 1856
May 31, 1858
2,900
Do.
Do
do
398
Hoard's Island
Jnne 29, 1858
May 14, 1860
3. 237
Do.
Fairhaven, 3fo*«.
Alfred
Schooner
1HI
Beard's Island
Aug. 16, 1856
Tender to Samuel Robertson ; lost at
Hoard's Island December 29, 1856.
New London, Conn.
Atlantic
Schooner
130
Desolation Island.
July 19, 1856
Jan. 12,1857
Tender to larger vessel.
Do
..do....
130
Hoard's Island
July 19, 1857
July 28, 1858
283
Withdrawn, 1859.
Atlas
..do ...
81
Desolation Island.
Ang. 12, 1851
Jnne 14, 1856
115
Tender to larger vessel.
Do
do
81
do
July 31, 1856
Sold at Cape Good Hope.
Nantueket, Mats.
Catawba
Ship ....
335
South Seas
Sept. 3, 1857
Apr. 19, 1859
2,827
Al*o sperm oil.
New London, Conn.
Corinthian
Ship
505
Desolation Island.
Aug. 19, 1851
June 24, 1853
3,500
Also whale oil and bone.
Do
...do....
505
do
Nov. 15, 1853
Jnne 9, 1856
2, 000
Do.
Do
.do...
505
Beard's Island
July 19, 1856
Apr. 10, 1858
2,700
Do.
Mystic, Conn.
Cornelia
Schooner
197
Hoard's Island ..
Aug. 9,1857
June 6.1858
1,092
Do
...do ...
197
do
Jnly 14, 1858
May 12, 1860
1,600
Also whale oil and bone.
Warren, K. I.
Dolphin
Bark
325
Board's Island
Sept. 30, 1858
Lost in 1859 ; no report of oil.
New London, Conn.
Dove
Bark . . .
151
Desolation Island -
Aug. 11, 1859
Jnly 15,1861
933
One of the " Stone fleet " sunk at Charles-
Nantucket, Mail.
ton, S. C.
Eliza Jane . .
Schooner
131
Sonth Scan .
Ann. 15. 1857' Apr. 9.1859
550
Tender to Catawba.
456
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGES FROM 1850 TO 1860— Continued.
[Arranged alphabetically by vessel's name.]
Name and home port
bJQ
S
i
a
o
H
Sealing ground.
Sailed.
Ketnrned.
Nnmber of fur-
seal skins.
Bun els of sea-
elephant oil.
Remark*.
New London, Conn.
l"fi
Aug. 13, 1856
Apr 10 1858
512
Do
do
do
Jane 10 1858
May 16 1860
388
Exile
do
R9
Ang. 18, 1852
June 12 1859
212
Tender to larger vessel.
Do
do
fl?
. . do
Sept. 1, 1859
Lost at Heard's Island in I860.
Stonington, Conn,
100
July 20 1852
May 7 1853
40
Do
do
100
do
July 28 1853
No report.
Hystie, Conn.
Frank
200
June 18 1858
Lost at Heard's Inland in February, 1859 ;
N*w London, Conn.
Franklin
lit
July 15, 1859
June 4, 1862
500
crew saved.
Also whale oil and bone.
Bark
'OT
do
Sept 29, 1852
Jnly 15 1854
1 200
Do.
Do
do
'9?
do
Aug. 19 1854
600
Condemned at St. Helena, Febniary 19,
N&ntucket, Mass.
Bri"
no
South Atlantic
July «, 1858
Oet 4 1858
325
1857; cargo sent home.
New London, Conn.
Ship
411
Heard's Island . . .
July 19,1856
4,275
Also whale oil and 600 pounds bone.
Do
do
49'i
do
July 20, 1858
Apr. 30 1861
3,500
Also whale oil and bone.
J. E. Comstock
75
do
May 30, 1857
Tender to Zoo.
John E. Smith
..de ....
Ship
119
?<7
do
Ang. 4,1851
Aug. 18 1851
Jane 26, 1854
Jane 4 1853
205
1,500
Also whale oil and bone.
Do.
Do
Laurens
Do
..do ....
...do ...
do
347
420
4<)0
do
Heard'a Island
do
Sept. 3, 1853
Sept. 17, 1855
Ang. 4 1857
Apr. 7,1856
May 8,1857
An" 15 1858
1,000
4,700
4, 196
Do.
Mygtict Conn.
150
South Seas
Ang 18 1852
July 10 1853
Tender to Aeronaut.
Do
do
TV\
do
July 28, 1853
Lost on English Bank March 22, 1854.
New London, Conn.
1"B
Anf 4 1851
May 6 1853
639
Tender to larger vessel.
Do.
do
log
do
Aug 2 1853
June 16 1856
218
do
240
June 28 1858
1 000
Lost at Hoard's Island October 21. l.-:.9.
Fairkaven, Mass.
Oxford
130
July 17 1857
Apr 11 1860
580
with 400 barrels oil.
Tender to Samuel Robertson. Reported
New London, Conn.
Pacific
161
July 12 1856
May 12 1858
991
ten sealing \vssrls at Deflation Island.
Do
do
101
do
Julv 7 1858
Apr 16 1861
651
Peruvian
Ship
388
Sept 11 1850
Jnly 21 1852
1,800
Do
Pioneer
...do....
Bark
388
''35
do
Aug. 19, 1852
Oct. 4 1855
July 6,1851
1,400
1, 200
Also wlialo oil.
Do
do
235
do
July 9 1857
July 10 1859
2,398
R. B. Coleman ..
115
do
June°5 1859
Lost at Hoard's Island in 1859.
Mystic, Conn.
Romulus
Sbip
365
May 9 1860
2,538
Fairhaven, Mass.
Samuel Robertson . . .
Stonington, Conn.
Sarah E. Spear
Do
Ship ..
Bark
...do
421
150
iin
Desolation Island .
Sonth Shetlands . .
do
Aug. 23, 1856
Sept. 27, 1852
July 28 1853
Oct. 17,1858
May 18, 1853
GOO
3,399
530
No report.
New London, Conn.
Silver Cloud
Srhi'iHjvt
140
1 '<• oliition Island.
June 10, 1858
Xov. 17,1859
510
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES.
457
ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGES FROM 1850 TO 1860-Continned.
[Arranged alphabetically by vessel's Dame.]
Name and home port.
u
1
Sealing ground.
Sailed.
Returned.
ft
«H
Barrels of sea-
elephant oil.
Remarks.
Stonington, Conn.
South Seas
Jnne 9,1853
Apr. 12, 1854
600
Bark ..
"44
Aug. 6, 1851
Jnne 5,1852
1,400
Also whale oil and bone.
Do
do . .
°44
do ...
July 20, 1852
May 10,1853
2,029
Do
do
do
Jnlv 28, 1853
July 6,1854
600
Warren, K. I.
Ship
Oot 3 1857
Jan. 4, 1861
45
Myltic, Conn.
100
July 28 1853
Ifne London, Oenn.
Zoe
Brig
197
Oot 26 1855
Apr 4 1857
1 299
Do
do
197
do
June 10 1857
Apr 15 1859
1 280
ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGES FROM 1880 TO 1870.
(Arranged alphabetically by Teasel's name.]
yew London, Conn.
Alert
Bark
398
July 24 1860
Jnly 12 1862
3 090
Arab
do
276
do
Deo 23 1862
2 241
Do
do
'76
do
Aug. 4, 1864
Jane 23, 1865
1, 692
Do.
Do
do
276
do
Aug 9 1865
2 064
Do
130
do
July 80 1860
Sept 9 1861
do
""W
June 4 1860
May 20, 1862
1.289
Do
do
250
do
May 23 1863
Apr 9 1865
1 265
Do
do
250
do
May 28 1867
1 800
Do
do
250
June t>t> 1865
May 4 1869
1 000
Do.
Do
do
?in
June 13 1869
Apr. 18, 1871
1,114
Mystic, Conn.
Cornelia
Schooner
in?
Heard's Island
Jnne 16, 1860
June 17, 1862
668
r
AVto Bedford, Mags.
89
Oct 24, 1861
Lost on east coast of Patagonia August 6*
New London, Conn.
86
July 6, 1867
Apr. 26, 1872
80
1862.
Also whale oil and bone.
E. R. Sawyer
Do
Do
...do ....
...do....
do
126
126
126
do
Heard's Island ...
do
Jnne 27, 1860
July 24, 1862
July 14 18C4
July 2,1862
May 25, 1864
493
556
Lost at Heard's Island September 17, I860.
Golden West
Do
Lydia
Provincetown, J/ax*.
M. E. Simmons
\fw London. Conn.
...do....
...do...
Bark....
Schooner
144
144
351
160
nil
Desolation Island.
do
Heard's Island .
Desolation Island.
NOT. 30, 1865
June 30, 1868
Aug. 18, 1864
Aug. 16, 1865
June 17, 1862
May 25, 1868
Apr. 18, 1871
May 17, 1865
May 31, 1868
1,800
849
1,734
1,659
Also whale oil and bone.
Lost at Heard's Island February 1, 1863 ;
Roman
Do
Do
Do
Roswell King
Do
Ship....
...do ....
...do....
...do ....
Schooner
do .
350
350
350
350
134
114
do
Heard'B Island . ..
Desolation Island.
do
do
Aug. 22, 1866
Ang. 12, 1867
Ang. 13, 1868
Jnne 25, 1869
Aug. 23, 1864
July 13, 1867
Jane 2,1867
June 6,1868
May 18,1869
May 23, 1870
Apr. 30, 1867
Mav 19, 1870
1,584
1,926
1,500
1,800
1,200
2,000
sent home 1.500 barrels oil.
Also whale oil and bone.
Also aperui oil.
Also whale oil and bone.
Also sperm and whale oil and bone.
Also whale oil and bone.
Do.
Silver Cloud
do
140
Jnne 13, 18(30
Lost in 1802 with all on board ; sent home
Bark
201
do
Juue 4 1864
700 barrels sea-elephant oil.
Lost at Desolation Island August 26, 1804.
458
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGES FROM 1870 TO 1880.
[Arranged according to year of sailing.]
Name and borne port
ti
a
j
Sealing ground.
Sailed,
Returned.
Nnmber of fur-
seal skins.
Barrels of sea-
elephant oil.
Remarks.
1870-72.
New London, Conn.
Flying Fish
Schooner
...do..-.
Ship....
Schooner
Bark....
Schooner
...do....
.. do....
...do ....
Bark....
Ship ....
Schooner
do
76
107
350
1S4
417
250
107
119
144
259
350
86
56
75
107
119
144
293
350
63
89
250
75
107
119
144
350
134
63
89
119
144
350
100
63
South Georgia
Soutli Atlantic. . .
Heard's Island...
do
July 5,1870
June 30, 1870
June 22, 1870
June 29, 1870
July 23, 1870
June 27, 1871
July 22, 1871
Aug. 26, 1871
Aug. 7,1871
Aug. 17, 1871
June 26, 1871
June 27, 1872
Aug. 6,1872
Aug. 10, 1872
Aug. 20, 1872
Ang. 6,1872
Aug. 15, 1872
Sept 3,1872
July 16, 1872
July 31, 1872
July 25, 1872
June 18, 1873
July 23, 1873
July 25, 1873
July £2, 1873
July 24, 1873
May 17,1873
Ang. 5,1873
July 22, 1873
Ang. 2,1873
July 15, 1874
July 18, 1874
June 22, 1874
July 23, 1874
July K, 1874
Apr. 18, 1871
June 6,1872
May 3,1871
Apr. 26, 1873
Apr. 21, 1871
Apr. 11, 1873
June 6, 1872
Jnne 9,1872
May 14, 1872
Jnne 14, 1872
Jnne 9, 1872
May 2,1877
April—, 1876
Apr. 15, 1874
May 10,1873
May 13,1873
Apr. 6,1873
May 5,1873
Mar. 31, 1873
Apr. 20, 1873
May 8,1873
Apr. 27, 1875
Apr. 15, 1874
June 14, 1875
May 13,1874
Apr. 20, 1874
Apr. 17,1874
Apr. 29, 1875
May 10, 1874
May 7,1875
Apr. 29, 1876
May 4,1875
May 13, 1876
Apr. 28,1875
Apr. 2, 1875
Bought from Gloucester; returned home
clean ; tender to Trinity.
Brought home also whale and sperm oil.
Brought home also whale oil.
Brought home also 19 barrels sperm oil.
Returned clean ; tender to P* m.
Boat's crew lost by boat capsizing, March
2, 1872 ; withdrawn 1874.
Brought home also 21 barrels sperm oil.
Tender to Roman.
Bought from Gloucester, Mass. ; when
nineteen rnonlhs from home h:td Taken
only 9 skins, but between November, 1873,
and the beginning of 1876, 10.1100 skina
were taken, many of them being shipped
to London from South American ports.
The total value of the cargo was some-
thing over $100,000.
Brought home also 76 barrels sperm oil.
Bought from Gloucester, Mass. ; stocked,
$15,000.
Bought from Provincetown, 1872 ; fitted
from New London.
Brought home also 400 pounds whalebone
Brought home also 31 barrels sperm oil.
Brought home also some whalebone.
Brought home also whale oil and bone.
Lost seven men ; stocked » 33,000.
Belonged to New London.
Brought home also 50 barrels sperm oil ;
sold to New Bedford, 1876.
Bought from Gloucester, Mass. ; stocked
$15,000; lost entire ground tackling at
Cape Horn.
Only one skin secured from South Shet-
lauds, 011 account of ice ; stocked $16,000
Francis Allyn
Roman
800
1,500
1,750
210
1,500
395
Trinity
South Georgia
Desolation Island.
South Atlantic
do
do
do
Heard's Island
do
500
5,500
Francis Allyn
Franklin
Golden West
Peru
Roman
4,000
2,730
400
187
1,518
800
Florence
South Atlantic...
do
do
do
do
10, 000
3,000
3,000
1,500
3,500
2,000
Flying Fish
Francis Allyn
Franklin
Golden West
Nile
Boman
..do...
. do ....
..do...
. do....
Ship ....
...do .
53
32
60
do
Heard's Island
South Atlantic...
•South Atlantic. . . .
Heanl'i Island
South Shetlands . .
do
do
do
Heard's Island
do
South Shetlands . .
South Shetlands . .
South Shetlands..
do
Heard's Island
South Shetlands . .
South Shetlands
and Cape Horn .
303
1,225
Stonington, Clonn.
Thomas Hunt
Schooner
Schooner
Schooner
...do....
...do...
...do....
...do....
Ship....
Schooner
Schooner
Schooner
Schooner
...do ....
Ship....
Schooner
...do ...
1,400
300
New York, If. Y.
L. P. Simmons
1873.
New London, Conn.
Charles Colgate
900
53
Flying Fish
Francis Allyn
3,500
500
615
400
Franklin
Golden West
Roman
lioswell King. . .
267
112
1,441
550
Stonington, Conn.
Thomas Hunt.
1,400
1,000
1,300
1,578
1,600
1,600
New York, N. Y.
1874.
New London, Conn.
Franklin
160
50
1,300
Golden West
Roman
Stonington, Conn.
Charles Shearer
Thomas Hunt
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL KIS11EUIKS.
ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGES FROM 1870 TO 1880-Continued.
(Arranged according to year of sailing.)
459
Name and home port
M
K
c
1
Sealing ground.
Sailed.
Returned.
Number of fur-
seal skins.
Barrels of sea-
elephant oil.
Remarks.
1875.
New London, Conn,
Charles Colgate
Flying Fish
Francis Allyu
Schooner
...do....
do
250
75
107
144
89
134
100
66
75
Heard's Island . . .
do
South Atlantic ...
do
do
Heard's Island
June 15, 1875
July 7, 1R75
July 27, 1875
June 30, 1875
July 13, 1875
June 29, 1875
Jnne 16, 1875
July 22, 1876
June 29, 1876
Aug. 9,1876
June 27, 1876
Jnly 1,1876
July 8, 187«
Jnne 21, 1876
Ang. 1,1877
Jnne 28, 1877
Ang. 28, 1877
Jnne 28, Ifc77
Aug. 24, 1877
Jnly 10,1877
Jnly 3, 1877
Jnly 22, 1877
Jnne 24, 1878
July 27, 1878
Deo. 28,1878
Jnly 2, 1878
May 21, 1878
Jnly 22, 1879
Jnly 10, 1879
Jnne 10, 1879
Oct. 7, 1879
June 25, 1879
May 2,1877
Apr. 2,1876
May 28, 1877
840
200
Also 500 hair-seal skins.
Stocked $16,000 ; lost five men by drowning
and two were massacred by Indians ;
vessel, with difficulty, saved from being
captured.
This vessel was employed on the Howgate
expedition to Cumberland Inlet in 1877-
'78.
Tender to Trinity ; retnrned clean.
Stocked »4,500.
Stocked $25,000.
Tender to Trinity ; retnrned clean.
Lost in neigborbood of Sonth Shetlands.
Abandoned October 5, 1878, off Cape Horn.
Cargo sent home ; vessel condemned at
Sandy Point, 1880.
Sent home 3,700 fur-seal skins np to Janu-
ary 1, 1881.
Stocked $32.000 ; brought home 800 skins,
valued at $8.000 taken at Diego Ramirez
by boat's crew of lost schooner Charles
Shearer.
Up to last advices in 1881 had sent home
2, 900 Cape Horn skina.
Stocked $14,000.
Arrived at Montevideo in distress in April
1880, and sent home 640 fur-seal skins,
valued at $7,500. During season of 1881
sent home 1,310 Cape Horn skin*.
Stocked $15,000.
5,000
2,200
500
Golden West
L. P. Simmons
Roswell King
...do....
...do....
do
Apr. 1,1876
May 18,1877
May 16, 1876
Apr. «, 1877
May 2,1877
Apr. 20, 1877
Mar. 20, 1877
Apr. 21, 1877
May 20, 1877
Mar. 20, 1878
Apr. 6,1878
May 1, 1878
May 13, 1879
May 2,1878
Jnne 27, 1879
May 2,1878
600
1,700
Stonington, Conn.
Charles Shearer
Schooner
Schooner
do
2,700
500
1876.
Nfw London, Conn.
South Atlantic
do
Flying Fish
Golden West
...*>....
...do ...
Bark....
Schooner
...do....
Schooner
...do....
do
144
89
317
100
63
250
75
107
144
134
317
100
101
75
144
89
317
65
104
98
70
176
70
do
do
do
Sonth Atlantic ...
do
Sonth Atlantic....
do
Heard's Island -.
Sonth Atlantic...
Desolation Island.
South Atlantic . . .
South Atlantic ...
Sonth Atlantic
Sonth Atlantic. .
....do
Cape Horn
South Georgia
Sonth Atlantic. . . .
South Atlantic
Desolation Island.
South Shetlanda . .
Sonth Seas
808
1,000
900
400
5,000
550
600
2,000
50
Trinity
Stonington, Conn.
Thos. Hunt
1877.
New London, Conn.
Charles Colgate
130
Flying Fish
Francia Allyn
1,500
650
1,800
1,600
Golden West
Roswell King
...do ...
...do....
Bark....
Schooner
Schooner
Schooner
...do ...
...do...
Bark . .
Schooner
Schooner
...do ....
Schooner
Brig ...
Schooner
50
Stonington, Conn.
Charles Shearer
New York, N. T.
Bothen
1878
76
200
1878.
New London, Conn.
Flying Fish
Golden West
L. P. Simmons
Trinity
Sloningtan Conn.
Thomas Hunt.
Out, 1881
May 24, 1879
Apr. 17, 1879
Out, 1881
May 1,1880
Apr. 18, 1880
Ont, 1881
Apr. 18, 1880
8,000
3,200
250
1879.
New London, Conn.
Francis Allyn . . .
Mary E. Biggins . . .
AHonington, Conn.
Express
2,*00
835
Henry i'rowbridge . -
Thomas Hunt
Sool.li Shetlanda . .
1,025
460
HISTORY AND METHODS OF TE1E FISHERIES.
ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGES FROM 1870 TO 1880— Continued
(Arranged according to year of •ailing.)
Name and home port
M
3
.
1
Sealing gronndi.
Sailed.
Ketnrned.
?j
•!j
Beaut*.
1880.
Ifm London, Conn.
9R
Jnn« 8,1880
Ont, 1882
1M
Denotation Inland .
Apr. 27, 1880
London ; season of 1882, np to May had
forwarded 1. 200 Cape seals.
Sent home in 1881 1 400 Sooth Sea elfins "
Roswell King
1D4
do
May 11, 1880
Apr 27 1881
500
and 1 00 barrels of sea-elephant oil. Ves
Bel not heard from up to May, in 1882,
since last shipment, and supposed to be
lost.
Trinity
Bark
117
Heard'* Inland . . .
Jane 1,1884
June, 1881.
Wanderer
Schooner
151
South Atlantic and
Ang. 12, 1«H8
GoTemment steamer Marion sent, in No-
Tember, 1881, to rescue the crew. All
but three of the entire crew Bared and
arriTed at Cape Town, Africa, in the
Marion in the spring of 1882.
Forwarded during 1881, 80 South Sea siting
Stonington, Conn.
7n
Cape Horn.
July 8 1R80
Ont 1882
and 230 Cape skins. Vessel lost on Cape
Horn in October, 1881, with 160 barrels
sea-elephant oil, and 12 seal skins on
board.
Thinnm limit
...do ....
70
....do
Jane 3, 1880
Out, 1882
skins to London, and daring season of
1882 up to May 30, had forwarded 860
Cape skins.
During season of 1881 forwarded to London
New Bedford, Matt.
Adelia Chase
Schooner
RS
South Atlantic
Feb. 18,1880
Out, 1882
750 Cape skins, and during season of. 1882,
np to May 30, bad forwarded to London
2,200 Cape skins.
During Beasoii of 1881 forwarded 80 South
Sea skins and ICO barrels of sea-elepuant
oil, and during season of 1882, up to May
30, bad taken 600 Cape aeal.
7. NARRATIVE OF AN ANTARCTIC SEALING VOYAGE IN THE SHIP NEPTUNE,
1796 to 1799.
Through the kindness of Mr. Charles Peterson, of New Haven, Conn., we are permitted to give
the following extracts from letters written by Mr. Eben Townsend, supercargo of the ship Neptune,
of New Haven, on her voyage to the fur-seal islands and China. The voyage lasted from Novem-
ber 29, 1796, to July 11, 1799. The Neptune was built in 1796, measured 353 tons, and was owned
by several merchants of New Haven. The return cargo from China was a very valuable one, con-
sisting of teas, silks, nankeens, and chinaware, and paid United States customs duties amounting
to $55,438.71. Mr. Townsend says:
It is my intention to write you every month the principal events during the voyage which I have undertaken in the
ship Neptune, Capt. Daniel Greene, on a sealing voyage into the Pacific Ocean aiid to China. This I can very
conveniently do by a recapitulation from my daily journal of such events as are in any way interesting und would
save you the trouhle of searching a dry sea journal in which you would not look in expectation of many incidents.
We sailed from New York on the '29th of November. You will remember that I left New Haven about the lOtli with
the ship's crew. I did not expect to leave you the evening that I did, but having hired a vessel to take that part of
the crew, being about twenty pretty crazy fellows, I dare not trust them alone. Our entire crew consisted of thirty-six
men and boys.
On the 2d of January the Neptune arrived off Buena Vista, Cape de Verds. Saw a ship and brig standing off and
on. Boarded the brig, which was commanded by Captain Hathaway. The ship was an Englishman under American
colors and hailed from Philadelphia, commanded by Captain French. As the surf was here so high that there would
be great difficulty in taking off salt, we proceeded to the Isle of May, and the next day on arriving there found the
ship Eliza, of Boston, Captain Jones, from Bremen, taking in salt, which we found rather dearer than at Buena Vista.
We took on board 8j moy of salt, each moy 60 bushels, at $5, which is about 8 cents a bushel. Paid also a duty of
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 461
half a dollar per moy and $12 anchorage. The salt ponds are about 2 miles from the landing and the salt brought
down on jackassrs.
A ship from Naiitucket arrived, Captain Fosdick, bound round Cape Horn on a whaling voyage. He had ex-
perienced rough weather and had come in to relit, having stove his try-wnrk.s.
SEALING AT THE FALKLAND ISLANDS AND PATAGONIA.
Crossed the equator on the 18th of January. On the 22d of February reached the Falkland Islands, eighty-five
days from New York. On this day at 6 a. m. made the land bearing east 8 leagues distance, being the Guard and
Steeple Jason Islands ; got out our boats aud all but niue of the crew went ashore and returned in the afternoon in
high spirits. Mr. Griswold, our first officer, said the seal appeared very plenty and no crew there. We almost felt
sure of our voyage. They soon packed up aud were again on shore and we bore away with the ship for the harbor
and anchored at dark at the mouth of it. We saw a brig in sight iii another harbor about 4 miles from us. This we
did not like. Next morning wo warped into the harbor. The captain of the brig came on board. It proved to be
au English brig, Captain Morse, after a cargo of hair seal and oil from the sea-elephant. As he did not interfere with
our voyage we were glad to see him. We soon got our shallop frame landed and went to work setting it up. This
frame was brought from the United States.
On the 3d of March Mr. Griswold came iu from the Jason Islands with a boat's crew, and, much to our disappoint-
ment, says there are very few seals. We drove on with our shallop as fast as possible, as she was much wanted to
search the islands.
I have commenced my attack on the seal. It is uncommon to see them in this harbor, but one day I saw a hair-
seal swimming near where we were at work on the shallop. As we had frequent opportunities to kill wild hogs we
kept a. loaded musket handy. I took it up and put the ball just through the back part of the head of the seal. He
was so badly wounded that he could not well get under water, but floundered about at a great rate. I jumped into
the yawl and attacked him with my oar. Captain Greene laughed at me and told me to haul him into the boat. As
he was a stout fellow I did not much like it, but reflecting that it would not do to come so far for seals and then be
afraid of them, I watched my chance, and getting hold of one of his hind flippers, I very suddenly jerked him into
the boat. He now floundered worse than before. I punched him with the end of the oar, but for some time I did not
know which would keep possession of the boat, and I believe if no one had seen me I would have quit and swum
ashore; but at last I conquered the rascal. This pleased Captain Greene very much.
Captain Morse, in the brig that had been hero with us, left on the 17th of March for Big West Harbor, where he
met Capt. David Bunker, in a bark from Hudson, N. Y., and Captain Williams, in a brig from New York. The cap-
tains of both these vessels visited us. Both were after elephant oil and hair and fur seal skins. Captain Bunker had
been in these islands four months and had taken only 150 barrels elephant oil and six hundred hair-seal skins. Cap-
tain Williams had been here eight months and had on board seven thousand fur and twelve thousand hair skins.
They are to proceed to the coast of Patagonia and after that to New York.
March 26 we launched our shallop, having set her up and finished her in thirty-three days. She measures about
30 tons. The 29th Captain Greene sailed in the shallop for Jason Islands, leaving only the captain, carpenter, doctor,
and myself on the ship.
On the 24th of April we nearly lost the shallop, which would have been a very serious loss. A strong breeze hove
a heavy sea into Steeple Jasou Cove. The shallop broke orF the palms of both anchors and went on shore. The men
got her off and at a great hazard got to sea, where they found they could not keep her free of water long enough to
make this harbor. They therefore run her into Grand Jason, where they were just able to get her into 2 fathoms of
water before she sunk. They afterwards got her up and by nailing canvas over where she had bilged they were able
by hard pumping and bailing to get her into this harbor, where we got her on shore and repaired her.
May 21 Captain Greene, having been down to Port Egmont in the shallop, returned with four hogs and forty
geese which they had killed down there. They found lying there Capt. David [or Paul] Bunker in a ship from
Hudson. She arrived the 8th of January, and her tender— a North River sloop of 50 tons, in charge of bis brother,
Capt. Prince Bunker — arrived on the 20th, after a passage of one hundred and sixty or one hundred and seventy days.
They had but 50 barrels of oil and two thousand fur and hair skins.
On the 7th of July there was thin ice in a bucket of water on deck for the first time.
July 26 the shallop again arrived in distress, having been driven on shore in a gale at the Grand Jason. She got
about half full of water. We got her ashore and repaired her by mending her keel, putting in a strake or two and a
number of graving pieces in her bottom, aud giving her a new rudder and stern-post. After we had repaired her, in
heaving her off we broke her best anchor in three pieces and after getting her iuto Uie water found she leaked rather
bad. We hove her out again and partially stopped the leak, but she has never since been as tight as before she got
ashore.
On August 22 Captain Bunker came up from Port Egmont with his sloop tender and agreed with Captain Greene
that they make up a crew and go on to the coast of Patagonia in the sloop and search for seal. Accordingly, on the
26th, Captains Greene and Bunker, with twenty-four men sailed in the sloop Betsey with the understanding that if
we heard nothing from them in six weeks, I was to send our shallop over and look for them as they may have got
their vessel on shore. After being absent about thirty-three days they returned in a passage of twelve days, having
left a sealing crew at Cape Mattass, with a whale-boat to shift along the coast if necessary.
On their first arrival on the coast they found a few Spaniards, sealing on an island near the mouth of Port Desire
IWver, who told them there would be no difficulty in getting permission from the commandant at Port Desire to seal.
462 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Captains Greene and Bunker therefore went up to Port Desire with a whale-boat's crew about 7 leagues, leaving the
sloop at anchor. When they got to the garrison, after some few questions they were told by the Spaniards that they
believed them to be Englishmen, and as Spain was at war with England they must consider themselves prisoners. A
boat with twelve armed men was accordingly dispatched to bring up the sloop. They remonstrated and proposed to
remain as hostages and send down for the vessel's papers, but all to no purpose. As this would ruin all our voyages —
for they said that they must be sent to the Kiver de la Plata for trial, as English and American papers were so much
alike— they were therefore determined to make a bold push. The Spaniards were determined to prevent it, and accord-
ingly stationed an armed barge down the river a little below the garrison. It looked very dark, for they were placed
inside the garrison, and there appeared no chance for escape. However, Greene, who you know is resolute and hawk-
eyed, gave a word of caution to keep together and be ready.
The Spaniards always keep a padre or priest in their garrisons. When their prayer bell rang at 8 o'clock in
the evening, and they had all .yot into a small church which was inside the garrison, the wished for time offered. They
started and were soon hold of their whale-boat which had been hanled up. The movement was so quick that it was
not known whether an alarm bad been given and after they were afloat and it was too dark to be fired at there was
little danger but that they could row two feet to one of any boat rowed by the Spaniards. They muffled their oars
and got alongside the sloop about Tiiidnight, jumped on deck and got possession of the arms, the soldiers being asleep.
They then made the soldiers get into their own boat, and after knocking out the flints returned them their muskets
and treated them each with a drink of grog. The soldiers 'were told to tell their commandant that he did not know
how to keep Yankees. They then got under way and ran to the northward.
On the 4th of October our shallop came in with all hands from the islands and we began preparing the ship to
leave here by getting our topmasts on end and the rigging overhead, as we have had the ship completely stripped since
we have been here at the Falklands. On the llth of October we unmoored and found our cables in good order. Got
under way, and running into Big Harbor came to for one night. On the 12th we anchored in the harbor, and, after
mooring the ship, prepared for a sealing cruise in the shallop. On the 16th the shallop sailed for a fortnight's cruise,
leaving me alone on board, but as it was a good harbor and the ship had good cables and anchors, I felt safe. I was
then captain, mate, and all hands. As I had enough to do I was not so lonesome as you may imagine. I was left
with a dog, a cat, and five kittens, but the dog killed the cat, and the kittens being but a day old, died also. I never
felt the loss of a cat so much.
On the 26th the shallop returned with abont seven hundred seal-skins. Had been on a number of islands and
found generally that the seal were off. November 9 Captain Greene again sailed in the shallop, and on the 13th
returned with two thousand skins which they took on Bird Keys. At New Island he found the ship Betsey, Capt.
Edmund Fanning, his first officer Caleb Brintnall, four months from New York, by whom we received letters which
were very acceptable. They were also on a sealing voyage. Also ship Lydia, Obed Fitch master, four months from
New Bedford, and the ship Olive Branch, Obed Paddock, five months from Nantucket, bound round Cape Horn for
tiperni oil.
On the 14th of November Captain Bunker arrived from the main in the sloop Betsey, five days passage from Cape
Mattas with hut two thousand skins. He had been unfortunate. Had his boat stove by a whirlwind and had carrieds
away his mast head.
The sloop Betsey sailed for Port Egmont on the 18th, which closed our partnership. Captain Greene made a
cruise of a few days in the shallop to the Bashee Islands, in latitude 52° 55' ; found no seal of consequence on the
island. • * »
Two or three days after Captain Bunker sailed we found on the island a suitable mast for the sloop Betsey, which
would be very important for Captain Bunker. Accordingly Captain Greene took the mast in tow with the shallop
and went to Port Egmont and gave it to Captain Bunker. Captain Worth in the brig Garland was also lying at
Port Egmont and getting elephant oil.
On December 6th Captain Greene sailed in the shallop for New Island expecting to find the Betsey still there, but
she had gone. Found there just arrived the ship Maria, Capt. Benjamin Paddock, eighty-four days from Nautucket,
bound round Cape Horn for sperm oil.
On the 16th we lost two men by the upsetting of the whale-boat in a tide up.
December 22 Capt. Bazilla Worth, in the brig Garland, and Captain Bunker, in his sloop Tender, came up from
Port Egmont and anchored at Island Harbor, the other side of this island, and visited us on board. Captain Worth was
on his way to the northwest coast of America and Canton. He thinks to make up his cargo of skins and meet a vessel
at the Sandwich Islands, to which he will deliver his cargo and receive from her some "trade" for the northwest coast.
The vessel he calculates to meet belongs to the same owners. He calculates that his oil will bring £45 sterling per
per ton of 8 barrels or 240 gallons.
The Neptune accompanied by her shallop left the Falklands for Patagonia December 24, having taken thus far
thirty thousand skins.
On the 28th of December wo struck soundings on the west coast of Patagonia in latitude 49° 38' south, 40
fathoms, white sand, off St. Julian's Bay. Having experienced very bad weather, in which one shallop made " good
weather," on the 29th examined the shore with a whale-boat, found an island in latitude 47° 55' with about two
thousand hair-seal, which we did not want. The two following days found several islands with hair-seal, but no fur-
seal. On the 31st we made a cruise in the whaleboat and found a small bunch of dry rocks with about five hundred
fur-seals on them. January 1, 1798, we were off Port Desire, and landed on the same island where the captains in the
sloop had before landed.
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 463
No Spaniards were there, and the fur-seals were very tempting. We held a council of war and determined to
take them. The anchorage was bad and some distance from the island, it bciug also rather an open roadstead, hut
having started on a voynge of hazard it would not do to be chocked by trifles. Wo therefore ran into a bay, about, 4
leagues from the island, and anchored in latitude 47° 43', moored the ship, struck yards and topmasts, ami got our guns
on deck aud loaded them for the first time ; sent a boat up in the night to recounoiter the garrison, and found there
was no vessel of war there, alter which we commenced sealing on a point of the harbor where we lay. Soon after four
men were seen on shore abreast of the ship. I landed with the boat, as it would not do for the captain of the ship to
show himself. They proved to be the commandant of the garrison with three armed soldiers, who with much import-
ance demanded what we were doing there. I plead ignorance of the country, having come in by accident in distress.
He gave us ten days to repair aud depart. He told me of the sloop having been there, naming the two captains that
were in her, and that he had treated them in a very friendly manner, accompanied with many other falsehoods on the
subject: also that Captain Farmer from New York had touched there a few days before. I endeavored to persuade
him to allow us to continue sealing with part of the crow while the remainder were getting the ship in order. He
said it was not in his power to allow it, his instructions from his King would not permit it. I then told him that I
would make him some compensation, after which he said no more about his instructions, but that he would go up to
the garrison and consult with his commissary, who was the head man of the sealing party that had been taking
them on the island. The next day he sent ns a pilot, with an invitation to come up with the ship to the garrison,
which we declined, but sent him some stores with an invitation to make us a visit on board. A couple of days after-
wards he made his appearance in a launch, and we were prepared to receive him ; the captain and such men as had
been here before in the sloop secreting themselves between decks. We now had the commandant and commissary
both on board. After considerable negotiations they agreed that we might take all the seal we would for two
months, for which indulgence we agreed to give them onr shallop. As soon as the contract was signed (I having
occasionally had my secret conferences with the captain between decks), the captain of the ship made his appearance
in the cabin, and made his entrfr. in the most perfect good nature, that somewhat allayed the feelings of the com-
mandant, but he was very much astonished and frightened. We, however, soon made him more at his ease, although
the lies he had told me must have been fresh on his mind ; but we never reminded him of that. The com-
missary, who had opposed our men's being made prisoners, and who was friendly when they were so, was much
pleased with our finesse. We could have but little objection to giving them our shallop, as she would be.no longer
useful to us, and it was important for us to go into the river with the ship, where we should have a good harbor.
Having obtained permission we ran the ship up and moored her alongside the fort, and as we had a crew of forty
men, which was more than they could muster, we had nothing to fear from them, and had now a written contract
which ttie commandant would not like to have known to his Government. Towards evening, having unbent our sails
and got all snug, the sailors were allowed to go on shore. There were about thirty Patagonian Indians, each of
whom had a horse to let for a biscuit apiece. Our men soon verified the old adage " set a sailor on horseback and he
will ride to the devil." Up hill and down the speed was the same — a full gallop. The horses were luckily good and
very sure footed, yet two or three men got thrown. One horse fell, but the sailor was soon on and started again,
saying it was only a lee lurch. None got hurt. The Indians appeared to enjoy it as much as the sailors. As they
have plenty of horses, they do not value them much. A few biscuits would have purchased any of them.
Mr. Townsend next records the visits of the Spaniards to the vessel and describes the
appearance of the Patagonian s.
They are a wandering people and live by hunting, moving with ease as they take their houses with them.
These houses are made of light poles with gnanaco skins for covering. The guanaco is a kind of deer, more fleet
than their horses. They endeavor to surround them and when sufficiently near to entangle them by very dexter-
ously heaving a line, with a stone at each end, round their legs. The line is about 4 feet long. One of the atones
is held in the hand, giving the other stone a very quick velocity round their head while the horse is at full speed.
It is from this animal that they get ' Bazaar Stone,' once so highly valued for its medicinal properties, but at present
thought little of. We got a number of them about the size of a duck's egg. They are formed in concentric coat,
and their color is dark green. The Indians kept us well supplied with wild meat, such as gnanaco, hares and
ostrich, tiger, and wi'd cat. and we bought from them blankets made from the guanaco skins sewed together, such
as they use for clothing. They are covered with wool, or something between wool and fur. We caught plenty of
fish. There are also mussel beds, as at the Falkland Islands, but no other shell-fish, although the Spaniards say
that there were formerly plenty of oysters.
The garrison is a stockade about 9 feet high, inside of which are the barracks and a block house of two stories
about 30 feet square, also a church and a bake-house. They mount seven six-pounders and four swivels, and had about
thirty men at that time, some having recently left them and gone home to the river La Plata. At the principal en-
trance gate they had a poorly carved female figure-head of some ship that had been cast away. They called it the
Virgin Mary aud never passed it without a bow and crossing themselves.
The commandant had a tolerable garden, in a valley, the only spot which I saw where the vegetation was not
very much parched. The hills which surrounded it protected it very much from the sun, and it was watered from a
well about 30 feet deep. It required great attention, but they had little else to do. It seldom rains here in the sum-
mer ; did not rain a drop during our visit, but there is some dew. The whole country appeared as if suffering under
a severe drought. There are no woods, and it is surprising how their horses are kept in such good order. It is only
in the valleys they can get anything. Even water is difficult to be had, and what there is is brackish. I rode several
464 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
times 8 or 10 miles into the country in different directions. It all appeared much the same. Saw here and there a
bush, on some of which were a few indifferent berries. About 6 miles from the fort and 2 miles from the sea-shore is
a body of salt, about 2 miles long and above a mile wide, perfectly dry, BO that we could walk over it. Being per-
fectly white the appearance was beautiful. The winter rains dissolve it, but in the summer it is dry and about 2 or
3 inches in thickness. The Indians brought us on their horses about 200 bushels, for which we paid a trifle. The
salt lay higher than the ocean, so that I do not think it is sea sail. All the land about the place seemed saturated
with salt. It was not uncommon to see small patches of salt a few feet square. The weather was very fine aud
pleasant. Both the Indians and the soldiers enjoyed excellent health. The tide ebbed and flowed about 16 feet, aud
it was high water on the sea-board at the full and change a little before 12 o'clock.
We lived on the most friendly terms with the Spaniards. The clergyman we esteemed and respected very highly.
He was a very excellent man and frequently dined with us.
On the 10th of February the brig Hetty, Captain Robertson, of and from New York, stopped here. Had been out
five mouths, and had on board six thousand hair-seal skins salted, taken on the coast to the northward.
On the 16th of February we sailed from Port Desire, leaving our shallop with the Spaniards, according to con-
tract. During our six weeks' stay at Port Desire we had taken all the seals in the islands, much to the astonishment
of the Spaniards, who expected us to work in their own indolent manner. We felt but little regret at leaving the
commandant, who was an overbearing " blowed-up-with-a-quill fellow;" but for the commissary, who was a high-
minded Castillian, and had seen better days, and the padre, or priest, who was intelligent aud all goodness, there
was something inexpressibly unpleasant in leaving them in such a country with no possibility of ever seeing them
again. It was some time before we neglected occasionally to drink better times to Rosseau, the commissary, and the
padre, and " reformation " to the commandant.
After a passage of four days we anchored again at West Point, Falkland Islands, about 4 miles from our old
anchorage.. We were wooded and watered and took on board about a dozen hogs, part of which were some that we
brought from America. They had doubled in numbers ; some of the pigs had gone oft', but we got all the old ones. We
had also left two turkeys and two goats, which we found on our return. We also got from the garden which we
had left, 7 bushels of potatoes, which were very important to us, as we had no other vegetables on board. On the
28th we put to sea, but on the 29th, the weather being bad, we were very glad to get back again, where we lay wind-
bound until the 6th of March. At this time we put up a quantity of mussels in the manner of pickled oysters, and
they kept quite good.
It was getting late in the season for doubling Cape Horn, as it was now a fall month. We had determined, how-
ever, to make the best of our way for Mas-i-Fuera, or the lesser Juan Fernandez, as it is sometimes called, the only
place we could now calculate on for making up our cargo of fur-seal skins.
On the fith of March, 1798, we left the Falkland Islands to double Cape Horn. We intended going through the
Straits Le Maire, but adverse winds prevented. We wished to do it, if possible, as it would be gaining westing, which
is important in going round the cape, and we had no idea of attempting to pass through Straits of Magellan. The
boatswain of our ship had been through there once in a Spanish ship, and was four months getting through. It is a
crooked, difficult passage, and can never be preferred to going round. We had heavy weather most of the time, aud
March 23, when we got the ship's head to the northward, considered ourselves round. Our latitude then was 58° 56
south and longitude 77° 58' west. On the 19th we had our greatest southing, being in latitude 60° south, and had
the severest weather, splitting several of outsails and getting pretty well loaded with ice. On the 28th, in latitude
49° 54' south, longitude 85° 30' west, we saw kelp weed, which we considered as indicating land. The Duke of York's
Islands are said to be about here, but their existence is very doubtful. On the 1st of April si small yellow land-bird
came on board, and after getting rested left us, taking a correct course for the shore, although we were several degrees
from it. About this time we opened a half barrel of sauerkraut put up in America, which was excellent, and I shall
always recommend it to be put up in the same manner for long voyages. The cabbage was cut up small, thrown into
wait and water overnight, then packed in layers with pepper, pimento, cloves, and vinegar. Our mussels put np as
pickled oysters were also fine.
SEALING AT MAS-l-FUERA AND JUAN FERNANDEZ.
On April llth we made the Island of Juan Fernandez, which is high mountainous land. The Spaniards have a
garrison here. The next day we landed on Mas-£-Fuera, the former residence of Alexander Selkirk, where we took part
of our crew on shore, leaving enough on board to work the ship as we were obliged to stand off and on, there being
no harbor or good anchorage. We found here a boat's crew left by a New Bedford whaleman to take seal, the vessel
intending by and by to call and take them off; and part of the crew of the ship Betsey, of New York, Captmn Fanning,
having secured skins and proceeded to Canton, these men wishing to try their chances on the island. We also found an
English sailor lad named Bill, who had been left alone here several months before. He was contented with his situa-
tion and said he could get everything he wanted but bread and rum. He lived in a cave alone and was collecting seal-
skins, calculating to sell them as vessels touched there. He brought off and sold us sixty skins, on which he would
fix no price beyond filling his keg with rum which only held about 2 gallons. He said he wanted nothing more at
that time, with that he would feel rich enough, as he had plenty of bread. As we were unwilling to receive so many
skins for less than one tenth of their value we were at a loss how to pay him. He did not even want any more rum,
and though we mustered something else and gave him it was not balf enough. He left us, apparently as happy as a
lord, sayiug he enjoyed himself better ou the island than lie ever did before in his life. He could sleep when he
pleased, and work when he pleased; there wan " no starboard nor larboard watch," and " no one to quarrel with." He
THE ANTARCTIC SEAL FISHERIES. 465
took his keg of rum on shore and buried it iu the ground and two or three weeks afterward he invited those of our
orcw who wore loll there to come and see him at his cave, as it was his liirtlnla.v and ho wished to treat them. They
accepted his invitation and went, when he dug up his keg which they were surprised to find unbroached and entirely
full. The party was a merry one and helped him drink it up, which made I hem all " rich," and after the entertain-
ment stowed ,-iway his empty Ken and declared that no ship should pass the island without tilling it again.
The island of Mas-a-Fuera is in latitude lili0 41' south, longitude £0° 5(/ west from Greenwich, and about 90 miles
east by north from Juan Fernandez, which can be seen on a very clear day. The shore is a rugged one all round the
island, the mountains very erect, no low land, but here and then1 a spot that has been made by the stone and earth
•vhieh has been forced from the mountains by the rains. The high ground is pretty much covered with trees inter-
spersed here and there with a pleasant lawn, the verdure of which appeared beautiful from our boat and from the
ship when we stood near on with the land. We frequently saw goats feeding en them in herds of twenty or thirty.
The tops of the mountains are frequently whitened with snow, which would cover I lioni in squalls when we have pleas-
ant summer weather below.
Along the shores of the island there are a number of very romantic gulfs, one of which the sailors called the
"Pound," because they frequently drove goats in — they could get no farther — and caught them there. In the center
of the gulf is a pyramidal rock, about 500 feet high, with a cluster of trees on tin- top, and apparently cut down on
each side by tbe water which is continually streaming down. After dashing down among the rocks for a considerable
distance, the water has a perpendicular fall of about so feet, iu two columns of about a rod in width, one on each side.
The only view of these, however, is near the falls themselves, as they have worn away the rocks until they are left
several rods iu advance. The main island out of which the gulf was formed maintains a, great height to the shore
surrounding it, with tall and abrupt mountains, and nearly meeting, so as to form a narrow entrance. The goats go
there frequently for the fresh water at the cascade, and half a dozen men could easily prevent their escape. The
water running so quick from the region of snow just above was not only clear and pure, but so extremely cold that
we could hardly drink it. Hunting goats s generally hazardous, their paths winding along the cliffs where the stones
often appear firm, but give way immediately under the weight of a man. One of our men fell, with the stone on
which he slipped, about i!0 feet, into some bushes, which he held to for his life, and from which he was relieved with
much difficulty. I have frequently been at a stand several minutes, uncertain whether to advance or retreat in my
pursuit after these nimble creatures. In climbing cliffs it is generally safest to advance, as you can with more secu-
rity test the ground with your bauds than with your feet. The tish are abundant and very fine at this island. Our
men caught them iu plenty close to the shore by taking a seal skin with the fat on it and holding it in one hand,
floating, and spread out upon the water. The fish would come into it so carelessly that with the other hand under
i be skin they could catch what they wanted. These were small, but as we went farther from the shore we got larger
ones. We used to get the best fish in 15 fathoms, at which depth we caught them weighing 30 and 40 pounds. We
could hook them about as fast as we could pull them in. They are the only food of the seals. Torpedo fish are said
to be found here, but we caught none.
We remained here eight weeks, and secured about 15,000 skins. During the latter part of the time, it being
the winter season, the weather was very bad, and we frequently stove our boats in the surf. In good weather we
took about 500 skins a day, finding them much better in quality than we had expected from the latitude. On leaving
we landed a couple of hogs, calculated to increase, for the benefit of those who might come after us. Some one
had done the same iu landing nine sheep, which we frequently saw together without molesting them. The sailor
lad "Bill" we left there still contented, without any apparent wish to leave the place or to accumulate property for
'hat purpose, although he continued to get seal skins.
The crew left here by {.'aptain Fanning we have agreed to take on board, and have purchased their skins. We
leave twelve of our crew here on account of myself and Captain Greene, and I have agreed to come out for them ;
therefore upon my return home I shall make but a very short stay with you. The men we leave are Doctor David
"Forbes, who is captain of the gang; J. F. Greene, who is second; Oliver Brad'ey, William Gorham, David Bogie,
Benjamin Thompson, John Howard, Elijah Davis, and my negro boy Aaron, and C. W. Jacobs. They are to allow
us twenty-two months to get back and take them oft'. If we are not then here they are at liberty to make the best
of their way oil'. They are on shares. Wo think they will get a good cargo of skins. The pups are just getting of
proper age to take. They have as yet been too black, and we have not taken any but yearlings and old ones. This
crew have now chosen a comfortable spot and are building themselves comfortable log-houses, and now, calculating for
a lengthy residence, will live more pleasantly than since we have been here. We have on board of Captain Tanning's
cicw. Josiah Townsend, Gilbert Tomlinsou, Lemuel Scot, Jonathan Dnrgiu, Joseph Holley, Joseph Smith, Thomas
Carpenter, and Abraham Dickerman.
BOUND FOR CHINA AND HOME.
We let i the U la i id of Mas-a-Fuci a on the l>th of June, and on the20fh we made the island of St. Felix> one of the St.
Ambrose Islands, which form a small and barren cluster in about the latitude of 26 degrees south, and longitude about
•-1 degrees west. We landed, but found nothing worth our attention except the head of a barrel marked "I. Winship,
1'ioMou.'1 These islands bear evident marks of having been volcanic, and are abont GO feet above the level of the sea.
The sides are so steep that it was difficult getting on the high ground, which was entirely barren, excepting a few
dusters of samphire. The birds were very plenty, and no doubt lay plenty of eggs in the season. There were many
just hatched. They lay on the earth, without nests, and we got a few eggs. Fish were as plenty as at Mas-a'-Fuera.
On Saturday night, June 1:1, «c left these islands with a determination to proceed for Canton, and having now closed
SEC. v, VOL. ii 30
466 HISTORY AND METHODS OF TBE FISHERIES.
the sealing part of our voyage wo gave the crew an extra allowance of grog, with which, as is always usnal with sail-
ors on Saturday night, if in their power, they drank "sweethearts and wives"; those who are married invariably
drink " wives and sweethearts. " After this we mustered all our music, which was a drum and fife, and negro Dick,
who could sing jigs and contra dauces enough to tire out all on hoard, found a good opportunity to test his peculiar
talents. At midnight the entertainment broke up with three cheers and a " good bye to sealing," none calculating on
anything but pleasure for the rest of the voyage, having finished what we considered the fatiguing part of it.
July 4, being fine weather, and feeling disposed to honor the day as much as was iu our power, an extra allowance
of grog was given to the crew. This produced no little mirth and jollity. Not ene of the men thought but that he
was under republican government, although nothing but a strict monarchical form was ever tried with success on
board of a ship. Many of our crew were very smart, ambitious young men, and might reasonably calculate on being
ship-masters, marine monarchs (ship-masters), themselves in proper time, and now seemed to enjoy a little of those
feelings by anticipation which they hoped hereafter to possess. In our voyage across the Pacific they exerted them-
selves to be qualified for commanding ships, and the captain gave them as much indulgence as he could for that object,
allowing them time and giving them instruction. It was quite a regular good school on board, and the progress was
even greater than in some literary institutions on shore. Some men that could not do a sum in addition when we left
America could now work lunar observations. We had fine weather, and Bothiug material occurred until the 2d of
August, when our crew began to cornplaiu of the scurvy. It first showed itself in hard, blue spots on the legs, with
pain in the joints. Several men were very sick, and ten were sick with it when we arrived at the Sandwich Islands
on the 14th of August. They recruited wonderfully on getting vegetables. In twenty-four hours there was an evi-
dent convalescence. One man, who was black from his feet to his hips, and whom we expected to lose, was well
within a week.
From the 14th to the 30th of August the Neptune was at the Sandwich Islands, about which
a detailed account is written.
We left these islands on the 31st of August, on our way to Canton, our crew having benefited much in health
during our stay. On the 10th of September our distance is the same east or west from Greenwich, our longitude being
180 degrees east or west from that observatory. We now lose one day and call it the llth of September. On the 3d
of October we made the island of Tinian, in latitude 14° 54' north, longitude 144° 32' east.
Mention is made of the inhabitants here and at some islands touched at, and on the 24th of
October, 1798, the vessel arrived at Macao.
We went on shore at Macao to get a pilot for Canton. Our first duty was to call on the governor, and we
understood that civility required our calling on Captain Turner, the commodore of the English ships then lying in
the Typa. We were received by both very politely. At Captain Turner's an English gentleman who had been in
America, wishing to be civil, said to me that he had been through the United States, with which he was very much
pleased, and, I presume suspecting I was a full-blooded Yankee, said to me, " Were you everin Connecticut?" I replied,
"Yes". He said, "Were you ever in New Haven?" "Yes, sir; I have been there frequently." "Well, that is the
place that I was pleased with."
After three hours' delay at Macao, we secured a pilot and proceeded up the river, and anchored at Whampoo at 2
o'clock on the morning of the 25th. On the 26th we got up among the shipping at our moorings and went up to Can-
ton in a san pan, which is one of their small passage boats. We had to stop about half a dozen times at the chop
houses for examination. * * On our arriving at Canton we were immediately invited by several of the captains
and supercargoes to take up our quarters with them until we should be fixed in our own. I accepted the invitation of
Mr. Gray, of Boston. * * * On the 29th we took possession of our factory between us and a northwest trader from
Boston, each to pay $400, not expecting to want it over a month or five weeks.
We sold our skins at $2 each, and the northwest captain sold his sea-otter skins at $28 each, both making great
voyages. On the 2d of November we began receiving our skins into the factory. The lower part was for storage and
we lived in the upper part. On the lower floor there was a large space iu the center and a small room on the other
side, with which we had nothing to do. The skins were brought in and laid in piles of one hundred.
The men were bringing them in and I was walking back and forth. I soon noticed a change in one of the piles,
counted them, and found five skins missing. They could not have gone out of the door, for there was one man stand-
ing there. The door of the room we had not seen opened, but we concluded they could not possibly go anywhere else,
and inquired for the key, which could not be found. We got an ax and were about breaking it open when a Chinin
stepped up with the key, letting us know that it was his room. We went in and found nothing there but a sailor's
chest, apparently empty, and were about, giving up the search when we thought possibly they might be in the chest.
We were obliged to apply the ax to that, and found in one end a small box, into which the skins were packed, and into
which we should not have thought it possible to have got a single skin. There was great dispatch and ingenuity in the
management ; I think none but a Chium could have done it. We gave the fellow a good rattaning ou the spot and
let him run, which was less trouble than to have applied to the police, and there was no danger of his complaining,
for if he had he would have been more severely punished. It appears to be very much the practice here for foreigners
to take their own satisfaction for petty offences.
As we had agreed for about 1,000 chests of Bohia tea, which is something of a job to be packed, we soon com-
menced receiving that part of our cargo. This sort of tea is brought, in from the country in baskets, and is a very in-
THE SEA-LION HUNT. 467
definite quality. It is a mixture of inferior teas. They are stacked into a heap and examined. If found inferior,
other black teas, as Campoy or Congo or such like, are mixed with it until it is considered merchantable Bohia, and
as nothing here is managed on a contracted scale, if the purchaser attends closely to liis interests and is a judge of
what he is receiving he is likely to be dealt liberally with, for I consider the Hong merchants as very honorable men.
There is seldom anything little or contracted with them. They are above it, and I think it due to their character to
say as a class of merchants no body of merchants of any country are more holiest or more honorable. They are above
little actions, but, as in all other countries, it is necessary that a man should attend to his own business and attend to
it closely. We received our teas from Ponqua. Our Boliia we complained of. He gave us Souchong to mix with it — a
few baskets was of uo consequence. He allowed us to mix until we should have been dishonest not to have been satis-
lied. He was the man who bought our skins, to pay us in barter, and he complied with his contract in the most hon-
orable manner. Our silks we bought, from Yonqiia, who is in China street, and not a Hong merchant, but a very
honest, clever fellow. They have been frying to get him into the Hong, but he wishes to keep out of it. Ho therefore
is very private in his business, wishing the impression to be that he is able to do but little. He does a heavy busi-
ness in a very private manner.
We commenced packing our Bohia tea. This was a very dirty, unpleasant business. We packed two hundred
chests a day, beginning at 4 o'clock in the morning, and had them finished and marked about noon. One man packs
one chest, treading it in with his feet. After the packing it is the custom to dine with the Hong merchant in his
hong, or store, for wo never visit, their houses. With the expectation that we will invite all our friends, a dinner is
accordingly provided in elegant English style.
The Neptune completed taking in her cargo of teas, silks, and other Chinese products, and
sailed about January 1 for home, via Cape of Good Hope, arriving at New Haven July 11, 1799.
The shares of the sailors were about $1,200 each.
4.— THE SEA-LION HUNT.
BY HENRY W. ELLIOTT.
1. CAPTUEE OF THE SEA-LION.
While the greatest number of sea lions are captured on the Pribylov Islands every year, yet it
should be plainly understood that the hunting of these animals is not restricted to those islands
in Alaska by any means, as is so remarkable in the case of the fur-seal. On the contrary the sea-
lion is secured at many points between Attoo and Kadiak, and has been the means of making the
Aleuts of the Aleutian chain very independent as to the construction of their elegant sea-going
<; bidarkies " and " bidarrahs," which are simply necessary to their means of procuring a livelihood
by fishing and the chase of the sea otter.
Unlike the method of the Pribylov natives, the Aleutians are obliged to employ their otter
spears and fire-arms when they seek the sea-lion, approaching the dozing animals either as they
sleep in the water or on the rocks awash, in their bidarkies with the wind well to leeward. Some-
times they manage to approach from the sea so cautiously as to stampede the astonished brutes
up ravines or over rolling moorlands, where they are easily shot and speared. Generally, however,
the natives secure only three or four out of the herd, the others escaping pell mell into the freedom
and shelter of the sea.
The great intrinsic value, to the domestic service of the Aleuts rendered by the flesh, fat,
and sinews of this animal, together with its skin, arouses the natives of Saint Paul and Saint
George, who annually make a drive of " seevitchie," by which they capture, on the, former island,
two or three hundred, as the case may be, every year. On Saint George, driving is so much
more difficult, owing to the character of the land itself, that very few are secured there; but
at Saint Paul unexceptional advantages are found on Northeast Point for the capture of these
shy and wary brutes. The natives of Saint Paul, therefore, are depended upon to secure the
necessary number of skins required by both islands for their boats, &c. This capture of the sea-
408 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
lion is the ouly serious business which the people have on Saint Paul; it is a labor of great care,
industry, and some physical risk for the Aleutian hunters. A curious, though doubtless authentic,
story was told me in this connection, illustrative of the strength and energy of the sea-lion bull
when at bay. Many years ago (1847), on Saint Paul Island, a drive of September sea-lions was
brought down to the village in the usual style; but when the natives assembled to kill them, on
account of the great scarcity, at that time, of powder on the island, it was voted best to lance the
old males also, as well as the iemales, rather than shoot them. in the customary style. The people
had hardly set to work at the task when one of their number, a small, elderly, though tough, able-
bodied Aleut, while thrusting his lance into the " life" of a large bull, was suddenly seen to fall on
his back, directly under the huge brute's head; instantly the powerful jaws of the "seevitchie"
closed upon the waistband, apparently, of the native, and, lifting the yelling man aloft, as a cat
would a kitten, the sea-lion shook and threw him high into the air, away over the heads of his
associates, who had rushed up to the rescue. Leo marinus was quickly destroyed by a dozen furi-
ous spear-thrusts, but in its clenched jaws were the tattered fragments of Ivan's trousers, an
unimpeachable evidence of the poor fellow's emasculation.
By reference to my sketch map of Northeast Point fur-seal rookery on a previous page, the
observer will notice a peculiar neck or boot-shaped point, which I have designated as Sea-Lion
Neck. This area is a spot upon which a large number of sea-lions are always to be found during
the season. As they are so shy, and sure to take to water upon the appearance or presence of a
man near by, the natives adopt this plan:
PREPARATIONS FOR THE DRIVE. — Along by the middle or end of September, as late sometimes
as November, and after the fur-seal rookeries have broken up for the season, fifteen or twenty of
the very best men in the village are selected, by one of their chiefs, for a sea-lion rendezvous at
Northeast Point. They go up there with their provisions, tea and sugar, blankets, &c., and make
themselves at home in the "barrabbora" and houses, which I have located on the sketch-map of
Novastoshnah, prepared to stay, if necessary, a month, or until they shall get the whole drove
of two or three hundred sea-lions together.
METHODS OF DRIVING SEA-LIONS. — The '' seevitchie," as the natives call these animals, can
not be approached successfully by daylight, so these hunters lay by, in this house of Webster's,
until a favorable night comes along — one in which the moon is partially obscured by drifting clouds,
and the wind blows over them from the rookery where the sea-lions lie. Such an opportunity being
afforded, they step down to the beach at low water, and proceed to creep flat on all-fours over the
surf beaten sand and bowlders up to the dozing herd, and between it and the high-watermark
where it rests. In this way, a .small body of natives, crawling along in Indian file, may pass unno-
ticed by the sea-lion sentries, which doubtless, in the uncertain light, see but confound the forms
of their human enemies with those of seals. When the creeping Aleuts have all reached the strip
of beach that is left bare by ebb-tide, which is between the water and the unsuspecting animals, at
a given signal from their crawling leader they all at once leap to their feet, shout, yell, brandishing
their arms, and firing off pistols, while the astonished and terrified lions roar and flounder in all
directions.
The natives appreciate this peculiarity of the sea-lion very keenly, for good and sufficient
cause, though none of them have ever been badly injured in driving or "springing the alarm." I
camped with them for six successive nights in September, 1872, in order to witness the whole pro-
cedure. During the several drives made while I was with them I saw but one exciting incident ;
everything went off in the orthodox manner, as described in the text above. The exceptional
incident occurred during the first drive of the first night, and rendered the natives so cautious that
TIIK SKA-LION HUNT. 469
it was not repeated. \Vlien I lie alarm was sprung', old Luka Mandirgan was leading the van, and
at that moment, down upon him, despite his wildly gesticulating arms and shrill yelling, came a
squad of old bull " see vitchie." The native saw instantly that they were pointed for the water,
and, in his sound sense, turned to run from under, his tarbosar slipped upon a slimy rock awash,
he fell Hat as a flounder, just as a do/.eu or more, big sea-lions plunged over and onto his prostrate
form in the shallow water, hi less time than this can be written the heavy pinnipeds had disap-
peared, while the bullet-like head of old Luka was quickly raised, and he trotted back to us with
an alternation of mirth and then chagrin in his voice; he was not hurt in the least.
BEHAVIOR OF THE SEA-LIONS WHEN SURPRISED. — If, at the moment of surprise, the brutes
are sleeping with their heads pointed toward the water, they rise up in fright and charge straight
oil in that way directly over the rueu themselves; but if their heads have been resting at this
instant pointed landward, up they rise and follow that course just as desperately, and nothing will
turn them either one way or the other. Those sea-lions which charged for the water are lost, of
course; but the natives promptly follow up the laud- turned animals with a rare combination of
horrible noises and demouiacal gesticulations until the first frenzied spurt and exertions of the
terrified creatures so completely exhaust them that they fall panting, gasping, prone upon the
earth, extended, iu spite of their huge bulk and powerful muscles, helpless and at the mercy of
their cunning captors, who, however, instead of slaying them as they lie, gently rouse them up
again, and urge the herd along to the house in which they have been keeping this watch during
the several days past so as to be on hand in time to take advantage of such a night iu which to
make this effort.
THE " CORRAL." — Here, at this point, is a curious stage in the proceedings. The natives
drive up to that " Webster's " house the twenty-five or thirty or forty sea-lious, as the case may be.
which they have just captured — they seldom get more at any one time — and keep them iu a corral
or pen right by the "barrabbora," on the flattened surface of a sand-ridge, iu the following comical
manner: When they have huddled up the "pod," they thrust stakes down around it at intervals
of 10 to 30 feet, to which strips of cotton cloth are fluttering as flags, and a line or two of sinew-
rope, or thong of hide, is strung from pole to pole around the group, making a circular cage, as it
were. Within this flimsy circuit the stupid sea-lions are securely imprisoned, and. though they
are incessantly watched by two or three men, the whole period of caging and penning which I
observed, extending over nine or ten days and nights, passed without a single effort being made
by the "seevitchie" to break out of their frail inclosure; and it was passed by these animals not
in stupid quiescence, but in alert watchfulness, writhing, twisting, turning one upon and over the
other, so that they resembled to my fancy a handful of worms as they struggle to escape when
thrown upon a heated saucer.
By this method of procedure, after the lapse usually of two or three weeks, a succession of
favorable nights will have occurred ; and the natives secure their full quota, which, as I have said
before, is expressed by a herd of two or three hundred of these animals.
PREPARATION AND METHOD OF DRIVING TO THE VILLAGE.— The complement filled, the
natives then prepare to drive their herd bark to the village, over the grassy and mossy uplands
and intervening stretches of sand-dune tracts, fully 11 miles, prefei ring to take the trouble of prod-
ding the clumsy brutes, wayward and obstinate as they are, rather than to pack their heavy hides
in and out of boats; making, in this way, each sea-lion carry its own skin and blubber down to
the doors of their houses in the village. If the weather is normally wet and cold, this drive, or
caravan of lions, can be driven to the point of destination iu five or six days; but, should it be
470 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
dry and warmer than usual, three weeks, and even longer, will elapse before the circuit is tra-
versed.
When the drive is started the natives gather around the herd on all sides, save the opening
which they leave pointing to the direction in which they desire the animals to travel ; and in this
manner they escort and urge the "seevitchie" on to their final resting and slaughter near the vil-
lage. The young lions and the females being much lighter than the males, less laden with fat or
blubber, take the lead, for they travel twice and thrice as easy and as fast as the old males,
which, by reason of their immense avoirdupois, are incapable of moving ahead more than a few rods
at a time, when they are completely checked by sheer loss of breath, though the vanguard of the
females allures them strongly on ; but, when an old sea-lion feels his wind coming short, he is
sure to stop, sullenly and surlily turning upon the drivers, not to move again until his lungs are
clear.
In this method and manner of driving, the natives stretch the herd out in extended file, or,
as a caravan, over the line of march, and, as the old bulls pause to savagely survey the field and
catch their breath, showing their wicked teeth, the drivers have to exercise every art and all their
ingenuity in arousing them to fresh efforts. This they do by clapping boards and bones together,
firing fusees, and waving flags ; and, of late, and best of all, the blue gingham umbrella repeatedly
opened and closed in the face of an old bull has been a more effective starter than all the other
known artifices or savage expedients of the natives. Is it not an amusing coincidence that while
lions are hunted under umbrellas in Africa, their marine namesakes are chased with them in
Alaska?*
ARRIVAL OF THE DRIVE AT THE VILLAGE. — The procession of sea lions managed in this
strange manner day and night — for the natives never let up — is finally brought to rest within a
stone's throw of the village, which has pleasurably anticipated for days and for weeks its arrival,
and rejoices in its appearance. The men get out their old rifles and large sea-lion lances, and
sharpen their knives, while the women look well to their oil-pouches, and repair to the field of
slaughter with meat-baskets on their heads.
* The curious behavior of the sea-lions in the Big lake, when they are en route and driven from Novastoshuah to
the village, deserve? mention. After the drove gets over the sand-dunes and beach between Webster's house and the
extreme northeastern head of the lake, a halt is called and the drove "penned" on the bank there; then, when the
sea-lions are well rested, they are started up, and go pell-mell into the water; two natives, in a bidarka, keep them from
turning out from the shore into the broad bosom of Meesulkmahuee, while another bidarka paddles in their rear and
follows their swift passage right down the eastern shore. In this method of procedure the drive carries itself nearly
two miles by water in less than twenty minutes from the time the sea-lions are first turned iu, at the north end, to the
moment when they are driven out at the southeastern elbow of the Big pond. The shallowuess of the water here
accounts probably for the strange failure of the sea-lions to regain their liberty, and so retards their swimming as to
enable the bidarka, with two men, to keep abreast of their leaders easily, as they plunge ahead ; and "as one goes so go
all sheep," it is not necessary to pay attention to those which straggle behind in the wake ; they are stirred up by the
second bidarka, and none make the least attempt to diverge from the track which the swifter mark out iu advance;
if they did, they could escape "scot-free" in auy one of the twenty minutes of this aquatic passage.
By consulting the map of Saint Paul, it will be observed that in a direct line between the village and Northeast
Point there are quite a number of small lakes, including this large one of Meesulkmahuee ; into all of these ponds the
sea-lion drove is successfully driven. This interposition of fresh water at such frequent intervals serves to shorten the
time of the journey fully ti-u days in warmish weather, and at least four or five under the best of climatic conditions.
This track between Webster's house and the village killing-grounds is strewn with the bones of Eiimetoplas. They
will drop iu their tracks, now and then, even when carefully driven, from cerebral or spinal congestion principally;
and wheu they are hurried the mortality en route is very great. The natives, when driving them keep them going day
aud night alike, but give them frcunent resting spells after every spurt ahead. The old bulls flounder along for a hun-
dred yards or so, then suddenly halt to regain breath, five or ten minutes being allowed them ; then they are stirred
up again, aud so on, hour after hour, until the tedious transit is completed.
The youuger sea-lions, and the cows which are in the drove, carry themselves easHy far ahead of the bulls, and
being thus always iu the van, serve unconsciously to stimulate and coax the heavy males to travel. Otherwise, I do
not believe that a baud of old bulls, exclusively, could be driven down over this loug mail successfully.
THE SEA-LION HUNT. 471
MANNT.K IN WIIICH TUB KILLING is CONDUCTED. — No attempt is made, even by the boldest
Aleut, to destroy an old bull sea-lion by spearing the enraged and powerful beast, which, now
familiar \vith man and conscious as it were of his puny strength, would seize the lance between
its jaws and shake it from the hands of the stoutest one in a moment. Eecourse is had to the
rille. The herd is started up the sloping flanks of the black, bluff hill-sides ; the females speedily
take the front, while the old males hang behind. Then the marksmen, walking up to within a few
paces of each animal, deliberately draw their sights upon their heads and shoot them just between
the eye and the ear. The old males thus destroyed, the cows and females are in turn surrounded
by the natives, who, dropping their rifles, thrust the heavy iron lances into their trembling bodies
at a point behind the fore-flippers, touching the heart with a single lunge. It is an unparalleled
spectacle, dreadfully cruel and bloody.
This surround of the cows is, perhaps, the strangest procedure on the islands. To fully
appreciate the subject, the reader must first call to his mind's eye the fact that these female sea-
lions, though small beside the males, are yet large animals, 7 and 8 feet long, and weighing, each,
as much as any five or six average men. But, in spite of their strength and agility, fifteen 01
twenty Aleuts, with a rough, iron-tipped lance in their hands, will surround a drove of fifty or
one hundred and fifty of them by forming a noisy, gesticulating circle, gradually closing up, man
to man, until the sea-lions are literally piled in a writhing, squirming, struggling mass, one above
the other, three or four deep, heads, flippers, bellies, backs all so woven and interwoven in this
panic-stricken heap of terrified creatures, that it defies adequate description. The natives spear
the cows on top, which, as they sink in death, are mounted in turn by the live animals underneath ,
these meet the deadly lance in order, and so on until the whole herd is quiet and stilled in the
fatal ebbing of their hearts' blood.
2. ECONOMIC USES OP THE SEA-LION.
HIGH APPRECIATION OF THE SEA-LION BY THE ALEUTS.— Although the sea-lion has little
or no commercial value for us, yet to the service of the natives theinselves, who live all along the
Bering sea-coast of Alaska, Kamtchatka, and the Kuriles, it is invaluable ; they set great store by it.
It supplies them with its hide, mustaches, flesh, fat, sinews, and intestines, which they make up
into as many necessary garments, dishes, &c. They have abundant reason to treasure its skin
highly, for it is covering to their neat "bidarkies" and" bidarrahs," the former being the small "kyak"
of Bering Sea, while the latter is a boat of all work, exploration, and transportation. These skins
are nnhaired by sweating in a pile ; then they are deftly sewed and carefully stretched over a light
keel and frame of wood, making a perfectly water-tight boat that will stand, uninjured, the soften-
ing influence of water for a day or two at a time, if properly air-dried and oiled. After being used
during the day, these skin boats are always drawn out on the beach, turned bottom-side up and
air dried during the night, in this way made ready for employment again on the morrow.
\Vlion slowly sketching, by measurements, the outlines of a fine adult bull sea lion which the ball
from Booterin's rifle had just destroyed, an old "starooka" came up abruptly ; not seeming to see
me, she deliberately threw down a large, greasy, skin meat-bag, and whipping out a knife, went
to work on my specimen. Curiosity prompted me to keep still in spite of the first sensations of
annoyance, so that I might watch her choice and use of the animal's carcass. She first removed
the skin, being actively aided in this operation by an uncouth boy ; she then cut off the palms to
both fore flippers ; the boy at the same time pulled out the mustache bristles ; she then cut out
its gullet, from the glottis to its junction with the stomach, carefully divested it of all fleshy
attachments, fat, &c. ; she then cut out the stomach itself, and turned it inside out, carelessly
472 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. '
scraping the gastric walls free of copious biliary secretions, the inevitable bunch of ascaris, &c. ;
she then told the boy to take hold of the duodenum end of the small intestine, and as he walked
away with it she rapidly cleared it of its attachments, so that it was thus uncoiled to its full length
of at least 60 feet; then she severed it, and then it was recoiled by the "melchiska," and laid up
with the other members just removed, except the skin, which she had nothing' more to do with.
She then cut out the liver and ate several large pieces of that workhouse of the blood before
dropping it into the meat-pouch. She then raked up several handfuls of the "leaf lard," or hard,
white fat that is found in moderate quantity around the viscera of all these pinnipeds, which she
also dumped into the flesh-bag; she then drew her knife through the large heart, but did not
touch it otherwise, looking at it intently, however, as it still quivered in unison with (lie warm
flesh of the whole carcass. She and the boy then poked their fingers into the tumid lobes of the
immense lungs, cutting out portions of them only, which were also put into the grimy pouch afore-
said; then she secured the gall bladder and slipped it into a small yeast-powder tin, which was
produced by the urchin ; then she finished her economical dissection by cutting the sinews out of
the back in unbroken bulk from the cervical vertebra to the sacrum. All these were stuffed into
that skin bag, which she threw on her back and supporting it by a baud over her head, she trudged
back to the "barrabkie" from whence she sallied a short hour ago, like an old vulture to the
slaughter ; she made the following disposition of its contents: The palms were used to sole a pair
of tarbosars, or native boots, of which the uppers and knee tops were made of the gullets, one
sea-lion gullet to each boot top ; the stomach was carefully blown up, and left to dry on the bar-
rabkie roof, eventually to be filled with oil rendered from sea-lion or fur-seal blubber. The small
intestine was carefully injected with water and cleansed, then distended with air, and pegged on I
between two stakes, 60 feet apart, with little cross slats here and there between to keep it clear
of the ground. When it is thoroughly dry, it is ripped up in a straight line with its length and
pressed out into a broad baud of parchment gut, which she cuts up and uses in making a water-
proof "kamlaykie," sewing it with these sinews taken from the back. The liver, leaf-lard, and
lobes of the lungs were eaten without further cooking, and the little gall-bag was for some use in
poulticing a scrofulous sore. The mustache-bristles were a venture of the boy, who gathers all
that he can, then sends them to San Francisco, where they find a ready sale to the Chinese, who
pay about oue cent apiece for them. When the natives cut up a sea-lion carcass, or one of a fur
seal, on the killing-grounds for meat, they take only the hams and the loins. Later in the season
they eat the entire carcass, which they hang up by the hind flippers on a "laabas" by their houses
VALUE OF THE INTESTINES. — A peculiar value is attached to the intestines of the sea-lion,
which, after skinning, are distended with air and allowed to dry in that shape; then they are cut
into ribbons and sewed strongly together into that most characteristic water-proof garment of the
world, known as the " kamlaika;"* which, while being fully as water-proof as India rubber, has
far greater strength, and is never affected by grease and oil. It is also transparent in its fitting
over dark clothes. The sea-lions' throats are served in a similar manner, and, when cured, un-
made into boot-tops, which are in turn soled by the tough skin that composes the palms of thi.s
animals fore flippers.
* The Aleutian name for Ibis garment is unpronounceable ill our language, and equally so in the more flexible
Russian; hence the Muscovite "kamlaika," derived from the Siberian " kamlaia." This is made of tanned reindeer
skin, uuhaired, and smoked by larch bark until it is colored a saffron yellow; and is worn over the reindeer-sKin
undershirt, which has the hair next, to the ownei's skin, and the obverse side stained red by a decoction of alilei
bark. The "kamlaia" is closed behind and before, and a hood, fastened to the back of the neck, in drawn over the h<-;i< I
when leaving shelter; so is the Aleutian " kamlaika," only the oue of Kolyma is used to keep out piercing dry cold,
while the garment of the Bering Sea is a perfect water repellant.
THE SEA-LION HUNT. 473
STOMACH- WALLS TTSI<;I> AS OIL POUCHES. — Around the natives' houses, on Saint Paul ;in<l
Saint George, constantly appear curious objects, which, to the unaccustomed eye, resemble over-
grown gourds op enormous calabashes with attenuated necks; an examination proves them to be
the dried, distended stomach walls of the sea lion, filled with its oil ; which, unlike the offensive
blubber of the fur seal, boils out clear and inodorous from its fat. The flesh of an old sea lion,
while not very palatable, is tasteless and dry ; but the meat of a yearling is very much like veal,
and when properly cooked I think it is just as good; but the superiority of the sea lion meat over
that of the fur seal is decidedly marked. It requires great skill in the cuisine ere sausage and
steaks of the CuUurhinux are accepted on the table; while it does iiot, however, require much art,
experience, or patience for the cook to serve up the juicy ribs of a young sea-lion so that the most
fastidious palate will fail to relish it.
CARING FOR THE FLESH. — The carcass of the sea lion, after it is stripped of its hide, and dis-
emboweled, is hung up in cool weather by its hind flippers, over a rude wooden frame or "labaas,"
as the natives call it, where, together with many more bodies of fur seals treated in the same man-
ner, it serves from November until the following season of May as the meat-house of the Aleut on
Saint Paul and Saint George. Exposed in this manner to the open weather, the natives keep their
seal meat almost any length of time, in winter, for use; and, like our old duck and bird hunters,
they say they prefer to have the meat tainted rather than fresh, declaring that it is most tender
and toothsome when decidedly "loud.''
CHINESE DEMAND FOR WHISKERS.— The tough, elastic mustache bristles of the sea-lion are
objects of great commercial activity by the Chinese, who prize them highly for pickers to their
opium pipes, aud several ceremonies peculiar to their joss houses. These lip bristles of the fur-
seal are usually too small and too elastic for this service. The natives, however, always carefully
pluck them out of the Eumetopias, and get their full value in exchange.
DIET OF THE SEA-LION. — The sea-lion also, as in the case of the fur-seal, is a fish-eater, pure
and simple, though he, like the latter, occasionally varies his diet by consuming a limited amount
of juicy sea weed fronds and tender marine crustaceans ; but he hunts no animal whatever for
food, nor does he ever molest, up here, the sea fowl that incessantly hovers over his head, or sits
in flocks without fear on the surface of the waters around him. He, like his agile cousin, Callor-
lihiuts, is without question a mighty fisherman, familiar with every submarine haunt of his piscine
prey; and feeds also like his furry relative, by rejecting the heads of all fishes which have hard,
horny mouths, filled with large teeth or bony plates. I have never detected a sea-lion eating
water birds or even noticing them as they flock upon the water all around these animals.
CALIFORNIA SEALING. — Professor Jordan obtained the following information about the sea-
lion and hair-seal fishery of California :
At Los Angeles County the hair-seal, which abounds along the coast, is occasionally shot for
its oil. Only the "bull seals" are killed. A seal will yield half a barrel of oil, worth 25 cents a
gallon. The galls and geuitalia are saved and sold to the Chinese, who are said to eat them. The
seal is a source of great annoyance to those fishermen who use gill-nets. It waits until the nets
are set, and then rifles them of the fish, evidently considering the whole performance an improve-
ment on his previous methods of fishing. He seldom much injures the nets.
At Santa Barbara County the hair seal is killed principally for its oil, as is the sea-lion, both
of which animals, if distinct species, are extremely abundant on Auacapa and the other islands.
They breed in June and July, aud are chiefly killed from May to July. Only the pups are shot in
winter. The average seal makes 5 to 15 gallons of oil, worth from L'O to 25 cents a gallon. Kogers
Bros, sold last year 150 barrels of oil at about $15 per barrel. There is now very little profit in
474 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
this business. The hides are in geiieral not used, but an attempt is being made to use them for
shoe-soles. The " trimmings" of the seals are saved and sold to the Chinese. They consist of—
1. The whiskers, which are mounted with silver, &c., three together, and used as toothpicks.
2. The intestines, gullet, &c., used as food.
3. The genitals, used for soup.
4. The galls, used as medicine.
5. The teeth, used for rings and made into ornaments.
A sea-lion skin entire averages about 125 pounds; when the belly is thrown away, about
87£ pounds; and the body produces about 11 £ gallons.
Very lately an agent of a San Francisco firm has come to Santa Barbara to buy seal-skins
for some purpose of boat-making iu Alaska; he offers good prices for them. Fifteen to twenty
men are employed by this firm in seal and otter hunting, mostly Califoruians, at $25 to $39 per
month. A few Chinese at $20 to $25.
5.— THE NORTH- ATLANTIC SEAL-FISHERY.
BY A. HOWARD GLAKK.*
1. THE SEALING GROUNDS: EXTENT OF THE FISHERY.
SPECIES TAKEN. — " The seals hunted in the North Atlantic and Arctic waters belong chiefly to
four species, namely, the harp, or Greenland seal, Phoca (Pagophilus) grcenlandica, the rough seal,
Phoca (Pusa) fcetida, the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina], and the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata).
The first, by its numbers, far exceeds in importance all the others together, and is hence the chief
object of pursuit. Two other species, the bearded seal (Erignatlius barbatus) and the gray seal
(Halichcerus grypus), are also taken when met with, but both are rare, and neither enters largely
into the general product of the seal-fishery. The Newfoundland seal-fishery is limited to the cap-
ture of the Greenland, harbor, and hooded seals. The latter is not, however, a regular object of
pursuit, but is taken as opportunity favors, and some seasons but very few individuals of this
species are met with. The harbor seal is taken along the shores, where it is permanently resident,
but comparatively only in small numbers. The rough seal and the bearded seal are of consider-
able impoitauce to the Greenlanders, the former especially, more than half of the seals taken by
them belonging to this species.
"The pursuit of seals for their commercial products forms, as is well known, a highly impor-
tant branch of industry, giving employment for a considerable part of each year to hundreds of
vessels and thousands of seamen, as well as to many of the inhabitants of the seal-frequented
coasts of Newfoundland, Greenland and Northern Europe. Although these animals are destitute
of the fine soft coat of under-fur that gives to the fur-seals their great economic importance, their
oil and skins render them a valuable booty. Seals have been hunted from time immemorial, but
until within the last hundred years their pursuit was limited to the vicinity of such inhabited
coasts as they were accustomed to frequent. For nearly a century, however, a greater or less num-
ber of vessels have been constantly employed in their capture on the ice-floes of the Arctic seas,
or on the uninhabited coasts and islands of the far north. This industry, therefore, plays an irn-
"This fishery is not at present participated iu by the United States, yet in view of its great importance I give in
some detail an account of its history and methods, quoting largely from Allen's "North American Pinnipeds."
TIIM NORTH ATLANTIC SEAL FISHERY. 475
portant part in the history of the species here under consideration, and is, moreover, of such high
commercial importance as to render a somewhat detailed account of the general subject indispen-
sable iu the present connection. As all the species hunted in the northern waters belong to the
North American fauna, the consideration of the subject involves other hunting-grounds than
those geographically connected with the North American continent.
"The principal ' sealiug-grounds ' in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans are: (1) the West
Greenland coasts; (2) Newfoundland, the coast of Labrador, and the islands and shores of the
Gulf of Saint Lawrence, but especially the ice-floes to the eastward of these coasts; (3) the Spits-
bergen and Jan Majen seas; (4) Nova Zembla and the adjacent waters; (5) the White Sea. In
addition to these districts (G) the Caspian Sea affords an important seal-fishery."*
EXTENT OF THE FISHERY.— Mr. Allen has given an extended statistical account of the seal-
fisheries of the North Atlantic, from which it appears that along the West Greenland coasts seal
hunting is mainly prosecuted by the natives of that country and is their chief means of support,
the average annual catch amounting, according to Rink, to about eighty-nine thousand seals, the
skins of about half of which are exported.
"Many seals," says Mr. Allen, "are taken at the Magdalen and other islands at the mouth
of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, as well as along the shores of Newfoundland, in nets or with the
gun, but by far the greater part are captured on the floating ice to the eastward of New-
foundland, to which several hundred vessels annually repair at the proper season, and where alone
the yearly catch aggregates about half a million seals. This, indeed, is the sealiug-grouud par
excellence of the world, twice as many seals being taken here by the Newfoundland fleet alone as
by the combined sealing fleets of Great Britain, Germany, and Norway in the icy seas about Jan
Mayeu, or the so-called 'Greenland Sea' of the whalemen and sealers.
" According to Charlevoix, thousands of seals were taken along the shores of the Gulf
of Saint Lawrence as early as the beginning of the last century, but a high authority on
the subject — Mr. Michael Carroll, of Bonavista, Newfoundland — states that the seal fishery was
not regularly prosecuted, at least in vessels especially equipped for the purpose, prior to the
year 1763. As early as 1787 the business had already begun to assume importance, during which
year nearly five thousand seals were taken. Twenty years later (1807) thirty vessels from New-
foundland alone were engaged in the prosecution of sealing voyages, and subsequently the number
became greatly increased. In the year 1834 one hundred and twenty- five vessels, maimed by three
thousand men, sailed from the single port of St. John's; two hundred and eighteen vessels, with
nearly five thousand men, from Conception Bay, and nineteen from Trinity Bay, besides many
others from other ports, making in all not less than three hundred and seventy- five, with crews
numbering in the aggregate about nine thousand inen.t To these are to be added a considerable
number from Nova Scotia (chiefly from Halifax) and the Magdalen Islands. In 1857 the New-
foundland sealing-fleet exceeded three hundred and seventy vessels, their 'united crews numbering
thirteen thousand six hundred men.' The total catch of seals for that year was 500,000, valued at
£4li5,000, provincial currency. £ The business at this date seems to have attained its maximum so
far as the number of men and vessels are concerned, the number of vessels subsequently employed
lalling to below two hundred, which has since still further decreased. Yet the number of seals
annually captured has not apparently diminished, the business being prosecuted in larger vessels,
which secure larger catches. According to statistics furnished by Governor Hill, C. B., of New-
* JOEL ASAPH AI.LEN: History of North American Pinnipeds: Department of the Interior; Washington : 1880.
" t BONNYCASTLE : Newfoundland in 1832, vol. i, p. 159."
"{CARROLL: Seal and Herring Fisheries of Newfoundland, p. 7."
476 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
foundlaud, to the home government,* it appears that in 1871 the whole number of vessels employed
in sealing was one hundred and forty-six sailing-vessels and fifteen steamers, manned by eighty-
eight hundred and fifty men. The exports of seal products for that year from Newfoundland were
0,943 tuns of oil, valued at $972,020, and 486,262 skins, valued at $486,262, the catch for the year
being about 500,000 seals, which were sold for the aggregate sum of $1,458,282. The single steam-
ship Commodore, of Harbour Grace, brought in 32,000 seals, valued at £24,000 sterling. While
the number of vessels employed in the Newfoundland seal slaughter had at this time declined
more than one half, and the number of men engaged was one-third less, it appears that the annual
catch was equal to that of average seasons twenty years earlier.
" Prior to about 1866 the sealing fleet consisted wholly of sailing-vessels, but since that date
a small but steadily increasing number of steamships have been added. In 1873, of the one hun-
dred and seven sealing vessels fitted out from the ports of Newfoundland, nearly one-fifth were
steamers. Notwithstanding, however, this comparative small number of vessels, the 'catch' for
that year is said to have been 526,000.
"The number of vessels sailing from other provincial ports is usually small in comparison with
the number from Newfoundland, and they are generally of smaller size."
2. AMERICAN SEALING VESSELS.
In this extensive fishery, producing annually hundreds of thousands of seal-skins and thou-
sands of barrels of seal-oil, few vessels from the United States have ever participated. Occasionally
vessels have been fitted from ports in New England to cruise for a time on the sea ling- grounds,
arid then to go in pursuit of whales, but only two or three vesse Is have made the seal their sole
pursuit.
One vessel from the United States that participated in this business was the ship McLennan,
of New London, which from 1846 to 1.S53 took about 6,000 hair seal skins, 600 barrels of seal-oil and
a quantity of whale oil and bone. On her several voyages she was specially fitted for sealing as
well as whaling, yet pursued the seal-fishery for only a limited period each year, preferring the
larger game. Several other vessels have been similarly engaged, among them the Georgiana,
George Henry, and the Amaret, afterwards the Rescue of Kane's expedition.
From 1860 to 1880 the Hudson Bay and Cumberland Inlet whaling fleet from the United
States took about 10,000 hair-seal skins, valued at about 75 cents each, and about 1,000 barrels of
seal-oil, valued at 40 cents per gallon.
The following account, by Capt. N. E. Atwood, of Proviucetown, of a sealing trip to New-
foundland is worthy of record as a matter ol history :
" In 1819 or 1820 the schooner Pilgrim, of Provincetowu, 62 tons, o. in., fitted out for a sealing
voyage, sailing about the middle of March for the ice-floes to the east of Newfoundland, where she
joined the Newfoundland fleet of sealers. No one on board was acquainted with sealing. Before
they went into the ice they fell in with a sealer from St. John's, with whom they talked. They
entered the ice near each other, and the Pilgrim soon outsailed the Newfoundland vessel, so that
by night he was nearly out of sight. At night they tied the vessel up to a small iceberg. The
weather grew rough and the ice began to pound. They used the cedar poles they had brought for
fenders, but they did no good. The stem of the vessel started, the bolts came out, and it turned
around. After the ice closed, by piling ice on the after part of the vessel they got the stem
out of the water and repaired damages. They then got out of the ice again and ran to the north,
" " Papers relating to Her Majesty's Colonial Possessions, part, ii, 187H, pp. 143, 14.r>."
THE NORTH ATLANTIC SEAL FISHERY. 477
whore they entered the ice again, and when they got in it was Sunday. They were surrounded by
.seals. They would not touch them Sunday, but Monday they got 250 seals, and Tuesday they
not t!0. They got a l'e\v afterwards, which made up 450, and got out of the ice again. Afterwards
they fell in with a Newfoundlander, and bought 40, and came home. When they got home the oil
and the pelts did not fetch more than they had paid for them. They made about $13 to a share,
having been gone six weeks, while the owners lost considerably by the venture. Two members of
the crew, James Dyer and Joshua Nickerson, are living in 1879, the former seventy-two and the
latter seventy-seven years old."
Mr. Earll obtained the information that the schooner Caleb, 54 tons, with standing fore top-
sail, engaged in sealing in 1829. She belonged at Deer Isle, Me., and took the seals at Magdalen
Islands. The pelts and oil were brought home. Samuel Havelock and his brother each fitted a,
vessel at Mount Desert in 1829, and engaged in the seal-fishery at Magdalen Islands or Newfound-
land.
The above vessels are the only American craft, other than whaling vessels, that engaged in
the hair-seal fishery prior to 1870. In the latter year the steamer Monticello, 526 tons, manned
by one hundred and seventy men, was sent out from Bay Eoberts, Newfoundland. This steamer
was owned by parties in New York City and Capt. Loreiizo Wilson, of Eastport, Me. She-
sailed three years to the seal fishery from Newfoundland, the first year from Bay Roberts, under
Captain Liullow, but landed only 250 skins. The crew "panned" about 10,000 seals, but did not
Miccetd in putting them on board because of an accident to the propeller. An action was taken
in court to recover the missing seals, but the crew not being in a position to prove the claim the
suit was abandoned. The second year, 1871, she sailed from Bay Roberts, under command of
Capt. A. Bartlett, and captured about 22,000 seals, the oil of which was shipped to Boston and
the skins to London, the catch being valued at $90,000. In 1872 she sailed from Catalina under
Captain Murphy, and captured 3,000 seals. Her stem and stern posts and propeller being broken
by the ice, she was obliged to abandon the voyage, and after arriving at Saint Johns, and finding
the dock capacity not sufficient to take her up, she cleared for Boston, via Sydney, Cape Breton,
with passengers, and while crossing the gulf she foundered. The passengers and crew were taken
oft' by a fishing schooner and landed at St. Pierre.
The Monticello was not built for the seal-fishery, and not at all suited for such a voyage, being
very flat on the floor, hollow bowed, with a very fine stern, which was the principal cause of the
accident to the propeller.
Concerning this sealing steamer, the annual report for 1871 of the St. John's, Newfoundland,
Chamber of Commerce, is reported, by a correspondent of the New York Weekly Post, to state
that "the fitting out of the Monticello from a port in Newfoundland was clearly illegal; but the
special and obnoxious condition of the enterprise was that she brought her seals into this port,
manufactured them here, and was enabled to land the produce in the United States free of duty,
while oils, the produce of British fisheries, are subjected there to a tax of from 20 to 40 per cent,
on their value. This unjust state of things seems to the chamber to demand every eft'ort of the
public for its removal. Fair reciprocity in trade with the United States this colony desires, and
would make all reasonable concessions to obtain ; but it ought not, the chamber feels, be willingly
tolerated that all shall be free to Americans here, while they persistently maintain these trade bar-
riers against us."
An official correspondent in Newfoundland writes, under date of July 11, 1881, as follows:
" There is no obstruction to either American steamers or sailing-vessels participating in the seal-
fishery within 3 miles of the coast, and I consider that a large and profitable business could be
478 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
worked up by New Bedford and New London whaling steamers and sailing-vessels. Crews and
labor are plentiful and cheap. Seals are generally found from 10 to 20 miles off the land, ranging
from Cape Bonavista to Labrador."
3. THE PEODUCTS.
USE OF OIL, FLESH, AND SKINS.— The chief value of seals is their oil, so well known for its
valuable properties for illuminating purposes and for the lubrication of machinery. " The amount
annually obtained falls not far short of 90,000 tuns, with a total value of $1,250,000. Next in
importance are the, skins, which are nearly as valuable as the oil. From very early times they
were used for covering trunks, the manufacture of knapsacks, and for many of the uses of ordinary
leather. They have been extensively employed, as indeed they are still, for the manufacture of
caps, gloves, shoes, and jackets. Of late many have been converted in England into lacquered
leather, which is said to be of a superior quality, being beautiful and shining, and of firm text-
ure, and can be furnished at moderate cost. The skins differ in value according to size and color,
these varying, of course, with the species and with the age of the animal.
"As an article of food seals are of the utmost importance to the natives of Greenland and the
northern tribes generally, they deriving from them the greater part of their subsistence. They
have been found likewise not unpalatable by our Arctic voyagers, whose sustenance often for
long periods has been mainly the flesh of these animals. The Eskimo and allied tribes of the
north are well known to depend upon the seals, not only for their food, but for most of the materials
for their boats and sledges, as well as for clothing and the various implements of the chase."*
In respect to the character of seal flesh as food, and the importance of these animals to the
Eskimos, Dr. A. Homer, surgeon to the Pandora, thus refers to the general subject :
" From the length of time these people have inhabited this cold country, one naturally expects
them to have found some particular food well adapted by its nutritious and heat-giving properties
to supply all the wants of such a rigorous climate, and such is found to be the case, for there is no
food more delicious to the tastes of the Eskimo than the flesh of the seal, and especially that of
the common seal (Phoca vitulina). But it is not only the human inhabitants who find it has such
excellent qualities, but all the larger carnlvora that are able to prey on them. Seal's meat is so
unlike the flesh to which we Europeans are accustomed, that it is not surprising we should have
some difficulty at first in making up our minds to taste it ; but when once that difficulty is over-
come every one praises its flavor, tenderness, digestibility, juiciness, and decidedly warming
after-eflects. Its color is almost black, from the large amount of venous blood it contains, except
in very young seals, and is, therefore, very singular looking and not inviting, while its flavor is
unlike anything else, and cannot be described except by saying delicious. To suit European
palates there are certain precautions to be taken before it is cooked. It has to be cut in thin
slices, carefully removing any fat or blubber, and then soaked in salt water for from twelve to
twenty-four hours, to remove the blood, which gives it a slightly fishy flavor. The blubber has
such a strong taste that it requires an Arctic winter's appetite to find out how good it is. That
of the bearded seal (Phoca barbata) is most relished by epicures. The daintiest morsel of a seal
is the liver, which requires no soaking, but may be eaten as soon as the animal is killed. Tue
heart is good eating, while the sweetbread and kidneys are not to be despised.
"The usual mode of cooking seal's meat is to stew it with a few pieces of fat bacon, when an
excellent rich gravy is formed, or it maybe fried with a few pieces of pork, or ' white-man,'
being cut up with the seal, or ' black man.'
* ALLEN : Op. cit.
THE NORTH ATLANTIC SHAL KISIll'UV. 479
"The Eskimo make use of every part of the seal, and, it is said, make an excellent soup
by putting its blood and any odd scraps of meat inside the stomach, heating the contents, and
(hen devouring tripe, blood, and all with the greatest relish.
" For my own part I would sooner eat seal's meat than mutton or beef, and I am not singular
in my liking for it, as several of the officers on board the Pandora shared the same opinion as
myself. I can confidently recommend it as a dish to be tried on a cold winter's day to those who
are tired of the everlasting beef and mutton, and are desirous of a change of diet. It is very fatten-
ing, and if eaten every day for several weeks together is likely to produce rather surprising effects.
" Seal's meat is a panacea for all complaints among these primitive people. Our Eskimo
interpreter, 'Joe,' had a most troublesome cough when we left England, and was convinced he
should not get rid of it until he had seal's flesh to eat. He would not look at any medicine offered
to him on board, but shook his head and said, 'By and by, eat seal, get well.' His prescription
turned out to be a very good one, for he had not long been feasting on his favorite food before he
lost his cough, and we heard no more of it. For delicate persons, and especially young ladies and
gentlemen who cannot succeed in making -their features sufficiently attractive on chicken and
cheesecakes, no diet is likely to succeed so well as delicate cutlets from the loin of a seal.
" For my own part I cannot help thinking that the diminution in the number of seals caught
near the principal Danish settlements in Greenland kas a great deal to do with the prevalence of
consumption and other diseases among the native inhabitants of those places. Seals are becom-
ing scarcer every year, and, in company with the bison of the North American prairies, will ere
long be of the past, and leave the poor Greenlauder and Bed Indian to follow them."*
4. THE SEAL HUNT.
DESCRIPTION OF A SEAL HUNT. — The following description of the seal hunt is from Allen's
History of North American Pinnipeds :
"The season for ' ice hunting' begins at the Newfoundland ' sealing grounds' about the first
ol' March and continues for about two months. The seals are then on the ice-floes at a consider-
able distance from land, often several hundred miles. The same vessel, however, sometimes
makes two, and, on rare occasions, three voyages during the season. About fifty years ago vessels
engaged in sealing rarely left port before March 17, but more recently have sailed by the first of
that mouth, and sometimes during the last days of February. This, Mr. Carroll claims, is too early,
and tends greatly to the detriment of the interests of the sealers themselves, as they thus disturb
the seals at a time when they should be left in peace, or before the 'whelping time' is over. He
strongly advocates the prohibition by Government of the departure of any vessels for the sealing-
gronnds before March 15, since otherwise, he observes, the seal-fishery of Newfoundland may soon,
and very soon, dwindle away to such a character that it will not be worth the risk of money to
prosecute it.
"The vessels employed in the sealing business are 'pounded off in the hold,' or divided into
small compartments to protect the pelts from injury by friction, as well as to preserve the cargo
from shifting. The pelts are allowed to thoroughly cool before they are stowed, and are packed
' hair to fat, to prevent the fat from running.' The owners of sealing vessels find all the boats,
sealing-gear, powder, shot, and provisions, in consideration of which they are entitled to one half
of the seals; the men are entitled to the other half. In steamships the owners find everything
required for the prosecution of the voyage, and receive two-thirds of the value of the seals, and the
men one-third." t
• Land and Water, December 18, 1875.
t CARROLL: Seal and Herring Fishery of Newfoundland, p. 9.
480 H1STOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
" The voyages are attended with much danger, great hardships, and uncertainty of results, a
' good rip' being entirely a matter of chance. Not unfrequently the vessels become 'jammed in
the ice,' and if not crushed in the pack-ice may be detained for weeks before being able to force
their way to the ice-floes, which form at this season the grand rendezvous of the seals. The inci-
dents and dangers ordinarily attending a sealing voyage, as well as the manner of capturing and
disposing of the seals, have been so graphically set forth by Professor Jukes in his entertaining and
instructive work entitled ' Excursions in Newfoundland,' that I transcribe in this connection por-
tions of his account of a sealing cruise participated in by him in March, 1840, in the brigantine
Topaz, Captain Furneaux, of St. John's, Newfoundland. Having, after a week's arduous cruise,
fallen in with the seals and captured a few young ones, he says: 'We soon afterwards passed
through some loose ice, on which the young seals were scattered, and nearly all hands were over-
board, slaying, skinning, and hauling. We then got into another lake of water and sent out five
punts. The crews of these joined those already on the ice, and dragging either the whole seals or
their pelts to the edge of the water, collected them in the pnnts, and when one of these was full
brought them on board. The cook of the vessel, and my man Simon, with the captain and myself,
managed the vessel, circumnavigating the lake and picking up the boats as they put off one after
another from the edge of the ice. In this way, when it became too dark to do any more, we found
we had got 300 seals on board, and the deck was one great shamble. When piled in a heap
together the young seals looked like so many lambs, and when occasionally from out of the bloody
and dirty mass of carcasses one poor wretch, still alive, would lift up its face and begin to flounder
about, I could stand it no longer; and, arming myself with a handspike, I proceeded to knock on
the head and put out of misery all in whom I saw signs of life. After dark we left the lake and
got jammed in a field of ice, with the wind blowing strong from the northwest. The watch was
employed in skinning those seals which were brought on board whole, and throwing away the
carcass. In skinning, a cut is made through the fat to the flesh, a thickness generally of about 3
inches, along the whole length of the belly, from the throat to the tail. The legs, or flippers, and
also the head, are then drawn out from the inside and the skin is laid out flat and entire, with the
layer of fat or blubber firmly adhering to it, and the skin in this state is called the " pelt," and some-
times the "sculp." It is generally about 3 feet loug and 2£ wide, and weighs from 30 to 50 pounds.
The carcass when turned out of its warm covering is light and slim, and, except such parts as are
preserved for eating, is thrown a.way.
" 'The next day,' continues Mr. Jukes, 'as soon as it was light, all hands were overboard on
the ice, and the whole of the day was employed in slaughtering young seals in all directions and
hauling their pelts to the vessel. The day [March 13] was clear and cold, with a strong northwest
wind blowing, and occasionally the vessel made good way through the ice, the men following her
and clearing oft' the seals on each side as we went along. The young seals lie dispersed here and
there on the ice, basking in the sun, and often sheltered by the rough blocks and piles of ice, cov-
ered with snow. Six or eight may sometimes be seen within a space of 20 yards square. The
men, armed with a gaff and a hauling rope slung over their shoulders, disperse about on the ice,
and whenever they find a seal strike it a heavy blow in the head, which either stuns the animal
or kills it outright. Having killed or at least stunned all they see within a short distance, they
skin, or, as they call it, sculp them with a broad clasp knife, called a sculping-knife, and making
two holes along the edge of each side of the skin they lay them one over another, passing the rope
through the nose of each pelt and lacing it through the side holes in such a manner that when
pulled taut it draws them into a compact bundle. Fastening the gaff in this bundle, they then
put the rope over the shoulder and haul it away over the ice to the vessel. In this way they bring
TIIK NOl.TII ATLANTIC SKA I, KISIIKKY. 481
in bundles of pelts, throe, six, <u- even seven at a time, and sometimes from a distance of two miles.
Six pelts, however, is reckoned a very heavy load to drag over the rough and broken iee, leaping
from pan to pan, and they generally try to keep two or three together to assist each other at bad
places, or to pull those out who fall into the water. The ice to-day was in places very slippery,
and in others broken and treacherous, and as I bad not got my boots properly fitted with "sparable"
and "chisels" I staid on board and helped the captain and cook in managing the vessel and whip-
ping in the pelts as they were brought alongside. By 12 o'clock, however, my anus were aching
with the work, and on the lee side of the vessel we stood more than knee-deep in warm seal-skins,
all blood and fat. Some of the men brought in as many as sixty each in the course of the day,
and by night the decks were covered in many places the full height of the rail. As the men came
on board they occasionally snatched a hasty moment to drink a bowl of tea, or eat a piece of
biscuit and butter; and as the sweat was dripping from their faces, and their hands and bodies
were reeking with blood and fat, and they often spread the butter with their thumbs, and wiped
their faces with the backs of their hands, they took both the liquids and the solids mingled with
the blood. The deck, of course, when the deck could be seen, was almost as slippery with it as if
it had been ice. Still there was a bustle and excitement in the scene that did not permit the fancy
to dwell on the disagreeables, and after a hearty refreshment the men would snatch up their gaffs
and hauling ropes, and hurry off in search of new victims; besides, every pelt was worth a dollar-
During this time hundreds of old seals were popping up their heads in the small lakes of water
and holes among the ice, anxiously looking for their young. Occasionally one would hurry across
a pan in search of the snow-white darling she had left, and which she could not recognize in the
bloody and broken carcass, stripped of its warm covering, that alone remained of it. I fired several
times at these old ones in the afternoon with my rifle from the deck, but without success, as unless
the ball hits them on the head it is a great chance whether it touch any vital part, the body being
so thickly clothed with fat. In the evening, however, Captain Furneaux went out on the ice and
killed two with his sealing gun, loaded with seal shot. The wind had now sunk to a light air, and
the sun set most gloriously, glancing from the golden west across the bright expanse of snow, now
stained with many a bloody spot, and the ensanguined trail which marked the footsteps of the
intruders on the peacefulness of the scene. Several vessels came up near us from the south in the
afternoon ; but, notwithstanding all the slaughter, the air as night closed in resounded with the-
ories of the young seals on every side of us. As the sunlight faded in the west, the quiet moon
looked down from the zenith, and a brilliant arch of aurora crossed the heavens nearly from east
to west, in a long waving line of glancing light, slowly moving backward and forward from north
to south across the face of the moon.
'"Early in the morning [of the next day, March 14] the crew were out on the ice, and brought
in 350 seal. The number hauled in yesterday was l..'!SO, making the total number now on board
upwards of 2,000. After suffering the pelts to lie open on deck for a few hours, in order to get
cool, they are stowed away in the hold, being laid one over the other in pairs, each pair having the
hair outwards. The hold is divided by stout partitions into several compartments, or pounds, to
prevent too much motion among the seal-skins and keep each in its place. The ballast is heaved
entirely out as the pelts are stowed away, and the cargo is trusted to balance the vessel. In con-
sequence of neglecting to divide the hold into pounds in one of his earlier voyages, Captain Fur-
neaux told us he once lost his vessel. He was detained on his return, with 5,000 seals on board,
by strong contrary gales, which kept him at sea till by the continued motion and friction his seals
began to run to oil. The skins then dashed about from one side of the hold to the other with
every roll of the vessel, and he was obliged to run before the wind, which was then blowing from
SEC. v, VOL. ii ol
482 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the northwest. The oil spread from the hold into the cabin and forecastle, floating over every-
thing and forcing the crew to remain on the deck. They got up some bags of bread, and by put-
ting a pump down through the oil into the water casks they managed to get fresh water. After
being in this state some days, he and his crew were taken out of the vessel by a ship they
luckily fell in with, and carried to St. Johns, New Brunswick; but his own vessel, with her
once valuable cargo, and almost all the valuable property of himself and his crew, were necessarily
abandoned to the mercy of the wind and waves, and what became of her was never known. This
was a good practical lesson as to the proper method of stowing a cargo of seals, and one not likely
to be forgotten. In the present instance, therefore, the pounds were both numerous and strong.'*
"In a few davs more they completed their cargo and returned to St. John's with the ves-
sel loaded with between 4,000 and 5,000 seals. ' It was a very good season,' Professor Jukes further
remarks; < one vessel in two trips brought in 11,000 seals, and the total take this year [1840]
must have been considerably upward of 500,000.'
"Mr. Eeebs states that in 1866 one vessel, which made two successful trips to the ice, brought
into St. John's Harbor 25,000 seals, "t
"To complete the picture here partially drawn of the seal-fishery as pursued by the Newfound-
land seal hunters, I quote still further from the same author, respecting the scenes incident to a
sealiug voyage of forty years ago. Under date of March 5 Mr. Jukes writes: 'This morning was
dark and foggy, with the wind at southeast. At 7 o'clock, after making a tack or two about
an open lake and finding no channel, we dashed into the ice with all sails set, in company with two
other vessels, on a north-northwest course. The ice soon got firmer, thicker, and heavier, and we
shortly stuck fast. " Overboard with you, gaffs and pokers," sang out the captain, and over went,
accordingly, the major part of the crew to the ice. The pokers were large poles of light wood, 6 or
8 inches in circumference and 12 or 15 feet long. Pounding with these, or hewing the ice with
axes, the men would split the pans near the bows of the vessel, and then, inserting the ends of the
pokers, use them as large levers, lifting up one side of the broken piece and depressing the other,
and several getting round with their gaffs, they shoved it by main force under the adjoining ice-
Smashing, breaking, and pounding the smaller pieces in the course the vessel wished to take, room
was afforded for the motion of the larger pans. Laying out great claws on the ice ahead when the
wind was light, the crew warped the vessel on. If a large, strong pan was met with, the ice-saw
was got out. Sometimes a crowd of men, clinging round the ship's bows, and holding on to the
bights of rope suspended there for the purpose, would jump and dance on the ice, bending and
breaking it with their weight, shoving it below the vessel, and dragging her on over it with all
their force. Up to their knees in water, as one piece after another sauk below the cut-water they
still held on, hurrahing at every fresh start she made, dancing, jumping, pushing, shoving, haul-
ing, hewing, sawing, till every soul on board was roused into excited exertion. They continued
these exertions the whole day, relieved occasionally by small open pools of water, and in the even-
ing we calculated that we had been 15 miles. It coutinued foggy all day. and at night it began to
rain. We had seen no vessel since morning — nothing but a dreary expanse of ice and snow, stretch-
ing away into the misty horizon. The next day the wind was from the west, and the sky fine and
clear. Several vessels were near us, and several more on the horizon ; the ice became thicker,
stronger, and more compact. We made a few miles in the morning, and stuck fast the rest of the
day in a very large pan or field of ice, sawing, axing, prising, warping, &c., as yesterday .'|
" 'Excursions in Newfoundland, vol. 1, pp. 272-280."
"t Zoologist, 2d ser., vol. vi, 1871, p. 2548."
"{Excursions in Newfoundland, vol. 1, pp. 201-263."
TI1K SKA OTTKK I'ISllKUY. 4S:5
"This, in short, was the history of their daily experience's fora \\cek, at (lie end of which
time they first heard the cry of the seals, and entered upon the work of slaughter."*
6.— THE SEA-OTTER FISHERY.
By HENRY W. ELLIOTT, t
1. THE DISCOVERY AND THE GEOGEAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE SEA-
OTTER.
The sea-otter (Enhydra marina), which yields to the votaries of fashion and lovers of lux-
uriant trappings the richest, the finest, and the costliest fur known to man, is. like the fur-seal,
another illustration of an animal long cognizant to and highly prized in the commercial world, yet
respecting the habits and life of which nothing definite has been ascertained or published; indeed,
for that matter, it is exceedingly difficult to trace the figures representing the large volume of
fur business transacted under this head.|
Perhaps the primary reason for this deficiency of knowledge in respect to the biology of the
sea-otter is due to the fact that until quite recently none save the natives hunted them, and no
naturalist or observer of our own race, who has been qualified, ever enjoyed an opportunity of
seeing the "kalau" so as to study it in a state of nature; for, of all the shy, wary, sensitive beasts,
upon the capture of which man sets any value, this creature is the most keenly on the alert and
difficult to obtain.
LIMITED GEOGRAPHICAL, DISTRIBUTION. — Another salient point touching the restricted dis-
tribution of this solitary marine inhabitant: It is a little strange that its life seems to be princi-
pally confined to our own northwest coast and Bering Sea, though, as we shall point out, it has
quite an extensive distribution over the Kurile Islands and the Kamtchatkan coast. A truthful
account of the strange, vigilant life of the sea-otter and of the hardships and perils encountered
by its human hunters would surpass in novelty and interest the most attractive work of fiction.
I mention this with much emphasis, because throughout the following narrative many instances
* ALLKN : op. ci(.
1 1 wish, however, to have it plainly understood that what I here present as my contributiton to the life-history
of the sea-otter is due, chiefly, to diligent inquiry and examination of sea-otter hunters, at Ooualashka, and their
friends. In all my knocking about over Alaskan waters and down the northwest coast, I have never seen a live
Enhydra; the villainous weather which prevailed during September, 1674, prevented me from visiting Saanak in the
"Reliance," where the main sea-otter camp of all this region is located, and which is composed principally of Oona-
lashka and Borka Aleuts. Thus, I am able to oft'er very little of real biography; but, scanty as is my material, still
it seems to cover a great deal more ground than hitherto cultivated in this direction, hence I submit it.
t It is a very curious fact that Steller, who knew well what a sea-utter was, should have ever described one as a new
and strange animal to him — a "sea ape." It was finally termed so by certain students of Svvaiuson, who declared that
such an animal must be in existence iu order that his " circular series of types in the Quadrnmana should be completed."
When Steller, in August, 1740, was with Bering on the " St. Peter," in sight of the coast near Mount St. Elias, he saw
a very singular auimal which he called a sea ape. "It was five feet long ; the head was like a dog's; the ears were
sharp and erect, and the eyes large; there was on both lips a sort of a beard * * ". It was full of frolic and
played a thousand monkey tricks; sometimes swimming on one side and sometimes the other of the ship, looking at
it with great amazement. It would come so near the ship that it could be touched with a pole ; but if any one stirred
it would immediately retire. It often raised one-third of its body out of the water and stood erect for a considerable
time; it then suddenly darted under the ship and reappeared in the same attitude on the other side; it would repeat
this rnanceuver thirty times together. It would frequently bring up a sea-plant not unlike a bottle gourd, which it
would toss about and catch again in its month, playing numberless fantastic tricks with it." — [Pennani's trans. Hist.
Brit. Quad., vol. ii, p. 301.]
Father Shaiesnekov, at Ooualashka, in lH?4, gave me an account of the gambols of the Enliydra that reads sub-
stantially as the above conies from Steller, who saw a sea-otter sure enough.
484 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
will arise, coupled with the life and chase of the sea-otter, which may strike the reader's mind as
the evolution of romantic thought.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SEA-OTTER TO THE PROGRESS OF GEOGRAPHICAL EXPLOR-
ATION.— To the sea-otter geographers owe their early knowledge of Russian-America; had it not
been for the greed and covetousness excited in the minds of fur-dealers by the beauty and costli
ness of its peltries which Altasov and his Tartars first secured, towards the close of the seventeenth
century, on the Karutchatkau coast, — had it not been for this incentive the exciting, pushing, aggres-
sive, indomitable search made by the Russian " Promishlyneks " would never have been undertaken.
Indeed, for that matter, much of the glory which old Titus Bering is enveloped with, as a discov-
erer, was not due to his love for geography or hydrography, but it wras the direct stimulation of
fur hunters for a rich return. They backed him; they fitted out his small, miserable vessels, which,
in the light of the present hour, make his voyages fairly fabulous, when the rickety, "ram shackley "
construction of his rough Amoor-built shallops is understood.
THE SEA OTTER KNOWN TO THE JAPANESE.— The Japauesehad, however, from time immemo
rial, perhaps as far back as a thousand years or so before the discovery of America by Columbus,
been entirely aware of the existence and the value or this animal. Its shining coat was the fur of
their mighty tycoons, valued as ingots of gold or precious stones. But true to their conservative
nature, what they had within their border sufficed, and what they knew slept in the recesses of an
unknown language to the rest of the civilized world, and sleeps there to-day, for all I know.
RUSSIAN SEARCHINGS FOR THE SEA-OTTER. — It was not, therefore, until the Russians opened
up the trade, swiftly supplemented by the third voyage of Captain Cook and the aroused atten-
tion of the Hudson Bay Company, which speedily began to search the coasts of British Columbia
and Oregon in those early days — it was not until this action was taken, towards the close of the
seventeenth century and the beginning of the eighteenth, that the sea-otter became known, first
to the courts and then to the nobility of the civilized world. It is as favorably recognized to-day
and valued just as highly in the markets, being, in this respect, as fixed in its intrinsic value as
the demand on any of the precious metals.*
When the Russians first opened up the Aleutian Islands, and the Hudson Bay traders scoured
the coasts of Puget's Sound and Oregon, they found the natives commonly wearing sea-otter cloaks,
with which they parted in the beginning for a trifle, not placing a special value on the animal, as
they did upon the hair-seal or the sea-lion, the flesh and skins of the latter being vastly more
palatable and serviceable.
But the offers of the greedy traders soon set the natives after them in hot haste, and the kalau
became the first in importance and the objective point of every hunting expedition throughout
Russian America, and the northwest coast as far down as San Francisco. It was the prime factor
to the success of every fur-hunting expedition, in which over ten thousand hunters were annually
engaged, from 1741 until its practical extermination in 1845.
EARLY ABUNDANCE.— During the first few years after discovery the numbers of sea-otters
taken all along the Aleutian chain, and down along the whole northwest coast as far as the
southern boundary of Oregon, were very great, and, compared with what are now captured, seem
perfcetly fabulous. For instance, we are told when the I'ribylov Islands were first discovered, two
sailors, Lnkaunov and Kiekov, killed at Saint Paul's Island during the first year's occupation, 5,000,
but the next year they secured less than 1,000 and six years after not a single sea-otter reappeared,
and none have been there since.
* A i>rime sea-otter skin is \\mlli t<>-d:i.v $150. An average good skin .$100. Exceptionally flue skins have been
sold as nigh as $350 each, but, tbcso instances arc not common.
THE SEA-OTTER FISIIKKV. 485
When Shellikov's pany lirst visited Cook's Inlet they secured 3,000; during the second year
2,000; iu the third season only >»»>. and in the succeeding year Iliey obtained <>00, and finally, in
1S12, less than KM), and since then not one-tenth of that number, although I am told, at the date
of this writing, that during the past two years more than 500 sea-otters annually have been taken
on the coasts of Cook's Inlet, imieh to the surprise of the oldest inhabitant and the great gratifica-
tion of the energetic hunters.
During the first visit made by the Russians to the Gulf of Yakootat, iu 1794, 2,000 sea-otters
were taken. But they diminished so rapidly that iu 1799 the most persistent scouring of the
hunters secured less than 300.
In 1798 a large party of Russians and Aleuts captured in Sitka Sound and that neighborhood
1,200 skins, besides those for which they traded with the Woloshes, or natives, who had fully as
many more. In the spring of 1800 a few American and English vessels came into Sitka Sound,
anchored off the small Russian settlement there and traded with the Indians for over 2,000 skins,
getting this native barter away from the Russians by giving fire-arms, powder, .ball, and even
liquor, which the Russians did not dare to do, leaving them, as they were, iu fixed settlements
throughout the country of the aborigines.
In one of the early years of the Russian -American Company, about 1804 I believe, Baranov
went to the Okhotsk from Alaska with 15,000 sea-otter skins in the hold of a single ship, which he
himself convoyed ; and they were worth then just as much as they are now, namely, fully $1,500,000.
EARLY DECREASE IN NUMBERS. — The result of this warfare upon the sea-otters, faintly
sketched above, with ten hunters then where there is one to-day, was not long delayed. Every-
where throughout the whole coast line frequented by them the rapid disappearance of the otter
set iu, and it is not difficult to find places where 1,000 had been as easily obtained as 25 or 30 could
now be secured.
A Russian chronicler* says, and I translate him literally: "The numbers of several kinds
of animals are growing very much less in the present as compared with past times; for instance
the company here (Ooualashka) regularly killed more than 1,000 sea-otters annually; now (1835)
from 70 to 150 are taken ; and there was a time, in 1826, wheu the returns from the whole Oonalashka
district (the Aleutian Isles) where only 15 skins." * * * " Sea-otters are distinguished above
everything, on account of their great value and small numbers. There was a time when they
were killed by thousands; now, only by hundreds. There are plenty of places where formerly
there were great numbers of sea-otters, but now not one is to be seen or found. The reason for
this is most evident ; every year, hunted without rest, they have tied to places unknown and with-
out danger."
EFFECT OF THE DECREASE. — It is also a fact, coincident with this diminution of the sea-otter
life, that the population of the Aleutian Islands fell off almost in the same proportion. The Rus-
sians regarded the lives of these people with the same respect — and no more — than they did those
of dogs, and treated them accordingly. They took on one occasion, under Baranov and his sub-
jects, hunting parties of from ."><)<> to 1,000 picked Aleuts 1,100 or 1,200 miles away from and to the
eastward of their homes, eonveying them in skin "baidars" and " bidarkies," traversing one of
the wildest and roughest of coasts, and using them not only for the severe drudgery of sea-otter
hunting, but also to kill the Knloshians and other savages, all the way up and down the coast.
This combination of hunting, exposure, and war-like destruction soon destroyed them, and very
few of these unhappy men ever got back alive to the spots of their birth, to their wives and their
children.
* BISHOP VKXIAXMIXOV: Z:ii>irskin c>t Oonlaashkenskaho <Hd;iyl:i; St. Petersburg, !•-!-.
48fi HISTORY AND METHODS OF TOE FISHERIES.
CONDITION OF THE BUSINESS WHEN CEDED 10 THE UNITED STATES. — "When the Alaskan
Territory came into our possession the Russians were taking between 400 and 500 sea-otters from
the Aleutian Islands and south of the peninsula of Alaska, with perhaps 150 from Kenai, Yakootafc
and the Sitkan district. The Hudson Baj Company and other traders were then getting about
200 more each year from the coast of Queen Charlotte's and Vancouver's Island and off Gray's
harbor, near the mouth of the Columbia River, Washington Territory — an annual average yield
of less than 1,000 skins from the whole Russian-American and northwest coast.
This is interesting, because an extraordinary excess of these figures is recorded by the results
of the last year's catch in Alaska, for, instead of securing less than 700 skins, as obtained by the
Russians, our traders handled in 1880 nearly C,000 skins. This immense difference is not due to
the fact of there being a proportionate increase of sea-ottecs, but rather, in my opinion, to the
organization of hunting parties fired by the same spirit and competitive ardor as that which
animated and shaped the hunting during early days of Alaskan discovery.
This keen competition of our traders, it seems to me, will in a short time ruin the business if
some action is not taken by the Government, although the Treasury Department has, agreeably to
my recommendation in 1874, made a very promising beginning in this matter. And, to the credit
of the traders up there, it should be said that, while they cannot desist, for if they do others will
step in and profit at their expense, yet they are anxious that some prohibition should be laid upon
the business. This can be easily done and in such a manner as to perpetuate the sea-otter, not
only for themselves but for the natives, five thousand of whom are wholly dependent upon this
hunting for a living, which lifts them above the barbarous life of savages.
BREEDING-GROUNDS OF ALASKA. — Over two-thirds of all the sea-otters taken in Alaska are
secured in those small areas of water and little rocky islands, and on the reefs around the islands
of Saauach and the Cheruobours, which proves that these animals, in spite of the incessant hunt-
ing all the year round on this marine ground, seem to have some particular preference for it to the
practical exclusion of nearly all the rest of the coast in the Territory.
I think that this is due, perhaps if not wholly so at least in part, to the fact that those crusta-
ceans and mollusks upon which the kalan feeds are secured here by that animal in the greatest
profusion and constancy of supply ; otherwise, I cannot see why it should, in spite of its intensely
suspicious and wary nature, hug a coast that literally bristles with human enemies and entails its
wholesale destruction annually. Again, these reefs and rocky shoals, before indicated, furnish an
anchorage to immense areas of kelp, upon the semi- submerged masses of which, I believe, the sea-
otter breeds. I think it breeds there and there only, because I cannot find a scintilla of evidence
showing that there is any spot of landing ground about an island or along the main coast which
has ever been occupied by the Enhydra for the purpose of breeding.*
SEA-OTTER AT STRAITS OF FUCA. — It is also noteworthy that nearly every one of the sea-
otters taken below the Straits of Fuca are shot by the Indians and white hunters off the beach in
the surf at Gray's Harbor, all shot within a stretch of less than 20 miles. Here every year some
fifty to one hundred are taken in this manner, while not half that number can be obtained from
* The gigantic _Yi n-ori/xlix HitktHiiius, \vitli stems resembling clothes-lines, sometimes over 300 feet ill length, which
are supported by large air-vessels, crowned with bunches of chicotomous leaves, each 30 and SO feet in length. This
submarine forestry, when disengaged from its anchorage, floats in large raft-like aggregations here and there all over
Bering Sea and the North Pacific. Upon these floating fnci islands the sea-otter brings forth its young; or else, I
know of no other place where this act of reproduction culminates. It is well established by the concurrent testi-
mony of sea otter hunters during the last century that this animal does not repair to land or reef during this period
of its life and habit.
Til 10 SEA-OTTER FISHERY. 487
all the rest of the Oregon ;iml Washington coast line. There is nothing in the external appearance
of this reach, of coast, so favored by these animals, to cause its selection, except perhaps that it
may lie a little less rocky. It is shoaler and more sandy, but that signifies nothing.
EFFECTS OF OVKRHUNTINC;. — As matters are now conducted in Alaska by the hunting pai
lies, the sea-otters do not have a day's rest during the whole year. Parties relieve each other in
succession and a continual warfare is maintained. This persistency is stimulated by the trader1?
and is rendered still more deadly to the sea-otter by the use of rilles which, in the hands of the
young and ambitious natives, in spile of the warnings of the old men, must result in the extermi-
nation of these animals, unless some authority is exerted to prohibit the use of fire-arms on the
grounds. These same old men, who object to the use of powder and ball, are compelled, in order
successfully to compete with their rivals, to drop their time-honored bone-spears and arrows and
themselves take up fire-arms in self-defence. So the bad work goes on too rapidly, though the
majority of the natives, and all the reputable traders, deprecate it.
CALIFORNIA SEA-OTTER. — Professor Jordan has derived the following information about
the capture of sea-otter at Santa, Barbara, Cal. :
Messrs. Rogers Bros, have a schooner (the Surprise) which carries Chinamen to the various
islands to catch abalones, which also supplies parties of hunters on the same islands who are
shouting seal, and is otherwise engaged in obtaining the skins of the sea-otter.
This animal lives in the kelp of Auaeapa, San Miguel, and other islands, and is shot with some
dilliculty. Its fur is very valuable, the skins being worth from $2.50 to $110 each, according to
size and quality. Mr. Rogers estimates that in 1880 75 skins were obtained, averaging $50
each or $3,750.
The animals go in schools of forty to fifty (?), and are shot from small boats. Only the skins
are ul ilized. The fur is always prime on the sea-otter. No distinction of season is apparent in the
abundance of the animals or the quality of the fur.
2. THE HABITS OF THE SEA OTTER.
SIZE OF SEA-OTTERS. — An adult kalan is an animal not much larger than a mature and well
conditioned beaver (G. cainnlriinis). It will measure from the tip of its tail, which is short, to the
extremity of the muzzle, iU to 4i feet, the tail not being over 6 to 8 inches long, and it has a pro
portionate girth of a little over l! feet; the skin lies upon it, however, in a very different manner
from that peculiar to the giant rodent above cited, with which I have just compared it as to size,
for the folds of the otteTs hide, when seized by the hand, seem to stretch and rise from the body
just as the skin does on the scruff of a puppy 'sneak. In other words, the skin of the animal seems
to be big enough for a creature twice its anatomical bulk. There is no sexual dissimilarity in
color or si/.e amongst the adults, and both manifest the same intense shyness and aversion to
man, coupled with the greatest solicitude for their young, which they bring into existence at all
seasons of the year. The natives get young pups every month in the calendar. As the natives
have never caught the mothers bringing forth their offspring on the rocks, they are disposed to
believe that the birth takes place on kelp beds, in pleasant or not over-rough weather. The mother
otter bears a single pup, which is only about 15 inches long when born, and provided from that
time until it is a month or two old with a coat of coarse, brownish, grizzled fur; head and nape
brindled grayish, rufous and white, with the roots of the hair growing darker to black towards
the skin. The feet, as in the adult, are very short, webbed, and brownish, with nails like a dog,
the fore paws being exceedingly feeble and small, all covered with a short, fine bister-brown hair
or fur. From this pool- condition of the pelt at, birth they improve as they grow older, though
488 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
slowly; it becomes darker, finer, thicker, and softer, so that by the time they are two to three
years of age they are prime, though the animal is not full-grown under its fourth or fifth year.
The white nose aud mustache of the pup are not changed in the adult; the whiskers are white,
short, and stiff.
When the skin is taken from the body the native makes but one cut in it, and that is at the
posterior; the body is turned literally inside out. The skin is next air-dried and stretched, so
that it then gives the erroneous impression of an animal at least G feet and over in length, with a
disproportionately lesser girth, suggestive of the shape of a weasel or mink.
VARIETIES OF SKINS. — Owing to the number of young skins brought in to the traders' hands
by the natives, there is quite a variety in the shading of the pelts. The prime skins are, however,
by their rare beauty, instantly distinguishable; there is the characteristic shimmering gloss aud
velvety sheen always apparent in a fine specimen ; the fur, when blown open by the inspectors,
shows much lighter towards its roots than upon the surface, and extending over all are scattered
glistening hairs, whitish to pure white, which add greatly, or rather curiously, to the beauty of the
coat.
SWIMMING HABITS. — The feet are so small that really nothing of the whole expansion of the
sea-otter's skin is lost when they are cut off. I should say, however, that the hind flippers evi-
dently are the swimming or propulsive organs. They, compared with the impotent tiny forefeet,
are large and strong, and webbed between the toes like those of a duck. The natives say that this
creature swims with surprising rapidity and is a famous diver ; and that in its desperation and
determination not to be captured alive, it will deliberately jam itself into rocky interstices and
crevices below the surface of the water, from which it never rises.
SEA-OTTER NOT GREGARIOUS. — They are not gregarious to any noteworthy extent, seeming
to go about in solitary, isolated pairs, though the younger of their kind do undoubtedly gather
together in bodies of forty or fifty, with a sprinkling of a few parent otters ; and, at times, so far
forget themselves as to crawl en masse upon some lonely rocky reef awash, or clamber over the
bowlders of an island beach.
NURSING- THE YOUNG. — The female has two teats only, aud they resemble externally those of
a eat ; they are placed between the hind limbs on the abdomen. The pup nurses a year at least,
and longer if its mother has no other. The maternal otter is said to lie upon her back in the water —
or upon the rocks, as the case may be — when she is surprised aud desires to protect her young.
She clasps the pup in her fore, paws, aud, turning her back to the danger, receives the Aleutian
spear or the instantaneous death wound from the bullet ; but desert her young, never.
SHEDDING HABITS. — The natives also assured me that as these skins, taken by them, during
every month of the year, never show at any season those signs of shedding aud staginess so marked
in the seal, they do not renew their pelage by that process, but that it grows aud falls out just as
the hair on our heads does. There seems to be a reason for this peculiarity in the fact that they
are in the water at all times and must be ready to take to it at any moment.
SLEEPING HABITS. — The natives say that the sea-otter mother sleeps in the water on her
back with her young clasped between her fore paws. The pup cannot live without its mother,
though frequent attempts have been made by the Aleuts to raise them, as they often capture them
alive. They have no commercial value, but, like other species of wild animals, it seems to be so
deeply imbued with fear and distrust of man that it invariably dies from self-imposed starvation.
FOOD. — Their food, as might be inferred from the flat molars of dentition,* is almost entirely
* The remarkably concise and thorough discussion of the dentition of this animal, which Dr. Elliot Coues gives
in his "Fur-Bearing Animals," pp. HlfcJ to :>;!4 inclusive, renders it simply superfluous Cor me to attempt its repetition
here. This little, brochure of Mir doctor's should lie in the hands of every naturalist., at. home or abroad.
THE SEA-OTTER FISHERY. 489
composed of clams, mussels, and sea-urchins (Ei-iiimxli-rmx), of which they are very foiid. The
shells of the last-mentioned animal they are said to break by striking them together, oue held in
each fore ]>a\v, and suck out the coutenls as they are fractured by these, eilorts. Of this, however,
I am skeptical, for their puny fore hands do not, in my opinion, warrant any such action. They
also undoubtedly eat crabs and small fishes, perhaps large ones, together with the juicy, tender
fronds of kelp or sea- weed.
They are not polygamous, and it is very rarely, indeed, that more than one individual is ever
seen at a time when noticed out at sea.
THE SEA-OTTER AT PLAY. — They are said to be exceedingly playful, and I am assured l»y
several old sea-otter hunters that they have watched the kalan for more than half an hour as it
lay upon its back in the water, and tossed a piece of sea \\eed up iu the air alternately from paw to
paw, taking all this time great delight in catching it before it could fall into the water ; they also
told me that it was tireless in its manifestation of affection for its youug, and would humor the
juvenile gambols of its offspring for hours at a time.
SENSE OP HEARING AND SMELL. — The quick hearing and the acute smell possessed by the
sea-otter are not surpassed by auy other creatures known to sea or land. They will take alarm
and leave from the effects of a small fire as far as 4 or 5 miles to the windward of them, and the
footsteps of man must be washed by many an ebb ami flood before its traces upon the beach cease
to alarm this animal and drive it from landing there, should it happen to approach for that
purpose.
PHYSIOGNOMY. — The physiognomy of the sea-otter is ugly, its small, glittering, snaky, black
eyes enhance the mal contour of its repulsive globose face. The ears are insignificant, situated
remarkably low down, far below the eyes, and in fact little above the level of the commissure of
the mouth. They are very small, flat, obtusely pointed, and sparsely and very shortly pilose out-
side, and only partially furry within.
3. METHODS OF CAPTURE.
There are four principal methods of capturing the sea-otter, namely, by surf-shooting, by
spearing surrounds, by clubbing, and by nets.
SURF-SHOOTING. — This method is the common oue, but has only been iu vogue among the
natives for a short time. The practice is borrowed from the keen huutiug of our own people
along the Oregon coast. The young Aleuts of Alaska have nearly all been supplied with rifles by
the traders, and with these rifles they patrol the shores of the islands and inlets, and whenever a
sea-otter's head is seen in the surf, even at 1.000 yards, they fire at it. The great distance and
the noise of the surf prevent the sea-otter fiom taking alarm until it is hit, provided the wind
blows right ; and in nine times out of ten when it is hit in the head, which is the only part ever
exposed, the shock is fatal and the hunter waits patiently for hours until the surf brings his
quarry when it is too rough for him to venture out in his " bidarkie." This shooting is kept up now
the whole year round, and this constant " pop," " pop," " pop." by vigilant, experienced, and tire-
less marksmen is the only danger that threatens the sea-otter with extinction.
The practical result of the destruction of the sea-otter in Alaska means simply the reduction
of the entire. Aleutian population to a savage life and method of existence. It is therefore a sub-
ject well worthy the serious attention of our Government, especially the Secretary of the Treas-
ury, upon whose action the entire responsibility is devolved by Congress. He has it in his power
to protect these interests, and he should not neglect it.
490 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
THE SPEAKING SURROUND.— This is tlie orthodox native system of capture. It is the method
of their far-.iway ancestors, aud it reflects the highest-credit upon the Aleuts as bold, hardy
watermen.*
A party of fifteen or twenty " bidarkies," with two men in each as a rule, all under the con
trol of a chief elected by common consent, set out in pleasant weather, or weather not too rough,
and spread themselves in a long line, slowly paddling over the waters where sea otters are most
usually found, or where they expect to surprise them. When any one of these hunters discovers an
otter, asleep most likely in the water, he makes a quiet signal by lifting his paddle or throwing
up his arms; not a word is spoken or a paddle splashed while they are scouring on this line of
hunting.
He darts toward the animal, but generally the alarm is taken by this sensitive creature, which
instantly, dives before the Aleut can get near enough to throw his spear. The hunter, however,
keeps right on and stops his canoe directly over the spot where the otter disappeared, leaving the
circling rings of water in displacement with the floating bubbles from its quick-caught breath.
The other hunters, taking note of this action and of the position of this hunter, instantly deploy
and scatter, forming a circle of half a mile wide around the place where he last was seen, and
patiently wait for the reappearance of the surprised animal, a reappearance which must take place
at any time within from fifteen to thirty minutes, for this creature must come to the surface to
breathe. As soon as this happens, the hunter nearest to it in turn again darts forward in the
same manner as his predecessor did, while all hands shout and throw up their spears to make the
animal dive again, thus giving it scarcely an instant in which to recover itself and expel the
surcharged and poisoned air from its long-loaded lungs. A sentry is again placed over this second
diving wake, as before, and the circle is drawn anew ; thus the surprise is quickly and often re-
peated, sometimes lasting for two or three hours, until the sea-otter, from oft-interrupted respir-
ation becomes so filled with air or gases that he cannot sink, and is then an easy victim.
THE CLUBBING. — This is the gamey undertaking of the sea-otter hunter, and it only transpires
in the winter season, and then during those unfrequent intervals which occur when tremendous gales
of wind from the north, sweeping down over Saanach, have about blown themselves out. Then
the natives, that is, the very oldest of them, set out from Saanach and Chernobours to scud down
on the tail of the gale to those far-outlying rocks just protruding above surf-wash, where they
creep up from the leeward to the Bobrooksie occasionally found there at such times. The sea otter
ore lying with their heads pushed under and into the beds of kelp, to avoid the fierce pelting of
the spray from the hands of a furious gale. But the noise of the tempest is greater than that
made by the stealthy movement of the hunters, who, armed each with a short, heavy, wooden
club, dispatch the animals one after another without alarming the whole body; and in this way.
I am informed, two Aleuts, who were brothers, were known to have slain sevens-eight sea-otter,
young and old, in less than one and a half hours. The result of this fur bonanza, so speedily
worked, had they been provident in its investment, would have clothed and fed them for- the rest
of their natural lives; but, like our own coal-oil Johnny, they quickly squandered their wealth,
;ind are poorer now than ever, or were so when I last heard from them.
NETTING. — The hunting by use of nets, which is a method adopted by and peculiar to the
Atka and Attoo Aleuts, calls up the strange dissimilarity which exists now, as it has in all times
past, between the practice of these Western Aleuts and that of those who, living in Oonalashka
aud to the eastward, never have used nets.
'According to Crantz, in his History of Greenland (1765), this method of securing the sea-otter was the style in
which the Greenlanders captured hair seals (Phocida) during the period of his observation there. I do not find that
any modern writer speaks of such a chase in Greenland -waters, or any other ancient authority who alludes to it.
THE SEA-OTTER FISHERY. 491
These At:oo people, however, make little nets, from 16 to 18 feet long and from G to 10 feet
wide, with a coarse <li:nm>ml-sh:ipe<l mesh, which in olden times was entirely made of sinews, but
at the present writing- is principally constructed of twine. They take these nets out to those kelp-
beds, known by them to lie favorite resorts of the otter, and spread them carelessly here and there
over a floating mass of the "sea cabbage". Then, ou returning, after a few days' absence, they fre-
quently find sea-otters entangled therein, having, as they say, died of excessive fright; for
were they as self-possessed as the sea-lion is when entrapped thus, they would speedily tear and
gnaw themselves free. Sometimes, the natives say, they have caught as many as six sea-otters at
one time in one of these small nets, and frequently get three, if they get anything at all. They
also watch for surf-holes or caves in the bluffs at tide wash, and when one is found to which a sea-
otter habitually resorts they set this net by spreading it over the entrance, usually succeeding in
capturing the animal. The salt water or the kelp seems to act as a disinfectant to the ne.t, so that
the smell of it does not alarm or repel the shy animal.
DAXGEKS OF SEA-OTTER HUNTING. — In conclusion it may be noted that there is no driving
of these animals out upon the laud ; it cannot be done. They are very fierce and courageous, and
when surprised by a man between themselves and the water, they will make for the sea straight,
without any regard for the hunter, describing their progress by a succession of short leaps that
cany them rapidly over the rocks, a little distance at a time.
There is probably no chase of teriestrial or marine- animals so exhaustive and exposed as is
the limiting of the sea-otter in Alaska to-day; for the only periods in which man can expect with
reason to surprise and capture this valuable animal is immediately after or on the eve of tempests,
when the pounding of the surf, with a force like whirling fine shot, or briny spray in the wind, lit-
erally drives the tired otter to the land; but the moment the howling of the gale subsides the
kiilan is rested sufficiently, and, in obedience to its intensely suspicious nature, hies himself to sea
again.
Therefore, in the tempest, or as it just begins to wane, must the successful Aleut hunter ven-
ture out. He must be a man with hardy thews and sinews, so that he can sit, if the case require
(and it frequently does), for forty-eight hours in his conical, shallow boat, and battle for life against
tin- furious gale, in order that he may hold his own and not drift to certain death into the vast
expanse of the great Pacific.
The greatest care must be taken by the sea-otter hunters at Saanach and Chernolours when
tlic-y go down to these islands for their summer, and, more particularly, their winter campaigns.
They cannot, during all the six weeks or two months of their residence there at one time, light a fire
or boil a cup of tea unless the wind is blowing just so. They have lived thus, in the dead of a
severe winter, eight weeks at a time without a moment's interruption by the lighting of a tire.
They do not dare to smoke or use tobacco in any form, nor do they scatter or empty their food
refuse on or near the beaches. It must be carried inland and buried.
Of all these details I am assured by one who is perhaps the first white eye-witness of this
winter hunting, as he lived ou the island through that severe hyernal season of 1S72-'T3: and,
though he was moderately successful, he told me that all future gain, no matter how alluring it
could be held up to him, would never tempt him to repeat the experience.
XIX.
THE TURTLE AND TERRAPIN FISHERIES.
Hv FREDERICK W. TRITE.
1.— THE TURTLE FISHERY.
1. The tnrtle fisheries of North Carolina.
2. The turtle fisheries of South Carolina.
3. The turtle fisheries of Florida.
4. Turtle canning in Texas.
5. The turtle fisheries of the Pacific coast.
C. Statistics of production.
2.— THE TERRAPIN FISHERY.
1. The terrapin fisheries of North Carolina.
2. Terrapin fisheries south of Cape Fear.
3. Statistics of the fishery.
493
P J± H T XIX.
THE TURTLE AND TERRAPIN FISHERIES.
By FREDERICK W. TRUK.
1.— THE TURTLE FISHERY.
1. TURTLE FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The most northern points at which any considerable turtle fishery is prosecuted are Beaufort,
ami Morehead City, N. C.
A small number of loggerhead, hawks-bill, aud green turtles enter Cove and Boglie Sounds
and other shallow inlets in this vicinity during the summer mouths, in search of food. The green
turtles arrLjre about the first of April and disappear early in November. The loggerheads and
hawks-bills are of medium size, the average weight of the former being about 50 pounds ; the green
turtles are small, and weigh about 8 pounds each.
The capture of loggerheads in this vicinity was formerly effected by means of spears or
" gauges." The turtles were struck by the fishermen with these implements while swimming in
the water. They were frequently very badly wounded, however, and often injured to such a
degree that they were unfit for shipment or sale. To avoid this difficulty Mr. Joshua Lewis, of
Morehead City, conceived the idea of diving upon the turtles while in the water, and securing
them with his hands. When starting out in search of them he ties the painter of his boat to his
leg ; then rowing along leisurely until one is seen, he approaches it and dives upon it from the
boat. Seizing the anterior edge of the carapace with one hand, and the posterior edge with the
other, he turns the head of the turtle upward, when the animal immediately rises to the surface,
bringing the fisherman with it. If the water is deep he steers the turtle toward a shoaler spot,
keeping hold of it with one hand; and with the Other pulling the boat after him. When a suitable
spot is reached he seb.es the animal and throws it into the boat. Usually there is no difficulty in
bringing tattles to the surface and directing them toward shallow water, but occasionally a very
large one is encountered, which is strong and unmanageable. In such case the fisherman is forced
tn let go his hold and return to the surface, allowing the turtle to escape.
The method of capturing turtles by diving is employed at present by many of the fishermen
in this locality, aud the greater proportion of those taken are captured in this way. Good
swimmers do not hesitate to dive for a turtle when seen, however great may be the depth of the
water.
The small number of hawks-bill turtles taken are captured by the same method as that
employed for loggerheads, and usually no distinction is made between the two kinds. The green
turtles are caught in drag-nets and seines.
The loggerhead turtles find a ready sale at limited prices in the interior cities of North Caro-
495
496 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
lina, and a small shipping business has been established. Tbe fishermen receive about 50 cents
apiece for the turtles, which induces them to catch all that come in their way, but does not war-
rant their engaging very extensively in the fishery. The average annual catch of loggerheads in
this vicinity does not exceed two hundred.
Tbe green turtles are usually eaten by the fishermen, who consider them a delicacy, but occa-
sionally they are sold to dealers for about 15 cents apiece. The catch at this point, if sold at local
prices, would have a value of not more than $50.
2. TURTLE FISHERIES OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
At Charleston, S. C., a few small green turtles are taken at irregular intervals. In weight
they vary ordinarily from 5 to 15 pounds, the largest specimens weighing not more than 25 pounds.
They are usually caught by accident in the drag-seines or cast-nets used for the capture of shrimp.
Probably not more than one hundred and fifty are taken annually, in the season, which extends
from June to the middle of September.
The fishermen sell the turtles to the marketmen for their city trade, and receive from 50 ceuts
to $1 apiece for them.
3. TURTLE FISHERIES OF FLORIDA.
SAINT AUGUSTINE. — Green turtles make their appearance in the waters of Saint Augustine
in May and remain until October, but they are most plenty in July, August, and September. They
are smaller than those taken farther south, usually having an average weight of 20 or 25 pounds,
although many are much smaller.
The gill-nets used for their capture are about 200 feet long and 12 feet deep; the mesh is
about 11 inches. They are made of twine, of a size a trifle smaller than that of ordinary chalk-line.
They are seldom bought, but arc made by the fishermen in their leisure hours, and are valued by
them at from $25 to $40. About twenty in all are owned in Saint Augustine, Indian River, Mos.
qnito Inlet, and Feruaudina. These nets are set in the harbor, and are watched by the men from
the shore. When a turtle is captured they paddle out and secure it.
In 1879 about three hundred and fifty turtles were caught, weighing in the aggregate 8,000
pounds; in 1878 seven hundred were taken, weighing 10,000 pounds. They are usually sold at
once, and the price received is generally below 75 cents, often as low as 15 cents apiece. At
present a few are saved for the hotel trade in the winter, and these bring 10 ceuts per pound. In
1870 thirty were reserved for that purpose, and it is probable that a larger number will be dis-
posed of in this way in the future. They are kept without difficulty in "crawls," being fed on
fish and "turtle grass."
No turtles are shipped from Saint Augustine.
HALIFAX RIVEE. — The next locality south of Saint. Augustine at which turtle-fishing is carried
on is Halifax River. A number of green turtles come into this lagoon every year, and are captured
by some seven fishermen from the little hamlets in the vicinity. They are somewhat larger than
those caught farther north, their average weight being about 35 pounds. The fishery lasts for
two months, during which time about two hundred turtles are taken. They are sent to Jack-
sonville, and from thence shipped to New York. The fishermen receive about 11 cents a pound
for the turtles, and therefore the value of the annual catch is about $770.
INDIAN RIVEE. — A short distance south of Halifax River is Indian River, one of the most
noted places for the capture of green turtles on our coast. More turtles are taken in this inlet
than in any other locality in the State of Florida. They remain here during the greater part of
THE TURTLE FISHERY. 497
the year, but it is only during the winter months, when the saw-fish and large sharks are absent,
that the fishermen will risk their nets in capturing them. Larger green turtles are taken at this
point than at any other on the east coast of Florida. The average weight is 50 or 60 pounds, and
specimens weighing 200 pounds have been frequently taken. The largest specimen taken here of
which reliable information lias been obtained weighed 275 pounds.
Fishing begins late in September or early in October, and continues to the last of December.
It is said that the best catch is made during the coldest weather. The turtles are taken in nets
similar to gill-nets. The size of mesh employed is about 11 inches. The nets are set directly
across the channel, and extend from the surface to the bottom. A turtle, while swimming about
in the water, comes in contact with them and thrusts its head through one of the meshes. Not
noticing the obstruction it attempts to continue its course, and in a short time one flipper and then
the other is entangled, and the animal is unable to extricate himself. If the fisherman is near his
net he knows by the movement of the corks that the turtle is caught, and hastens to row up and
secure it. Taking it to the shore he confines it in a " crawl," or pen, until a favorable opportunity
is afforded to ship it to market.
The fishery has been carried on at Indian River for many years. Previous to 1860 the catch
was bartered to merchant, trading, and Government vessels for such goods as they chanced to
have on board. The turtles were then carried by these vessels to northern cities and sold in the
markets. Lately, however, many of the fishermen have sought direct communication with the
northern markets, principally with New York, through agents residing in Jacksonville. By these
arrangements, after all expenses have been paid, they receive 10 or 11 cents per pound for the
turtles shipped. A part of the catch, however, is sold to the fishing schooner at the inlet, and is
taken by her to Savannah to be sent farther north.
The success of the fishery in the winter of 1877-'78 was the greatest for many years. During
that season eight fishermen caught about sixteen hundred turtles. In the winter of 1879-'80 six-
teen men prosecuted the fishery, and the catch was about fourteen hundred turtles.
KEY WEST. — At Key West, Fla., turtle fishing is carried on throughout the year, but reaches
its height during the summer months. Turtles are more abundant here than at any other locality
on the coast, except in the shoal water near Hoinosassa River, where these congregate in great
numbers. The fishermen say that they have seen large schools of both green and loggerhead
turtles in the sea between the Keys and Cape Romano, swimming near the surface, and apparently
bound northward.
The turtles are caught at Key West in nets from 50 to 100 fathoms long and from 16 to 24
feet deep, having meshes each a foot square. The fishermen set their nets across the little chan-
nels and in the "hohr," among the keys and reefs near Key West. The turtles are kept in small
"crawls" until needed for shipment.
There is only one firm at Key West which deals in turtles, and all shipments are made to New
York. Several small vessels, which at certain seasons of the year are engaged in sponge fishing,
participate in the turtle fishery to a limited extent, and the market fishing-boats also bring in some
from time to time. The specimens which weigh from 40 to 100 pounds are shipped away, but the
extremely large ones are sold to marketmeu, who retail the flesh in Key West. It is estimated
that an average number of fifty turtles, weighing 40 pounds apiece, are brought to Key West every
week during the year.
CEDAR KEYS. — The green-turtle fishery at Cedar Keys is of recent origin, having grown up
within the past eight or ten years. It is prosecuted during the summer mouths, usually from May
SEC. v, VOL. ir 32
498 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
to October. The length of the season varies considerably, however, in different years, for the
fishermen continue the business only as long as they may do so profitably.
The fishing-grounds extend 20 or 30 miles northward from Cedar Keys, and southward along
the whole coast. The best grounds, however, are located where the bottom is covered with marine
plants, on which the turtles feed.
The boats employed for setting the nets are similar to those used in gill-netting and seining.
It is necessary sometimes to go 20. 30, or even 50 miles southward in order to find turtles in abun-
dance, and as the ordinary small open boats would be unsuitable for trips of such length, larger sail-
boats are hired, which have room for several men and their nets and other apparatus. The crew
numbers three or four men, and the trip usually lasts eight or ten days. The nets are made of the
largest and strongest cotton twine, and have a length of from 75 to 100 fathoms, and a depth of
from 10 to 16 feet; the meshes are 2 feet long.
On arriving on the grounds the boat or vessel is kept beating back and forth until signs of tur-
tles are noticed aud several are seen to "blow" in one place, when the craft is anchored near by.
A man in a small boat then makes a thorough investigation of the depth of the water in the vicinity,
ill order to find the deeper spots to which the turtles retire at low tide, and in which they usually
prefer to feed. When the deep places have been discovered, the nets are set out near them and in a
straight line parallel with the course of the tide. The turtles come to the surface every few minutes
to breathe, and while rising and sinking near the net are very apt to become entangled in it. Only
one flipper may be caught at first, but when the animal turns the other is entrapped and, shortly,
the whole body is securely wrapped in the cords. After a little time it must come to the surface for
air, when it is seen by the fishermen struggling to make its escape and is at once removed from
the net.
This is said to be the dullest of all fishing, and unending patience and considerable skill are
required to make it successful. Fishing is considered very good if one turtle is taken every hour
during a half day, and commonly only one or two are caught during the whole day. The large
boats frequently bring in, as the result of one cruise, a sufficient number of turtles to make up an
aggregate weight of from 3,000 to 5,000 pounds, while for the small boats the aggregate weight of
one day's catch may be from 50 to 800 pounds. Green turtles weighing 600 or 800 pounds are
sometimes caught on the grounds in this vicinity, and, rarely, individuals weighing 1,000 pounds.
The largest specimen which has been brought to Cedar Keys weighed 1,200 pounds.
For keeping the turtles alive after they are caught a pen, or "crawl," as it is termed, is con-
structed. It is an inclosure about 50 feet long and 23 feet wide, surrounded by piles driven closely
together, and covered above with boards. A sort of crane or derrick for hoisting large turtles in
and out is arranged close by it. It is usually constructed near the shore, in a position where the
water is 5 or 6 feet deep.
4. TURTLE CANNING IN TEXAS.
TUETLE-CANNING. — At Rockport, on the coast of Texas, there is a firm engaged in canning
green turtles and fish. It employs ten men with boats, who are engaged a part of the time in the
capture of turtles, and in addition twenty persons who attend to the operations of canning. The
company has been in existence only about one year. During the first six months of active work
about 8,500 pounds of turtle meat were canned. A 2-pound can of this preparation sells at
wholesale for 22 cents, and hence the value of the quantity canned in the first half-year was about
$950. The work continues throughout the entire year, and the value of the quantity of turtle
meat prepared at this point annually will not be less than $1,900.
THE TERRAPIN FISHERY.
499
5. TURTLE FISHERIES ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
Ou our Pacific coast very few turtles are taken. Five or six hundred are brought annually
Mexico on steamers, and occasionally on schooners. In 1879 a schooner brought one hundred
and ninety turtles to San Francisco, retailed a number of them, and sold the remainder to a linn
of fish dealers for 87i cents apiece. The usual price received, however, is about $4 each. The
turtles weigh from 150 to 200 pounds.
6. STATISTICS OF PRODUCTION.
Production of salt and fresh water turtles in 1880.
Number.
Pounds.
Value.
Delaware
15 300
36 000
'22 000
East Florida
1 900
88 l)50
$9 600
"West Florida
180 000
7 200
Texas
54 000
1 920
Total
395 550
2. THE TERRAPIN FISHERY.
1. THE TERRAPIN FISHERIES OF NORTH CAROLINA.
ROANOKE ISLAND. — The waters of Pamlico and Roanoke Sounds abound in terrapins, ana the
salt marshes on the south side of Roanoke Islands and on the western shore of Pamlico Sound are
favorite breeding grounds for them. A few also are found along the ridge on the eastern side,
which shuts out the ocean, but they are sufficiently abundant there to induce anyone to make a
business of gathering them. The terrapins, found in this locality are of medium size.
Prior to 1845 no terrapins were shipped from this district, and the comparatively small num-
ber required by the inhabitants for their own consumption were gathered in summer by hand. la
1845, however. Mr. William Midgett, of Roanoke Island, invented a "terrapin drag," which he
used in obtaining a supply for himself during the winter, when the animals lie dormant, buried in
the mud. The dredge in use at present resembles the ordinary oyster dredge. The upper and
lower bars are .H or 4 feet in length and are separated at the ends by two hoops about 14 inches in
diameter. The lower bar is made of iron and is furnished with teeth 3 inches long, and the distance
between two teeth is 2 inches. The upper bar is made of wood. The bag is 4 feet in length. The
only difference between the original dredge and the one now used is in the lower bar, which in the
former was not furnished with teeth.
The "terrapin drag" is used chiefly in winter when the terrapins are dormant in the mud, and
those who make an extensive business of dredging usually employ small vessels or large canoes.
They sail along the channels and mud-flats, carrying one dredge out over each side and one over
tin- stern. The pitch of the dredge is regulated by changing the position at which the lines are
fastened to two rings. After dragging for a few moments the dredge is taken up. The bunt of
the net is made with large meshes, and the mud and other de"bris readily passes through it.
Dredging is largely successful only when the water is sufficiently cold to chill the terrapins, and
make them torpid ; at other times they are apt to escape.
Another form of apparatus used in the terrapin fishery in this region is the trap. It consists
500 HISTORY AND METHODS OF TIIE FISHERIES.
of four or five hoops, about 3 feet in diameter, placed near each other, so as to make the total length
of the trap about 4 feet. The hoops are covered with net. At each end there is a funnel, arranged
after the manner of a lobster-pot. Bait in the form of fish is suspended near the center.
The trap is used in the summer months, when the terrapins are moving about in the water.
It is set in the places most frequented by the terrapins. A pole is driven firmly into the mud, and
the trap is fastened to it in such a manner that a part of it remaius about the surface of the water.
The object of this mode of setting is to allow the terrapins which enter the trap to breathe the air,
without which they would drown in a short time. There is an opening on one side of the trap,
through which the terrapins are taken out and the trap baited.
The hunting of terrapins with dogs seems to be confined to this locality. This method is car-
ried on most extensively during the spawning season, when the terrapins come out of the water to
deposit their eggs, and many nests are broken up. It is, therefore, the most objectionable of all
modes now in use. The modus operandi is to set the dog to follow along the water line until he
comes to the track of a terrapin which has come out of the water. He takes the trail at once and
follows it to the nest in the grass or bushes. When the terrapin is discovered the dog begins to
bark, giving the signal to his owner, who, coining, picks it up and starts the dog on another trail.
A number of terrapins also are sent to market from two "pounds," as they are called, in which
the catch is confined until there is a good demand. There are two such pounds in this region, one at
Roanoke Island, built in 1875, and one at Sladesville, built iu 1877. In 1875 and 1876 there were
others at New Berne, but they are now discontinued.
There seems to have been no sale of terrapins in this region prior to 1849, when Capt. John B.
Etheridge, at that time keeper of Body's Island light, caught 2,150 in February by dredging about
the southern part of Roauoke Island. He took the catch to Norfolk and sold it for $400. Return-
ing immediately he captured 1,900 more terrapins, and sold them in Baltimore for $350. The news
of his success spread rapidly, and many men went into the business and prosecuted it with such
vigor that the terrapins were shortly almost exterminated. Improvements were made in the
original dredge, oyster tongs were brought into use, and dogs were employed.
The principal market supply is sent from the pounds, but some other dealers abo send some
during the winter months. On account of the general distribution of the terrapin over the whole
section many are picked up by farmers and others, and while the majority of these are eaten, a
small proportion are shipped to market. The principal local markets are Roauoke Island, Slades-
ville, Washington, and New Berne.
In the markets the terrapin are divided into three grades, according to size, namely: "counts,"
" heifers," and "bulls." " Counts " are those whose under shell measures over 6 inches iu length ;
" heifers " have the under shell between 5 and 6 inches long, and all whose under shell is less than
5 inches in length are "bulls." The number taken at present is about one-third less than in former
years. In 1879 the catch, including those eaten by the fishermen, was about 4,000 counts, 4,000
heifers, and 9,000 bulls, or about 17,000 tenapins in all. Of these about 3,000 were sent to New
York, 5,000 to Philadelphia, and 2,000 to Baltimore.
The capital invested in dredges and traps is about $1,500.
TERRAPIN CULTURE. — At Roanoke Island there is a large " pound." in which terrapins arc to
be raised for market. The inclosure contains about 4 acres, of which three-fourths are covered
with water. The bottom in this part is soft and muddy and covered with grass. The remaining
acre is sand. The pound is arranged so that the tide ebbs and flows, passing in and out through
a brick sluice-way, which is protected at the mouth by a wire screen. The tide rises and falls
about 1 foot.
THE TERRAPIN FISHERY. 501
In this pound from 3,000 to 0,000 terrapins are kept. They are fed twice a week with 6 or 8
bushels of crabs aiid fish. The young are raised from the egg and kept until of marketable
si/e. About the first of Juno the females i-ome out of the water and deposit their eggs in the sand,
each laying from eight to twenty. It is found necessary to protect the eggs from crows, blackbirds,
and gulls, by spreading a net over the ground above them, otherwise they would be scratched out
and destroyed. The young hatch out about the 1st of September, but often remain buried in the
sand until the following spring. When first hatched they have a diameter of about half an inch.
They seem to fear the water, and will not go into it willingly until several weeks old. The owner
of the pound sometimes packs the young iu boxes filled with straw, and keeps them in a bam
during the first winter of their existence, turning them loose again in spring. Careful experiments
seem to show that these terrapins grow about 1 inch each year, "counts," therefore, being at least
six years old.
The method of keeping terrapins iu pounds has been strongly objected to by certain persons,
who claim that it tends to decrease rather than increase their abundance. Fishing is encouraged
at a time when the terrapins are breeding, and the nests are badly broken .up. Furthermore, the
pound-owners will buy the young at small prices, and thus cause the destruction of immense num-
bers of them when their value is less then a twentieth of that of the full-grown terrapin. Again,
the pound-men reap an unfair proportion of the profits of the business, because, having facilities for
keeping the terrapin, they can buy them in summer, when there is no market and the price is
almost nominal.
The pound-owners, on the other hand, claim that they are really increasing the abundance of
the species, since they protect the eggs and young from birds and other destructive animals.
Some urge also that in buying terrapins iu summer, when other branches of the fisheries decline,
they are directly benefiting the fishermen, who otherwise would be unable to support their families.
BEAUFORT AND MOBEHEAD CITY. — An extensive trade in terrapins has recently sprung up.
Most of the methods of capture employed are similar to those already described. The terrapins
are caught iu winter in dredges, introduced many years ago from Roauoke Island; they are tracked
to their nests iu breeding season, or they are searched for in shallow water, and secured iu dip-
nets. A method peculiar to this locality is that of burning the grass iu the swamps in winter.
The terrapins which have hid themselves for the winter, feeling the warmth, are deluded into the
notion that spring has arrived, and come out in considerable number, when they are immediately
captured by the fishermen. Several pounds, also, have been constructed. The summer fishing
begins about the 1st of May,*and is prosecuted by children and a few men.
The average annual shipment of terrapins from this locality is about 10,000, of which number
one-third are sent to New York, one-third to Philadelphia, one-sixth to Baltimore, and the rest to
Norfolk, Richmond, and the interior towns generally. About two-thirds of the entire number are
bulls, and the remainder is equally divided between counts and heifers. About 2,000 terrapins are
eaten by the people of the locality. The price received by the fishermen in winter for counts
is $10 per dozen. In summer the price for counts is about 40 cents apiece; for heifers, 10 cents
apiece; for bulls, 15 to 40 cents per dozen. The value of the products of the fishery at this local
ity, therefore, is about $3,500.
Prior to the war there was no shipment of terrapins from this point, and the local demand also
was very small. Most of the terrapins caught were eaten by the fishermen.
WILMINGTON. — The terrapins in the sounds about Wilmington, N. C., are said to be compara-
tively small, not one in twenty measuring <> inches in length. There has never been any extensive
trade in this locality, although many terrapins are eaten here. The first shipments were made in
502
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
1875 by the captain of oue of the New York steamers, and were continued for several seasons. He
bought the terrapins, both large and small alike, at $4 per dozen. They were carried to New
York. The next shipments were made in 1878 by Mr. C. C. Morse, of Wrightsville Sound. In
1879 about 500 dozen, valued at $2,000, were captured, and a part shipped, and the remainder
eaten by the fishermen. None of the Wilmington dealers have entered into the business very
heartily. A law recently passed forbids the capture of terrapins in Brunswick County between
April and September.
2. TEEEAPIN FISHEEIES SOUTH OF CAPE FEAE.
The terrapin fisheries on the Atlantic coast south of Cape Fear are not very extensive at
present. Terrapins are found in considerable numbers in any of the creeks, bays, and sounds, as
far south as Fernandina, but they are especially abundant in the vicinity of Saint Helena Sound
and Bull's Bay, and in Saint Andrew's Sound.
Terrapins are captured throughout this region by means of boats and seines. Vessels are
employed of sufficient size to go from one harbor to another, and even to run the risk of being
caught out in stormy weather. Each boat carries a seine and a bateau for ascending the shoal-
water creeks, where the seines are set and hauled. The seines are usually from 60 to 90 fathoms
long and 18 to 20 feet deep, the mesh varying from 4 to 5 inches.
The terrapins generally remain in deep holes in the creeks, and the fishermen on entering
them commonly rap on the bottom or side of their boats with an oar or stick, in order to discover
their presence. It is said that upon hearing the noise the terrapins immediately come to the
surface to discover its cause. If no terrapins come to the surface after a noise has been made the
fishermen seldom set out their seine. In setting the seine a pole, to which one end of the net has
been fastened, is driven firmly into the mud. The seine is then set out in circular form from a
boat, and when the two ends have been brought together it is rapidly brought into the boat, the
terrapins gradually passing into the bunt. During the hauling of the seine the fishermen com-
monly rap frequently on the boat, in order to draw the terrapins from the bottom. This method
is known as "bucking." Since the decrease of the fisheries it has been largely superseded by
another method, known as "torching," which is practiced principally by negroes. Having pro-
vided themselves with torches they visit the sandy shores at night and catch the terrapins as
they come upon the beach to spawn.
Fishing sometimes continues from the time of the first appearance of the terrapins, in April,
until the middle of October, when they bury themselves in the mud* At present, however, it is
frequently discontinued by the net fishermen during the breeding season. Occasionally the
winter beds are discovered, and entire colonies captured by "bucking" on them.
The price now paid by dealers varies from 10 to 25 cents apiece, according to the season and
the locality, but at times it is difficult to find a market for them at any price.
The statistics of men and apparatus for this region are as follows:
Men.
Nets.
Boats.
Charleston
10
4
15
Q
3
12
6
Besides the three boats given here, others are employed a part of the time. The men cannot
be considered as engaged exclusively in this fishery. The total value of the nets is $560, and of
the boats $900.
THE TERRAPIN FISHERY.
503
Previous to the late war many men were employed and considerable capital involved in this fish-
ery. Several thousand dozen terrapins were shipped annually to the northern markets, and the fisher-
men received an average price of $6 per dozen for them. In 18GO the fishery appears to have been
at its height, both in point of men engaged and number of terrapins taken. During the war it. was
entirely discontinued, but in 1865 and 1866 it revived again and was carried on with considerable
enterprise. A few small vessels were sent from the North to engage in it, and several men, both
at Charleston and Savannah, fitted out a number of small craft for the purpose. A number of fish-
ermen, too, in the different localities owned boats, and shipped their catch either directly or through
dealers.
In 1866 Capt. T. E. Fisher, of Savannah, with two boats and six men, secured 653 dozen, and
in the same year Capt. David Kemp caught 870 doeen, and several others did equally well. In
addition to the catch of the boat fishermen, many were picked up along the shore during the
breeding season, so that the total number taken during the year must have reached 5,000 or 6,000
dozen.
3. STATISTICS OF THE FISHERY.
The number, weight, and value of terrapin taken in 1880 in the Atlantic States.
Number.
Pounds.
Value.
New York
600
1 800
$300
3 000
9 000
1 600
10 236
30 708
5 118
30 000
4 000
165, 600
18 550
123 000
10 850
23 400
1 950
Georgia
19 800
1 650
East Florida
3,000
200
Total
406 308
44,118
P.A.RT XX.
THE OYSTER, SCALLOP, CLAM, MUSSEL, AND ABALONE INDUSTRIES.
By ERNEST INGERSOLL.
1. Introduction, defining American oysters.
2. Geographical distribution of American oysters
3. History of decline of natural resources.
4. Northern " bedding" of Chesapeake oysters.
5. The transplanting of native seed.
1.— THE OYSTEE INDUSTEY.
6. Culture of oysters from the spawn.
7. The marketing of oysters in the shell.
8. The marketing of oysters "opened."
9. Utilization of oyster shells.
10. Statistical summary.
1. Natural history of the scallop.
2.— THE SCALLOP FISHEEY.
3. Disposition of the catch.
2. Apparatus and methods of capture.
4. Extent of the scallop fishery.
3.— THE CLAM FISHEEIES.
1. The principal species of American clams used for food.
a. — SOFT CLAMS.
2. Natural history of Mya arenaria.
3. The fishery in Maine.
4. The fishery in Massachusetts.
5. The fishery in Narragansett Bay and Connecticut.
6. The fishery at Long Island.
7. The fishery from New Jersey southward.
8. The soft clam on the Pacific coast.
9. Tbe uses of soft clams.
10. Statistical recapitulation.
6.— QUAHAUGS.
11. Natural history of Venus mercenaria.
12. Apparatus and methods of gathering quahaugs.
13. Importance of quahaugs for food.
14. The principal markets.
15. The clamming grounds.
16. Statistical recapitulation.
c. — SEA CLAMS.
17. Distribution, methods of gathering, and uses of so.a
clams.
d. — CLAMS OF THE PACIFIC COAST.
18. Commercial importance of Pacific coast clams.
e. — THE RAZOR FISH.
19. Natural history and commercial importance of the
razor fish.
/.—STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION.
20. Statistics of clam fisheries of the United States.
4.— THE MUSSEL FiSHEEY.
1. The species, geographical distribution, and the habits
of mussels.
2. Commercial importance of mussels.
5.— THE ABALONE FISHEEY.
Methods of gathering and commercial importance of the abalone.
505
T XX.
THE OYSTER, SCALLOP, CLAM, MUSSEL, AND ABALONE INDUSTRIES.
BY ERNEST INGERSOLL.
1.— THE OYSTER INDUSTRY.
1. INTRODUCTION, DEFINING AMERICAN OYSTERS.
It is now settled that along the Atlantic coast of the United States there is only one species
of oyster, under the iiatne Ostrea virginica of Gmelin.
Great dissimilarity can often be seen when one compares two specimens of different ages,
or grown at localities widely separated, or in waters of unequal depth and temperature, upon
unlike bottoms, or under some other contrasted set of circumstances. Out of this diversity,
inevitable to our great extent of north and south coast line, the early naturalists were deceived
into naming several species, such as "feorai^s," " canadensis," &c., which they supposed to be dis-
tinct from one another ; but a more extended knowledge has shown that all these grade into one
another indistinguishably. " All the various forms," says Prof. A. E. Verrill, of the U. S. Fish
Commission, " upou which the several nominal species, united above, have been based by Lamarck
and others, often occur together iu the same beds in Long Island Sound, and may easily be con-
nected together by all sorts of intermediate forms. Even the same specimen will often have the
form of borealis in one stage of its growth, and then will suddenly change to the virginiana style;
and, perhaps, still later, will return to the form of borefalis. Or these differences may be assumed
in reverse order."
This eastern oyster is to be met with, almost without a break, from the nocthern shores of
the Gulf of Mexico northward to Massachusetts Bay. Beyond this it occurs only in a few almost
extinct beds on the coast of Maine and Nova Scotia, but reappears again in abundance in the
southern part of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and around Prince Edward Island.
On the Pacific coast, as might be expected, the oysters are different from those of the Atlantic.
From California northward occurs the Ostrea lurida, commonly known as the " Shoalwater Bay
oyster " ; while southward, even as far as Ecuador, there flourishes the little Ostrea concliophila,
reaching its best development in tropical waters.
The full natural history of the species on the Pacific coast is not known. But in respect to the
eastern species it has been fully worked out by Mr. W. K. Brooks and Mr. John A. Ryder within the
past few years. All the details of the development of the egg and the growth of the young may
be found in the writings of these gentlemen since 1880 in the reports of the U. S. Fish Commis-
sion, the Maryland State Fish Commission, and the biological publications of the Johns Hopkins
University. The general results can only be sketched here in a single paragraph.
It appears that among American oysters there is no distinction of sex, each individual pro
during one year either spawn (eggs) or the fertilizing milt (spermatozoa), under influences hidden
507
508 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
to us, and the next year the same or perhaps the opposite. By early summer (or later in more
northerly latitudes and cooler water), the eggs have ripened in the ovaries of such as are taking
the role of females for the time being, and gush out into the water in a milky cloud. At the same
time spermatozoa are emitted by the males. Both eggs and milt float near the surface of the water
and their future depends on an almost immediate and wholly accidental meeting, so that only a
very small percentage of the eggs are fertilized before their vitality is lost. Development proceeds
rapidly, and in a few hours embryos are hatched and swim about by means of circlets of filaments,
called cilia, surrounding them. Undergoing speedy growth and change of form, only a few hours
pass before they begin to sink to the bottom.
During all this time both eggs and embryos are exposed to a great variety of perils. Sudden
changes of temperature and storms are liable to destroy them at a stroke, and they form the food
of a long list of marine animals. The moiety which survives to be hatched, and then to sink
toward a hoped-for resting place, must face a new danger, for their subsequent life depends upon
their avoiding on the one hand an oozy bottom, where they would be smothered, and, on the other,
the insecurity of shifting sands. It is necessary that tbe soft and still microscopic embryos find
some solid surface, uucoated with slime, where their filaments may take firm hold and make a
firm attachment.
By the time this has been safely accomplished by the " lucky few " out of the crowd of swim-
ming embryos, their companions have exhausted their day of life, or met with some fatal mischance.
Every moment witnesses a thinning of the ranks, and shows the necessity of the great supplies of
eggs put forth by the mother. Even where the embryo has secured a foothold upon some sub-
merged pebble, or stranded log, or the surface of an old reef, he is still exposed to the danger of
being eaten by crabs and fishes and various other depredators. His danger constantly
decreases, however. The fewer— perhaps now only a score or so — individuals there are left out of
the million or two eggs emitted by the one parent, the more carefully nature guards and cares for
them. A few mouths later the surviving oysterlings have been clothed in an armor stout enough
to resist all but a small number of enemies, no more in proportion than it falls to the lot of all
animals to encounter in the " struggle for existence."* Various circumstances combine to make
the settlement and growth of oysters concentrate at certain favorable points. These congrega-
tions of oysters, crowding one another side by side, each generation capped and overborne by the
settlement of ensuing ones, form great stony masses in shallow inshore waters, called "grounds,"
"bars," "reefs," or "rocks." Each of these names is appropriate, since the colonies are often
widespread, may oppose barriers to navigation, and are likely to become solid masses of rock
through excessive growth and the crushing, solidifying, and cementing action of the sea, which
grinds down their protuberances and fills their hollows with stony freight.
2. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF AMERICAN OYSTERS.
Having seen that, after his brief embryo stage of freedom, the oyster becomes a fixed and
motionless creature, growing in reef-like masses or "beds" along the sea margin, let us now
sketch the condition of these oyster-beds on the eastern coast of the Union as they appeared when
first discovered by Europeans. This will lead to some notice of the use made of them by the
native races of the continent, and form a basis for an inquiry as to the effect which the civilization
of the country has upon their quantity and distribution. Let us begin at the north.
GULF OF SAINT LAWRENCE.— The Gulf of Saint Lawrence occupies a huge bight, Gaspe and
Anticosti Island on the north and east and Cape Breton on the west. Down in the bottom of the
* A complete popular account, with illustrations, of this early life of the oyster may be lounii in tbe present
writer's book "Country Cousins," published by Harper & Brothers, New York.
TI1K OYSTEK INDUSTRY. 509
bight lies Prince Edward Island, between which and, the mainland flow the shallow currents of
Northumberland Strait.
The shores of this region arc, for the most part, low bluffs of reddish soil and sloping meadows.
Many rivers come down out of the interior, and at the month of each there is a shallow estuary or
inlet, usually protected from the swell of the outer sea. This condition of things seems highly
favorable for oyster growth, since nearly all of these inlets contain colonies of these ruollusks,
both on the mainland and engirdling Prince Edward Island, except at its western end. On Cape
Breton oysters were plentiful throughout the Bras d'Or, and their remains exist at several points
on the ocean coast of Nova Scotia.
Probably many of these beds had ceased to be productive long before Europeans arrived, and
the region now seems to be slowly becoming less adapted to oyster growth.
THE GULF OF MAINE. — Having passed the peninsula of Nova Scotia we cuter what has been
called the Gulf of Maine, thai great inward bend of coast between Cape Sable and Cape Cod.
I'.etween these limits oysters were so rare that so well informed a naturalist as A. A. Gould, in his
"Invertebrates of Massachusetts," expressed himself in doubt as to whether they ever had been
indigenous north of Cape Cod.
The evidence that this is a mistake, and that formerly oysters grew naturally in the Gulf of
Maine, is found partly in the allusions of the early chroniclers, but more strongly in the remains
of beds now extinct, and in the relics of Indian oyster-fishing.
When the earliest explorers landed upon the shores of North America, they found that the
Indians ate all the various shell-fish we now make use of. They understood the superior value of
the clam and oyster, and everywhere along the New England coast were accustomed to assemble
at favorable points and have feasts of mollusks and maize, with much merry-making. That fine
old institution of Eh ode Island and Connecticut, the clam-bake, almost the only thing that was
allowed to warm the cockles of a Puritan's heart, and still the jolliest festival in summer experi-
ence alongshore, perpetuates this practice of the aborigines.
The red men along the Gulf of Maine were not so blessed as those of more southerly latitudes
in respect to a supply of this food, but utilized their privileges as well as they could, and found it
worth while to eat some things their more fortunate kinsman rejected. At the mouth of the
Damariscotta there exists the greatest of monuments to the antiquity of the oyster in these waters,
and a remarkable evidence of how important a food resource it formed to the primitive inhabit-
ants. I refer to that enormous heap of shells, estimated to contain no less than eight millions of
cubic feet, which was heaped up by the Indians as the refuse from their long feeding upon oysters
at this spot.
But Damariscotta is only one of many places on the Gulf of Maine where these shell-heaps,
or extinct deposits under water, show that the oyster once flourished. They are to be found at
suitable points all along the coast. More than this, there is abundant evidence that at the time
of the coining of Europeans to that coast, beds of living oysters were flourishing (or had very
recently become extinct) about the inlets into the Bay of Fundy ; at Mount Desert Island, in
George's, Damariscotta, and Sheepscot Rivers; throughout the upper and sheltered parts of Casco
P.ay ; probably off Scarborough Headlands. X. H. ; in Portsmouth Harbor and the Great Bay of
Durham River, I'.raintbrd County, N. II. : in Newbury (Parker and Rowley Kiveis), Ipswich, Bos-
ton (both Charles and Mystic Rivers), \\eyiiiouth, Barnstable and Welltleet, Mass. So far as I
can find out, however, there were no other localities of oyster growth north of Cape Cod; and in
most of these it was e\lenninated at a \er.\ early day.
One point calls for more particular mention. The limited sea-coast of New Hampshire pro-
510 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
ducecl oysters at Scarborough Headlands, in tbe Cocheco River, and in Great Bay, an inclosed area
of shallow tide-water a few miles up from the mouth of the Piscataqua River, and from the harbor
of Portsmouth. At the two former localities no oysters have ever been known alive, but in Great
Bay they are not yet quite eradicated.
This interior basin is perhaps 10 miles long and 5 to 7 wide. Large portions of the shores are
left as dry flats at every low tide, yet there are channels deep enough to allow large vessels to go
up to Newmarket and Exeter when the water is favorable. This spot was renowned among the
Indians for the oysters living there, and considerable shell-heaps attest the constant use made of
the bivalves. The beds occupy the channels at a dozen or more points, where the water over them
is hardly more than 10 feet deep, and fresh. The tide-way, as a rule, is strong, and the bottom
tough, clayey mud. The oysters are very large, have the appearance of extreme age, and are
heavy, rough, sponge-eaten, and generally dead. In taste this oyster is flat and rather insipid,
which is attributed to the too great freshness of the water.
That remains such as I have described prove that the mollusks of whose shells they are made
up once lived in the adjacent bay, I think no one could possibly deny. The chief mollusk is the
oyster. Now it happens, as I hinted before, that it had been forgotten, and even denied, that this
precious bivalve was indigenous north of Cape Cod. Of this, however, there seems to have been
plenty of evidence besides these heaps of shells.
As long ago as 160f>, when Chainplain and Poitrincourt visited Massachusetts Bay, they noted
the abundance of " good oysters " as one of the attractions of their landing place, which commen-
tators have decided was probably Barnstable. From this earliest mention down I find that all
the descriptions and records of the Massachusetts colonists count the native oysters as an impor-
tant part of their natural riches, and some interesting incidents are put down in this connection.
CAPE COD TO DELAWARE BAY. — The outer side of Cape Cod, a smooth, surf-hammered
beach of sand, is unsuitable to oyster growth, but the first rocky islets at the southern end or
"shoulder "of the cape are tenanted by these mollusks, however, and can be traced from the
Sandwich all along the eastern shore of Buzzards Bay, at Red Brook, Pocasset, Monument, and
far up Wareham River. In colonial days the present townships of Rochester, Mattapoiset, Marion ,
and Wareham, which are ranged around the head of the bay, were known as Rochester, and tra-
dition says that the place was named after the city of Rochester in England (famous for shellfish)
because of the abundance of oysters, quahaugs, clams, scallops, &c., along the shores.
The lower end of the bay, in the neighborhood of New Bedford, is not so well adapted, and
consequently poorly stocked. In Newtown Pond, on Martha's Vineyard, oysters were native, but
thin and insipid because of the freshness of the water. In the Westport River, just west of New
Bedford, a large natural bed formerly existed. Beyond this there is a gap in oyster-growth until
the mouth of the Taunton River is reached.
For 12 miles from its mouth this river produces natural oysters, which also grow around the
point separating it from Cole's River, where are a few beds. With the exception of the secluded
lagoon called Kickamuit, between Warren and Bristol, no more natural beds are to be found until
we get around to Warren and Barringtou Rivers, which are filled with them as far as the tide goes
freshly. Crossing the head of Narragansett Bay, living beds occur at Gaspe" Point, in Cowesset Bay
and at Wickford on the western shore. Extinct colonies once existed near Newport and elsewhere
at that lower end of the bay, while at the upper end tradition points out many places long since
depopulated. Thus the whole upper half of Providence River was full of them originally, even to
the city of Providence and that pretty " cove," now inclosed by a park, near the railway station.
TUB OYSTEE INDUSTRY. 511
Everywhere on these shores the grass-grown shell heaps show how important to the red men were
these mollusks as food in times of scarcity, or as a variation from their inland diet.
Great Salt, or Powaget Pond, in Charlestown, and the Pawtucket Eiver at Westerly, are addi-
tional localities for Ehode Island, but neither is of importance. On Block Island an abundance of
small oysters formerly dwelt in the pond that occupies so much of the interior of the island, but they
were rarely found in a fit condition for food, though made serviceable by transplanting. Their
shells were so delicate that it was easy to pinch your thumb and finger through them, and they
often contained so much air and fresh water that they would float when thrown overboard in
planting, and drift away.
From the eastern part of Connecticut westward and southward along the coast, the thing
noteworthy is not where oysters grew naturally in primitive times, but where they did not. Every
spot of shore or river-mouth, as far as tide-waters and suitable grounds extended, besides many
shallow " reefs " in the open water of Long Island Sound, were crowded with these mollusks, unless
unfavorable condition prevented. The most noticeable barren areas were the eastern half of the
north shore of Long Island, the storm-swept outer beaches of Montauk and the south shore of
Long Island (though these beaches sheltered extensive areas of oyster-beds between them and the
mainland), and the open coast of New Jersey, from Sandy Hook almost to Cape May. Here, how-
ever, great bays, like that at Barnegat, and several rivers, such as those which reach the sea
through Atlantic County and Cape May County, furnish the quiet shallow waters that make an
oyster tenantry possible, and in these an extensive growth has always flourished.
In New York Bay — to go back a little — oysters once grew naturally all along the Brooklyn
shore, and in the East Eiver; all around Manhattan Island ; up the Hudson as far as Sing Sing;
ou the Jersey shore from that point to Keyport, N. J., and in Keyport, Earitan, Newark, and
I Fackensack Eivers; all around Staten Island, and on many reefs and wide areas of bottom between
Eobyn's Eeef and Jersey City. Explorers and colonists were saved any trouble in finding this
out for themselves, since the red men were in the habit of gathering clams and oysters at all practi-
cable seasons, and depended upon them largely for their food.
Delaware Bay was equally well filled with a native oyster population, not only all along the
marshes and inlets of its shores, even above Philadelphia, but over wide areas of its bottom far
from shore, and in water of many fathoms depth.
CHESAPEAKE BAY AND SOUTHWARD.— As for the Chesapeake, everybody knows oysters are
scattered over every part of its vast area and extend as far up all the rivers as salt water pene-
trates. To the southward, along the coasts of Virginia and the Carolinas, the inside of the outer
"banks" or long line of beaches that protect the inner submerged area of nearly fresh water from
the demolishing force of the ocean, is lined with oyster growth to a greater or less degree along
its whole extent, but this natural growth is not always available for commerce.
South of New Berne and Beaufort there is no regular production until New Eiver is reached,
about half way between Beaufort and Wilmington, where the oysters are of a large size, fairly
regular shape, and for the most part single.
South Carolina, having a less broken coast, offers fewer opportunities, but wherever a sheltered
nook affords a good chance " reefs" will be found. In the Savannah Eiver itself none grow above
the immediate mouth, on account of the great volume of fresh water. Off Potato Point, however,
and in the shape of two elongated banks in mid stream, fine oyster beds are to be found, while
everywhere in the thousand channels which intersect the uiarshy islands that border the coast,
making a perfect net- work of salt water tide-ways, the "raccoon" or "bunch" oysters thrive in end-
less profusion. This abundance becomes more and more noticeable as you approach Fernandina,,
512 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES
Fla. Every stake or bit of sunken log in the marshes, or fallen tree whose branches trail in
the water, become at once loaded with "coons." Frequently large specimens are obtainable, and
such arc very good, but they are rarely eaten.
On the point of land terminating Old Fernanclina are remains of an extensive Indian shell heap;
and in the bottom of the harbor opposite the marshy shore, between the old and new towns, was
formerly au exceedingly large bar of raccoon oysters. Latterly these have died, and now they are
being washed up and are forming a long, firm shell beach. At the bar or month of Saint John's
River good oysters are obtained, though of a very salty taste. They are eaten locally, and sent now
and then to Jacksonville by the fishermen. Jacksonville, however, is supplied chiefly by Cedar
Keys and Apalachicola, the latter, in my opinion, sending the best oysters sold in that city. Saint
Augustine gets her supply from the immediate vicinity, and many parts of the great system of
estuaries which extends from the upper end of Indian River down to Bay Biscayne yield edible
uiollusks of large size and flavor.
The whole of the lower end of the peninsula on both sides is bordered by tangled, ever-increas-
ing, and commercially worthless reefs of small and densly clustered oysters. Among these certain
"rocks" have become known which yield a more edible kind, furnishing local markets from Key
West to Cedar Keys. At Cedar Keys the sources of supply are Cragiu's bars, exposed at low tide,
5 miles south of the village, and a still better locality to the northward. The Cedar Keys oysters
are usually of large size, have a different taste from anything I have experienced elsewhere, and
one which will commend itself to those who like a saltish oyster.
Apalachicola is favored by the proximity of beds of good oysters, scattered among the hun-
dreds of the "coon-reefs" that barricade the shore swamps and impede navigation at the mouths
of the rivers, and at Saint Andrew's Bay, where the water is unfreshened by any large influx,
oysters lie in beds distributed all over the upper parts of East, North, and West Bays, and
are most abundant in the deep and open water. Cuoctawhatchie Bay, next westward, contains
very few oysters, but the large shell heaps there show that formerly they were taken in vast
numbers. Now, the few that are got are found scattered over grassy shoals. At Pensacola
the banks lie in Escambia Bay, and are scattering and very poorly stocked — not so well as
formerly. The absence of shell heaps on the adjacent shores show that the Indians did not resort
to this for a supply of molluscan ford to any extent. The coast of Alabama, Mississippi, and
the adjacent part of Louisiana, is bordered by our mollusks, the gathering of which supports a
large number of men. The same is true of the western coast of Louisiana, where it may be said
that the barricades to the encroachments of the sea erected by the oysters are all that preserve
that amphibious region from submergence.
3. HISTORY OF THE DECLINE OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
Men went for food, at first, directly to nature, as the lower animals yet do. Afterward they
learned to store food materials against future scarcity, and at last attempted to control and
increase the supply. By so doing a great improvement was often effected in its quality, its nutri-
tive power was increased, and thus far more than a mere augmentation of quantity was gained.
This is the history not only of agriculture, but of several edible products of the water. Man-
kind had eaten mollusks a very long time before anything like their cultivation was thought of in
the Old World, while the practice is many centuries more recent in the New.
The red men procured their shell-fish by wading out and picking them up at low tide, or by
diving. This was mainly the work of the women and children. The shells were opened, ordinarily,
by being thrown' upon beds of coal, or by being cracked. At Wellfleet, Mass., I dug from a shell
THE OYSTEE INDUSTRY. 513
heap a rough stoue tool which exhibited signs of long use both as a hammer and as a wedge or
knife with which to pry open the valves. Any of their stone knives or smaller hatchets would
have been eminently suitable, but an implement in the possession of Dr. E. C. Chapman, of Dam-
ariscotta, Me., appears to have been made expressly for this service, and would accomplish the
matter as deftly as our modern knives. Stone tools, supposed to have been designed for this use,
are mentioned by C. C. Jones and others, among the antiquities of the southern sea-board.
Civilized man, however, ever chary of using his naked fingers, centuries ago devised the
ingenious oyster-tongs, modifications of the general pattern of which are shown in accompanying
illustrations. In Virginia a truer tongs (since it is single-pointed) is used under the very proper
name of ''nippers," an illustration of which is also appended.
In addition to these instruments, oysters are taken in some localities by a large, stout, very
long-handled rake, with teeth a foot long, sometimes only gently curved; in other patterns so much
bowed as to describe more than a half-circle in their curve. The concavity of the bending is, of
course, inward — that is, toward the person using the instrument. Dredges also are used in gath-
ering oysters, with various kinds of hauling tackle and windlasses.
Let us begin again at the northern limit of the oyster's range, and see how it has withstood
the attacks of civilized man.
GULF OF SAINT LAWRENCE. — The oysters of the Saint Lawrence were among those first
utilized by white men in America. Charlevoix mentions the practice of tonging through a hole in
the ice, and describes the familar instrument. Oysters once flourished all around Prince Edward
Island and skirting the mainland from Cape Breton to the Bay of Chaleur. Part of these beds
became extinct in prehistoric ages — so long ago that in many cases they are overlaid by several
feet of silt. Many other beds have ceased to produce within historical times, apparently for no
other reason t"han that the natural process of growth has built up the deposit until it has come
too near the surface. In a large number of places, once well stocked, production of any import-
ance ceased through the inordinate and vicious methods of oysteriug, with other injurious prac-
i ices to help it on. There is room for an entertaining discussion upon the influences atfecting
the decline of these northern fisheries.
CAUSES OF THE EXTINCTION OF OYSTERS NORTH OF CAPE COD.— Turning to the Gulf of
Maine, an interesting inquiry arises in accounting for the extinction of the oyster-life which, as I
have shown above, once flourished extensively north of Cape Cod. What killed it?
Beginning with those beds whose extinction seems to have been prehistoric, several theories
are at the service of the reader. One is, that the elevation, which the geologists tell us has been
proceeding steadily for many centuries, brought about conditions fatal to this sedentary mollusk
in certain localities. Another theory charges it to climatic changes, by which the temperature of
these waters has been seriously and rapidly lowered. It is the opinion of some students of the
physics of the ocean* that the Gulf Stream is gradually bending to a more southerly and easterly
course, wedged farther and farther from the North American coast by the inner Arctic current. If
this is so the increase of the chilled water pouring into the Gulf of Maine would account for the
fatal effects under examination, since the oyster and its co-extinct associates require compara-
tively warm waters, and, under the influence of the Gulf Stream, flourish at much higher latitudes
on the coast of Europe than here.
Except perhaps at Damariscotta, where the space was so limited, I do not think the Indians
can be held responsible for the extermination of any of these oysters.
'See a pamphlet by C. A. M. Taber, "How tbo great Prevailing Winds and Ocean Currents are Produced."
Boston. 1885.
SEC. v, VOL. ii 33
514 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
One of the first acts of white settlers ou the forested coast of Maine, where every stream
affords good water-power, was the erection of saw-mills. These mills began at once to pour great
quantities of sawdust into eacli stream, which was carried out into the bay or river below, where
it soon sank. At the same time woodmen were clearing the forests and draining the swamps, and
farmers were breaking the turf. Each of these operations tends to the carrying away by rain of
a far greater amount of silt than under natural conditions. The oysters thus found their clear,
salt home freshened by an unusual influx of rain -water, the currents always roily, and themselves
gradually smothering in a sediment of sawdust and earth. This, with steady depletion, would put
an end to any of the isolated beds like those at Thomaston and Damariscotta, to both of which,
tradition asserts, sloops used once to go and get loads of the bivalves for sale in neighboring
colonies.
In the Sheepscot River they had a little better chance, and have disappeared only within the
last twenty years.* Tradition has it that no more than a century ago vessels used to go to Great
Bay, New Hampshire, heretofore alluded to, to be loaded with oysters, the surplus of the home
demand. The lagoon became depleted, however, so long ago that the people of the vicinity
generally forgot that these niollusks had ever existed there. Hence it was looked upon as a
"discovery" when, in 1874, the Coast Survey announced that oyster beds still flourished in
Great Bay. At first little was done to make this knowledge available. The following year,
however, witnessed great activity. For several mouths a dozen boats, with two or three men in
each, were raking every day, the average take being about five bushels to the man. They used not
only tougs and rakes, but in winter they would cut long holes in the ice, and dredge the beds by
horse power, stripping them completely. It was seen that this rash and wholesale destruction
would speedily exterminate the tnollusks, and protective laws were passed by the State, one of
which forbade fishing through the ice. This was the most needed, for, as in New Brunswick, the
ice-rakers were accustomed to pile upon the ice the debris of dead shells, &c., to all of which
young mollusks were attached, and were thus destroyed by freezing instead of being returned to
their nursery. But these beneficent restrictions came too late, and the business of oysteriug is now
of no consequence.
History shows that the oysters naturally growing along the upper coast of Massachusetts
were all valuable to the early settlers, who quickly exhausted them, not only through use as food,
bui bj digging up the shells to be burned into lime, and by pouring sawdust and sediment into the
waters that surrounded them.
So valuable a property were the oyster beds about Boston deemed by the Pilgrims, yet so
ruthless were the drafts upon them, that before the end of the seventeenth century the colonies
(especially Plymouth) passed restrictive laws, taxed every barrel exported, and prohibited out-
siders from fishing.
Natural beds in Massachusetts Bay persisted longest, however, at Wellfleet, near the extreme
end of Cape Cod. There originally they were widespread, and, with other shell-fish, a blessed food-
resource in the early struggles of the Pilgrim colonists against starvation. It appears that they
continued to be fished until about 1775, when a sudden mortality occurred which ended the matter.
* Speculation has been indulged as to whether this little coluuy of oysters is a natural one or not. There seems
to be good evidence to show that it was planted designedly by the Indians, before the advent of white men, with
mollusks brought from the Damariscotta beds. The position and condition of the colony ; the fact that the banks of
this river were thickly populated by Indians, who might be supposed to know enough to save themselves the trouble
of going 4 miles every time they wanted oysters, by transplanting them to their own stream ; the fact that no morn
distant stream has them, although no good reason can be discovered for their absence, and the fact that no shell-heaps
of any account exist to attest ancient use of the bed, all seem to confirm this supposition.
TI1E OYSTER INDUSTRY. 515
Until their termination the Welllleel beds supplied natural oysters sufficient for the trade of
Boston, Portsmouth, Portland, and the other shore towns.
BUZZARD'S BAY. — Ho\v extensive was the native growth about Buzzard's Bay has been noted.
As early as 177."> NVareham forbade any oysters or oyster-shells being taken out of the town. This
cheeked excessive' fishing, hut gradually it became a dead letter, and the beds of the whole
neighborhood so sulVered in amount of yield, as well as in the quality of the oysters, that further
and severer laws were emu-ted. Xow the Ware ham district gives little else except "seed," that
is. \oung oysters intended to be transferred to other localities where I hey may pursue their growth
under more favorable, conditions, a subject to be entered into on subsequent pages. On the
eastern side of Buzzard's Bay, in Monument River, at 1'oeasset, and one or two other points, excel-
lent native oysters, Crowing under protection of good laws, are still obtained of marketable size,
and of remarkably fine quality.
The earliest voyagers were pleased to find shell-fish abundant, and the English settlers, three
or four centuries later, record their thankfulness on similar grounds. From time immemorial,
then, oysters have been natives of this district, and legal measures were early adopted looking
toward their preservation. These have been successful, and until within the last thirty years
" Somersets" (as these oysters were called, after the principal settlement) grew to a large size and
held a high place in the New England markets. Latterly, however, they have lost greatly, and
assumed a green stain, which has so prejudiced the people against them that the whole trade of
the river is devoted to the production an.l sale of seed.
NARRAGANSETT BAY.— When the people of " The Colony of Rhode Island and the Prov-
idence Plantations" felt sure of future stability, they 'applied to King Charles II for a charter,
which was granted in the year 1(583. This charter was a wonderful document for those days,
because of the well-nigh perfect liberty it embraced, and its hospitality to every conscientious
belief. Among the. privileges, the right of free fishing in every shape was jealously preserved for
public benefit. In ]734^-'35, for instance, the first, session of the assembly at East Greenwich was
distinguished by an act for the preservation of oysters, which the thoughtless inhabitants were
burning in large quantities for lime; and, in October, 1766, an "act for the preservation of oysters"
was passed, forbidding them to be taken by "drags," or otherwise than by tongs, under a penalty
of £10. In the constitution no clause was so scrupulously worded against evasion as that declaring
that the rights of fishing should remain precisely as decreed in the old charter. Despite this early
vigilance and the elaborate laws which have long been in force for regulating oysteriug, Narra-
gansett Bay has almost ceased to yield marketable oysters of natural growth, and is steadily
declining in the amount of young growth available for transplantation. At only a few places
does a breed of oysters, or a "set," as it is termed, occur with any regularity, or of any conse-
quence— a dearth only to be ascribed, I believe, to the antecedent disappearance, through per-
sistent raking, of all old native oysters.
There remains one river, nevertheless, where, under protection, the oysters are able to repro-
duce regularly every year. This is the Seekonk, which flows down past Pawtucket and Providence,
with East Providence on its left, and numerous bridges and small shipping to worry its swift tides.
The Seekonk has always been a favorite home of our bivalve, and year by year the river contrib-
utes its quota to the tongers, through a space from the, Wicksbury pier to nearly 5 miles above.
This is due lar.ue.ly to the fact that the oysters of the Seekonk, like those of the Taunton River,
are vividly green,* and hence are not subjected to an exterminating drain for marketing. No
better reason can be assigned than in the former case, and, like the others, this seed, when trans-
• Tin- P.iilii-iiii i.f ih. I . s. l-'isli ("'oiiiinissiiMi, Vol. Ill, 1883, and the annual reports for 1882 and 1883, contain
detailed information ti\«<i\ this ]>c/ruli;irity and its causes.
516 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
planted for a few months, entirely loses its verdant tint. Seekonk oysters, therefore, never go to
market, though their color, due to the same harmless coloring matter as that which tints the leaves
of trees, and which is absorbed from the food, has little effect upon the taste, and none upon the
wholesomeness of the mollusk.
LONG ISLAND SOUND. — Passing to Long Island Sound, the decline of the native fisheries for
direct marketing is quite as marked as in Rhode Island. In the early days the cup-shaped, rather
small, flinty-shelled oysters of the Pequonock River, and the plentiful rock oysters of the Thames
were highly esteemed in local markets. In Norwich, especially, a large business was carried on
with "natives" until quite recently, but this has almost wholly ceased. Breeds at Saybrook,
Clinton, and Guilford, once highly productive, are no longer so — in the last-named case manifestly
through over-raking, in defiance of law. Native oysters of large size, but with a tendency to
grow ir. bunches, were always to be had scattered among the Thimble Islands, but at Branford,
where primitively the river was one great oyster bed, the supply is now wholly exhausted. The
whole shore of Connecticut, east of New Haven, does not now yield more than 1,000 or 1,500
bushels of uncultivated oysters fit for market.
The western half of the State, however, has always been more productive, and in coming to
New Haven Harbor with the Quinnipiac and its other tributaries, we find the first of several large
fields of natural production, the history of which shows the influence of civilization in a very
marked manner. For many years the upper part of New Haven Harbor has been the scene of
oyster operations. Shell-heaps along the banks of the Quinuipiac show how the aborigines sought
in its waters, season after season, the best of bivalves, and the earliest settlers followed their
example. Natural beds of oysters were scattered over the bottom of the whole river for 3 miles,
and at intervals along the eastern shore of the harbor. The result was that the raking of oysters
in this river, and along the eastern shore of the harbor at its mouth, which was a free privilege,
was early adopted as a business by many persons who lived near the banks, and a considerable
retail peddling trade was thus kept up throughout the neighborhood, in addition to the home-
supply. Wagon-loads of opened oysters in kegs traveled in winter to the interior towns, even as
far as Albany, and thence westward by canal.
In colonial times not only, but up to the last quarter-century, and therefore long subsequent
to the beginning of oyster culture there, wild, uncultivated stock formed an important part of the
marketable oysters at New Haven; and the persistence of these "natural beds" here and else-
where to the southward (as well as in Buzzard's and Narragansett Bays), have formed a fruitful
source of embarrassment between the cultivators and the outside public, and the occasion of endless
legal tinkering in trying to compromise between new interests and alleged rights and privileges de-
rived from antique laws, a long usage, or, strongest of all, originating in ignorant conservatism.
It was admitted very long ago that some rest was required by even so bountiful grounds as
lay under the Quinnipiac, and a law prohibiting fishing in midsummer has been generally regarded
for a wnturv or more, yet gradually the oysters became more rare and coveted. The same history
is substantially true of all the harbors on the north shore of Long Island Sound.
TIIE EAST UIVER. — At Nonvalk the sound narrows rapidly into the East River, and thence
a I tin- way !<> Xew York oysters once grew in the greatest profusion on both shores, and in many
pi, ices i.i the channel, wherever it was possible for a bed to maintain itself. Most of those locali-
ties in ^hallow water known and raked by the early colonists have long been abandoned or
dest roved; but new places were continually originating or being discovered, so that until the
beginning of the present century the supply gathered full-grown from their native waters was
quite equal to the demand. The principal points for market-catching were Norwalk, Stamford,
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 517
I'orf Chester, and City Island, on the north shore, while the region about Great Neck was the
center of the south-shore interest. Ou Long' Island, however, oysters grew in great abundance
in every bay and inlet as fur east as Port Jefferson, beyond which the bold coast of shifting gaud
is unsuitable, until the long-ago exterminated colonies inside of Orient Point, at the eastern end,
were reached. From Port Jeflersou westward a good many native oysters are still taken to market,
and once in a while a deposit is found which has lain undisturbed long enough to bring to salable
maturity a considerable quantity; yet no one makes much account of these, and the natural beds
are devoted almost wholly to seed-producing. Harlem River and Gowanus Bay were both noted
in primitive times for the excellence of their oysters.*
SOUTH SIDE OF LONG- ISLAND, NEW YORK. — A similar fate has overtaken the once highly-
productive grounds in the Great South Bay, on the southern shore of Long Island. Originally
oysters in this sound were confined almost wholly between Smith's Point and Fire Island — practi-
cally to the waters east of Blue Point, known as Brookhaven Bay. This was the home of the
famous celebrity, the Blue Point oyster, which was among the earliest to come to New York mar-
kets. The present oyster of this brand is small and round, but the old "Blue Points,'' cherished
by the Dutch burghers and peak-hatted sons of the Hamptons, who toasted the king long before
our Revolution was thought of, was of the large, crooked, heavy-shelled, elongated kind with
which one becomes familiar all along the coast in examining relics of the natural beds. Now and
then, a few years ago, one of these aboriginal oysters, of which two dozen made a sufficient arm-
ful, was dragged up and excited the curiosity of every one; but the time has gone by when any
more of these monsters may be expected. As early as 1679, according to Watson's Annals, this
bay had become the scene of au extensive industry. In 1853 the New York Herald reported that
the value of all the Blue Point oysters, by which name the Great South Bay oysters generally
were meant, did not exceed yearly $200,000. " They are sold for an average of ten shillings ($1.25)
a hundred from the beds ; but, as they are scarce and have a good reputation, they sell at a con-
siderable advance upon this price when brought to market. At one period, when they might be
regarded as in their prime, they attained a remarkable size ; but now their proportions, as well as
their numbers, have been greatly reduced." The people did not take alarm soon enough. When,
a few years later, they did become frightened at the threatened extirpation of their resources, their
eflbrts were all but too late to save the beds from total annihilation. As it is, only transplanted
oysters are now sent to market from that district. Between Fire Island and New York Bay no
natural beds of any consequence ever grew, so far as we know, but large interests in planting
have aiisen. Inside New York Bay, however, the oysters formed a very important item in
enumerating the advantages of the new country.
How greatly this molluscan abundance was valued by the first colonists is plainly shown in
the early descriptions of the country. In 1621 "very large oifters" were too common at "Nieuw
Amsterdam" to iiud a market, everybody being able to supply themselves without charge. "Oys-
ters are very plenty in many places," asserted the traveler Von der Douk in 1641. "Some of
these are like the Colchester oysters, and are fit to be eaten raw ; others are very large, wherein
pearls me frequently found, but as they are of a brownish color they are not valuable. The price
for oysters is usually from S to 10 stivers per hundred." The inference is, that every man could
easily gather for himself all he wanted. That a few years of this sort of thing greatly enhanced
their value, however, is shown by the fact that in 1658 the Dutch council, in making an or'lin-
*A list and description of the natural beds, at present recognized by law in the waters of the State of Connecti-
cut, is given in the third annual report (lf--4) of the shell-fish commissioners of that State. The areas, eight in
number, aggregate nearly 5,500 acres, and none of any note lie east of Milford.
518 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
ance against the cutting of sods in and about the town, found it necessary also to enact a law for-
bidding '' all persons from continuing to dig or dredge any oyster-shells on the East River or on
the North River, between this city and the fresh water." This "fresh water" was the pond which
is now occupied by the leather district of the city, of whish Spruce street is the center.
The digging of shells was for the purpose of making into lime, and also for the purpose of
paving the streets (Pearl street received its name from such paving), and in the course of dredg-
ing for them great quantities of young living oysters were wasted.
Up to the beginning of the eighteenth century everybody took advantage of this public
storehouse of food without '• heed for the morrow." But the fame of Carteret's " great plenty
and easy to take" had spread abroad, and so many aliens sailed into the placid bay to rake upon
the " vast banks," that at last the colonists became alarmed for the continuance of their precious
supply. Thus it arose that as early as 1715 was passed the first colonial law in relation to oys-
ters, calculated to protect the beds and save their speedy extermination. New Jersey co-operated,
and in 1730 and again in 1737 the two colonies made stronger and stronger enactments to the same
end, which had an immediate and favorable effect.
Prof. S. S. Lockwood estimates that, including the waters inside of Staten Island, not less
than 350 square miles of rich oyster banks were open to the people dwelling about New York
Bay at the time of its first settlement. This resource was deemed inexhaustible, and perhaps
might have proved so, or at least have longer delayed its decadence, had not incessant removal
of oysters been supplemented by the covering up of the beds or the killing of their occupants by
impurities in the water, which more and more increased as population grew and civilization
advanced upon the neighboring shores. No doubt the clearing away of the forests and the
drainage of so many towns and factories have produced an increase of sediment and pollution in
the Hudson River, quite sufficient to put an end to most of its more exposed oyster beds, even
had they never been touched; and certainly this is true of the harbor itself.
NEW JERSEY COAST AND DELAWARE BAT. — Moving down the coast of New Jersey a
.similar decadence of the natural resources we are studying is to be seen. In Barnegat Bay the
oyster growing region is at the northern end, and is about 10 miles long by 2 wide, where the
bottom is gravelly. These are called the Cedar Creek grounds, and once yielded the famous Log
Creek brand. It is one of the great sources for seeding planting-grounds southward, but is
steadily declining through heedless treatment. For many years few salable oysters have gone
from this district direct to market, because none are permitted to reach adult size.
All of the sedgy inlets at the mouth of the Mullica River, behind Brigantine, and behind the
other beaches southward, contain more or less native oysters, and are the scene of cultivation in
a small way by the farmers who live near the shore. Great Egg Harbor, River, and Bay, with their
tributaries, have long been proverbial for the plenty of their oysters and clams. The oysters for-
merly grew in great ridges of astounding fecundity. Incessant tonging by a great number of men
through many years has .served to spread these reefs, and the oysters are now more thinly dis-
persed over a wide extent of bottom. This makes their getting slower and more laborious ; but
the conditions are so favorable that probably there is quite as great a supply of young oysters
now in these waters as formerly. A like story could be told of Dennis and Cape May, as far
around into Delaware Bay as Maurice Cove.
The oysters of Delaware Bay were prized by the first settlers, and there are frequent alln
sions to this resource in the early narratives. The Jersey (eastern) shore is bordered by exten-
sive marshes, through which innumerable small creeks find their way from the interior, and which
contain many open places called " ponds." Throughout these creeks and ponds, in the tide-ways
TI1K OYSTER INDUSTRY. 519
and along tlir edges of tin- sedge plats and islands, oysters liavi> always grown in great profusion.
In addition to this the bottom of the bay and of the Delaware River, from Cape May beach dear
up to and a little above Cohaiisey Point, at the southern end of Salem County, a distance of not
less than Mi miles, is everywhere spotted with oyster beds. The same is true of the opposite
(western) shore, which will be considered on another page. These oyster beds are not confined
to the shallow \\aters near shore, or to the sedge-plats, but are apparently scattered over the whole
bottom of the bay. Even the ship channel, 90 fathoms deep, contains them, as experimental
dredging shows. On the western, or Delaware shore, the natural beds of oysters — "rock o\s-
ters" is the local term — are confined practically to the shore between the mouth of Mahon River
and r.ombay I look. Though formerly far more productive, probably, than now, it is from an
area of little, if any, greater width that Philadelphia, and the States of Pennsylvania and Dela-
ware generally, have always obtained their oysters. Only portions of this bottom, which extend
over about H> miles, are now productive when dredged, however, and the area is not increasing.
Though at all the little ports, and especially at Maurice Cove, a certain number of persons find
indolent employment in cruising about the marshes or longing certain shallows after natural
oysters of marketable si/e, this supply is small, and probably does not exceed 10,000 bushels
for all of Delaware Bay, where a great business in cultivation of oysters has grown up.
CHESAPEAKE BAY. — It is not until the Chesapeake Bay has been reached, therefore, that the
enquirer can learn that the original wealth of oyster growth is still available for consumption and
export. Everywhere northward it has utterly disappeared, or else has been depleted to that
extent that its existence is preserved, only by legal protection, and its utility has been degraded
to the furnishing of "seed," which must undergo development on the planter's submarine fields
before it is fit for sale.
The condition of the oyster beds and the conduct of the fisheries on both shores of the Chesa-
peake is very fully discussed on subsequent pages, and need not be descanted upon here. It ap-
pears, however, that despite the almost immeasurable extent of the original "rocks," the favorable
conditions of climate and situation, and the influences which have tended to spread the area of
oyster growth, there has been a steady decline in the fisheries, taken as a whole, ever since the
civilization of the country began ; and that those who understand the matter best see that the prac-
tical destruction of the Chesapeake oyster fisheries is culy a short distance off, unless less wasteful
methods speedily take the place of existing customs. Already the principal use made of Chesa-
peake oysters is as small seed, a matter not of preference or superior profit, but due to the difficulty
of getting oysters in marketable conditions and the growing demands of northern planters for half-
grown stock.
jSToRTH CAROLINA AND SOUTHWARD. — In regard to the coasts of the Southern States I need
add little more in this place than was suggested on preceding pages. From North Carolina to
Savannah the local trade, conducted largely by wagoners, who cart loads of oysters into the inte-
rior, is supplied by men in skiffs, who tong full sized oysters from the natural "rocks," — a lazy
occupation lazily followed. In Georgia, especially in the neighborhood of Savannah, much plant-
ing is carried on, and the native growth is therefore gathered more for seed than for market, sloops
being employed as well as canoes and skiffs. Fernandina gets all the home oysters it uses from
beds over towards Saint Mary's, 10 or 15 miles distant, whence they are brought in small boats by
the negroes. On the west coast of Florida each settlement has its local bed, and no transplant-
ing is necessary ; but complaint is made at Cedar Keys, whence a large amount is sent inland,
that the best beds are becoming exhausted. The people attribute this to cold weather, but it is
doubtless the effect of excessive persecution within a too limited area.
520 " HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
There is little complaint, as yet, of depletion of oyster rocks in the Gulf of Mexico, save in
certain localities of limited extent, closely adjacent to Mobile or New Orleans, whence favorite
brands have been drawn in large quantities.
THE PACIFIC COAST. — On the Pacific coast, however, great scarcity of local oysters has come
about, and that region would long ago have been left without this food resource had not success-
ful planting remedied the defect. The principal source of former supply for California and Oregon
was Shoalwater Buy, on the coast of Washington Territory, whence fifteen years ago not less than
200,000 bushels of fair oysters, gathered from the natural banks, were brought to San Francisco
alone, besides a large quantity supplying Oregon and the Puget Sound towns. Now this has almost
wholly ceased, and not one-tenth of the former catch is possible. To what this sudden failure is
due I cannot say. In the Gulf of California there is as yet an excessive abundance of the small
Ofttrcn concJiophila, but this is considered scarcely edible, nor have any operations for its improve-
ment by Transplanting been entered into on an extensive scale.
4. NORTHERN "BEDDING" OF CHESAPEAKE OYSTERS.
ORIGIN AND OBJECT OF THE INDUSTRY. — I have now shown that before civilized man began
to encroach upon the boundaries of nature in North America oysters grew abundantly aloiig both
coasts of the United States and Mexico. It also appears that during the three centuries of
occupation of the continent by civilization the natural growth of oysters has completely disap-
peared in many districts, while it has everywhere been so reduced that almost no oysters are now
furnished to the markets, except after some intermediate process intended for their improvement;
furthermore, that the natural oyster beds remaining are profitable almost entirely as nurseries
of seed to be transplanted, and that even these nurseries are saved from ruin only by legal pro-
tection. It will be my next task, therefore, to examine the various methods practiced in the United
States by which oysters, naturally poor, are made marketable, or are cultivated upon artificial
beds. These methods are of three kinds :
(1) Full-grown oysters are transferred from their beds to another place and left to retain
their life, or, if possible, to improve in vigor, size, and quality for a time, not to exceed one season
of warm weather.
(2) Oysters which have attained a few months' growth, but are not yet ready for market, are
transplanted to new beds and placed under more favorable conditions for prosecuting their
growth to a marketable age.
(3) Oysters may be bred from eggs, arrangements for producing and saving which, together
with the preservation of the embryos, form a part of the oystermau's plan and process.
I propose now to describe these processes as they appear in America, taking up at the begin-
ning the first named and simplest operation, the transplanting to new beds, for improvement only,
of oysters nearly, or quite, in marketable condition.
This began in the economical custom of using leisure hours to bring in supplies from outer
beds and deposit them near shore, where they would remain in good condition and be easily
accessible. Oysters thus moved, broken apart from hampering clusters, and given more room,
gained greatly in size and quality after lying on the new ground a few months, and on Cape Cod
it began to be adopted as a regular preparation for market quite a century ago.
This operation was called "planting," but it is a misuse of the word, and the other popular
phrases, "laying down" or "bedding," express the fact more truthfully. It is not oyster-culture
at all as the word is to be used later, but only a device of trade to get fresh oysters and increase
THK OYSTER INDUSTRY. 521
their size ;nni llavor, \viiicli adds proportionate profit in selling. It is neither intended nor desired
that they shall produce eggs and start a new colony.
The same plan is still pursued in many places where natural lieds flourish and a market is
handy, especially on the southern coasts in New Jersey and Delaware.
"When the native resources began to be insufficient at \Yellfieet scliooners were sent, as early
in the season as cold \\eatlierwould permit, to buy oysters of more favored localities. These
went tirst to Bu/./.aid's and Narragansett Bays, but speedily extended their purchasing trips as
far as Connecticut, Long Island, and finally to Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey, their charterers
annually extending their beds in \Yellfleet Harbor, until a large business had developed.
When a \essel arrived home from one of these trips she anchored in the district channel
and unloaded her oysters into dories — the well-known skiffs of the New England fishermen —
putting 50 bushels into each one. At high tide these proceeded to the grounds, already divided
by rows of stakes into rectangles a few rods square, and deposited a load of 50 bushels in each
••square.1' In order that the oysters might be distributed as evenly as possible over the bottom,
the dory was rowed to the center of a square, and anchored at both cuds. The dory-men then
threw out the oysters with shovels into all parts of the square, intending at low tide to go over
them again with rakes for respreading. The ground chosen was the hard surface of the flats in
the western portion of the bay, where the oysters would be left dry about two hours at each low
tide. They had very little fresh water near them, and the growth was variable. In a favorable
season 100 bushels put down in April would fill 300 bushel-measures when taken up in October,
but the percentage of loss was probably never less than one-quurtcr, and now and then amounted
to the whole bed. Drifting sand, sudden frosts when the beds were exposed, disease, and active
enemies were the causes that operated against complete success; yet enough success was had to
make a very important item in the prosperity of that neighborhood whose subsistence was chiefly
derived from the summer fisheries, because it added fall and spring work for both sailors and
shore people.
Increasing prices of oysters in Connecticut and elsewhere, owing to the adoption there of
similar methods, caused the New England people, early in the present century, to try sending
their vessels on the long voyage to Chesapeake Bay after small stock, to be "bedded," as they
had long been accustomed to do in winter for the direct supply of northern markets.
This experiment met with success. The strangers grew with great rapidity and found ready
buyers, so that on Cape Cod the business of bedding southern oysters soon attained great dimen-
sions, entirely superseding the use of more northern seed stock. At its height, between 1850
and 1860, from 100,000 to 150,000 bushels were laid down in the harbor annually, which, if a fair
proportion survived, would yield 300,000 or 400,000 bushels when taken up in the fall. The
breaking out of the war of the rebellion, however, so interfered with the getting of oysters in
the Chesapeake and so increased the expense that the business began to decline. After the war
had closed it revived, hut now could not compete with other localities under new phases of the
trade. Thus Wellfleet ceased several years ago to bed more oysters than sufficed to meet the
local demand.
.Meanwhile many other ports along the coast had acted upon the same idea, and the "Virginia
trade," as it came geneially to be termed, became, and lias continued, a recognized and important
part of the oyster industry.
At present the principal points are the upper end of Narrngausett Bay, R. I., New Haven,
Conn., Staten Island, N. Y., and the, western shore of Delaware Bay.
THE IVIETHODS EMPLOYED. — The methods in all these places are substantially alike. Fish-
522 HISTORY AND METHODS OF TOE FISHERIES.
ing or coasting vessels are chartered to go and get the oysters, which the captain buys from the
tongers in Maryland or Virginia, who surround his vessel the moment he anchors, and rapidly
pass up their ineasurefuls, receiving cash iu payment. As soon as loaded he sails away homeward.
The round voyage takes from twenty -five to thirty days between the Chesapeake and Providence,
and a proportionately shorter time to nearer ports. The vessels sailing toEhode Island, and many
of those to Connecticut shores, belong to the Cape Cod mackerel fleet. Those serving Staten
Island are chiefly owned in New York. Those which bring oysters (via the canal) into the Dela-
ware are mainly a smaller, ruder class called." wood-droggers."
Vessels sailing to northern ports carry from 2,500 to 5,000 bushels at a cargo; but the Dela-
ware boats not more than a quarter or third as much, the larger part of which is carried on deck,
a practice not permissible iu the case of the others, since upon their outside trips they must often
encounter heavy gales and severe cold. Steamers have never been used in this traffic.
When the vessel lias arrived at her destination her crew is re-enforced by as many additional
men as can conveniently work upon her decks. Where feasible, she simply cruises back and forth
across the designated ground and the oysters are shoveled on board by means of six-tined, shovel-
shaped forks. In other cases her cargo is expeditiously unladen into flat-boats, from which it is
thrown broadcast upon the beds, while the schooner is hastening back on a second voyage. As
a rule one vessel is chartered by several planters, each of whom pays in advance his part of her
expenses and purchasing fund, and receives a proportionate share of the cargo. The captain
should be a man of experience in order not to be outrivaled by his competitors in a variety of
ways when buying his cargo. Many captains are themselves planters, or at least special partners
in the enterprise and are therefore excellent judges of oyster "seed."
EXTENT OP THE BUSINESS. — In the Narragansett Bay about half a million bushels of these
oysters are bedded and fattened annually, and it has therefore been the. most profitable branch of
the oyster business. What part of the Chesapeake Bay furnishes the best oyster for these, waters
is a question that has received much attention, and upon which diverse opinions are held, but the
general verdict seems to be in favor of those from James River, Virginia. These show the largest
growth at the end of the season, developing a hard, flinty shell and white meats; on the contrary,
at New Haven, James Eiver oysters cannot be used at all. But many cargoes are planted, the
precise southern home of which is unknown, sometimes, I am sorry to say, because they are pro-
cured in violation of law. A still older headquarters for this trade is Fair Haven, a suburb
of New Haven, Conn. This was among the first places in New England to import oysters from
New Jersey, and then from Virginia, to be transplanted for additional growth. Twenty -five years
ago, a large fleet of Connecticut vessels was employed in this traffic every winter, and some stirring
traditions remain of perilous voyages during that icy season. They were better oysters that came
in those days, also, than now. A quarter or so of the whole season's importation from the Chesa-
peake was regularly bedded down in April and May, to supply the summer and fall demand.
The favorite bedding-ground then, as now, was "The Beach," a sand-spit running off into the har-
bor for more than a mile from the Orange (western) shore. This is bare to a great extent at low
tide, but covered everywhere at high tide, and is the best possible place for its purpose. The
ground on this beach rents from 2 to 5 cents a bushel, according to location. Those men
oeeupying the beach each year — about twenty -five in number— form themselves into a mutually
protective association, and provide watchmen who never leave the ground. This Virginia trade
began at Fair Haven fifty or sixty years ago and soon became very profitable. Branch houses
were established in the larger inland cities, and the great Baltimore packing business (as will be
detailed on a subsequent page) was an offshoot of Fair Haven operations. Little competition was
T1IK OYSTEli INDUSTRY.
exerted by other ports <m Long Island Sound, at none nt' which has tliis branch of trade ever flour-
ished extensively. Many or all of the old dealers, or their heirs, eontinne to bring and lied down
southern oysters, which they Offer for shipment in the autumn and \\inter. Iii 1SSO the year's
im)iortation ainoiinted to about l.~>0,<l(l() bushels. Those from the Bappahannock were the favor-
ites for winter use, and \\ere imported almost exclusively ; for planting purposes, however, Kap-
pahaniioek oysters were undesirable, and those from Fishing Hay, Saint Mary's, and CriMidd
preferred. The .meat success, however, which has followed the cultivation of native oysters, at
Xew Haven (and elsewhere in Connecticut), particularly on the deep-water farms, has caused a
continual diminution of the receipts of a Virginias" there, not only for bedding but lor immediate
sale in winter. Several men who regularly used them in 18SO had completely ceased to do so by
the season of 3S83-'84, and during the coming season (18S4-'8.j) probably not more than half the
amount named above, or say L';jO,000 bushels, are likely to be brought to New Haven. Though
the prices fluctuate, the general tendency is toward an increase of the cost of this stock.
In the lower part of New York Bay immense plantations of southern oysters (there called
" soft," or " fresh," in contradistinction to the "hard" and '-salt" stock native to the locality)
have been carried ou since 1S25. The central place is Prince's Bay, Stateii Island, and about 300
bushels are bedded there annually.
The methods of work', beginning in March, are not different from those pursued elsewhere and
need not be redescribed. Bappahaunock and York Biver stock seems to have been preferred
always in this district, and a large number of sloops and schooners run each spring to and from
those livers. The crews of these vessels are not only native Jerseymen or Stateu. Islanders, but
often Chesapeake men, who come up tor a brief season's work and then return to their homes.
"They are required," says an account written in 1853, " in the transplanting of a bed, to
heave the oysters overboard, to clean the bed about once a year, and perform various other work
of a like description. The cleaning of the beds takes place generally every fall, and is accom-
plished by means of ' scrapers,' singular looking instruments, somewhat resembling scythes, with
this exception, that at one side of the blade a large bag, constructed of iron ring-work, like many
purses we have seen, is attached. Into this all the scourings of the bed, cleaned off with the front
of the blade, fall, and the whole is hauled up at regular intervals and deposited in the boat, to be
afterward thrown into the current. In this manner the whole floor of the bed is scraped quite
clean, after which it is considered fit for the reception of the oysters." I doubt if this could be
observed now. A similar effect is produced by the process of taking up the oysters in the fall,
which begins with the first cool days of September. This is done by tougiug from small boats,
near which a sloop anchors upon the bed, in which the men are quickly carried out and home
again, and easily transport their load. Thus the larger part of the harvest is gathered, until the
oysters become scarce upon the ground. Then a dredge is thrown over from the sloop, which
cruises back and forth across the ground until it is wholly cleaned up. longing over the side of
a skiff is hard enough work, and requires sturdy, broad-chested men; but dredging is a still more
terrible strain upon the muscles, when it comes to dragging the heavy iron frame and bag up
from the rough bottom, and lifting it and its load over the rail onto the deck of the vessel.
Many of the newer and larger sloops are now provided with a windlass, specially adapted to
dredging (see illustration), which relieves the crews to a great extent of the old hand-over-hand
back-breaking labor. Drag-rakes are also used very frequently on these grounds, having very
long, limber handles. In Connecticut steamers are being used to a greater and greater extent in
taking up the harvest, and this dredging, by whatever method, scrapes and cleans the bottom of
filth, dead shells, and d6bris very advantageously.
524 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
After the harvest is finished not a few oysters will yet remain on the beds. The grounds of
many of the owners are then given up to the laborers who have worked them on hire. Under a
new impulse these men go over the grounds again with tongs and dredge. In some cases they
work on shares, paying to the owner of the beds one-half or one-third of the results, which makes
a really handsome thing for the gleaners, whose work in this way lasts from two to three weeks,
making three or four days a week, each man often clearing as his portion from four to five dollars
a day.
In Delaware Bay the scene of bedding southern oysters is altogether on the western, or Dela-
ware shore, where 700,000 or 800,000 bushels are laid down every spring, to be taken up for
marketing in Philadelphia each fall.
5. THE TRANSPLANTING OF "NATIVE SEED."
REVIEW OP THE INDUSTRY. — The cultivation of oysters transplanted when young (termed
" seed ") from the natural reefs where they were spawned to inshore, proprietary grounds, or
" beds," and yielding a salable crop after several years' growth, under watchful attention, has long
been followed in the United States, and is now to be considered. The practice began everywhere
as soon as the natural supply of marketable oysters diminished, and at some points has consti-
tuted a very large industry. The inquiry is hence an extensive one, but it is restricted to a com-
paratively narrow compass.
In the Gulf of Maine the few attempts made have not been encouraging, on account of cost
of seed, unfavorable climate, and living enemies.*
For similar reasons there are no important planting interests in the remote South. In the
Gulf of Mexico almost nothing of the sort is called for, except at Mobile, where 3,000 or 4,000
bushels are annually transplanted ; these are obtained from salt water between Mobile Bay and
Biloxi, Mississippi, and are deposited in front of each oysterman's land, toward the head of the
bay. A permanent colony of oysters usually follows such a deposit, so that little new stock need
be added, until the crowding and the concourse of enemies have destroyed its good qualities, when
a new foundation is selected. Though these "plants" exceed in quality and price the best wild
oysters sent to Mobile market, the industry is subject to many uncertainties, and produces only
15.000 or 20,000 bushels yearly.
Florida shows no oyster culture worth 'mention, but at Savannah an old planting interest
nourishes, situated mainly at Vernonburg and at Thunderbolt, but now spreading elsewhere
through the salt marshes under a protection of a liberal State law. The seed used is gathered in
the neighborhood, by crews of men in bateaus, who at low tide pick it by hand from the " coon
bars," or sometimes by tougiug in deep water, where oysters lie on the bottom singly or nearly so.
Not more than two years' growth is allowed the beds, and all the methods are crude, yet the
product, though ill-looking, has a fine taste.
Save a small amount in North Carolina, no oyster planting is to be met with northward of
Savannah until Chesapeake Bay is reached. From Norfolk, "Va., to Baltimore, Md. ; in the Dela-
ware Bay; on the seaward side of New Jersey; in New York Bay; Great South Bay; Long Island
Sound; Rhode Island and southern Massachuetts, however, planting is followed in the most sys-
tematic manner, and the product is worth several millions of dollars annually.
* Yet it was talked about in colonial days, and perhaps tried even in prehistoric times; for, as I have ventured
elsewhere to suggest, tin; oyster-beds in the Shcopscot and George Rivers may have been planted there by the Indians,
who carried over from Damariscotta, by paths yet. traceable, a quantity of full-grown oysters, and placed them in
those streams, in order to keep them alive conveniently near home. If this supposition is correct, it is probably the
earliest instance of oyster-culture in North America.
THE OYoTER INDUSTRY. 525
THE CHESAPEAKE REGION. — Planting in Chesapeake Bay is confined almost wholly to the
Virginia shore. Previous to tin- late war the oystermen of Virginia were composed of negro slaves,
working for their masters, and of a rough class of whites ; but at the close of the war the demand
for oysters was very gn-at, and many persons who had been reduced to poverty were glad to avail
themselves of this chance to make a support. When the trade revived the beds were well stocked
with large finely flavored oysters. Men from nearly all occupations, representing all classes of
society, eagerly entered the business, and soon there were hundreds of oystermeu where formerly
there had been but a dozen or so. Many of the most extensive farmers in the tidewater counties
found that the condition of labor had so greatly changed that to make a living it was necessary
for them to devote all spare time to the oyster trade. This is still done to a considerable extent
by those whose farms border on salt water; but the great bulk of the trade is in the hands of a
rougher class, and in certain parts of the State it is almost monopolized by negroes. A very
noticeable fact is the almost total absence of foreigners, or of men from other States.
The law of Virginia forbids dredging upon the natural beds or " rocks," and general senti-
ment discourages, to the extent of practical prohibition, the use of the dredge upon private ground.
The planted beds are staked off with poles, sometimes fifty to a hundred yards apart. The
dredgers sailing over one bed can scarcely, even if so disposed, keep from crossing the line which
separates adjoining beds, while a door is opened to dishonesty. The gathering of seed oysters is
theiefore done by touging. Where the business is carried on in a small way, the planters and their
assistants go in skiffs and canoes to the banks and load as fast as possible. Larger planters, or
those who have a greater distance to travel between the seed beds and the planting-grounds, as is
the case especially with the planters of Chincoteague, Lynn Haven Bay, and the Hampton Roads,
send sloops and small schooners to be loaded partly or wholly by buying of the local tongmen.
Oyster-touging involves great exposure, hard labor, and some risk, and the men engaged in
it are mostly adult males in the vigor of health. The injury to health from exposure is so great
that few ever reach old age. The death rate among oystermen, as compared with other trades, is
very great. Nor does oyster-tonging give returns in proportion to labor expended. The element
of chance is a large one. A clear, smooth water, with its opportunities for "coveiug," permits
the fisherman to gather in one day what he may not realize by a week's exertion in stormy and
tempestuous weather. The influence of these uncertainties upon the habits and thrift of the men
is plainly marked, particularly in dislike of steady industry. Few of them ever pretend to work
on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday, and, as a rule, they are poverty-stricken to the last degree. The
Tenth Census enumerated nearly 12,000 tongmeu in Virginia, besides 2,000 more engaged on
larger vessels. The average earnings of these were placed at about $200 annually. Between four
and five thousand skiffs and canoes were in use, and about thirteen hundred sailing vessels, the
most of which were connected with planting operations.
The most productive region for procuring seed is the James Uiver, which is almost paved with
a native oyster growth from its mouth nearly to Jamestown. Certain richer tracts, often measur-
ing some hundreds of acres, and denominated shoals, form centers of tonging-work ; and on these,
in the fall, and again in the spring, will gather a crowd of canoes and a fleet of the sail-boats sent
by distant planters to buy the products of the canoeman's daily labor. In midwinter, when the
heavy planters are busy marketing their crops, the tongmen are idle, or are attending to their own
little cove beds, and culling out a few bushels a day for sale. Here comes in the art of " coving," a
word which arose from the fact that in old times the finest oysters were found in the little sheltered
bays or coves that indent the shores. These were single and, having grown under favorable cir-
cumstances were of large size and good quality. On days when the water is clear and smooth
526 niSTOUY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
enough to permit them to be seen at from 4 to 7 feet of depth, the oystennan goes in search of
these extra-fine specimens into bays, creeks and old planting-grounds, and picks them up, one
by one, with a pair of siugle-tiued tongs, appropriately called "nippers."
The scene upon one of the James River shoals at the height of the seed-tongiug season is an
enlivening one. There will be perhaps a hundred small boats on 500 acres, each containing two
or three men. Most of these boats are dug-out canoes, pointed at both ends, and so narrow that
should a novice step into one it would most probably be overturned ; yet the oystermeu work in
them all day long in smooth weather, and sometimes in pretty stormy weather, and apparently
keep them properly balanced without any effort. To propel them through the water they use a
long paddle, wielded at the stern, which also serves as a steerer by a skillful turning of the blade.
The tongs employed are of three sizes, 24, 32, and 36 inches in breadth of "head," the size used
depending upon the abundance of the seed.
Under the excitement of the competition the oystermen wield their heavy tools with great
energy, aud rarely bring them up empty. As soon as a load has been obtained, they go and
deliver it, if they are working for hire, or proceed to sell it to some sloop, at whose mast-head a
basket has been hoisted to show that it had come to buy. Some of the seed is sorted over, aud
only the living oysters in good shape are reserved ; but the greater part is accepted by the planters
just as it is brought from the bottom, and includes all the dead shells, trash, and injurious
vermin that may happen to come out with it. This " run of the rock" may be had for 5 or 10
cents a bushel, while picked seed costs from 10 to 40 cents.
As soon as a boat is loaded all haste is made to get to the planting-grounds, where the cargo
is at once tumbled overboard on the private bed. The expense of carrying and planting is from
S to 10 cents a bushel— an item little if any larger for first-class called seed than for the mass of
trash, only a portion of which represents living and healthy oysters.
The southernmost, and one of the most famous localities for oyster-planting in Virginia, is at
Lyunhaven, just inside of Cape Henry. Lynnhaven River, as described to me by Col. Marshall
McDonald, of the U. S. Fish Commission, is simply a branching arm of Chesapeake Bay. It is
fed by very little surface-drainage, the rain waters of the back country finding their way into it
by percolation through the porous subsoils that form the banks. When the tide is out the fresh
water Hows out on all sides by infiltration, and dilutes the salt water in the coves and all along
the shores. When the tide is at the flood the saltness is in a measure restored. It is to these
incursions of fresh water twice in twenty-four hours that the extreme fatness and flavor of these
oysters are probably to be attributed.
Oysters for planting are obtained from Back Bay and Linkhorn Bay, tributaries of Lyunhaven
River, and from spawning-coves in the river itself; those from James River and other localities
have not done well. The seed-oysters are carefully separated aud planted evenly and thinly over
the bottom, by a careful sowing, broadcast, with a shovel. Any bottom will suit, provided it is
nut sandy, so as to shift with the action of the tide and bury the oysters, and is not too soft to
bear their weight. They remain in the beds six years or more, and are then sent to the market,
when- they bring the highest price on the list, and are consumed almost wholly, in the shell, by
hotels and saloons as " fancy " stock. It is said that 200,000 bushels are now laid down at Lynn
haven, yielding 25,000 bushels for sale annually. All the coves of the river and a greater part of
its bed are occupied by plants, and it is feared that the capacity of the river has been overtaxed.
The next most important planting-grounds probably are at Chincoteague, on the ocean side of
the peninsula, between Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic. Oyster cultivation was begun here
twenty years ago, aud proved extremely profitable. The whole bay is now staked off in small
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 527
plats, which arc always salable should the owner desire to retire from the business of planting.
Seed is derived mainly from the James River, and allowed to lie from eighteen months to two, or
sometimes even three \cars. The latter occurs when, as sometimes happens, a bad, or several
successively liad seasons for growl li and flavor afflict the locality. Thus previous to 1879 the
trade there had seriously declined, hut the winter of 1871) and 1880 proved so prosperous that
Chincoteague again became prominent, and contributed largely to the European exportations.
rhineoteague's dealings are almost exclusively by railway with New York and Philadelphia, and
in favorable years the production exceeds 300,000 bushels, much above the average in quality,
so that most of the population of a large shore region depend upon it altogether.
A large proportion, also, of the people of Elizabeth City County are oystermen, and. extensive
areas of its coast are planted, chiefly in Mill Creek, back of Fortress Monroe; on Hampton Flats,
between Newport News and Hampton Creek; in the Hampton Creek, on the edge of the channel,
and in Willoughby Bay, back of the Ripraps, and up James River. On all of these grounds
together perhaps 100.000 bushels of planted oysters are now growing; but, though limited spots
appear to have been filled beyond their capacity, thousands of acres of excellent planting ground
remain uiivailable through the prejudicial effect of the State laws. This feature calls forth remarks
by Colonel McDonald, which explain the situation : "The Hampton Flats," he writes, " furnish a
notable example of a condition of things that is beginning to prevail extensively in Virginia
\\aters. Formerly they were covered with a natural growth of oysters that had great reputation
and commanded a high price in the markets. They lay right at the doors of Hampton, and gave
profitable employment to her fishermen; now these flats are exhausted, and though possessing a
productive capacity of nearly half a million bushels annually under judicious planting, the law ol
the State, prohibiting planting upon 'oyster rock,' keeps them barren, when an annual income ol
not less than $125.000 is possible. There are not now, nor is it likely there ever will be again,
any natural, wild oysters growing there. Yet 2,500 acres of fine planting-ground, at the very
doors of the oystermeu, are compelled to lie idle through shortsighted prejudice."
Back River, dividing Elizabeth City County from York, and Poquosin River, a few miles to
the northeast, in York County, both contain wide oyster beds, seed for which is derived mainly
from the upper shoals in James River. The natural oyster-rocks of York River, a broad arm of
the Chesapeake, 30 miles or more in length, are now insignificant, compared to former days, and
most of the oystermeu who formerly worked on this river every season now go to the llappahan-
nock and the James. Eelatively the oyster-planting interests are of greater importance, yet are
insignificant now compared to what they were ten years ago. At that time the high price of
oysters caused overplanting, which led to the impoverishment of the planting grounds, while the
sudden fall in prices ruined most of those who were engaged in the business. The larger part of
the seed at present is brought from the Potomac, and costs 15 or 20 cents " laid down." About
350,000 bushels are raised annually for the northern market by fifteen or twenty planters, who
receive an average of 35 cents a bushel.
In the Bappahannock it is an indubitable fact that the natural beds are rapidly being destroyed,
oysters are becoming scarcer, prices are increasing from 20 to 25 per cent, each year for " plants,"
and mnch discouragment is felt. The planting-grounds extend along the flats on both sides in a
narrow strip from Ware's wharf or Russell's Rock, which is about 8 miles above the light house,
to the mouth of the river. The seed comes chiefly from the natural beds in the Bappahanuock
and Potomac Rivers, with a few from elsewhere. The planters are estimated at about a thousand,
most of whom do a very small business ; and about 400,000 bushels are taken from the beds annu-
ally, to be sold to northern captains, as detailed on previous pages.
528 UJLSTOllY AND METHODS OF THE FiSHEIUES.
This concludes the account of oyster-culture iu the Chesapeake so far as at present developed.
It will be seen that its processes are crude, its growth hindered by many adverse circumstances,
and its extent limited. No doubt it will grow amazingly in all respects during the next .decade;
but before it does many laws must be modified, and much opposition arising from ignorant preju-
dice must be swept away.
PLANTING ON WESTERN SHORE OF DELAWARE BAY. — Crossing from Chesapeake to Delaware
Bay, we meet with a more systematic oyster-culture, and find that the product sells for more than
twice as much money, bushel for bushel, although it still must come into competition at home
with oysters of natural growth, and enjoys only a small advantage in its own market in the
matter of nearness over the Maryland and Virginia fields.
The two sides of th« bay, being in different States, under different laws, and affected by
different circumstances, present too great diversity to be treated as one.
On the western shore of the bay, in the State of Delaware, are laid down every spring a vast
number of half-grown oysters from Virginia, as has been explained ; but in addition to this there
is an almost equal business in the raising of oysters from local seed.
The planting-grounds lie chiefly opposite the central part of the State, the villages of Little
Creek Landing and Mahon's Ditch, close to Dover, being the homes of most of the oystermen.
The beds are chiefly so near shore as to be in less than 10 feet depth of water, though some an-
as deep as 15 feet at low tide. Various sorts of bottom occur, but stiff mud is preferred. In the
course of a dozen years' planting on such a spot, the mud, by accumulation of shells and refuse,
is converted into a solid surface. It thus is made suitable for the deposit of spawn and the
growth of young oysters, which, proceeding continuously, replaces the formerly barren bottom
with a genuine natural bed, or "oyster-rock." The title to the plot is not disputed, however, as
it would be in some districts, because of this change, and the ground becomes extremely valuable,
since it forms a natural nursery. This title is derived from the laws of* the State, which allow
any one to appropriate for planting purposes not to exceed 15 acres of bottom within certain
limits (and excepting all areas where oysters have previously grown naturally), upon the payment
of certain fees annually, in addition to which the boats employed by the planter must be licensed,
I he charge being made at a higher rate than for a license simply to gather wild oysters from the
public banks. In return the State gives to the property of the planter beneath as well as above the
waves, not only the protection of rigid and plain-spoken laws, but of an efficient police.
As all taking of oysters in public waters is prohibited in summer, the oystermau's year of
labor begins on the 1st of September. It is in the fall that he procures nearly all the native
seed that he proposes to plant, and his titne is very fully occupied at that season. Though con-
tinual dredging is pursued on the home-beds, where natural oysters grow, by no means sufficient
seed is gathered then- to supply the demand. The inshore creek beds of the State furnish about
40,000 bushels of seed which would count 800 to the bushel. The off-shore beds, in the deeper
waters, but within State limits, yield about 170,000 bushels. In addition to this there arc
planted about 100,000 bushels of seed that grew on the New Jersey side, the procuring of which
is an evasion of the New Jersey law which prohibits taking any seed from her beds to be planted
outside of the State. This evasion and its methods are perfectly well understood by everybody
concerned, and if there is a way to put a stop to it (the extreme desirability of which does not
appear) no one exerts himself to do so — at least, no one on the Delaware side. The seed is
roughly culled.
It is the custom here to allow native oysters to lie two winters before sending to market.
There are occasional exceptions, but to dispose of a native bed at the end of a single year's growth
TI1K OVSTKU IX1MSTKY.
is generally condemned, and with wisdom. Under this arrangement, however, a large part of
the plantation must lie idle every alternate year, and in view of this many of the Delaware
men eomplain with much reason that the limit of 15 acres is too small.
The harvesting of the marketable crop begins in September. It i.s calculated (and generally
realized) that as much by measure shall be taken np each year as has been put down — at present
about 300,000 bushels. By count, however, there will not be more than half as many, showing
that half of the joiing perish. The profit, then, is almost wholly on the growth; but as, after
from eighteen months to two years' waiting, the stock which cost put down, say. J5 cents, sells,
bushel for bushel, at from 75 cents to $1.25, the return is a very fair one.
In the process of taking up a bed of oysters here each dredgeful is culled immediately on
board, and all the " trash," that is, undersized oysters, shells and refuse, is saved, and at the end
of the dredging is taken to the "idle-ground," where.a field of seed is growing, and emptied upon it.
Much of this trash is alive and will mature. When, six months (or perhaps not until eighteen
months) later, this idle-ground is overhauled and culled out for market, it will be found to have
been considerably reinforced by the " trash/' A second most excellent effect of this system is that
it thoroughly cleans the ground from which the season's salable crop is gathered.
The capital which carries on the oystering in the Delaware waters is almost wholly derived
from Philadelphia, and most of the men employed belong there.
PLANTING ON EASTERN SHORE OF DELAWARE BAY. — The New Jersey shore of the bay is bor-
dered by extensive marshes, containing innumerable creeks, and many open places called "ponds."
Throughout these creeks and ponds, in tide-ways and alongthe edges of the sedge-plats and islands,
oysters have always grown in great profusion. In addition to this the bay and the Delaware River,
from Cape May beach clear up to and a little above Cohansey Point, at the southern end of Salem
County, a distance of not less than 50 miles, are everywhere furnished with oyster-beds, not con-
fined to the shallow waters near shore, or to the sedge-plats, but apparently scattered over the
whole bottom of the bay. Even the ship-channel, 90 fathoms deep, contains them.
The center of the present great planting industries on the New Jersey shore is at Maurice
Cove. So important had the oyster fisheries in this region become thirty years ago, that they
were the subject of much special legislation, which appears in the revised statutes of 1850, and
has been little changed. By these laws the planting areas are defined, and county commis-
sioners were authorized to survey and map the bottom of the river and cove, and rent to the high-
est bidder subdivisions for planting purposes, no one man to own more than 10 acres, and no
Company more than 30 acres ; nor could possession be retained more than five years, at the end of
which the laud is again put up to be bid upon at a new rent rate. The commissioners were also
enjoined to carry out the general laws relating to shell-fish. Supplements to these laws made
stricter provisions against trespass and night fishing, put license fees upon all boats according
to tonnage, and set on foot a peculiar institution in Maurice Cove, called the (>.\ stermeu's Associa-
tion. This association consists of all persons "growing oysters in Maurice Itiver Cove." Once a
\ear it decides by a two-thirds vote what tax (not more than $1 a ton) shall be laid upon all boats
i I over .""> tons in the association, in addition to the State tax, and it elects an officer empowered to
collect this tax and to see that the laws of the locality are not violated.
The main object of the association is protection to property and honest industry, and the chief
outlay of the funds derived is the maintenance of a watch-boat and police crew, which shall guard
the beds in the cove against thieves and arrest all boats that do not show, by a number in the
iniddle.of the mainsail, that they have a license. Many of these home-delinquents would rather
SEC. v, VOL. ii 34
530 HISTORY A]ST) METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
take the chances of arrest than pay the cost of membership in the association. In all about three
hundred boats are licensed by as many planters, and some 6,000 acres of ground are cultivated,
all in the vicinity of Maurice Cove,
The seed used iu this planting is procured almost entirely in Delaware Bay. From the in-
closed river and ponds, and also from the outside waters of the bay southward of Egg Island,
great numbers of large-sized and sweet oysters have always been taken and sent to market or ped-
dled through the neighborhood. When planting-beds were so greatly increased in Maurice Eiver
Cove, the shore people found that the diligent search for young oysters through the marshes, and
the persistent dredging during three-fourths of the year, were sensibly diminishing the supply of
marketable oysters attainable by the small open boats. Of these there are fifty or more owned along
the shore. They are too small to come under the association's tax; do not belong to planters, but
are owned by men who live near the shore, and gain a large part of their livelihood by tonging
iind hand-dredging. These people, owing to misfortune or improvidence, are too poor to plant,
but can do well if they are allowed to catch all the year round in the southern part of the bay,
where all the oysters taken are of marketable size. .For the protection of this class, involving per-
haps a thousand families, the legislature of 1880 prohibited all catching of oysters for planting in
the southern part of bay.
Though large quantities of seed are furnished the planters from the creeks and marshes by
men who pick it up, using small boats, yet the main supply necessarily comes from dredging by
the large boats, properly fitted with improved windlasses and deep-water apparatus, on the isolated
areas in the upper part of the bay. Six or eight fathoms of line is the ordinary amount used, but
successful dredging has been clone in all parts of the southern half of Delaware Bay, even where the
water is more than 500 feet deep. This deep dredging is unprofitable and not practiced ; but that
oysters exist there has been shown by experiment, as I was positively assured by Daniel T.
Dowell, esq., of Mauricetown, who gave me many interesting notes upon this region. Most of the
boats are of good model and build, some exceeding 40 tons burden. They employ, as crews, dur-
K>g ten months of the year, no less than fifteen hundred men, all citizens of New Jersey, and
nearly $500,000 must be spent annually by the owners of Maurice Cove beds iu the operation of
their fleet, while nearly 2,500,000 bushels of seed oysters are taken from the natural rocks and
spread upon iushore grounds each year, to be left, as a rule, two years. As near as can be ascer-
tained, 1,600,000 bushels, worth $1,000,000, are at present sent to market in assorted cargoes. A
large amount of Philadelphia capital is invested in this region, and I do not know a more gener-
ally prosperous oystering community than Maurice Cove seems to be.
THE OCEAN COAST or NEW JERSEY. — On the outer, or ocean coast of New Jersey lies a
long series of sedgy lagoons and inlets, protected by outer beaches, extending with little interrup-
tion from Cape May to Barnegat, and again in the rear of Sandy Hook. In almost every one of
these local oysters have been transplanted to private beds for additional growth, and at some
points a large success has been attained. In Cape May and Atlantic Counties nearly every farmer
is also an oyster-planter, getting his seed in the immediate vicinity. The center of this district is
iu the neighborhood of Atlantic City, where the muddy bottom of Lake's Bay and other noted
inlets largely supply the Philadelphia markets.
Many of these planters go in their own sloops after the seed to The Gravelling, a shoal sev-
eral miles square lying in the mouth of the Mullica Eiver, at the head of Great Bay, N. J. There
seems little diminution of the supply of young oysters in this piece of water, which is given by
law a summer-rest, and not a few marketable oysters are tonged up every season. Hither, also,
resort a host of planters from towns northward, and at the opening of the season, on October 1,
Tin-: <>\STI;I; INDCSTCV. f>;!l
lively work is doiie. During all day of September 30, ami during the, uiglit, schooners, sloops,
cat-boats, sail-scows, trim yachts, and shapeless, ragged tubs, have gathered there, chosen a spot
out of what was left of tin- space, and anchored. Once the anchor down, no movement elsewhere
c;m be made. Each sail-craft tows behind it one or two small scows, termed '' garveys," and has
upon its deck one or more smal" skirt's, or perhaps those ingenious ducking-boats peculiar to this
region, called "dinkies." So massive is each year's growth that the first, day's work is likely to yield
IdO to 150 bushels of seed to the man on the most favorable ground, but by the end of a week most of
the tongmeu have found it no longer worth their while to work. The owners of the extensive
planting interests in Baruegat Bay do not come here, but supply themselves mainly from the Cedar
Creek beds, nearer home.
A crop approximating 250,000 bushels is harvested every year from the planting of this home
seed along the ocean-shore of New Jersey, but the arrangement and meager care of the beds call
for 110 special remark. The growth is, iu general, rather slow, and the product not yet, on the
average, of so high a quality or cash value as that of either the Delaware or Earitan shores of
the same State.
THE EARITAN DISTRICT. — Passing northward to the Earitan district, we shall find beds of
transplanted native oysters maturing upon the shallows all the way from Sandy Hook to Perth
Amboy and half engirdling Stateu Island; and that there, as elsewhere, this branch of the busi-
ness is gradually superseding the growing of southern "plants."
But this planting of native seed-oysters in New York Bay is an old industry. Iu 1853, for
example, it was stated there were at least one thousand men employed in cultivating "York Bays"
for the purpose of shipping them. "The hardness of their shell and the peculiar saltness of the
meat render them better adapted for shipping than any others, and they are, therefore, used almost
wholly for the westeru trade. The boats employed in transporting them from the North Eiver and
Newark Bay to the artificial beds are open, and are each generally manned by three or four
men. * * * These men work in sloops and skiffs owned by themselves. The owners of each
boat are also proprietors of one or more beds planted by themselves. There are about two hundred
boats, altogether, each of which is valued at an average of $800."
It is added that one-third of all the seed planted at that time came out of the North River,
from beds " which extend at intervals from Piermont to Sing Sing," where the growth was said to
be exceedingly quick and abundant. Now the chief source is Newark Bay and Earitan Eiver,
though the North and East Eivers and Long Island Sound are drawn upon. A considerable quan-
tity of seed is also brought from as far away as Fair Haven and Blue Point. In most cases the
planters themselves gather what they use, by going after it iu their own sloops, taking a small
boat and a man to help. Not a little is procured at home, especially in the vicinity of Keyport.
This grows on soft mud and in sedgy places, and hence is long, slender, crooked, and ill-shaped.
1 'hinted in from 10 to 15 feet depth of water, purer, salter, and upon a better bottom than before,
it rounds out into good shape, and grows with considerable rapidity in good seasons. The
best bottom is a thin layer of mud overlying sand, and the best time for planting is in March,
April, and May.
By the end of May all work upon the beds ceases, beyond taking up an occasional boat-load
to supply the weak summer demand. The condition of the beds is watched closely, however, by
the anxious owners, since it is the midsummer mouths that determine whether the oysters will
report themselves "good" in the fall, or the reverse; which means a profitable business, or the
opposite. If the season is hot, equable, and reasonably calm, all is expected to go well. Heavy
532 HISTOET AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
storms and great freshets in July and August, on the other hand, produce thin and poor oysters,
which will not bring a good price.
Early in the spring, however, before the planting of new seed begins, the oysterinen of this
district hire help to carry on another feature of their business, the "shifting." As soon as the
weather gets fairly settled the " natives," intended to be sent to market the following fall, are
taken up from the place where they lie, culled over, and cleaned, if needful, and relaid more thinly
on a new bed. Usually this is a movement from a soft to a harder bottom, and sometimes to a
region of fresher water. At Perth Am boy, however, oysters shifted are placed farther down the bay.
It operates advantageously in two ways: by repressing the tendency to spawn, which is undesirable,
and by giving them the benefit of a change of water and food. Moreover, on the sand they will
tend to grow round and shapely beyond their ability to do so when crowded in the mud, while the
fresher water will make them fatter. The actual result, nevertheless, is sometimes disappointing,
particularly if there be no current over the new bed to bring a steady supply of fresh water.
The man who has only a few hundred bushels will do this " shifting," as it is termed, himself;
but for the, large planters it is usually done by a contractor, either for a lump sum or for an amount
of pay based upon an estimate of the quantity, or at the rate of 10 to 15 cents per bushel, accord-
ing to the density of the oyster-beds, and hence the time to be consumed. In either case the cost
is about the same. One gentleman told me he paid $1,300 to have 11,000 bushels shifted under the
first named arrangement. While this is going on the southern cargoes are being laid upon the
beds, and at Keyport a score or more of negroes from Norfolk annually appear as laborers, return-
ing, at the end of the work, to their homes.
The growth of oysters transplanted to these New York Bay waters is reasonably rapid, though
not as fast as occurs in the Great South Bay of Long Island. The usual expectation is to leave
the beds undisturbed for three years, then shift in the spring and market in the fall. As planting
of seed occurs both spring and fall, the crop of every year is thus the first of a series of six. All
"naturals," that is, local oysters, planted will outgrow other seed, doubling in size in a single
season. The oysters from the sound, however, have been used largely for European trade for the
last two or three years, and have acquired a high reputation. These do not require to lie three
years, since they are wanted of small size.
Most of the planters here, as on Long Island and in the East Eiver, are themselves merchants
of shell fish in New York, or in partnership with merchants.
THE SOUTH SHORE OF LONG ISLAND. — On the south shore of Long Island oyster planting
is carried on very extensively, and is subdivided into a great number of small holdings. At the
western end of Long Island Sound is a series of interlacing channels, through a great marshy
lagoon, protected outwardly by Lougbeach from the Atlantic, and separated from Hempstead Bay,
east, by large islands. This confusing net-work of shallow, tidal creeks, ramifying in all directions
through an immense expanse of sedge, lies on the eastern side of the township of Bockaway.
West of the town spread the more open waters of Jamaica Bay. In both these waters oysters
are grown in great quantities, and as every village, beach, inlet, and channel in the whole region
has the name Eockaway attached to it in some shape, it is not surprising that these oysters should
take the universal name, too, in the New York markets, whither they all tend. Under closely
protective local laws, nearly every family in the town is engaged in oystering. Eockaway men
get their seed from Brookhaveu and Newaik Bay, but prefer East 'J fiver seed to any other, and
use the largest quantity of it. It, is brought to them in sloops. Eockaway itself owns few large
sail-boats; its channels are too shallow and devious to admit of easy navigation, but every man
has a skiff, and all the planters Hat planting-boats. Virginia oysters have been tried, but now
TOE OYSTKI; LNi>rsTi;Y. 53H
none are planted. The growth of llockaway oysters is extremely rapid. The mud iti the bottom
of these marshy eliannels. which is only sufficiently compact to hold the oysters from being
smothered, seems to lie lull of nourishment, and the oysters are always large ami fat.
The same story applies with more or less truth all along the shore to Babylon, where a prom-
i.-ing industry, for which there is room for great development, has been begun in the neighborhood of
Oak Island. The growth of oysters transplanted to Oak Island waters is extremely rapid. They
have been known frequently to double their size in a single season, and are often sent to market
at the age of fifteen months; that is, the second fall after their birth. This rapidity of growth is
attributed to the freshness of the water, but undoubtedly is due to the excess of eoufervoid and
other food in the water. I know uo place where it is more abundant, and it is quite possible
that the fishermen are right when I hey attribute the circumstance that oyster-spawn never catches
west of Nil-oil's Point, except around the mussel-beds in the inlet, to the great prevalence of sliiue
in the water ; for this " slime" is the vegetable and hydroid growth that furnishes so much nour-
ishment to the adult oysters, and everywhere covers the bottom with a slippery growth and deposi-
tion. The chief drawback to success is the devastation sometimes wrought by moving ice.
This brings us to the Great South Bay, an inclosed space of quiet water behind Fire Island
and other beaches, some :>() miles long. It is only at its eastern (Brookhaveu) end, however, that
o.Nsteis grow naturally in any amount, or that oyster-culture has been carried on apart from the
O.ik Island beds. Very complicated regulations exist as to the legal right of the planters in
I heir grounds, and 1 must refer the reader to iny census monograph* for the particulars. How
vast were the natural beds of oysters in the eastern part of Great South Bay has already been
noted, and also the way if was exhausted by incessant drafts, not only for plantations on the
neighboring shores, but by men who came in sloops from l\hode Island and Massachusetts,
llockaway and New Jersey. Planting interests thus became a necessity a quarter of a century
ago, and though the home beds are not yet quite exhausted, they have so decreased, in spite of
protective legislation, that the planters there are obliged to bring as much as 100,000 bushels of
supplementary seed every year from Newark, North River, or the Connecticut shore. I have dis-
cussed this matter, and expressed my opinion as to the decline of the seed-produciug power of this
district, at great length in my report to the census above referred to. In a word, the oysters are
taken up faster than they can multiply — the banks are over-raked.
Tin- center of the planting interest of the Great South Bay is at Patchogue, and there are
about 1,0(10 acres of bottom under cultivation in front of the town. This area includes all the
coast from I'atcho^ne to IJayshore, thus taking in the settlements and railway stations, Bayport,
Yomigport, Blue I'oint, Sayville, and Oakdale. A part of these lie in the town of Islip and the
rest in Brookhaven, and thus come under slightly different regulations, but otherwise they form
together a homogeneous district, and the oysters they raise go to market under the general brand-
name of " Blue Points." The artificial beds upon which these oysters grow arc all near shore, and
in wHter rarely more than '2 fathoms deep, and often less. The bottom varies, but, as a rule,
consists of mud overlying sand. The preference is in favor of water (i to 10 feet in depth, which
is deep enough to escape ordinary gales, and is not too expensive to work, the oysters fatten
better there than in shoaler water, one planter said. The seed consists of the native growth, eked
out by cargoes from New York IJay. the ICasf b'iver, and elsewhere. The experiment of planting
Virginia oysters .1- >,oeil has proved a failure; they develop a shell closely resembling the native,
but the moment the o\sfer is opened the difference and inferiority of the meat is apparent, both
to the eye and the taste. Southern oysters will survive the winter in this bay, grow, and emit
•The Oyster Iiuluslry, l,y KnirsI In^i-rsull : Di-partim-nt of the Inti ii.ii : Truth Census, Washington, 1881.
534 TlIvSTOl.'Y AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
spawn; but planters consider tbat they tend to reduce the quality and price of the native stock,
and hence have almost ceased to bring any.
No less than five hundred sail-boats are to be seen every spring and fall between Moriches
and Blue Point gathering seed, carrying it away, and buying it for outside planters. To every
one of these five hundred sail-boats, mainly well-built sloops and cat-boats, three men maybe
counted, so that fifteen hundred men are probably employed in this industry alone at these
times. How much seed is procured each season it is impossible to state, but I should judge
it to be not less than 100,000 bushels, or twice that amount for the annual yield. The poorer seed
caught is sold to a great extent in the rough — stones, shells, dead stuff, and all— just as it comes,
since on much of it there are oysters clinging too small to be detached. Much, however, is culled,
boys going iu the boat and picking the tongfuls over as fast as they are poured out upon a board
placed across the middle of the skiff from gunwale to gunwale ; for this service from 40 to 60
cents is paid. The buyers are planters at Bellport, Patchogue, Blue Point, Sayville and the
towns farther west, and occasionally a man fraui Rhode Island or Connecticut, who wants this
seed to work up into a particular grade on his home beds.
Home seed is preferred to any from a distance, but it is conceded that oysters taken from the
eastern to the western end of the bay grow more rapidly than those not changed. The ordinary
amount of small seed pat on an acre is 500 bushels, chiefly laid down in the spring. In the fall
the owner goes over them and thins them out, finding a great many which are large enough for
market, though no bigger than a silver dollar. The rest remain down longer, and meanwhile
constant additions of seed are made alongside.
As you go westward to the extremity of the "Blue Point" district, in the neighborhood of
Bayshore, you find a feeling of discouragement. The oysters there do not grow as fast or become
as finely flavored as those to the eastward, and all the seed must be bought or poached stealthily
from Brookhaveu. Large quantities of ground there are not taken up, although with the help
of capital it might be made productive.
The crops gathered from the beds of the Blue Point district amount in the aggregate to
something over 200,000 bushels annually, while the western part of the shore, from Babylon
to Coney Island, sends about twice as much to market.
THE EAST RIVER AND LONO ISLAND SOUND. — Going around into the East River, or eastern
end of Long Island Si»uud, we find the mouths of all the rivers and the shallows of nearly every one
of the many coves that indent the rocky coasts on both sides occupied by private beds of oysters,
each held under local regulations. On the Long Island side the principal points are Great Neck,
Port Washington, Oyster Bay, Huutiugton Bay, and Port Jefferson, with many minor points
between ; and the annual aggregate yield of the whole north shore of Long Island is between
350,000 and 400,000 bushels, but the average price is less than $1 a bushel.
On the Connecticut shore, also, every sheltered indentation has its planted oyster-beds, espe-
cially at City Island, Greenwich, Rowayton, and South Norwalk.
I do not know tbat the methods differ from those already described, except that no "shifting"
is praticed, and in most cases less attention and care is given to the cultivation of the beds than
at Stateu Island and Patchogue.
The obtaining of the seed is worthy some mention, however. The smaller planters in the
eastern part can get nearly enough close at home for their purpose, and are to be seen in great
numbers touging and raking all along between Great Neck and Hell Gate. The best ground is
directly in the steamboat channel, where the cinders falling from the innumerable steamers that
pass daily furnish a capital "cultch" for the oyster-spat to attach itself to. This ground is gradu-
Till', OYSTKU INIM'STKY. 535
;dly extending itselfinto a productive tract halfway to Norwalk, and (ho scraping of the bottom
with the big, deep-cutting, dredge-like clam-rake undoubtedly contributes to the growth,pf young
oysters as well as young clams there, by preparing the ground to retain the spawn, which is at
that very season floating about.
Planters who require large supplies, and nearly all those who live east of Great Neck and City
Island, either buy their seed from others or go after it themselves to the public oyster-grounds up
the sound, where a large fleet of oyster vessels may be seen during the proper season, gathered
trom New York, New Jersey, Ehode Island, and the Great South Bay, as well as from the town,
along both shores of the sound.
From City Island (the oldest artificial beds in East Kiver) eastward oyster-beds are planted
with this seed, annually, at every favorable spot as far as Port Chester and East Chester. The
business is of small account, however, though many persons are engaged in it in feeble fashion.
The coves about the harbor of Greenwich, Conn., are occupied by planters, who raise perhaps
35,000 bushels annually. Stamford has seen better days than the present in the oyster busi-
ness, and the same is true of Darien, just beyond.
At Rowayton, or Five-Mile Kiver, the next shore-town, however, very important planting
interests are owned, and excellent oysters are raised for the New York and European markets. The
little creek-mouth is filled with oyster-sloops, and the shores are lined with the warehouses of the
planters, who are prosperous and enterprising, harvesting probably 75,000 bushels annually. Like
all other parts of the East Kiver, the oysters are sold here wholly in the shell, and almost always
by the barrel or bushel, the selling "by count" belonging to the region farther west and to the
Long Island shore. Just eastward of Rowaytoii lies the city and harbor of South Norwalk, one of
the most important oyster-producing localities in Long Island Sound, as well as one of the "oldest. "
The bay at the mouth of the Norwalk River is tilled with islands, which protect the shallow waters
from the fury of the gales, and their sheltered coves began to be utilized for oyster planting about
1850. Now the business has grown to such proportion that more than one hundred families get
their whole support from it, and the annual yield approaches 1(10,000 bushels, produced by about
fifty planters, who occupy 2,500 acres of ground, the right to which they would not sell for less
than $8,000 or $10,000. From $50,000 to $75,000 a year are reinvested in the beds at Norwalk,
counting the time of the planters as so much money. Few can afford to hire help, except occa-
sionally, for a few days at a time. Wages, in that case, are from $1 to $2 per day. Many of the
planters here, and at Rowaytou, are also concerned in operations on the opposite shore of Long
Island.
At Westport (to move another step eastward) the first efforts at planting were made in the
mill-pond east of the village, a pond of salt water about 40 acres in extent. The bottom of this
pond is a soft mass of mud; not barren, clayey mud,' but a flocculent mass of decayed vegetation,
&c., apparently inhabited through and through by the microscopic life, both vegetable and animal,
which the oyster feeds upon. Although the young oysters placed there sank out of sight in this
mud, they were not smothered on account of its looseness, but, on the contrary, throve to an extra-
ordinary degree, as also did their neighbors, the clams and eels, becoming of great size and
extremely fat. Fifteen years ago oysters from this pond sold for $3 a bushel; and for one lot
$16.50 is said to have been obtained. Before long, however, a rough class of loungers began to
frequent the pond, and the oysters were stolen so fast that planting tin-re has almost wholly
ceased, and prices have greatly declined.
Similarly the planting-beds at the mouth of the Sangatuck, where a quarter of a century ago
Westport men used to lay down a large part of the 50,000 busheis of small oysters annually
536 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
gathered in their populous river-channels, are now almost abandoned, owing to exhaustion of the
natural growth in the river.
At Bridgeport something over 100 acres are rented from the town for oyster-culture, and a
considerable business is growing up under favorable circumstances. The same may be said of the
Milford shore, but probably the total yield from native plants at Westport, Bridgeport, and Mil-
ford together will not exceed !.">,< K)0 bushels a year, worth $15,000.
I have already spoken so fully of the harbor of New Haven, the next locality, and the seed
gathering at its upper end, on previous pages, and shall have so much to say of it hereafter, that
it would be a waste of space, to go into details here. None or few of the New Haven men plant
exclusively native seed oysters, while all use more or less of this kind in connection with their
raising of< 'liesupeake stock and their deep-water spawn catching. All available laud on both sides
of the harbor is occupied, and it amounts to many hundreds of acres. The seed is gathered in
the sound, and large quantities are resold to Rhode Island and other planters. While it is impossi-
ble to discriminate between the yield from transplanted small seed and that produced by the deep-
water beds (see subsequent pages), I suppose that 75,000 bushels are annually raised in the former
way. The methods of transplantation do not differ essentially from those pursued elsewhere, except
that rather more care is exercised than in the East River.
Oyster seed is transplanted to inshore beds at Branford, Stony Creek, Guilford, Clinton, Say-
brook, and New London, but the business is small in each locality, and the total yield of market-
able oysters from this source does not exceed 40,000 bushels.
NARRAGANSETT BAY. — Our next point of inquiry is Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Here,
as already stated, little remains of the natural wealth of oysters upon which the early planters,
half a century ago, could draw to what seemed an unlimited extent. Now the seed used must be
imported almost entirely from other States. The planting-grounds of Narragansett Bay and its
tributaries lie in the Kickamuit, Warren, Barriugton, and Palmer Rivers, on the eastern shore.
These are clear streams, with strong tideways refreshing inner basins, shallow and quiet. Rum-
stick Point separating Warren River from the bay, is a favorite planting point. Beyond this, along
the eastern shore of Providence River, come next the planting areas at Nayat Point (Allen's ledge)
and Drownville, an important and busy place.
Reaching back into the country north of Drownville, and protected from the outer bay by
Bullock's Point, is Bullock's cove, a shallow estuary, by many regarded as the very best place, to
plant oysters in the whole State. The only reason I have heard assigned is, that the bottom has
many springs in it, supplying constant fresh water. Above, ground is planted as far as Field's
Point on the western side. Southward, from Field's Point to Starvegoat Island, runs a reef nearly
dry at low tide. This reef was among the earliest tracts taken up by the veteran oysterman, Rob-
ert Pettis. When, about 1861, the star-fishes were depopulating the beds all over the bay, he
alone was so situated that he could get at them at low tide and destroy them, and his good luck
was the occasion of great profit to him. Formerly natural oysters grew abundantly all over this
part of the river, but the main deposit was just south of Starvegoat Island, in the center of the
tract of 1(!0 acres now known to oystermen as Great Bed. This, in old times, was the great scene
of oyster raking, and it is more than thirty years since these beds were wholly exhausted. Every
square rod of this area is now utilized, and large planting tracts also exist at Patuxent, Gasp6
Point, Cauimicut Point, and, to a slight extent, in the harbors of Wick ford and Westerly. There
is a constant tendency to enlarge this area, which, in 1880, comprised about a thousand acres, by
extension toward deeper water ; but it must not be forgotten by the reader that a larger part of
THE OYSTER TNIM'STKY. 537
this ground is devoted to the growing of Chesapeake oysters tlian to the raising ol' the " native,"
or northern seed, to \vhieh we are now .attending.
The seed used, as I have hinted, comes almost wholly from outside waters. Ik-sides small
quantities from the Kiekainnit and Warren Rivers, the Seekonk, at the head of Providence Harbor,
is the only remaining home locality of any aecount where small oysters may lie gathered. The
history of this river I have given elsewhere.
The remainder of the seed-oysters planted in Karragansett Hay come IVom the Connecticut
shore, East River, Fire Island, and the Great South Bay, Somerset (planted chiefly by those
owning privileges in Taunton River), and from various parts of lln/x.ard's Bay. I often asked
which was best, but could never get evidence of much superiority in any one kind. The success
of a planting does not depend on the kind of seed put down so much as it does upon a thousand
circumstances of weather, water, and bottom. The seed which would do excellently in one cove
would behave badly in the next, and r/« rcrxit, individual preferences being founded upon these
varying and unexplained experiences. The seed from the south shore of Long Island used to be
cheapest of all, and good ; but a Boston demand ran up the price beyond the pockets of Ehode
Island planters. In general, it may be said that any seed transplanted to Narragausett Bay
develops into a better oyster than it would have come to be if left in its native waters.
Similarly, it is hard to tell what has been the outcome of a particular planting — that is, how
much profit is made — because it is inextricably mixed with various other work. Native seed put
down and ready to grow has cost on an average about 60 cents a bushel. To estimate profits on
it is out of the question until the oysters are all sold, nor even then. If all does well, treble
value is calculated upon in three years' growth.
It is not even decided whether it pays best to grow " natives" or fatten "Chesapeakes." The
first year you plant a piece of ground the oysters do the best; the next year poorer; the third
year they fail. Consequently, the oystermeu try not to plant the same area continually, but
shift their oysters around to allow the old ground to be revived by free contact with the sea.
BUZZARD'S BAY. — The oyster-planting operations in Buzzard's Hay, supplied almost wholly
by local seed, with small additions, principally from Somerset, are widely distributed but not of
great importance. There was formerly a very large oyster business in the Wareham River, but
this has been unprofitable of late. The Monument River and the shores near its mouth are prob-
ably the points of greatest importance at present. More or less planting is carried on also
on the Cape Cod shore at the entrance to Buzzard's Bay, while experiments at Wellfleet are
having a profitable outcome.
METHODS OF GATHERING SEED OYSTERS IN LONG ISLAND SOUND.
SEED GATHERING IN LONG ISLAND SOUND. — Before dismissing this subject it will be proper
to give some luicf account of the seed-gathering in Long Island Sound, which is the source of nearly
all supplies east of New York City. Midsummer is the season devoted to this work. In gather-
ing seed near shore, and somewhat otherwise, tongs and occasionally rakes (those with long
curved teeth) are used; but in deep water, where all work of consequence is done, the oysters,
young, old, and refuse together, are brought from the bottom by dredges of various weights. In
the case of all the smaller sail boats, the dredges having been thrown overboard and tilled, are
hauled up by hand — a back-breaking operation. The oysters themselves are very heavy, and
frequently half the amount caught is composed of shells, dead oysters, winkles, and other trash,
which must be culled out, thus compelling the oystermeu to twice or thrice the work which they
would be put to if there were nothing but oysters on the ground. The work of catching the
oysters by any of these methods is, therefore, very tiresome and heavy, and various improvements
538 HISTOBY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
have been made, from time to time, ill the way of labor-saving, from a simple crank and windlass
to patented complicated power-windlasses, similar to those commonly used in the Chesapeake
boats. (See illustration.) When a proper breeze is blowing, dredging can be accomplished from
a sail-boat, with one of these windlasses, with much quickness and ease. In a calm, or in a gale,
however, the work must cease, as a rule.
Under these circumstances, and as the business increased, it is not surprising that the aid of
steam should have been enlisted ; nor, perhaps, is the controversy which has ensued to be won-
dered at, since the introduction of novel or superior power into some well-traveled walk of industry
has ever met with indignant opposition.
The first utilization of steam in this business, so far as I can learn, was at South Norwalk,
about 1870. This was followed by others, until, in 1880, seven dredging steamers were operating
in Connecticut waters. In their report for 1884 the shell-fish commissioners of the State enume-
rated no less than thirty-oue, having an aggregate carrying capacity of 27,225 bushels, while
several new and larger ones are building.
The growth of this fleet has been regarded with enmity by the great body of shoremen, who
looked askance at the rapidity and comprehensiveness of the work performed, and early began to
attempt to form public opinion and secure legislation tending to repress this dangerous competi-
tion. The first result of this was restricting steam-dredging on public seed ground in the sound
to two days of each week. Not satisfied with this, however, laws were sought which, if they did
not prohibit the use of steam altogether, should at least restrict it to the designated planting-
ground of the owner. The controversy which ensued then was long and bitter. At'the time that
my special monograph on the oyster was written for the Census Bureau the discussion was at its
height, and I gave at length the arguments for and against, together with comments, to which
the reader is referred if he desires to go deeper into the question. A strong prejudice still exists,
so far as the employment of steamers on public ground is concerned.
OYSTEK PLANTING AT SAN FRANCISCO.
One of the most interesting phases of the transplantation of oysters is that by which San
Francisco Bay has been stocked from the Atlantic.
The first experimental shipments were made about 1870, on the Alameda side of the bay, with
young oysters received by rail from New York. Though the growth was rapid, and the flavor unim-
paired, so tha-t success seemed assured, it was not until 1875 that any San Franciscan dealers felt
justified in ordering large quantities, but in that year large shipments began, which have been
continued with regularity and slowly increasing amount every since, until now something like
$000,000 worth (adding freight to first cost) are annually transported across the breadth of the
American continent — an almost unexampled movement of living food. The shipping season is
from the middle of October until the middle of November, and again from March 15 to the middle
of May. The oysters sent to California are all procured from beds iu the neighborhood of New
York, and are of two classes : first, those of marketable size and designed for immediate use; and,
second, those intended to be planted.
For the first purpose stock is selected from York Bay, Blue Point, Staten Island Sound, Rock-
away, Norwalk, and occasionally from Virginia, and from Egg Harbor and Maurice Cove, New
Jersey; but the whole amount of this class constitutes less than one-fifth of the total shipment.
These oysters are either placed on sale at once in the California markets, or are "bedded down"
for a few days, to await a favorable sale.
The class of oysters sent as " seed " is entirely different, and is derived chiefly from Newark
Till-: OYSTER INDUSTRY. 539
Bay and the North River, stock from there standing the journey better than the East Eiver
oysters, which otherwise seem preferable. Besides these, seed is sent from Earitan Eiver, New
Jersey, and Prince's Bay, Staten Island. This seed is so small that a barrel holds from 3,000 to
5,000; this number, of course, includes even the "blisters," or oysters so young that you cannot
easily detect the double character of the shell, which looks like your finger-nail. Although the
average time of passage is only eighteen days by the fast-freight lines, it is expected that about
one-fourth of each barrelful will prove dead or too weak to survive transplanting at the end of the
journey. The "blisters" will be found to have died far more frequently than the larger oysters,
none of which, however, are older than a few months and larger than a silver quarter. The cars
in which they are carried are double-walled, so as to preserve an equality of temperature so far as
possible, and 22,000 pounds is the limit of the cargo allowed by the company. The freight charges
at present are about $10 a barrel. This makes it unprofitable to import any seed except that
which is very small, and which by growth can add very greatly to their size and consequent value.
The planting beds are situated in various parts of Sau Francisco Bay, and nearly all go dry
at low water. Some of the localities mentioned are : Millbras, Saucelito, Alameda Creek, Tomales
Bay, Belmont, Oakland Creek, and Sau Leaudro. Sheep Island, I believe, is no longer planted.
The State owns the bottom and sells it by auction to the highest bidder, the purchaser being given
a patent title in perpetuity. The State's nominal price was $1.25 an acre, but most of the suitable
ground was taken up long ago, and must now be bought at second-hand. Portions of it have been
sold thus for $100 an acre. The growth is extremely rapid, fully three times as rapid as ordi-
narily takes place in eastern waters, and this growth tends toward the fattening of the flesh rather
than to greater weight of shell, a result highly desirable ; but the inollusk is not considered so
hardy here as at the East. The seed remains on the beds from two to four years before selling.
All attempts to make these eastern oysters fructify and propagate, however, have failed, so
far as any commercial benefit is concerned, the oysters dying, seemingly from over-growth, as soon
as they have arrived at an age when they might be expected to spawn. This is the local explan-
ation.
It is, however, a fact that a few young eastern oysters are now and then found. The excess-
ive fatness is no doubt due to the thick nutritiously muddy water of the bay, but I should say
that this had only a secondary effect on the spawning, which was repressed first by the shock of
the long railway journey, and secondly by the unnatural coldness of the water to which they are
transplanted. It is a parallel fact to the failure to spawn in the case of southern oysters carried
to northern waters on the Atlantic coast. The summer temperature of the water at Sau Francisco
is much lower than that of the water around New York, although the mean winter temperature
may be higher.
6. CULTURE OF OYSTERS FROM THE SPAWN.
ORIGIN OF OYSTER-CULTURE.— As the natural wealth of marketable oysters upon the ancient
bods began to be exhausted, and the various methods of transplanting to new ground, and of
raising oysters from transferred young, began to be practiced, men became more and more studi
ons of the habits of this profitable mollusk, and observant of the conditions which facilitated its
health and increase.
Attention was turned most zealously to its spawning and the habits of the young, and thus
the main outlines of what is now scientifically known in respect to its reproduction were long ago
ascertained by the fishermen. Thus it had been a matter of common observation for many years,
before practical advantage was taken of the fact, that any object tossed into the water in summer
540 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
became covered at once with iufaiit oysters. Sedges along the edge of the marshes, and buoys,
stakes and wharf-piles were similarly clothed. If the circumstauces were favorable this deposit
survived the winter, and the next spring the youngsters* were large enough to be taken and
transplanted. The imagination of the oystermen (at that date not so far astray iu many localities
as it would be now) tilled the waters of the whole offiug with drifting eggs and embryos of oysters
aucl clams, and fully half a century ago men began to discuss the possibility of saving some of
this wasting spawn. The immediate and logical suggestion, of course, was to place in the shallow
water, in places where naturally there was nothing upon which they could " set," objects to which
the embryos might attach themselves. A few mouths later, after they had attained the size suit-
able for " seed," they could be transplanted at slight expense.
The next question was, What would best serve the purpose? Evidently nothing could be
better tbau the shells which, year by year, accumulated on the shore from the season's opening-
trade. They were the customary resting places of spawn, and at the same time were cheapest.
The City Islaud oystermau, then-lure, began to save his shells from the lime-kiln and the road-
master, and to spread them on the bottom of the bay, hoping to save some of the oyster-spawn
with which his imagination densely crowded the sea-water. This happened, 1 am told, more than
fifty years ago, and a short time afterward, under protection of new laws recognizing property in
such investments, planters went into it on an extensive scale along the sound and on the south
sho:e of Long Island. It was soon discovered, however, that uniform success was not to be hoped,
and the steady, magnificent crops reaped by the earliest planters were rarely emulated. Many
planters, therefore, decried the whole scheme, and returned to their simple transplanting of
natural-bed seed ; but others, with more consistency, set at work to improve their chances, by
making more and more favorable the opportunities for an oyster's i-gg successfully to attach itself
during its brief natatory life, to the stool prepared for it, and afterward to live to an age when it
was strong enough to hold its own against the weather. This involved a closer study of the
general natural history of the oyster.
The first thing found out was that the floating spawn would not attach itself to, or "set"
(in the vernacular of the shore) upon, anything which had not a clean surface ; smoothness did
not hinder — glass bottles were frequently coated outside and iu with young shells — but the sur-
face of the object must not be slimy. It was discovered, too, that the half sedimentary, half-
vegetable deposit of the water, coating any submerged object with a slippery film, was acquired
with marvelous speed. Thus shells laid down a very few days before the spawning time of the
oysters became so slimy as to catch little or no spawn, no matter how much of it was floating in
the water above them. This taught the oystermen that they must not spread their shells until
the midst of the spawning season ; one step was gained when they ceased spreading in May and
waited until July. Now from the 5th to the 15th of that month is considered the proper time,
and no shell planting is attempted before or after. This knowledge of the speed with which the
shells became slimy was turned to account iu another way. It was evident that the swifter the
current the less would there be a chance of rapid fouling. Planters, therefore, chose their ground
in the swiftest tideways they could fiud.
By and by another point was gained, resulting from many failures to get the plenteous
" set" anticipated. The supposition among the earliest experimenters was that the water every-
* There, is no word iu the Northern Slates for infant oysters, except I lie I rims " set," " spat.," "spawn," &c., all of
which belonged originally to the eggs or spawn nf the oyster, yet are confiisedh applied as well to half-grown mol-
liisks. In the South the name " blister" (referring to its smooth, pntl'ed-np appearance) is given to the infant oyster,
and serves to distinguish it. from " seed," "cullens," and " oysters," which represent the successively larger sizes and
stages of growth. This expressive name is worthy of general adoption.
T1IK OYSTKK IMH'STIJY. 541
where upon the coast was filled, more or less, with drifting oyster -spat during the spawning
season, whether there were any lieds of oysters in the immediate neighborhood 01 not; in other
words, that there was hardly any limit to the time and distance the .spat would drift with tin1
tides, winds, and currents. As a consequence of the opinion, it was believed that one place was
as good as another to spread shells tor spawn so long as there was a swift current or tideway
there. But this view was fallacious, and many acres of shells never exhibited a .single oyster,
simply because there was no spat or .sources of spat in their vicinity.
Having learned this, planters began to see that they must place with or near their beds of
shells living mother oysters, called '' spawners," which should supply the desired spat. This is
done in two ways, either by laying a narrow bed of old oysters across the tideway in the center
of the shelled tract, so that the spawn, as it is emitted, maybe carried up and down over the
breadth of shells waiting to accommodate it, or by sprinkling spawners all about the ground, at
the rate of say 10 bushels to the acre. Under these arrangements the circumstances must be
rare and exceptional when a full set will not be secured upon all shells within '20 rods or so of the
spawuers. Of course fortunate positions may be found where spawn is produced from wild
oysters in abundance, or from contiguous planted beds, in which the distribution, of special
spawuers is unnecessary ; yet even then it may be said to be a wise precaution. The experience
of old planters in Brookhaven Bay, Long Island, has been steadily confirmatory of this.
PREPARATION OP GROUND. — It was not long before a scarcity of suitable ground was felt at
the principal centers of production for the carrying on of this new oyster culture. Planters then
began to turn their attention toward preparing muddy bottoms by forming over them an artificial
crust as a basis for the " stools" or "cultch."* In Ehode Island the planters prepare unsuitable
-round by paving it. This is done early in the spring, 10,000 bushels of shells, say, being thrown
on, at an expense of from $250 to $300. Then, in June, when the shells have settled well into the
mud and formed a strong surface, more clean shells are scattered with a quantity of large living
oysters just ready to spawn— 100 bushels of "mothers" to 3.0(10 or 1.000 bushels of shells. Great
success in several instauces has followed this plan, particularly in Greenwich Bay and Apponaug
Cove. One planter told me that he put down, in 1877, about *1U~> worth of stools and mother-
oysters at the latter place, and calculated that he obtained, in a few weeks, slO,0(i(> worth of seed;
but a little later it all died — why, he is unable to guess. Another gentleman, at the same place,
in 187'J, put down 1,GOO bushels of shells and GO bushels of spawning or mother oysters. In the
immediate vicinity of these he got a good set; but on a closely adjacent bed, where there were no
"mothers,'' not a young oyster was to lie seen. He had had the same experience in the Kickamait.
Ou the other hand, the simple tumbling over of shells in the hope of catching drifting spawn has
proved almost universally a failure, here.
DEEP WATER OYSTER CULTURE AT NEW HAVEN.— This new system of deep-water oyster
culture has been carried out more systematically at New Haven, Conn., however, than at any
other point on our coast.
I'.y 1870 the business of catching and cultivating native, home-bred o\sters at Xew Haven
had grown into a definite and profitable organization. It was not long before all the available
inshore bottom was occupied, and the lower river and harbor looked like a submerged forest, so
thickly were planted the boundary stakes of the various beds. Encroachments naturally followed
* This word, often shortened into " midi," is an importation (Yoni Knropr, and has undergone changes. Inili*
tin-!-. il v "I' my monograph I ilrlilircl it MS • ' material placed ill the water (n ealeh I he spawn cil' 1 lie. oyster." That, is
the way in which it is used in New Kn.nlunil ; hut in Europe i! is tin- */>««•» ilsrlf, :nitl n,.| ihe Mool 1o -which it
lastrus, that is called "cultcli." The latter is evidently rtyiiioloj^iually eoncc I , and our American signification ia an
erroneous and perverted use.
542 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
into deeper water, and this proceeded, until finally some adventurous spirits went below the light-
house and invaded Long Island Sound.
Incessantly swept by the steady and rapid outflow of the Quinnipiac and Housatonic (whose
currents flow eastward), the hard sandy bottom of that part of Long Islaud Sound is kept clean
throughout a considerable area, beyond which is soft, thick mud. There are reefs and rocks
scattered about, to be sure, and now and then patches of mud ; but over large areas extends only
a smooth, unencumbered bottom of sand or gravel, peculiarly adapted to ostreaculture.
This unlooked-for expansion of the business caused considerable excitement. It was seen, in
the first place, that existing statutes would not fit all exigencies, and alterations and amendments
rapidly followed one another, in which the conflicting interests of the heavy deep-water cultivators
and the small inshore owners were sought to be harmonized. Although recognized by law and
acknowledged by clear heads since the earliest times, the rights of proprietorship under the water,
and the notion of property in the growth and improvement ensuing upon ground granted and
worked for ostreaculture, have hardly yet permeated the public mind and become generally
accepted facts. Cultivators of all grades found many and many instances in which their staked-
out ground was reappropriated, or the oysters upon which they had spent a great deal of time
and money were taken, upon some flimsy pretext, by their neighbors even, who angrily resented
any imputation of stealing.
One plea under which a vast amount of this sort of stealing and interference with proprietary
rights granted by the State was perpetrated or sanctioned by the majority of the watermen was
that the locality in question was " natural ground." At the same time any definition or restriction
of such ground was impracticable and was resisted by these complainants. The only resource for
the man who had invested money in oyster culture, and wanted the opportunity to develop his
investment, was to declare that no "natural oyster ground" existed in New Haven Harbor, and
that designations past and to come were valid, even though the areas so designated might once
have been natural oyster beds. This checkmated the men who "jumped claims," yet refused to
be considered thieves; but it caused a tremendous howl against the movers.
Under these rapid and far-reaching developments the New Haven oyster business soon
expanded beyond the limits of shallow water, until now the hopes of all cultivators of any con-
sequence are centered upon the deep-water ground, to which the inshore tracts are held as subsid-
iary, being largely used only as nurseries wherein to grow seed for the outside beds.
The process by which a man secures a large quantity of land outside has been described. It
is thought hardly worth trying unless at least 20 acres are obtained, and many of the oyster
farmers have more than 100. These large tracts, however, are not always in one piece, though the
effort is to get as much together as possible. He obtains the position of the ground, as near as he
can, by ranges on the neighboring shores, as described in his leases, and places buoys to mark his
boundaries. Then he places other buoys within, so as to divide his property up into squares an
acre or so in size. In this way he knows where he is as he proceeds in his labors. Having done
this, he is ready to begin his active preparations to found an oyster colony.
The bottom of the sound opposite New Haven, as I have said, is smooth, hard sand, with occa-
sional little patches of mud, but with few rocks. The depth varies from 25 to 40 feet. This area
is almost totally void of life, and no oysters whatever were ever found there until "dumps" were
made outside the light-house by the dredging boats which had been cleaning out the channel and
deposited many living oysters along with the other dredgings in the offing. These dumps very
soon became, in this way, oyster beds, supplying a considerable quantity of seed, which was public
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 543
property, to be had for the dredging, and furnishing tlioir share of bones of contention in the inces-
sant controversies.
The preparation for an oyster farm here is different from I hat in Rhode Island. Except within
(lie harbor no great spares of mud require coating over, and no spot where there is not a swift
current is considered worth the trouble. Coarse beach sand is used for pavement, when needed,
200 tons to the acre, which can be spread at the rate of five sharpie-loads a day, at no great
expense. The sand forms a crust upon the mud firm enough to keep the oyster from sinking, and
it need not be renewed more than once in five years. In some cases, also, the ground, though
hard, may be infested with vermin, coated with viscous slime, or for some other reason be in
in bad condition. It is then thoroughly cleaned by dredging.
These preliminaries accomplished, the planter is ready to found his new colony. His first
act, late in the spring, is to scatter a quantity of full-sized, healthy, native-born oysters, which he
calls '• spawners." From 30 to 50 bushels to the acre is considered a fair allowance. The bed is
then left untouched until the second week of July, at which date the spawners are ready to pour
out their ripened eggs. The planter now employs all his sloops, and hires extra men and vessels
to distribute broadcast, over the whole tract he proposes to improve that year, the many tons of
shells that he has been saving all winter. These shells are clean, and fall right alongside of the
mother oysters previously deposited. The chances that they will secure the lodgment of spawn
are good.
Sometimes the same plan is pursued with seed that has grown naturally, but too sparingly,
upon a piece of uncultivated bottom; or young oysters are scattered there as spawners, and the
owner waits until the next season before he "shells" the tract.
The expense of this whole proceeding is not very great, while there is a chance of almost
fabulous profits. I was given an account of the cost in three cases. In one, the founding of a
"farm" of 50 acres cost $1,650; in another, CO acres cost $2,255.30; and in a third, 25 acres were
fully prepared for $1,240. I think it would not be unfair to average the cost of securing, survey-
ing, and preparing the deep-water beds at about $40 an acre, or about $4,000 for 100 acres. To
this must be added about $2 an acre for ground surveys, buoys, anchors, &c.
It was long ago understood that when artificial beds for the capture of spawn were proposed
to be prepared, the substance of the stools did not so greatly matter as their position and condi-
tion at the time of spawning. Just what makes the best lodgment for oyster spawn intended to
be used as seed has been greatly discussed. Oyster shells are very good, certainly, and as they
are cheap and almost always at hand in even troublesome quantities, they form the most available
cultch, and are most generally used in America, where they are regularly saved for the purpose,
and command a market price above the reach of the lime burner, who formerly consumed almost
the whole accumulation at the opening-houses. Nevertheless, a more fragile shell, such as a
scallop, mussel, or jingle (Anomia), is certainly better, because the growth of the attached oysters
wrenshes the shell to pieces, breaking up the cluster and permitting the singleness and full devel-
opment to each oyster that is so desirable ; or, if the old shell does not break of itself, the culling
of the bunch it supports is far more easy than when the foundation is as thick and heavy as an
oyster's or clam's shell. To aid this same end tiles have been used as collectors of oyster spat,
covered with a certain composition which easily peels off, but is firm enough to hold the young.
The anchoring of an old seine at the bottom, the suspending of scallop, cockle, or other thin shells
in the water by stringing them from stake to stake a little way under the surface, or the copying
of the French fascines, would be other means to the same end, advisable especially where it is
intended to move the young to now beds. Small gravel has been tried on parts of the Connecticut
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
coast with great success, the advantage beiug that not often more than one or two oysters would
lie attached, and therefore the evil of buuchiuess is avoided. "On the Poquonock Eiver, near
(liotou, white birch bushes are stuck in the river mud about spawning time, in 14 or 15 feet ot
water at low tide. To these the spat adheres in great quantities. They are left undisturbed
eighteen mouths, by which time the set becomes good sized seed. * * * The average yield is
about 5 bushels to the bush. The grounds are so soft and muddy that no other method is feasible.
About 50 acres [1881] are under this kind of cultivation, and the area is rapidly extending. The
bushes arc grappled cut of the mud by derricks."
One of my correspondents in Long Island suggests inclosing small beds of oysters, just before
spanning, by a high board fence, "with plenty of shells or scraps inside to catch the spawn, which
thus could not float away.'' This idea is substantially followed in France, where stakes of wood
are driven into the bottom in a circle around a pyramid of oysters placed on stones in the center;
and on the lie de Re dikes are built of open stone work, so as to divide the bottom into beds, each
of which is owned by a private proprietor; other stone partitions or walls are run across, aud upon
these stoues the spawn fastens. Experiments have been made by Mr. John A. Ryder, of the U. S.
Fish Commission toward artificial propagation of oysters in Chesapeake waters after a similar
process, aud have met with success* ; but as j et no practical trial of it has been made 01, a com-
mercial basis, of which any report has been made public.
The mere manner of spreading the shells is also found to be important. The proper method
is to take them from the large seow or sloop which has brought them ashore, in small boat-loads.
Having anchored the skiff, the shells are then llirted broadcast in all directions by the shovelful.
The. next boat load is anchored a little farther on, and the, process repeated. Thus a thin aud evenly
distributed layer is spread oxer the \\ hole ground. Just how many bushels a man will place on
an acre depends upon both his means and his judgment. 11 he is shelling entirely new ground he
will spread more than he would upon an area already improved, but I suppose i'50 bushels to the
acre might be considered an average quantity.
Uy testing early in the fall the planter can tell whether his stools have caught any or much of
I he desired spawn. The young oysters will appear as minute flakes, easily detected by the expe-
rienced c\ e, attached to all parts of the old shell. It he- has got no set whatever he considers his
investment a total loss, since by the next season the bed of shells will have become so dirty that
the spawn will not take hold if it comes that way. Supposing, on the contrary, that young oys-
ters are found attached in millions, as nlten happens, crowding upon each old shell over the whole
L'O acres ; this is a good promise, but the pi, liter's anxieties have just begun. The infant mollusk,
when first it- takes hold upon the stool, the merest speck upon the surface of the white shell, is
exceedingly tender. The chances in its favor in the race against its numberless adversaries are
extremely few. The longer it lives the better are its chances, but the tender age lasts all through
the autumn and until it has attained the ti/.e of a quarter dollar piece ; alter that it will withstand
ordinary discouragements. It often happens, therefore, that the "splendid set" proves a delusion,
and Christmas sees the boasted bed a barren waste. " I reckon I had what 'ud a' made more 'n
10 bushels on that ground last fall, and now there's nary an oyster left worth speakiu' on." That
is a tune you hear sung over and over.
The vicissitudes through which Ihe young colony must pass are many and trying. On the
coast of Connecticut and Rhode Island the autumn gales are often exceedingly destructive, not
only killing small oysters but obliterating boundaries and sweeping away old beds. Some parts
* Further experiments have since liecii very successfully made liy tLe U. S. Fish Commission at the Wood's Holl
Station and elsewhere, accounts of which are jjivcu in the Bulletins aud Reports since 1883.
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 545
of New Haven Harbor are peculiarly liable to disasters of this kind, while in other parts the drift-
ing of mud and sand causes large losses. It is believed by many that the beds in the sound, in
water more than 25 feet deep, are safe from disturbance from gales ; but others decline to put
their faith in any depth thus far planted. Frequently oysters cast up by storms, if attended
to immediately, can be saved and replanted with profit. Now and then great tracts of promising
young oysters will die from no apparent cause. The true explanation probably is that they have
starved to death, some evil current turning aside their food. Lastly, there is the constant warfare
made upon oysters, young and old, by the active enemies that swim in the waters above them or
creep on the bottom beneath.
Granting escape from catastrophes, there must of necessity occur, under the most favorable
circumstances, a great waste in the process of growth of young oysters left undisturbed on the
artificial beds. Leaving out all other adversities, this will arise from over-crowding. More "blis-
ters" attach themselves upon a single egg than can come to maturity. One or a few will obtain an
accession of growth over the rest, and crowd the others down, or overlap them fatally. Even if a
large number of young oysters, attached to a single stool, do grow up together equally, their «lose
elbowing of one another will probably result in a close, crabbed bunch of long, slim, unshapely
samples, of no value save to be shucked. Notwithstanding this fact is well known, it is the gen-
eral custom to leave the beds untouched (unless a portion of the bed is raked at the end of a year,
to be sold as miscellaneous ''seed" to eastern planters) until it has attained the age of three, four,
or five years. Then it is worked, at first, probably, with tongs and rakes, getting up the thickest
of the crop. This done, dredges are put on, and everything that remains — oysters, shells, and
trash — is removed and the ground left clean, ready for a second shelling, or to be planted with
seed, perhaps right away, perhaps after the area has lain uncovered to the rejuvenating influences
of the sea for a year.
The more advanced and energetic of the planters, however, pursue the following plan :
When the bed is two years old, by which time all the young oysters are of sufficient age and
hardiness to bear the removal, coarse-netted dredges are put on, and all the bunches of oysters are
taken up, knocked to pieces, and either sold as "seed," or redistributed over a new portion of
bottom, thus widening the planted area, and at the same time leaving more room for those single
oysters to grow which have slipped through the net and so escaped the dredge. The next year
after, all the plantation, new and old, is gone over and suitable stock culled out for trade, three-
year-old East River oysters being in demand for the European market. This further thins out the
beds, so that the fourth year the main crop of fine, well-shaped, well-fed oysters will be taken.
During the succeeding summer, or perhaps after a year, the ground will be thoroughly well
cleaned up, and prepared for a new shelling.*
* In my report for 1880 I made the following remark as to the extent of the deep-water oyster farming at New
Haven : "Out of the 7,000 or 8,000 acres ' designated' in New Haven Harbor and its offing, only from 3,000 to 3,500 are
in actual use as yet. The largest possession is Mr. H. C. Kowe's ; he operates upon about 1,200 acres. Several other
planters have from 200 to 600, while many have 100 acres under cultivation." This has been enormously increased
during the four years since elapsed. In the third report (1884) of the shell-fish commissioners of that State a statis-
tical paragraph is given, which I quote, though it applies to the whole State : " The total area of cultivated ground
in Connecticut in 1882, under State jurisdiction, was it, 007 acres, accordingto the tax-list of that year. The area then
cultivated under town jurisdiction is not known, but an average of the various estimates would make it at least 2,000
.-uTi's. This would make the whole area of Connecticut in 1882 equal to that of Rhode Island in 1884 [elsewhere
given as about 11,000 acres, yielding annually 1,000,000 bushels, worth $1,500,000]. During the last two years, how-
ever, our area has been largely extended, and there arc probably not far from 20,000 acres under cultivation to-day.
There were two hundred and sixteen owners in 1882 against two hundred and ninety in 1883, and the number increased
annually. Of these owners only five have 5 acres and under apiece, twenty-two have between 5 acres and 20 acres
apiece, and the remaining two hundred and sixty-three have 20 acres or more apiece."
SEC. V, VOL. U 35
546 HISTOliY ANL> METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
OBSTACLES AND FATALITIES. — The obstacles to oyster planting are many, the difficulties
often recurring, and the fatalities to which the planted beds are subject are incessant and diverse.
The uncertainty and narrowness of laws, the prejudice and dishonesty of his fellow-men, the
growing scarcity and increased cost of seed, are preliminary difficulties which have been hinted
at. If the attempt is made to catch a "set" of spawn on artificial stools, many an accident may
prevent a successful issue. The chill of a storm, a rough gale, or a wayward current may destroy
or deviate the embryos that otherwise would have made a fortune for the planter.
But if this crisis is safely passed, and the shells laid down at the proper day are loaded with
young, many an evil occurrence may blight the whole. If in shallow water they may be caught
up by a deep-moving storm and cast in windrows on the beach ; may be smothered in sifted mud,
or buried under heaps of moving sand; or the whole colony may die from some indiscernible
cause, perhaps lack of food.
Surviving these risks, the young oysters, whether sowed as "seed" or raised from a "set," are
exposed to the ravages of a host of enemies — fishes, crabs, star-fishes, niollusks, and worms, not
to speak of human thieves and mischief-makers. It is not worth while here to go into this list, or
discuss methods of prevention. Full information on the point may be found in my monograph,
and still further information, with illustrations of many pests, in a book published by Harper
& Brothers, New York, named "Country Cousins: Short Studies into the Natural History of the
United States." The catalogue might appal the stoutest heart did he not see the other side and
know that, despite all these drawbacks, from unwise legislators down to star-fishes, oysters can
be and are raised with success all along our coast.
7. THE MARKETING OF OYSTERS " IN THE SHELL."
I have already alluded to the removal of oysters from the beds, to be sold. This process is
nowhere marked by any specially noteworthy features beyond those already mentioned. The
season of "catching up" begins early in September and lasts until May. Merely getting the
oysters, however, does not make them marketable. In the first place they must be "culled," that
is, picked over, separated from one another when they are united in clusters, freed from trash and
small ones, and cleansed of mud. They may or may not be further assorted by the planter into the
various grades recognized by wholesale merchants.
FRESHENING THE OYSTER. — As they come from their beds in the salt water these oysters
are likely to have a flavor not quite their best. Nearly everywhere, therefore, they are placed for
a few hours in fresher water. At Providence and some other points this is done by immersing
the sloop-load on great rafts called "floats," anchored in the river near the owner's wharf. The
Fair Haven men value highly their inshore lots in the Quinuipiac, because of their utility in this
respect. Amboy and Staten Island find conveniences near Rahway, N. J. At Keyport, a small
creek running through the town (see illustration) is daily crowded with freshening floats, the
"skiffs" peculiar to the locality, and other implements of an oysterman's occupation. It is a scene
of extraordinary activity, which may be witnessed here in autumn every day, as the oysters are
being culled and prepared for sale. The planters of southern New Jersey have contrived an ingen-
ious labor-saving method of "giving their oysters a drink," as they say, by building what are
termed "platforms" or "board-banks." In some cases these are nothing better than a mere plank
floor, set in the bank in such a way that a boat-load of muddy oysters may be floated alongside at
high tide, and the oysters shoveled overboard upon it. The receding tide leaves this bare, and at
the same time opens sluice-gates, which allow a stream of fresh water from the laud to cover the
oysters, under the genial influence of which they rid themselves of the distasteful brine contained
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 547
within their shells, ;uul also puff out their forms to an appearance ot fatness very pleasing to the
epicure.
Frequently, however, an elaboration of the platform is constructed, which is worthy of special
note. The bank is dug into and piles are driven, until a floor can be laid at a proper level below
high-water mark. Over this a tight shed is built, sometimes 75 feet long by 25 feet wide, and of
considerable height. On one side of this shed a canal is dug, into which a boat may run, and its
cargo is easily shoveled through large openings in the side of the shed onto the floor within. On
the opposite side of the shed, both within and without, run floors or stages above the reach of high
water, where the oysters can be piled after freshening, packed in barrels and loaded on boats or
drays for shipment. AY hen the tide goes down it leaves the oysters upon the platform within the
shed nearly bare, a depth of 8 or 10 inches of water being retained by a footboard at the seaward
end of the shed. An arrangement of sluices now admits the fresh water, and the freshening
begins. Over the space devoted to the platform or vat, at a sufficient height to let a man stand
underneath to shovel up the oysters for packing, in which work he uses a dung-fork, is a broad
shelf or garret, where barrels, baskets, boat-gear, and other small property can be safely stowed,
since the whole shed, platform, oysters, and all, can be locked up. I have given an illustration of
one of these houses at Smith's Landing.
The object of this "drinking" is to allow the oyster to become cleansed and freshened in
taste. Finding themselves again in the water after their temporary absence, the oysters all open
and "spit out" impurities clinging to the edges of the mantle and gills, and they do this at once,
so that usually a single tide is a long enough time to leave" them in the fresh water. Moreover,
imbibing the fresh water causes them to change in color somewhat, making the flesh a purer white;
and it bloats them into an appearance of extreme fatness, which is very appetizing. Most persons
believe this to be a true increase of substance and weight, but it is no more than a puffing up.
The main crop has been gathered by the time Christmas is near, but many scattered oysters
yet remain, that have escaped both tongs and dredges. In some districts the grounds are then
given up to the laborers who have been employed during the summer and fall, and under a new
impulse these men go over the grounds again with tongs and dredge. They work on shares
usually, returning to the owner of the beds one-half of the results, which makes a really handsome
thing for the gleaners, whose work, in this way. lasts from two to three weeks, making three or
four days a week, each man often clearing as his portion from $4 to $5 a day. At any rate, such
generally is the practice, with its results, at Keyport, N. J., "where for many years the principle
of the good old biblical rule of not forgetting the gleaners is almost religiously observed in the
last gathering of this harvest of the sea."
METHODS OF SELLING. — The disposal of their crops by the producers is according to various
methods, depending largely upon the utility the oysters are to serve. If as seed, the buyers come
after them in sloops, and are loaded from the boats of the oystermen. If to go into the city
markets, buyers may come after them, or the owners may take them to the city.
In New Orleans some peculiar customs have grown up. To the Old and New Basins (chiefly
the former), in the rear of the city, reached by canals from Lake Pontchartrain, come the boats
from the eastward, bringing "lake" and "reef" oysters, generally of inferior quality, and intended
to be sold to the canning establishments, or to be opened for cooking purposes. The price of the
oysters — frequently measured out in quarter-barrel boxes similar to those in use in Mobile —
depends upon the state of the market as governed by the supplies received from the west, and
often goes down to 50 or CO cents a barrel, at which price there is no profit, and the oystermen
stop running until a rise occurs. At the levee opposite3 or just below the famous old French
548 HISTOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
market, is the other and greatest oyster landing-place, mustering about two hundred and five lateen-
rigged boats, with six hundred and fifteen men or more in the foreign-looking crews, making a most
picturesque scene. The estimate of annual receipts there in 1880 gave 50,000 barrels, or 125,000
bushels, sold at $2 to $3.50 per barrel. All of these come from westward of the delta, and being
large and fine are, as a rule, bought by the saloons and restaurants, and served to their cus-
tomers on the shell. A peculiar feature of the business on the levee consists of an organization of
wharfmen, who form a species of close corporation to do the work of carrying the oysters from the
boats to the wagon of the purchaser, who pays them 15 cents a barrel for the service. The boat-
man having sold his cargo, he then has no further concern, his boat being taken in charge by the
carrier, who might be called a 'longshoreman, and who delivers all the oysters, then sweeps the
vessel and puts her in proper condition for the crew. While there is no society of these carriers,
strictly speaking, they manage to make their business a close corporation, since no one is allowed
to discharge a cargo of any kind from the luggers — oysters, oranges, or fruit— except one of the
members of the body. There is a man who is called the foreman, who receives all the money for
the carriers and who divides the proceeds equally among the different carriers, but just how this
is regulated, as well as many other of the details of this quasi-orgauization, is kept as mysteriously
secret as possible. The body is an old one, and now consists of about fifty men in all, mostly
Sicilians and low-grade Italians, and the annual receipts for the carriers amount to about $35,000,
levied on the oysters, oranges, melons, and various fruits. The system is beginning to be felt as
an unwarranted incubus on the trade, and doubtless it will soon be broken up.
GULF OF MEXICO TO NORTH CAROLINA.— Though there is a planting interest at Mobile,
Ala., most of the oysters on sale are of native growth and touged in a part of the bay called the
"gully." These are termed " reefers," and are slightly inferior to those artificially grown ; some
however, growing separately, and distinguished as " sharpers," from the fact that the ends of their
shells are unusually sharp, are of very large size, averaging 8 or 10 inches long, and of superior
flavor. " Sharpers" are always in demand, though there is some objection to them on account of
their being so hard to open. " Eeefers " and " sharpers " are caught by men who follow no other
pursuit, and who are a quite distinct class from the oyster-boatmen. They have small, flat-bot-
tomed skiifs, of the roughest description, in which they go " a-tonging," two men occupying a boat
and taking turns at touging and culling. As fast as the stock is culled it is placed in shallow
oblong boxes, holding one-fourth of a barrel each, aud in these measures is sold to the boatmen or
carriers at the rate (during the winter of 1880-'81) of 10 cents a " box," or 40 cents a barrel. The
carriers having obtained a load for their sail-boats, proceed at once to the city and deliver them
to the dealer by whom they are employed to buy or with whom they have contracts. The meas-
ure in this transaction is the same box as before, but the price has nearly doubled.
" If the tide is very low," writes Mr. Silas Stearns, of the neighborhood of .Appalachicola, "as
is the case during 'northers,' the boat is run aground on an oyster-reef, a gangway plank is
placed over the side, and the oysters are picked up by hand and carried aboard in tubs. Oyster-
ing in this manner is said to be harder aud slower than tonging them." I saw the same thing in
lower Florida. Great quantities of these oysters are often spoiled by delay in shipping to the inte-
rior, so that the wages of this labor are small. At present the year's trade will not amount to more
than $5,000 or $6,000, but it is growing.
Nothing need be said in respect to marketing methods at other Southern ports, except that in
Florida and parts of Georgia wagoners make a business of carting loads of oysters back into the
country from the coast, following regular routes on certain days. This custom reappears in North
Carolina, but is going slowly out of vogue.
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 549
CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS TRIBUTARIES. — In respect to Chesapeake Bay and its riveis
much has beeii said already pertaiuing to this subject, since a very la rye proportion of the oysters
annually gathered there is sold to Northern captaius, or to the Eastern Shore and Lynuhaveu
planters, who go to the tougiug grounds in their schooners for the sake of buying seed as soon as
it is caught. Nevertheless there is an immense number of bushels of oysters taken in the shell
each season to Norfolk, Crisfleld, Washington, and Baltimore for immediate consumption, either
in the markets, or in packing-houses and canneries as described further on.
Very strict protective laws have been enacted by both Maryland and Virginia, but the igno-
rance and temper of the oystermeu is such that the enforcement of these laws is almost impossible.
In J.8C8 Maryland commissioned an oyster police force, and furnished a steamer and several fast
sailing sloops and schooners, each of which carried cannon and small arms. The police-boats
were required to be constantly cruising in search of violators of the oyster laws, who, when
caught, were taken before a magistrate for trial. Battles with illegal dredgers, who also go well
armed, used to be very common, but are becoming less so, as the effect of the police-boats is good,
notwithstanding the fact that the laws have never been in satisfactory shape for the operations
of the force, and uncertainty, confusion, and positive hinderance in the carrying out of their
obvious intentions have often arisen. The dredging licenses, fines, &c., collected exceed the cost
of the force by about $25,000 a year ; but the State would find it necessary to maintain this insti-
tution should it fail to pay for itself. " Disband the force, and in a few weeks the bay would be
a battle ground for tongers and dredgers."
The chapter in my census monograph upon this region was written by Mr. R. H. Edmonds, a
most competent observer, and I present herewith an abridgment of his remarks. After lament-
ing that the beds of all Chesapeake Bay are fast being destroyed, he adds : " Dredging in Mary-
land is simply a general scramble, carried on in seven hundred boats, manned by fifty-six hun-
dred daring and unscrupulous men, who regard neither the laws of God nor man. Some of the
captains and a few of the men may be honest and upright, but it is an unfortunate fact that such
form a very small minority. * * * It is now rarely the case that a dredger can be found who
will admit that he believes there is any wrong in disregarding the oyster laws, and such a thing
as being disgraced among his fellow-workmen by imprisonment for violating the laws is totally
unknown. In the above facts will be found sufficient reasons why it has been impossible for the
oyster police, since its first organization, to enforce the laws. Seven hundred well-manned, fast-
sailing boats, scattered over such a large space as the Chesapeake Bay, are rather difficult to watch,
and especially at night."
Mr. Edmonds continues in his hard, but, I believe, entirely just, judgment upon his fellow-
citizens, as follows :
" All blame for violating laws does not, however, attach to the boat-owners, as some of them
are prominent gentlemen of the most upright character. It is the misfortune of such men that
their captains have often been trained by less honest employers, and having once acquired a love
of ill-gotten gain it is difficult to keep them from continuing in the same course. As he usually
has a share in the profits, it is of course to his interest to make his trips as quickly as possible;
and while the boat owner may be opposed to breaking any laws his captain may think and act
otherwise.
" The unscrupulousness of the captain is well assisted by the character of his men. These
men, taken as a class, form perhaps one of the most depraved bodies of workmen to be found in the
country. They are gathered from jails, penitentiaries, work-houses, and the lowest and vilest
dens of the city. They are principally whites, many of whom are foreigners (almost every Euro-
550 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
pean country being represented), unable to speak more than a few words of English. When a
crew, which usually consists of about eight men, is wanted, the vessel-owner or captain applies to
a shipping agent, who then gathers these men wherever they may be found, drunk or sober. As
one large boat-owner expressed it to me: 'We don't care where he gets them, whether they are
drunk or sober, clothed or naked, just so they can be made to work at turning a windlass.' The
shipping agent having placed the crew aboard is then paid $2 for each man furnished. With
such a crew as this, who neither know nor care for laws, the captain is of course able to work
wherever he desires to. As may be supposed, the life led by these men on board of the vessels is
of the roughest kind. When sleeping, surrounded by vermin of all kinds; when working, poorly
clad and with every garment stiff with ice, while the wind dashes the fast-freezing spray over them,
hour after hour winding away at the windlass, pulling a heavy dredge, or else stooping, with backs
nearly broken, culling oysters. Returning from a trip, the men take their little pay and soon
spend it in debauchery, amid the lowest groggeries and dens of infamy to be found in certain
portions of Baltimore. It is a gratifying fact, though, that even amid such surroundings as these
there are some few who are respectable and honorable men. This is more especially the case on
the boats owned in the lower counties of Maryland. The crews of these are often gathered from
the surrounding neighborhoods, and even as a class are not as degraded as those on Baltimore
vessels.
"There are two ways in which these men are paid, the one most generally adopted, at pres-
ent, being to pay them a stated amount per month, although payment is usually made at the end
of each trip, the amount, of course, being proportioned to the length of the trip. The other plan
is to allow the crew a share in the profits. When this is done, the vessel at the end of each trip
first pays the 'grub bill,' wharfage, and commission merchant's charges; then, of the balance,
one-third goes to the owner of the vessel, and a small bonus, usually about $20, to the captain ;
after which captain and crew all share alike, except the cook, who receives something less than
the others. When the first plan is adopted, the men receive their board and from $10 to $12,
and occasionally as high as $15, a month. Those working on shares will, during the season,
average about the same as those who are paid a certain amount. A fair average of the amount
made by each man would be $11 a month, making $77 for a season of seven mouths. Computing
on this average, it will be seen that daring an oyster season the four thousand nine hundred
dredgers receive about $377,300, and the seven hundred captains, whose wages will average $50
a mouth, about $245,000, making a total of $022,300. It would also be proper to add to this
amount the cost of boarding these men, since that in fact forms a part of their wages. This
costs the vessels about $7.50 a mouth for each man, equal to $420 a season for each boat, or
$294,000 for the entire fleet. This, added to $622,300, gives a total of $910,300 paid to the
dredgers of Maryland during every oyster season. The law requires all boats engaged in
dredging to obtain from the State comptroller a yearly license, costing $3 for each registered ton.*
" Dredging boats range in size from 5 to 75 tons, and in value from $500 or $000 to $8,010,
some few owned in the lower part of the State being valued as high as $10,000. The boats owned
in Baltimore are, generally, in every way inferior to those hailing from the counties. The present
value of these boats, basing the estimate upon information obtained from all parts of the State,
would be an average of not less than $1,500, and is believed by many to be much higher. At this
rate, however, the 700 boats in the trade would be worth, to-day, $1,050,000. In addition to this,
the winders, dredges, roller and chains, and dredge lines on each boat may be valued at $100,
although costing considerably more. Adding this to the value of the boats, we have $1,120,000
* Not more than a half or two-thirds pay for this license, hence the necessity of the police.
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 551
as the amount of capital invested iu the dredging-boats. The total tonnage of the dredging-boats
being 10,306, and the estimated value of the same being $1,050,000, the average value will be
$04.15 per ton. As some tonnage has lately changed hands in Baltimore at $07, the above esti-
mate can scarcely be too great, when the high class of many of the boats is considered. The
amount annually expended for repairing these vessels is about $105,000.
"Scraping, which is simply dredging on a smaller scale, both as to the size of the boat and
the dredge, is conducted only in shallow water; and, while dredge licenses are issued by the
State, scraping licenses are obtained from the counties, and hold good only iu the local waters of
the county in which issued. Dorchester, Talbot, and -Somerset are the only counties iu which
scraping licenses are issued. In the first two the charge is regulated by the tonnage of the vessel
(being $'2 per ton), while in the last there is a uniform charge of $10 on each boat, regardless of
size. The crews of these vessels average about four men each, the majority of whom are able to
return home after each day's work, as the boat does not go out of the county waters, except to
make an occasional run to a neighboring market. * * * I feel safe iu placing the number of
scraping boats at five hundred and fifty, carrying twenty two hundred men. An additional
three hundred and thirty boats are working without license. The pay of these men will average
about $18 a month each, for the seven and a half months employed, amounting to $135 for the
season, and making a total of $297,000 received by the twenty-two hundred men, including the
captains, whose pay is of course larger than that of the men. The average value of scraping-
boats, including their outfit, is $800, which gives a total of $440,000 invested in scraping
About $27,500 is annually expended in repairing these boats.
"Socially and morally the scrapers are somewhat superior to the dredgers. Tonging,
although employing less capital and fewer men than dredging, is probably of greater value to the
State than the latter, because the men engaged in it are of a better class, are better remunerated
for their labor, and are less prone to evade the laws than the dredgers. While this much may
be said iu the tongmeu's favor, it is yet an unpleasant truth that they, like all others engaged iu
the oyster trade, either as catchers or shuckers, are, as a class, indolent and improvident. The
n ajority of them live near the water, often owning a small house and an acre or so of land (the
value of which depends upon the proximity of good oyster and fishing grounds), and a canoe or
an interest in one, used in winter for oystering and in summer for fishing. Having secured a
house, their ambition seems to be satisfied, and but little time or money is spent in beautifying
or improving it. It is too often the case that tongers, especially many of the negroes, who com-
prise about one-third of the total number, will work only one or two days at a time, and then
remain idle until necessity forces them again to earn a few dollars.
" By others, however, tongiug is pursued as steadily and systematically as the wind and
waves will allow, and when this is done I think it may safely be said that the remuneration is
equally as fair as in other trades. Those who pursue touging in this way form the most intelli-
gent class of oystermen iu the State. In some cases farmers and others, holding prominent social
positions, may be found oystering during several of the winter months, when their legitimate busi-
ness does not require close attention. Tonging necessitates very great exposure to the cold, but is,
however, hardly as severe in this respect as dredging, and, moreover, the tongers suffer less, from
the fact that they are generally better clad than the dredgers, and seldom work either during very
cold or very windy weather, on account of the smallness of their boats. From this cause I find that
even the industrious ones will lose, on an average, at least two days out of every week, and when the
time wasted by the idle ones is taken into account it will be found that one hundred and twenty
days out of an oyster season of eight mouths is about the average length of time for each touger.
552
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
In this actual loss of at least one-half of their time may be seeu the cause which prevents the
tougers, as a class, from making any improvement in their financial condition, and upon their
financial condition depends their social position. * * *
"Tonging, although generally confined to shallow water, is in some of the tributaries of the
bay carried on in water varying in depth from 18 to 20 feet.
" Engaged in touging there are 5, 148 men, using 1,825 canoes or other small boats. To obtain
even an approximate average of the amount of money made by each tonger is almost impossible,
but 1 think it will be very near correct to estimate it at $225 a season, at which rate the total
amount made by the tongers would be $1,158,300. There being 1,825 boats and 5,148 men. the
average number of men carried by each boat is a little less than 3. Many of the larger boats are
held in joint ownership by two or three parties. * * * The size of the tonging-canoe ranges
from 15 or 16 feet to 30 feet or more, the larger ones being called ' bugeyes.' Owiug to this diver-
sity in size it is very difficult to estimate the value of these boats, but a fair average is about $100,
which would cover the entire outfit, making $182,500 the amount invested in tonging-boats.
" Closely connected with tonging, and each mutually dependent upon the other, is another
branch of the trade, conducted by vessels generally known as runners, of which there are owned
in this State two hundred, carrying about eight hundred men. The oysters caught by tongers are
either sold to these vessels, and by them carried to some market in the State, or they are bought
by boats owned iu other States and carried to northeru cities. The runner will anchor near some
tonging-ground, and an empty basket or a small flag will be hoisted to the mast-head as a signal
that she is ready to receive oysters. In one or two dajs she will be loaded, and is at once off for
a market. On some occasions half a dozen or more runners may be seen in the same locality, sur-
rounded by forty or fifty canoes. As soon as a tonger has caught as many as his small boat will
carry he sells out to the runner and returns to work. The men employed on runners will average
about $18 a month, including their board, which, with the pay of the captains (which is about $50
a month), will amount to $166,400 for a season of eight months, that beiug the length of time that
these vessels are engaged in carrying oysters. Reckoning the average value of the runners at
$1,500, will give a total of $300,000 in this branch of the trade. About $30,000 is annually spent
in repairing the two hundred runners.
" Summarizing the foregoing statistics as to the number of vessels, their value, &c., it is seen
that there are [in 1880] :
Boats.
Number.
Crews.
Annual
wages.
700
5 600
$916 300
550
o 200
<>97 000
1 825
5 148
1 158 300
200
800
166 400
Total
3 275
13 748
2 538 COO
"The totals of this table furnish an average of $184.60 for each man. It is utterly impossible
to obtain the number of people supported by this $2,538,000. Perhaps not one-half of the dredg-
ers support any family ; but with tongers and scrapers it is different. Five is usually reckoned
as the average number of a family, but as very many of these men are single it would be too
high in the present case. It can scarcely, however, be too much to reckon that for every oyster-
man there is an average of four individuals dependent upon him. This would give 54,992 as the
number of people supported by the catching of oysters in this State. In addition to this there are
hundreds dependent indirectly, as shopkeepers and in other ways, upon the oystermen.
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 553
"Invested in oyster-boats, the summary is: 700 dredgers, at $1,500, $1,050,000; outfit of same,
$70,000; 550 scrapers, at $800, $440,000; 200 runners, at $1,500, $300,000; 1,825 canoes, at $100,
$182,500; total 3,275— $2,042,500."
lu respect to oystering in Virginia waters (the preceding paragraphs, quoted from Mr.
Edmonds, all refer primarily to Maryland), I have given all needful details in the chapter on The
Virginia Trade. My summary for the yield of Virginia in 1880 was as follows:
Packed in the State, 1,622,130 bushels; shipped out of the State in shell, 3,315,190 bushels;
used for local consumption in the cities of the State, 275,000 bushels ; used for local consumption
in the small towns and counties of the State, 1,625,000 bushels ; total, 6,837,320 bushels.
The average value of these oysters from first hands would be about 27 cents a bushel, or a
sum total of $1,846,076.40.
Nearly the whole catch of Maryland and Virginia oysters, not sold as seed, is devoted to the
" packing," either raw or cooked, which will be considered below on pages 559-5G2. Probably the
total amount sent to market in shell for immediate consumption in the several towns along both
shores will not exceed half a million bushels annually, and this forms an important item of daily
food, the year round, with all " tide-water" people. Baltimore is the greatest market. "In Balti-
more," says Mr. Edmonds, " the city trade is monopolized by a number of commission houses, which
handle all the oysters taken for local use, with the exception of the receipts by steamers. From
the books of these firms it was ascertained that the sales of oysters from September 1, 1879, to
May 1, 1880, for consumption in the city and suburbs, amounted to 793,680 bushels. Add to this
25,000 bushels received by steamers, and the total retail trade is found to be 818,680 bushels. The
average price paid for shucking raw oysters is 15 cents a gallon ; these, being all of fine quality,
will open a gallon to a bushel, and hence the amount paid for opening 818,680 bushels would be
$122,802. Estimating the average amount made by the shuckers at $6 a week, or $192 for the
season, it is seen that there are six hundred and forty men steadily employed for nearly eight
mouths of the year in opening oysters for local consumption in Baltimore. There is, in addition
to these, a large number of men who sell oysters around the streets ; others who rent a cellar room
and sell from there ; some engage in driving oyster-carts, and a few are employed only during the
oyster season in restaurants as extra help. As near as can be ascertained, the number of these
may be placed at five hundred, with wages and earnings amounting to $96,000. Of these eleven
hundred and forty men about eight hundred are negroes."
In addition to its own stock, Baltimore and also Washington annually use a large quantity of
"fancy" oysters from northern cities.
OYSTER TRADE OP PHILADELPHIA. — Passing to Philadelphia, we find that city an oyster
market for a region entirely different in its conditions from the Chesapeake region, which extends
from Barnegat around to and including the whole of Delaware Bay. The transportation to the
city from New York and the Atlantic coast of New Jersey, and to some extent from the Delaware
Bay shore of the same State, is by rail, and amounted, in 18SO, to nearly 300,000 bushels, while
200,000 bushels more came from Baltimore and Chesapeake points by rail and steamer. By sail-
vessels from the eastern shore of Delaware Bay came about 1,500,000 bushels yearly, while the
western shore of the bay produces nearly another million. Lastly, in winter, about 250,000 bushels
are taken by sailing-vessels through the canal from the Chesapeake to Philadelphia, for immediate
use. A summation of the supplies from all these sources gives, as the total quantity annually
handled in Philadelphia, 2,680,000 bushels, or more than 800,000,000 oysters, worth, in round
numbers, not less than $2,500,000 at wholesale.
But, of course, only a portion of these oysters are consumed within the limits of the city of
554 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Philadelphia. A large part is distributed widely throughout a region which includes the Delaware
Valley, the State of Pennsylvania, and to some extent the West, competing in the shell-trade with
New York and Baltimore. Philadelphia has no packing establishments, and ships very few opened
oysters.
The total wholesale trade of Philadelphia is now divided, so far as can be ascertained, among
about fifty firms. Most of these dealers are also planters, furnishing the capital with which their
partners plant upon ground outside of Pennsylvania. A large part of all the floating and shore-
property credited to the shores of Delaware Bay, and estimated in a preceding chapter, is really
owned, therefore, in Philadelphia ; perhaps a million dollars is invested in the oyster business in
the city itself apart from this outside capital and liabilities.
Dealings in oysters in Philadelphia are chiefly carried on at the foot of Spruce street, at the
foot of Vine street, and at the Brown street wharves. In each case the locality is determined by
the presence of a large provision-market, and the business in general fishing centers near it. At
Brown street there is an association of the owners of boats selling there for mutual protection on
questions of wharfage and the like. Most of the business is done at Spruce street, where the Jersey
boats chiefly go, and where some of the heaviest dealers have their offices. Estimates as accurate
as possible give from three hundred to three hundred and fifty families supported by the whole-
sale business in the city, and between three and four thousand persons who make their living out
of the retail trade.
THE NEW YORK MAEKET. — The common market for all oysters grown in New Jersey north
of Barnegat, in New York Bay, on Staten and Long Islands, and in Connecticut as far east as
Norwalk, is the city of New York, and the receipts, not only, but the greater part of the deliv-
eries at this center are of oysters in the shell. In my monograph I gave many interesting reminis-
cences of the early days of the oyster trade in this region, which I have not the space to repeat.
Most of the New York oyster firms are of long standing, and the same names appear which
are conspicuous in the oyster annals of City Islam1, and Stateu Island, for these two localities have
supplied the most of them. Van Name, Houseman, Silsbee, Wright, Burbank, Boyle, Frazer,
Wogloni, Decker, and others are examples. Many of the gentlemen now conducting the business
under these names only succeeded their fathers and grandfathers, who established the trade they
enjoy. The growth of the opportunities of business, however, has been very rapid, and has
brought in many new men. From being (as it was a century ago in New York) the common food
of the poor man, so plenteous and vulgar that no feast ever saw its name upon the menu, the oyster
become only a luxury for the well-to-do, and the prime feature of holiday banquets. Recovering
from the scarcity which had brought this change about, by means of the artificial cultivation of
immense quantities, oysters a second time have become abundant as an article of food, enjoyed
alike by rich and poor. Those who live in the interior or abroad can hardly appreciate how exten-
sive is the demand and supply in the coast cities. " Oysters pickled, stewed, baked, roasted,
fried, and scalloped ; oysters -nade into soups, patties, and puddings; oysters with condiments
and without condiments; oysters for breakfast, dinner, and supper; oysters without stint or limit,
fresh as the pure air, and almost as abundant, are daily offered to the palates of the Mauhatta-
nese, and appreciated with all the gratitude which such a bounty of nature ought to inspire."
Formerly the regular markets, especially Catherine market, were the trading places in shell-
fish as well as other edibles; but for the lasD twenty years the wholesale oyster business in New
York has been confined almost exclusively to two localities, the trades of which are to a certain
extent distinct. One of these centers is at the foot of Broome street, East River, and the other at
the foot of West Tenth street, North River, nearly opposite. The method of business at each is
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 555
substantially the same, the difference consisting in the character of the oysters handled, none from
the East River and few from the south shore going to the West Tenth street market, which is
mainly in the hands of Staten Island planter-merchants. Ill addition to this, a few firms are
engaged at wholesale in Fulton market, and three firms near Washington market import oys-
ters, opened, from the South.
All of the dealers on the East and North Rivers occupy floating places of business, known as
"scows," "oyster-boats," or "barges," being flat-bottomed boats, made with unusual strength and
of the most durable materials, and which closely resemble the conventional "Noah's ark" of the
toy-shops and Sunday-school picture-books, except that they have flat roofs. One of fair size
would measure 75 feet in length and 2-1 feet in width.
The deep hold, well floored, serves as a cellar, cool in summer and warm in winter; oysters
will never freeze there when the hatches are closed. Over the whole craft, flush with the outside,
is built a house, two stories in height. The floor of the first story is the deck of the scow. This
is the general business apartment, and gives room for storage, the opening of oysters, and trans-
action of business. Above is a loft where are stored barrels, baskets, and machinery. In the rear,
usually — sometimes in the front end — is fitted up an office. The daily capacity of such a barge is
about 700 bushels.
These scows are securely moored, side by side, to the wharf, or rather to the water-wall of the
city, and are reached by broad swinging platforms, which allow them to rise and fall with the tide.
At the rear end, therefore, they can always be closely approached by the sloops and boats which
bring to their owners their stock. Such a barge is worth from $1,500 to $4,000, and, with an
annual overhauling and calking, will last as long as a man is likely to need it. There are thirty
of these barges, representing at present a value of $75,000. To these barges at the foot of
Broome street come the oysters from East River and Long Island beds ; also somewhat from Staten
Island and Virginia, but to a small extent compared with the west-side business in these two
classes.
Three sorts of trade are carried on, as follows : (1) Some dealers are also planters and sell their
own oysters; (2) Dealers buy from planters and sell; (3) Dealers sell on commission.
The planting of oysters by the New York dealers is almost wholly by partnership methods,
and New York furnishes a large part of the capital which operates beds from Keyport, N. J.. to
Norwalk, Conn. It is very rare, however, that this planting is done in the capitalist's name. The
arrangement between the New Yorker and his rural partner is usually this: The former furnishes
the needed money, the latter does all the labor, and the cost of taking up and the profits are
equally divided. The reason why the capitalist's name does not appear, which would redound to
his credit as an extensive operator, is, that the beds are usually in Connecticut or in New Jersey,
while he is a citizen of New York, and in both those States the law forbids a non-inhabitant to
plant oysters. The same law holds even in respect to towns, so that a man must live immediately
at his beds if he intends to work them himself. But, of course, no legislation can forbid partner-
ship or borrowing money, or hiring out one's services, even if the other party concerned be not a
citizen of the State or township.
A large proportion of the oysters handled by these New York firms, however, are bought from
planters who own beds on the Connecticut or Long Island shore, in Staten Island Sound, or else-
where. The owner may load up his sloop and bring his crop to the city to dispose of to him who
will pay best ; or the dealer may send out his own sloops to the producing- grounds, and, with his
business card painted all over the mainsail, cruise about until he has bought a cargo at a satisfac-
tory price. The more usual method, however, is to have it understood beforehand that certain
556 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
dealers will take all the oysters certaiu planters can raise. Often money is advanced upon this
understanding, or other help given, so that there is a closer business relation than ordinary
between the buyers and the planters — an intimacy (and confusion in the matter of statistics) to
which the extensive partnership system lends itself.
The third method — i. e., sales on commission — explains itself. It is not extensively followed,
since the planters do not have faith in it, and the dealers do not care to encourage it.
Some dealers are shippers wholly, finding their customers all over New York, Lower Canada,
and the Lake States ; others restrict their whole custom to the city and suburbs. The former
require less men and dispose of larger packages at each order; the latter require many trucks and
delivery carts, though most of their customers themselves come after their supplies. I believe the
shipping trade is generally thought more desirable. The scene at the barges on both rivers,
during the busy months of autumn and winter, is a very lively one. The sloops, very trim craft,
bringing oysters to be sold, will sometimes lie a dozen deep opposite the barges, with plank walks
across their decks from the outer ones to the shore. The captain and crew attend to the getting
up of the cargo out of the hold and putting it into baskets, sorting it at the same time. East
River and Staten Island oysters are sold by the hundred or the thousand, as a rule, and must all
be counted. An expert man will count them accurately as fast as they can be carried ashore.
Long Island stock is generally sold by the "basket," this measure holding somewhat less than a
bushel; but some dealers compel the sloops to measure by baskets furnished them, which hold a
full bushel, or a trifle over. Even then care is taken not to shake the contents down. Virginia
oysters may be measured by the basket, but are paid for by the cargo or fraction of a cargo, except
where, as in the case of Staten Island planters, southern oysters, having laid a few months in
Prince's Bay or the sound, are brought to the city to be sold.
The carrying of oysters from the vessels into the barges affords employment to a distinct class
of men, known as " carriers." There are from twenty-five to forty of these on each river. They
do not work on salary, bat get 10 cents a thousand for the oysters carried, reckoning seven small
and four large baskets to the thousand. This seems very small wages, but they average from $25
to $30 a week during half the year, paid by the owners of the oysters sold. The opening of oys-
ters by the trade in New York is not systematically carried on, and scarcely any is done until after
the holidays. I doubt if more than one hundred or one hundred and fifty men are ever employed
at once in the whole city in opening for the wholesale trade. All the openers are men, chiefly
those who in summer get their living as deck-hands on steamboats and by other marine occupa-
tions. The pay is 10 cents a thousand, at which rate about $3 a day is regularly made when work
is plentiful.
As to how many persons are concerned in the retail oyster business of the city only a mere
guess is possible, since a very large proportion of them are temporarily engaged, or have their
business so inextricably mixed with the liquor trade, or the business of selling fish and general
provisions, that it is out of the question to define it separately with any exactness. Twenty-five
years ago, wheu the " oyster riots" attracted attention to the matter, the number of persons sup-
ported by the restaurant trade in oysters was estimated at five thousand. Whether it is not
double that at this time it is impossible to say; but I consider it safe to say that five thousand
families, at least, find their chief or exclusive support in selling or preparing the mollusks for imme-
diate consumption in the metropolis and its closely adjacent cities.
The wages vary immensely, depending on employer, sex, age, and capacity of the employed,
amount of working time, kind of work, &c. Women receive from $3 to $6 per week; boys and
men from $4 to $20. A correct average is almost impossible, and a total approximate summation
THE OYSTER INDUSTRY. 557
of the wages paid out in the course of a year in the retail trade is impossible. In the cooking of
oysters the southern kinds are used, because these are cheapest, a special price being charged for
a "stew" of northern oysters. For fried oysters, oa the other hand, which require to be of larger
size to make a show, the " box " size is used, and these are generally " Sound " or " East River "
oysters. Oysters sold to be eaten raw may be anything and everything of respectable size; but
the old brand names, " Saddle-Eock," " Shrewsbury," " Sound," " Blue Point," "Kejport," &c., the
popularity of which was won long ago, are still attached. I suppose, for example, that twenty
times as many "Shrewsbury" oysters are sold every season in New York as are raised each year
in that river. The largest oyster saloons were formerly in Fulton market, and have a world-wide
reputation. Now they are rivaled by up-town establishments.
OYSTEK EXPORT TRADE. — One very important featare of the wholesale oyster trade in New
York is the export of oysters in the shell to Europe. A barrel or two had often been carried
across by steamers previous to an experiment by Mr. George H. Shaffer, of Fulton market, in
1870. The small consignment sent out by him reached England in good condition, sold well, and
was followed by others, so that a regular trade was established. Mr. Shaffer, however, enjoyed a
monopoly of it (and the large profits which at first accrued) only a short time, for his competitors
were wide awake, and also began shipping to Europe, so that almost at a bound the exportation
of oysters reached its full strength as a profitable business ; that is, about as many were sent as
there are now — all the foreign markets will bear.
The kind of oyster required for export is such as has not found favor in this country, where
the "Saddle-Rock" and " Shrewsbury" are lauded above all others. The native European
bivalve is small, rarely exceeding the size of a silver dollar, and is more popular than the Ameri-
can oyster. The oysters sent abroad, therefore, are all single (since they are to be eaten on the
half-shell, and not cooked), small, and round; they are selected from the "cullens" or smallest of
the three classes into which our oysters are usually assorted, and have received the trade appella-
tion of " London stock."
Because the oysters, native and cultivated, which are grown at the eastern end of the Great
South Bay, on the south shore of Long Island, best fulfilled the conditions, they were the first to
be exported to England, and have most largely, perhaps, entered into the trade. They are known
both at home and abroad as " Blue Points," and acquired a reputation in England superior to all
others up to the season of 1879, when there was a falling off in their quality and a consequent
loss of esteem.
Besides the " Blue Points," great quantities of oysters from the East Eiver (particularly
Rowaytou, Norwalk, and Bridgeport), have been shipped, chiefly through J. & J. Ellsworth ; a
less number from Rockaway and Fire Island, and large quantities from Staten Island waters,
under the brand of " Sounds." These last became the favorites abroad during the past season,
the " East Rivers" coming second, and the unfortunate " Blue Points" third; and, inasmuch as
they cost less than either of the other brands, money was made upon them liberally, while no one
who forwarded " Blue Points " received much if any profit, and many shippers lost money.
The London stock, having been picked out by the planter, is purchased by the shipper on the
ground, where he sends his boats to buy daily, or keeps a permanent agent and packer. He culls
it a second time, discarding about one-fourth, so that it is estimated that 4 bushels of oysters are
caught for every barrel exported, since the barrels (second-hand flour barrels) hold scantily 3
bushels. The useless residue is not wasted, but thrown back upon the packer's own bed to grow
fuither. The cumber of oysters in a barrel varies from 1,200 to 2,000 ; the more there are the
better the English retail buyer likes it, since he sells them by count.
558 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Packed so as to prevent injurious jarring, and stowed in the extreme forward part of the
vessel, where they keep cool, the inollusks cross the Atlantic in excellent shape. No time is lost
in getting the oysters, when packed, into the steamer, and many are taken in sloops directly from
the producing points to the steamer's wharf, and thus escape the bother arid expense of a second
or third handling in New York.
Some American firms have regular agents abroad who care for and dispose of the oysters sent
to them. In other cases they are consigned by the shippers to commission merchants on the other
side. Liverpool has been the great receiving point for Great Britain, because it was the nearest
port. It was found that the extra time required, and the port charges on cargoes sent direct to
London by steamer, more than overbalanced the slight saving effected in freight over those
forwarded by rail from Liverpool. The amount of oysters sent each week, though not large, has
sometimes been more than could be disposed of before the next shipment arrived. To provide
against loss iu tWs contingency, the l.irgest dealers own spaces of sea-bottom, where the surplus-
age is thrown overboard to keep in good condition and drawn upon as required. Some thousands
of barrels are sent annually, which are intended to lie and grow there from one to three years.
American oysters laid down thus iu foreign waters have never been known to spawn, so far as I
could learn, but the conditions have never been favorable; and no experiment, that I am aware
of, has been tried to ascertain whether seed oysters from the United States, properly planted,
would not grow into good health, emit spawn, and establish their race upon the European coasts.
I see no reason why such an experiment should not prove entirely successful.
The prices received for American oysters sent abroad have been very various, ranging during
1880 from 5 to 40 shillings a barrel. Leaving out the various deductions necessary, it is consid-
ered fair to estimate $5 to be the average cash return to this country for each barrel. At this
rate the stated total of 63,300 barrels (about 175,000 bushels) would net the United States no less
than $310,500 iu gold, an amount which would by no other means be brought into our pockets,
and which enriches the country by so much, since the value exchanged for it does not, iu any
degree, impoverish the country, but is a product of labor which would not otherwise be employed,
and the disposal of a product not otherwise to be used.
In my monograph I gave precise statistics of exports of oysters from 1864 to 1880. This
showed a steady gain. In 1864 the export amounted to only about $85,000; ten years later it was
near $2..0,000, and 1880, over $460,000. Of these almost exactly one-quarter was sent to Canada,
leaving about $360,000 worth to be sent to Europe, and, in trifling quantity, to Mexico and the
Hast Indies. Nine-tenths of the whole transatlantic traffic is from New York to Liverpool. In
1880 the total number of barrels exported was 63,300, containing about 190,000 bushels, or, count-
ing 1,200 oysters (a low estimate) to the barrel, no less than 76,000,000 by count. The general
opinion at New York is that European demand will increase steadily, while there will not be an
overplus of stock here, since the East River beds are slowly failing and are more and lucre required
for a seed supply. The shippers are, therefore, hopeful of profitable prices in future.
EASTERN NEW ENGLAND. — Passing now to the marketing of oysters in eastern New Eng-
land, the first point to be mentioned is New Haven, as having anything more than a merely local
trade; but here the business is almost wholly that of shipping opened raw oysters, the details of
whicli appear on the next page.* The same is true of New Loudou, Providence, Kew Bedford,
* "Four grades are recognized by the Connecticut oysterrnen : ' Cullentines,' two years and three months old;
' Cull*,' three years old ; ' Boxes,' lour to six years old; ' Extras,' live years old aiid upwards. The first and secoud
are used principally for stews, and are sent to market, without the shell, in cans and kegs. The third and fourth are
sent nut n'i-nerally in Hie. shell in bags, boxes, and barrels. Natives are in the greatest demand and bring the best
prices. The supply rarely equals the demand. When the stock of natives is exhausted resort is had to the choice
Virginia plants that have been a year or more in Connecticut waters." (Rep't Conn. Shell-fish Com'rs, 1881, p. b'5.)
THE OYSTEll INDUSTRY. 559
and the seaports north of Boston. Everywhere except in Few Hampshire and Maine the whole-
sale dealers are nlso the planters, and do not sell many oysters beyond what they have raised
themselves. At certain points, as tor example, Monument River, Mass., the oysters are so fine
and large, and the locality comparatively so small, that they are marketed almost wholly in the
shell and go to supply the "bench " trade of Boston, i. e., to be sold in restaurants and hotels for
eating "on the half-shell." Fishing through the ice with tongs is habitual all winter in that
district, yet the oystermen do not complain of it as especially cold or unpleasant work. In order
to keep the oysters from freezing, they dip in water the bag which they intend to put them in,
and hold it upright until it freezes stiff. It thus stands conveniently open like a barrel, and no
wind can blow through its sides to the detriment of the contents.
In winter large quantities of oysters from the Chesapeake are imported by the vessel load, as
I have explained, for immediate consumption; these are used for opening and cooking, the higher
grade, fresher "native" oysters from New England waters being reserved for the "shell" trade.
Formerly enormous quantities of southern oysters were bedded at Boston, but now the encroach
ments of the building and filling in along the water front overrun the old limits of the bedding
grounds, and even the ancient natural beds. Where the Boston and Maine's ear house now
stands a leading dealer not many years ago laid down 4L',(IOO bushels in a single season. It was
known as White Island at that time. The South Boston flats are being graded up into streets,
and the Charles, Mystic, and Maiden Rivers, Bird Island, and other places were long ago aban-
doned because the wharves or the sewerage of the city has destroyed their usefulness to the
oysterman. Instead of bedding in his own harbor, therefore, the Boston dealer now rents ground
in Buzzard's or Narragansett Bays, and lays down there the Virginia oysters he proposes to use
for his summer and autumn trade, or else he has abandoned the practice altogether.
8. THE MARKETING OF OYSTERS "OPENED."
The opening of oysters and shipment of their flesh in water-tight receptacles to customers at
a distance is a practice which began at Fair Haven (New Haven), Conn., half a century ago. In
the early days the opening was done by the townspeople at their homes, and dealers packed in
little wooden kegs, or in square tin <;an8 for shipment to distant points under the protection of ice.
Nowadays this work is done wholly in the dealer's factory on the wharf where his schooners
01 steamers unload. As soon as the oysters are opened they are placed in a flat pan with a perfo
rated bottom, called a skimmer, where they are drained of their accompanying liquor. From time
to time a quantity are dipped out and put into a large colander, placed over a tall cask. Here a
stream of water is turned upon them, and they are stirred about until washed clean, after which
they are put into wooden tubs for shipment, or tin cans for local traffic. The tubs are all labeled
with the name of the owner, and are returned by the customer. Their covers fit with exactness,
and lock with rivet and seal in such a way that they cannot be opened on the road without certain
discovery. The "shuckers" are mainly girls, who make fair wages.
The expressage of oysters from Fair Haven to the interior of New England is so large that
the afternoon trains have one car, and sometimes two, devoted exclusively to the carriage of these
goods. Large shipments were formerly made in wagons to Albany and thence to the large towns
in central New York. Now these oysters go by rail much farther westward, even to Chicago,
Cincinnati, and San Francisco.
At Providence, also, oysters are opened in enormous quantities every winter, the dealers
here, as at New Haven, disposing in this way of nearly the whole of their crop aud of all the winter
receipts by vessel from the Chesapeake. New Haven's tiade extends through western New Eng-
560 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
land and New York, but Providence supplies Boston, eastern New England, and Canada. All the
openers there are men, and call themselves " cutters," using the knife in a different way from
either the New Haven or New York methods.
Nearly half a century ago one or two New Haven men of energy conceived the idea of taking
their warehouses to the oysters, instead of bringing the mollusks so far to the sales-room. They
therefore opened branch houses in Baltimore. Others followed, and the names of Maltby, Mallory,
Hemingway, Rowe, and their confreres, long familiar in Connecticut, became equally well known
along the Chesapeake. All the great Baltimore firms of old standing originated in Fair Haven,
just as Wellfleet, an obscure village on Cape Cod, supplied Portland, Boston, and Providence with
its oysterinen. The result was the same in both cases; the home interests retrograded when metro-
politan advantages began to be used in competition, and at Fair Haven considerable and rapid
changes in methods, as well as the results of trade, have come about.
None of these pioneers of the great Baltimore packing concerns was more enterprising than
C. S. Maltby. As his business increased he established a line of wagons from Baltimore to Pitts-
burgh, and was thus enabled to supply the West with fresh oysters long before the Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad had stretched out its track to that then distant region.
A few years later Mr. A. Field, also a native of Connecticut, began to sell oysters which he
first steamed and then hermetically sealed in tin cans. This preparation was received with favor,
and the new trade grew very rapidly. Records furnished by C. S. Maltby inform us that in 1865
1,875,000 bushels of oysters were packed raw in Baltimore, and 1,360,000 bushels were preserved.
In 1869 he numbers in Maryland 55 packers, who, at 500 to 2,500 cans per day, put up 12,000,000
to 15,000,000 cans in a season of seven months, using 5,000,000 bushels. Sixty "raw "houses
that year employed 3,000 hands, while the packers gave employment to 7,500 persons. Large
quantities of canned oysters were annually sent, at that time, by steamship to Havana. In 1872
the same notes record as opening oysters, 2,000 men ; making cans, 300 men ; box makers, 50
men; clerks and laborers, 300. All these were in the "raw" trade of Baltimore. The profits to
be had, and the stress of competition caused fraudulent methods to be introduced by dishonest
firms, and the business at Baltimore was threatened with ruin. A combination of reputable firms
was formed, under the name of the Union Oyster Company, to protect themselves, but this succeeded
only partially, and the " steamed " trade is now in a low condition. " The raw-oyster business,"
as Mr. Edmonds observes in his account heretofore referred to, " has always been more profitable
and less subject to the vicissitudes of trade, although there are many losses from spoilt oysters when
the weather happens to turn suddenly warm. Raw oysters, after being opened, are packed in
small air-tight cans holding about a quart, and these are arranged in rows in a long wooden box,
with a block of ice between each row, or they are emptied into a keg, half-barrel, or barrel made
for this purpose. When the latter plan is pursued, the keg or barrel is filled to about five-sixths
of its capacity, and then a large piece of ice is thrown in, after which the top is fastened on as
closely as possible, and it is at once shipped to the West, usually by special oyster trains or by
express. Packed in this way, with moderately cold weather, the oysteis will keep very well fora
week or ten days. During the most active part of the " raw " season there are daily oyster trains
of from thirty to forty cars from Baltimore to the West, where nearly all the Baltimore oysters are
consumed. From the shores of the Chesapeake Bay as far as Detroit there is scarcely a city or
town (connected with any of the great trunk lines) which is not supplied with Maryland raw oys-
ters. Farther west, and to a considerable extent in European countries, the demand is supplied
by steamed oysters. The oysters used iu the raw trade are of a finer quality, and consequently
command better prices than steamed."
TIIK OYSTKi; IMH'STRY.
Tlio statistics of oyster packing in Haiti more in 1880 arc given by Mr. Kdmonds as follows:
" During the season extending I'nmi September 1, 1ST!', to May 15, 1880, the number of vessels
loaded with oysters arriving at Haltimore was 9,543 (or a daily average of 37 for tbe 257 days'),
bringing 7,252.972 bushels, which would make the average cargo 7CO bushels. In addition to the
amount brought by sail vessels, there were 25,000 bushels received by steamers and consigned
directly to hotels and restaurants, making a total of 7,277,972 bushels, of which there were packed
raw 3,709,353 bushels, hermetically sealed 2,GX9,9,",9 bushels, and used for city consumption Sl.S,(iSO
bushels. Engaged in oyster packing in Baltimore there are forty-five firms, with a capital of
s2,."."S.;,oo, occupying, in their business, houses and grounds with an estimated value of $1 ,360,966.
During the summer these firms are generally engaged in fruit packing, and their capital and
liuihlings are thus in active use during the entire year. These lirms employ 4,167 males and 2,460
females— total, 6,627: and during the season of 1879-\so paid to them in wages $602,427. The
total number of bushels of oysters packed was 6,459, 292, which required 25,546,780 tin cans and
'.i !),(il 1 \\ooden cases. The value of the oysters packed, including shucking, cans, &c.. was
s ::.5I7.::49. For the tin cans *794,919 was paid, and for the wooden cases $102,622.
"Of the 6,179 males [in Haltimore and other packing-houses in Maryland], nearly all of whom
are employed in the 'raw' trade, about three-fourths are negroes, the majority of them being com-
paratively steady workmen, while the whites are more generally disposed to be idle and intem-
perate. The few whites in the business are generally of a very low class of society. Within the
past year a few females have essayed to shuck raw oysters, but their number is still very small,
and will probably so continue, owing to the nature of the work. The 2,460 females are all em-
ployed in the steam oyster-houses of Baltimore. They are mostly white girls of from sixteen to
twenty-live years of age, the proportion of older ones as well as of colored being small. These
ijrls are almost without exception of foreign birth or parentage, the largest proportion being of
Hohcmian origin, with Irish probably coming next. Few American girls, however poor, will con-
sent to engage in this occupation, as in it both sexes must mingle indiscriminately, without
regard to color, class, or condition. Owing to the thorough steaming the oysters are very easily
opened, and the amount of physical labor required is comparatively light ; but during the busy sea-
>on the work begins about daybreak and lasts until dark, and is of course exceedingly fatiguing.
An industrious hand can make from 75 cents to $1 a day, but from the great irregularity in their
work they are probably not engaged over one-half of the time.
"Considering the class of the people employed in the packing houses, I do not think it sate
to estimate more than an average of two individuals dependent upon the wages of each shucker,
at which rate there are in Maryland 17,278 people dependent upon oyster shucking."
In addition to Baltimore, packing is carried on in Maryland at several other points. Mr.
Kdmonds reports these as follows for 1880: Crisfiekl, 16 firms, 678 employes, packing 427,270
bushels, worth sli;5.xt.io; Cambridgv, 8 firms, 385 employes, 205,410 bushels, worth $76,658;
Annapolis, 8 firms, .",15 employes. 15ti,7o." bushels, worth si>9,555; Oxford, 7 firms, 156 employes,
10V.IGO bushels, worth s39,9SO: Saint Michaels, 4 firms, 91 employes, 37,788 bushels, worth $14,053;
Somerset County, 10 firms, 387 employes, 224,817 bushels, worth $86,945 ; Seaford, Del., also has a
packing trade supplied by Maryland oysters. Mr. Edmonds says: "There are at Seaford seven
oyster-packing firms, having an aggregate capital of $14,600, and occupying buildings estimated
to be worth s 28,500. From September 1, 1879, to May 1, 18SO, 184,500 bushels of oysters were
liacked raw, giving employment to 170 males and 45 females, the wages of both for the season
amounting to .*14,2.".o. The estimated value of the oysters, after being shucked and packed, was
$71,350. When shucked oysters are shipped in bulk, the package (barrel or half-barrel) is re-
Sec, v, VOL. ii 36
562 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
turned after being emptied, and then refilled. On this account only 1,400 packages, costing $1,000,
were bought by Seaford packers during the season of 1S79-'80. About 400 persons are dependent
upon the oyster trade of Seaford. The local consumption, added to the packing, gives a total of
200,000 bushels handled at Seaford."
The packing trade of Virginia is of much later origin than that of Maryland. About 1859, Mr.
Edmonds states, an oyster-packing establishment was instituted in Norfolk; but it was not until
1865 that the trade became extensive, and during the last few years it has developed rapidly, much
to the benefit of the. town, where now employment is afforded to a large number of new people.
The trade in Norfolk (which is in tin; hands of Boston and New York capitalists) is almost exclu-
sively in raw oysters, and in 1S79-'SO its sales reached 1,370,855 bushels, more than all Maryland
together, outside of Baltimore, and ten times as much as the rest of Virginia.
A great difference exists between Norfolk and Baltimore, also, in other respects. While
Baltimore supplies the inland demand, and has branch houses in Chicago, Norfolk sends her stock
northward and along the sea-board through agents in New York and Boston. No less than 250,000
gallons were thus received in Boston alone between September, 1879, and April, 1880. Tiie effect
has been very marked upon the trade in these northern cities; whether for good or ill there are
two opposite opinions, the general verdict being that this feature works against the best interests
of the trade. In their favor, it is said, in general, that these oysters can be sold cheaper than any
other, and hence are accessible to the poorer class of people; that they are as good as the cargo
oysters, and that in the increased number sold is compensation for the diminished percentage of
profit. In opposition it is asserted that their quality is poor; that they are unhealthy; that the
losses attending them are greater than with cargoes, and that they unduly cheapen all superior
grades of stock. Two grades are brought to Boston from Norfolk, but ten times as many of the
"common" as of the "selected." They are often dirty, ami are washed again and again until the
aroma and delectable flavor is all gone from their lacerated and rinsed remains; hence they are
only fit to be cooked in a method calculated to disguise their insipidity by the time Vermont,
Maine, or Canada gets them for dinner.
Providence takes a large amount of the Norfolk-opened stock, but New Haven has little
reason to do so. In New York dealing in these raw oysters forms the whole, business of two or
three firms, who disposed in 1880 of about 600,000 gallons, selling chit-fly in the city, but also
shipping by express to interior points. More or less of the raw oysters from Baltimore and other
points in Maryland and Virginia are also mingled with those from Norfolk in this channel of
trade, and the trade is increasing. It gives better satisfaction in general in New York than in
Boston, both because the stock itself seems generally of better quality, and because the shorter '
distance and superior accommodations in transit bring the oysters here in better condition. The
resliipmeuts arc very widely scattered through the country, especially northward. Occasionally,
however, orders come from the distant west. Opened oysters have even been sent to Great Britain,
and gave good satisfaction there. Long transportation, without harm, has been made possible by
various improved and patented contrivances for refrigeration in the t-hape of barrels, cans, and
smaller packages.
At some planes on the remote southern coast a packing business has sprung up. Attempts at
New Berne, N. C., have proved failures only on account of the utier imrel'ability of the laborers
employed, who could not be persuaded to work with steadiness, no matter how large the pay. In
treating a perishable article and meeting a delicate market, such as the oyster packer handles,
this obstacle, of course, was fatal to the enterprise. .Savannah opens enough for the local demand
and a narrow range of shipments in Georgia and South Carolina, Charleston ofl'ering little compe-
THE OYSTKK JNIH'STKY. 563
tition. At Mobile the business is more extensive, and the shipments reach far inland. Mobile is
the headquarters of factories for canning the wild " reef" oysters gathered off the coast of Missis-
sippi and eastern Louisiana. These factories employ :i hundred or more hands in opening and
packing. Their main business is in cooked and canned oysters, which are steamed and sealed in
substantially the same way as at Baltimore. One specialty, however, is the putting up of canned
fried oysters, after a patented method. Statistics of this are not at hand. The pickling of oysters,
formerly practiced largely at Mobile, has gone out of vogue, as it has in northern cities, where it
used to be important.
With respect to New Orleans I wrote as follows in 1880:
" The shipment of oysters inland from New Orleans has hitherto been of very small account,
and principally of fresh oysters. Now, however, at least two canning establishments have been
started in the city, which make a large item in their general preserving business of cooked and
hermetically sealed oysters, prepared substantially as in Baltimore. Several brands have been
put upon the market with good satisfaction, selling at $2.50 per dozen two-pound cans for first
tjuality, and $1.80 for second, and at $1.10 for one-pound cans. About $100,000 worth of these
canned oysters are said to have been put up during 1880, nearly all of which were taken by the
trade of the city and immediate neighborhood. The capital invested is, perhaps, $75,000, but is
applied to shrimp, lobster, and fruit canning as well as oysters. In these establishments only
about thirty male adults are employed, the openers being girls, about one hundred in number, all
white and chiefly German and American in nationality, who are paid from 4 to 6 cents for each
kettlefiil, a "kettle" holding two quarts. Work is irregular, because of the difficulty of getting
oysters in sufficient quantity and when needed (owing mainly to -the indisposition of the oystermeu
to work in bad weather), and the total earnings of the openers and employe's during the "oyster-
run '' in the factories, will probably not exceed $20,000. These factories have not been long enough
in progress to furnish more exact information than is here given. Their capacity is far in advance
of their present product, and they anticipate a highly successful future, confident that they can
sec-lire the trade of the lower Mississippi Valley, to the exclusion of oysters canned in northern
cities."
9. UTILIZATION OF OYSTER SHELLS.
The utilization of oyster shells is extensive and in various directions. They serve as "metal"
for roads and foot-paths; as " filling" for wharves, low lands, fortifications, and railway embank-
ments ; as stools for new oyster beds ; as ballast, for vessels ; as material for lime, and as manure
for exhausted fields, or a component "in mixed fertilizers, besides some minor uses, such as food
for poultry, &c.
One is astonished, upon first going to an oyster locality, to see the huge piles of shells, and
discover what spacious areas have been raised above tide level or otherwise filled in with these
animal structures. If there are 23,000,000 bushels opened annually in the United States, an equal
measure of shells accumulates, amounting to no less than 243,390,000 cubic feet, which would spread
3 feet deep over a space more than 450,000 yards square. Next to their utilization in filling hollows,
the largest portion of the emptied shells are converted into lime. Time was when no other lime
was used by the early colonists, and the practice has persisted, several of the New England shore
towns supporting mills and kilns grinding nothing but oyster shells. "By the addition of the proper
materials, clay and magnesia," it is recorded, " Mr. Kiugsley, a lime-burner of Boston, some years
ago prepared an excellent hydraulic cement, which is used not only for laying drains, cisterns, &c.,
but its whiteness renders it suitable for the manufacture of fountains, vases, and ornamental
articles, which are to be placed in exposed situations."
564
HISTOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The use of the shells as a fertilizer is also an ancient practice. In the Canadian provinces the
remains of extinct oyster beds are dredged by huge machines made for the purpose, and spread
upon the lands under the name of mussel mud. Along Parnlico Sound, North Carolina, when the
weather becomes warm and there is no other employment for their boats, the fishermen rake up
boat-loads of rough "coon oysters" and carry them to the fanners up the rivers to be sold and
used as manure, for which from 3 to 5 cents a bushel is paid. In Florida and the Gulf States the
best farms and gardens are those located upon the shell mounds, where the finest trees grow ; and
in the Northern States these old heaps have long been resorted to by farmers as a store house of
top-dressing for their fields. The immense banks at Damariscotta, Me., are constantly utilized
for this purpose. The shells are first burned, and the remains of various rude kilns exist, one of
which greatly excited the antiquarians who first exhumed it, who were sure they had hit upon an
aboriginal, prehistoric home, until they found half a brick in the bottom. In fact almost the whole
of the lime now made from oyster-shells at the factories is converted into a fertilizer, in composition
with other manures, or unmixed.
These and other minor utilizations are disappearing, however, along the northern coast,
through the increased value of the shells to spread on the bottom for the founding of new colo-
nies, as has been explained ; and before long, no doubt, nearly all the shells accumulated will be
saved by planters for this purpose, as a better economy than to sell them.
10. STATISTICAL SUMMAKY.
cul lulili's, in 1880, showing, l>if Stales, the persons employed, capital inrrnlul, and value of products in Hie in/«iir
industry.
States.
Grand total.
Persons t-mployd.
Apparatus and capital.
Number of
prrMins em-
ployed.
BusliHs of
oysters pro-
duced.
Value of
oysters as
sold.
Fishermen.
Shoremen.
Total
capital in-
vested in
oyster
industry.
Number of
vessels.
Value of vert-
sels.
15
9
896
650
1,006
2,724
2,917
*$37, 500
6,050
405, 550
356, 925
672, 875
1, 577, 050
2, 080, 625
•187, 500
lii-7, 725
4, 730, 476
2, 218, 376
60, 000
20, 000
35, 000
15, 950
44, 950
10,000
200, 000
47, 300
45, 000
5
6
409
300
672
1,958
2,605
10
3
487
350
3 4
766
312
$1,210
2,400
303, 175
110, 000
361, 200
1,013,060
1,057,000
1
$3, 000
1,000
36, 000
163, 200
336, 450
1,043,300
1,975,000
50
227, 000
100
426
575
69, 000
397, 000
530, 000
Nr\\ Voik
1,065
23, 402
16,315
1, 020
185
350
166
300
60
1.400
240
85
300, 000
10, 600, 000
6, 837, 320
170, 000
50, 000
70, 000
78, 600
104, 500
25, 000
295, 000
95, 000
15,000
820
13, 748
14,236
1,000
175
300
140
250
50
1,300
200
75
f245
J 9, 654
52, 079
20
10
50
26
50
10
100
40
10
145, 500
6, 034, 350
1,351,100
68, 5uO
12, 250
18, 500
'-"2, 000
16, 000
3,000
36, 750
17 75J
65
1,450
1,317
90
10
50, 000
1,7511,0110
4lil), 1150
22, 500
2,500
Florida
20
6,000
45
10, 750
Washington Territory
Total
6, 550
52, 805
22, 195, 370
13,438,852
38, 249
14, 556
10. 583, 295 ; 4, 155
3, 528, 700
Till'. OVSTKU INDUSTRY.
565
tHatinli<-nl
, iii 1S.-0, A/IIIIC/HI/, lii/
, UK jn TMIIIX
l. <-ii)iilnl infested, <fc.— Cent imircl.
States.
A)i|i:ll'alui and eapital.
Products.
Nuniher ol*
bouts.
Value of
ho. Its.
Value (if seal
anil niitiit.
Value ol'sliore
property.
Bushels of
oysters
produced.
\ :ilne of ,.
to producer.
Enhancement of vali 1
oysters in proeess ol'
preparation tor market ||
Xmnher of
bushels.
Amount of
enhancement.
i
a
5
117
lllll
603
1,714
1, 1(1(1
$60
300
9, 4S5
11, '.(Id
33, 105
121,700
110,500
$150
100
10, 680
5,500
19,385
42, 4(10
91, 500
$1, 000
2,000
50, 000
90, 000
239, 650
451, 900
325,1
75, 000
7,000
514, 000
274, 300
515, 000
1, 005, 000
237, .'iiid
HlViH. null
;;834,50o
7, 653, 492
1, 622, 130
$37, 500
5,250
363, 750
131, 425
2Sli, 2.-.U
533, 7M>
110,625
187,500
§§362, 725
2, 080, 470
269, 740
1,000
36, 000
K.::. 2110
330, I'll
1,1143,300
l.'.'T
$800
41, 800
•J-J.'i, :.oo
386, 625
1,043,300
1,970,000
\ ' n \ i'rk
300
1,825
4. 4S1
800
'.(ill
100
111,
42
40
120
70
40
12, GOO
130, 5-20
234,050
16. 000
2. 500
10, 000
8,000
4, 0(10
1,000
3,000
6,760
800
10, 000
nil. i-o
329, 250
15,000
2,250
3,510
2,000
3,000
500
13, COO
2,000
750
1T73, 500
**3, 992,350
1111336,850
15, 000
5,000
5,000
12, 000
3,000
1,500
10,000
9,000
5,000
300, 000
10, 600, 000
6, 837, yjO
170, 000
50, 000
70, 000
78, 600
104, 500
35, 000
295, 000
95, 000
15,000
325, 000
•_>, i;.-,o, ooo
1,948,636
60, 000
20, 000
35, 000
15, 950
44, 950
10, 000
200, 000
47, 300
10, 000
Texas
Washington l'i nilory
Total
11.030
70S, 3:«l
712, 515
5, 633, 750
22,195,370
9. 034, 861
13, 047, 922
4,368,991
2.— THE SCALLOP FISHERY.
1. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SCALLOP.
The name of the uiollu.sk under consideration is also written escallop (from the French cscal-
e, and the Dutch sc/ie/j;, a shell, allied to scale according to Skeat) and scollop. Of
other common names there are many in various languages, as will appear. The scallops are
bivalves, with gills fringed like a comb, or pectinated, a characteristic of the class to which they
belong. But in this family the indented, often almost toothed, edges of the shell itself carry out the
resemblance to a comb so well, in addition to the internal structure, that they have retained for
themselves the name Pcetinida; referring to the whole family, and Pectai for the principal and
typical genus. They are also called, in Italy, "cape saute;" in Holland, "Mantel* ;" in Laugnedoc,
"coqiiillr* luriif;" iu Brittany and Normandy, "A'o/ie/ips." In England one hears such names as
"fan-shells." •• frills." or "queens" in South Devon, according to Montagu ; and on the Dorset
the iishenneii call them "squinus." In the north of France one kind bears the name of
H," or " olivette," and another species (P. maxim us) is an article of food. Of the latter,
• This quantity represents simply the enlianeem. nt. the- tiist cost lieinjj included iu tile ilaivlancl and Virginia statistics.
(M Ilii^r, '.'I -. :M r . Mi]»]oyd in tile eiuinerie.s at Si .1 l"«l
i H' tlieM'. - -M are ' in] >!«•', ei! ,il (lie \ a. i.un eanil'-i ies.
§ Of these, 1 ~'7S are employed in the eannei ies.
t| This i Tie !IM|. H |il:in! in- 1 ..Milling, t'altenini:, and Iranspnrla! inn I o distant niai kels in oyster vessels.
' Of this, $28,500 is invested in thi cai ..... \ ....... -^ ni Se .inni.
• (II1 tliis amount. $.' . 4'.i_',:;:.ii i, jnesenls the eash eapital invested in the cannery industry.
-n^lit in u inter hy vessels i . - i^iri nl in (.t her M.iti s, (lie men eu£'t£ed and t he value of the vessels lnin- .MI minted 1'nr elsewhere.
HI' these, 184,600 bushels were pa.-ke.l ai Sealmd. and (i.Mi, uiiij liuahels were planted iu Delaware Bay.
§§ Of this, $„'!', 'jj'i i . pr, -( TI(H the enhancement on those canned.
Illl Of Ihis, !?119.350 represents the cash capital in the cannery interests, and $167,500 the value „( Imililiu^s and fixtures for canning.
56(5 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
Jeffrey, a British couchologist, says: "If the oyster is the king of molhisks, this has a just claim
to the rank and title of prince." In the fish markets of the north of France it is called "grand-
palerine,n or " palourde." In the south of England it shares with another species the name of
"frill," and in the north that of "clam." Barbet speaks of it as the "ducal-mantle pecten," and
says it served the Romans and Greeks as food, and when dressed with pepper and cummin seed,
became a medicine. It is this species which is believed to have been designated as the Kleis of
Xenocrates and Galen. This species (P. maximus), Jeffrey says, was formerly "plentiful in Lul-
worth Bay, on the Dorset coast; but now they are rarely found alive. I was told that the breed
had been exterminated there by an epicurean officer of the coast guard. The late Major Martin
would permit any conchologist to dredge as much as he pleased in the bays of the Counemara
coast, provided he only took useless shells, * * * but all the big clams (P. maximus) were
reserved for the table at Ballynahinch castle." The high reputation of this species causes it to be
much sought after, and it "is a constant visitant of the London markets. Scalloped with bread-
crumbs in its own shell, or fried with a little butter and pepper, it forms a very delicious morsel."
The deeper shell was formerly employed in scalloping oysters, whence the name of this form of
cooking them.
The scallop shell appears very frequently in literature. It is often used in heraldry to indicate
that the bearer has made long voyages by sea. It has been the badge of several orders of knight-
hood, and still figures in many coats of arms. This half-chivalrous, half-saintly significance in
heraldry was usually in memory of the Crusades, and marked those who had been attached to
those medieval expeditions, or had been on a holy pilgrimage, either to the shrine of St. James the
Great of Compostella, in Spain (whence its name "St. James shell"), or to the Holy Laud.
Both amounted to the same thing, since the knights and monks of the Crusades in the ninth and
tenth centuries adopted St. James as their saint of saints, and, converting the fisherman of Gen-
uesaret into a Spanish warrior, assigned him the scollop shell for his "cognizance."*
Sir Walter Scott, in his poem "Marmiou," refers to this badge, or emblem, as follows:
Here is a holy Palmer come,
From Salem first and last from Rome ;
One that hath kissed the blessed tomb,
And visited each holy shrine,
In Araby and Palestine.
In Siriai's wilderness he saw
The Mount where Israel heard the law,
'Mid thunder-dint and flashing leven,
And shadows, mists, and darkness, given.
He shows St. James's cockle-shell—
Of fair Montserrat, too, can tell.
[STANZA xxiil.
The summoned Palmer came in place.
His sable cowl o'erhung his face;
In his black mantle was he clad,
With Peter's keys, in cloth of red,
On his broad shoulders wrought ;
The scallop shell his cap did deck.
[STANZA xxvii.
And in " The Pilgrimage," written by Sir Walter Raleigh, he says:
Give me my scallop-shell of quiet,
My staff of faith to walk upon ;
My scrip of joy, immortal diet;
My bottle of salvation.
*Moule's "Heraldry of Fish."
TLIE SCALLOP FISHERY. 507
Several species were worn as pilgrim emblems in tins way, but chiefly Pecten jacobes and
Pcctot mit.iiiiius. This is not the only place these lovely shells have in history and song and art;
for, in the da\s when Ossiau sang, (lie flat valves were the plates, the hollow ones the drinking
cups, of Fingal and his heroes. '• Distinguished artists," says the conchologist Say, "have judged
them worthy of representation on their cam as. and the voluptuous form of Venus* is seen supported
on the waves l.y the valve of a 1'ti'ti n * * * A beautiful species which inhabits a portion of
the I'iicihV is dciticd by the natives of some of the islands of that ocean."
Ceremonial employment and significance have been found for the scallop among various savage
nations, and a lew such instances relating to our American Indians were mentioned by Dr. R. E.
C. Stearns in a paper in the Oi'crlund Monthly (April, 1873), as follows :
" The scallops are, and have been, esteemed for food and other purposes by the aboriginal tribes
as well as by their civilized successors. In the shell heaps of Florida, among the Kjcelckenmced,-
diiif/s, or kitchen refuse, we find great numbers of these shells, especially in a heap at Cedar Ke\ s ;
and the shells of some of the west American species, found in Puget Sound, are now used by the
Indians in that neighborhood, for in the ethnological department of the Smithsonian Institution at
"Washington (specimens 4773-4-5) are rattles made of valves of the Pecten hastatus, which were
used by the Jlakah Indians in the vicinity of Neeah Bay in their dances; and another specimen is
a rattle made from the convex valves of a larger species (Pecten caurimis) and formerly used as a
medicine-rattle. These rattles are made by piercing a hole through the valves and stringing them
upon a willow or similar twig."
Mr. Stearns in the same essay has furnished a most charming account of the anatomy of the
scallop, which I cannot do better than to quote:
u The animal of the fan-shells is exceedingly beantifnJ. The mantle, or thin outer edge, which
is the part nearest the rim or edge of the valves, conforms to the internal fluted structure of the
latter, and presents the appearance of a delicately pointed ruffle or frill. This mantle is a thin
and almost transparent membrane, adorned with a delicate fringe of slender, thread-like processes
or filaments, and furnished with glands which secrete a coloring matter of the same tint as the
shell; the valves increase in size, in harmony with the grbwth of the soft parts, by the deposition,
around and upon the edges of membranous matter, from the fringed edge of the mantle which
secretes it. This cover is also adorned with a row of conspicuous round black eyes (ocelli) around
its base.t The lungs or gills are between the two folds of the mantle, composed of fibers pointing
outward, of delicate form, and free at their outer edges, so as to float loosely in the water. The
mouth is placed between the two inmost gills, where they unite. It is a simple orifice, destitute of
teeth, but with four membranous lips on each side of the aperture.
"The irechanisin by which respiration and nutrition are secured is elaborate and exceedingly
interesting. The filaments of the gill-fringe, when examined under a powerful microscope, are
seen to be covered with numberless minute, hair-like processes, endowed with the power of rapid
motion. These are called cilia, and, when the animal is alive and in situ, with the valves gaping,
may be seen in constant vibration in the water, generating, by their mutual action, a system of
currents by which the surface of the gills is laved, diverting toward the month animalcules and
other small nutritious particles.
" The shell of the scallops consists almost exclusively, says Dr. W. B. Carpenter, of membranous
""Scallope or Veuus-cocle" is one among John Josselyn, gent's, "list of rarities."
tA portion of this mantle can usually be seen, showing a finely fringed curtain of scarlet or orange, the mantle
itself being of a delicate fawn color, the whole set off with a number of bright, glistening eyes, of an elegant emerald
green, encircled with a band of turquoise blue. The finest jewels of our fairest belles can be no brighter than the
natural ornaments of this common moUusk.
568 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
laminae, coarsely or finely corrugated. It is composed of two very distinct layers, differing in
color — and also in texture and destruetibility — but having essentially the same structure. Traces
of cellularity are sometimes discoverable ou the external surface, and one species (P. nobitis) has
a distinct prismatic cellular layer externally. As the idea of the Corinthian capital is believed to
have been suggested to Callimachus, the Grecian architect, by a plant of the Acanthus growing
around a basket, it is quite possible that the fluting of the Corinthian column may have been sug-
gested by the internal grooving of the pecten shells.'"
The present writer is compelled to acknowledge his ignorance concerning much of the infancy
as well as the habits in later life of this mollusk that, he would like, to know. In relation to our
common commercial species, the Pecten irradians, it " occurs among the eel-grass on muddy shores
iu great abundance, in many localities, especially in sheltered places ; " but Professor Yen-ill, whose
words I have just repeated, adds that it is "also frequently found living on sandy shores and flats
or in the pools."
The spawn (or eggs) is thrown out into the water much in the manner of oysters, clams, and
other bivalves, and such of it as escapes destruction by fishes or the hundred of accidents that
threaten the life of those delicate objects, catches on stones, seaweeds, and other firm supports,
from the sheltered tide-pools down to a considerable depth. This is early in the summer. By the
middle of July, in Narragansett Bay, this "seed" is about as large as the head of a lead-pencil,
and it does not drop from its support for two weeks or more. The growth is very rapid while the
warm weather lasts, so that they attain about half their full size when winter stops, or nearly
stops, their further growth. In November the young scallops, spawned the previous June, will be
found in great numbers all along the shore, from an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, and
moving about very actively.
Where eel-grass grows in quantities, however, as in Oyster Bay, on the northern shore of
Long Island, the young keep among it, clinging to the stalks, until by their weight they bend the
grass down or break it, when they drift out the bay with the grass when it floats away in the fall.
In the spring of 1880 the grass came into the bay, bringing young scallops; thus the abundance
that year was accounted for, though there had not been a crop before in that bay since 1874. I
have not heard what effect the subsequent severe winter (of 1SSO-'8I) had upon these scallops.
When older and free from the need of protection in the eel-grass, they go moving about the bay
"until they find the right bottom to live upon," as an experienced Long Islander writes, "when,
in sailor phrase, they come to anchor and stay there, unless driven away by heavy storms, as often
happens. Under such an accident thousands of bushels are often driven up on the shores of the
bay and die there by freezing."
Referring to this point, Capt. S. Pidgeou, of Sag Harbor, says that, if possible, when driven
before a storm, they will work to windward, and he has seen them swimming iu schools 10 feet
deep. North Carolinians report that the movements are all within small limits, and that in those
southern "sounds" the scallops prefer the grassy beds iu shoal water, but are occasionally found
on the sand. Though they increase iu size very little during the winter, they are said to begin a
second period of growth in spring, and to come to maturity in a single year, so that they fre-
quently produce spawn in the June following their birth, and are in condition for the market the
subsequent autumn — that is, when from fifteen to eighteen months old. The rapidity with which
they enlarge their size, and particularly their fatness, or the ratio of flesh to shell, estimated by
measure, is shown when they come to be prepared for market. At New Bedford, I am informed,
a bushel of scallops will yield only 2 quarts of "meats" at the beginning of the season, in Octo-
THE SCALLOP FISIIKKY. 569
ber; iu November a bushel will yield 0 pints, while a month later a gallon of meat is "cut out" of
a single bushel of shells. Kxactly similar reports of difference between the fust ami last of (he
season were given me at (Ircenwieh. Tho fishermen eall this inerease "growing," anil it seems to
be the fact.
Fishermen believe that . seallops never spawn more than once, and die before they reach an
age of three years. Mr. Win. Wilson, an experienced fisherman and dealer in i\hode Island, told
Mr. Lndwig Kumlien, of the Fisheries Census staff, that specimens two years old were seldom
taken alive, and were "of no account as food." Another fisherman stated that he had captured
"only two two-year-olds in the whole season." At Northport, Long Island, T was assured that
scallops were tolerably plentiful iu that harbor once in five years. The second year following the
season of plenty would produce a few, the third year a scatteringone or two, the fourth year abso-
lutely nothing. Then would come a sudden accession from some, unknown source. Much the
same story comes from Port Jefferson, L. I.
If this theory of scallop reproduction be true, it presents a case where the generations follow
oue another so rapidly that there are never two ranks, or generations, in condition to reproduce their
kind at once, except in rare individual instances, since all or nearly all of the old ones die before
the young ones have grown old enough to spawn. If such a state of affairs exist, of course any
sudden catastrophe, such as a great and cold storm during the winter, or the covering of the water
where they lie for a long period under a sheet ot ice, happening to kill all the tender young (and
old ones, too, often) in a particular district, will exterminate the breed there, since, even if the older
and tougher ones survive this shock they will not live long enough, or at any rate will be unable
to spawn again, and so start a new generation. It is easy to see, too, how an excessive onslaught
of dredging in a particular district might utterly destroy the fishing there until some fortunate,
perhaps long-delayed, accident should recolonize the district with a new set of scallops descended
from wholly outside stock. This was appreciated when the Cape Cod man remarked, iu lamenting
the ruin which was being perpetrated by the too greedy pursuit of scallops in the waters south of
P.arnstable, "scallops live but three years and can be exterminated in one winter by careless-
ness."
In order to understand how such wholesale ruin is prevented or, rather, how, when it does
occur in any locality, the district is restocked, and also such reports of practical observers as that
from Northport, we must remind ourselves not only of what I have already said of the drifting of
the young, but that the scallop, unlike many of the mollusca, is not fixed to cue spot, nor is it
e\cn compelled, like others of its class, to glide nlong the bottom with slow and regular move-
ment; "but locomotion iu this genus is rapid, and by a succession of springs or leaps." so that it
is often spoken of as the " dancing." The method of the scallop's activity is as follows : When it is
alarmed, or wishes to change its location, or regain the water after being left upon the beach by
the recession of the tide, it opens and energetically closes its valves, thus expelling the water from
the gill-cavity, the reaction shooting the creature backward. The quick shutting of the shells
makes a loud snap, which can be heard at a considerable distance. Thus the scallop is able to
rise swiftly to the surface of the water by a succession of zig/.ag, arrow-like darlings upward, and
then to slide down again iu a wavering inclined line until it reaches the bottom at a distance of
several yards from where it started. Repetitions of this comical maneuver in progression, with
long rests between, carry it over long distances; and that scallops sometimes do make consider-
able journeys in large companies is well proved.
" One can scarcely see a lovelier sight than that of a large number of these pretty creatures,
with shells of every hue from purple white to black, enlivened with shades of pink, yellow, fawn,
570 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
and other tints, darting about in the clear water, up, down, here, there, everywhere. In their
flight-like movements, vertical, horizontal, east, west, north, and south, they are more suggestive
of a flock of winged animals than of bivalves of which to make a meal."
Lack of a knowledge of this vagabondish trait in the scallop once cost a French merchant
dear. Having purchased several thousands of scallops in England, he laid them down in his pure
at Port-eu-Bassin, but found them all gone next tide, for when the water came in they all shot oif
sternforemost, like pieuvres. "Why, I was shrimping down in the bay there once,'7 said a South
of England dredgerman, when he heard of this story "and I seen something a shootin' along a,
front o' me what I'd never sin afore; 'u giv chace to 'n; and he to shoot again, and sich like, oa
and on — why, for thirty fathoms 'n more, till at last, when he'd a got deeper'u I cared fur to toiler
'n, I seen it were a scallop. Aye, they shoots, jist like that, I can tell 'ee; but oysters," said he,
"disn't."
It is asserted that they will now and then leap to a small distance above the water. Eefer-
ring to this jumping power, Mr. Say relates the following: "Mr. Lesson has immersed a basket
of Pecteus in the water of the sea, within about 6 inches of its rim. The individuals, he says,
which formed the superior layer, constrained in their movements by those that were beneath,
after many fruitless efforts, succeeded in leaping from their prison. * * In this way all the
contents of the basket disappeared within fifteen minutes. Srnellie repeats from Pliny that 'when
the sea is calm troops or little fleets of scallops are often observed swimming on the surface. They
raise one valve of their shell above the surface, which becomes a kind of sail, while the other
remains under the water and answers the purpose of an anchor by steadying the animal and pre-
venting its being overset. When an enemy approaches they instantly shut their shells, plnnge to
the bottom, and the whole deet disappears.' We have not heard that this remarkable flotilla has
been observed since the time of Pliny."
The young scallops are much more active and swift in all these movements than the adults.
Not all scallops possess the activity of our common Atlantic coast species and of some foreign ones.
Many of them have a sort of beard (byssus), at least when young, by which they attach themselves
to rocks, seaweeds, and other marine bodies, as do the mussels, which are also bearded ; having
anchored thus, they are fixed forever. In general, the youngsters are more active than the older
ones.
In the case of our common Pecten irradians, I have already given a sketch of the doings of
the young. In the autumn there seems to be a migration towards the shallow water of the shore
by the older scallops, and then the fishing begins. The grounds where scallops are now dredged
are open tracts of sandy bottom, or else places where a thin layer of mud overlies the sand.
Reefs of rocks and very soft bottom are both avokled by this mollusk. The same holds good in
New York Bay, on the New Jersey coast, and in every locality where these mollusks abound. In-
formation is scanty as to the depth to which they might be found, but it is no doubt considerable.
The great bulk of those taken now, however, are dredged in less than a dozen feet of water.
The .scallopers will tell you everywhere that the more they are raked the more abundant they
become. I heard this from many dredgers myself, and the reports of others contain the same
assertion. Raking, they say, scatters the young, and keeps them from crowding one another; in
short, it lets them grow. Yet in each locality they will tell you that the yield there now does
not compare in quantity with ten, fifteen, or twenty years ago. The splendid large Pecten islandi-
cus, which formerly abounded on the coast of Maine and in the Bay of Fundy, is now so nearly
extinct that it has become a prize to the conchologist. This came about entirely through an ex-
cessive raking and dredging for them. Long Island Sound has now been depopulated of its seal-
TIIK SCALLOP FISHEEY. 571
lops and the same is tnii' of Xew York Harbor, the Sanely Hook region, ami uiucli of the Xew
Jersey coast. At Greenwich, Couu., I was told that where ten or fifteen years ago one could fill
a dredge in a few rods, and a boat would take 50 to 100 bushels a day, now only about 10
bushels a day was the average catch. From one-half to three-fourths of the dredgeful will prove
trash. At Hyamiis, Mass., they said four years ago that the scallops were disappearing and
attributed it to the fact that in culling, the fishermen would not throw back the little ones. Many
similar statements for other localities might be given. The irregularity of the present supply is
also pointed out. " Some seasons the mollusks are much larger and finer than others. Thus this
year they have been small. Last year they were twice the size." That is a report from Peconic,
L. I. In 1879 an immense area of young growth was discovered about Crawford's Island, in
Xarragansett Bay; yet all died off in an incomprehensible manner before fall. Speaking of this
subject to Mr. Kutnlien, Mr. Wilson remarked: " When they first began catching scallops about
twenty years ago in Cowesett Bay there were a hundred bushels to one. I can give no theory
for their increase and decrease. One year there may be hardly any at all, and the next year a
great plenty. I think the severity of the winter temperature has much to do with it. The year
1879 was a poor season, but this season (18SO) young scallops are more plenty than ever before
known."
2. APPAEATUS AND METHODS OF CAPTDEE.
The method of catching scallops everywhere pursued at present is by dredging. This would
seem to be the only practicable way, and has been proved so, but early accounts of the fishing
show that scoop-nets, usually on the end of long poles, were formerly used. This was speedily
condemned, however, because it could be employed only where " scallops are a foot thick and
miles in length," as one fisherman expressed it.
Following this came the invention of the small, triangular dredge, intended to be hauled astern
of either a row-boat or sailing craft. I have never heard of any steam dredging for scallops.
The ordinaiy scallop dredge holds from one to two bushels, but varies somewhat in form at differ-
ent points along the coast. That in use in Buzzard's Bay, according to Mr. W. A. Wilcox, consists
of an oval iron frame 3i feet long. In front (or underneath) it is wire-netted but behind (above) is
made of twine. Small sail-boats (dories) with a crew of two men fish with from one to twelve of
these dredges over at once, sailing with just enough " sheet" to allow a slow headway. As soon
as a dredge is felt to be full they il luff up " and haul it in, then empty and go on. If the wind is
unfavorable one man will row while the other attends to the dredge.
In Karragansett Bay sail-boats, generally cat-rigged, are used, and the dredges are of special
construction, in two shapes. Mr. Luclwig Kumlien reports:
"The dredge for a soft bottom differs from the other in having the ' blade' adjusted to swing
in the 'eyes' of the arms in order to prevent iis sinking into the mud. This is called the 'kettle-
bail ' style of dredge. The blade will fly up instead of digging into the bottom when undue press-
ure is exerted upon it.
" For a rocky bottom a dredge is used which has the blade immovably fastened to the arms ;
otherwise it does not differ from the ' kettle-bail ' and it is known as a 'scraper.'
" In calm weather a small iron-framed dip-net, on a long pole, is employed in shoal water.
" The dredges are simply dragged by the boats until they are full. The large boats haul six
to eight at a time ; the smaller ones three, four, or five."
The number of dredges thrown out at once depends on the strength of the wind. The boat
572 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
sails.itself with two reefs iu, and is steeied by the dredges. \\ 'lien they are full, as can be told by
feeliug the cables, the boatman "starts up his sheets all round," and hauls in his catch.
A good account in the New York Herald, describing modern operations in Pecouic Bay, Long
Island, shows that neither tools nor methods differ there, from those just detailed.
3. DISPOSITION OF THE CATCH.
Not all of the scallop's flesh, as everybody knows, is fit for food, nor is it edible at all seasons.
That portion of the niollusk employed is the firm, yellowish-white mass of that great muscle called
1 1n- adductor, by which the animal pulls his shells together and is able to keep them shut. Few of
the fishermen or dealers, not to speak of consumers, recognize this, however, and call the portion
" eye'' or " heart " under a vague impression that it is a vital organ of some sort, since when it is
injured the scallop opens his shells, an act which, with the uninformed, is tantamount to its death.
" They are good boiled and pickled," says the judicious De Voe, with calmness, " but much
better fried ; many, however, do not like their peculiar sweetness, which is somewhat like the
flavor of a rich soft clam's, but much more cloying and satisfactory." More enthusiasm warms the
heart in this: "Broiled and st lifted with forcemeat, and served iu his own shells, he not only
forms an ornament to the table, but a pleasing variety amongst the fish." But the real, passion-
ate admiration of a bun rinuit is only breathed iu the following, the credo of a disciple of Epicurus
and a Herald reporter :
" Of—
All lisli from sea or shore,
Freshet or imrlini; brook, for whieli \V;IN ilraim d
Pon (us and LiiiTene Hay an-l Al'rir coast,
the crisp, tawny, not over fried scollop is the most delectable. The unctuous morsels cannot be
maiidncated with dispassionate pretenses. A healthy person cannot swallow them with an affec-
tation of not knowing what he is eating, for they possess an indefinable luscionsuessnot possessed
by any fish or fruit, yet approximating to a combination of them all."
To come down to our prose again, I may remind the reader that the opening, as a rule, is
done at home. There is little time or opportunity for opening on the boats, and not even as much
culling is done there as there ought to be. Moreover, to throw over the offal and refuse (which a
Greenwich man called " gaueh ") onto the ground would be considered bad policy and likely to
drive the living scallops away, or interfere with their proper breeding. All the opening is done
on shore, therefore, and a large number of persons are given employment outside of the dredgers.
No statistics of any such employment are available for Rhode Island or Massachusetts, but
an interest ing and faithful picture is presented of this industry at New Suffolk (orCntchogue), Long
Island, by a recent writer in the New York Herald, as follows :
" As soon as a load is obtained away go the scallopers for the harbor. The beach at New
Suffolk is lined with their houses, no less than eleven of which are to be seen within a quarter of
a mile's walk along the sands. The largest of these buildings is 30 feet long by 20 wide. A
broad shelf runs along each side, projecting a couple of feet from the walls, and reaching to the
waist of a man. Holes are cut in this shelf at regular intervals along its length. Barrels are
placed under these holes for the refuse. The scallops are piled up at the back of the shelf spoken
of. The openers stand opposite the openings. Dexterity is here seen iu the aptitude acquired by
long practice. The openers are generally women, of all ages. Apart from the damp floors and
dripping surroundings the work is not hard. Some of the young girls work after being married ;
come regularly in the season to gain a penny or two for those little extras coveted by all. We
saw in one house two young wives, with cradles behind them containing less than year-old babies,
TIIK SCAl, !.(>!> I'ISIIKKY. 573
opening scollops with their hands, singing merrily some baby song to quiet tin- \oimg ones, and
by an indescribable motion of the lelt foot rocking the cradles \vith a gentle motion all-suflicient
to keep the nurseling quiet. In another corner was a mother nursing h,.r three -weeks-old babe at
an interval in the work.
•• A slow opener, at the present rates paid for labor— 12i cents for a gallon of eyes — will earn
from SO cents to si a day ; a rapid one, one-half more. The fastest we observed was a lad of
fourteen, named Pat sy McGuire, who opened at the rate of thirty a minute by the watch. It
takes L' bushels of bivalves to make a gallon of eyes. In the work a leather palm is used to
protect the hands.
"The motions of the expert opener are but tliree after the scallop is in hand. The bivalve is
taken in the left hand, palm up, with the hinges of t lie scallop toward the opener's body. The
knife — a simple piece of steel, ground sharp and with one cud stuck in a .small wooden handle — is
inserted in the opening of the shell farthest from the breast. A turn is given, cutting apart the
shells. The upper eye is severed through by this movement. A Ilirtal the same moment throws
oil' the upper shell. The second motion cuts the lower fastenings of the eye to the under shell
and takes the soft and useless rim off. The last motion throws the shell in one band and the
soft and slimy rim in another, while the eye is thrown into a basin of yellow stoneware holding a
gallon. They are then taken from the basin, thrown into a large colander, thoroughly washed,
placed in clean boxes and shipped to New York and Brooklyn. The prices this year [1879] have
been high, the shipper realizing *1..">0 a gallon. The highest price ever given was $2.50, tin-
lowest 50 cents, which does not pay the cost of the catch."
It is said that each of the eleven shops mentioned employs one boat and two men to catch for
them, and from five to fifteen (averaging ten) persons in opening. The total of this is one
hundred and thirty three, the number of persons hired in New Suffolk, Long Island, alone, during
the oyster season, besides many independent boatmen and dredgers.* The Herald's review,
heretofore quoted, places the whole number of those employed at New Suffolk, scallop head-
qiuMteis, as about one hundred and fifty of all ages, from men and women of sixty all the way
down to boys and girls often and twelve. The carefully ascertained census of Mr. Fred. Mather.
made in this same locality and shown in the appended table, nearly coincides with this.
At Greenwich, li. I., the scallops are '• shipped loose in small wooden boxes, without ice,"
according to Kumlien, "as ice spoils their flavor and swells them up. They are obliged to ice
those sent to New York in the early part of the season, nevertheless, but the flavor is much
impaired by the meat coining in contact with the sweet water."
There is and ought to be little or no waste in the scallop fishery. The oyster-planters of
Providence and Tannton Rivers justly regard scallop shells as the best possible cultch for their
seed beds and pay a higher price for them than for oyster shells. The same disposal is made of
the shells accumulating at Xew Suffolk, " piles of which to the height of 8 or 10 feet and covering
a quarter of an acre were alongside the opening houses." They are used to deposit on the oyster
beds of Long Island Sound, and no less than 50,000 bushels, for which si.L'.Mt, at L'.l cents a
bushel, was paid, were sold at New Suffolk alone in 1S80. One single linn in Fair Haven, Conn .
I .is ordered l'."i.»MM) bushels to be saved for them from the scallop-opening in issl.
The. use of a somewhat similar shell, the cockle (('iinliiun), in France in the cultivation o/
oysters is described by Major Hayes in his report to the linglish Government on the Oyster
Fisheries of France, in 1877. " In examining the channels [at Arcachon)" says Major Hayes, " my
• Thanks :nr dm- in Mr. ( ). II ( .CM Ism it h. of Cuti hog lie, tor inform;/ 1 LOM t'loin ihai
574 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
attention was directed to a form of collector which I had not seen previously. It consisted of
cockle shells strung closely together upon a wire, a hole being made in the shell near the hinge;
the wire is run through, and when strung they are placed at the proper time in situations favor-
able for catching spat. They are kept about 3 inches above the mud by means of pegs placed at
intervals, to which the wire is attached, and they appeared to me to succeed admirably."
The Loug Islanders are famous for the extent to which they utilize dead fish (menhaden or
mossbuukers) and other marine organisms as manure. It is not strange, therefore, to find that
they economize the offal of the scallop opening, which is mixed in the compost heap with the sea-
weed of the beach and makes a grand manure for the enriching of the growing corn, the fertilizer
being placed in the hill instead of being sown broadcast ou the laud. I presume the same utili-
zation of the refuse is practiced in Rhode Island, though I did not learn the facts there so
specifically.
" This multitude of scallops," says a recent writer, " attracts to the waters of Peconic Bay
thousands of water fowl. Black ducks, geese, loons, and the common nou edible ducks, such as
coots, old squaws, and whistlers, are in immense numbers, while the gulls fairly whiten the sand
bars when the receding tide leaves the sands bare. Robin's Island has at its north and south
ends two sand bars, which are bare at low water for half a mile. On these bars, therefore, are
left scallops', razor-fish, five-fingers, and all the minute Crustacea that make up marine life.
Where food is abundant there will be found something to feed upon it. Hence the crowds of
birds on these points at low water reminds one of the fabulous anecdotes regarding bird life
related iu the stories of a Jules VerueV'
But these birds are not the only enemies of scallops. They form the favorite food of many
fishes, especially the cod, and its congeners. The small boring mollusks attack them more
commonly even than the oyster, whenever they can catch a scallop quiet long enough to get a fair
hold upon him ; and for the same reason, namely, because their shells are more fragile than the
oyster's, many species of star-fish, including some small ai.d weak ones and some living only in
deep water, are accustomed to seize upon and devour them. The scallop is very quick-sighted
(if not exactly iu eye-sight, at least by some other means of apprehension) and active in avoiding
hi.s enemies, so that it is able to escape many times when a more sluggish mollusk, no better
armored than he, would perish. The compensation for his thin, easily crushed, or quickly bored
shells, then, is his sharpness of wit and swiftness of locomotion, and so he is able to hold his own
in the fight for existence, which is ever going on among the denizens of the deep, as well as those
of the upper world.
4. EXTENT OF THE SCALLOP FISHERY.
A statistical view of the annual production of scallops, so far as I have been able to come at
it, remains to be given.
SCALLOP FISHING AT CAPE COD AND BUZZARD'S BAY. — As the common scallop (Pecten
irradians) is found only in a "rare and local" way north of Cape Cod, we must look to the south-
ward of that great dividing point for any commercial fishery of them. The most northerly locality
at which such a fishery exists, as far as I am informed, is at Hyannis, Mass., and during the winter
of 1877 many persons of all ages and conditions were employed in it there. One firm fitted up a
large house expressly for the business, and employed a large number of openers. Skiffs, cat-rigged
yawl-boats, dories, and punts, two hundred in number, and of every size, shape, form, and color
were used ; most of them were flat bottomed, shaped like a flat-iron, and therefore very " tender"
when afloat. Each boat carried two dredges, locally termed " drags." In that year accorduig
TJ11-: SCALLOP FISHERY. 575
t« Mr. F. W. Q'rue. each ul' (lie two hundred boats averaged about 120 bushels, or 100 gallons,
during the season, \vliicli would j;i\e a total of 24,000 bushels, or 20,000 gallons, for the fleet.
The scallops \\ crc sent to New York and also to P>oston, and an average price of s."> per halt' barrel
\\as received. In ISTli tlie ]>riee \\as s7 and in 1878 only $3.50.
Further inquiries show Unit this spurt at Hyanuis had no precedent and Las completely died
away, so that at present there is no catch there, or at least no shipments.
In the Acushnet River, and all along the, western shore of Buzzard's Kay, these little mollusks
abound, and their catching has come to be of considerable importance to that locality. Mr. W.
A. Wilcox, who sends me notes on the subject, says that it is only eighteen years ago that a
fisherman of Fail haven (opposite New Bedford) was unable to sell 5 gallons tbat be had caught.
But the taste has been acquired, and a local market has grown up to important proportions, so
that in 1880 fourteen men and ten small boats (dories) were dredging for scallops in Buzzard's
Bay from the middle of October to the middle of January. Mr. Wilcox says: "These small boats
will take from 10 to 75 bushels a day." The men are riot able or not willing to work every day,
bowever. since the tautog and other fishing calls for their attention, and tbere is danger of over-
stocking the market. It tberefure happens that the total catch reported for both New Bedford
and Fairhaven men will not exceed 6,400 gallons, valued at $3,840, CO cents being a fair average
price in this and the Boston market. The value of the investment devoted to this business
at Fairhaven is about $120.
SCALLOP FISHING IN RHODE ISLAND.— The next scallopiug-grouud is in Mount Hope Bay
and Cole's Kiver, Massachusetts, on the eastern side of Narragansett Bay, for information in
regard to which I am indebted to Mr. Ludwig Kumlien. The best grounds in this neighborhood
lie between Gardiner's Neck and Warren's Neck and for a short distance up Cole's River. The
number of men employed there was reported at about twenty-five, seventeen of whom were
"cutters," or those who open the shells as fast as they are dredged and extract the edible por-
tion. This force was divided among eight boats. The season here begins September 1 and
lasts until the weather becomes too cold and stormy for work. The product for the year I.s7!>
was estimated by Mr. Kumlieu's informants at 8,000 bushels, equal to G,000 gallons, which sold at
60 cents, and so realized $3,600, or $150 apiece, on the average, for those engaged. Two-thirds
of this catch was sent to New York, the remainder going to Boston, Fall River, Mass., and
small neighboring towns. Complaint was made that much of the catch in 1878 had to be thrown
away, since there was no market for it. The investment at Cole's River in this business Mr.
Kumlien sums up at $1,040, giving $640 as value of sail boats and $400 as value of dredges and
other implements. I think this is too high, however, and prefer to make the sum $800.
This brings me to perhaps the most important scallop fishery at present on the whole coast —
that of Greenwich Bay, Ehode Island. There is said to have been some catching near Pawtuxet,
in Providence River, but, if true, the fishery has not yielded anything of late to amount to much.
The only beds of value, therefore, are to be found in Greenwich or Cowchusett Bay, an indentation
of the western shore of Narragansett Bay. There the scallop beds, according to a map furnished
by Mr. Ludwig Kumlieu, are as follows :
I. About Chippanogset Island, at the western extremity of Greenwich Bay, extending about
one-third of a mile from the island-shore. These are considered among the best of all the grounds.
II. On the north shore, the beds begin near the mouth of Appoiiaiig River and extend east-
ward, reaching out into the bay from a quarter to half a mile for a distance of about 2 miles, tlieu
extending southward in a curve as far as the channel, and opposite Spiing Rocks, on Warwick
576 DISTOlfY AND METHODS OF TilE FISHERIES.
k (where the beds seem to stop). The fishing ground lies in the channel to 35 feet in depth.
This ground is known as the North Shore or Apponaiig grounds.
III. On the south and east shores of the bay are found the most extensive and profitable
beds. These begin about one-fourth of a mile north of Potowouiut Rocks in about 13 feet of
water, extend eastward to the channel, and then curve gently southward, going outside of
Hunt's Ledge; in fact, they may be said to take in almost the entire flats west and southwest of
t.he main channel. These beds also extend southward as far as Quanset Point, a distance of about
5 miles, but not south of Pc-jack Point. The grounds are of little value in comparison to the Green-
wich P. ay beds proper.
The Chippanogset grounds aie considered to be the best, as they seldom give out. "When this
occurs the remainder are sure to be of no account.
It appears that Greenwich Bay has not always been the home of scallop and scallop fishing.
In the East Greenwich Palladium of November, 1SC7, some quotable statements; appeared.
"Only a few years ago Cowesett Bay * * contained but few scallops or oysters.
Clams and quahaugs were from time immemorial abundant along its shores. * * * Some six
years ago it was found by a few fishermen that large quantities of scallops had planted themselves
upon the sand-bars and grassy flats in the bay, and that they were approaching a size suitable
,'or table. The next year they were taken in small quantities. Subsequently the scallop fishery
was carried on extensively, employing, perhaps, fifty boats and nearly one hundred men from
September to ]\Iay. Hundreds of bushels were caught daily, cut out, and sent to order from all
points of the compass to market. Many thousand gallons were disposed of last year * * * at
prices that well paid the fishermen."
Later it was said : " The scallops have had to retreat from the bay to a great extent. * * f
A new bed of 50 acres lying between Warwick Neck, the Middle ground, and the Spindle, in the
shape of a triangle, has just been discovered, where the scallops are large and plenty, and where
every pleasant day a score of boats may be seen."
My information is, that in the winter of 1879-'SO there were ninety boats in the fleet. But
Mr. Kuiulien, relying upon the estimates of Mr. William Wilson,' a large dealer, gives the number
of boats as eighty, and intimates that additional boats from Massachusetts and elsewhere often
dredge in the bay. These boats are nearly all cat-rigged, there being only two or three sloops
and several small sharpies. At an average valuation of $150, they would sum up $12,000 as a
total.
To man these Greenwich boats and ''cutout" the meats employs about one hundred hands,
rwenty-five or thirty of whom are women and girls. This is in 1880; in 1879 less were employed
in catching, but nearly double the number in opening for market. The previous year (1878) was
an unusually good one in this business, and Mr. Wilson alone employed about twenty hands.
There are several methods of conducting this fishery here. The man who owns the boat may
catch tor himself or on shares with his companion. Shippers often furnish boats, dredges, &c.,
and pay various prices, at a certain rate per bushel, from 10 cents upward, according to the abun-
dance or scarcity of the stock. The opening is rarely done in the boats, since the throwing over-
board of the offal and waste matter (here known as " gaucli ") is considered injurious to the beds,
and the practice gives an opportunity for fraud under the State law, as is charged against some
Providence craft. Moreover, there is sale for the shells to neighboring oyster planters, to be used
as " stools" for oyster spat to catch upon.
A law of the State of Khode Island alluded to, specifies in respect to Greenwich Bay that
TUB SCALLOP FISHERY. 577
IID| more than 15 bushels of scallops shall be taken by one boat in one day, and only between the
15tb of September and tbe 15th of May. In respect to this law Mr. Kumlien says: "We are
informed that certain of the scallopers were instrumental in getting this law passed, in the hopes
of raising the price; when they found it did not serve that purpose, they were the first to break-
it. We are informed the law is of no account at all. Quantities are stolen long before the time
allowed, and the majority of the boats take all they can get, as they can fish only when there is a
wind." Though I heard dissatisfaction expressed with the law, I was assured, when I was there,
that the law was well kept by all the Greenwich scallopers at least, and, indeed, by everybody.
Kadi man's jealousy of his neighbor's getting an advantage over him, a feeling which seems far
more strongly developed among the followers of the sea than among any class of landsmen I
know of, prompted an incessant watch upon one another's movements, the sharpness of which
was increased by the knowledge that to the informant went half the fine levied upon conviction.
No one seemed to have any better protective measure to propose, at any rate.
Restricted by this law and the circumstances, the catch of Greenwich Bay during the six
active weeks in the autumn of 1879 was closely estimated at 24,000 bushels. Mr. Wilson con-
siders this equal to 24,000 gallons, but I think they would hardly measure so much, and would
prefer to say 20,000 gallons. At CO cents per gallon (which the fishermen consider too low to be
profitable or encouraging even) the value of the catch would be $12,000. The bulk of the scallops
caught here go to New York, but Providence, Newport, and Connecticut towns receive small but
regular supplies. They bear a high reputation in all markets.
To the value of the boats must be added five hundred dredges, at $4 apiece, making $2,000
and about $500 for other accoutennents. The total floating capital invested in the scallop fishery
here is, then, $14,500.
At Wickford, R. I., there live a few scallopers, and three boats are owned ; but these have
been included in the statistics of Greenwich Bay, where they do all their fishing.
LONG ISLAND SOUND. — Though formerly there were an abundance of scallops on the Connecticut
coast, as is recorded by the early writers, no catching of them there now is profitable. This is true
of all Long Island Sound, apparently, though occasional catches are made at long intervals. At
Oyster Bay, Mr. Fred. Mather was told that every few years they had a crop of scallops, and that
in 1S80 there were large numbers of young, as large as a quarter-dollar, to be seen. The fishermen
told him that there were always a few. Hernpstead Bay formerly possessed them, but they have
now wholly disappeared from its area. Five years ago (1875) these shell-fish were plentiful in Port
Jefl'erson Harbor, being taken by the boat-load. After an almost entire absence, about 250 gallons
were caught and opened in 1880. The irregularity of Northport Harbor has already been men-
tioned. The last occasion when they appeared in force was in 1878, during which year the crop
was said to be 10,000 bushels, which would perhaps "open" 7,500 gallons, worth $4,000. I am
inclined to think this a large estimate, however. A few years ago, it is said, scallops were com-
mon enough off Bridgeport, Conn., but have now wholly disappeared, the few that are caught
anywhere in that neighborhood there finding a prompt local sale.
THE SCALLOP INDUSTRY AT EAST END OF LONG ISLAND. — In Peconic and the other bays at
the eastern end of Long Island, inclosed by Montauk and Orient Points and Gardiner's Island, is
the very important scallop ground and fishery to which I have already alluded as having its head-
quarters at New Suffolk, or Cutchogue, as it is known to the Post-Office Depaitment and railway
people. Here this industry takes the place of an oyster-culture or clam-digging, and ranks high
as a means of support to the people along the shore. In October of 1879 the account of this
fishery, already quoted, was printed in the New York Herald, which I am glad to copy and con-
SEC. v, VOL. ii 37
578
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
dense, since it has been approved as trustworthy by Mr. O. B. Goldsmith and other experienced
persons living at New Suflblk:
"New Suffolk, Long Island, situated on the north shore, and midway of the length of Great
Peconic Bay, whose waters reach from Greenport, on Long Island Sound, to Riverhead, a distance
of 40 miles, is the great fishing-ground. * * * The favorite grounds lie in a line drawn
from northwest to southeast across the bay from New Suffolk toward Southampton, on the eastern
shore. Here the scallops are always found."
The history of their discovery and the origin of the business has been detailed in a letter to
the Census Bureau by Capt. Ira B. Tuthill, jr., of New Suffolk. He says New Suffolk is the
chief, and has the largest number of individuals engaged in the trade. ''Fourteen vessels, in size
from the cat-rigged sail-boat of a couple of tons register to the schooner-rigged vessel of twenty,
hail from New Suffolk. The crews run from a man and a boy on the smaller to a half dozen able-
bodied men on the larger boats. The work is of the hardest and the coldest sort. No one that
has not the constitution of a horse could stand it. No weather is severe enough to keep these
hardy, tough men from making a catch whenever a 'bed' is found. The wages are not high —
are really low when the exposure incident to the trade is remembered — but the work comes in at
a time of year when there is little demand for labor, and hence the men for the work are easily
procured. As was the case years ago in the whale fishery, boats are built or purchased for the
special purpose. The owner or owners receive such a proportkm for interest money, the captain
of the boat gets a 'lay' in the profits instead of wages, while the men will average $1.50 a day
for their earnings. * * * The largest vessels of the fleet engaged in the scallop trade are as
named below :
Names of vessels.
Names of captains.
Port.
Emma "Wilson
MaryBpyea
Frank Acker
T. Billard
New Suffolk.
Do.
Do
Flora
Mary
Cloud
Steve Heffern
Thomas Edwards
Stacy Webb
Do.
Do.
Do
C Halsey
Do
Nightingale
Eva
Patrick Gowen
Do.
Do
Do
Blackbird
Do
Do
Skitterer
Warren Wells
Mattitnck
W. Reeves
Do
Little Maid
Walter Girard
A. Overton
Do.
Do
H Howell
Do
The origin of this business in that locality is recent.
The fishing season lasts from October to April, but the catch varies from year to year. In
1877 it seems to have been remarkably high, 80,000 bushels, yielding 40,000 gallons (it is esti-
mated), having gone to New York from this locality. The price, however, ran down as low as 50
cents per gallon, barely paying expenses. In 1878 only 20,000 gallons were produced, or half
the previous season's yield, and in 1879 it was lighter yet. In 1857, the sloop Tradesman (40 or 50
tons), of Norwalk, Conn, (the captain of which was afterwards light-house keeper at Norwalk
Islands), came over to Long Island in search of scallops. After trying in several parts of Gardiner's
Bay without success, they started up the Peconic, and, being oystermen, they had some idea as to
THE SCALLOP FISHERY.
579
the sort of bottom suitable to the animals they were looking for. After several unsuccessful trials
they "hove their dredges off the northeastern point of Kobin's Island, opposite New Suffolk, and
when they hauled them in found them solid-full of scallops." Anchoring there at night, they
renewed work the next morning, and soon had taken up 750 bushels, with which they departed.
A few days later a second large sloop appeared, and after a day's dredging carried away
about 1,000 bushels. Scallops had been taken out of the bay and eaten by the people on its shores
ever since the first settlement of the region, but only in small quantities, caught by a hand-net
or picked up at low tide. What use was to be found for whole ship-loads, therefore, excited much
questioning among the bay-men. This resulted in the discovery, by the next summer, that there
was a considerable demand for scallops in Norwalk, Bridgeport, New Haven, and other Connecti.
cut towns. C. W. Fanning, George I. and O. H. Tuthill of New Suffolk, therefore began to com-
pete with the sloops, which still came from across the sound. Late in the season one of the
citizens tried the experiment of shipping to New York, sending 7 gallons in a common nail-
keg. The commission merchant in Fulton market to whom they were consigned replied that
nobody knew what they were, but that if Mr. Tuthill would send a few in the shell they might
be made to go. Accordingly a box of scallops in their jackets were shipped to New York, and
in a week $3 was returned as the proceeds of their sale. This was the beginning of a scallop
business which now amounts to $15,000 or $20,000 a year. New Suffolk remains the natural center
and headquarters, because the facilities to open the scallops are better there than elsewhere, and
the village is nearest the most productive grounds, which are on the northern side of Peconic Bay.
The catch in 1879, it is reported, was only about 20,000 bushels, or 12,000 gallons ; conse-
quently prices were high, the skippers often selling on the shore for as high as $1.25 or $1.50 per
gallon. It is probable, however, that an average of 75 cents would be fully as high as the truth
would permit, which would make $9,000 the value of the whole catch.
For the season of 1880, which has been far better, owing, no doubt, in a large degree to the
openness of the previous winter, the record of the catch has been very carefully worked out by
Mr. Fred. Mather, and I give his figures without change, embodying them in a table which com-
prehends the scallop-fishing interest of all Peconic Bay :
Statistics of scallop industry of Peconic Bay, Long Island, in 1880.
Places.
Bushels.
Gallons.
Pounds.
Value.
Men.
Women and
children.
Estimated
investment.
2 222
1 111
10, 000
$666 60
10
54
Southhold
8,888
4,444
40, 000
2,666 40
2
13
4 000
2 000
18 000
1 200 00
20
50
1 666
833
8 500
699 60
16
61
4 000
2 000
18 000
1 200 00
5
17
New Suffolk
18, 000
9,000
81, 000
5, 400 00
90
110
$20, 000
Franklinville
1,776
888
8,000
532 80
4
10
Sag Harbor
11,110
5,555
50, 000
3, 333 00
30
100
10 000
5 000
45, 000
3,000 00
10
41
East Hampton
888
444
4,000
260 40
2
6
Bridgehampton . .
1,776
888
8,000
532 80
4
10
Totals
54,326
32, 163
290, 500
19,491 60
193
471
Amount earned by men, $15,632.04 ; amount earned by women and children, $3,859.56. Sale of 50,000 bushels of shells, at 2J cents, $1,250.
Concerning the facts represented by the figures given above, some remarks will be advisable.
Of the 90 men credited to New Suffolk, 70 are fishermen and 20 are openers. Out of the 200
persons engaged in this industry, 8 are Scotch, 12 Irish, 4 German, and 176 Americans. Of the
90 men, 50 are married, and in all 340 persons are dependent, giving an average of about $57
580 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
apiece income all rouud for each season. The fleet averages 100 bushels (iu shell) a day, or
18,000 for the past season, each of which will produce half a gallon of meats on the average, or
9,000 gallons in all. The price for opening was formerly 25 cents a gallon ; but it came down iu 1879
to 15 cents and in 1880 to 12 cents, but if prices are good it is expected to go back to 15 cents.
The total earned by the openers at New Suffolk (almost wholly women and children) last season,
was $1,080; divided among 110, this gives each one hardly $10, but of course the distribution was
far from equal. The average earnings of the 70 fishermen amounted to $97.40. These figures
closely represent the average of the whole $19,491 received by the shore people for the scallops
sold.
The " rims " or refuse, which was formerly sold at $1 per barrel to the fertilizer factories, is
now usually retained by each proprietor for his own land. Some of the scallop-boats are used in
the clam trade during the " off season."
NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHWARD. — Scallops are taken to a very small extent at different points
on the coast of New Jersey and southward, but nowhere enter into 'trade, so far as I can learn,
except at Morehead City, N. C., there being a large bed of them iu Bogue Sound, just opposite that
town. Fishermen there have long taken them for local use and have shipped a few to the nearer
northern markets from time to time. In the winter of 1876-'77 the business reached its height and
several thousand gallons were sent north, a few going as far as Philadelphia and New Tork. Since
this date few have been shipped and the supply is consumed locally.
The height of the season is from December to February 15, though they are abundant during
the entire year. In winter fifteen or twenty men and boys often engage in this fishery, while five
or six continue the business during the summer months. An average catch is from 4 to 6 bushels
at a tide, the fishermen wading for them on the grassy shoals, that are nearly dry at low water.
Ten thousand bushels would probably be a high estimate of the total yearly crop, opening, say,
7,500 gallons. Formerly 60 cents a gallon was the price, but in 1880 they brought only 40 cents.
The supply is regulated wholly by the demand, and if a market could be found for them at good
prices a considerable quantity could be obtained.
SCALLOPS IN CALIFORNIA. — The scallop occurs on the southern coast of California, in a species
resembling Pecten irradians. Prof. D. S. Jordan writes me that it is very abundant about Wilming-
ton in the lagoons, where it is caught by any one inclined to go for it, and sells in Wilmington at
25 to 50 cents a bucket. It is liked by the people, but there is no regular market or trade. It is
now several years since Dr. E. E. C. Stearns expressed his surprise that the San Diego scallop had
not been introduced into the San Francisco markets, and prophesied that it soon would be.
STATISTICS OP SCALLOP FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC STATES.
Statistics furnished from New York and Brooklyn give an idea of the consumption, and are
repeated below. It is said that in the New York markets Rliode Island scallops bring better prices
than Long Island ones. "New York dealers tell me," says Mather, "that the former are larger,
and that it is the custom of the Long Island men to wash their scallops too much .in fresh water,
which causes them to swell and look good and to measure more, but that they shrink up small
when cooked. Three gallons of open scallops placed in fresh water overnight will swell to 4 gallons
by morning. Salt water does not swell them."
Mr. Lamphier reports that iu 1880 there were used in Fulton market alone 29,499 gallons, and
in Brooklyn and other suburbs 25,501 gallons more, making 55,000 gallons iu all.
THE CLAM FISHERIES. 581
This sliows that New York City absorbs four-fifths of all the scallops caught oil our coast, which,
so far as this investigation goes, aggregate as follows:
Gallons of meats.
Buzzard's Bay 6,400
Colt's Kiver 6,000
Uhode Island , 20, 000
Long Island 32,163
New Jersey and southward 7,500
Total 72,063
Value, at 40 cents per gallon, f 28,825.20.
3. THE CLAM FISHERIES.
1. THE PEINCIPAL SPECIES OF AMERICAN CLAMS USED FOB FOOD.
The ''clams" of commerce in the United States are of various species, differing widely in all
features except the single quality of being edible bivalves. This permits the including of nearly
all the double-shelled inollusks. The list, enumerating those most commonly used, is as follows :
ATLANTIC COAST.
Mya arenaria. Soft clam.
Venus mercenarla. Quahaug or hard clam.
Mactra solidissima. Surf or sea clam.
Cyprina islandica. False quahaug.
CaUista gi/antea. Painted clam.
(Inathodon cuneatus. Cuneata clam.
PACIFIC COAST.
I'm-lnjderma crassateUoides. Hen clam.
tiajcidomus aratus. Round clam.
Chione succincta. Little neck clam.
Mactra falcata. Western surf clam.
Schizothcerus nuttalli. Gapers.
Macoma nasuta. Telleus.
Semele decisa. Flat clam.
It is my purpose to treat of these separately, since the circumstances of their distribution,
gathering, and sale favor it, and 1 will begin with that most important, probably, to the Atlantic
coast, the clam, par excellence.
(a) FISHERY FOR SOFT CLAMS.
2. NATURAL HISTORY OF MYA ARENARIA.
The common names of Mya arenaria are numerous. North of Cape Cod it is simply the "clam,"
distinguished, if at all, by the name " soft clam." In Long Island Sound and at New York it is
most spoken of as the "long clam" and "squirt clam." English books and people call it the
"sand-gaper," the "old maid," &c.
A moist and muddy clam is not altogether an attractive object. Yet there is much about it
582 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
that is interesting. Take up one of those Mya clams, for instance, and look at it. The two
oblong, slight, bluish-white shells hold within an unintelligible yellowish mass, while projecting
from one end is a blackish, wrinkled lump that, upon being irritated, quickly withdraws, throwing
out at the same time a stream of water, while the shells shut tightly together. But put this
forbidding looking creature in a shallow pan of fresh sea-water 12 or 15 inches in length. Although
this, its natural element, is no doubt instantly grateful to it, the animal must be left quietly for a
few hours before it recovers confidence. Then the blackened tube — of which a glimpse was
afforded before — gradually protrudes from between the margins of the two halves or valves of the
shell, and slowly extends itself until a length of several inches is displayed. Now it is easy to see
that this organ has two openings at the end, beautifully fringed with appendages like little feelers,
and mottled with the richest brown. It really, then, consists of two tubes, one on top of the other,
leading to the body of the clam, and if you observe the openings closely, you will see a current of
water flowing into one of them, and another current pouring as steadily out of the other. These
currents are produced by the tremulous motion of innumerable minute hairs (cilia) that line the
interior of the animal. The extensile and contractile double tube is termed the "siphon," and the
currents "siphonal currents."
The anatomy of the clam, like that of nearly all bivalved mollusks, is very simple. Forcing
them open, we find that the two halves of the shell are held together by a pair of strong muscles,
but if the animal would keep his doors quite closed he must exert a continued effort, since immedi-
ately beneath the hinge, occupying a little cup-shaped projection like a bracket, is an elastic
substance which acts to throw the valves a little apart when the muscles are relaxed, just as a
piece of india-rubber squeezed into the hinge of a door would tend to open it as soon as the
pressure was removed. Having taken off one valve, we find lining it — and the other as well — a thin
membrane, called the mantle. The scalloped border which follows the edges of the shells is thick-
ened and united, except a small slit through which the " foot " projects at the end opposite the
siphon. The foot is a tough and muscular organ serving as an excavator. Within the mantle are
the curtain-like gills, between which lie the muscles that operate the foot and siphon, the abdomen
and the viscera, which form the principal edible parts. The mouth is just under the forward
transverse muscle, and opens almost directly i:.to the stomach. The intestine, after several
turns, goes back directly through the heart to its orifice near the mouth. The ordinary length of
the shell is about 3 inches, but it is not uncommon to find it much larger, while the siphon may
be projected fully a foot.
In this country the Mya clams are found from South Carolina to the Arctic Ocean, where the
seals, walrus, polar bear, and Arctic fox feed upon them whenever they have a chance. They are
scarce south of Cape Hatteras, and most abundant on the New England coast. They occur on the
northern coasts of Europe as far south as England and France, on the northeastern coast of Asia,
in Japan, and in Alaska. It is therefore essentially a northern species, and had the same general
distribution as far back as the pliocene and miocene ages of geology.
Soft clams are everywhere denizens of the beach between tide-marks. The soil that suits
them best is sand, with a large admixture of gravel or mud, but all sorts of places are occupied
where the water is sufficiently brackish and where it is possible for them to burrow. The
specimens that live on the outer sandy beaches have a much whiter, thinner, and more regular
shell than those found in estuaries; they are often really delicate in texture, and covered, even
when full grown, witli a thin, yellowish epidermis, making a striking difference between them and
the homely, rough, mud-colored specimens usually seen in the markets. Now, as in 1G16, when
< -apt. -Tohn Smith wrote "You shal scarce find nny Baye, Shallow Shore or Cove of sand, wyere
THE CLAM FISHERIES. 583
yon may not take many Clatnpes," these inollusks are very numerous. More than a hundred, of
different sizes, are said to be sometimes dug from a single square foot of ground in Boston Harbor.
On such beaches as I have mentioned, the young clam, as soon as old enough, turns his head
dowii, and pushing out his foot, which he can fold into various shapes, " now a dibble or spade, a
trepan or pointed graving tool, a hook, a sharp wedge," he digs his way straight down, C or 8
inches into the sand, leaving stretched behind him his siphonal tubes, to keep up his communica-
tion with the surface. When the water over him is deep, the siphons are thrust well out; when
shallow, as in some tide pool, only the fringe of short tentacles is visible above the closely
impacted mud, and when, as happens most of the time, in the case of those clams whose home is
near high-tide mark, there is no water over him at all, his tubes are withdrawn wholly into the
sand.
Confined in his burrow deep in the earth, the clam cannot roam in search of food. It is, there-
fore, to bring sustenance to it that the tubes are pushed up into the sea and the cilia set in motion.
A current of water is sucked in, bearing microscopic particles, as aliment for the stomach, and
bringing oxygen to revivify the blood brought into contact with it in the gills. Its burden
unloaded, the available residue of the water flows out through the discharging siphon, carrying
with it all excrementitious matter, and a continuous current is thus kept up. It is never " long
between drinks" with this bivalve, which may, perhaps, account for the origin of the adage
"happy as a clam."
The spawning season, according to the fishermen, occurs in June and July. The eggs, issuing
from the ovaries of the female, find their way into the cavities of the outer gills, where they are
fructified. There they develop until the eggs are furnished with triangular, vellum-like shells
just large enough to be seen, which are discharged by thousands into the water and left to take
care of themselves. How long it is before they reach a sufficient size to settle down in life and
construct a burrow for themselves is unknown — probably not a great while. It is doubtful indeed
whether one in a hundred ever fulfills that domestic ambition before being swallowed by some one
of the numberless aquatic birds, fishes, and crabs, that are on the lookout for just such tidbits.
Nevertheless the little clams do their " level best," anchoring themselves by a slender thread to
the bottom, and holding on against the currents with all their might.
Beds of soft clams are sometimes of vast extent, and are usually found in sheltered parts of
the coast, where the action of the waves is not sufficiently strong seriously to disturb the beach.
The inside of the long sandy neck connecting Nahant with Lynn, for example, is filled with them,
while on the outside, where the surf pounds, not one is to be found. They are sought at low tide,
betraying their hiding places by squirting water up when the sand is shaken or pressed. That is
the spot to drive in your spade. Since the days of the Mayflower, hogs have had sagacity enough
to discover the situation of the buried bivalves at low water, and to root them out and devour
them, for no less than 250 years ago old Thomas Morton recorded that this diet " makes the swine
prove exceedingly," and Wood, in his " New England Prospect " (1634), remarks:
"These fishes be in great plenty in most parts of the country, which is a great commodity for
the feeding of swine both in winter and summer, for, being once used to those places, they will
repair to them as duly every ebb as if they were driven to them by keepers."
Long Island farmers and their swine are of the same opinion and practice still.
Such clams as have been unlucky e»ough to be washed out and cast high up by some rude
breaker, and yet escape the pigs, are quickly seized upon by gulls, cormorants, crows, and other
large birds that frequent the shore. During the winter months when ice is often piled high
upon the northern beaches, the clams bury themselves more deeply than ordinary, and get along
584
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
as well as they cau. They seem able to endure great cold without harm. Professor Agassizfouud
within their shells icicles, which did not incommode them in the least.
The utilization of the soft clam as human food and as bait forms an important element of the
marine wealth and industries of the United States, and has been carefully kept in view during the
progress of the present investigations.
3. SOFT-CLAM FISHERY OF MAINE.
Though occurring in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, clams are little eaten there. In the Bay of
Fundy, however, they are constantly dug in sufficient quautity for household use, and the shell-
heaps left by the Indians consist almost wholly of these shells. The absence of extensive mud
flats bordering the sea along this precipitous and rock-bound coast, however, makes it unsuitable for
the growth of clams to any great extent until the bay at Jonesport, Me., is reached, where between
that town and Rogue Island are very important diggings. From there all along the shore to
West Goldsborough these mollusks are got in variable quantities. At West Gouldsborough, how-
ever, they exist in great abundance. The next important point is Mount Desert, or rather Bartlett's
Island, close by, .which yields more than Mount Desert; beyond which few are found as far as Eg-
gemoggin Reach, where between Deer Island and the mainland enormous quantities of clams are
got for local consumption and for sale. Northward of this point, Isleborough, in the mouth of the
the Peuobscot River, is a very productive ground, but between the Penobscot and Casco Bay there
are only small diggings, nor any deserving special mention between Portland and Portsmouth.
The point of special interest on this coast, as a clam locality, is Deer Island, not only because
of its extreme productiveness, but also because it is the only place in the United States where
women make a practice of digging clams.
For statistics of the coast of Maine I am indebted to Mr. R. E. Earll, of the U. S. Fish Com-
mission, who furnishes them as follows :
Locality, 1879.
Product.
Value.
Bushels.
1,500
$525
20 100
6 916
Frenchman's Bay cuatom-house district
15, 153
58 520
5,144
15 142
7,265
1,980
Waldoborough custom-house district
Bath and "Wiscasset
14, 798
16, 628
3,756
4,851
Portland
62 352
15 618
South of Portland
122, 067
36, 124
318 383
90 056
As I have intimated, the greater part, perhaps nine-tenths, of these clams are prepared for
bait, an account of which is deferred until a later paragraph. Those used as food are eaten at
home by the persons catching, who are the farmers and villagers living near the shore, or who come
down, picnic fashion, from the interior, as did the Indians of yore, to enjoy a feast of clams and
sea-side recreation, or they are disposed of in the markets of the coast towns. I think few are sent
to Boston from farther away than Scarborough, in Maine. According to the History of Scarborough,
by the way, " It was not until within a few years [previous to 1852] that any of our citizens made
it a part of their yearly business to procure clam-bait for the fishermen on the Banks. The clam-flats
have now become a source of considerable profit to many of the townsmen. During the winter
and spring of the present year (1852) they have procured nearly 2,000 barrels of this bait."
THE CLAM FISHERIES. 585
It follows, from the nature of the case, that along this northern coast, where foreigners are few,
and nearly everybody, however estimable or well to do, works with his hands and is largely con-
cerned in fishing and other marine industries, those who "go clamming" suffer no Jess of social
respect on account of their humble employment, nor do they deserve to by reason of any more
"shiftless" and loose behavior than characterizes the majority of their fellow citizens. I point
this out here, because as I advance down the coast into different conditions of society the reader
will find a great change in the morale of the clam-digging fraternity.
4. SOFT-CLAM FISHERY OF MASSACHUSETTS.
GENERAL REVIEW. — Leaving Maine, all the coast of Massachusetts Bay is found to be a highly
productive region for soft clams, and an immense trade is supported, centering iu Boston.
The abundance of clams was a matter of great solace and profit to the Puritan colonists, as
quaintly expressed chronicles bear witness. For example, it is recorded in the early annals of
Plymouth that a good man, in a time of scarcity of food, asked his pastor to dine on clams, and
returned thanks that they were permitted " to suck of the treasure hid in the mud." That was
surely being jolly under creditable circumstances. In his " New England Canaan," 1632, Thomas
Morton mentions among the riches of the New World certain fishes and inollusks, among which
our Mya is prominent.*
The digging of clams is the winter occupation, whenever weather will permit, of all the people
who live along the shore and get their living from the sea wherever suitable flats are accessible,
and the business is quite as high in repute and remunerative as the fishing. It has changed but
little in its general features since described in "Peter Gott, the Cape Ann fisherman," as practiced
twenty-five years ago on the Ipswich Banks :
"When the tide is out, on pleasant winter days, one will often see gangs of ten, twenty, or
fifty men and boys busily employed iu turning up the mud on the flats, and picking up the clams
into buckets. The implement which they use is a stout fork, with three flat prongs, each about an
inch wide and 10 or 12 inches long. The men go out on the flats in wherries, when the tide is
retiring, and push an oar into the mud and make fast the boat to it, and as soon as the water has
left the boat commence operations. When a bucket is filled it is emptied into the boat. They
continue their work until the tide comes in again sufficiently to float the boat, when they pull to
the wharf.
" On many places on the shores of these flats there are groups of small huts, 10 or 12 feet
square, with stone chimneys running up on the outside, furnished within with a small stove and
two or three stools for seats. The clams are deposited in these huts, and in those parts of the day
when the tide is in, so that the men cannot work out on the flats, and in stormy weather they are
employed iu shocking them, as it is called, that is, iu opening the shell and taking out the clam,
which is done with a small, stout knife. As the clams are taken from the shell they are dropped
into a bucket; \vheu the bucket is filled they are emptied into a barrel. Around these huts it is
not uncommon to see heaps of clam shells larger than the huts themselves, the accumulations of
a winter's labor. The clam diggers sell the produce of their labor to traders, who send their
*Morton says: Mnstles there are infinite store. I have often gon to Wassaguscus, where were excellent Mustles
to eate (for variety) the fish is so fat and large.
( 'lames is a shell-fish, which I have scene sold iu Westminster for 12 pe. the skore. These our swine feede upon ;
and nf them there is no want, every shore is full, it makes the swine proove exceedingly, they will not faile at low
water to be with them. The Salvages are much taken with the delight of this fishe ; and are not cloyed (notwith-
standing the, plenty) lor our swine we finde it a good commodity.
K'aser fishes then; are.
Freeles there are, Cockles and Seal lopes and divers other sorts of Sholl-fishe, very good foode.
586 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
teams around to the huts weekly or daily, according to the weather, and carry them to their store-
houses, and repack aiid salt them and head them up in barrels, when they are ready for the
market."
The price paid in Massachusetts is considerably higher than the average price in Maine,
because of the nearness to a good market, and may be placed at 39 cents.
The great majority of the clams dug here, as northward, are made into bait, rather than sent
to market. There are a few boats, of small size (dories chiefly), which regularly come to Boston
during the colder half of the year with from forty to two hundred baskets of clams, which they
offer for sale at retail down on the wharves, lounging against the railing and smoking or whittling,
with a sample-basket at their feet, while waiting for a customer. Three or four oyster firms there
also deal in clams and other shell-fish. Estimating the combined sales of these merchants, afloat
and ashore, I conclude that the whole consumption of Boston and its shipping custom amounts to
about 60,000 bushels yearly, worth to the wholesaler about $50,000. Exports of clams to the
amount of $11,846 were made in 1879.
NEWBTJRYPOBT TO GLOUCESTER. — Beginning at Newburyport, Mass., the following statistics
of supply and incidents of the local fishery are available, for much of which I owe thanks to Mr.
W. A. Wilcox, Dnited States Fish Commission, of Gloucester. At Newburyport clam digging is
followed when little else can be done by those who follow fishing. At these seasons of scarcity
the banks at the mouth of the Merrimac are resorted to by nearly four huudred men (half as many
can sometimes be seen at once), who dig up good wages, the amount dependent only upon their
industry, for the supply seems inexhaustible, and increasing rather than diminishing. In 1860 the
crop was valued at from $10,000 to $15,000 annually. In 1880 Mr. Wilcox reports thirty boats,
worth $750, and sixty men constantly and professionally engaged in clamming. Their product was
28,800 bushels, worth $11,520.
The next center of clam digging is at Ipswich, where long ago its importance was recognized
by the settlers, and was legislated upon fn a precautionary way.
In 1763 the Ipswich authorities forbade the digging of more clams than were needed for the
use of the people of the town and for fishing vessels, allowing one barrel for each of a crew to the
banks and in proportiou for boats in the bay. In 1771 it was enacted that " owners of vessels are
to pay 6d. a barrel. The poor may dig and sell clams out of town for 2s. a barrel." In 1789 the
town voted to let the clam-flats and sand-banks at the rate of Is. a barrel for clams. At that time
1,000 barrels of clams were annually dug and sold in Boston and elsewhere for bait, counting five
hundred to six hundred a barrel of shelled clams.
"At present," says Mr. Wilcox, " the clam digging or flats extend from Eowley southward 10 miles,
to Essex, with a width of half a mile. At Essex and elsewhere the clam beds have been plowed,
but the experiment was found unprofitable. The State law permits any fisherman to dig 2 bushels
for bait. The town law places the clam-flats in the hands of the selectmen, who give a license to
work on them only to citizens. All others working there are liable to arrest, a fine of $1 a bushel
for all clams dug, and confiscation of all tools. This law is strictly enforced. For the last ten
years no close season has been observed, and during this time the clams have steadily decreased
in abundance. To arrest this decadence a close season was proclaimed in 1880, no clams being
dug from May 15 to October 15 of each year, except for fishing-bait, as before mentioned.
Attempts at cultivation have failed hitherto.
" During 1879, from March to June, seventy-five men were engaged in the business, and fifty
men from November until March. During 1879, 500 barrels were put up as bait, a very small
amount compared with the thousands of barrels recorded a few years ago. On the other hand, a
THE CLAM FISHERIES. 587
large demand has recently sprung up from Boston and other towns for clanis as food. From June
to September of 1880, 40 barrels aweek were shipped in shell from Ipswich to Salem, and between
December and March 60 barrels a week to Boston and elsewhere. From December 1 to April 1
280 gallons a week were shipped open to be eaten, chiefly to Boston."
The present prices realized by the diggers are as follows, for various uses :
To be eaten :
For clams in shell, per barrel $1 00
For clams shelled, per gallon 25
As bait :
Sshelled, fresh, per barrel 4 00
Shelled, salted, per barrel 3 00
Shelled, per water-bucket 50
Mr. Wilcox estimates the clam outfit of the locality to be worth $1,650, comprised in thirty-
five dories, fifteen small boats, and sundry implements. The product of the digging in 1880 he
gives as follows :
750 barrels shelled $3,000
480 barrels in shell 480
4,480 gallons 1,120
Total .. 4i60o
This, he says, equals 11,500 bushels, which would give an average price per bushel of 40 cents,
and average annual receipts for each of the one hundred and twenty-five diggers of about $37.
From the clam flats in Essex and Annisquam Eivers about 20,000 to 25,000 bushels are annu-
ally gathered. Some of these are salted for bait in the fisheries from Gloucester, but the greater
part is shipped to Boston either in the shell or "shucked."
BOSTON AND VICINITY.— In Boston Harbor clams are much depleted, owing to the fact that
they are remorselessly dug the year through, chiefly by a class of ignorant foreigners who go down
the harbor for the purpose. July and August are the most productive months, there being a large
demand for the " clam bakes," which picnic parties from the cities indulge in on the various beaches.
All the clams got in Boston Harbor are very small because they are allowed little chance to grow;
in March and April they are hardly worth eating. It is difficult to judge of the amount caught in
Boston Harbor annually, but I think 40,000 bushels is not far out of the way.
South of Boston, Plymouth and Duxbury beaches form the first important stations. The whole
shore there, a citizen of Plymouth said to me, was " saturated " with them. The young clams would
sometimes whiten a flat " as though it had snowed." He had known them gathered by simply dig-
ging a regular treuch and picking up the mollusks thrown out. The digging is mainly done in the
winter, when a large class of men are employed every day. They sell them, opened, at 10 cents a
"bucket" or pailful for small ones. Large ones are now scarce, not being given time to grow,
and are kept in the shell for the Plymouth and Boston markets. But great quantities of clams
not bigger than a dollar are hawked through the interior by peddlers.
At the time of my visit they were very scarce, and the tide allowed digging only very early in
the morning or late at night ; and the total catch of 1880, according to Mr. Wilcox, was only 5,000
bushels at Plymouth and 5,000 at Duxbury, worth about 50 cents per bushel, or $5,000.
CLAM FISHERIES AT CAPE COD. — At Harwich, says Mr. F. W. True, there are fifteen men who
rako in winter at Pleasant Bay. They average 75 bushels each, or 1,125 bushels in all, worth nearly
$400.
This brings us to Chatham, one of the most important places on the coast for soft clams. My
statistics concerning it are based on the reports gathered by Mr. True.
588 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
The clain fishery at Chatham as a business dates back about fifteen years. It began in small
proportions and has grown rapidly, especially since the decline of the fishing business in general.
Many men do not now realize enough from their summer fishing to support their families upon
during the winter ; they must dig clams or starve. There are also many old men whose time of
offshore fishing has gone by, and who must content themselves with inshore fishing in summer
and clam raking in winter. From these two classes the force of clam fishermen in most part comes.
With them, however, are many youths who still live under the paternal roof, but whose fathers
are unable to support them. Altogether about one hundred and fifty men dig for clams every
winter in Chatham Harbor, beginning in November and raking every fair day until April. The
tools used are short-handled, three-pronged iron rakes. The law of the State applying to these
flats is as follows :
" No fisherman or any other person shall take from the towns of Chatham and Nautucket any
shell- fish, for bait or other use, except clams and a shell-fish commonly known by the name of
horse-feet; and no quantity exceeding seven bushels of clams, including the shells, or one
hundred of said horse-feet shall be taken in one week for each vessel or craft, nor in any case
without a permit being first obtained from the selectmen of the town."*
Following is Mr. F. W. True's report, made in 1880, on the present condition of the fishery :
" About five years ago Mr. Taylor's father took about 150 barrels to Provincetown, where they
were looked upon with favor. Since that time and until last year the business rapidly increased.
The clams are sold by the fishermen to three of four firms in the grocery business in Chatham,
who advance them credit, hold the clams over until spring, and then sell them at good prices. This
is to the advantage of the fishermen, and makes a little trade for the shops. Usually about 700
barrels of salt clams are sold each year at $4 per barrel. This is equal to about 4,800 bushels.
Each man would get about 5 "barrels as an average, but some who are very persistent and success-
ful take 25 barrels. In the winter of 1877-'78 the sea-clam fishery at Dennis Port was a partial
failure, and in that year 1,000 barrels of Chathams were sold. Last winter (187S-'79) clams were
scarce at Chatham and not much over 400 barrels were taken. These weie all salted and sold for
bait at much higher rates than previously. It happened last year that cod were very abundant in
Proviucetowu Harbor, and as a consequence bait was in demand. Chatham is but a short distance
from Proviucetowu by rail. As fresh bait is always preferred to salt bait, a large amount of clains
were sent from Chatham out of the shell but not salted. Probably about 300 barrels were shipped
for immediate use.
" In addition to this catch by citizens, for the past three years a Boston dealer has sent down
a team to cart clains from Chatham to the depot at Harwich, and hired men at 25 cents per bushel
to dig them. It is supposed that he took in the neighborhood of 2,000 barrels of clams in the shell
each year.
" The citizens of Chatham feel very much offended at having their fisheries disturbed by an
outsider and appealed to the General Court for protection."
Examination of this report seems to disclose that one hundred and fifty men sell 8,400 bushels
for themselves and about 24,000 bushels for the Boston firm, whose intruding enterprise and com-
petition naturally disgust them. This makes 32,400 bushels. Supposing they eat at home 2,600
bushels, an estimate of the total yield at that locality per year would be 35,000 bushels. They are
worth not more than 35 cents a bushel, however, which would make the cash value of the crop
$12,250.
Beyond this point anything on the bay side of Cape Cod in the way of soft clams is of small
" Rev. Stat,., c. 55, $ 16 ; Stat. 1850, c. 6, $ 2.
THE CLAM FISHERIES.
589
importance, except at Orleans, where some few men who Lave been in mackerel vessels in summer
stay at home and dig clams in Town Cove, getting perhaps 250 bushels, all of which are salted and
sold at Provincetown at $4 a barrel.
SOUTH OF CAPE COD.— When Cape Cod is passed the digging of soft clams, in Massachu-
srtts, is unimportant, as they are more scarce than in Massachusetts Bay, and have a rival in the
quahaug. Clamming is carried on in Buzzard's Bay, but not to a much greater extent than sup-
lilies the home demand. This coast, and that of the islands off it, are too rocky to make good
clamming ground in many places. The shipments by rail to Boston — whither nearly all go-
amount to only about 100 barrels a year, and I suppose 10,000 bushels, worth $5,000, would ad-
equately represent the whole catch for both bait and food.
STATISTICS FOR MASSACHUSETTS. — The total yield of soft clams in Massachusetts, in 1880,
was as follows :
Customs district.
Bnshela.
Value.
39 126
$17, 848
26 359
11 994
34 940
17, 470
10 000
5, 000
32 773
15 420
2, 25.1
872
4,000
1,570
5 800
2,900
Fall River
3 375
3,121
Total
158, 626
76, 195
Of the above quantity, 31,832 bushels, worth $12,305, were used as bait in the fisheries.
5. SOFT-CLAM FISHERY OF NARRAGANSETT BAY AND CONNECTICUT.
In Narragansett Bay the gathering of soft clams becomes the business of a great many poor
men and boys in winter, who search for them along a stretch of about 18 miles, from Sabine's Point
to Cold River, on the eastern side, and from Field's Point to Greenwich Bay, on the western. Clam
grounds are found at Wickford, R. I., also, and altogether it is calculated that about 35,000 bushels
are dug. These go chiefly to New York, and are worth from 75 cents to $1 per bushel, so that the
total value of the crop is about $30,000.
Roger Williams's " Key " (p. 224) makes mention of this mollusk under the name "sickishuog,"*
a Narragansett word. The paragraph is as follows :
" SicMshiiog. — This is a sweet kind of shell fish, which all Indians generally, over the country,
winter and summer, delight in ; and at low water the women dig for them. This fish, and the
natural liquor of it, they boil, and it makes their broth and their nassaump (which is a kind of
thickened broth) and their bread seasonable and savory instead of salt."
Proceeding westward to the Connecticut coast, the soft or " long " clams are found more scat-
tered, and used mainly in winter, when the quahaug is out of season. I find noted a product at
Clinton, Conn., of 4,500 bushels; at Fair Haven, 2,500 bushels, and at Norwalk, Conn., 7,000
bushels. Those taken at Guilford are of very excellent quality and became famous formerly on
account of their size. A dozen years ago, according to Verrill, the Gnilford clams were assorted
into regular sizes, and bought from the fishermen on the spot by the hundred. "Those of large
size bring about $3 per hundred ; these are retailed in the market at New Haven for 60 cents per
* William Wood, in his "New England's Prospect" (1634) says the Massachusetts coast tribes spelled the word
'suckis suacke."
590 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
dozen. Smaller sizes bring 48 cents and 36 cents per dozen. During unusually low tides iu winter
clams of extraordinary size are obtained at Guilford, below the zone ordinarily uncovered by the
tide ; these often weigh a pound or more, and sell for about $1.25 per dozen ; occasionally the
weight is as much as a pound and a half, and the shells become 6 or 8 inches in length." In 1880
1 visited Guilford, but heard that no clains were now dug there of large size, and that all were
sold by the bushel at a price not greater than elsewhere. Verrill gives the prices of clams in
Connecticut, about 1870, as follows : " The ordinary long clams of small and moderate sizes
bring 95 cents, $1.25, and $2 per bushel at wholesale; these retail in our markets at 50 cents to
75 cents per peck, the smallest sizes being cheapest, while the reverse is the case with the round
clams." The total product of Connecticut, home-consumption and export, will no doubt amount
to 75,000 bushels (and probably much more) every year.
At Bridgeport, of late, serious attempts at clam-planting have been made by Hawley, Lewis,
and other oyster growers, in spite of immense opposition from the shore people of the suburbs,
who, as usual, bitterly and blindly opposed any cultivation of marine products. Privilege to
ground was first secured under the general State law, and afterwards, in one case at least, bought
outright in order to leave no doubt as to right. This beginning required a long time, during
which, as one man expressed it to me, he " fit the subject from Tophet to wayback!"
At first small clams, which were bought at 50 cents a bushel for the purpose, were regu-
larly planted in the sand between tide-lines by punching a hole and pushing the young mollusk
down into it. This was found too slow and laborious work, however, and the method of plowing
the seed in was undertaken. After many trials of all sorts of plows and cultivators, surface and
subsoil, and proving them unadapted to the turning of the dense, wet, heavy mixture of sand and
inud, Mr. Wheeler Hawley succeeded iu inventing a light plow, having a thin, narrow, steel
mold-board, which did the work satisfactorily. It was three years after the first considerable
planting of seed when I was there, and the whole beach, for half an acre in extent, was as full of
the holes indicating clam-burrows as a vast colander. When you dug down you found the mol-
lusks shoulder to shoulder and piled on top of one another. This was manifestly too many, yet
they seemed to be doing well, except that the growth was slow. The owner was engaged in thin-
ning them out, and increasing the area of his ground by transplanting. This gentleman says that
the clam in Long Island Sound spawns in June, grows only a little during the winter months, and
increases in size so slowly that the planter must wait four or five years for his first crop. This
attained, however, he will find his whole space " saturated " with young clams derived from his
transplanted stock, and can draw almost endlessly upon his "bank" as each selling season comes
round. I know no branch of mollusk culture likely to prove more remunerative than this so long
as it is not overdone.
THE CLAM FISHEEIES.
5'Jl
6. SOFT OLAM FISHEEY OF LONG ISLAND.
Crossing to Long Island, the careful inquiries of Mr. Fred. Mather provide full data to show
the product of the southern shore of Long Island Sound. Mr. Mather reports the yield of 1880 to
be as follows :
Locality.
Bushels.
Value, at
GO cents.
Whiteatone ...
100
$50
LittleNeck
200
100
Port Washington
400
200
600
300
50 000
25, 000
18 000
9 000
75 000
37, 500
35, 000
17 500
75, 000
37, 500
9(10
450
30 000
15 000
Setauket
5,000
2,500
3,400
1.700
Total
293 COO
146 850
The great irregularity observable between localities in close proximity is perhaps not wholly
explainable. You will hear that in this place or that (as, for example, Cow Bay) they were abun-
dant formerly, but have now died out, while elsewhere (as at Eiverhead) they are reported reap-
pearing. The conditions of the bottom are to be considered, of course ; the number of enemies
present, and, lastly, the amount of searching which is made for them. At Port Washington, for
instance, more soft clams might perhaps be found if the people were not too busy with oysters and
quahaugs to look for them. All of those sold from this northern coast go to New York, and chiefly
by boat, in the spring aud autumn. There is also a considerable trade in carting into the interior
of the island and to Brooklyn by peddlers.
In Gardiner's and Peconic Bays, at the eastern end of Long Island, clamming is not much of a
pursuit. They believe at Greenport that the soft clams are not good until snow comes and its
melting fattens them. Napeague beach is a favorite clamming ground, and another is on Shelter
Island. Many are dug as bait for summer fishing and pleasure parties. The rest are cooked at
home for cool-weather chowders. Mr. Mather reports from 50 to 500 bushels from each shore vil-
lage around the bay, except Three Mile Harbor, which digs 8,000 bushels, aud Sag Harbor 3,000.
The total product is given at 13,575 bushels, worth about $7,000. On the south side no clams or
quahaugs of consequence are found except near the western end of Great South Bay, and thence
to Coney Island, but they are reported to be gradually moving eastward. Formerly the flats
opposite Babylon were good clamming ground, but the closing of Oak Island inlet, about thirty
years ago, so excluded the salt water as to ruin the supply. In South Oyster Bay a product of
about 2,000 bushels annually is realized, while Hempstead aud Eockaway Bays and westward are
credited by Mr. Fred. Mather with 75,000 bushels. Many years ago this was also an important
business around Eockaway, aud a large number of poor families were and are supported wholly
out of it. As you drive along the shore road through this region you constantly come upon mis-
erable roadside shanties, houses of the clammers, and in front will be some old boxes and barrels,
with great dirty heaps of shells. Perhaps the father and big boys of the family will have just
returned from digging, and the whole family, rough and mud-covered men, worn-out aud bedrag-
gled mother, slatternly girls, and besmeared youngsters, will be clustered about the booty, opening
them and dropping dirt and clams together into the old pails and buckets out of which they are to
592 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE F1SUEE1ES.
be sent to market. I do not know, and it is hardly worth while to inquire, how many souls man
age to exist in this way, except to show that in providing so easy and ignoble employment lazi
ness is encouraged and a large class of citizens enabled to live in shiftless penury, which can only
breed idleness and crime in the neighborhood. It is doubtful, therefore, whether the plenitude of
soft clains in this region is not more of a curse than a blessing to Long Island.
7. SOFT-CLAM FISHERIES OF NEW JERSEY AND SOUTHWARD.
In New York Harbor clams used to be gathered in great abundance along the Corninunipaw
Flats and at the mouth of Newark Bay, but that ground is now unproductive, having been
exhausted or ruined by various causes incident to its proximity to the metropolis. Along the
northern line of the New Jersey shore, however, from Raritan River to Sandy Hook, the soft clams
are still dug, during all the cooler months of the year. The westerly winds of winter sometimes
produce extra low tides, and less accessible and richer spaces of bottom are exposed than the
ordinary ebb discloses. At these times it is an interesting sight to witness the wide-reaching mud
flats, abandoned for a little while by the sea, speckled with hundreds of men and boys, wading
and stooping and digging for dear life; not exactly " making hay while the suu shines," but
"clamming while the tide's out." But the class who are thus seen makiug a spasmodic effort at work
are socially very inferior and incorrigibly lazy. Of course there are exceptions, but that, unfortu-
nately, is their general character. " What a life of toil and drudgery this is," exclaims Professor
Lockwood, who knew it well at Keyport, and gave me many memoranda. " What a low status in
the social scale it enforces, and low, few, and primitive are the daily wants it supplies. I could
point out cases in which this sort of living has gone down from father to son, as a sort of fated
pariah inheritance. An old fellow named Bailey used to bring a basket of long clams on his back,
without stopping, 4 miles. Opened they made 18 quarts, which he would sell at 12£ cents a
quart, or $2.25. Now his son, almost a hump- back, brings soft clams regularly in winter to
Keyport from Port Monmonth, 5 miles distant, ' toting' a bushel on his bent back without once
resting. Old Bailey, or any of his fraternity, would work in the morning until he had dug perhaps
three-quarters of a bushel, opening perhaps 7 quarts if he should take them to the town, for which
he might receive 25 cents per quart. Often he would be aided in this digging by his two boys.
On arriving at home the wife and all her children would opeu the clams, alter which the husband
would peddle them until he had sold enough to buy the loaf of bread and other simple material for
the family's evening meal. It was living literally from hand to mouth ; literally sufficient for the
day was its morning toil and its evening recompense. No animal could possibly live more strictly
iu its own feral way than does such a family of clamiuers. Their only luxuries are vile tobacco aud
vilest whisky ; the only variation in their degrading work, the peddling of oysters picked from the
refuse heaps of the planters."
From Sandy Hook southward to Barnegat Inlet, Mr. R. E. Earll reports 20,489,000 soft clams
taken annually, at the present time. This is equal to about 70,000 bushels. As the value is giveu
at $29,500, the average price becomes a trifle over 40 cents per bushel. In fact, however, they are
chiefly sold by count.
Below Barnegat this sort of mollusk grows scarce, and only about 2,000 bushels are reported
for all the rest of the State. Probably an estimate of 100,000 bushels would cover New Jersey aud
southward.
In a New York newspaper of thirty years ago I find a short description of "shucking" as
THE CLAM F1SIIKIMHS. 593
practiced on the New Jersey coast at that time, when more of these clams seem to have been fur-
nished there than nowadays:
" The clams are thoroughly washed before they are given over to the knives of the ' shellers,'
or 'openers,' as they are sometimes called. As many as two dozen shellers are at work at one
time, among whom are children, old persons, and, in fact, all who can handle a knife. These are
sealed round a large tub into which theuushelled clains are thrown promiscuously, while the shells
are deposited in a heap by themselves. The rapidity with which they are opened would astonish
a stranger to the business. They are not opened with the point of the knife, nor is the front of
the shell broken as is the case with oysters ; but the clam itself is adjusted to the edge of the knife
and forced open by striking it upon the edge .of the tub, or some other hard substance. Before
they are taken to market large quantities of them are attached to strings and sold in this way off
carts.''
lu Maryland and Virginia the soft clam, though abundant enough on suitable shores, is eaten
by the negroes almost alone and does not enter into trade at all. It is called " butterfish " and
"mannoze" or "uanninose," the last being corruptions of an Indian word.
8. THE SOFT CLAM ON THE PACIFIC COAST.
This mollusk has been transplanted to Californian waters during the past few years ; by acci-
deut apparently, being taken with the oyster seed which is annually sent in large quantities from
the Eastern States. It appears to have thriven very well, and to have multiplied so as to stock San
Francisco Bay with a good supply, succeeding in this respect where the oysters fail. I do not
possess accurate information on this matter, however, and would not speak positively.
9. THE USES OF SOFT CLAMS.
The ordinary method of cooking clams is by making them into a soup, or by the mixture of
various other ingredients forming a thick sort of broth known as chowder, which is a favorite dish
in the more northern States. Frying clams is also practiced in various ways, and Mr. Carley
aud other dealers in New York and Boston pickle them to a considerable extent. These pickles
are used principally by ships, but in 1854 a large supply was seut to California. They are also
•
salted like mackerel, but to a small extent. They are to be bought in the markets raw all the
year round ; and in New York they are always sold in "strings" of a dozen connected by a cotton
cord. In the spring, particularly, the region about Fulton market is crowded with clam vendors,
chiefly from Long Island and Staten Island, who come in wagons and retail their clams, both in
shell and by the string, with much chaffering aud clamor. Both these and the quahaugs are
also sold from baskets, wheelbarrows, aud crazy wagons, by the peripatetic vendors, whose pro-
longed howl — "Cla-a-a-ams! fresh cla-a a-ins!!" — is so well known in the suburban parts of the
city. In Newark I used to hear a song drawled out by these street merchants of mollusks which
would do well as the opening measures of a dirge. The larger part of those taken each year,
however, are used as bait, and something remains to be said in regard to the preparation of this.
Our fishermen very long ago learned that most carnivorous fishes, and those of the cod family in
particular, have a special fondness for the various species of Mya, the codfish of Newfoundland
Banks relying very largely for nourishment upon a species allied to our edible Mya arenaria.
The soft clam came at once into approved use, therefore, in shore fishing of almost all varieties, and
with other bait-mollusks, was carried farther and farther to sea as the fishing voyages lengthened.
The clams used iushore then, as now, were fresh ; and when, following their retreating prey, the
SEC. v, VOL. ii 38
594
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
fishermen went far to sea after cod and mackerel, the smacks south of Cape Cod enveloped live
clains in netting bags, and kept them in the wells with which many of the vessels are provided.
If the voyage is to be a short one, clams may also be preserved alive for a considerable period by
being put in a cool place, and stores of ice are now taken on some vessels from New York for this
purpose.
The vessels of Cape Cod, Gloucester, and Maine, which form the largest part of the fleet on
the Banks of Newfoundland in the cod and mackerel fisheries, have no wells, and therefore are
obliged to carry their bait removed from the shell, salted and packed in barrels. With the edible
Mya arenaria are often mixed in the bait-barrel an inferior species, the "sea-clam" or "skimmer"
and also the quahaug, both of which are to be considered hereafter. The principal depots for the
digging, manufacture, or sale of bait to the "bankers" have been already mentioned, but every
town on the New England coast north of Cape Cod, where clams occur at all, is a point of bait
supply. The salting is of two kinds, "full salting" and "slack salting" or "corning." In the
former, 1 bushel of salt is placed in each barrel of opened clams; iu the latter case, from half a
peck to half a bushel of salt is allowed to every barrel. It is, reckoned that 12 bushels of clams
in the shell make a barrel of salt bait, the present price of which is about $4.
In the old style of mackerel fishing, however, clams were chopped up (often with a mixture
of menhaden) and sprinkled overboard as "toll-bait" to attract the mackerel to the surface.
A vessel going to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence on a mackerel voyage of three months, in the old
days, would carry from 5 to 10 barrels of salted clams, besides 30 to 35 barrels of menhaden; but
it was generally thought that the clams were much better than the menhaden. Now mackerel
are caught in seines, and there is now little use for toll-bait.
In the cod- fishery trawls are not baited with clams, and their use is therefore restricted to
the hand-line or dory-fishing. In this fishery about one hundred vessels go every year on trips
of from three to four months' duration to the Grand and Western Banks. The crews of these vessels
will average twelve men, each one of whom will, as a rule, use 2 barrels of salted clains before
the end of the season. This makes an average of 24 barrels for one hundred vessels, or an
annual consumption, north of Cape Cod, of 2,400 barrels, representing 28.800 bushels (iu the shell),
annually consumed as salt bait on the Banks of Newfoundland alone.
10. STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION OF FISHERY FOR SOFT CLAMS.
A summary of the statistics of the foregoing pages produces the following table :
Statistics of production of Hya-arenaria in 1880.
District.
Number of
bushels.
Value.
318, 383
$90, 056
17, 960
8,980
158, 626
76, 195
53 960
48 564
75 000
38, 000
340 775
255 581
New Jersey and southward
100, 000
45, 000
Total t
1 064 704
562 376
" The clam fisheries of this State have not been noted on the preceding pages. The information gathered by the
census agents give the statistics as herein. — A. H. CLARK.
t Number of clains by count, at two hundred per bushel, 212,940,800.
THE CLAM FISHERIES. 595
(6)— FISHERY FOR QTJAHAUGS.
11. NATURAL HISTORY OF VENUS MERCENARIA.
Next to the Mya arenaria in commercial importance stands the quahaug.
Its scientific mime is Venus mercenaria, derived from the use of its shell as material for coining
their money by many Indian coast-tribes, and its Indian names have been preserved and studied
with care by Mr. J. H. Trniubull, of Hartford, Conn., who kindly writes to me as follows concern-
ing them:
"For the spelling and derivation of the common name, quahang, in the last edition of Webster,
I am, I believe, responsible. The pronunciation there given is that of Eastern Connecticut and
Rhode Island — kwawhCg. I have occasionally heard the name reduced to a monosyllable —
quaw'g ; and, farther east, it is often made pooquaw.*
" In a note to my edition of Roger Williams's Indian Key (Narragansett Club Publication, Vol.
I, p. 140) 1 gave two or three other dialectic forms of the Indian name. As you may not have the
volume within reach, I copy the note: ' Pequot, p'quaughhaug. Pres. Stiles, MS. — Abanaki, pekwe,
pi. ^eA'ifrt/iafr, 'huitres' Rale. The signification appears to be either 'thick shell' or 'tightly
closed shell.' The Delaware equivalent is — as Zeisberger wrote it — pooque-u, a mussel. I have
now no doubt that the second meaning given above, ' tightly closed,' is the true one, distinguish-
ing the V. mercenaria from the more common Mya, or gaping clam. Strachey's Virginia Vocabulary
(about 1612) gives cawaih for 'oysters,' which is. I have no doubt, another form of the same name,
2)'cairaih.' The vocabularies mentioned are the only ones I now remember in which the name is
found."
The shape of the quahaug is well defined in the accompanying figure (see plate), and is familiar
t<> all eastern people. Like all of the genus Venus, the shells are chalky, roundish, somewhat
globose, ornamented with concentric ribs, the " heel " or beaks pointing far forward, with a deeply-
curved indentation in front, which the fishermen on the south shore of Long Island call "the point
of a clam." The color varies from brownish-while to smoke-tint, sometimes painted with waving
lines and zigzags of red and brown, there being so much difference between varieties from different
localities and depths that many have been described as distinct species. The posterior end of the
shell (i. e., farthest from the beaks) terminates in a blunt point. The surface is covered with con-
centric grooves and ridges, the ridges being crowded and rising into thin sharp plates most con-
spicuous at the ends ; the central portion is nearly smooth. There are also minute lines radiating
from the beaks to the margin, where they form a lattice-work with the concentric lines; this is an
important character helping to distinguish this shell from the Cyprina islandica and other allied spe-
cies. Within, the color of the shells is white, with sometimes a dirty yellow tinge in aged specimens.
The impressions marking the attachments of the large adductor muscles, and usually called the
"eyes" by the clam-diggers, are deep and united by a well-marked line defining the edge of the
mantle. These impressions and the interior margin are a beautiful dark violet color. The general
length and breadth are about 3 by 2J inches.
The quabaug is very abundant along the coast from Cape Cod to Florida; north of Cape Cod
it is comparatively rare and local. It does not occur on the coast of Maine or in the Bay of Fundy,
except in a few special localities, in small, sheltered bays, where the water is shallow and warm,
as at Quahog Bay, near Portland ; but in the southern parts of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, as
about Prince Edward's Island and the opposite coast of Nova Scotia, where the water is shallow
"The writer of an account of Martha's Vineyard, about 1807, makes the common name poquau. — E. I.
596 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
and much warmer than on the coast of Maine, this species again occurs in some abundance, asso-
ciated with the oyster and many other southern species that are also absent from the northern
coasts of New England, and constitute here a genuine southern colony, surrounded on all sides,
both north and south, by the boreal fauna.
Concerning the curious instance of a colony isolated in Casco Bay, Maine, Prof. A. E. Verrill
draws some quotable inferences in a late Report of the U. S. Fish Commission. From a critical
examination of this and similar colonies, Prof. A. E. Verrill concludes :
"First, that in the Post-pliocene and Cham plain periods the coast was at a lower level, and
the marine climate of Casco Bay colder than at present, probably that of the present Newfoundland
or Labrador coast. Second, that at a subsequent period, when the coast had attained nearly or
quite its present level, the marine temperature was considerably higher than at present. Third,
that the temperature of these waters has gradually declined, but was still somewhat higher at the
period when the Indian shell heaps were formed than at present."
A like conclusion is reached by the examination of a somewhat similar colony on the Saint
Lawrence. Professor Verrill ascribes the survival of these earliest colonies to the fact that, in the
increasing coldness of the water, the peculiar isolation and other favorable conditions of their
position protected them against the general fate of their neighbors.
This clam is thus assigned to a very ancient race.
The home of the quahaug everywhere is on sandy and muddy flats, just beyond low-water
mark. It also inhabits the estuaries, where it most abounds, especially in shallow but pretty
salt water. It is also found on oyster beds, when these do not take the form of rocky reefs, and
in this capacity often helps the unconscientious to defy the laws, by alleging, whenever they are
caught tonging or raking on forbidden ground, that they are only getting clams and would be
glad of all the assistance the discoverer might give in culling out oysters accidentally caught. On
these bottoms of sand and mud the clam spends most of its time in crawling about with the shell
upright and partly exposed. It can travel pretty fast, and leaves behind it a well plowed fur-
row. Sometimes it is left bare by low spring tides when making these excursions. In such cases,
if it wishes, or at any other time, it can easily and quickly burrow beneath the sand by means of
its thin-edged but broad and muscular foot. The lobes of the mantle are separate all around the
front and ventral rim of the shell, and their edges are thin, white, and folded into delicate frills.
Owing to this broad opening in the mantle, the foot can be protruded from any part ot the ventral
side, and has an extensive sweep, forward and backward. The foot and mantle edges are white;
but the two short siphon-tubes — for, not burrowing far down like the soft clam, it has no need of the
long distensible feeding apparatus of that and the razor-fish — are united from their base to near
the ends, and are yellowish or brownish orange toward the end, more or less mottled and streaked
with dark brown, and sometimes with opaque white. When very aged, so as to deserve the New
Jersey term "bull-nose," the whole flesh loses its white color and becomes a dirty, forbidding
yellow-brown.
The generation of the quahaug is after the general plan of Lamellibranchiate mollusks, but I
am not aware that any naturalist has made its embryology a special study. The eggs are prob-
ably fertilized within the body, and sustained in the folds of the mantle and gills until they have
attained rudimentary shells, when they are sent out and lie upon the bottom to become the food
of crabs, ground-feeding fishes and various other enemies to their welfare. This happens early in
summer, and the young are sometimes observable in enormous numbers. In the summer of 1879
the shallow sand-beach opposite Babylon, Long Island, for 10 miles in length was crowded with
young quahaugs from the size of a pin-head to that of a silver 3-ceiit piece. The succeeding
THE CLAM FISHERIES. 597
win tor being very mild these all lived through it, which they probably would not have done had
the frosts been very severe, for the water was only 2 to 4 feet di . ,). There were none in the
deeper water oft' shore. The same season a similarly innumerable generation of young quahaugs
was deposited at East Point, in Raritan Bay, New Jersey, where they were so thick that you could
not pick up a handful of sand which did not contain a hundred or so.
Opinions along shore vary as to their rate of growth. Some men would tell me they increased
in size very rapidly, others would say slowly. The situation undoubtedly makes considerable
difference, but it is probable that the middling sized quahaugs sent to market are at least five
years old, and that they attain great age if undisturbed. The rapidity of its growth has an effect,
it is said, on the shape and appearance of the shells. Those that grow fast are wedge-shaped
with only a slight convexity, while one that grows slowly becomes more globose or gibbous. The
shells of these will be found much heavier and thicker than the others, and their flesh (in old age
at least) shows a turbid, orange-brown, nasty tint, and is very tough, in high contrast to the
creamy whiteness and tenderness of younger and more thrifty specimens. These heavy and
almost worthless old fellows are called " bull-noses." Sometimes they exceed a pound, avoirdupois,
in weight.
At the approach of cold weather in September the quahaugs begin to " settle " or sink down
from their position on the surface of the bottom to another about 2 inches below. Here they
remain until the approach of spring.
12. APPAEATUS AND METHODS OF GATHERING QUAHAUGS.
The procuring, consumption, and sale of quahaugs is a constant and persistent industry along
the whole extent of our coast south of Cape Cod, wherever the conditions are suitable or people
live near the beach ; yet, from the nature of their home, and the fact that they must be taken
with the help of heavy instruments, it employs a less number of hands, no doubt, than does the
annual search for the soft clam. Although there are many oystermen who never seek for qua-
haugs, and a numerous body of the clamming fraternity who are not interested in oyster-culture,
yet it is largely true that the same men are to be found in the ranks of both industries at different
seasons of the year. Upon the whole I should regard the army of men who gather the hard clams
as a superior class to those who dig the soft clams. This is owing, as I have already said, to the
greater difficulties in the way in the present case. Women and children cannot do much at it
because of lack of strength; lazy, useless men will not attempt it because it involves too much
exertion and steady diligence. Tet I was told that in the Great South Bay of Long Island the
clammers were of a very low grade of morality, as a rule, being mostly foreigners who had failed
at everything else, and who in this hand-to-mouth employment proved themselves far from valu-
able citizens. But I think this is an exceptional instance, and I believe that in the great majority
of cases the men who gather hard clams are the stout-armed native oystermen and farmers who
live adjacent to the water and make this a regular summer occupation. In a letter to me during
the year 1875, my kind and venerable friend, Prof. Samuel W. Lockwood, of Freehold, N. J., gives
me a picture of this as familiar to him then at Keyport.
"They go after hard-shelled clams from Keyport in squatty, one-sailed vessels, called "cats,"
dragging clam-rakes, which are thrown out and drawn in by the wind. The ground extends in
Raritan Bay from Sandy Hook to South A in boy. A good day's catch would be from 3 to 3£ bar-
rels of 'count' clams — that is, clains of such size that eight hundred will fill a barrel, and at
wholesale worth about 83. All below this size are sold by the bushel, at from 60 cents to $1,
depending more on demand than size. These are sometimes so small as to count two thousand to
598 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the barrel; and if about 1£ inches in diameter go by the name of tea-clams.' It must be remem-
bered that thrift and its contrary are as often found among these watermen as in other depart-
ments of industry. The man who owns his boat and sells his stock by the ten or twenty thousand
at wholesale is a sort of aristocrat compared to those who go down to the shore daily, with a
basket, get their somewhat precarious catch, take it home on their backs, open the bivalves, and
then peddle the result in a can with a quart measure in the other hand, usually winding up their
work by 3 p. in."
The methods and instruments of clam gathering are simple and easily described. The qua-
hangs, left bare at low tide, may sometimes be taken by hand. The Indians, who had no machinery
for aiding them, caught them by wading in and feeling for them with their toes, something the
early colonists quickly learned to do. Another way was by diving; this was the work of the
squaws and the older children, and was, of course, exceedingly laborious.
The tools at present used are oyster tongs, straight rakes, curved drag-rakes, and dredges.
The oyster tongs are rarely used for this purpose since the quahaugs do not ordinarily lie
thickly enough; but many are caught along with oysters.
The rake employed at Wellfleet is described by Mr. True as similar in form to an oyster
rake, but made of steel instead of iron. "In former days this instrument was of iron, the tips of
the teeth only being of steel. An average rake has seventeen teeth and weighs about 12 pounds.
The handle or tail is of wood and is about 23 feet long."
The clam rake in use on the south shore of Long Island is much like a garden rake in shape :
but the teeth or tines are from 6 to 12 inches in length, and only an inch or so apart, while the
head of the rake is from 2 to 3 feet across.
Another form seen in Long Island Sound, New York Bay, &c., has its tines set very closely
together and very much curved inward, so that the operator can alternately push and pull with
the rake in his swaying boat, and yet cause it to dig down into the sand underneath the clams.
On the top of the strong pole-handle, therefore, is a cross-piece to give a firm two-handed hold.
The man who uses this rake generally goes alone in his small boat. The drag-rake is an exag
geratiou of this form, both in the extraordinary curvature of the teeth and in the breadth of the
head, which is often 4 feet across. It is generally operated like a dredge, and is rarely used out
side of Rhode Island, or even there at present. I fancy it must have been such an instrument as
this, which, under the name of " scraper" was in service twenty-five years ago, or more, about
New York. I find it described as " furnished with a large number of semi-circular teeth, each of
which is as thick as a man's little finger and about 6 inches long. It is thrown over the side of
the boat." This account adds, " and when it has sunk into the sand to the required depth, it is
drawn along the bottom, and taken up about once every minute, when the clams are extracted
from the sand, washed, and throwu into the boat. This is exceedingly laborious work and four
or five hours of it in one. day is sufficient to use up the stoutest scraper. Touging clams is even
more laborious and straining, but is not so generally pursued." The clam tongs of that day
differed from the oyster tongs, we are told, in having a wider head, 3| feet being the average
measurement. Quite opposed to this, we find that the tongs now in use in the Chesapeake Bay
differ from oyster tongs chiefly in having a narrower head, which measures only 1 or 1£ feet.
13. IMPORTANCE OF QUAHAUGS FOR FOOD.
The value of the quahaug among the food-mollusks was recognized long before scientific men
gave it a Latin name and census-takers studied its commercial relations.
The Indians along our whole sea-coast have always been accustomed to eat some sort or
THE CLAM FISHERIES. 599
another of shell-fish. In Alaska it is the mussel j at Puget Sound it is the Sehizotliatrus, which
they smoke tor winter stoves ; in California, the oyster and other bivalves; in the Gulf of Mexico,
the Giuitlxxloii, of which the shell roads around New Orleans and Mobile are made; on the
Atlantic shores, the oyster, common and horse mussels, razor-shell, cockle, scallop, and two clams
besides the fresh-water nnios and anodons. To what an extent these various mollusks furnished
sustenance to the wild tribes of the coast and of the Mississippi Valley is shown by the vast banks
of cast-away shells that remain to mark the points of aboriginal habitation. The Gulf coast and
some parts of the interior of Florida are so full of mounds composed of broken shells of nearly
every species, large and small, found in the adjacent sea, and of wide fields strewn with unios
not only, but also with the smaller gas teropod 3, AiiqiuUuria and Pahnlina, that the fact is commonly
known to the people living there ; while the savannas of Georgia, the banks of the Mississippi
and its tributaries — particularly along the Ohio — of the Susquehauna and Delaware, and even of
the Merrimac and Concord Ixivers, in Massachusetts, are dotted with heaps of the mussels exist-
ing in those rivers, the animals of which have been consumed by the ludians. The same sort
of remains are found on the Pacific slope and in South America.
As for shell heaps upon ocean coasts, they are world-wide in their distribution, and often
prominent in appearance. On certain points of the shores of Denmark and Norway there were
disclosed, many years ago, banks of marine shells, sometimes 1,000 feet in length, 200 feet in
breadth, and 10 feet in depth. At first these were taken for natural deposits, but it was observed
that here only adult specimens of the littoral fauna were present, and closer examination revealed
calcined shells, circles of blackened stones indicating fire-places, fragments of the bones of edible
animals, and remains of rude utensils and implements. Thus it came finally to be proved that
they were, the kitchen-refuse of ancient mollusk eaters, and were called " kjoekkeu uioeddings." This
discovery prompted research, and similar deposits were soon found in various other parts of the
world. Our own coast is lined with them, from the piles which grew up around the doorways of
fishers on the low Florida shores, until their huts stood on hillocks above the reach of the highest
tides, to the layers of oyster shells exposed on the cliffs of Maine, where "mine oyster" is no
longer to be found. Most of our refuse heaps are buried under a foot or more of soil, and have
long nourished the roots of a (so-called) primeval forest, but there are others which did not cease
to be increased until the Indians were driven back from the coast by white settlers. At these
places they spent a portion of each year, probably the winter months, when the climate of the
shore is warmer than that of the interior, in feasting, while some perhaps lived there permanently,
raising in the cast-away shells unconscious monuments of their sea-shore life. At such times
the two clams, but mainly the quahaug, formed the chief comestible.
How greatly the quahaug was prized by the early New England settlers appears from the
many allusions to it in their writings, particularly in those of Roger Williams. Not only the
meat, but the shell was utilized by them, in the making of various utensils and implements, such
as arrow points, scrapers, paint-holders and spoons.*
It was from the purple " eye " and edge of the quahaug that the Indians fashioned their famous
wampum, or dark shell beads with which they ornamented their clothing and furniture, adorned
their hair and necks, or made their ceremonial peace and war belts and their insignia of author-
ity. Wampum, combined with the white beads, made chiefly from the central column of the
conch or periwinkles (Busycon and Fulgur), also passed as money among the Indians themselves
* "The dainty Indian maize
Was eat with clamp shells out of wooden trays."
GOO HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Dot only, but between them and the whites, and, previous to the eighteenth century, in the
ordinary trade of both the English and the Dutch merchants. I have elsewhere given a history of
this shell money, which appears in a great diversity of forms on both coasts of the United States
and played a very important part in aboriginal economy, and shall not dwell upon the matter
here, further than to identify the quahaug with it.
As I have already said, this shell was valuable to the Indians as a food resource, and they
taught the whites how to use it. Governor Winthrop called it "a dainty food'1 and wrote home
that ;' the flesh eats like veal ; the English make pyes thereof." An interesting reminiscence in this
connection occurs in Baron Kalm's " Travels," 1748, as follows (the Baron is speaking of New
York) :
" A considerable commerce is carried on in this article, with such Indians as live farther up
the country. When these people inhabited the coast they were able to catch their own clams,
which at that time made a great part of their food; but at present this is the business of the
Dutch and English, who live in Long Island and other maritime provinces. As soon as the shells
are caught, the tish is taken out of them, drawn upon a wire, and hung up in the open air, in order
to dry by the heat of the sun. When this is done, the flesh is put into the proper vessels, and
carried to Albany upon the river Hudson ; there the Indians buy them, and reckon them one of
their best dishes. Besides the Europeans, many of the native Indians come annually down to the
sea-shore, in order to catch clams, proceeding with them afterwards in the manner I have just
described."
That this practice was long continued, there is plenty of evidence. Coast tribes conquered by
the Six Nations were compelled to pay their tribute, or at least a portion of it, in this commodity,
which became a luxury in the interior. Professor Lockwood told me of an old Quaker who lived
near Point Pleasant, Ocean County, New Jersey, whose grandfather often saw the Indians there
drying clams and oysters by the sun on pieces of bark. The Chinese still do this, but Americans
have wholly forgotten the custom, so far as I know, with the disappearance of the Indian. I have
heard that some years ago a factory was started in New Jersey to preserve clams and also oysters
by a process of drying and granulation. It was asserted that soups and chowder could be made
to the best advantage from this desiccated material. The product is said to have proved of good
quality; but as it did not find general favor, the business was abandoned.
The chief use of clams in early days was in summer and fall. Then it was that the Indians
came to the sea-shore for their greatest festival, that of the green corn. On such an occasion
a great assembling of sages and warriors with their families was held at the beach, and clams,
succulent ears and seaweed were roasted together in astonishing quantity, amid all the delights
of a New England mid-summer by the ocean and every savage amusement. So good a custom
merited perpetuation, and has, indeed, survived to the present day in the "clam-bake," that patri-
archial institution of New England, where the icy Puritan might permit himself to be won a little
from his rigor by the seductive mussel, and the prim maidens enjoyed a moment's timid relax from
conscientious austerity in the fun of saying '' periwinkle." Nor is the custom yet extinct, although
it is no longer possible that the clam-bake should be a season of universal holiday as of yore.
But now and then some great occasion in Rhode Island or Connecticut is celebrated much after
the traditional fashion, and the wise and renowned joined in the festivity, as in the old days when
Diedrich Knickerbocker and his friends sailed over to Communipaw to discuss grave questions of
Dutch polity as they smoked their pipes beside the sunlit bay until the quahaugs were toasted
I'lIK (M;AAI KISIIKKIKS. 601
brown, and they could eat them slowly, as belits the viand, and listen to Jacob Steendam as, sonor-
ously, he sang his "Praises of New Netherlands,"-
En Ereeft, en Krab, en Mossels : Oesters, die
Ken better is als Eurona drie
In veelhnyt heel i>n-kenbaar voorhem, wie
't Mocht onderwindon.
No\v, the manner of a modern clam-bake is this: A circular hearth is first made in the sand
with flat stones, upon which a fire is kept up until they are red hot and the coals fall down into
a flat heap. A layer of sea- weed is then placed upon them, and upon the seaweed a layer of clams
about 3 inches thick covered by more seaweed ; then follows a layer of green corn in the husk,
intermixed with potatoes and other vegetables; then a layer of oysters, crabs (in sacks to prevent
their escape), and poultry, dressed and seasoned; then more seaweed. This arrangement is con-
tinued according to the number of persons to take part in the feast, and when the pile is complete
it is covered with canvas overlaid with wet seaweed to prevent the steam from escaping. When
after about an hour the whole is cooked each one helps himself without ceremony to morsels from
the delicious mass. This joyful marine barbacue has prompted to verse some genial soul whose
heart was warmed, and he tells cleverly how others may emulate his epicurean delight and possibly
also meet the muse at table. Here is his recipe — I wish I knew his name that I might sound that
too:
First catch your clams — along the ebbing edges
Of saline coves you'll find the precious wedges
With backs up, lurking in the sandy bottom ;
Pull in your iron rake, and lo ! you've got 'em.
Take thirty large ones, put a basin under,
Add water (three quarts) to the native liquor,
Bring to a boil (and, by the way, the quicker
It boils the better, if you do it cutely) ;
Now add the clams, chopped up and minced minutely,
Allow a longer boil of just three minntes,
And while it bubbles, quickly stir within its
Tumultuous depths, where still the mollusks mutter,
Four tablespoons of flour find four of butter,
A pint of milk, some pepper to your notion ;
And clams need salting, although born of ocean.
Remove from fire (if much boiled they will suffer —
You'll find that india-rubber isn't tougher) ;
After 'tis off add three fresh eggs well beaten,
Stir once more and it's ready to be eaten.
Fruit of the wave ! Oh, dainty and delicious!
Food for the gods! Ambrosia for Aspicius !
Worthy to thrill the soul of sea-born Venus
Or titillate the palate of Silenus!
A "clam-bake" expresses the sum of all human happiness to the Ehode Islander, and to
gather all his relatives and friends on the sea-shore, bake the roystering clam in dried seaweed,
and eat it with other good things, fills his cup of joy. As enthusiasm and emotion always seem
odd, and perhaps ludicrous to those who are not under its influence, the New Englanders get
much fun poked at them by outsiders. It is related, for example, that a Sunday-school teacher in
Ehode Island told the pupils that there were poor children in Illinois who had never experienced
the supreme delight of a claui-bake, and the last penny in the juvenile pocket was dropped in the
plate in aid of the benighted sufferers.
A better story, however, is the following, which I " sell to you as I bought it," not making
myself responsible for the truth of the tale; Prof. Anton Siegafritz was selected a few years
ago by the Prussian authorities to examine into the expediency of making plantations of oysters,
602 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
like those at Ostend and St. Nazaire. In bis preliminary report he advanced the theory that in
the case of persons having more bodily than mental exercise, the eating of shell-fish produced
emotional insanity. His principal illustration is derived from what he saw in America. With a
seriousness that precludes all suspicion of caricature the learned professor says :
"While I was in America I saw the excitements caused by immoderate indulgence in shell-fish
violently illustrated. They have there a sort of political assemblage called a clam-bake, where
speeches and music and songs are interspersed with profuse feasts upon a species of oyster called
the clam. Vast crowds attend these celebrations, and no sooner are they gorged with the insid-
ious comestible, than they become full of excitement and furores; swear themselves away in fealty
to the most worthless of demagogues ; sing, fight, dance, gouge one another's eyes out and conduct
themselves like madmen in a conflagration."
But enough of this joking.
In Northern New Jersey they call small young quahaugs, only an inch or so in breadth, " tea"
clams. These are often served at an evening meal, two or three being opened and set in a row on
each one's plate with a slice of lemon as an appetizer. One item in trade is pickling, and for this
purpose the tender small clams are always reserved. For this sort the dealers generally depend
or the mud-catchers, or rakers, who work in shallow water, and often orders are given to Shrews-
bury men for this kind. They pass as "Little Necks," however, by the market-men.
14. THE PRINCIPAL MARKETS.
The principal depots for the sale of quahaugs are New York and Philadelphia. All the coast
towns south of Providence use them, but Boston sells comparatively few. In the scrap-books
preserved by Mr. Thomas DeVoe, of New York, I find a long account of the clam -trade of that
metropolis in 1855. The wholesale and retail trade at that time was estimated at $600,000, but
this included both hard and soft clams; still the vast majority were quahaugs. There were one
hundred sail-vessels carrying clams to Oliver street and to Washington market in summer; in
winter they brought oysters. To these must be added twenty others supplying North River towns.
Besides the large boats, about two hundred small boats, handled by one or two men, were engaged,
and the value of all' the crafts, big and little, was given at $50,000. The largest vessels were of
about 50 tons burden. They were usually owned by two partners, and manned by two men and a
boy. The average tonnage was 30, and the average cargo 100,000 clams. Including all from the
diggers to the retailers and hawkers, eight thousand persons were supposed to be dependent on this
trade centering at New York, during a large portion, at least, of the year. The principal fisheries
at that time were in Atlantic County, New Jersey — New Inlet, Absecom, and Egg Harbor being
the best ; in the Great South Bay and in Cow and Little Neck Bays, Long Island. A few came
from the Chesapeake. Then, as now, there were no exclusive clam dealers, but all the oyster mer-
chants sold them. Fulton and Catherine markets were the main depots, and the colored people are
noted as particularly fond of them and were large buyers. The business was thus conducted :
" The wholesale dealers enter into a contract to supply their customers with a certain amount
at appointed times. The agreement is signed by both parties, each of whom is liable to a forfeit-
ure of $100 in the event of non-fulfillment. The captain owning the boat sails for the fishing-
grounds, where he purchases the clams indiscriminately among the small boatmen, and having
loaded his vessel within the time prescribed by the contract, returns to the specified place. Here
he finds his customer, with his wagons ready to receive his freight and to transfer it to the hands
of the retail dealers, who generally purchase by the thousand. When a delay is caused by unavoid-
THE CLAM FISHERIES. G03
able circumstances, such as a dilliculty in procuring the required supply or unfavorable weather,
the penalty is never enforced."
In addition to this, many clams were brought into New York by wagons from Long Island.
This is still the case in respect to both hard and soft kinds. A considerable trade was then in
existence in clams salted and pickled for the European steamers and the interior. There was also
an inland commerce (still continued) in quahaugs, packed in ice or preserved in the manner of
oysters, since iinmigra.nts have taken to the, prairies the taste for the fry, (he fritter, and the chow-
der, perhaps because they find in their salt flavor the best reminder of the early home by the sea-
side. 1 have heard an old clam dealer recommend a dozen raw before breakfast as sure cure for
obstinate dyspepsia. The sale of clams in Catherine market in 1855 was $20,000, a falling oflf it
was reported, from the previous demand. During that decade the price of hard clams in New
York varied from 371 cents to $1 a hundred for ordinary, according to size, but those from Shrews-
bury and Little Neck often brought much higher prices, the greatest quantity coming from New
Jersey.
At present the clam business is an appendage or department of the oyster trade, as of yore,
and its statistics were found to be inaccessible through these channels. But careful inquiry along
the whole Atlantic coast, in which my own labors were most generously and skillfully supplemented
by Mr. E. E. Earll, enables me to present a pretty accurate view of the present consumption.
15. THE QUAHAUG CLAMMING-GBDUNDS.
&ULF OP SAINT LAWRENCE TO BUZZARD'S BAY. — Iu the Gulf of Saint Lawrence quahaugs
occur, but are never eaten, nor are any mollusks other than oysters.
The early productiveness of Cape Cod is shown by the presence of numerous shell-heaps, par-
ticularly in Wellfleet and Barnstable Harbors, filled up by the Indians and consisting almost
wholly of the shells of this mollusk. Though in greatly depleted numbers, the quahaug still sur-
vives along the inside of the cape, and at Wellfleet has been raked from early times by the
settlers. Mr. F. W. True contributes some notes on this place, from which I learn that the qua-
haug fishery as a business there dates from the beginning of the present century. It grew in extent
until 18(53, and from that time until 1S6S the trade was at its height, since when it has diminished
year by year, owing to lack of good market rather than failure of the supply. Between 1863 and
18G9 the average catch each year was not less than 2,500 bushels. Of this amount a compara-
tively small part was consumed at Wellfleet, and the rest were shipped to Boston, Provincetown,
Salem, Newport, Manchester, and a few other New England ports. From 1870 to 1876 the quan-
tity of quahaugs taken per year decreased from 2,500 bushels to 1,800 bushels ; and this latter amount
has remained constant to the present year. Of the total catch in 1878 fully one-half, or 900
bushels, was consumed iu Wellfleet. The remaining 900 bushels were shipped to Boston and
other neighboring towns. For three years beginning with 1S76, 75 bushels of quahaugs have been
annually shipped to New York City.
Quahaugs are found in all parts of Wellfleet Bay, except in a small spot near the wharves,
called the '-Deep Hole," and a similar one on the west side of the bay. Both of these places are
covered with a thick soft mud. It is not usual, however, to fish in parts of the bay where
the average depth at low water exceeds 8 feet. Most of the raking is done on the western side.
Iu ordinary years quahaug raking is beguu the last of March, and continues until the first of
October. As a general thing no raking is done during the winter mouths, although in some years
a small amount has been done through holes cut iu the ice. The fishermen rake about four
tides per week, beginning at half-ebb and raking to half-flood. The boats used are either cat-boats
fi04 HISTOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISH KIJIES.
or yawls rigged with two sails. Each boat carries one man. The rake has been described. The
baskets in which the quahaugs are collected and measured are of the ordinary manufacture and
hold about a bushel each, and the whole outfit of a quahaug fisherman does not cost over $150,
and the total amount of capital invested in apparatus at the present time in Wellfleet does not
exceed $800. This amount is about evenly divided between the five men, none of whom are
engagc'il in this fishery more than a part of their time.
Quahaugs are sent to market always in the shell, and packed in second-hand flour or sugar
barrels. The wholesale price of quahaugs for many years averaged 60 cents per bushel, but
in 1879 it fell to 55 cents. One dollar and seventy-five cents is the average wholesale price per
barrel. Quahaugs retail in Wellfleet at SO cents per bushel. The usual method of transportation
is by packet, at a cost of 25 cents per barrel.
The Wellfleet fishermen employ no agent, but receive orders directly from merchants in various
places, who know them personally.
At Orleans, some few men who go mackereling in summer stay at home and dig clams in
winter, getting perhaps 50 barrels of quahaugs, among others, which are peddled in town. The
south side of the cape is hardly more productive commercially, although the mollusks are plenty
enough at certain points, as, for instance, at Waquoit; and I fancy that 3,000 barrels, holding, say,
7,500 bushels, and worth $5,000, will cover the whole cash sales of the cape.
Martha's Vineyard used to be bordered by good quahaug ground, but I am not aware that
many are caught there now. In an old book I find the following historical allusion to it:
" The poquau ( V. mercenaria) is found in Old Town Harbor, at Cape Poge, and in Menemsha
Pond; great quantities are exported. It is taken up with iron rakes in deep water; and in shal-
low water it is picked up by the hand. The siki, or common clam, is found on the borders of the
lagunes and in several other parts of the island. It attains its full size in two years. Much
examination has convinced us that it has not the power of locomotion; but the poquau is able to
cover itself with sand, and to move itself forward, though very slowly. Two thousand dollars'
worth of clams, at $9 a barrel, have been sold in Edgartown, the present year [i.e., previous to
August, 1807]. They also begin to be taken at Menemsha I'ond, and we believe in other places,
and sold for bait. The razor shell and the inuscle are scarce."
NAKRAGANSETT BAY. — In Narragausett Bay, Ehode Island, the yield is large, as might be
expected of the traditional home of the " wam para peege." Seventy-five men, it is asserted, take an
average of 1£ bushels a day the year round. The ground extends on both sides of Providence
Eiver below Field's Point and down to the deep water, perhaps farther. They are also caught at
Wickford, to the extent of 1,000 bushels. Adding this to the estimate for Providence Eiver gives
over 42,000 bushels as the annual yield, nearly all of which goes to Providence and returns the
fishermen about $35,000.
COAST OP CONNECTICUT. — I must deplore a lamentable lack of statistics in regard to the
coast of Connecticut. At Norwalk three oystermeu ship them, together with supplies from Long
Island. The quahaugs are caught by seventy-five men, all among the islands in the harbor, and
amount to about 7,000 bushels a year, worth $5,000. At Eowayton, close by, twenty -five men take
half as many, and a small planting has been begun. I think it would not be much out of the way
to say that at least 25,000 bushels were sent to market annually from Connecticut, and another
25,000 bushels eaten at home. The class of men who get them and the soft clams mainly, are a
miserable set who help the oystermen in winter and " go clamming" in summer. They are locally
known as "proggers." The hard clams are reported oa this shore, to be found over a wider area
than formerly, but in far less quantity.
THE CLAM FISHERIES.
605
From City Island, iu East River, four boats run twice a week for three or four months. This
makes about one hundred and twelve, trips, which, with an average cargo of 300 bushels, amounting
to 33,600 bushels, having a market value of about $22,000. It is a more solid business here than
farther eastward.
NORTH SHORE OP LONG ISLAND. — Crossing over to the Long Island shore, I have Mr.
Mather's notes and statistics :
"Flushing Bay" clams are larger than "Little Necks," arc solid and fat, and the shells are
dark while those of the latter are light, a difference caused by the dark mud of the bay, the
"Little Neck's" lying in sand.
At Little Neck a very few soft clams are taken, but the hard clams have a very high reputa-
tion, and are in great demand when oysters are out of season. They are. most esteemed when
about the size of a quarter-dollar, and are usually eaten raw. The bottom of the bay is sandy
and the shells light colored.
About thirty men, from Roslyn, occasionally rake for oysters and clams, but do not depend
entirely upon it. They only have a skiff and a rake apiece, and not over $75 is invested.
At Glen Cove some clams of both sorts are got along with the oysters.
In Oyster Bay soft clams are more plenty than in the bays west of it, but hard clams are not.
At Port Washington I was told that about five hundred persons regularly raked quahaugs
in summer, and the clams were slightly scarcer than formerly. About three hundred of these
men rake in or near Cow Bay, while two hundred go dawn or up the sound for several miles. The
catch is from 1 to 3 bushels a day, but an average would be 2 bushels. The season lasts through
perhaps one hundred working days. If you say, then, that 400 bushels a day are caught inside
Cow Bay and 300 bushels a day outside, with 5,000 bushels caught along with the oysters in
winter, you have a total of 75,000 bushels. This, at an average price of 65 cents, would be worth
$48,750.
Mr. Fred. Mather's summary for this north shore, in respect to hard clams, is as follows:
Locality.
Bushels.
First value.
20 000
$15 000
Whitestone -
40 000
30 000
Little Neck . .
50 000
35 000
10 000
7 500
Glen Cove
2 500
18 000
6 000
4 000
2 000
1 600
75 000
48 750
Bayville
5 000
3 750
20 000
15 000
95 ooo
18 000
500
400
20 000
15 000
East Setanket
20 000
15 000
5 000
3 600
500
300
Total
301 600
230 700
606
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
SOUTH SHORE OP LONG ISLAND. — Turning Orient Point and entering the sheltered waters
of Gardiner's and Pcconic Bays, we find a few quahaugs, reported by Mr. Mather in careful detail
as follows :
Locality.
Bushels.
First value.
2 500
$1 500
2 000
1 300
600
400
New Suffolk
10, 000
7,500
Southold
400
300
1 000
750
200
160
Orient
500
350
1 000
750
100
75
150
120
1 000
750
50
35
Water Mill
180
150
1,000
750
Total
20 680
14 880
At New Suffolk some of the many scallop boats are used in the off-season in getting hard
clams, averaging 4 bushels a day from April to October. They take them early and bed them
down for summer.
The south shore of Long Island is also a great source of the supply of clams which go to New
York and are used to supply the immense and numerous summer hotels which are open along the
whole length of the island during warm weather. It is asserted that in the Great South Bay the
clams are gradually moving eastward, the limit of their occupation at present being Ferry's Bed,
off Brown's Point. They are taken all the year round, when ice does not prevent, but most
actively when oysters are out of season. The oyster boats from 2 to 6 tons in size are used, and five
hundred men, with two hundred boys, work more or less at this fishing. A good day's work now
is to procure a thousand clams, or about three bushels (for they are of small size), worth about $2.
The tongs and rakes are made heavier than those used in oystering, generally having iron heads,
and costing $5 or $6.
At Islip a firm of packers puts up these clams for market. The statistics of this firm's busi
ness for 1880 are as follows :
Men employed 10
Women employed 12
Boys and girls employed 4
Men catching clams 80
Number of clams used 5, 000, 000
Number of 2-ponnd cans "clams" 75,000
Number of 1-pound cans "clams" 40,000
Number of 2-pound cans "clam chowder" 10,000
Number of 1-pound cans " clam chowder" 8,000
At Amityville one man has attempted successfully the cultivation of quahaugs. His method
is simply to gather or purchase them when about the size of pennies and spread them upon his
oyster beds. He says they grow very fast and return him a good profit.
THK CLAM FISHERIES.
Statistics of this region arc furnished 1>.\ Mr. Mather's notes as follows:
607
District.
Bushels.
Value.
500
$375
South Oyster Bay
7,000
5,250
15, 000
11,250
Flatlaiids &c . . ..
4,500
3,375
Bath &c
7,000
5,250
Packed
17 000
10, 000
Total
51, 000
35, 500
NEW YORK BAY. — I ain at a loss what estimate, to make for the yearly catch of quahaugs iu
New York Bay, including by that term all the water inside of Sandy Hook where these mollusks grow,
but I suppose 150,000 bushels, worth about 8100,000, would include all taken, except those caugbt
by the considerable number of boats which go from Staten Island and New Jersey towns, Perth
Amboy, Keyport, Shrewsbury, &<•., down to Sandy Hook. These are included in what follows.
My notes give 125,000 bushels to Earitan and Prince's Bays alone. The quahaugs caught otherwise
iu New York Hay are taken chiefly with the oysters and by the oyster planters, though a large num-
ber of people alongshore, of the poorer class, make a summer employment of raking them. This
number varies, and is not separate from the population already described and enumerated under
the history of the oyster product of this coast. The same may be said of the boats employed. Iu
the winter both meu and boats are hired by oystermeu, or work their own beds and regard that as
their real business. There are few exceptions to this practice here or elsewhere. The clams bring
the fishermen about 60 cents a bushel.
NEW JERSEY. — The amount of the quahaug fishery in New Jersey was a subject of careful
inquiry when I was along that coast, and was also attended to by Mr. B. E. Earl). His estimate
for all the shore from (and including) Sandy Hook to Baruegat light, gives as the yield, in 1880,
18,931,000 by count. This, at 300 to the bushel, would give 63,103 bushels, which is valued by him
at $35,625.
From Barnegat Light southward around Cape May to Cohausey Creek makes another district
to which he assigns an annual catch of 85,741,000, or about 285,803 bushels, worth, it is stated,
$117,667. The northernmost Ideality of this district is "Clam Bay," which is just inside of Bar-
uegat light-house, and yields 150,000 bushels a year, I was told. Boats come from New York to
buy them of the men who rake. Great Bay, at the mouth of Mullica Eiver, is another extensive
ground, much resorted to by buyers from Philadelphia as well as New York, and yields 40,000
bushels annually. From Lake's Bay, just in the rear of Atlantic City, the clams are sent chiefly
by rail to Philadelphia, about 18,000 bushels going last year. Little Egg Harbor is credited with
25,000, and Seaville, still farther south, with 8,000 bushels in 1880. All these are from my own
studies, and the total, 241,000 bushels, agrees pretty closely with Mr. E aril's estimate, which, how-
ever, is worthy of higher credence in this case than my own.
CHESAPEAKE REGION. — The Chesapeake region is highly productive, but I must confess to
incomplete information in regard to it. The clamming ground extends from New Point, north of
Mob Jack Bay, on the western shore, to Old Point, on Hampton Eoads, and on the eastern shore
from Pokomoke Sound southward. The principal markets are Baltimore, Norfolk, and Yorktown.
These clams are got by the oyster tongers, when the summer close-season for the oyster-beds comes
on, and the best market prices are received in April and May, because then the whole army have
not begun tonging. These clams are sold by the thousand, and the general price ranges from
608
H1STOHY AND METHODS OF TUB FISHERIES.
$1.50 to $2, but $2.25 was paid in 1881. Estimates at hand of the present yield gives to Baltimore
(as destination) about 3,500,000 yearly; to Norfolk, 2,000,000 and to other markets (almost wholly
Torktown), 2,000,000. These 7,500,000 quahaugs will measure about 30,000 bushels, and are worth,
at $1.75 a thousand, $11,375. I am convinced, however, that these figures are much too small to
represent the total year's catch in Chesapeake Bay.
NOKTH CAROLINA. — Southward of Norfolk not many quahaugs are obtained at present.
Some years ago the Norfolk dealers sent boats down to the sounds of North Carolina, particularly
to Okracoke Inlet, to buy clams, but that experiment was found unprofitable, both on account of
the length of the voyage, aud the fact that no dependence could be placed upou the fishermen
getting the clams when they were wanted, notwithstanding the abundance of this inollusk. To
the small exportation and the local consumption of the whole coast from Norfolk to Florida
at 50,000 bushels a year, three-fourths of which is given to North Carolina, would not be far from
the truth in my opinion. This 50,000 bushels will not be worth m-ore than $20,000 however.
16. STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION OF QUAHAUG FISHERY.
Summarizing, we have the total quaiitity of quahaugs used in the United States annually:
Locality.
Bushels.
By count.
Value.
102 300
30,690 000
$70, 000
40u 280
121 884 000
303, 080
150 000
45 000 000
100 000
348 90C
104,071 800
153 292
30 000
9 000 000
11 375
50 000
15 000 000
20 000
Total
1, 087, 486
326, 245, 800
657, 747
"Including 30,000 bushels from City Island, East River.
(c) FISHERY FOE SEA-CLAMS.
17. DISTRIBUTION, METHODS OF GATHERING, AND USES OF SEA-CLAMS.
In addition to the quahaug and the soft clam, there are several bivalves of minor usefulness
as food. Chief of these is the Mactra solidissima, which is known under such diverse names as
" sea-clam," " surf-clam," " hen-clam," "beach-clam," "dipper," "skimmer," &c. It is distinguished
by its great size and smooth surface, some of the shells being more than 6 inches loug and 4 or 5
broad ; and there is great variation in the form of the shell, some being oval, others more oblong
or elliptical, and others nearly triangular; some are very swollen, others quite compressed.
Though more active than the quahaug, it frequents much the same localities, being seldom found
away from sandy beaches, and there remaining below low -water mark and thence to a depth of 4
or 5 fathoms. Hence it is not so easily obtained as the quahaug. "The siphon-tubes are quite
short, and the creature usually does not burrow very deeply, nor does it seem to construct any
permanent burrows. But it has a very large muscular compressed foot, with which it can quickly
burrow beneath the surface of the sand. Nevertheless large numbers are always thrown on the
beaches by violent storms and once there they are very soon devoured by crows, gulls, and other
large birds that frequent the shores."
The range of the species includes our whole coast from the Gulf of Mexico to Labrador, but
this clam is familiar only to the people of Massachusetts Bay, Cape Cod, the south shore of Long
Island, and New Jersey. One of the earliest tracts written upon our natural history, Wood's " New
THE CLAM FISHERIES. 609
England Prospect" (1634), says that along Nahaut beach the sea, " after storms casts up greate
store of great ClammeSj which the Indians, takiiig out of their sheis, carry home in baskets;"
also of "clanunes as big a.s a halfe penny loaf, which are greate dainties amongst the natives."
It is evident that this is I he species referred to. Following their example, the Massachusetts
people luive always eaten them to some extent, and one Boston merchant told me that a few
years ago lie was able to .sell tifteeu barrels a year, but that, now there was no call for them.
They were worth $3.50 a barrel at the beach and sold for $4 a barrel in Boston. On Cape Cod they
are eaten to some extent when washed up on the "backside" of the cape, all of the mollnsk being
thrown away except the "cheeks;" precisely what this portion represented however, I was unable
to learn. This is a traditional custom, as I was assured in conversation with an old Provincetown
man : " I hearn old folks say," he explained " yeou mustn't eat none of it, 'cept the cheeks. They
pretend to say the rest is poison, or suthin."
1 suggested that at Lynn the whole animal was eaten, and said perhaps the people there were
tougher. "Well, I dunno," he replied, " most all the folks at, Swarupscott are Cape Codders."
They are occasionally eaten in the lower towns of the cape, too. and on Long Island, where the
south shore is frequently strewed with them. Mr. Mather makes a note of this as follows:
" It is very large, and would afford a cheap and wholesome stock for soup, if the American
pooi- did not always want the very best of everything. We, know a poor man in Brooklyn who,
when out of work, walks down to Coney Island and gets a bag full with which he rides back on
the street cars, and, said he, ' I can get clams enough to make good soup for my big family for a
week, by taking one day, and 15 cents for car fare.' Here is a text for a political economist.
We have often said that there is more good food wasted in the United States than in any other
country, but as population increases this will remedy itself. At present our people are too proud
to buy anything but the choicest things in market, or even to ride second class; but in a few
more generations the fishermen of Long Island Sound won't say with indignation, of a truly fine
fish which graces the tables of the best in the land in Europe and some parts of New York, 'No
sir; I never was poor enough to eat sturgeon.' We repeat, sea-clams make good soup; we have
eaten it and pretend to know the various grades of goodness in salt-water clams and oysters."
They rarely appear in New York markets, and I suppose their general rejection as food is
due partly to their inaccessibility, partly to prejudice against them, but chiefly from the fact that
they are likely to prove tough, and of a " sweetish " flavor, disliked by many persons in comparison
with the abundant oysters, quahangs, and Mya clams.
In New Jersey, they occasionally serve as manure, being now and then thrown up on the
outer beaches in vast wind-rows, sometimes 2 or 3 feet deep, and so dense that they may be
shoveled up. There are records of many such a visitation, the latest of which, perhaps, was
during the winter of 1877-'7S, when the farmers along the shore from Atlantic City to Cape May
carted away hundreds of wagon-loads of the washed-out flesh of these mollusks and spread it on
their fields. They were utilized also as food for hogs and poultry, and as bait. The same was
true at Barnegat, and, Mr. Lockwood tells me, has happened frequently near Sandy Hook. This
great bivalve is principally serviceable then, as bait, and as such it occupies considerable time
and attention everywhere along the coast, briefly and at irregular intervals. On Cape Cod,
nevertheless — that great depot for all sorts of marine industries — the fishery for sea-clams takes
on a commercial importance. In the course of Mr. True's investigations of the shore -interests of
that interesting and amphibious corner of the United 3tates, he learned that at Dennisport, in 1879,
there were about two hundred and forty dories procuring sea-clams within a mile and a half of
the village, half of which were owned in Dennisport, and the rest in Harwich, Chatham, West
SEC. v, VOL. ii 39
610 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Dennis, South Yarmouth, South Harwich, East Harwich, North Dennis, Brewster, and Nantucket.
These dories employed about two hundred and fifty men, half of whom belonged iu Deunisport.
The history of this fishery is this : About 1870 Mr. Joshua Pierce discovered the sea-clams in
the neighborhood of a wreck, outside the port. That winter Mr. Pierce, accompanied by another
man went agaiu to the spot and brought in a large number of the clams. The next year there
were eight boats engaged. Thus the business has continued to grow until the winter of 187G-'77,
when the zenith seems to have been reached with a product of 3,000 barrels. Since then there
has been a decrease, due, it is said (no doubt properly) to overfishing, aud not throwing back the
very small ones ; and no exact report of the present diminished yield is available.
Out of the whole number of men employed, some fifty hire dory and gear, paying an eighth
of the amount made. Of the rest, many buy dories and gear, paying a dollar or two on them
from week to week until all has been paid. The rakes in use are made of iron, with wooden
handles from 20 to 27 feet long; they have seventeen to twenty-five teeth, and cost $5 to $8.
Most of the raking is done in water 8 feet deep at ebb tide, but sometimes the men go into very
deep water, trying once, and often twice each day. Dealers on shore pay from 25 to 28 cents a
bushel for the catch.
The clams are sold almost wholly as bait for the bank fisheries, and therefore must be opened
and packed in barrels for shipment to Cape Cod ports, Boston, Swaiopscott, Rockport, Gloucester,
Portsmouth, Newport, New York and New London ; for the last two years three-fourths of the
whole have been sent to Boston. In 1877-'78, thirty men were employed in opening the clams,
but in 187S-'79 only twenty found work, and were paid at the rate of 10 cents a bushel. Barrels
are made chiefly by two men, one in Denuisport and the other in West Dennis, aud cost from 50
to 75 cents each. In the fall it takes 16 bushels of clams to fill a barrel with " meats," in the
spring only about 12 bushels, showing considerable rapidity of growth in the mollusks during the
winter. Cartage and transportation add 60 cents, so that in Boston the actual cost of a barrel
of sea-clams, calculated as above, will be about $5.75; the price last year was actually $6. The
year 1873 saw it at the highest, $9. In addition to this, the shells are sold at 5 cents a wagon-
load for road- ma king.
At West Dennis, also, is a small business employing, according to Mr. True, twenty-five men,
and yielding about 400 barrels.
Mr. True estimates the capital invested in this fishery on Cape Cod in the following manner, but
apparently refers to the year 1877, in the item " 3,000 barrels," since not so many are used now —
perhaps not more than 2,000 :
240 dories, at $8 $1,920
250 rakes, at $7 1, 750
Gear (anchors, &c.), at $3 to a dory 720
34 shanties, at $50 1,700
3,000 barrels, at 60 cents 1,800
Fuel, repairs, &c., at least 110
$8, 000
To the above may be added perhaps $2,000 as representing the capital in use in the " South
Village," making $10,000 for the whole.
At this point, for want of a better place, I may insert the following bit of information as to
the law of Massachusetts (1867) " concerning clam-bait:"
" CHAP. 347, SEC. 1. When clam-bait is sold by the barrel it shall be construed to mean a
fish-barrel of not more than 29 nor less than 28 gallons, and shall contain 26 gallons of clams and
not over 3 gallons of pickle. If a disagreement arises between the purchaser and seller respect-
THE CLAM FISHERIES. 611
ing its quantity, either party may call on an inspector of fish and have it measured, and if it does
not contain the number of gallons of clams aforesaid, the seller shall receive pay for only the num-
ber of gallons each barrel contains, and shall pay the expense of measuring and coopering; other-
wise the purchaser shall pay the expense."
(d) CLAMS OF THE PACIFIC COAST.
18. COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OF PACIFIC COAST CLAMS.
The edible mollusks in addition to oysters to be found on the Pacific coast of the United
States are many. First in importance among them probably is the Lutraria maxima, concerning
which a long account is furnished by Mr. J. K. Lord, in his "Naturalist in British Columbia,"
which I subjoin in full.
"Among the edible shell-fish found on the coast of Vancouver Island and British Columbia,
the Great Clam as it is there styled (Lutraria maxima), or the otter-shell of conchologists, is by
far the most valuable. Clams are one of the staple articles of winter food on which all Indian
tribes in a great measure depend who inhabit the northwest coast of America. The clam to the
Indians is a sort of molluscous cereal, that they gather and garner during the summer months ;
and an outline sketch of this giant bivalve's habits and style of living, how captured, and what
becomes of it after being made a prisoner, may be interesting ; its habits, and the uses to which, if
not designed, it is at least appropriated, being generally less known than its minute anatomy.
Clams attain an immense size ; I have measured shells 8 inches from the hinge to the edge of the
valve. We used them as soap-dishes at our headquarters on Vancouver Island.
"The clam has a very wide range, and is thickly distributed along the mainland and Vancou-
ver Island coasts ; his favorite haunts are the great sand-banks that run out sometimes over a mile
from the shore. The rise and fall of the tide is from 30 to 40 feet, so that at low water immense
flats or beaches, consisting of mud and sand, are laid bare.
" There is nothing poetical about the clam, and its habits are anything but clean; groveling
in the mud and feeding on the veriest filth it can find appears to constitute the great pleasure of
its life; the stomach is a kind of dust-hole, into which anything and everything finds ready admis-
sion. Its powers of digestion must be something wonderful; I believe clams could sup on copper
tacks, and not suffer from nightmare. Spending the greater part of its time buried 'about 2 feet
deep, the long siphon reaching to the surface discovers its whereabouts, as the ebbing tide leaves
the mud, by continually squirting up small jets of water, about 6 or 8 inches high. The sand flats
dry, out marches an army of squaws ( Indian women), as it is derogatory to the dignity of a man
to dig clams. With only a small bit of skin or cedar-mat tied round the waist, the women tramp
Through the mud, a basket made from cedar root in one hand, and in the other a bent stick about
4 feet long. Thus armed they begin to dig up the mud-homes of the unsuspecting clam ; guided by
the jets of water, they push down the bent stick, and experience has taught them to make sure of
getting it well under the shell; placing a stone behind the stick, against which the squaw fixes her
foot firmly, she lifts away; the clam comes from darkness into light ere he knows it, and thence
into the Indian's basket. The basket filled, the clam pickers trudge back again to the lodge, and
next to open him. He is not a native to be astonished with an oyster-knife; once having shut his
mouth, no force saving that of dashing his shell into atoms will induce him to open it. But the
wily redskin, if she does not know the old fable of the wind and the sun trying their respective
powers on the traveler, at least adopts the same principle on the luckless clam; what knife and
lever fail to do, a genial warmth accomplishes. The same plan the sun adopted to make the trav-
612 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
eler take off his coat (more persuasive, perhaps, than pleasant) the Indian squaw has recourse to
In order to make the clain open his shell.
" Hollowing out a ring in the ground about 8 inches deep, they fill the circle with large
pebbles, made red hot in the camp fire near by, and on these heated stones put the bivalve
martyr. The heat soon finds its way through the shelly armor, the powerful ropes that hold the
doors together slacken, and, as his mansion gradually grows ' too hot to hold him ' the door opens
a little for a taste of fresh air. Biding her chance, armed with a long, smooth, sharp-pointed
stick, sits the squaw — dusky, grim, and dirty — anxiously watching the clam's movements. The
stronghold opens, and the clam drinks draught after draught of the cool life-giving air ; then
down upon him the savage pounces, and astonishes his heated and fevered imagination by thrust-
ing, with all her force, the long sharp stick into the unguarded house: crash it goes through the
quivering tissues ; his chance is over ! Jerking him off the heated stones, pitilessly his house is
forced open ; ropes, hinges, fastenings crack like packthread, and the mollusk is ruthlessly dragged
from his shelly home, naked and lifeless.
" Having got the clam out the next thing is to preserve it for winter. This is effectually
accomplished by stringing-up aud smoking. A long wooden needle, with an eye at the end, is
threaded with a cord made from native heinp, and on this the clams are strung like dried apples,
and thoroughly smoked in the interior of the lodge. A more effectual smoking-house could
hardly be found; I can imagine nothing in the ' wide, wide world' half as filthy, loathsome, and
disgusting as the interior of an Indian house. Every group has some eatable — fish, mollusk, bird,
or animal — and what the men and squaws do not consume, is pitched to the dusky little savages,
that, naked and dirty, are thick as ants in a hill ; from these the residue descends to the dogs, and
what they leave some lower form of animal life manages to consume. Nothing eatable that is
once brought in is ever by any chance swept or carried out again, and either becomes some other
form of life, or, decomposing, assumes its elemental condition.
"An old settler ouce told me a story, as we were hunting together, and I think I can vouch for
the truth of what he related, of having seen a duck trapped by a clam : ' You see, sir, as I was
a cruising down the flats about suu-np, the tide jist at the nip, as it is now, I see a whole pile of
shoveler ducks snabbliog in the mud, and busy as dog-fish in herring-time; so I creeps down,
and slap I lets 'em have it : six on 'em turned over, and off went the pack gallows-scared and
quacking like mad. Down I runs to pick up the dead uus, when I see an old mallard a playing
up all kinds o' antics, jumping, backing, flapping, but fast by the head, as if he had his nose in a
steel trap; and when I comes up to him, blest if a large clam hadn't hold of him, hard and fast,
by the beak. The old mallard might a' tried his darndest, but may I never bait a martin-trap
a.gain if that clam wouldn't a' held him agin any odds 'til the tide run in, and then he'd a' been
'a gone shoveler sure as shooting; so I cracked up the clam with the bu*t of my old gun, and
bagged the mallard."
In addition to this a large number of other edible bivalves exist in the waters of the Pacific,
and have added to the food resources of the Indians on that coast, or are yet eaten by white men
and Chinese. Some of these are described elsewhere, such as the mollusks aud abaloue (Haliotis),
or have been alluded to in the introductory volume, Section I, of this report upon the fisheries. I
shall content myself therefore by mentioning that the bay of San Francisco, in particular, and
some other portions of the sea-shore of California, are now being peopled with the eastern clams
of both species which have been taken thither, mainly or wholly by accident, with eastern trans-
planted oysters. They thrive in their new quarters, increase and grow rapidly and are figuring
largely in local markets. To what extent Prof. Jordan has included native mollusks with these
THE CLAM FISHERIES.
613
introduced clanis in the following figures I am not informed ; but his totals reported from Cali-
fornia of edible shell-fish other than oysters, is as follows:
Statistics of clams gathered in California in 1880.
County.
Number.
Value.
10, 000
$100
2 500
25
500
10
40 000
400
Total . .
53, 000
535
(e) THE RAZOR FISH.
19. NATURAL HISTORY AND COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE.
Another bivalvecl mollnsk to be noticed among our edible shell-fish is the razor-clam (Ensa-
teUa americana), which is a common inhabitant of sand-flats and sand-bars, where the water is pure,
generally living near low-water mark or below, but sometimes found considerably above low-
water mark. "This curious mollusk,': writes Professor A. E. Verrill, in one of the pleasantest of
his many pages concerning New England's invertebrates, "constructs a deep, nearly round, some-
what permanent burrow, which descends nearly perpendicularly into the sand to the depth of 2 or
3 feet. These holes can generally be recognized, by their large size and somewhat elliptical form,
when the tide is out. Sometimes they are very abundant in certain spots and not found elsewhere
in the neighborhood. They sometimes come to the top of the burrow, when left by the tide, and
project an inch or two of the end of the shell above the surface of the sand ; at such times, if
cautiously approached, many can easily be secured by pulling them out with a sudden jerk, but
if the sand be jarred the whole colony will usually take the alarm and instantly disappear.
When thus warned it is generally useless to attempt to dig them out, for they quickly descend
beyond the reach of the spade. They will often hold themselves so firmly in their holes by means of
the expanded end of the long muscular foot, that the body may be drawn entirely out of the shell
before they will let go. When not visible at the orifice they can often be secured by cutting off
their retreat with a sudden oblique thrust of the spade below them. They are obliged to come up
to the upper part of the burrow on account of the shortness of their siphons or breathing-tubes,
which can be protruded only about an inch in specimens of the ordinary size, and, as they depend
upon one of these to bring them both food and oxygen, and on the other (dorsal) one to carry oft'
the waste water and excretions, it is essential for their happiness that the orifices of these tubes
should be at or near the opening of the burrow most of the time. In this respect the common
'long clam' (Mya arenaria) and many others that have very long and extensile tubes have a great
advantage. But the 'razor-shell' makes up for this disadvantage by its much greater activity
Its foot or locomoitve orgau is long and very muscular, and projects directly forward from the
anterior end of the shell ; at the end it is obliquely beveled and pointed, and it is capable of being
expanded at the end into a large bulb, or even into a broad disk, when it wishes to hold itself
firmly and securely in its burrow. In excavating its barrows it contracts the end of the foot to
a point and then thrusts it beneath the surface of the sand ; then, by forcing water into the ter-
minal portion, it expands it into a swollen, bulbous form, and thus crowds the sand aside and
enlarges the burrow ; then, by using the bulb as a hold-fast, the shell can be drawn forward by
the contraction of the foot ; the latter is then contracted into a pointed form and the same opera-
tions are repeated. The burrow thus started soon becomes deep enough so that the shell will
614 HISTOET AND METHODS OF THE FISHEBIES.
maintain an upright position, when the work becomes much easier and the burrow rapidly
increases in depth."
A very amusing account of the efforts of a naturalist to procure one of the English species
is to be read in Lankester's " Uses of Animals," a part of which I may be permitted to quote :
"After many vain efforts to secure one of these creatures alive, I mentioned my failures to the
late Prof. Edward Forbes. ' Oh,' he said, with a waggish smile, ' there is nothing easier. All you
have to do is to put a little salt on their holes and they will come out.' I remembered, you know,
the story of putting salt on birds' tails, and although I resolved secretly to try my friend's plan,
it was so simple, I had not the courage to tell him that I would. I had, however, no sooner got
to the sea-side than I quietly stole to the pantry and pocketed some salt, and then went alone at
low tide to the sandy shore. As soon as I espied a hole I looked round, for I almost fancied I
heard my friend chuckle over my shoulder ; however, nobody was there, and down went a pinch
of salt over the hole. What I now beheld almost staggered me. Was it the ghost of some razor-
fish whose head I had chopped off in digging that now rose before me to arraign me for my
malice, or was it a real live razor-fi-sh, that now raised its long shell at least half out of the sand ?
I grasped it, fully expecting it would vanish, but I found I had won my prize. It was a real, solid,
specimen of the species Solen maximus that I had in my hand.
" I soon had a number of others which were all carried home in triumph. Of course there
were more than were required for science, and at the suggestion of a Scotch friend the animals
not wanted were made into soup. When the soup was brought to table, our Scotch friend vowed
it particularly fine, and ate a basin with at least twenty razor-fish in it. One tablespoonful satis
fled the ladies, whilst myself and an English friend declared — against our consciences I do verily
believe — that we had never eaten anything more excellent. I counted the number of the creatures
I was able to swallow; it amounted to exactly three. After a tumbler of whisky and water, taken,
of course, medicinally, arrangements were made fora dredge in the morning. The Scotchman
was up at five, but I and my English friend could not make our appearance. Nightmare and
other symptoms of indigestion had fairly upset us and unfitted us for anything so ticklish as a
dredging excursion. Now, I do not wish to say anything against razor-fish as an article of diet,
but from what I have told you, they would seem to possess an amount of resistance to the ordi-
nary digestive activity of the stomach that would render it highly desirable to insure before taking
them such a digestion as a Highlander from his mountain wilds is known to possess.
"Notwithstanding this dictum, it is certain that the ancients, who were not backward in dis-
covering what was fit to eat, were fond of solens. 'Athseneus directs them to be boiled or fried,
or, what is still better, to roast them on live coals till they gape.' The same author * * »
quotes a commendation of Sophrou, who not only praises them as great delicacies, but says they
are particularly grateful to widows."
Knowing that a couple of centuries ago they were commonly eaten in Italy, in France, in Eng-
land, and especially during Lent in Ireland, the early visitors to America observed at once that
they occurred here also, adding another to the long list of marine delicacies which the New World
boasted. It is evidently the Solen (or modern Ensatella) that Josselyn means in the following:
" An achariston for pin and web. — Sheath-fish, which are there very plentiful ; a delicate
fish as good a prawn ; covered with a thin shell, like the sheath of a knife, and of the color of a
mussel. Which shell, calcin'd and pulveriz'd, is excellent to take off a pin and web, or any kind
of filrne growing over the eye."
But Americans never took kindly to eating the razors, or even putting them into their materia
medica. Under the name of " long clam," " knife-handle," and " razor clam," they are occasionally
THE CLAM FISHERIES.
615
seen in New York market, but have no sale as food. Their taste is sweetish and not approved.
The same is true of the Pacific coast, though there they are said to be of " fine flavor." As bait
the razors serve a good but limited purpose, particularly on Cape Cod and along the south shore of
Long Island, but there is no regular demand for them. In his "Market Assistant" Mr. Thomas
DeVoe, records that during a gale in February, 1839, so many clams of all sorts were sent ashore
on the beach " that it is supposed it would require all the horses and wagons in the town of Hemp-
stead for mouths to carry them away." No doubt the Long Islanders availed themselves of this
visitation to get much manuring for their sandy farms.
The razor-shell, like all other bivalves, depends upon the minute infusoria and other organic
particles, animal and vegetable, brought in by the current of water that supplies the gills with
oxygen. It is preyed upon by several fishes that seem to be able to root it out of the sand, or
perhaps seize it when at the surface. In this region its principal enemies are the tautog and
skates. The latter appear to eat only the "foot," for in their stomachs there are sometimes many
specimens of this organ, but no shells or other parts. I was told by a New Jersey bay-man, too,
that the conchs (Fulgur) would pull the razors out of their burrows and devour them. The long
and pretty shells are devoted to a variety of ornamental uses, where they can be kept whole, for
they are too thin and brittle to be cut up as are heavier shells.
(/) STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION.
20. STATISTICS OF THE CLAM FISHEKIES OF THE UNITED STATES.
The total summary of the business in " clams " of various kinds in the United States, de-
tailed statistics of which have been given on previous pages, foots up as follows :
Kind.
Bushels.
Value.
1 064 704
9
$562 376
1 087 486
657 747
30 000
7 500
2 120
535
Total
2 184 310
1 228 158
4.— MUSSEL FISHERY.
1. THE SPECIES, GEOGEAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION, AND HABITS OF MUSSELS.'
Of mussels there are four common species on the Atlantic coast of the United States, besides
several species on the Pacific coast. These are the following:
Mytllus edulis Linne". Arctic Ocean to Cape Hatteras and San Francisco.
Modiolaria nigra. Northern, in the deep sea.
Modiola modiolus. Arctic Ocean to New Jersey and Southern California.
Modioln plicatula. Maine to Georgia; Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
The internal structure of mussels, their food and manner of life are not greatly different from
that of other bivalved mollusks, and need not be described at length here. Both valves of the
shell are alike in shape and size. The hinge or lock uniting them is located in the smallest angle of
the triangle formed by the shells, and both of the latter end at this point in short conical elevations.
* Further detaile of the natural history of mussels, as also information ahout the Unionidce, or fresh water mus-
sels and other raollusks not considered here, will be found in Section I of this report, Natural History of Aquatic
Animals.
616 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
At the opposite end there is a small opening in the shell corresponding to the anus of the mussel;
and in close proximity runs a short fringed tube connecting with the inner organs of respiration.
Ou both sides of the mouth there are long, narrow, folded tentacles. Under and behind the base,
of the muscles which control the foot, is situated the byssus-spinning gland. From its cavity a
groove extends along the lower side of the foot, and ends at its tip in a transverse cavity con-
taining a small plate, perforated by seven small apertures, used for sucking.
Characteristic of tlio mussels is the strong, triangular "foot, "and the "beard" or byssus,
a group of silken threads. The foot is the weaver of the mussel's beard, and the manner of
secretion of the threads takes place in a fashion quite analogous to that in which the spider makes
its thread. From special glands under and behind the foot comes a viscid, semi fluid material,
which, run into the groove in the foot, sets therein as a firm thread. This thread is drawn out of
the foot by the retraction of that organ, and another thread is rapidly formed, until the beard
grows apace, and the mussel has tied itself to something or has tied something to it. This
attachment is made early in life to the surface of the rock, log, or other object forming its abode.
The second engraving represents the, mussel thus attached. In most cases several tie themselves
to each other and to a common object, and thus form large clusters. "Thus a very firm and secure
anchorage is effected, and they are generally able to ride out the most violent storms, though, by
the giving way of the rocks or shells to which they are attached, many are always stranded on
the beaches after severe storms. * * * These shells are not destined to remain forever fixed,
however, for they not only swim free when first hatched, but even in after life they can, at will,
let go their anchor- threads, or 'byssus,' and creep about by means of their slender 'foot,' until
they find another anchorage that suits them better, and they can even climb up the perpendicular
sides of rocks or piles by means of the threads of the, 'byssus,' which they then stretch out and
attach, one after another, in the direction they wish to climb, each one being fastened a little
higher up than the last. Thus, little by little, the heavy shell is drawn up, much in the manner
employed by some spiders when moving or suspending an unusually large victim." Though
written by Professor Verrill concerning the edible mussel, the words just quoted will apply sub-
stantially to all species.
" The 'beard' of the mussel as a zoological curiosity is interesting enough, no doubt, but that
it could by any stretch of the, imagination be regarded as subserving an important function in
defending man's structures against the ravages of time and tide is altogether an unlikely supposi-
tion. Listen, however, to a recital, as quoted by Mr. Gosse in his manual of the 'Mollusca.' 'At
the town of Bideford, in Devonshire, there is a long bridge of twenty-four arches across the Tor-
ridge River, near its junction with the Taw. At this bridge the tide flows so rapidly that it
cannot be kept in repair by mortar. The corporation, therefore, keep boats in employ to bring
mussels to it, and the interstices of the bridge, are filled by hand with the semussels. It is sup-
ported from being driven away by the tide entirely by the strong threads these mussels fix to the
stone work; and by an act or grant, it is a crime liable to transportation for any person to remove
these mussels, unless in the presence and by the consent of the corporation trustees.' Such a
history is both curious and interesting, and in the absence of any contradiction — Mr. Gosse's
'Manual' bears date 1854 — the correctness of the narrative may be assumed, if only from an
inductive inference concerning the strength of the byssus of the mussels on the beach. The story,
besides, presents but another, and, perhaps, novel illustration of the old axiom, L'union fait la
force. Utilitarianism may again claim us when we find that a near neighbor of the mussel — the
Mediterranean pinna — manufactures a silky byttsus in sufficient quantity to enable the Sicilians to
THE MUSSEL FISHERY. 617
weave it into gloves and stockings. These latter are ratber articles de luxe, however, than gar-
ments of wear, and are costly withal, the latter fact depending on the nature of their origin and
the trouble of manufacture. Pope Benedict XV received in 1754 from certain of his subjects a
pair of stockings of Pinna's 'beard,' and the event was regarded as testifying to the worth of the
present and to the dexterity of the manufacturers — a dexterity which was certainly equaled in
respect of its ingenuity by Dame Nature herself in the production of the raw material."*
The American representatives of the European edible mussel are somewhat different in
appearance, as may be seen by comparing specimens of the two varieties. Our shell is more
thin, pellucid, and beautiful in its colors and radiating ornamentation.
Its home is among the rocks toward low-water mark and in the larger pools, particularly in
shallow bays and estuaries, wherever there is an opportunity for anchorage to some firm object,
and at the same time more or less mud. It is also frequently found on sandy flats in large patches
fastened together by the threads of byssus. Gosse in his "Tenby" (p. 30) speaks of " myriads of
mussels" in a cavern pool at Tenby: "These latter form a remarkable feature of the place; they
fringe the walls of the cave and the rocks around up to a certain level ; they floor the pools; and
they cluster around every stone, being packed so densely that it would not be possible to thrust
even the blade of a knife between them without violence. Thus they form great patches, or rather
tracts, of intense blackness, from the general hue of the mussel-shells, though on a minute exam-
ination we can discover many individuals among the sable host which are beautifully tinted with
pellucid olive or golden brown and pointed with radiating bands of purple. They adhere with
j:reat force to the rock and to each other by means of the silky threads of byssus, which they spin
as their mooring cables, and which are capable of resisting a strong pull."
From such sheltered and favorable conditions it ventures out into deeper and rougher life, for
Verrill dredged them oft' Eastport, Me., in 40 or 50 fathoms, where the tide runs with great force,
and it has since been dredged in still deeper water in the same region, showing that it can live
and prosper equally well under the most diverse conditions. This was not so new information as
it seems to be, however, since in the New York Journal of August 4, 1785, a nautical correspon-
dent informs shipmasters " that in latitude 35° 40' and longitude of Cape Ilatteras, there is a large
mussel-bank, intermixed with cockles and pebbles, in 50 fathoms of water, and abounding in
sundry fish, as sea bass, sea trout, flounders, skates, cusk, and dogfish ; also in winter ballahs.
All these fish are extraordinarily large and numerous."
To-day the most productive localities for mussels are the swift tideways of the inlets through
Fire Island and the other beaches on the southern shore of Long Island, the channels about Sandy
Hook, and the inlets of the beaches between Barnegat and Cape May. There are many beds in the
lower part of New York Bay, also, particularly north of Point Comfort, near East Point buoy and
near the Highlands; also in the East River.
"The specimens from sheltered localities and sandy bottoms are, however, much more delicate
in texture and more brilliant in color than those from more exposed situations. Some of the thin-
ner and more delicate specimens, from quiet and pure waters, are translucent and very beautifully
colored with brown, olive, green, yellow, and indigo-blue, alternating in radiating bands of differ-
ent widths; while others are nearly uniform pale yellow or translucent horn color. Those from
the exposed shores are generally thicker, opaque, and plain dull brown, or bluish black, and not
unfrequently they are very much distorted." t
This species breeds early in the spring. The eggs hatch into little free-swimming microscopic
•Belgravia. t A. E. VERRILL.
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
objects which rapidly develop into something recognizable, and when only about the size of the
head of a pin attach themselves in myriads to weeds and other objects, living or dead, near
shore. In this condition they furnish food to a large number of rapacious animals, but grow with
such celerity that those which survive attain their full size and armor in two seasons, or, under the
most favorable auspices, ewn in one year.
Associated with the Mytilus edulis, and of like habits in general, are two other widely diffused
species, the big "horse mussel" (Modiola modiolus) and the ribbed mussel (Modiola plicatula).
The former of these two is Arctic in its range, and rarely seen south of New Jersey on our
coast, or Great Britain and France, in Europe. Fond of the deeper water it is to be looked for,
according to Verrill, "at extreme low-water mark in the crevices between the rocks, and usually
nearly buried in the gravel and firmly anchored in its place. Sometimes it occurs in the larger pools,
well down toward low -water mark, * * * and, although it is almost entirely confined to rocky
shores and bottoms, it extends to considerable depths, for we dredged it abundantly in the Bay of
Fundy, at various depths, down to 70 fathoms." It is larger and heavier than the common mussel,
being 6 inches in length sometimes. Generally lacking anything like the pretty radiating lines
which adorn the mytilus, this mussel is covered with chestnut-black glossy coat, rudely haired
towards the tip. It will easily be distinguished.
Modiola nigra is a rare form occasionally washed up on our northern shores by storms. It
lives in the deep sea.
Modiola plicatula, on the other hand, belongs to high- water mark, clinging to rocks exposed
more than half the time in many cases by the receding of the tide. It is very abundant in Long
Island and New Jersey, along the muddy borders of the marshes and banks and among the roots
of grass. In the brackish tide-streams that indent the coast, and in the djains through the salt
marshes, these ribbed mussels are found crowded in among the stones, or embedded in the
peat-like soil of the banks near high-water mark. "In this position, with the upper posterior
portion slightly exposed, they crowd in such numbers as to form a complete stratum from 6 to
12 inches in thickness. A great portion of the time they are, of course, out of water ; but they
retain enough to serve the demands of their economy during the recess of the tide, and eject it
when any disturbance prompts them to close the shell."
A closely allied species, the Modiola hamatus, is occasionally met with, especially on oyster
beds, adhering to the shells, where it is sometimes very abundant. It has been introduced with
the oysters, from the south, where it is common. It somewhat resembles the preceding species,
but it is shorter, broader, with strong radiating ribs, many of which are forked. Its color is
yellow or yellowish brown, from which fact it gets the popular name of " yellow mussel." It belongs
naturally to the Gulf of Mexico and the southern Atlantic coast from Florida to Delaware, but
is so thoroughly introduced into New Jersey that, as Professor Lockwood informs me, it grows
abundantly through the sedges along the southern coast of that State, and serves as "stools" for
the young wild oysters. In New York Bay these shells exist in considerable quantities, but do
not multiply, and unless re-enforced by constant accessions from the Chesapeake Bay, brought by
the oystermen, would speedily disappear.
The natural service rendered to the world by the race of mussels, so far as we can see, consists
in the resistance their well-knitted colonies oppose to the waves and currents, thus preventing
largely the wear and tear of certain portions of coast ; in the fact that the highly useful oyster
often finds a lodgment for his young on their shells when otherwise they would perish ; and in
the food which they supply to marine animals of various kinds.
Seals, particularly in babyhood or youth, subsist largely upon mollusca, the most accessible
THE MUSSEL FISHERY. 619
of which, where they live, is probably the large arctic mussel. "The commou star-fishes feed
largely upoii mussels, as well as oysters, and they also have mauy other enemies among the
invertebrates, chiefly the whelk, drill, and other boring or crushing shell-fish. A small parasitic
crab, Pinnotheres maculatus, lives in their shells, between their gills, in the same manner as the
common Pinnotheres ostreum lives in the oyster. The principal enemies of mussels, though, are
fishes of various sorts. The scup and other kinds devour their young, and the drum, weakfish,
tautog, &c., live largely upon the older ones wherever the beds exist." In some regions, New York
Bay particularly, it is difficult to prevent clusters of mussels growing among the planted oysters.
This is considered very damaging by the planters, not because the mere presence of the mussels
is harmful, but because they attract the drums, skates, and other fishes highly destructive to the
valuable oysters. At Stump Shoal, Little Egg Harbor, N. J., however, I was assured that the
excess of mussels there would crowd out the oysters by their abundance and more rapid growth,
so that planting there was impracticable.
2. COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OF MUSSELS.
Besides being almost indispensable as bait for certain fish, mussels are extensively used as an
article of food. They are largely cultivated in all European waters, in so-called " parks." In the
North Sea these consist of large numbers of trees, from which the smaller branches only have
been cut, and which are planted in the bottom of the sea at such a distance from the shore that
their upper portion is partially laid bare at low water. After four or five years they are raised,
stripped, and replaced by others. In the bay of Keil, Germany, alone, about one thousand of
these trees are annually planted and about 1,000 tons of mussels are brought on the market. Bad
seasons occur, however, both with respect to quality and quantity, owing to various causes. In
the Adriatic the mussels are raised on ropes extended between poles rammed into the ground.
The ropes are raised and stripped once in eighteen months. The mussel beds of Great Britain
and western continental Europe are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. For infor-
mation in detail in respect to them the reader may consult the lectures by Dr. Philip Carpenter
on Mollusca, printed in the Smithsonian Report for 1860, Simmonds's "Commercial Products of
the Sea," Phipson's " Utilization of Minute Life," and so forth.
In America no such cultivation has ever existed, or is likely to be adopted for scores of years to
come, since our wealth of the preferable oysters and clams is so great ; still this mollusk is not
altogether neglected on the American bill of fare. But before I proceed further let me say that
to the aborigines of this continent the mussel has always been of very great importance as food;
and in conversation recently with Mr. H. W. Elliott, who has acquired a wide reputation by his
reports upon the fur-seal fisheries and the general natural history of Alaska, I learned many inter-
esting facts bearing on this point.
Mr. Elliott said that the mussel of Alaska, which is the same as the Mytilus edulis of Europe
and the eastern United States, is found from Saint Lawrence Island, south of Bering Strait,
through Bering Sea, along the southern shores of the Aleutian Islands, and in the waters contig-
uous to the coast all the way to San Francisco. Mr. Elliott is not sure, but he believes it clings
to the small islands known as the Diomedes, and is gathered Ity the Eskimo (in limited quantities)
clear around to Point Barrow. It is in great abundance from the head of Cross Sound to the
Straits of Fuca, and is especially luxuriant in growth and numbers throughout the whole of the
Sitkan Archipelago and in that extensive chain of lesser and greater islands which break the swell
of the North Pacific ere it reaches the coast of British Columbia. It is also abundant, but not of
so large size, in the whole of Puget Sound and neighborhood.
620 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
Of that whole great region it constitutes the molluscan food-supply, since no oysters grow
there, and the "clams" (Cardium, Mya, &c.) are nowhere numerous. Every day the women and
children of all the Indians near the coast are out picking mussels from the rocks, and they are
eaten the year round. The white inhabitants of that wilderness also consume them, and the Eus-
siau name for these mollusks is " black shells" (clwrnie, rakooshka).
The Alaskan method of cooking is by boiling. Sometimes a whole bunch weighing 10, 20, or
even 40 pounds, is thrown into the pot of boiling water. When the shells gape the water is poured
off, and the Indians sitting around the fire gleefully pick out the mollusks with their fingers and
transfer them swiftly to their mouths 1 y the same primitive instruments.
Similar feasts take place on Vancouver Island and elsewhere among the more southern
tribes, but there they are said generally to practice roasting instead of boiling.
As is shown by tradition and the presence of the shells scattered through the shell-heaps of
the Atlantic coast, mussels formed an important article of food to the eastern Indians. Prof.
Samuel Lockwood told me he once discovered a place on Mohinksun Creek, near Keyport, N. J.,
where it was evident that the Indians had lived wholly on Modiolus modiola, raising a monument
of the fact in a great heap of the refuse shells. There is no doubt that everywhere along the coast
they gathered and ate them constantly.
The Indians made use of their shells also. It is well known to all that the vanity of the red-
man is shocked by the presence of the meagre beard which would, if permitted, grow in a scanty
way upon his chin. All Indians pull out these hairs with a diligence which disregards all the
pain. The apparatus used by the Delawares to accomplish this, according to Heckewelder, " con-
sisted of a pair of mussel shells, sharpened on a gritty stone, which answered very well, being
somewhat like pincers."
In respect to the present demand for these mollusks, I find that it is very small, except in
New York City. Almost the only other locality where I found them availed of as food was at
Savannah, Ga., where the negroes eat them occasionally, but find them tough and often bitter.
They are never seen in the Savannah markets.
In the city of New York, however, they have been constantly used as an article of food for
many years. The season for mussels is midsummer, though some have asserted that they
are only fit to eat during cold weather. That they do not come to market much in winter, how-
ever, is largely due to the fact that then the persons who employ idle time in summer in procuring
them are busy.
The mussels sold in New York markets come from the East Eiver, from Sandy Hook, and
especially from Eockaway and Canarsie, Long Island. There are some evidently from the north
shore of Long Island, also, since Mr. Mather gives me a note that one man at Port Jefferson
shipped 300 bushels a day on many days, and in May and June of 1880 averaged 900 bushels a
day. He got $1.2.5 a barrel for them in New York. Mussels are exceedingly plenty there, but
the demand is limited.
The men who gather mussels for this market are an inferior part of the population, as a rule
since the regular oystermen do not care to take the trouble. The clammers get them to a certain
extent. They are detached from the rocky beds, where they lie in masses, by the use of a strong
fork.
The mussels are brought to the city every day, and are sold almost entirely at Fulton mar-
ket, where several wagon loads and several sail-boat loads are disposed of each morning, at from
$1 to $1.50 a barrel. A few also are daily received at the Broome street wharves. The amount
Til E MUSSEL FIStlE in. 621
coming in varies, but runs from 1,000 to 1,500 bushels daily, so near as I could learu the total
season's supply amounting perhaps to 100,000 bushels.
This employs several boats regularly, chiefly, as I have said, those running from Fire Island
Inlet aud Eockaway. They " float" the mussels — i. e., put them in fresh water and inflate them
much as they do oysters — before taking them to market.
Occasionally the mussels are eaten raw, but this is in their poorest shape. Mr. DeVoe, iu his
Market Assistant, says " they are best boiled and piekled, but, on accouut of their solid text-
ure, &c., they do not readily digest, and therefore do not agree with many stomachs."
Mr. Elliott remarked to me in the conversation mentioned above, that the Alaskan Indians
recognized very well the dangerous intestinal troubles which were likely to follow the eating of
Mytilus, and escaped them by extracting the byssus whenever it was green; this greenness indi-
cating a poisonous quality due to the convervoid food the inollusk had fed upou. The season of
the jear, as some have supposed, has nothiug to d9 with these deleterious properties.
The ordinary method of preparation in ]STew York is by pickliug. This preparation, which is
a troublesome aud expensive matter, is done by the oyster-saloon men, who sell them to cus-
tomers by the quart at 25 cents, or gallon at $1. almost wholly iu the city.
Mussels to be pickled are first taken one by one and deprived of their " beard," which is the
name given to the byssus, by pulling it out. This is bard work, for the byssus is strongly
inserted into the muscular center of the animal. They are next thoroughly washed, and after
that boiled for a considerable time. This finished, the animals are removed from the shells, and
again thoroughly washed in fresh water. They are then thrown into the pickle, and are soon
ready for the table. The pickle is made according to a variety of recipes, each man considering
his method the best, the differences depending upon the character and amount of the condiments
put in, with the natural "liquor" of the mussel and the vinegar which are the chief ingredients.
From Monterey, Cal., comes word through Prof. D. S. Jordan that 5,000 bushels of mussels are
eaten there; this is the only note from the Pacific coast, so far as refers to civilized usage.
A second, but perhaps equally important, utilization of mussels is by making manure out of
them. This is extensively done and might be largely increased with undoubted profit. The value
of this fertilizer and the State's natural resources in it were long ago recognized by New Jersey.
In the geology of Cape May County, published by the State iu 1857, occur the following para-
graphs on this point: "There are great quantities of mussels in the creeks and thoroughfares of
the marshes. They are usually attached to sods and roots in the banks, entirely covering the
surface of such objects. They could be very easily and cheaply collected, by detaching them
from the sods, by the use of a sharp spade, aud by loading them directly into boats. The animal
matter aud the lime of their thiu shells are both valuable for manure, and could be advanta-
geously used.
The value of mussel beds for manure is given iu an article from Essex County, Mass., pub
lished in the Country Gentleman, vol. 7, p. 155: "Thousands of cords of mussel beds are annu-
ally taken from the bed of the streams bordering on the sea, aud used ou grounds cultivated.
I have repeatedly witnessed the value of this fertilizer in the growing of carrots and onions. The
very best crops of carrots I saw the last season, more than 34 tons to the acre, had no other
fertilizer applied to the land. For the last thirty years I have known it applied to lands ou which
onions have been grown, with a product varying from 300 to 600 bushels to the acre. It sells,
delivered several miles from where it is dug, at $4 or $5 the cord. It is usually gathered in the
winter mouths, taken to the shore in scows or gondolas, and thence to the fields where it is used.
Sometimes it is laid iu a pile of several cords together, and after it has been exposed to the frosts
622 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
of winter distributed from 4 to 8 cords to the acre. At other times it is laid out in heaps of a
few bushels only, which remain for a time exposed to the frost."
"Mussels and star-fish (five-fingers)," says a writer in the Agricultural Gazette, "have long
been an established manure in the neighborhood of Faversham, Kent. They are procured by
dredging. The mussels sell at 16s. sterling per wagon, and five-fingers at 21s."
At present in Southern New Jersey mussels are got in great quantities through the summer
;it the inlets in Little Egg Harbor and south of Beach Haven. The shore farmers gather them far
home use, during the slack days of August, and the clammers work at procuring them and bring-
ing them to»sell to the farmers at irregular times and places, to as great an extent, no doubt, as on
Long Island. The measure is usually a wagon load of 30 bushels, for which $1.25 to $1.50 is
charged. No statistics of the amount thus disposed of could be procured. Horseshoe Bay
(where Raritan Bay rounds into Sandy Hook) is the favorite -scene of mussel gathering in the
northern part of the State, but only enough for the fields next to the shore is taken annually.
Along the eastern half of the south shore of Long Island exists a similar industry. They are
taken with oyster tongs and rakes in summer, and sold at 3 cents a bushel, 200,000 bushels
according to Fred. Mather being turned into manure between Moriches and Babylon in 1880,
Elsewhere perhaps 50,000 bushels are so used.
Summarizing all, gives values as follows :
100,000 bushels to New York market, at 20 cents $-20,000
250,000 bushels on Long Island, at 3 cents 7,500
250,000 bushels in New Jersey, at 4 cents 10,000
Total, 600,000 $37,500
5.— THE ABALONE FISHERY.
The family of the abalone-shells, ormer-shells, or sea-ears (Haliotidce) is a large one and has
considerable commercial importance in various parts of the world. Though well represented on
the eastern (European) shore of the Atlantic, yet there are none on the Atlantic coast of North
America, nor anywhere in South America, while they abound along our Pacific from Cape Saint
Lucas to Kamtchatka and also in Japan and Australasia.
In California these mollusks are all known as " abaloue," which is said to be a corruption of
Spanish aulon or aulone. The Indians, again, who used the shining shells very largely as orna-
ments and also worked them into coin, called it uhllo; the money itself they knew by the same name,
and usually handled it in separate pieces, which served as gorgets, girdles and head-dresses when
not passing in trade.
The gleaming, nacreous, highly tinted beauty of the sea-ears has proved attractive not to
savage eyes alone. In Europe they are extensively employed for inlaying work, in decorating
fancy sign-boards, in ornamenting articles in papier-mache", and in making fancy buttons, studs,
buckles, &c. They are sometimes called in trade " aurora shells," and one of the seventy or more
described species abounds in the Channel Islands under the name of " ormer," '• ormier," or
" omar,"* where it is cooked for food after being well beaten to reduce its toughness.
* This word is contracted from oreille-de-mer of the French. The Portuguese name is Lapa lurra. The Italian,
Orecchiale, and the Sicilian, Patella reals. Cherbourg fish-woman, according to Jeffreys, call it ii ieu (six yenx) from
an idea that the orifices in the shells are real eyelets or peep-holes. The Eolians gave it the pretty name of Venus'a
ear. It is the mother-of- pearl or Norman shell of old English writers, the last name perhaps corrupted from the same
origin as "ormer." These shells are popularly spoken of as sea-ears, and the scientific name is Haliotis, from the
Greek hallos, marine, and otis, ear. Ear-shell and abaloue are the usual American appellations.
THE ABALONE FISHERY. 623
" The people of Guernsey and Jersey " says Simmonds, " ornament their houses with the
shells of the ormer, disposing them frequently in quincunx order, and placing them so that their
bright interior may catch the rays of the sun. Some of the large and splendid iutertropical
species, which, after removing the outer layer, take a polish almost equaling the natural brilliancy
of the interior, might be converted into dishes for holding fruit. If mounted with good taste, their
indescribable iridescence and prismatic colors would materially add to the richness of an elegant
table."
On the Pacific coast of the United States, especially in Southern California, the gathering
of Haliotis shells, or abalones, affords employment to a large number of persons, and a consider-
able commerce has sprung up, which is chiefly in the hands of the Chinese.
That this should be so is very natural. At home the Chinese were, and are yet, accustomed to
dry the flesh of their own Ealiotis: Finding in California the same luxury, they at once began to
gather the abalones for the sake of the meat, which they dried and salted and sent home to China
at a good profit. After a time white men began to gather up the shells thrown away and work them
into polished mantle ornaments and articles of jewelry. Thus apprised of their value, the China-
men also saved all the shells they got, and soon found this half of the catch brought more money
than the flesh. For three or four years past the business in these shells has been very extensive ;
but fears are felt for its future, «ince the inollusks are being rapidly exterminated along the whole
coast.
The species which enter into this western industry are said to be four :
Haliotis cracherodii,
San Francisco to Lower California.
Haliotis splendens.
San Diego and adjacent islands.
Haliotis corrugata.
Santa Barbara to San Diego and Catalina Island.
Haliotis rufescens.
Meudociuo County southerly to Saint Nicholas Island.
The first named of these is the ordinary abalone of commerce; the last is northern and
rarely seen, but was the one most employed by the Indians for making uhllo money and orna-
mental disks.
Late information and" partial statistics of the abaloue fishery are furnished by the investiga-
tions of Messrs. David S. Jordan and W. N. Lockington of the Census Oflice, whose figures are
for the year 1879. They inform us that the abalone producing region embraces the coast of Cali-
fornia from San Francisco to the southern boundary ; also the peninsula of Lower California and
the opposite shores of Mexico. Those credited to San Diego County and San Francisco in the
appended table are largely derived from Mexican waters. Until lately the Mexican Government
paid no attention to the depredations of the abalone fishers on their coasts ; but now a consulate
has been established at San Diego, and a license duty of $60 a year is placed upon every boat
from the United States going in search of these shell-fish in their waters.
In respect to San Diego County it appears that "most of the abalones are collected by
Chinamen, who have already stripped the coast as far south as Cerros Island. There are eight
companies of them now between there and San Diego; four of these companies belong at San
Diego, and combine this labor with 'red-fishing.' During the first week of January, 1880, alone,
their sales amounted to 10 tons of shells, worth (then) $450, besides the meat they saved, which
is worth 5 cents a pound in San Diego City."
624
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
In Los Angeles County the white men control two-thirds of the trade, deriving their stock
mainly from Sauta Catalina, San Cleinente, and adjacent islands.
Ventura ships very little, and what conies from her coast is mainly in Santa Barbara
boats.
In Sauta Barbara County, however, more is done, a schooner called the Surprise being con-
stantly employed in taking Chiuese colonies to the various islands, and receiving the shells to
pay for the transportation, while the Chinamen retain the flesh for their own profit. Various
Californians also work at it. irregularly, and there are a few Chinese permanently located along
the coast near Point Concepcion and Point Arguello.
The entire sea-front of San Luis Obispo County is bordered by detached rocks, and is there-
fore very favorable to the growth of Haliotides. San Simeon, Cayucos, and Port Harford are
the principal points of shipment, and thence the abalone fisheimen, principally Chinese, send
their catch to market.
Monterey County contributes a small quota, and there is also a colony of Chinese on Santa
Cruz, and another on Santa Rosa Island collecting abalones ; but the exact account of what they
do was not ascertained; their probable product is included in the following estimate table under
the head of San Francisco :
Summary table of the abalone fiiliery in 1879.
County.
Meata.
Shells.
Total
value.
Pounds.
Value.
Pounds.
Value.
280, 000
160, 0(1(1
20, 000
100, 000
15, 600
12,000
190, 000
$14, 000
8,000
1,000
5,000
780
600
9,500
1, 400, 000
800, 000
100,000
500, 000
23, 500
60, 000
950, 000
$30, 000+
18,000 +
2,500
12, 500
575
1,500
23, 750
$44, 000+
26, 000+
3,500
17, 500
1,355
•_', 100
33, 250
Santa Barbara
San Luis Obispo
Sun Fra ncisco*
Total
777, 600
38, 880
3, 833, 500 88, 825+
127, 705+
* Those credited to San Francisco are taken iu the neighborhood and the off-shore islands, by Chiuese.
Concerning the habits of the Haliotides little need be said. They dwell upon weed-grown
rocks not far from the low-water line and feed upon the sea vegetables. Their foot is " very large,
rounded at the ends and fringed with thread like tentacuhe, which, when the animal is protruded
from the shell below the surface of the water, are gently swayed with a somewhat vibratory
motion." They move very little and with great slowness. The broad muscular foot is adapted
less to locomotion than for adhesion, and so strong is the force with which they cling to the rock,
withdrawing their protracted lobes and squatting flat down at the least disturbance, that it often
is exceedingly difficult to detach them, even with the aid of the trowel or spade to slip under them
which is usually carried by the fishermen. Another method is to pour over them a small quan-
tity of warm water, and then give them a sharp push with the foot sideways.
There is a grisly story of a poor Chinamen, who discovered a large abalone left bare by the
tide and partly exposing his mantle-lobes. The man had no spade with him, but attempted to
tear the mollusk up with his fingers. No sooner did the abaloue feel his touch, however, than it
shutdown, pinching the Chinaman's fingers between its shell and the rock so tightly that he could
not pull them away before the tide, rising with cruel speed, had drowned him in this creature's
clutch. Whether or not this be an "ower true tale," it illustrates the strength with which the mol-
THE A B ALONE FISHERY. 625
lusk holds to its site — a power of anchorage necessary when storms beat upon its native rocks
with almost resistless force.
The tenacity of life of this mollnsk seems equal to its hold upon the rocks. Dr. TC. E. C. Stearns,
of San Francisco, writes that he has frequently removed the animj'l from the shell by means of a
sharp knife and thrown it into the water, when "it would at once descend and place itself in its
normal position upon a rock, to which it would adhere with apparently as much tenacity as before.
it was deprived of its shelly covering."
The meat of abalone has long formed an article of food in various parts of the world — Senegal,
the South Sea Islands, Malaya, China, Japan, and our Pacific coast. It is said to be "exceedingly
nutritious, but indigestible." In San Francisco it is rarely eaten except by Chinamen, who are the
only ones who gather it. A simple process of salting and drying is all that is necessary for its
prcser\ ation, after which the larger portion of every season's crop is exported to China. In order to
get a ton of meat about 6 tons of living animals must be gathered, but how many individuals this
represents cannot be stated. After being cured abalone meat is worth about 5 cents a pound or
$100 a ton iu San Francisco; and the value of the crop in 1879 was nearly $40,000. The number
of men employed is unknown, but amounts to some hundreds. The coast is so stripped of haliotis
now, that the Chinamen are compelled to resort to unfrequented islands, transportation to which
is afforded them by American capitalists, who take their pay in shells, while the Chinese retain
the meats.
The trade in abalone shells, indeed, is of twice as much importance, financially speaking, as
that of meats, since it amounts to nearly $90,000 annually. Some Americans also are engaged in
this business, and the finishing-off of the shells for market is wholly iu their hands.
The shell of haliotis is one of the most brilliantly beautiful in its interior of any known. The
lustrous, iridescent curves of the nacre delight every eye, and is due to a peculiar cellular struct-
ure of the lamiinB which make up the shell. In aged specimens the part to which the muscle is
attached is raised above the level of the rest of the interior and presents a roughened or carved
surface of irregular shape, often fancifully imitative of some other object. The writer has seen one
which thus contained a singularly correct profile of Napoleon I.
Outside the shells are usually rough and unattractive, but support a small forest of minute
vegetable and animal forms very interesting to a naturalist. A curious case is mentioned by Dr.
Stearns where a haliotis had been attacked by another mollusk, a boring bivalve, known as Narni,
which had cut its way through the shell. Advised of this enemy, the haliotis had defended itself
by adding coating upon coating of nacre, as a bulwark between him and his foe, until, as the
\« mi progressed, a large knob was built in the interior of the abalone's shell.
The shells are usually sent to San Francisco from the lower counties of the State in the rough.
In addition to the regular trade, the captains of coasters often make a special trip, or pick up
return cargoes, and speculators venture with a single cargo or two now and then. This is the
sort of supply which is credited to San Francisco iu the above table, in addition to the regular
trade owned there.
The price paid for them by the merchants varies greatly, running from $40 up to 890 a ton ; an
average price last year would be $50 or $CO. From San Francisco they are shipped to China,
Europe, and the Eastern States. In China tiey are broken up and used for inlaying in connection
with the lacquer-work for which the Chinese are famous. The mosaics of Europe are often
adorned in the same way, various arts are served by their glittering fragments, and in Guernsey
their scintillating surfaces, dangling from strings on the top of poles, become effective in frighten-
ing birds from the grain-fields. Many of the shells sent to Europe are polished with the help of acids
SEC. v, VOL. ii 40
626 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
and reshipped to the United States, where they are valued as mantle ornaments, toilet-soap basins
card-cases, and receptacles for flowers. The same work is done to some extent in San Francisco.
Mr. Lockington reports that many are there manufactured into combs of various descriptions, per-
ticularly ladies high hair-combs of great elegance and costliness, for which there is a large demand.
At San Diego, according to Prof. Jordan's notes, one gentleman sold about $1,500 worth of
polished shells during 1879, at from 25 cents to $5 each according to size and beauty. Most of
these were sent to the East by mail in " nests" of four to six, at $2 to $5 per nest. Many are
also sold to tourists. In polishing, the young of Haliot is splendens are treated with diluted hydro-
chloric acid. Other species and the adult of splendens are ground down on stones by hand, until
the rough exterior is removed and the lustrous under- layers are revealed. Steam grinding wears
them away too fast and holes result, unless the operator is very careful. After grinding, the
shells are varnished.
Some persons suppose that the four, six, or eight round holes which are seen along the ridge
at one side of the abalone shell are designed by the man who polished it. But this is a mistake.
Through those holes, when the animal sits close down upon the rock, he derives the pure water
necessary for his breathing. From them also protrude little horns or feelers, by which he is warned
of the approach of any danger.
To the Indians of California the haliotis was very valuable. They wore, it as an ornament
about their necks and in their hair. The tribes of the interior were so attracted by its glitter that
they were willing to pay a large price in barter to possess it. A horse was not an infrequent price
for a fine shell. The coast tribes also made from them beads and coin of different values and
shapes. These were all made from the red-backed abalone, Haliotis rufescens. Mr. Stephen
Powers, describing this shell money, says :
" The uhllo pieces are of a uniform size on the same string; they do not mix them. The dollar
pieces are generally about one and a fourth inches long and an inch wide, the smaller about as
long, but narrower. A couple of fragments I picked up in an old Indian camp are worth 25 cents
each. The Indians are very ingenious and economical in working up the aulones. Wherever there
is a broad flat space they take out a dollar piece ; where the curve is sharp, a smaller one. They
especially value the outer edge of the whorl or lip, where the color is brilliant, and these they are
obliged to cut in 25-cent pieces. Tou will see that the uhllo is cut into pieces of different sizes,
and even pieces of the same size vary in value according to their brilliancy. * * * All the
money that I have seen was strung on grocery twine, but they often use sinews of various kinds,
also the outer bark of a weed called milkweed about here.
" The uhllo necklace has three or four strings of very small glass beads above the shells,
forming a band about one-quarter of an inch wide, which encircle the neck."
PA.RT XXI.
THE CRAB, LOBSTER, CRAYFISH, ROCK LOBSTER, SHRIMP, AND
PRAWN FISHERIES.
By RICHARD RATHBUN.
1.— THE CRAB FISHERIES.
a. — ATLANTIC AND GOLF COAST.
Common edible crab, or blue crub.
Natural history and uses of the blue crali.
Methods offishiug and transporting.
Extent and character of the fishery.
Coast review of the crab fishery.
Crab canning.
Statistical recapitulation of blue crab fishery.
The minor crab fisheries.
The tiddler crab, oyster crab, stone crab, aud other
minor species.
The horse-shoe crab fnhery.
8. The commercial importance of the horse-shoe crab.
ft.— THE PACIFIC COAST.
9. Crab fisheries of the Pacific States aud Territories,
California to Alaska.
c.— STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION.
10. Statistics of the crab fisheries of the United States.
General review.
The fishing grounds and fishing seasons.
Apparatus aud methods of the fishery.
The fishermen.
The fresh-lobster markets.
2.— THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
(i. The methods of shipping; prices.
7. The canning industry.
H. History of the fishery ; decrease ; protective laws.
9. The cultivation rind transplanting of lobsters.
10. Coast review, with statistics.
3.— THE CRAYFISH FISHERY.
The crayfish fishery of North America.
Methods of capture, preservation, aud transportation
in Germany.
3. Statistics of crayfish fishery for 1880.
4.— THE ROCK LOBSTER FISHERY.
The rock lobster fishery of California.
5 THE SHRIMP AND PRAWN FISHERIES.
a. — THE ATLANTIC AND GULF COASTS.
1. General review.
2. Coast review of the fisheries.
:!. Shrimp canning.
b. — THE PACIFIC COAST.
4. The shrimp fishery.
5. The prawn fishery.
c.— STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION.
6. Statistics of the shrimp and prawn fisheries of tin-
United Stairs.
627
R T XXI.
THE CRAB, LOBSTER, CRAYFISH, ROCK LOBSTER, SHRIMP, AND PRAWN
FISHERIES.
Bv RICHARD RATHBUN.
L— THE CRAB FISHERIES.
(a.)— FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC AND GULF COASTS.
COMMON EDIBLE CRAB, OB BLUE CRAB.
1. NATURAL HISTORY AND USES OF THE BLUE CRAB.
The common edible crab, or blue crab (Callinectes hastatus, Ordway), occurs in greater or less
abundance along the entire eastern and southern coasts of the United States, from Massachusetts
Bay to Mexico, and gives rise to an industry which, among crustaceans, is second only to that of
the lobster. It is used both as food and bait, and also to some extent as a fertilizer.
From a part of this region three additional species of the same genus, regarded by some
authorities, however, merely as varieties of this species, have been recorded. They are : Callinectes
oniatus, ranging southward from Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, and Callinectes larvatus and
tiimidus, occurring in Southern Florida and the West Indies. These several species, including
the blue crab, resemble one another so closely that they would probably not be distinguished
apart by the fishermen, and it is not unlikely that one or more of the additional forms may con-
tribute toward the market supplies in some places. Of their relative abundance, however, we know
nothing positively, but among large numbers of specimens sent from the Southern markets we
have failed to recognize any form but the genuine blue crab. From New Orleans, La., we
have received two species of crabs belonging to other genera, which are sold in the markets but
to what extent we are not informed. One of these is the lady crab (Platyoniclms ocellatus) also
occurring on the Atlantic coast, but neither of these species is enumerated separately in the
returns of the crab fisheries of Louisiana.
The stone crab (Menippe mercenarius) fishery of the Southern States constitutes, however, a
totally distinct and well-defined industry, and the same can be said with regard to the rock crab
(Cancer irroratits) and the Jonah crab (Cancer borealis) of the New England coast, so far as they
are fished for.
NAME. — Callinectes hastatus has received a long list of vernacular names, many of which arc
quite local in their application. Those most in use are as follows : "Edible crab," "common
crab," and " blue crab," toward the north ; " sea crab" and " channel crab" along the middle and
southern Atlantic coast, and "gulf crab" in the Gulf of Mexico. The more local names are
630 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
"green crab" (New Bedford), a term which properly belongs to a smaller species, not regarded as
edible on our coast; "paddler" (Vineyard Sound, Narragansett Bay, and Long Island Sound);
"blue claw"; "bay crab" and "river crab" (New Jersey) ; and "lake crab" (Gulf of Mexico).
The terms " soft crab" and " hard crab," although having reference to different conditions of the
same species, are frequently used as common names to designate the edible crab.
It may be well in this connection to describe the names applied by crab catchers to the different
conditions of the crab during the period of shedding its old and growing its new shell, as they will
be used on the following pages without further explanation. The hard-shell crab, or " hard crab,"
as it is commonly called, when about ready to shed its shell, but before the shell has actually
broken, is termed a " comer." During the various stages of shedding, from the time of the breaking
of the old shell to the soft shell state, it is called a " buster," "peeler," or " shedder." As soon as
the crab has freed itself from its old covering it is a " soft crab," but a slight hardening makes it
a " paper shell," and a greater hardening, as long as the shell remains flexible enough to bend
without breaking, entitles it to the name of "buckler." The buckler, however, soon becomes a
hard crab. It is probable that the female crabs moult soon after spawning, for after the eggs have
hatched, the egg coverings still remain attached to the swimmerets and can only be gotten rid of by
the operation of shedding.
SIZE. — The average size of the blue crabs sent to market ranges from 4 to 6 inches in width
across the carapax ; extreme dimensions are 7 to 10 inches.
DISTEIBUTION, SEASON, ABUNDANCE. — The winter habits of the blue crab have never been
carefully studied. Cold weather drives the crabs away from the shores and into somewhat deeper
water, where they are supposed to pass the winter without much activity, or even partly buried
in the soft muddy or sandy bottoms. During the warmer months of the year they keep close to
the shores, and enter the shallow water areas in immense numbers, affording an excellent oppor-
tunity for their capture.
As would naturally be expected, the crabbing season, or, more explicitly, the season in which
crabs may be taken in shallow water, varies in duration on different parts of the coast, according
to the climatic conditions. At the North the season is considerably shorter than at the South, and
during mild winters crabs can be taken close to the shore, on the coasts of the southernmost
States, during nearly every month of the year. On the coasts of Southern New England and
Long Island, the season extends from about May to October or November. On the New Jersey
coast, the season opens somewhat earlier and lasts until cold weather begins. At the mouth of
Chesapeake Bay, and from there to Georgia, it extends from March to November, but the best months
are said to be generally those from May to September. In Western Florida the usual season is
from March to December, and in the Gulf of Mexico it is about the same; but, as mentioned above,
warm winters in this region keep the crabs in nearly the same localities which they inhabit during
the summer. Crabs are not always taken for food and shipment at the South throughout the
season of their abundance near shore. Warm weather interferes with the industry, and in such
cases most of the fishing is done in the spring and fall. Soft crabs are only obtainable during the
warmer months of the year.
During the period designated as the crabbing season, crabs are to be found near shore in all
localities favorable to them within the limits of their distribution. They inhabit principally
muddy and sandy bottoms, entering the bays, sounds, inlets, rivers, creeks, and all other indenta-
tions of the coast, as well as living upon the outer shores and sand-bars. Brackish water appears
to be as favorable to their existence as salt, and they often ascend the rivers to where the water
is absolutely fresh. It is probable that even during the summer they may occur in moderate
THE GRAB FISHERIES. 631
depths of water farther from the shore, but in such localities they would not be generally
noticed when they could be obtained nearer laud. According to correspondents, they are
obtained for food and bait in the summer months in all depths from high-water mark to 3 or 4
fathoms, but mostly where they can be reached with a hand net. As above stated, cold weather
drives the crabs away from the shore and causes them to seek depths which are not subject
to sudden changes of temperature. Nearly all observers agree in stating that during the
winter mouths they remain quiet and more or less concealed in the bottom mud or sand. At this
season they are often taken by means of tongs and spears, but being then obtained with so much
difficulty, the winter crab fishing has never assumed any considerable proportions. In some
localities it appears that the crabs do not entirely leave the very shallow water in the fall, but a few
lifd near the shore, where the conditions are favorable, and these crabs are said to suffer greatly
in times of extreme cold. A very severe winter kills many of them, and after heavy winter
storms many dead ones may often be found thrown upon the beaches by the waves. After an
unusually cold wiuter, crabs are less abundant than after a mild one. Little can be said regard-
ing the depths frequented by crabs in the winter season. They are taken for food in depths of 3
to 4 fathoms, but probably live also in much deeper water. A correspondent at Hampton, Va.,
states that the winter crabs are less savory than those procured in the summer, their flesh being
rather soft and watery.
According to the statements of many persons along the entire coast from Cape Cod to Mexico,
edible crabs are as abundant now as they have been at any previous time. Despite the immense
quantities taken and sold or destroyed, there has been no apparent diminution in then: numbers.
They vary in abundance from year to year, being especially scarce after severe winters ; but if
they are less abundant one year, they are just as likely to be more abundant the next. Still it
would not be wise to countenance an indiscriminate fishing, for there is no reason why the crab
fisheries, like many others, might not be overdone. We are informed that on one section of the
New Jersey coast, where a law exists to protect crabs during the winter, they have apparently
increased in abundance since the law has been enforced.
HARD AND SOFT CRABS. — Both hard and soft shell crabs are used as food and bait, but for
both of these purposes the soft-shelled individuals, called simply " soft crabs," are greatly preferred
in nearly all localities. While shedding, however, and as long as they remain soft, the crabs
generally seek shelter aud protection in secluded places or by partly burying themselves out of
harm's way. It is also certain that soft crabs are much less abundant than hard ones at any
time, as the shedding period is of several months' duration, and it is probable that but a compara-
tively small proportion shed at exactly the same time. Soft crabs are, therefore, much more diffi-
cult to obtain than .hard ones, and being in greater demand, bring much higher prices ; in many
places they are regarded as great luxuries. Soft crabs have this advantage, that there is little
waste in preparing them for the table; but with hard crabs, on the contrary, the external
coating or shell is thick and hard and constitutes a large proportion of both the body and the
claws. At the South, however, it is considered that the soft crab is fit only for frying, while hard
crabs may be prepared in a multitude of ways. Only hard crabs are used at the canneries. The
quantity of hard crabs consumed upon our coast probably far exceeds that of soft crabs, but the
aggregate value of the latter appears to be much greater.
CRABS AS BAIT. — Crabs form an excellent bait for many kinds of fish taken with the hook
and line, and are very extensively used for that purpose throughout their entire range from Cape
Cod to Texas. About New Bedford they are especially recommended for tautog, and during some
seasons nearly all the catch of crabs, amounting at times to many thousands in number a week,
632 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
is employed in the tautog fishery. They are, however, also used for other species of fish in the
same region.
On the coasts of Long Island and New Jersey they appear to be as favorably regarded as.at
New Bedford for many kinds of salt-water fish, and are much more extensively employed. The
species of fish for which they are said to answer on the New Jersey coast is a very long one, and
includes nearly all the species taken there for food with hook and line. North of the mouth of
Chesapeake Bay, iu Virginia, the principal kinds of marine invertebrate animals used as bait are as
follows, in the order of preference: Soft crabs, which are considered to be by far the best, hard
crabs, clams and mussels, the latter being but rarely employed. About Norfolk, prawns form the
best bait for rockfish, but next in preference for the same species of fish comes the soft crab. Both
soft and hard crabs are also classed among the principal baits of this region for nearly all tiie
species of edible marine fish.
Southward from here, along the remainder of the Atlantic coast, extends the great shrimp
and prawn region, and wherever shrimp and prawns occur and can be conveniently obtained
they form the favorite baits for nearly all kinds of hook and line fishing. In their absence crabs
must often be resorted to, and they are used to a very large extent.
On the Gulf coast of the States crabs are also used as bait for all the species of fish for which
shrimp will answer. Soft crabs and very small hard crabs are preferred.
2. METHODS OF FISHING AND TRANSPORTATION.
METHODS OF FISHING. — The most common and effective appliance in use for crab catching
is the simple scoop-net or dip-net, consisting of a rather shallow net, of moderately coarse mesh,
fastened to a ring or hoop, which is attached to a handle of suitable length, dependent upon the
manner in which the net is to be used. This scoop-net, generally called "crab net," is employed
alone for catching crabs in very shallow water, but in deeper water, where the net cannot be con-
veniently used on the bottom, or where the crabs cannot be seen from the surface, it is customary
to bring in the aid of auxiliaries, iu the shape of baited lines. These lines may be used singly,
several being easily managed by a single person, or be arranged after the fashion of cod trawl-
lines or trot-lines. They are intended merely to entice the crabs to the surface of the water,
within reach of the scoop-net, and are seldom lurnished with hooks. Oil the coast of Georgia
they sometimes employ the so-called hoop-net, which is simply a piece of twine netting tied to a
barrel hoop. It is weighted iu the center, and, after being baited with a piece of meat, is lowered
to the bottom in shallow water where the crabs are known to occur. This appliance is similar iu
construction and mode of use to the hoop-net pots formerly employed in the lobster fishery of
New England. Seines are also used in crabbing, aud in favorable localities are very effective.
Oyster or clam tongs aud eel-spears are about the only additional implements used iu the crab
fishery. They are, however, seldom employed, excepting in winter, after the crabs have retreated
to deep water and have embedded themselves in the mud, and but little is (ioue with them at any
time.
Incidentally crabs are taken in lobster-pots, gill-nets, and fish-seines, and on fish hooks and eel-
spears, when they are usually regarded as a great auuoyauce aud seldom retained as food. They
are especially troublesome to the seiners on some portions of the Southern coast, as they become
entangled iu the nets and greatly interfere with operations. Thousands are often captured in the
seines, aud when they cannot be sold are thrown upou the shore or used for fertilizing purposes.
Nearly all the soft crabs obtained are caught by means of the scoop net or hands alone, as
crabs will not take the bait while in the soft state, and are seldom captured iu the seiues. Baited
THE CRAB FISHERIES. 633
lines for enticing hard crabs within reach of the scoop-net are in common use, wherever crab fish-
ing is pursued as an industry, from New York to Galveston, Tex. As stated above, the usual form
of line employed is constructed after the pattern of the trot-line used in ordinary fishing, but
without hooks ; in the crab fishery it bears the same name. The crabber's trot-line consists of a
main line from 250 to 1,200 feet long, with smaller lateral lines, 18 inches or more in length,
arranged at regular intervals of about 18 inches to 2 feet. At Hampton, Va., one-half-inch man-
ilia, rope is used for the main line. The bait, usually consisting of beef, tripe, raw meat, or fish, is
simply tied to the lateral lines.
There are several ways of setting the trot-lines, each of which is managed by one or two
persons. In some places, as at Hampton, Va., each end of the trot-line is furnished with an anchor
and buoy, and one man tends each line in a small skiff', about 16 feet long by 3 feet wide. Arriv-
ing at the fishing-ground, he drops one end of the trot-line overboard, with its anchor and buoy,
and rows oft', paying out the entire length of the line, until the other end is reached with its
anchor and buoy, which are likewise thrown over. The line is then constantly examined,
the man in his skiff' passing continuously backwards and forwards, drawing himself along by
means of the main line, after the manner of under-running cod trawl-lines. The crabs as they
are drawn to the surface of the water, clinging to the bait, are removed by means of a scoop-
net and thrown into the, boat. Another method of setting the lines is to tie the ends to poles,
which are thrust down into the bottom, so as to allow the lateral lines to rest upon the sand
or mud. On the Louisiana and Texas coasts, the trot-lines are used from the beaches, each being
tended by two persons. The main line, which usually measures about 1,200 feet long, is stretched
along the beach at the water's edge and the lateral lines are thrown outwards as far as they will
reach. The lateral lines are then hauled in in quick succession, the men passing continuously
backwards and forwards and securing the unsuspecting victims in their scoop-nets, as they are
cautiously drawn upon the beach.
CEAB OAKS OR PENS. — In localities where large quantities of crabs are taken for shipment to
market, in the soft-shell state, it is generally customary to make arrangements by which the hard
crabs nearly ready to shed, called " comers," can be kept in confinement until they have cast their
hard covering. This practice is extensively resorted to on the northern coast of New Jersey by
the use of floating cars or pens, made of laths or thin boards, each fisherman possessing several of
them. They are usually from 4 to 8 feet square and about 1 foot deep, with a partition through
the center and a cover. When the crabber arrives with his catch, he places the "comers" in one
compartment and the "busters" in the other. The cars, which are kept moored in some sheltered
cove a short distance from the shore, are examined two or three times a day, and the soft crabs as
they appear are taken out and packed for shipment. Soft crabs loft for any length of time with
tlu- hard crabs are liable to be injured by the latter, and in warm weather the new skin or shell
is said to harden rapidly.
METHODS OF SHIPPING. — Crabs are shipped to market in various ways, but generally alive.
Soft crabs are usually packed in boxes, with moist seaweed or salt grass, each one being care-
fully placed at a certain angle, with the front edge of the body up, so as to prevent, as far as
possible, the escape of the moisture from the gills. They are also packed snugly together to pre-
vent lateral movement, the quantity stowed in each box ranging all the way from four to fifty
dozens. During warm weather ice is sometimes used in the packing. The shipping-boxes for soft
crabs on the Northern New Jersey coast are about 3 feet long by 2 feet wide and 3 inches deep.
They are constructed of pine boards or laths, and have a capacity of from four to six dozens each.
A thin layer of grass or seaweed is first placed in the bottom of the box, then the crabs in tho
634 HISTOEY AND METHODS OP THE FISBEEIES.
manner above described, and finally another layer or covering of the same grass or seaweed. In
this condition they will remain alive for several days, except in very warm weather. Hard
crabs are generally sent in barrels. Baskets are also employed for transporting crabs in some
localities, especially at New Orleans, and on other parts of the Gulf coast. On the Southern coast
crabs are sometimes boiled before shipping.
3. EXTENT AND CHAEACTEE OF THE FISHEEY.
The crab industry of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts is very extensive, and gives employment
to many persons. It had, however, never been carefully studied previous to the investigations for
the census of 1880, and being carried on mostly in a small way by fishermen scattered irregularly
along the coast, it has been impossible in the short time at our disposal to bring together any-
thing like a complete account of its extent and value.
The crab fishery, like most other fisheries, is not kept up continuously throughout the year,
and the people engaged in it during the summer generally have other occupations in the winter.
A large share of the crab catchers are women and children, especially at the South, where
many of the colored people, living upon the sea-coast, devote a portion of their time to hunting out
the soft crabs and selling them in the nearest towns. At numerous places, however, a regular
crab fishery is carried on throughout the entire season for the purpose of supplying the larger
markets, like New York, Charleston, Savannah, and New Orleans, or the crab canneries, as at
Hampton, Va. The number of crabs used as bait is very great and their value considerable.
Southern New England cannot be said to have any regular crab fishery. About New Bed-
ford many crabs are taken for bait and for eating, and at other places smaller quantities are
captured and made us« of; but very few persons, if any, devote their entire attention to this industry,
even for a short period. Most of the blue crabs eaten in the interior New England towns and in
Boston, come from farther south, through the New York markets. New Bedford makes some ship-
ments to Providence and New York. Both the north and south shores of Long Island furnish
many crabs, the bulk of those not used at home going to New York and Brooklyn. New
Jersey is the center of the soft crab industry, and many more soft crabs are taken there for home
consumption and shipment than in any other State in the Union. The fishery is principally con-
fined to the section of coast between Sandy Hook and Baruegat Inlet, and a large share of the
crabs sold in New York come from this region.
The lower part of Chesapeake Bay, bordering on the States of Virginia and Maryland, is said
to be the center of distribution, as regards abundance, of the edible crab ; but the fishery in this
region, outside of the canneries, is not as important in money value as that of New Jersey,
mainly perhaps for the reason that the larger markets are more distant, and soft crabs not so
easily obtained. The large crab canneries are all located here. In North Carolina the crab
fishery is mainly confined to the neighborhood of Wilmington, and in South Carolina to the
neighborhood of Charleston, at both of which places a large business is carried on. Savannah is
the center of the Georgia crab industry, which is very extensive. Florida appears to be but little
interested in crab fishing, although crabs are abundant on both the eastern and western coasts.
Mobile, Ala., receives large quantities of crabs from the neighboring coast for its own use, but
ships only a few. The crab fishery is extensively pursued on the coasts of both Louisiana and
Texas to supply the markets of New Orleans, Galveston, and interior towns.
In the Northern cities and towns crabs are regularly sold in the markets along with fish, but
at the South (from North Carolina southward), they are generally hawked through the streets by
negroes.
THE CRAB FISHERIES. 635
Three large canneries, two located at Hampton, Va., and one at Oxford, Md., are engaged in
packing crabs in hermetically sealed cans during the crabbing season. This industry is of recent
origin, but has already assumed considerable proportions. It is described further on.
4. COAST REVIEW OF THE BLUE CRAB FISHERY.
NEW ENGLAND. — The blue crab is not known from north of Massachusetts Bay, where it is
of rare occurrence, but it ranges along the entire southern coast of New England from Cape Cod
to New York. At no place upon this section of coast, however, is crab-catching carried on as a
regular business, mainly for the reason that this species of crab is less abundant here than to the
south of New York, where it is more easily and cheaply obtained. Blue crabs are common in
Buzzard's Bay, especially in the vicinity of New Bedford, and enter the mouths of the rivers dur-
ing the summer in large numbers. Acushnet River, near New Bedford, is described as a great abid-
ing place for crabs in the summer season, and as affording good facilities for their capture. In tho
spring the average weekly catch is stated to be about four hundred crabs, but in the fall the num-
ber taken is sometimes as great as forty thousand per week. Some of these crabs are used as
food, being retained in New Bedford or sent to Providence or New York, but by far the greater
portion are employed as bait for tautog. Among the other species of fish for which this crab
is utilized as bait in this vicinity are the striped bass, rock bass, cod, squeteague, and blackfish.
When shipped away, they are packed in boxes with seaweeds, ice being added in warm weather.
In Vineyard Sound blue crabs are less abundant, and are only taken occasionally by persons
desiring them for their own use. The Newport markets are partly supplied with blue crabs from
Narragansett Bay, where they are said to be more abundant and more easily taken than the Jonah
crab (Cancer borealis), which also occurs there, and is the only other species of crab used in New-
port. Soft blue crabs are also sent to Newport from New York.
All of the other larger towns and cities on the Southern New England coast (Stonington, New
London, New Haven, &c.,) make use of greater or less quantities of crabs caught in their im-
mediate vicinity, but these places probably receive most of their supplies from New York. At
the smaller towns and villages crabs are probably also collected at times, when desired for
home consumption, but nowhere in this region can crab-catching be regarded as an established
industry, nor is it possible to give an estimate of the number of crabs annually taken and disposed
of. The season extends from April to November, but varies according to the conditions of tem-
perature, some years being more favorable than others. The fishing is carried on mostly by means
of dip-nets or scoop-nets, the crabs being sometimes enticed to the surface of the water by the use
of baited lines. Incidentally crabs are obtained, often in great abundance, in lobster-pots, fish-
seines, and other nets. In the winter they are occasionally speared by eel fishermen, who find
them buried in the muddy bottoms.
NEW YORK. — Blue crabs are abundant at many places on the muddy and smooth sandy
shores of Long Island, and are taken in considerable quantities for home consumption and for
shipment to New York. Small scoop-nets, rakes, and trot-lines are used for their capture. The
practice of confining hard crabs, nearly ready to shed, in floating cars until they become soft shell,
is pursued in some localities. Soft crabs sell at from 35 cents to $1.50 per dozen, according to
their abundance. Hard crabs bring from 75 cents to $1.50 a hundred. The principal markets for
the Long Island crab fisheries are New York City and Brooklyn. Shipments are generally made
by rail. Hard crabs are shipped to New York from Long Island during the entire year, but soft
crabs are first sent to that market about July 15, the shipments continuing until about October.
According to Mr. Fred. Mather, most of the hard crabs sent to market from Long Island come
636 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
from Moriches Bay, on the south side. They are taken by means of trot-lines, with the snoods 2 or 3
feet apart. These are baited with meat, eels, or other kinds offish, and the line is under-run by a
uian in a small boat, the crabs being taken up in a scoop net. Shipments are made to New York
in second hand cement barrels, obtained from the East River Bridge Company, at a cost of 10 cents
each. The Long Island Railroad transports the empty barrels free of charge for the sake of the
freight when full. The principal other places on Long Island where Mr. Mather found the crab
fishery carried on, though to a less extent, both for home consumption and shipment, were :
Canarsie, Flatlands, Sheepshead Bay, Graveseud Bay, Bay Shore, Cold Springs, Oyster Bay, and
Ceutreport, Huntiugton Bay.
The product of this fishery for New York State, including Long Island, to which the industry
is mainly confined, amounted in 1880 to 1,624,583 pounds, valued at $69,234. The crabs were
mostly taken and sold in the hard-shell state.
NEW YORK CITY MARKETS. — The blue crab is about the only species of crab that is sold
in the New York markets. Hard crabs are received in greater or less quantities during every
mouth of the year, but most abundantly during the winter. Soft crabs first begin to arrive about
May 1, from the coast of Virginia; about the 1st of June, from the mouth of Chesapeake Bay;
about June 15, from the New Jersey coast, and about July 15, from the coast of Long Island. The
greatest consumption of soft crabs is from July 1 to September 1, when the daily sales some-
times reach 2,000 dozens. This amount may, however, be considered as the maximum.
Mr. Eugene G. Blackford, of New York City, furnishes the following estimate of the average
sales of soft crabs in Fulton market, by months, for each summer during the past two or three years :
Dozens.
May a, 600
June 9, 000
July 22,500
August, 22, 500
September 1,500
Total 58,100
The. prices of these crabs vary with their abundance and the time of year, from 50 cents to
$2 per dozen. Sometimes, but rarely, the price falls as low as 25 cents per dozen. One dollar
a dozen is regarded by Mr. Blackford as a fair average price for the entire season, making the
total value of the sales for one season about $58,000.
The quantity of hard crabs sold annually in Fulton market averages about 750,000 by count,
the average price being about 1£ cents each, and the total yearly valuation, $11,250. They
come mostly from the south side of Long Island. About one-fourth of the crabs sold in New
York are shipped to other places, but the above estimates do not cover the entire amount marketed
in that city, according to the returns from other States.
NEW JERSEY. — The edible crab is abundant along the entire New Jersey coast, coming out
of its winter haunts in the early spring and thronging the shoal waters during the summer. Its
summer habitats are the bays and sounds, the mouths of creeks and rivers, and even the salt flats
and shoals, where the tides ebb and flow, in depths of a few inches to 10 feet and more. Many
are often left exposed at low water, and some ascend the streams to where the water is decidedly
brackish or even nearly fresh. In the winter they generally go into deeper water, and bed in the
mud, but sometimes they remain concealed in the shallow water near shore.
The shedding season is said to begin the latter part of May and to continue until October.
During this period a great number of men and boys and even women engage in crabbing, press-
ing into their service all the old boats and scows available. On the Northern New Jersey coast,
THE CRAB FISHERIES. 637
from Sandy Hook to Baruegat lulet, the crab fishery is of great importance, but farther south it is
as yet of very little account.
Between the two places above mentioned this industry is perhaps more extensive than in any
similar district of the entire coast, giving employment, as it does, to over five hundred men and
boys during at least four months of the year. As a rule, only soft crabs, or those about to shed,
are taken for food, but there is also a certain trade in hard crabs, which are used for fish bait a.s
well as food. The soft crabs bring from four to eight times as much as the hard ones, the price
depending upon their abundance.
Notwithstanding the immense quantities of crabs annually taken on this coast, there appears
to have been no decrease in their numbers, and they continue as plentiful now as they have been
iu former years. This may be accounted for by the fact that the female crabs have spawned
before shedding, or at least do not carry spawn on the outside of the body during the shedding
season, and hence but few crabs with matured spawn are taken and destroyed. Crabs vary in
abundance, however, from year to year, being more plentiful some years than others, and a very
cold winter is said to kill large numbers, and make them less abundant the following spring. One
correspondent informs us that they are most abundant on the shore at times of full and new moon,
but this may be due to the fact that at such times the tides ebb lower and leave a greater breadth
of shore exposed. The enactment of a law in some places to protect the crabs in winter has had
the desired effect of increasing their abundance in the following spring and summer.
Crabs can be taken throughout the year, but the regular season, when they are most easily
obtained and the only season when the soft crabs are found, is from April or May to November.
The best months are said to be June, July, August, and September. After October or November
they must generally be sought for in from 6 to 20 feet of water, with long handled tongs, which
are sometimes employed, but the winter fishery is of slight importance. Crabs do not, however,
always go into deep water in the winter, for they sometimes bed in the shallow channels and inlets,
and in such locations the winter mortality is great if the weather becomes unusually severe.
The common method of capturing crabs in the summer is with a crab or scoop net, having
the ring or hoop about I foot in diameter and the handle from 7 to 8 feet long. In water too
deep for the use of the scoop net alone, lines baited with raw meat or fish are employed to
entice the hard crabs to the surface. Small hauling seines are also sometimes used. For the
winter fishery long-handled tongs or rakes are brought into play. In those sections where the
crab fishery amounts to a regular industry, not only are the soft crabs secured, but also the
" comers" and " busters," which are kept in cars until they shed.
As stated above, the crab fishery of New Jersey is mostly confined to the section of coast
between Sandy Hook and Barnegat Inlet, and, in fact, as a regular industry, it is mainly limited
to a few localities, such as Shark, Squan, and the North and South Shrewsbury Rivers. But
considerable quantities of crabs are also taken along the entire northern coast, and smaller
amounts toward the south. The greater part of the entire catch during the summer is sent away.
A certain quantity is used by the inhabitants of the coast, and a large number are sold to
summer hotels, boarding-houses, and restaurants iu the crabbing region. At Atlantic City, where
the number of summer visitors is very great, the demand for crabs equals the entire supply
caught in the neighborhood. At the same place crabbing is pursued as a pastime by the summer
visitors and some twenty to thirty men and boys are engaged in assisting these amateur crabbing
parties. Fifty to one hundred persons may be seen at times on pleasant days occupied iu this
way, and this fishery is now considered by many as better sport than that with hook and line.
A winter fishery was attempted along the Southern New Jersey coast several years ago, but it did
G38 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
not prove successful. The fishermen visited the bedding places of the crabs and took them from
the mud by means of oyster and clam tongs.
It is estimated that about three-fourths of the crabs sent away from the Northern New Jersey
coast (Sandy Hook to Barnegat Inlet) go to New York City and other northern markets ; about
one-sixth to Philadelphia, and the remainder to interior cities and towns of New Jersey. The New
York markets are first supplied from New Jersey about the middle of June, after which time
until late in the fall, shipments are being constantly made. Hard crabs are sent in barrels
packed in seaweed. Soft crabs are packed more carefully with seaweed or salt grass in boxes
or crates, being stowed closely together to prevent injury. Shipments are made by rail, steamers,
and sailing vessels.
Crabs serve as bait for nearly all kinds of salt-water fish taken with hook and line. Hard
crabs only are used. They are most extensively employed for blackfish or sea bass, and to a lesser
extent for many other species.
The following notes on the crab fisheries of Northern New Jersey, furnished by Mr. Charles
Doughty, of Fairhaven, are so complete in themselves, that we copy them verbatim :
" The fishing season begins about the middle of May, and lasts until the latter part of September.
During this period the men and boys in the vicinity of the river mouths and shallow bays provide
themselves with long-handled dip-nets and small boats. Each boat is manned by only a single
person, who stands in the bow and poles it with the handle of his net slowly along the shore in search
of crabs. The depth of water usually resorted to varies from a few inches to 5 or 6 feet. The
experienced fisherman can tell whether the crabs he meets with are suited to his purpose or not
by their color. A soft-shell crab is much brighter than a hard shell, and those nearly ready to
shed have the claws more highly colored, some parts being of a reddish and others of a bluish
tint. When he is iu doubt as to the condition of a crab which he supposes is about to shed, he
breaks off a point of shell or a joint of one of the smaller legs, and if a new shell is forming under-
neath, the crab is reserved, otherwise it is thrown back into the water. It is considered that
about half an hour is required for casting the shell, after the crab is ready to shed, and the crab
increases about one-third in size at each molting. The new shell begins to harden in about six
hours after shedding, and is supposed to become fully hardened in about thirty-six hours. No
hardening appears to take place out of water. After the fishing is over, the crabbers return to
the shore where their cars are moored. These are usually 4 to 8 feet long, and about 1 foot deep,
wit h a cover, and are divid ed in the middle by a partition. They are made of laths or thin boards,
and are moored in some sheltered cove a short distance from the shore. The crabs are separated
into two lots, the " bustets " and soft crabs going into one compartment, and the " comers " into
the other. The cars are examined two or three times a day, and the soft crabs taken out and
packed for shipment. The boxes used are about 3 feet long by 2 feet broad and 3 inches deep,
and hold from 4 to 6 dozens each ; they are made of thin pine or laths. A layer of grass or sea-
weed is first arranged in the bottom of the box, and the crabs are then packed in closely, being
placed at such an angle that the moisture will not run from the gills. They are finally covered
with seaweed, and in this condition will last several days."
From another source we obtain the following account of certain crab-pens, differing from
the above, situated at the mouth of the South Shrewsbury River. We do not know to what ex-
tent such inclosures are used, but at the place visited by our informant there were four wooden
pens located near the bank, and also several cars floating close by. The pens had a capacity of
4,000 crabs each, and were devoted to the four conditions of the crab known to the fishermen,
one being for hard crabs, another for " comers," the third for "busters," and the fourth for soft
THE CKAF. FISHERIES. G39
crabs. These pens were visited several times a day. While being prepared for and awaiting
shipment, the soft crabs are sometimes kept in large refrigerators.
Crab fishing has been pursued on the Northern New Jersey coast for many years, and as long
ago as 1855 formed an extensive industry. At that time it was customary to tow a small car behind
the boat for holding the crabs just ready to shed, many of which would molt before the shore was
i cached. About twenty years ago the present form of shedding cars was introduced, and since
then it has been almost universally adopted by the fishermen. Previous to its introduction, how-
ever, pens were made along the shore, in which the shedder crabs were kept until they had become
" soft shell." These pens consisted merely of small sections of the shore line fenced off in such a
way as to prevent the escape of the crabs, and they reached a short distance into the water.
During the season of 1880, five hundred and fifteen men and boys were engaged in the crab
fisheries of the New Jersey coast between Sandy Hook and Barnegat Inlet. The total catch of
soft crabs for that region the same year amounted to 285,825 dozens, valued at $128,612. A fair
average daily catch per man is sixty soft crabs, but as many as one hundred and twenty are some-
times taken ; some of the best crabbers will make a thousand dollars in a single season, while
others make less than a hundred. The average stock is about $250 per man, which would equal a
catch of 550 dozens, netting 45 cents a dozen. About 50,000 dozen hard crabs were used in this
region as bait during 1880, their value being reckoned at about $6,250. These were partly caught
by the fishermen themselves during their leisure hours, and were partly supplied by children who
received about 12 cents a dozen for them. It is impossible to make an accurate estimate of the
number of hard crabs used as food. The total number of soft crabs consumed along the entire
New Jersey coast and shipped from there during 1S80 is estimated at 302,075 dozens. For the same
region and time, the estimated number of hard crabs used as bait was 59,500 dozens. The total
catch of crabs for the New Jersey coast in 1880, therefore, amounted to at least 361,575 dozens,
valued at $142,292.
DELAWARE.* — The crab fisheries of Delaware are of considerable importance, especially in
Indian River and Bay, and a large part of the male population, as well as a few colored women, are
engaged in it to a greater or less extent during the shedding season of the crabs. This fishery is
said to have been started at Indian River, in 1873, by two men who came from Long Branch,
N. J., for the purpose of catching and shipping crabs to market. Since then, however, the fishery
has been wholly carried on by residents of the vicinity.
Crabs are very plentiful along many portions of the Delaware Bay shore. Mr. D. R. Toinlin-
sun, of Dover, states that soft crabs abound on the beaches in the vicinity of Kit's Hammock from
the 1st of June to September, and hard crabs from May to November. According to Mr. Van
ISurkalow, of Magnolia, both hard and soft crabs may be taken in abundance on the bay shore,
but as a rule only enough are caught to supply the local inhabitants. He estimates that about
1,000 bushels are secured, during the summer, between Little Creek and Jones's Creek. During a
period of very cold weather, in February, 1880, says Mr. A. Hill, of Milford, and immediately after
a gale, an enormous quantity of crabs was driven ashore on the west side of Delaware Bay, so
many in fact that in some places they lay in windrows on the beaches. One man shipped several
barrels of these crabs to Philadelphia, but they did not pay the cost of shipping. But few soft
crabs are taken at Lewes, although at least twenty-five thousand hard crabs are caught and dis-
posed of annually in that locality. In the towns of Roxanna and Williamsville, and elsewhetr
along the extreme southern coast of Delaware, no regular crab fishery exists. The most impor-
tant crab fisheries of Delaware are those of Indian River.
* The account of the crab fisheries of Delaware has been furnished by Capt. J. W. Collins, of the U. S. Fish
Commission.
640 H1STOET AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
The crab catchers of the vicinity of Dover are, as a rule, professional fishermen, who, during
the summer, after the close of the trout season, gather large quantities of crabs and carry tbetn to
Dover, where they hawk them through the streets, together with fish of several species which they
may have caught at the same time. Between Dover and Lewes, crab fishing does not appear to
be regularly carried on. The residents of the towns in this section who desire crabs. for their own
use, can readily obtain them almost any time by simply dipping them up from the outer edge of the
beaches. At Lewes, however, the crab fishery is combined with that for other species, and most
of the men engaged in it may be regarded as professional fishermen. South of Cape Henlopeu, in
the towns bordering on Rehoboth Bay and Indian River, a large proportion of those employed in
crabbing are boys, and colored women also take a slight part in the fishery. The fishermen,
whether young or old, are, as a rule, also farmers. Mr. Harmond, of Millsborough, states that he
has in his employ during the fishing season, from May 1 to September, twelve men, all of whom,
with one exception, are farmers.
Most of the boats employed in the crab fisheries of Indian River are patterned somewhat after
the sharpie, being flat-bottomed, sharp-bowed, and wide-sterned ; they are constructed of pine
boards in the simplest manner possible, and at very slight expense, their average value, as stated
by the fishermen, being from two to three dollars each. About two hundred and fifty of these
boats are in use in the crab fisheries of Indian River and Bay. In addition to these skiffs espe-
cially designed for crabbing, the boats used in the other fisheries are also employed to a large extent
for the same purpose.
The principal appliance for catching crabs is a small scoop-net of the ordinary pattern, having
a bow from 12 to 15 inches in diameter, with a shallow net-bag, attached to a pole from 10 to 12
feet long.
On the south side of Indian River, many of the crab catchers have small live-cars, which they
drag after them as they wade along in search of crabs. The latter, as they are taken, are trans-
ferred to the cars, in order that they may be kept alive until the time of shipment arrives.
When larger boats than the skiffs above described are used, the cars are towed astern of them or
alongside.
At Lewes, crabs are frequently taken incidentally in the gill-nets and haul-seines of the fish-
ermen, who do not regard them as of much value. In regions where the fishery is regularly car-
ried on, however, the fisherman, as a rule, stands in the bow or stern of his skiff, shoving it along
with the handle of his dip-net, at the same time watching closely for " shadows " on the bottom.
The depth of water visited rarely exceeds 3 or 4 feet, and is sometimes shallower. When a crab
is sighted, it is quickly picked up in the dip-net and thrown into the midship section or well of the
skiff. When the water is warm, the crabbers often wade along, towing their skiffs after them.
On the south side of Indian River, many of the boys and others use the crab-cars above described
instead of boats.
According to Mr. Isaac Harmoud, the crab fishery continues active for about three months,
or from the 1st of May to the 1st of August. During this period, however, the men fish very
irregularly, some going out only four or five times in a season, while others go much more fre-
quently. They are said to average, as a whole, about one-fourth of their time crabbing during
the season of three months. The crabs are caught mainly about the full and change of the moon,
being most abundant for three or four days at each of these periods.
Nearly all the crabs caught north of Cape Heulopen are retailed by the fishermen in the towns
and rural districts of that section. At Dover the catch is mostly sold in the town, the soft crabs
bringing 18 cents a dozen, and the hard crabs 80 cents a hundred. At Lewes the few soft crabs
THE CRAB FISHERIES. 641
tiikcn arc eaten by the fishermen. Large numbers of hard eralis, however, obtained in the vicinity
are hawked through the village streets by the fishermen, who receive for them about 10 cents a
do/en.
A comparatively small quantity of soft crabs is taken at Eehoboth by the fishermen of Lewes,
who dispose of them at the latter place. Lewes also receives a few soft crabs from Angola.
Farther south, iu the towns situated on Indian River, the crab fishery assumes greater impor-
tance. At Millsborough a few of the wealthy farmers and fishermen own each a number of crab-
skifi's and dip-nets, which are supplied to the men and boys whenever they desire to go crabbing,
with the agreement that they shall sell their catch to the owner of the outfit at a fixed price,
which is usually 12 cents a dozen. The local dealer receives the crabs, packs them in boxes hold-
ing 10 or 20 pounds each, and ships them to New York and Philadelphia. About seven-eighths
of the shipments go to New York and one-eighth to Philadelphia, as shown by the books of the
railroad agent at Millsborough. From the same source we learn that the season of 1880 began
May 4, when 1 box of crabs was shipped, and ended September 23, when 15 boxes (the catch
of several days) were sent to New York. The largest number of boxes shipped from Mills-
borough iu one day was 108 on May 20, and the largest number for a giveu period was from May
18 to 28, during which time the average daily shipment was 85J boxes.
The following tables give the monthly shipments of crabs from Millsborough and Dags-
borough :
MILLSBOROUGH.
May 1, 3-10 boxes, averaging '20 pounds each.
June 1. 077 hoses, averaging 20 pounds each.
July 70!i boxes, averaging 20 pounds each.
A 111; list 28t; boxes, averaging 20 pounds each.
September ."."> Imxrs, averaging 20 pounds each.
Total, 3,461 boxes, equaling 60,220 pounds, or about 134,440 crabs by count.
i
DAGSBORorcill.
May 1, 253 boxes, averaging 10 pounds each.
June 1.044 boxes, averaging 10 pounds each.
July 720 boxes, averaging 10 pounds each.
August 257 boxes, averaging 10 pounds each.
September 122 boxes, averaging 10 pounds each.
Total, 3,396 boxes, equaling 33,960 pounds, or about 67,920 crabs by count.
A large quantity of soft crabs is eaten by the inhabitants along Indian River, and some are
sold to the summer visitors at Rehoboth Beach. Opinions differ in regard to the percentage of
crabs shipped from this section, but judging from the best information obtainable, it is, perhaps,
safe to estimate that from three-fourths to seven-eighths of the catch is sent to New York and
Philadelphia, while the remainder is disposed of locally.
At Indian River the average daily catch per man is said to be about three dozen crabs, and
the average season's catch about two thousan-1 crabs, worth to the fishermen about 1 cent each.
The prices received by the fishermen at Dover for soft crabs is 18 cents a dozen, and for hard
crabs 80 cents a hundred ; at Lewes the soft crabs bring 25 cents a dozen, and the hard crabs JO
cents a dozen.
VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND. — Blue crabs arc very abundant on the coasts of Maryland and Vir-
ginia, and in Chesapeake Bay, where they are captured in large quantities to supply neighboring
and northern markets and the canneries at Hamilton, Ya., and Oxford, Md. During the summer
these crabs occur in all favorable shallow water localities, and are especially abundant in differ-
ent depths of \\atci in Hamilton Uoads. In the winter they lie buried iu the bottom, though not
SEO. v, VOL. ii 41
642 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
necessarily at great depths, as they are often taken by means of oyster tongs ; but during this
season their flesh is generally regarded as soft and watery. The crab season extends more or less
continuously from March to November, beginning earlier at some places than at others. Soft crabs
are generally preferred for ordinary use; they are regarded as the greater delicacy, and the demand
for them greatly exceeding the supply, they sell at a much higher price than the hard crabs, but
only the latter kind is used at the canneries.
The fishery is carried on by means of trot-lines and crab-nets, but the crabs are also taken
incidentally in fish seines, sometimes in immense numbers, to the great annoyance of the fisher-
men, and in oyster tongs. The latter appliance is regularly used in the winter months by a few
crabbers in Lynnhaven Bay and other brackish waters. The trot lines employed on the Virginia
coast are from 600 to 700 feet long, with the lateral lines 18 inches to 2 feet long and 18 inches
apart. In Hampton Eoads the crabbers who fish for the canneries use trot-lines, of which the
main line consists of <iOO feet of one-half inch manilla rope, the lateral lines being of much smaller
size, 2 feet long and placed at intervals of 18 inches. Beef tripe is used as bait. The ends of the
lines are furnished with anchors and buoys, aiid each one is attended by a single man in a small
skiff. About seventy -five men with these trot-lines and boats are in the employ of the Hampton
canneries. In hot weather the lines must be overhauled daily to replace the missing baits, but in
cold weather two baitings a week are sufficient. Large boats are sent out to collect the crabs from
the fishermen and carry them to the canneries several times a day. In other localities sting-ray
flaps are sometimes used as bait.
Fishing is carried on for the canneries every week-day during the season, in depths of 6 to 14
feet of water, in the immediate vicinity of Hampton. The average daily catch per man is from
sixty to seventy-five dozen, but catches of two hundred and fifty dozen, equal to 10 barrels hi
bulk, have been recorded for the same length of time. The mild winter of 1879-'80 caused the
crabs to be more abundant in the following spring, but during cold winters many die and are cast
upon the beaches by the waves. In 1880 the first spawners were seen by the first of March, but
they do not visually appear until April. The height of the spawning season is from May to August,
although many spawners are seen as late as November.
Although the larger part of the crabs caught on the Virginia coast, or, more strictly speaking,
at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, are for the use of the Hampton canneries, a great many are
also used fresh along the shores where they are taken, and considerable quantities are sent to the
northern markets and to the interior towns of Virginia. Boats come into Hampton Roads and
the surrounding region from Baltimore to catch and buy crabs for the markets of that city, and
other regular shipments are made to the same place. From the first of May to the middle of June,
New York receives nearly all of her supplies of soft crabs from the Virginia coast and Chesapeake
Bay, but after the middle of June or the first of July the weather becomes too warm to ship them
without great loss. Outside of the canneries, therefore, the principal crab industry of the Virginia
coast is of only about three months' duration, from March or April to July. The canning business,
however, continues until November. Soft crabs are packed for shipment in boxes with seaweeds,
but hard crabs are sent in barrels. Crisfield, Md., on the Chesapeake, does a very large trade in
crabs, which are shipped to Philadelphia and Baltimore. About one hundred and fifty men are
engaged in this industry in the neighborhood of that place during the crabbing season.
Blue crabs are extensively used as bait for nearly all kinds of fish at the mouth of Chesapeake
Bay and on the outer coast of Virginia. Soft, crabs are preferred, but hard crabs are used when
the former are not obtainable.
NORTH CAROLINA. — Blue crabs are very abundant on this coast, where they often receive the
THE CRAB FISHERIES. 643
name of channel crabs, but they are not much in demand as food. In the summer they
inhabit tho sounds and iulets as well as the outer shores, and in the winter bed iu the bottom
dt I lie channels and also in deep water. The season lasts from May until November, during which
time the crabs may be captured iu large numbers with little trouble.
About Beaufort and Morehead City, the fishermen take them in immense numbers in their
drag-nets while fishing for sea-trout, mullet, and other fish, and consider them a great annoyance,
as it is difficult to remove them from the nets. They kill nearly all that are captured iu this way
by a blow from a stick carried along for the purpose, and then throw them away, or use them
as a manure. A few are kept for food, but none are sold, beyond an occasional barrel-full, mostly
soft-shelled, which are sent to some of the larger inland towns. A few soft crabs are also sent to
northern markets, but most of the crabs sold in this vicinity are gathered by negro children, who
take them on the ebb tide in the little pools of water left on the shore. The price is from 15 to 20
cents per dozen. The fishery for this crab promises to become of great importance when a ready
market for the catch has been established. Great inducements are held out by this region for the
establishment of crab canneries, similar to those of Hampton, Va. The trot-line employed on the
Virginia coast has not yet been introduced here. The total quantity of crabs used in this vicinity
(Beaufort and Morehead City), or sent from there in 1875, was about 2,500 dozen, valued at 15 cents
a dozen, or $375 for the entire catch.
A small quantity of crabs is secured about Wilmington for use in that city and for shipment
to interior towns of North Carolina and South Carolina. They are sent either alive in baskets or
after being boiled iu brine.
But few men on this coast engage regularly in crab catching, and most of the crabs sold are
taken by the fishermen or by colored children. Shrimps and prawns constitute the favorite baits
for hook and line fishing on the North Carolina coast, but in their absence crabs are substituted
in part. They are said to answer for nearly all species offish.
SOUTH CAROLINA. — The sea-crabs, as the Callinectes are called on this coast, are found
in abundance during the warmer part of the year, in the harbors, in the shallow waters at the
months of creeks and rivers, and on the salt marshes, where many individuals are sometimes left
exposed at low tide. They might generally be taken during nearly every month of the year, but
are secured for market principally in the spring' and early summer. Soft crabs are found on the
sandy and muddy flats at low tide.
Crab fishing as an industry is carried on only in the vicinity of Charleston, where the fishery
usually begins about the last of February and continues until the middle of May. After open
winters, however, it often commences several weeks earlier. The crabs are usually taken by
means of trot lines, 75 to 100 yards long, baited generally with beef entrails at intervals of 18
inches to 2 feet. Scoop-nets are used in connection with the trot-lines, and crabs are also taken
incidentally in fish seines. During the first few weeks of the season the number secured is com-
paratively small, 150 to 200 being a fair day's catch for a boat containing two men. Later in the
season they become more abundant, the average daily catch per boat of two men reaching 400 to
fiOO. The best fishing-grounds for hard crabs are about the rocky bottoms of the outer harbor, in
the vicinity of Forts Sumter and Piuckney, though the crabs are also fairly abundant nearly
everywhere along the shore. About eight boats, with ten men and six boys, are engaged in crab-
bing during the season. The first part of the season the fishermen sell their catch of hard crabs
at $1 a hundred from the boat, but later the price falls to 60 cents a hundred. The retail price is
25 cents per dozen. The trade is largely controlled by colored people, who buy the crabs directly
from the fishermen, and after boiling them and scraping tho spawn from the females, place them on
(544 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
trays aud vend them through the streets of Charleston. Up to a recent date soft crabs were thrown
away as worthless, but they are now better appreciated, although they are not yet as favorably
regarded as they are farther north.
Mr. R. E. Earll states that about two-thirds of the catch during his visit to Charleston in
March, 1880, were females, with large bunches of eggs attached. These eggs were still quite im-
mature, indicating that they would not probably hatch before April or May. Hundreds of thou-
sands of eggs were destroyed with every dozen crabs brought to market.
The crabs caught about Charleston are mostly sold in that city, but some are also sent to
interior cities, the principal inland markets being Columbia, S. C., and Augusta and Atlanta,
Ga. For shipment to these places they are packed in boxes and small barrels. The demand for
crabs on this coast is uot equal to the supply, and there are at present no inducements to increase
the fishery. The quantity aud value of crabs disposed of for food ou the South Carolina coast
during 18SO is estimated as follows : Hard crabs, 9,000 ; soft crabs, 1,500; value, $775.
The sea-crab is used as bait for the drumfish (Pogonias chromis) aud for all other species of fish
for which shrimps are employed, wheu the latter are uot obtainable.
GEORGIA. — The sea-crab is very abundant ou the Georgia coast, where it enters the river
mouths during the summer. The season extends from March to November. The fishing appliances
consist of scoop-nets, hooks and lines, and baited hoop-nets. The latter is a twine net, fastened
to a barrel hoop, with a weight in the ceuter, and to the upper side of which is tied a piece of bait,
generally consisting of fresh beef. This net is lowered to the bottom, and the crab, attracted by
the bait, crawls on it and is quickly hauled to the surface. Fish lines with hooks are also com-
monly used, and a man in a boat or ou a wharf can handle several of them. While the soft-shell
crabs are generally preferred for food, the hard crabs are much more extensively used on account
of their greater abundance. In some localities, however, hard crabs are given the preference.
Georgia is too far distant from New York City to compete with the more northern States in
sending crabs to that market, and most of the catch is consumed in the former State and in Ala-
bama. Large quantities are used along the coast aud in Savannah, and thousands are sent to the
inland towns. They are packed in ice for shipment to some extent. As a bait this crab is used
for the drumfish, bass, aud other species.
The business of catching aud selling crabs gives employment to several hundred men. Crab
bing is also indulged in as a pastime by summer visitors ou the sea-shore. The yearly catch is
stated to be very large. In S ivaunah crabs are mostly hawked through the streets by negroes.
EASTERN FLORIDA. — Blue crabs abound upon the Atlantic coast of Florida from Georgia to
the Keys. In the summer they are found in the shallow waters near shore and in the bays, rivers,
and creeks. In the winter they mainly retire to deeper water, where they are sometimes captured
In the early spring. During mild winters, however, they remain in nearly the same places which
they frequent in the summer. The crab season is mainly from March to December. Although
very large quantities of crabs can be easily procured, they have as yet given rise to no regular
industry, and are merely taken for home consumption in the towns along the coast. A few dozen,
however, are occasionally sent away on special orders. These are boiled in brine and then packed
in crates or boxes. Soft crabs are rare and are regarded as a luxury ; the hard crabs are there-
fore almost the only ones used for food. They are captured by means of scoop-nets, hoop-nets, and
trot-lines. The blue crabs are sometimes used as bait for the drumfish, bass, and other species of
fish.
THE GULF COAST. — The blue crab is very common along the entire Gulf coast, being much
more abundant than the stone crab (Menippe merccnarins). In the summer these crabs are found
THE CRAB FISHERIES. 645
in the bnjs and estuaries, and often in fresh-water rivers and lakes having direct communication
with salt water. At the approach of cold weather they retire iuto deeper water ami remain more or
less dormant until the lirst warm days or settled mild weather of the spring. Their iirst move in
the spring (about April) is to the grass-covered shoals, where they are said to feed largely upon
the spawn of tishes occurring there. All through the summer and until about November, they
inhabit the shallow waters near the shore, aetiug as scavengers upon decomposed fish and other
animal matter, and also devouring large quantities of small fish and fish spawn. At high tide
they approach nearer the shore than at low tide, the young being the most venturesome, and
spending the period of high tide at the very water's edge, hiding under patches of sea-weed, behind
and under logs and roots of trees and in the sand. They swim easily and rapidly at the surface
at times, and are very swift in their movements on the bottom. While shedding they remain
hidden in the sand or mud of the bottom or among sea-weeds.
As they are so commonly distributed and so abundant, nearly every one living upon the shore
can obtain whatever supplies he wants for the mere trouble of capturing them, and they are there-
fore considered as having no commercial value outside of the larger cities. In fact, there is no
regularly established trade in crabs upon the Gulf coast, excepting in connection with New
Orleans and Galveston. The former city receives its supplies mainly from the marshes and lakes
of the Louisiana coast. Crabs are, however, used as food along the entire Gulf coast, and, to a
considerable extent, in the larger towns and villages. Those living directly upon the shore supply
their own wants, but the larger places are supplied by boys and negroes, who catch the crabs and
peddle them through the streets. The business is an irregular one, and no account of the sales is kept.
Soft crabs bring a much higher price than the hard crabs, and are preferred when they can
be obtained ; but they are rarely taken in any quantity, and the sales are mostly of hard crabs.
According to a New Orleans correspondent, most of the soft crabs sent to that city come from the
coast lakes of Louisiana.
The crab season extends more or less continuously throughout the year, unless the winter
be a very severe one ; but soft crabs are obtainable only from March until October. In the
early spring, before they come into shoal water, they are caught by being trolled from the deeper
water, by a bait of meat tied to the end of a long string. Each fisherman handles several of these
strings. Later in the season they are readily dipped out with a scoop-net from along the
shore. Large numbers are also taken in fish seines, but they are then regarded as an annoyance
and seldom retained as food. The crab fishery to supply the New Orleans markets is carried on
along the shores of the outer islands and in the marshes and lakes of the Louisiana coast. The
crabs are picked up in the hands or by scoop-nets from the outer edge of the beaches and from
among the marsh grass. Another method of capture is with trot-lines, the main line being stretched
along the beach at the water's edge, and the lateral lines thrown outward as far as they will reach.
One of these lines occupies the attention of two men.
About Pensacola, according to Mr. Silas Stearns, " the catching of crabs is classed among the
sports. On warm summer evenings parties often set out for secluded portions of the bay shore,
where they pursue the crabs with torches and jigs or dip-nets, until tired. A hot midnight supper,
made up largely of the fish and crabs taken, terminates the fun."
Hard crabs are sent to the New Orleans market alive in baskets containing about 5 dozens
each. They are sold to the marketmen at "><) cents a basket. Soft crabs bring from 10 to 15
cents each. No ice is used in the packing.
Many crabs are taken about Galveston, Tex., for use in that city, and some are sent to the
interior towns of Texas and adjoining States It is predicted that in the course of a few years an
646 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
extensive busiuess in shipping crabs from the Gulf coast to interior towns of the Southern States
will be built up, and the abundance of material for such a trade appears to favor success.
On the Louisiana coast about one hundred men are regularly engaged in taking hard crabs, and
about as many more for soft crabs in their season. The average weekly catch of soft crabs is about
300 dozens, and of hard crabs about 250 baskets. More could be taken if there was a demand for
them. At Galveston about twelve men are engaged regularly in crabbing, and others occasionally.
Crabs as well as shrimps are extensively used as bait on the Gulf coast, and are said to
answer for nearly all kinds of hook and line fishing. Soft crabs and young hard crabs are pre-
ferred. Among the species of fish for which they are employed are the redfish and sea trout.
5. CRAB CANNING.
CANNERIES AT HAMPTON, VA. — The crab industry of Hampton, Va., is of considerable impor-
tance, and consists mainly in the canning of hard crabs (Callinectes hastatus) caught in the vicinity.
Two establishments there are now engaged in this enterprise — McMeuamin & Co., located on
Hampton Creek, and T. T. Bryce, located on the Normal School grounds.
ORIGIN OP THE CANNING INDUSTRY. — The canning of hard crabs originated in this vicinity
with Mr. James McMenamin a year or two prior to 1878. Aware of the financial success attained
by the lobster canneries of New England, he conceived the idea of utilizing the crabs living in such
immense numbers in the shallow waters about Norfolk, Va., where he was then located, and which
he was convinced could be prepared at much less cost than the lobsters. A correspondence with
lobster canners at the North as to their methods of preparation having proved unsatisfactory,
Mr. McMenamiu began a series of experiments which lasted some time and resulted in his begin-
ning actual operations March 10, 1878. In the fall of that year a few of his goods were placed on
the market. Hampton, Va., offering superior advantages to Norfolk, Mr. McMenamin removed
to the former place in April, 1879, and began work on a larger scale. Crabs were found to be
more abundant and were more easily obtained about Hampton, and meeting with a ready sale,
Mr. McMenamin has been induced to increase his works still further during 1880.
SEASON. — The crab season begins in the vicinity of Hampton about the 1st of April, and con-
tinues through May. In June and July so large a quantity of the crabs are found with spawn, in
which condition they are not considered fit for canning, that but little is done in this line during
those mouths. The work begins again, however, in August, and is continued through September
and October, closing about the 1st of November.
METHOD OF CANNING. — When the large boats which go out to collect the crabs from the
fishermen arrive at the canneries, the dead crabs and spawners are rejected. The remainder are
loaded into cars of open slat-work, which are rolled on a tram-way to a wooden steamer, capable of
holding about two hundred and fifty dozens, in which they are placed. About 60 pounds of steam
is then turned on, and the crabs are allowed to cook sufficiently and until they become red. After
the cooking the car is rolled out from the steamer, and the contents shoveled into baskets for the
"strippers," who remove the outer shells, viscera, and small claws. The crabs are then thoroughly
washed and passed to the "pickers," who consist entirely of women and children. The tables at
which they work are circular in shape, with a round central opening large enough to pass the refuse
from the crabs as it is thrown away. The table is otherwise divided into eight equal compart-
ments by partitions radiating from the central hole to the circumference. Each of the pickers
stands in front of a compartment of a table, there being, therefore, eight to each table. They work
rapidly, and the meats of the bodies, as they are removed, are more or less divided up and placed in
a pan. The claws are crushed with the handle of the knife employed in the work, and the meats
THE CRAB FISHERIES. 647
taken from them. The price paid lor this work ranges from 2 to 3 cents per pound for the meats,
which are weighed in pound lots, an examination being made to see that no shells remain among
them. For each lot weighed the picker receives a ticket or due-bill, redeemable on the following
Saturday night. The best pickers usually prepare about 25 pounds of meats a day, but the average
quantity is only about 10 pounds each. The refuse or hard parts left after removing the meats are
thrown through the opening in the center of the table into a sheet-iron barrel, which, as often as
it is tilled, is dumped into a scow to be carried off and sold as a fertilizer to farmers in the vicinity.
The shells, as the upper part of the carapax is generally called, and which were first removed by
the strippers, are cleaned and sold for making deviled crabs.
The meats go from the weighers to the fillers, who put them into cans of two sizes, 1 pound
and 2 pounds, a fraction more being added to allow for waste. The quantity of meat in a 1-pound
can is said to be equal to thirty-eight crabs. They then pass to the sealer and finally to the bath,
after which they are vented, resealed, bathed again, and labeled.
In order that the crabs may keep well in the cans, it is necessary that they be properly
cooked, and considerable skill is required to accomplish this in all cases. A great deal of trouble
has been experienced, in this particular, especially with regard to canned lobsters, and large
quantities of goods have occasionally spoiled in the cans without any apparent reason. It has
generally been traced, however, to insufficient or imperfect cooking, and success seems to depend
entirely on doing this one thing well. The method pursued at Hampton has been described to us
as follows : As above stated, the crabs are first thoroughly steamed as they are brought in alive,
and experience alone can dictate the length of time this process should continue. The first
bathing of the cans after they are sealed, continues for about half an hour, the cans remaining in
boiling water for that length of time. The cans are vented after this bathing, and at once resealed,
and then bathed for a second time for perhaps two hours, more or less. The process may be short-
ened, however, by the use of a chemical bath, consisting merely of a strong solution of chloride of
calcium in water, in the proportion of about 100 pounds of the salt to a barrel of water.
SHIPPING-. — For shipment two dozen cans are packed in a case, and the cases (of 2-pouud
cans) are sold to jobbers at the rate of $280 per dozen. A case of shells goes with each case of
cans, eight shells being allowed to a can. The trade is largely in the South and West, but con-
siderable quantities are also exported to European and other foreign countries, and an attempt is
being made to build up a large export trade. The packing house of T. T. Bryce also cans oysters
and vegetables in their season.
CANNERY AT OXFORD, MD. — A crab cannery has been recently established at Oxford, Md.,
where about one hundred and seventy men are employed. The number of crabs used daily is said
to be from twelve thousand to fifteen thousand, but we have been unable to obtain a detailed
account of the industry.
Statistics of the two crab-canning establishments at Hampton, Fa., for 1879.
Amount of capital invested iu buildings, equipment, &c $5,000
Number of crabs used during the year 6,000,000
Value of the crabs at fishermen's prices $10,000
XumbiT of cans produced, at the rate of 2 pounds to the can 84,000
Gross receipts from sales $16,800
. Enhancement in value of crabs during canning $6,800
Number of hands employed, of which the grea.ter number are women 226
W-iges earned by the men, per month $18 to $50
\V;iges earned by the women,* per month $7 to $8
Prices paid for crabs, per dozen Ic. to 3c.
Prices paid pickers per pound of meat 2c. to 3c.
* Very skillful workwomen as pickers sometimes make from $3 to $3.50 per week.
648
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
t>. STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION OF THE BLUE CRAB FISHERY IN 1880.
The quantity and ralur of liliif rralm (I'lillini -elm Itasiatus) taken and sold on tin' .tHnntir <ni</ (liilf Cnants of tin f'nili'd
Hlatcs duriny I.-HI.
State.
Quantity.
Value (at tin-
fishermen's
prices).
Pounds.
1 624 583
$61 234
1 470 300
162 612
r>5 680
•2 413
2 139 200
32 OSi
Maryland
1, 666, 667
46, 850
11 200
450
42 000
750
7 200
125
288 000
7 200
Texas
36 000
900
Total
7, 410, 830
322, C22
6,800
329, 422
THE MINOR CRAB FISHERIES.
7. THE FIDDLER CRAB, OYSTER CRAB, STONE CRAB, AND OTHER MINOR SPECIES.
THE FIDDLER CRABS. — The three species of fiddler crabs (Gelasimus pugnax, G.pugilator, aud
G. minax), which occur abundantly along the eastern and southern coasts of the United States,
from southern New England to Mexico, preferring salt and brackish-water marshes, muddy aud
sandy flats, and sheltered beaches, are occasionally used as bait, and are also, in a few localities,
regarded as edible. On the southern New England coast, they are esteemed as bait for the tautog
aud other species of fish, and in the vicinity of Charleston, S. C., for the sheepshead. They are
rarely eaten, but are said to be sometimes used in making soups. One species, which lives in the
Lower Mississippi River, is stated to have occasioned some damage to the levees, into which it
constructs its burrows, along with a species of crayfish.
THE OYSTER CRAB. — The little oyster crab (Pinnotheres ostreum, Say), so familiar to all con-
sumers of fresh oysters, is, notwithstanding its small size, of some economic importance. It occurs
more or less abundantly in nearly all supplies of oysters, and is generally eaten along with the
bivalve, with which it is associated as a messmate. In the canneries and restaurants, where large
numbers of oysters are constantly being opened, the crabs are frequently saved apart aud either
sold fresh or pickled for the trade. The pickling of these crabs, in some localities, as in Fulton
market, New York, assumes the character of a regular business, aud they are put up in glass jars
like pickled oysters. Prepared in this manner, they are often offered for sale in the larger cities,
and especially in New York. The difficulty of collecting together so many small creatures renders
their cost somewhat high.
The oyster crab has long been famous as a tempting morsel, aud its original describer, Say,
remarks concerning it, as long ago as 1817, that, " where the fresh oyster is opened in consider-
able numbers, the crabs are often collected and served apart for the palate of the luxurious." It
is the female alone that is eaten, the male never living, so far as is known, within the oyster
shells, but occurring occasionally as a free-swimmer at the surface of the sea. The male also has
a thicker shell than the female, and would not, therefore, be regarded as equally palatable.
A closely related species, called the mussel crab (Pinnotheres maculatus), lives as a messmate
THE CRAB FISHERIES. 649
within the shells of the edible mussel (Mi/tilux canlix) and tin- smooth scallop (Pecten tenmcoxtatus),
ami were either of those mollusks extensively used as food with us, as the former is in Europe, the
little evab would probably be classed as edible. It is frequently very abundant. When dredging
off the mouth of Narragausett Bay. IMiode Island, in isso, the Fish Commission steamer discovered
numerous beds of the smooth scallop, from a bushel of which fully half a pint of crabs was obtained.
The same crab was also found abundantly, in 1881 and 18S1!, in the mussels which form extensive
beds on some of the muddy bottoms of Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts.
A third species of Pinnotheres occurs on the Pacific coast of the United States, in the shells of
ihe California mussel (Mi/tilti* ctilifornianits) and of another large mollusk (Pacliydesma), and is
said to be eaten.
THE ROCK CRAB. — Both the rock crab (Cancer irroratus, Say) and the Jonah crab (Cancer
Imri'iillx, Stimp.) are very abundant on the Ne-w England coast, the former being widely distributed
and the latter somewhat local in its occurrence. They are both considered very good eating, but
are not much appreciated by the inhabitants of the coast along which they live, and are not,
therefore, commonly sought for as articles of food. One reason why they are not more exten-
sively used is probably the fact that their distribution is co-extensive with that of the lobster,
which is everywhere much more highly esteemed. The rock crab, the more abundant of the
two species, also seldom averages large in size. Neither of the species is marketed in the soft
shell condition, and soft-shell crabs of the genus Cancer are seldom found upon the shores. The
vicinity of Point Shirley, on the north side of the entrance to Boston Harbor, is the only locality
where either of these species is regularly fished for. The species found there is the rock crab,
ami the entire catch is sent to the Boston markets. At numerous other places along the New
England coast, the rock and Jonah crabs are taken occasionally in small quantities for home con-
sumption and for use as bait. We have heard of their being used as food at. Nevrburyport, Glou
cester, New Bedford, Newport, and Stouiugton. At all of these places, excepting Newport,
Cancer irroratus is probably the only species obtained in sufficient quantities. At Newport, how-
ever, Cancer borealis may be seen in the markets, though never abundantly, during the summer
months. In that city it is said to be preferred by many to the blue crab, though both species
are eaten. The trade is small and mainly limited to supplying the summer visitors. These crabs
are quite common in and about Narragansett Bay, and are sometimes caught at low-water mark,
but more often in slight depths of water near shore, in lobster pots and nets.
As cold weather sets in, both species of Cancer retire to deeper water, and are more difficult
to obtain. The only appliances of capture used regularly in the crab fishery of New England are
scoop-nets and the old style of baited hoop-nets. Incidentally crabs are taken in seines and lobster
pots and on trawl lines set for fish. The rock crab and possibly also the Jonah crab are employed
as bait for the cod, tautog, bass, and other species of fish.
The rock crab (f.'mtci-r irrortifus) is the only species of crab brought direct to the Boston market.
Only about four thousand by count are sold annually in Boston, all, or nearly all, of these passing
through the hands of two or three dealers in Quincy market. They are brought almost solely from
Point Shirley, and sell in the market at the rate of $2.50 per one hundred. The yearly sales, there-
fore, amount to only about §100.
Most of the blue crabs sold in Boston pass through the New York markets. From 3,000 to
5,000 dozens are handled every year.
The sales of rock and Jonah crabs on the New_ England coast in 1880 did not apparently exceed
a total of $200.
THE MUD CUABS. — Four species of ui"d crabs, of whieh the largest is the Panopeux Herbfstii,
650 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
Edwards, occur upon our eastern coast, inhabiting muddy bottoms principally, and seeking shelter
under stones or ainoug algae, and also occurring upon oyster beds. They are occasionally used as
bait, though only to a limited extent.
THE STONE CRAB. — The stone crab (Menippe mcrcenarius, Gibbes) ranges from North Carolina
to Texas, or, at least, throughout that section of coast the name "stone crab" is applied by the
inhabitants to one or more species of crabs, but whether in all cases to the same species or not, can
only be determined by a more thorough examination than has yet been made. On the south-
ern Atlantic coast, however, there appears to be no doubt that the stone crab is everywhere the
Menippe mercenarius. It is a much stouter form than the Callinectes, or blue crab, and of a more
solid build, with the, outer covering or shell much thicker and harder. The body is also very much
smaller iu proportion to the size of the claws, which are greatly developed. The average adult
individuals, in the vicinity of Charleston, S. C., measure about 4J inches across the earapax, 3
inches in length, and 1J to 2 inches in thickness. The claws, when folded against the front of the
body, measure 7 inches from elbow to elbow.
The stone crab of the Atlantic coast lives iu holes iu the mud, along the borders of creeks and
estuaries, and in the crevices between fragments of any solid materials that may occur near their
haunts, such as ballast thrown overboard from vessels, rocks in place, and the stone-work of break-
waters. It is not nearly as abundant as the blue crab, but by many is preferred as food to the
latter species. The large claws furnish most of the edible meat which they contain, and which is
said to be more lobster-like iu texture and flavor than is the case with Callinectes. The stone crabs
are forcibly pulled from their holes, which are generally just large enough for them to enter with
their claws folded. The crabber inserts an arm into the hole, which sometimes reaches down
nearly 2 feet, and seizing the occupant by the elbow of the nearest claw draws him out as
quickly as possible, and then drops him before he has time to use his free claw. Once out of his
hole he is readily secured with the hands. These crabs usually offer stout resistance to being
dragged from their abodes, by firmly pressing their powerful cl aws against the sides. If the mud
in which they live be soft, a large quantity is pulled out with them, but if, on the contrary, it is so
compact and hard as to withstand the pressure brought to bear upon it in the struggle, the crab
must be taken out piecemeal.
Stone crabs are seldom if ever found in the soft-shell condition, and the market supplies
therefore consist entirely of the hard crabs. Being less abundant than the blue-crabs and much
more difficult to capture, they are far less commonly seen in the markets, and also bring a higher
price. They are but rarely sent away from the sea-coast. The season corresponds more or less
with that of the blue crab, but they are supposed to occur in about the same situations throughout
the entire year. They are too valuable for food to be used for bait.
At Beaufort and Morehead City, N. C., where stone crabs are moderately abundant, they are
sought for at intervals during the summer by five or six men. The catch for the season of 1879
was about three hundred dozens, which sold at the rate of 25 cents a dozen, amounting in all to
$75. About one-half of this amount was shipped to New Berne, Raleigh, and Goldsborough, the
remainder having been used locally. A correspondent at Morehead City states that the average
weight of the stone crab in that vicinity is about 10 ounces, although they attain a weight of 15
to 16 ounces at times. They live the entire year in holes on the grassy shoals, where the water
is from 6 inches to 2 feet deep at low tide. They are taken at all seasons, excepting in cold
weather, as the crabbers mnst wade for them. .
At Charleston, S. C., a great many stone crabs are brought to market, but no one engages
regularly in their capture.
THE CRAB FISHERIES. 651
On the Georgia coast the shine crab is said to attain an average weight of about 1 pound;
but specimens are occasionally found weighing as much as a pound and a half. They live in com-
munities iu all depths down to 6 fathoms, on hard bottoms, consisting mainly of mud and
shells. They seldom wander a great distance away from their holes. The usual method of capture
is the same as that above described, but they are also sometimes dug out of their holes, or caught
incidentally on hooks set for the drumlish.
About Feruandina, Fla., the stone crab is found upon oyster beds and among rocks.
The stone crab is said to range along the entire Gulf coast, but to be most abundant on the
western and southern coasts of Florida. It lives iu the cavities of rocks and iu deep holes dug in
the sand. The inhabitants of the Florida coast, where it occurs, commonly look to it for a con-
siderable share of their food, and esteem it very highly. It is captured in the same way as upon
the Atlantic coast. To the westward of Florida it is much less abundant, averages smaller in size,
and is seldom taken for food.
THE GREEN CRAB. — The green crab (Carcinus mamas, Leach), which is readily distinguished
from all our other east coast shore species by its bright green color, varied with spots and blotches
of yellow, has only a limited range on our coast, from Cape Cod to New Jersey, but is one of the
most common of all the European crabs. In Vineyard Sound, Buzzard's Bay, and Long Island
Sound, where it often goes by the name of Si Joe Rocker," it is sometimes very abundant on rocky
or peaty shores near high-water mark, and is highly regarded as a bait for the tautog. In the two
former localities it is said to have formerly been much more abundant than at present, and to
have been collected iu much larger quantities by the fishermen for bait.
In some of the European countries where it occurs, it is extensively employed for food and bait.
On the Euglish coast, according to White, " its predaceons habits inflict much injury on the salmon
fisher. Trout and mackerel are often reduced to a skeleton in a very short time, and salmon are
often rendered uufit for market by an unseemly scar, the results of its attacks. They are some-
times used as bait, especially while soft shell."
THE LADY CRAB. — The lady crab, sand crab, or squeaker crab (PlalyonicJius ocellalits, Latr.),
as it is variously designated on different parts of the coast, occurs on most sandy shores from
Cape Cod to Mexico, and being predaceous in its habits and feeding largely upon dead fishes
and other animal matter, does efficient service as a scavenger. It is occasionally brought to the
New York markets in the winter time, aud is said to command a high price when in the soft-shell
coudition. It is also eaten at New Orleans, from which place we have received specimens pur-
chased in the markets, but the extent of the supply is unknown to us. Along portions of the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts, it may possibly be sold iu connection with the blue crab, with which it
corresponds in range and to some extent iu habits. It is smaller than the blue crab, but equally
abundant, and is said to be of good flavor.
Along the southern New England coast, and probably elsewhere, it is frequently employed as
bait for the tautog aud other species of fish.
THE SPIDER CRABS. — The spider crabs (Libinia emarginata, Leach, and Libinia dubia, Edwards)
range from Casco Bay, Maine, to Mexico, living principally on muddy, but also to some extent on
sandy, bottoms in shallow water. They are occasionally used for bait, especially on the New Jersey
coast, but we have never heard of their being used for food.
THE SAiro BUG.— The sand bug. bait bug, or beach bug (Hippo, talpoida, Say), which is related
to the hermit crabs, though differing from them considerably iu general appearance, burrows iu
the sandy shores of our Atlantic coast from Cape Cod to the Gulf of Mexico. On the coast of
Southern New England it is only locally abundant, occurring very plentifully in some localities
652 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
and being more rare or even entirely wanting in others. From New Jersey southward it is more
common and it appears to be used for bait wherever it cau be collected in sufficient quantities. It
is reported as a common bait on the New Jersey coast.
THE HERMIT CEABS. — The three species of hermit crabs which occur most abundantly near
shore on our Atlantic coast, and are therefore most available as bait, are the following : Eupagurus
Bernhardus, which ranges from Cape God northward, in all depths from low water to 50 fathoms
and deeper; Eupagurus pollicaris, ranging from Massachusetts to Florida, and inhabiting the
rocky and shelly bottoms of the sounds and bays and oyster beds ; and Eupagurus longicarpus,
which, though smaller than either of the above species, is more easily obtained, living as it does
on muddy and sandy shores from between tide-marks to a depth of 10 fathoms ; it ranges from
Massachusetts Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. The hermit-crabs do not appear to have found favor
as yet among our fishermen as a bait, but in England the Eupagurus Bernhardus is so used to some
extent. They are sufficiently abundant to supply a limited demand at least, and at some future
time will probably be utilized.
THE HORSESHOE CRAB FISHERY.
8. THE COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OF TUB HORSESHOE CRAB.
RELATIONS. — This curious marine form, the Limulux I'ali/phemus of naturalists, although not
regarded as a true Crustacean by many authors, will probably retain its association, in the minds
of most people, with the true crabs, near which it was formerly classified, and we may, therefore,
be pardoned for discussing it in this connection, from an economic standpoint.
QUALITIES AND USES. — The horseshoe crab has never grown into favor as an article of food
for man, and by many who have eaten it, we are told that the flavor of its flesh is decidedly in-
ferior. Either from this or from other causes, there has sprung up nearly everywhere a strong
prejudice against its use for food, although we are informed that in some localities it is occasionally
eaten. A few correspondents, however, have gone so far as to rate its flesh even above that of the
lobster, a taste which it is difficult to account for. The principal uses to which the horseshoe crab
is put, are as food for poultry and swine, as a bait for catching eels, and as a fertilizer, becoming
of much commercial importance only iu the latter connection.
EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF THE FISHERY ; MASSACHUSETTS. — The practice of feeding
these crabs to poultry and swine seems to prevail along many portions of the coast where they
abound. At Wellfleet, on Cape Cod, Mass., the farmers or fishermen take them on the flats with
improvised spears, and, throwing them into two-wheeled carts, haul them back to their houses, where
they use them for this purpose. When fed to the swine they are cut up, but for the chickens the
upper part of the plastron or shell is simply removed, so as to expose the soft parts. It is during
the spawning season, or in June and July at this place, that they are taken on the shore, and the
large number of eggs which the females then contain adds to their edible qualities. The flavor of the
animals fed with the horseshoe crabs is said not to be greatly improved thereby.
NEW YORK. — In Great South Bay, on the southern side of Long Island, horseshoe crabs are
very extensively used for baiting eel-pots and feeding chickens and hogs, and the farmers pay
from 50 to 75 cents a hundred for them. Eelers pay 2 cents each for females, but do not buy the
males. The season for them is May and June, when they crawl upon the beaches to spawn. They
are picked up on the shores by hand at night, and speared with an iron pike in the daytime. A
man can easily load a small boat with the crabs at a single low tide, during the height of the sea-
son. Probably about ten thousand are caught in this vicinity each year. In Pecouic Bay, Long
TIII: r.KAi; FISHERIES.
Island, horseshoe-crabs are much used as bait lor eels during May, wlu-n they are very abundant.
and for the same purpose they arc frequently utilized at many other places farther south along
the Atlantic coast. Wo also understand that they are occasionally employed as a bait for bluoflsh
and weaktish.
NEW JERSEY AND DELAWARE. — It is in Southern New Jersc\ and Delaware, however, that
those sluggish nabs are most sought for, and during the limited season in which they can be
conveniently obtained, enormous quantities are collected mainly for fertilizing purposes. At the
time of writing, t\v<> factories, at least, in this region are engaged in pulverizing the crabs for
market, and many farmers living upon the coast collect them ami grind them up on their own
account. The spawning season, during which the horseshoe crab visits the shores of southern
Now Jersey in immense numbers, continues through most of May and June, but during the
remainder of the year they live for the most part away from the shore, where they could be
obtained only with dilliculty and by the use of special appliances. A comparatively small number
of individuals, however, remain in the shallow waters during the entire summer. The crabbing
season is, therefore, of short duration, lasting not longer than six or eight weeks at the most, and
in fact, for only about twelve or fifteen days of this period are the crabs sufficiently abundant to
render the business of capturing them at all profitable. They approach the shores to spawn in
the greatest numbers during the spring tides corresponding to the new and full moons of May and
June, and on the Delaware Bay side of New Jersey, where the fishery is most extensive (being in
fact almost entirely limited to this part of New Jersey), a westerly wind is said to favor their
approach while an easterly wind exerts a contrary influence. They crawl up the beaches with the
flood tide and leave soon after the ebb, the males and females coming invariably together and
generally in pairs, the males riding upon the backs of the females. The eggs are deposited in small
holes in the sand, between tides, after which they are impregnated by the males, and the crabs
desert the beach, not to return again in any numbers until the next spring.
CRAB-CATCHERS. — There are no professional catchers of horseshoe crabs, but during the
season of their abundance every one so inclined engages in their capture. Nearly all of the
farmers along the shores, together with their help, generally participate, and either sell their
catch to the factories or prepare it themselves.
METHODS OF CATCHING HORSESHOE CRABS. — The crabs are so sluggish in their movements
and crawl so far up the beaches that they are easily taken in the hands, and this is the usual
method of capture in most places, although some prefer to spear them with pitchforks. They are
usually gathered at night, and only about two hours of each night can be profitably spent in
taking them.
In the vicinity of Dyer's Creek, however, large numbers of crabs are taken in pound-nets, con-
structed specially for their capture. These nets were introduced in 1870. and in 1880 nine of them
were in use in this region. The leader is about 50 fathoms long, and there are two wings, each 25
fathoms in length. The pound proper, or bowl, is divided into two compartments, the first being
intended for the king crabs, and the second, which is connected with the first by a funnel shaped
opening too small to admit the crabs, is designed for fish. The lower part of the pound is made
of stakes, embedded in the mud and extending a foot or more above it. To these stakes the net-
ting is attached, the object being to keep it above the crabs, which would otherwise destroy it.
METHOD OF PREPARING THE CRABS FOR FERTILIZING PURPOSES. — The common method
of treating the crabs is to first stack them up in piles and allow them to putrefy and become more
or less completely dried, after which they are either ground up by the factories or broken up into
small fragments by the farmers, who sometimes use their thrashing machines for this purpose.
654 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
At the factories they are heaped up in bins and allowed to remain from one to two months, after
which they are roughly torn to pieces and thoroughly dried in a metal cylinder over a furnace.
Thej are then ground up finely in a mill, and the product, called " cancerine," is generally com-
posted with muck, lime, or other suitable material. It is also frequently used pure, especially by
the farmers, who prepare their own supplies. It is highly recommended as a fertilizer for grain,
and is also extensively employed by the fruit growers of Southern New Jersey and Delaware.
The chemical composition of cancerine is given further on.
STATISTICS. — On account of the irregular manner in which the horseshoe crab industry is
conducted, it has been impossible to obtain complete statistics as to its extent and value. A few
figures obtained from some of the regions where it is carried on will, however, serve to give some
idea of its importance.
In the neighborhood of Dennysville, Cape May County, New Jersey, about a hundred men
engage in crabbing during the season, and make about $2 a day each. Within 15 miles of the town
about 1,000,000 crabs were obtained last season (1879). Near Woodbury, N. J., about the same
number of men are similarly occupied during the season, and take from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000
crabs yearly. Four dollars a ton, containing about 1,000 live (or fresh) crabs, is paid for them at
the factories. At Goshen, N. J., about one hundred men were also engaged, and they take 500,000
or 600,000 in a season. At Fishing Creek the catch is much smaller, amounting to only a little
over 100,000 each season.
STEAM MILLS FOR PRODUCING- THE FERTILIZER. — Ten years ago there were three steam
mills in the immediate vicinity of Dennysville for producing the crab fertilizer. Now, on account
of the diminished supply of crabs, their number has been reduced to one, which uses up about
800,000 crabs a year. A great many crabs, however, are sent from Southern New Jersey to the
Commercial Fertilizer Company's mill at Wilmington, Del., where they are extensively prepared.
DELAWARE. — On the Delaware State side of the bay the season for taking horseshoe crabs
is the month of May, when about fifty men engage almost exclusively in the business. The crabs
are principally taken between Mahoue's and Mispilliou Creeks, and are most abundant during
about four or five days, at the full and change of the moon, in the night time. The fishermen
work with scows built for the purpose, and which are about 16 feet long and 10 to 12 feet broad.
Their capacity is about 300 bushels each. In the scows the crabs are carried to some convenient
locality, where they are thrown upon the beach and allowed to dry. They are then sent to the
factory at Wilmington. About 900 tons of these crabs, equal to about 900,000 individuals when
fresh, are taken by the fishermen each season. The dried crabs weigh about one-third as much as
the fresh. The prices paid to catchers is $3 per thousand fresh, or $10 per ton dried.
DECREASE.— According to the statements of many of our informants, horseshoe crabs are
becoming constantly less abundant in Delaware Bay, owing to the practice of capturing, so far
as possible, every individual that conies upon the shore.
ACCOUNT OF THE INDUSTRY BY THE STATE GEOLOGIST OF NEW JERSEY. — The follow-
ing interesting remarks on the horseshoe crab industry of Southern New Jersey, extracted from
the report of the State geologist of New Jersey for 1868, add many important facts regarding
the value of this product:
"The Delaware Bay shore is remarkable for the immense numbers of this animal (the Limulus
Polyphemus of the naturalists) which frequent it. At the season for depositing their eggs, which is
in the latter part of May and in June, they come on shore in almost incredible numbers. The whole
strand for many miles is covered with them, sometimes two or three deep. Thomas P. Hughes, of
Town Bank, said that, on his shore of 100 rods be could get 100.000 in a week; 750.000 have
THK ru.vr. FISHERIES. 655
been taken on about halt' a mile of (he strand ; and oue year 1,200,000 were taken on about a mile.
They deposit their eggs and then leave tbe shore entirely until the same season next year. But
little, if anything, is known of their habits or Idealities during the interval. 'The number of eggs
is very great. They are so tliiek along the shore that they can be shoveled up and collected by
the wagon load. Great numbers are thus gathered and carried away to feed chickens. When
they hatch, the sand is fairly alive with the little creatures. A year or two since a vessel took
in a load of sand on the shore, and in two or three days so many of these young king crabs
appeared in it that they were obliged to throw the whole overboard.
"The king crab is common on our whole Atlantic shore, and is taken by farmers in quantity,
though it is not so remarkably abundant as in Delaware Bay.
" Hogs eat the crabs with great avidity, and it is the common practice all along our shores to
gatlier them for that purpose, iu the proper season. It is common also to gather them into pens
and allow them to putrefy and form a kind of compound to be used as manure. Other persons
have composted them for the same purpose. For the raising of wheat they have been very suc-
cessfully used. On land which would not grow wheat at all up to that time, crops of 20, 25, and
even 30 bushels to the acre have been raised by the use of these crabs composted with earth. It
has been thought by some that they injure the ground for the succeeding crops of corn or grass,
and that they promote the growth of sorrel. Many persons, however, have continued their use
for years in succession with success. William J. Bate, of Fishing Creek, uses them every year,
and with the best effects, in compost on early potatoes. A remarkably fine and thrifty young
orchard of his has been manured principally with crabs iu their raw state. Mr. Springer, of Dyer's
Creek, has used them for a number of years, composting them with sawdust, coal-pit bottoms,
muck, and barnyard manure. With a compost of 7,000 crabs, twenty loads of muck, two coal bot-
toms, seven or eight loads of old hay, and manure applied ou 6 acres of sandy loam, he. raised 151J
bushels of wheat. Ou another field, where the crop succeeding that manured with crabs did not
look thrifty, he sowed a light dressing of quick lime. The crop immediately began to improve,
and turned out to be an excellent one. Levi Corson, of Dyer's Creek, has an acre and a half of
sandy loam on which he has raised all the corn and wheat needed for the use of his family for the
last fifteen years. He has it in two fields, and raises corn in one and wheat iu the other every
year, giving each field a two years' rotation. Occasionally he has plowed in the wheat stubble
and raised a crop of buckwheat, thus getting three crops from the same ground in two years.
The straw and stalks have all been taken off the field, and the only manure that has been applied
has been a compost of 2,000 crabs with eight or nine loads of sods from the fence corners, each
year. His corn crop has been at the rate of from 30 to 50 bushels an acre. The compost was all
put on the wheat, no manure being used on the corn. The sorrel grew very rank in the corn, but
by the diligent use of the hoe it was kept down. His first crop of wheat on 90 rods of ground was
16 bushels, weighing 65 pounds to the bushel, and his wheat has usually yielded at the rate of
from 25 to 30 bushels an acre. He finally stopped gathering crabs and used lime, but his crops
were not as heavy as before. He thought they were falling off while using crabs, but his neigh-
bors said they had not fallen off more than was due to the variation in seasons.
" It is presumed these cases are sufficient to show the value of this manure. In regard to the
methods of applying crabs there is room for much improvement. Allowing them to lie in piles and
decompose by themselves is very wasteful, and the composts which are usually made have by far
too small a quantity of absorbent material added, as is evident from the escape of the gases from
the heaps, as well as from the results of experience in making composts in other localities. The
crabs when alive weigh 3 or 4 pounds, and when 1 horoughly dried they average nearly, if not quite,
656
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
a pound each. To save all the gases which will escape from them iu the course of their decay,
not less than five times their weight of muck, sods, loam, or other absorbent material should be
used ; and a much larger quantity would not be injurious.
" The abundance of these crabs has suggested the plan of grinding them for use as a concen-
trated manure, and Messrs. Ingham & Beesley have erected a mill at Goshen for this purpose.
They dry the crabs and grind them a.s line as possible. Thus prepared, they are put up in bags and
sold under the name of cancerine. Its price is $25 a ton at the works, and from 150 to 250 tons are
made by them yearly. Another factory, at West Creek, makes an equal amount. It is applied
on wheat, at the rate of 800 pounds per acre, and is fully equal to half its weight of guano, which
would cost $18. The whole supply of it is not equal to the demand.
ANALYSIS OF CANCERINE.
Water
70..HJ7
Lime 4.358
Phosphoric acid 2. 714
Sulphuric acid 5.170
Alkaline salts 3.687
Sand.. 3.883
Total ,
Ammonia 10.75 per cent.
100. 000
" The specimen analyzed was sent to me by Mr. Ingham. It appears to be pure crab. The
ammonia was determined by an ultimate analysis. It does not exist in the cancerine ready formed,
but the nitrogen from which ammonia is generated is in it, and, in accordance with the common
practice of chemists, the amount of ammonia which the nitrogen will produce is calculated.
"Another specimen of the crab shells, unmixed with other matter, and only dried in the air,
gave 10.78 per cent, of ammonia. Two other specimens of the cancerine gave 9.22 and 9.77 per
cent, of ammonia. The phosphoric acid of the last two was 3.87 and 4.24 per cent.
"The establishment of this manufacture has been the subject of much interest. The increas-
ing use of concentrated manures, the continued reports of their early exhaustion, and their enhanced
price have drawn the attention of the public to other sources of supply, and every honest attempt
to meet this want should meet with public encouragement. The agricultural value of the cancer-
ine and its price compared with the Peruvian guano may be estimated. The following table gives
the highest, lowest, and the average composition of -thirty-two well authenticated specimens of
Peruvian guano. It is copied from Morton's Cyclopedia of Agriculture:
Hi sliest
percentage.
Lowest,
percentage.
Average
percentage.
"Water
22 68
8 88
13 09
Organic matter and salts of ammonia .
S;md
58.82
o .tr(
37. 7S
1 17
52.61
1 54
Earthy phosphates
34. 4.r>
19.46
24. 12
13.48
.61
8.78
1 s. ;»4
15. 98
17.41
" Professor Way. an eminent agricultural chemist in England, and some iu our own country,
have computed the value of guano from the amount of ammonia and phosphates or phosphoric
acid it contains, considering the other ingredients as of little comparative value. The phosphates
are allowed by them to be worth about one-eighth and phosphoric acid one fourth as much as
ammonia. Taking these valuations as the basis of calculation, the ammonia and one eighth of
TIII<: a; .\r, FISIIKRIKS.
(557
llio phosphates of tin' Peruvian guano amount to ii().4i.', or arc equivalent to that percentage of
ammonia ; the ammonia and one-fourth of the phosphoric acid in the cancerine are in the same
way equivalent to 11.43 per cent, of ammonia ; and the values of the two will be as the numbers 20.42
and 11.43; or when guano is worth $60 per ton, as it is now, the cancerine is worth $33.58. * * *
"The amount of the material (cancerine) which can be produced annually is not yet known.
There is so little knowledge of the habits of the king crab that no judgment can be formed as to
the effect that will be produced on a coming year's supply by the destruction of great numbers of
those which come to the shore to lay their eggs. If the number is not materially diminished, the
manufacture could be extended so as to produce many thousands of tons every year."
Table showing tin i:rl, ul mid rulne of Hie liorseshue crab fishery of New Jersey and Delaware for 1880.
State.
Number of
crabs taken.
Eatiuiatiul
weight in
pounds.
Value to the
fishermen.
3 400 000
6 800 000
$13 600
900 000
1 800 000
2 700
Total
4 300 000
8 600 000
16 300
(b.) THE CRAB FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST.
0. CRAB FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC STATES AND TERRITORIES, CALIFORNIA
TO ALASKA.
CALIFORNIA TO WASHINGTON TERRITORY. — There are six species of crabs living upon the
Pacific coast of the United States south of British Columbia which are regarded as edible. They
are as follows: The common crab (Cancer magixter); the red crab (Cancer productus) ; the rock crab
(Cancer antennarim) ; the kelp crab (Epialtus productus) ; the yellow shore crab (HeteroyrapxHs ore-
gonensis), and the purple shore crab (Heterograpmx ninUis). Of these, however, only the common
crab (Ctiiurr »ittgi&ter) is extensively taken as food for the San Francisco markets. Both the red
crab and the rock crab are said to be nearly, if not quite, as palatable as the common crab, but the
fishery for them has been neglected, mainly for the reason that the latter species is the most
abundant, averages much larger in size, and inhabits those localities and depths which are most
resorted to by the fishermen. The yellow and purple shore crabs are much smaller than the other
four species, and are eaten only by the Chinese. The kelp crab is eaten by the Indians, and prob-
ably also by the white inhabitants of the regions where it abounds.
Although the Ctnieer intiginter ranges from Sitka, Alaska, to Magdalena Bay, Lower California,
San Francisco appears to be the only place where it is regularly marketed, the supplies coming
mainly from the sandy beaches of the San Fiancisco side of the bay of the same name, and espe-
cially to the south of the Golden (late, between the city and the sea. These crabs are caught
in immense numbers, together with the red crab, the rock crab, and many shallow-water species
of fish, in seines, and in crab-nets, baited with fish and offal. The red crabs and rock crabs so
taken are not sent to market, but are thrown back into the sea or left on the shore to die. These
two species, however, live mainly upon tie more rocky shores of the northern side of the Golden
Gate, where but little fishing is done, and the indifference shown regarding them is largely attrib-
utable to this fact. Notwithstanding the great numbers of the common crab which are constantly
being taken, and the reckless manner in which the catch is wasted by most crab-catchers, the
supply has not yet perceptibly diminished. Much fewer crabs are brought to market in winter
hau in summer. Three or four good sized crabs sell in the markets at retail for 25 cents. There
SEC. v, VOL. ii 42
658
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
is no export trade in crabs. The annual sales of crabs in the San Francisco markets have been
reckoned at about 300,000 by count, weighing on an average about 1 pound each, and netting the
fishermen about $15,000.
The yellow and purple shore crabs, when eaten by the Chinese, are generally spitted and
cooked over their open fires.
The large red rock crab (Eckidnoceros setimanus) of the Farallone Islands is occasionally
carried, to the San Francisco markets and offered for sale as a curiosity. Formerly it brought
asr high a price as $10 apiece, but now its value is much less. So far as we are aware, it is no
regarded as edible.
For the above iuformatiou regarding the Californian crabs, we are chiefly indebted to Mr. W.
1ST. Lockington, of San Francisco.
ALASKA. — According to Mr. Henry Elliott, several large species of crabs found on the coast
of Alaska are eaten by the natives. Among these are species of Chioncecetes and Hyas. With
reference to the former, Mr. Elliott states that along by the last of May or first of June of each
year, great numbers of the females of Chioncecetes enter the village lagoon at Saint Paul's Island,
evidently to spawn. They work in on the flood tide and are captured by the natives in their
boats, who lean over the gunwales and pick them up in their bauds as they are running in. Thi.s
appearance of the crabs lasts about three weeks. They are singularly uniform in size, and will
average about 10 inches in spread over all, the body aloue measuring from 3 to 4 inches. The
flavor of Chioncecetes is said to be exceedingly rich and agreeable. There is no trade in crabs
in Alaska.
(c)— STATISTICAL BECAPITTTLATION.
10. STATISTICS OF THE CRAB FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES FOR 1880.
EASTERN AND SOUTHERN COASTS.
Name of species.
Estimated
weight.
Value to the
fishermen.
Pounds.
7, 410, 830
$322, 622
12 000
450
Rock and Jonah crabs, Cancer irroratus and borealis
4,000
8, 600, 000
200
16, 300
Total for the Eastern and Southern United States . -
16, 026, 830
339, 572
PACIFIC COAST.
300 000
$15 000
16 326 830
354 572
2.— THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
I. GENERAL REVIEW.
Among the marine invertebrates of the American coast, the lobster is second only to the
oyster as an article of trade. No other crustacean along the region of its occurrence is utilized
to any extent, either for food or bait, excepting at the South, where the blue crab fishery slightly
overlaps that for the lobster. Two other species of crabs (Cancer irroratus and Cancer borealis),
related to the edible crab of Great Britain, iuhabit the satne range of coast, but they are both
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 659
comparatively small, not geiierally abundant, and have never grown into favor for the table,
although they are marketed to a slight extent in some places, and are occasionally used as bait.
The lobster probably formed an important element in the food supply of the New England
colonists, and its abundance, size, and good qualities are often mentioned in the early records. As
a distinct industry, however, the lobster fishery does not date back much, if any, beyond the pres-
ent century, and until about 1840 it was mostly limited to a few sections of the coast. Since the
latter date it has rapidly developed, and the area of the fishing-grounds has been enlarged to the
utmost extent. The introduction of the canning process and the improvements made in the
methods of shipping fresh fish have been most instrumental in promoting the growth of the fish-
ery, which now, however, seems to have passed the period of its greatest production, if recent ac-
counts, respecting a falling off in supplies, a.re to be relied upon.
In Section I of this report (Natural History of Aquatic Animals), Part 5, a brief popular
account of the natural history of the lobster has been given as an introduction to the present
report upon the fishery. That account deals mainly with the questions of distribution, habitsf
size, development, and shedding, all of which have a direct bearing upon the industry, especially
as regards its protection and its increase by artificial means.
In the preparation of this, the first extensive official, report upon the lobster fishery of our
country, many difficulties were encountered, and the results are not as complete and satisfactory
as they might have been, had we possessed more data respecting previous years to serve as a
basis for the work and as a means of comparison with the present fishery. The materials we have
used were derived from several sources. The greater part was obtained by the special agents
detailed to investigate the coast fisheries of the New England and Middle States, and much
valuable information was secured by correspondence with lobster fishermen and dealers in all the
principal districts. The author has also been able to personally inspect the fisheries in several
important localities, and has had frequent interviews with many of the prominent dealers in the
larger markets. A few reliable publications on the subject "have also been largely drawn upon.
The special agents for the coast of Maine were Mr. R. E. Earll and Capt. J. W. Collins, and
despite the fact that their duties covered all the sea fisheries of that important State, the returns
made on the lobster fishery and the statistics of the same were exceedingly complete. It is but
just to Mr. Earll to state that it was his original intention to prepare the report on the lobster
industry of Maine himself, and his notes were made with a view to that end ; but other duties
interfering, his field-notes were confided to my care. The statistics for Maine were, however, com-
puted by him. Mr. W. A. Wilcox, Mr. A. Howard Clark, and Mr. Frederick W. True made the
investigations for Massachusetts; and Mr. Earll and Mr. Fred. Mather, those for New York and
New Jersey. The account of the fisheries of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut has
been derived principally from correspondence, but in part also from personal interviews.
VALUE AND USES OF LOBSTERS. — Lobsters are among the most highly esteemed of the sea
products of our Atlantic coast, and are everywhere in great demand for food. They are shipped
long distances alive, and the canned preparations are carried to all parts of the world. On the sea
coasts where they occur, except in the vicinity of large towns and cities, they are not generally
much, if any, more expensive than the common fish of the same region, and they are, therefore,
quite extensively eaten by all classes, and many of the fishermen and others also catch them for
their own use. Away from the sea-shore, and even in many of the larger markets located near good
fishing-grounds, the prices are generally much higher, placing this class of food beyond the reach
of the poorer people, and often raising it to the rank of a luxury.
Lobsters also form an excellent bait for many of the species of fish taken with hook and line.
(360 HISTOKY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
The soft shelled and smaller individuals are preferred, but hi most places lobsters are now too
valuable or too rare to be used very extensively as bait. Some of the lobster fishermen, who also
engage in hook and line fishing, use the under sized, .soft, or otherwise unmarketable ones for this
purpose, and a few traps are also often left down out of season for the taking of bait lobsters only.
Amateur fishing clubs, such as that at Cuttyhuuk Island, Massachusetts, frequently depend largely
upon lobsters for bait, and keep traps set for taking them, the smaller ones only being used and the
larger ones sold. On the northern part of the New England coast, as far south as Gape Cod, lob-
ster bait is favorably regarded for cod, hake, haddock, and sea perch ; and south of Cape Cod,
for cod, tautog, striped bass, sea-bass, scup, and blnefisli. Old fishermen state that when rock cod
refuse to bite at a bait of soft-shell lobsters, they cannot be taken with any means. On the coast
of Maine, lobsters have sometimes been ground up and scattered upon the surface of the water to
attract schools of mackerel, and in the same region they are occasionally fed to eels confined in
ponds. For the latier purpose they are ground or broken into small fragments, and placed in
small cars, pierced with holes, through which the eels can pass in and out at will. They are also
used as bait in cunner traps at Cape Ann, Massachusetts.
Considerable difference of opinion exists as to what constitutes the best lobsters for eating.
In most sea-port towns of the lobster region it will be observed that the inhabitants, as well as
the fishermen, select the smaller lobsters for their own use, while the larger ones are shipped
away to the markets and inland cities, where small lobsters find no sale. The fact that these
latter places demand only large lobsters, and pay well for them, is probably one of the principal
reasons why the smaller ones are mainly used at home, being, in reality, a cheaper grade. How-
ever, there is no question but that a preference generally exists for small lobsters along the sea-
coast. In most markets there is no call for lobsters measuring less than about 10 inches in
length, and frequently the larger they are the more readily they are disposed of. The run of
lobsters at different seasons naturally influences the character of the demand, and in Boston the
summer supplies average larger in size than the winter, so that the people have become accustomed
to demand larger lobsters in summer than they can obtain in winter. It is natural to suppose that
the lobster, like many other animals, would be most desirable as food before it had attained too
large a size, but to what extent the flesh of the young and old differs does not appear to be known.
The very small ones, however, would not be economical to use, from the small amount of meat they
contain.
It has been stated that one sex is sometimes preferred to the other, but the only possible differ-
ence that could exist between the sexes would be with respect to the mature ovaries or " sweet
bread" of the females. Capt. N. E. Atwood, in a paper published some fifteen years ago, relates
that at that time male lobsters were preferred in Boston and female lobsters in New York. His
paper was written in support of the statement that nine-tenths of the lobsters caught about Cape
Cod, whence the New York supplies were mainly obtained, were females, while the same proportion
from the " North shore," tributary to Boston, were males. This question has been more fully dis-
cussed in connection with the natural history.
Unlike the common blue crab, soft-shell lobsters are not generally regarded as edible, their
flesh being described as thin and watery. They are, however, occasionally eaten, and are considered
to form an excellent bait. It is customary in most regions to throw them overboard as soon as
they are taken, unless they are in demand as bait, but even the slight handling to which they are
subjected in removing them from the traps is said generally to injure them beyond recovery, unless
the shell is somewhat hardened. Salt water ponds or parks have sometimes been used for stor-
ing soft lobsters awaiting the hardening of their shells, but this practice is not common.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 661
2. THE FISHING GROUNDS AND FISHING SEASON.
EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF TIIF, GIJOUNDS.
LOCATION OF THE GROUNDS. — The distribution of lobsters and tbe depletion of many of the
inshore fishing-grounds have been described in Section I of this report. The most southern
grounds for lobsters on the coast are a few small banks or spots located oft' Atlantic City and
Long' Branch, which are mainly resorted to by the boat fishermen, and the yearly catch is not
large. New York Bay and the waters about Hell Gate furnished a limited fishery at one time,
but lobsters have been nearly exterminated there by overfishing and the pollution from factories.
They occur and are fished for to a moderate extent on the western part of the Connecticut coast,
but toward the eastward become much more abundant and afford a profitable fishery, especiallyiu
Block Island Sound and about the eastern end of Long Island. The fisheries of Rhode, Island
are carried on in some parts of Narragansett Bay and in moderate depths of water off the
outer coast. The outer Elizabeth Islands, the region about Gay Head, and some localities in
Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, have yielded good fishing for many years, but probably the best
grounds on the Massachusetts coast were originally those about the outer end of Cape Cod, in the
vicinity of Proviucetown. The history of this region is fully described elsewhere. Good lobster
fishing is obtained in many portions of Massachusetts Bay as far north as Cape Ann, but the
sandy shores from there to about Biddeford Pool, Maine, are much less prolific than the regions
both to the south and north, and comparatively little fishing is done. The coast of Maine fur-
nishes the principal lobster fishery of the United States, and good grounds are scattered all the
way from Biddeford Pool to near Calais. The lobster production of Maine greatly exceeds in
amount and value that of all the other States combined.
It is difficult to estimate the comparative value of the grounds on different sections of the
Maine coast, but some are much more extensive and productive than others. The middle por-
tion of the coast, including the Waldoboro, Belfast, and Castine districts, gave the largest
results in 1880, and the fishery was more extensive and valuable in the eastern districts than
in the western ; but these facts do not necessarily indicate the location of the best grounds.
EXTENT OF THE GROUNDS. — As warm weather advances in the spring, the lobsters approach
nearer the land and remain in comparatively shallow water until late in the fall. In the summer
months they may often be found close to shore, and, in favorable localities, sometimes come within
reach of a dip-net or gaff. During the earlier period of the fishery, especially on the coast of
Maine, but also in Massachusetts, it was not unusual for large numbers to be taken with these
simple appliances, and the shore fishery gave employment to many boys. At present, however,
they are seldom seen in such localities. During the winter the lobsters live in deeper water, not
necessarily at a great distance from land, but often in the deep and wide mouths of rivers and
bays, which are common on the coast of Maine, and they also remain in the deeper parts of
Massachusetts Bay, Vineyard Sound, and Long Island Sound.
The location of the fishing-grounds, therefore, changes somewhat at different seasons, being
nearer the shore in summer and farther off in winter, and there is of course a corresponding
change in the depth. The winter fishery is much more difficult than that of the spring, summer,
and fall, and is not engaged in to a very great extent. In the Sheepscot River of Maine, which is
quite deep, lobsters are caught as far up as Wiscasset Bridge, the traps being shifted out in
the winter towards the middle of the river, not far from the summer grounds. With reference to
662 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
some regions, it has been stated that during mild winters, lobsters occasionally remain in depths
as slight as 5 to 10 fathoms. The greater part of the summer lobster fishery of Maine is carried
on in the passage ways and bays among the many islands and promontories that border the coast,
while in the winter the traps are transferred to the waters outside. At Eastport, Me., from April
1 to the middle of May, lobsters are mostly taken outside of the island of Gampobello, beginning
in depths of 20 to 25 fathoms. As the season advances, the traps are gradually shifted into shal-
lower water, and about the middle of May the fishermen begin upon the so-called inshore grounds,
which extend from Lubec, Me., to near Saint John, New Brunswick. During the summer the pots
are usually set in depths of 3 to 10 fathoms. In the western part of Maine, as near Biddeford
Pool, the winter, or rather the early spring, fishery is sometimes carried into depths of 40 or 50
fathoms^ while the summer fishery is conducted in very shallow water. In 1879, at Swan's Island,
Castine, Me., some of the fishermen set their traps upon the eel-grass, where they were left partly
exposed at low tide.
Lobsters occur all about the island of Vinal Haven, and no locality seems to vary much from
the others. In the early spring they are taken somewhat off shore, but not far, in depths of 15 to
25 fathoms, but as the spring advances they move inshore, and during the summer and fall are
found in all the coves, creeks, and inlets, good fishing being frequently obtained in water so shal-
low that the traps are exposed at low tide. The fishermen are rarely obliged to go more than a
mile off shore at any season. The fishermen on the west side of Pemaquid fish in the waters of
John's Bay and the Damariscotta River, shifting into deeper water in winter, while those on the
east side and about Friendship find lobsters well up among the islands and coves between Saint
George and Pemaquid, in spring, summer, and fall, but rather far out in winter, the best winter
fishing-grounds being beyond the outer islands and headlands. While lobster fishing may be
carried on in all depths down to 50 fathoms, it is probable that the greater part of all the lobsters
taken on the coast of Maine come from depths of 2 to 30 fathoms.
On the coast of New Hampshire, the principal grounds are all within depths of 8 to 10 fath-
oms. Off Gloucester, Mass., the traps are set in depths of 5 to 10 fathoms in the summer and 15
to 20 fathoms in the winter, and off Boston in depths of 1 to 8 fathoms in the summer and 12 to
16 fathoms in the winter or early spring. Captain Webb, of Milk Island, Cape Ann, states that
his traps are placed in a depth of 14 fathoms in April, and are gradually shifted inwards as the
water becomes warmer, the summer grounds being in 2£ fathoms. At that place the lobsters some-
times suddenly change their ground in time of storm, and Captain Webb relates that he has greatly
increased his catch by moving his traps into deeper water when the signal at Thatcher's Island
announced a high wind from certain directions, which produced a strong undertow.
The grounds off Provincetown, Mass., are bounded on the outer side by a belt of mud, which
begins in a depth of 18 to 20 fathoms ; at Yarmouth Port they sometimes fish in a depth of half a
fathom, while in Vineyard Sound the grounds extend from 3 to 15 fathoms, and off Gay Head
from 3 to 25 fathoms. On the coast of Rhode Island lobsters are taken in depths of 3 to 20 fath-
oms, and off Block Island and in Long Island Sound, in depths of 1 to GO fathoms. The deeper
places last mentioned are in Block Island Sound off Fisher's Island, being, in fact, deep holes which
are frequented mainly by the Noank fishermen during cold weather.
On the New Jersey coast, lobster fishing is carried on only between Sandy Hook and Atlantic
City, in depths of 5 to 11 fathoms, and is mainly limited to a few small fishing banks off Long
Branch and Atlantic City.
CHARACTER OF THE BOTTOM. — Lobsters are fished for mainly on sandy, gravelly, and rocky
bottoms, but are also said to inhabit muddy regions, especially in the winter. At Provincetown,
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 663
Capo Cod, the sandy bolt bordering the shore extends out to a depth of 18 to 20 fathoms, where
it is succeeded by soft mud. The fishermen there never go beyond the limits of the sand, though
many of the lobsters are supposed to retreat to the mud as cold weather approaches. South of
Massachusetts Bay, and even for some distance to the north of Cape Ann, the lobster grounds
are mainly characterized by sandy and gravelly bottoms, though with the frequent occurrence of
large loose stones. On the coast of Maine, and iu some portions of Massachusetts Bay, lobsters
are very common about the many rocky ledges, which afford them great protection. It is difficult,
however, to set the traps where the bottom is very uneven, and comparatively smooth bottoms
are preferred by the fishermen. In the winter some fishing is done upon the mud.
THE PISHINQ SEASON.
GENERAL ACCOUNT. — Lobsters may be found at all seasons of the year on most parts of the
New England coast, though in deeper water iu the winter than in the summer. The fishing season,
however, generally lasts only a few months, its duration being influenced by one cause or another.
The stormy weather of winter frequently prevents the fishermen from visiting the grounds for a
month or more at a time; in some places the market smacks run for only a short period, when the
demands are greatest and lobsters most abundant; and the laws of some States limit the length
of the season as a means of protection. In many regions the men engage in lobstering only when
other fisheries, which are more profitable to them, cannot be carried on. Stormy weather is fre-
quently selected as the time for making and repairing gear and boats and in preparing for the
next season. Some of the lobster fishermen are farmers and miners, who spend a part of the year
in one pursuit and the remainder iu the other, and the canning season of the coast of Maine regu-
lates the fishery to a large extent in the waters of that State. In a few localities, lobster fishing
is engaged in by only the very young or old men who are not hardy enough to enter upon the
more active fisheries, and who tend their traps only in pleasant weather. The term " lobster
season," as used by the fishermen, does not therefore signify the entire period during which lobsters
may be taken, but only that portion of it in which fishing is regularly carried on.
COAST OF MAINE. — On the coast of Maine, prior to 1879, lobster canning was permitted at
any time of year, but iu consequence of the character and abundance of supplies at those seasons,
it was mainly carried on between April 1 and August 1, and again between about the 10th or
middle of September and the 1st of December, the length of each season varying somewhat, how-
ever, according to circumstances. The fishery and canning industry were then closely interde-
pendent, and the latter was continued whenever supplies were sufficiently abundant. Since 1878
the State laws have limited canning to the four months from April 1 to August 1, and only during
that period can lobsters of all sizes be taken and disposed of. This free license has practically
established the principal lobster season between those limits, but lobsters are frequently not
abundant in convenient depths before the middle of April, and are often not considered fit for
taking after the middle of July. Outside of the above limits only lobsters exceeding 10J inches
in length could be trapped, but there was a sufficient demand for market supplies to continue the
fall and winter fishery to a certain extent. In 1883 a close time was established which prohibited
fishing from August 15 to November 15, but in 1885 this close season was reduced so as to extend
only from August 15 to October 1. May and June are generally regarded as the best lobster
mouths, although the fall fishery is often nearly if not quite as good.
On some sections of the Maine coast, the canneries are the only convenient markets for lobsters,
and the fishery continues actively only so long as the canneries remain open. At some places, as in
the vicinity of Bath, but few men fish for lobsters during the summer, while quite a number engage
664 HISTOET AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
in the fishery from November to April or May, with a break of about two mouths during the coldest
part of the winter. lu the region about Saint George's Island, the fishery lasts during the entire
year, with the usual winter intermission. In the coldest months it is not alone the severity of the
weather that interferes with the fishery, but the ice often makes around the cars moored near the
shore to such an extent as to destroy the lobsters stored in them. Some fishermen who haul
their pots in cold weather keep the lobsters in the cuddy of their boats near the stove until they
reach land. The well smacks do not begin to run until about the 1st or middle of March, and
cease running about the 1st of December; many do not make as long a season as this in the lob-
ster trade, and but few continue active from the middle of July to the middle of September.
The above remarks indicate the principal causes that influence the duration of the lobster
season on the coast of Maine, and account for its variability. In the coast review of this industry,
the question is more fully discussed in connection with each district.
NEW HAMPSHIRE AND MASSACHUSETTS. — On the coast of New Hampshire, the season gener-
ally continues only about four months, or from April 1 to August 1, the best fishing being obtained
in May. At Cape Ann, Mass., fishing begins in March or April, and lasts until about the 1st of
November, but not much is done during the summer. The spring fishery is the best. In Massa-
chusetts Bay, the deep-water fishery is kept up during most of the year, with a short intermission
iu the winter ; the shallow-water fishery begins in March or April, and continues until near
December. Lobsters are abundant in Boston Harbor from about the middle of April until Decem-
ber, and are fished for during most of that period. The lobster season about Cape Cod extends
from April 1 to November 1, the fishery off Proviucetown continuing from May to October, with
best, results in July and August. At Truro it continues from April to September, and at Chatham
from June to November. On the southern coast of Massachusetts, including Vineyard Sound,
Buzzard's Bay, and the region about Gay Head, the season also extends from April to November,
May and June being regarded as the best months in some localities, and July and August in
others.
RHODE ISLAND TO NEW JERSEY.— In Rhode Island the principal season is from May to
October, but during the mild winters of 1879 and 1880 some fishing was also done. The best
months are July and August. In Long Island Sound the fishery continues from March to Decem-
ber, with a small winter fishery at the eastern end. Most of the fishing is done between April and
September or Cctober. The season for New Jersey lasts about five months, or from May 1 to the
last of September. A few traps are set both earlier in the spring and later iu the fall.
BEST TIME OF DAY FOR FISHING. — It is the prevalent opinion among fishermen that lob-
sters take the bait more readily at night than during the day, and it is considered most profit-
able to keep the traps set over night. It is probable, however, that the tides influence them
somewhat, especially iu shallow water, by causing them to move back and fort!) over the grounds
where the traps are set. The customary method of fishing, however, precludes observation in
this direction. The traps are usually visited early iu the morning, or as early as the tide serves;
and after the lobsters have been removed they are rebaited, if necessary, and left for another
twenty -four hours. Sometimes, however, in seasons of great plenty, the traps are hauled twice a
day. A correspondent at North Haven, Me., writes that " when we bait our traps in the after-
noon and allow them to remain over night, the catch is better than when we bait them in the
morning and haul at night." Another informant states that the best time for catching lobsters is
on the flood tide, whether it occurs at night or during the day.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 66,5
3. APPARATUS AND METHODS OF THE FISHERY.
TIIK FISHIN(r APPLIANCES.
THE LOBSTER TKAPS. — Only two or three different kinds of appliances for taking lobsters
have ever come into extensive use in this country, and at the present time the fishermen of all the
more important lobster districts have quite universally settled upon the funnel traps as being t In-
most convenient and remunerative. The so-called hoop-pot was, we beiieve, the earliest contri-
vance for catching lobsters, and it is even now used to a slight extent on some parts of the coast;
but with the majority of fishermen, especially where the influence of competition has been felt, it
has long given way to a closed trap, which permits each fisherman to cover much more ground
than foruieily, with considerably less labor. In early times, when lobsters were of more frequent
occurrence on the shore, especially on the Maine coast, some lobster fishing in a small way was
carried on by means of dip-nets and gaffs.
HOOP POTS. — The hoop pot, which was formerly in common use in many places when lobsters
were more abundant than at present, is very simple in its construction. As used at Proviucetown,
Mass., fifteen to twenty years ago and earlier, it consisted of a hoop or ring, of about one-haJf inch
round iron, from 2% to 3 or more feet in diameter. To this hoop was attached a shallow net bag
as a bottom, while two wooden half hoops were bent above it, crossing at right angles in the center,
about 12 to 15 inches above the plane of the hoop. The bait was suspended from the point of
crossing of the two wooden hoops, and the line for raising and lowering the pot was attached at
the same place. This style of trap required constant watching, and had to be hauled at frequent
intervals. It could not be left for a long time, as in the case of the lath or closed pot, at least,
not with profit to the owner, for the lobster, as soon as he had finished his repast, could retire at
pleasure.
Capt. N. E. Atwood, of Proviucetowu, describes the method of using these pots as follows :
" The fisherman would go out perhaps at midnight, anchor his boat near the shore on the edge of
the fishing-grounds, and put over his pots, of which he would have about six. At short intervals
lie would haul them in and remove whatever lobsters they might contain. If lobsters wen- abun-
dant he would be kept busy hauling his pots all the time. By the time he had run through his
series of pots once and had peggfd the claws of all the lobsters, he would have to begin over
again, and thus the night would be spent and he would arrive home about 8 or 9 o'clock in the
morning, with 100 or 200 lobsters, more or less. Of late years lobsters have not come here in
sufficient abundance for this style of pot, and it has been abandoned/'
At Truro, Cape Cod, where this same kind of pot was also formerly used, the wooden hoops
I'm- the attachment of the bait and rope were replaced by several short cords, fastened to the ring
at regular intervals and brought together in the center above.
Prior to the introduction of the lath pot, hoop pots were extensively employed all along
the coast. At that time the relative number of lobsters was much greater, and they entered the
pots more freely. Many more were then taken to a pot per day than now, and a fisherman could
afford to devote his time to constantly tending his pots while they were set. They were gen-
erally set during the night or early morning, as lobsters were supposed to feed more at that time
than during the day, and they were hauled about every ten or fifteen minutes or half hour.
Although the hoop pots have almost entirely gone out of use, we have heard of their being occa-
sionally employed at different points along the New England const. They are still used to a slight
extent in the crab fishery of the Southern Stales.
666 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
CLOSED OR FUNNEL TRAPS. — These are made of several different shapes and materials,
though alike in principle, and possess this great advantage over the hoop pots, that when the lob-
sters once enter them they can seldom escape. They do not require to be visited oftener than
once a day, or at the pleasure of the fisherman, who can, therefore, handle a large number at a
time. On the Maine coast as many as eighty to one hundred are sometimes set by a single fisher-
man, and few fishermen there consider their outfit complete with less than fifty or sixty. These
traps are generally made with a flat bottom and semi-circular sides and top, one or both ends hav-
ing a funnel-shaped entrance, but are occasionally rectangular. They are nearly always con-
structed of narrow strips of wood, with funnels of twine netting, but on some sections of the coast
they are entirely covered with netting.
LATH POTS.— The term "lath pot" is almost universally employed to designate the common
forms of closed lobster traps, whether semi-cylindrical or rectangular in shape, providing they are
constructed of laths or of any narrow strips of wood. Other names by which they are known to
the fishermen are " box-traps," " house-pots," " stick-pots," and " lath-coops."
The semi-cylindrical lath pots are generally constructed as follows : They range in length from
2£ to 4 feet, the latter length, which is the full size of the laths, being the commoner, and the
shorter ones being seldom used on the coast of Maine. With the 4 foot pots the width is about
2 feet and the height 18 inches. Other proportions of width and height also occur. The frame-
work of the bottom consists of three strips of wood, either spruce, hemlock, or piue (the first
mentioned being the most durable), a little longer than the width of the pot, about 2f inches wide
and 1 inch thick. In the ends of each of these strips a hole is bored to receive the ends of a small
branch of pliable wood, which is bent into a regular semi-circular curve. These hoops are made
of branches of spruce or hemlock, or of hard wood saplings, such as maple, birch, or ash, gen-
erally retaining the bark. Three of these similar frames, straight below and curved above, con-
stitute the frame- work of each pot, one to stand at each end and one in the center. The narrow
strips of wood, generally ordinary house laths of spruce or pine, which form the covering, are
nailed lengthwise to them, with interspaces between about equal to the width of the laths. On the
bottom the laths are sometimes nailed on the outside and sometimes on the inside of the cross-
pieces. The door is formed by three or four of the laths running the entire length, either near
the base on one side, or near the top. The door is hinged on by means of small leather strips, and
is fastened by a single wooden button in the center, or by two buttons, one at each end. The
openings into the pot, which in the case of those 4 feet long are two in number, one at each end,
are generally knit of coarse twine and have a mesh between three-fourths of an inch and 1 inch
square. They are funnel shaped, with one side shorter than the other, and at the larger end
have the same diameter as the framework. The smaller and inner end measures about 6 inches
in diameter, and is held open by means of a wire ring or wooden hoop. The funnels are fastened
by the larger ends to the end frames of the pot, with the shorter side uppermost, so that when
they are in place they lead obliquely upwards into the pot instead of horizontally. The inner
ends are secured in position by means of one or two cords extending to the center frame.
The funnels are about 11 or 12 inches deep, and therefore extend about half way to the center of
the pot. They taper rapidly and form a strongly inclined plane, up which the lobsters must climb
in their search for the bait. A two- strand tanned rnanila twine is most commonly employed for
making the funnels. Cotton is also used, but is more expensive and less durable. The smaller
pots have a funnel at one end only.
The bait holder is generally a sort of spearhead of wood or iron, with one large barb, and
stands upright from the middle of the center frame ; it is from 8 to 12 inches long. The pots are
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 667
weighted by means of stones or bricks lashed on the inside at the center or on both sides. Two
bricks furnish the requisite weight for each pot.
These lobster pots are set both on single warps and in trawls of 8 or 10 to 30 or 40 pots.
On rocky bottoms they are almost always used in the former way, and frequently also on smooth
bottoms, especially where lobsters are somewhat scarce, for at every hauling they are shifted more
or less from place to place. The distance apart at which the pots are set depends upon the
character of the bottom aud the abundance of lobsters. There is less uniformity in this respect
when they are set singly than when arranged on trawls. By the latter method they are placed
all the way from 10 to 50 fathoms apart and rarely nearer than 20 fathoms. The line by which
they are lowered aud hauled up, and which also serves as a buoy line, is fastened to one of the end
frames of the bottom or sill, as it is called, at the intersection of the hoop. The buoy and trawl
lines consist of six to nine thread manila cord, which may be purchased tarred or otherwise, the
fishermen frequently preferring to prepare their owu lines with coal tar.
The buoys generally consist of a tapering piece of cedar or spruce, wedge shaped or nearly
spindle shaped, and measuring 18 inches, more or less, in length. They are occasionally painted in
distinctive colors, in order that each fisherman may recognize his own, but are generally simply
boiled in coal tar to prevent their becoming water logged. Another common style of buoy con-
sists of a small keg surmounted by a flag, in order that it may be seen at a greater distance.
In the construction of the ordinary kind of pot, one bunch of laths will answer for about
three pots. The cost of these pots on different parts of the coast varies from 75 cents to $1 each.
The rectangular lath pots differ from the semi-cylindrical simply in being square above
instead of rounded, and they are generally of smaller size. They are not employed on the coast
of Maine, but are used to some extent in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
At Rockport and elsewhere on the coast of Maine, the fishermen occasionally construct au
enlarged form of the common round-top pot, with room for twice the quantity of lobsters. This
style of pot, originated at Harpswell, Me., in 1879. A sample furnished the United States National
Museum from Rockport dift'ers from the common pot above described, in having a length of 7£ feet,
five supporting frames at equal distances apart, instead of three, and two additional funnels, one
funnel being attached to each of the frames excepting the center one, and all pointing inward.
The lobsters must pass through two funnels before reaching the bait, and their chances of escape
are thereby much lessened.
On some portions of the coast wooden funnels replace the net ones, though the latter are prob-
ably preferable. The wooden funnels are constructed of laths, converging inward from the rim
of the pot to form a small squarish opening, about the size of that in the net funnels.
There is another style of pot, but rarely used, in which the essential feature is a trap-door on
which the lobster must climb in order to reach the bait, and which suddenly gives way, precipi-
tating him into a secure inclosure. We have not, however, been able to obtain details of its con-
struction.
Complaints are occasionally made by the fishermen that, especially during certain seasons,
their pots are badly eaten by "worms," either the ship-worm (Teredo) or one of the species of
small boring crustaceans. A correspondent at Truro, Cape Cod, says they are subject to their
attacks more particularly during September, when the pests are most destructive, often reducing
the pots to mere fragments.
NET POTS. — The lath pot has been partly superseded on the New Jersey coast by another
style of closed pot, introduced about 1872, by Mr. Charles Wooley, of Seabright, and called the net
pot. The latter is constructed entirely of netting, supported upon three hoops as a frame- work.
668 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
It has a length of about 5 feet, anil is about 2 feet across, that being the diameter of the hoops.
The hoops are placed at equal distances apart, aud facing one another in such a manner that one
hoop supports each end, and the third hoop supports the middle of the pot. One end, constitut-
ing the entrance to the pot, is furnished with a funnel leading inward, as in the lath pot, and the
second or central hoop also supports a funnel pointing in the same direction. The hinder end of
the pot is covered with netting, having a central opening, which can be opened or completely closed
by means of a puckering string. The bait is suspended from the central hoop at the mouth of the
inner funnel. The lobster enticed into the pot by the bait generally finds its way into the last
compartment, where escape is very difficult. It is then easily removed through the opening at
the hinder end of the pot. These pots cost about $1.50 apiece.
THE ENGLISH POTS OR CREELS.— In Great Britain, according to Mr. Frank Buckland, " the
fishery for crabs and lobsters is conducted in every part of the Kingdom in the same manner.
Traps made of wicker-work, or of a wicker frame covered with netting, and usually known as
' pots' or ' creels,' are almost universally used. The pot is baited with some fish, fresh fish
being preferred for crabs and stinking fish for lobsters, and suuk in from 3 fathom to 45 fathom
water. The crabs or lobsters enter the pot in search of the food through a hole or pipe 4£ to 5
inches in diameter. * * * In some places as many as one hundred creels, in others as few as
twenty, are carried by a single boat."
" Creels * * * have only recently been introduced into some places. The fishermen used
to fish with a much more primitive and less efficacious engine. An iron ring had a small net
attached to it in the shape of a purse. The net was baited and let down. The fishermen con-
stantly examined the ring to see if there were any fish on it, and the pressure of the water upon
the ring while it was being drawn up for examination prevented any lobsters or crabs which hap-
pened to have been attracted by the bait from escaping."
APPLIANCES USED IN NORWAY. — Prof. Axel Bceck gives the following account of the appli-
ances used for catching lobsters on the coast of Norway :
" Formerly the lobster was caught on our sea-coasts exclusively with tongs. These tongs
were made of wood, and had about the same shape as the common oyster-poles, being only sorne-
wjjat longer, generally 2 fathoms. Such an implement was exhibited at the Bergen Exposition of
1865, and an illustration of it is given in the report. As these tongs were not very long, lobsters
could not be caught at any great depth — only at a depth of little more than a fathom — and this
sort of fishing was carried on during the early morning hours. But as lobsters taken with these
tongs often got hurt, and died two or three days afterwards, because they cannot stand any press-
ure, this implement was not suited for those that were to be exported ; and the Dutch, after the
peace of Westphalia, when the lobster fisheries began to assume larger dimensions, endeavored to
induce the fishermen to use other and better implements. Although baskets, through the influ-
ence of the Dutch, had thus become common in the neighborhood of Stavanger since 1717, tongs
have been frequently used even in our century, and are perhaps in some places used to this day.
Kryger, in his report on Ous, in the < Budstikken ' (a periodical) for 1820, mentions that lobsters
were caught there with tongs for home consumption. Farther north tongs seem to have been the
common implements for catching lobsters at a much later period ; for, in the quinquennial report
of the governor of the Romsdal district for 1840-'44, it is said that ' lobsters are taken with tongs,
baskets not being thought to answer the purpose.' Lobsters were caught with tongs by small
boys from ten to fourteen years of age, early in the morning, in calm weather, aud, if successful,
one night might yield an income of $2.25. Another very simple implement for catching lobsters
is spoken of in the 'Budstikken' by Strom, who says that lobsters are taken with a hook fastened
T11K LOBSTKi; FIS1IKKY. 669
to a pole, which hook is inserted in the belly, the softest part of the lobster. With this instru-
ment, it cannot be taken at any great depth, and only when the sea is calm so that the bottom
can be seen. Lobsters caught in this manner cannot be exported, as they could not stand the
journey. The implements \\hieh I am going to at once describe, and which have almost entirely
supplanted the simpler ones, are used by enticing the lobster with bait into a trap, out of which it
cannot escape. The simplest of these traps is seldom used with us, although, according to Oetker,
it seems to be in common use near Heligoland. It consists of a very thick iron ring, to which a
net is fastened, so as to form a deep bag below. The bait is placed at the bottom of the bag, and
it is lowered and taken up by means of a long line, which, when the bag is at the bottom, readies
up to the surface. To this line a piece of wood is fastened, which floats on the water and shows
the location of the trap. If this instrument has been lying at the bottom for half an hour in a
place where lobsters are known to abound, a sudden jerk is given to the line, so as to cause the
lobster to fall in the bag, and it is rapidly pulled up. (The most successful time of the day for
catching lobsters is generally in the morning, and also between 11.30 a. in. and 3.30 p. m. With this
instrument, which the English call ' plumpers,' and the Germans ' Falleukorber,' lobsters are
taken in deep places.) With us the commonest implements for catching lobsters are baskets
(' Tejncr''). It seems certain that the Dutch first introduced them for catching lobsters ; but they
may have been used long before that, e. g., for eels, as the name is Scandinavian, and is derived
from ' tun,' i. e., the long and tough roots of the juniper tree. After 1713, a beginning was made
in plaiting them of willow branches. Where these materials could not be readily obtained, they
were, as Pontoppidan related in 1753, made of hoops, which were kept apart by pieces of wood.
All round these nets are fastened, and at each end there is a long, narrow, trough shaped
entrance, out of which the lobster cannot escape. On the one side there is a trap-door, which can
be closed with a peg, and to another pin sticking in the basket the bait is fastened, while under
the basket there are large stones to make it sink rapidly. To one of the uppermost pieces of wood
a pair of tongs is fastened, furnished at the end with a piece of wood to indicate the location of
the basket. Such are still in common use all along our coast. Still earlier, in 174<>, the famous
naturalist, Carl Liuue, described similar baskets, which he saw in use on the coast of Bohuslen, in
his ' West-Gofa Eesa,' p. 191. These were 2 yards long, I yard broad, and 1 yard high, resem-
bling a half cylinder, with entrances on both sides; such are still used and could be seen at
the Bergen Exposition. At this satne exposition a basket was exhibited, differing somewhat
from these in its shape; it was plaited of branches, and was shaped like a hemisphere, with an
entrance at the top."
THE FISHING BOATS AND SMACKS.
About the same class of boats is employed in the lobster as in the other fisheries on the cor-
responding portions of the coast ; but the variety of boats used in the former fishery is, necessarily,
not so great as in the latter. The lobster boats may be conveniently divided into two classes ; first,
the smaller boats, with or without sails, used by the fishermen in tending their pots, and, secondly,
the smacks acting as carriers to the different markets. The term smack is generally limited to
boats above 5 tons measurement, which, according to law, must register at the custom-house.
They are built either with or without wells, the former being used to carry lobsters alive to more
distant fresh markets, and the latter to near markets, such as the canneries on the coast of Maine.
The larger of the fishing boats are also usually called dry smacks, having no wells, and like-
wise frequently carry to near markets. The well smacks run mainly between the lobster grounds
and the large distributing centers, such as Portland, Boston, and New York. Many of them,
670 HISTORY ATSD METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
however, engage directly in the fishery, setting their own pots, transferring the lobsters when
caught to their wells, and, as soon as a fall cargo has been secured, proceeding to market.
The fishing boats are generally small sail-boats, of sloop or cat rig, but row-boats are very
commonly used on the inshore grounds. The principal kinds of lobster fishing boats are as fol-
lows:
THE MUSCONGUS BAY LOBSTER BOATS. — These are small square-sterned sloops, open in the
after part, but with a cuddy forward. They are all built with center boards, and some are lap-
streak while others are " set work." Around the after part of the standing room a seat is arranged ;
the ballast is floored over, and two little bunks and a stove generally help to furnish the cuddy.
The length of these boats varies from 16 to 26 feet, and their width from 6 to 9 feet. Some of the
larger ones measure nearly or quite 5 tons. They are good sailers and well adapted to the pur-
poses for which they are intended — the lobster and shore cod fisheries. When used for lobstering
they are managed by a single man, but in the hook and line fishery the crew generally consists of
two.
When engaged in the winter lobster fishery, which frequently takes them a long distance
from home, it is often necessary to keep the lobsters from freezing by means of the small stove in
the cuddy. Upon the return the lobsters are transferred to floating cars, where they await ship-
ments.
One of these boats, measuring 18 feet long, costs $80 to build, and one of 25 feet in length,
$200. They are constructed principally at Bristol, Bremen, and Friendship, Me., and are mostly
sold to parties in the vicinity of those places, but a few have found their way as far west as Cape
Ann and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
THE MATINICTJS BOAT, which is employed in the lobster as well as the cod, herring, and
mackerel fisheries about Matinicus Island, Maine, resembles, in a general way, both the Reach
boat and the Muscongus Bay boat. It is sharp forward, round bilged, square-sterned, lap-streak,
with center-board, wash-boards, and generally two thwarts. The bowsprit and mast are adjust-
able ; an average length is 22 feet ; width amidships, 7 feet ; width at the stern, 3J feet. These
boats are always provided with oars and thole-pins, and can thus be rowed as well as sailed, though
the latter method is generally preferred with a fair wind. They are fast sailers and perfectly
safe.
THE CONNECTICUT LOBSTER BOATS are center-board sloops, ranging in length from 20 to 25
feet over all, and in width of beam from 6 to 9 feet. They are shallow, with a flat bottom, sharp
bow, and wide heart-shaped stern. The shape of the hull is similar to that of the ordinary center-
board cat-boats of New England. In the middle of the boat there is an elliptical open space, called
the cockpit, about 12 feet long by 7 feet wide, in the clear ; outside of the cockpit, the boat is
decked over, forming a cuddy forward for the accommodation of the crew and storage of supplies;
around the after part of the pit a seat is arranged. The bottom of the cockpit is floored over about
1 foot above the keelson, and on either side of the center-board is built a small box-like well about
3£ feet long, 1£ feet high, and 1 foot or more in width, in which the lobsters are kept alive. The
draught of these boats is about 2 to 4 feet. They are used in lobstering in Long Island Sound,
more especially on the Connecticut shore, about Noank and New London.
THE MAINE REACH BOATS, which are extensively used in the coast fisheries of Maine, are
also, to some extent, employed in lobstering. They range in length from 10 to 18 feet, but the
most common length is about 14 feet. They are sharp at the bow, round bilged, keeled, clinker
or lap-streak, and have a square, heart, or V-shaped stern, with two or three thwarts, according to
their size; they are as a rule entirely open, fore and aft, rarely having any wash-boards. They
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 671
are well adapted both for rowing and sailing, and all bnt the smallest usually carry one or more
sprit-sails.
THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD CAT-BOATS.— These boats, which are extensively employed in the
lobster fisheries of southern New England, have a sharp bow, round, flat bottom, broad beam, and
square heart-shaped stern, with center-board. They range in length from 15 to 30 feet, and carry,
as a rule, one gaff and boom sail of very large size. The mast is placed nearly in the eyes of
the boat.
Some of the boats arc nearly decked over, leaving only a small open space or cockpit in the
after -part ; others, however, are more open, with the cockpit occupying nearly the entire boat.
The cuddy is, therefore, sometimes so small as to answer only for storage, and again it may be
large enough to serve as sleeping quarters for the men. Boats of this model occasionally measure
as much as 5 tons.
THE PROVIDENCE RIVER CAT-BOATS, employed in the lobster and hook and line fisheries
of southern New England, are sharp-bowed, round-bilged, deep-keeled, lap-streak boats, with
square heart-shaped stern, and measure from 14 to 20 feet in length. One of these boats, measur-
ing 20 feet in length over all, has an extreme breadth of 7 feet 8 inches, and a width at stern of
5 feet ; the draught of water is about 2 feet 9 inches aft. They are open above, though having wash-
boards, and are provided with a small well amidships for keeping lobsters and fish alive, while at
the sides of the well are small, dry compartments, with covers, for the storage of lobsters when
necessary. They carry one mast with a single large sail.
THE " TWO-SAIL " LOBSTER BOATS OF MAINE AND MASSACHUSETTS resemble, in the shape
and construction of the hull, the Providence River cat-boats, but differ from them mainly in the
arrangement of their sails, which are two in number, a foresail and a mainsail. The latter is about
two-thirds the size of the former, and is provided with a boom, while the former is a lug-sail, having
no boom. This is a common style of lobster boat on the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts.
Another form of these boats, which is also extensively used, retains the same arrangement
of sails, bnt differs in the construction of the hull, which is more shapely, and resembles in minia-
ture the celebrated sharp fishing schooners employed in the off-shore fisheries. The forward and
after parts of the boat are also decked over, and wide washboards run along the sides, so as to
leave an oval-shaped open space in the center, which is divided into two compartments, the for-
ward one for fish and ballast, the after one for the fishermen.
These boats are provided with the means of rowing in calm weather. They vary in length
from 16 to 20 feet on top, and are employed in the shore as well as the lobster fisheries. When
lobstering they are usually managed by one man, who generally removes the main mast and
leaves only the foresail set while hauling his pots.
THE DOUBLE-ENDER OR PEApoD. — This is a small canoe-shaped boat, generally arranged for
rowing only, although occasionally furnished with a sprit-sail and center-board. It has been intro-
duced only recently into the region where it is used, and is said to have originated at North Haven,
Me., about 1870. It is now very extensively employed in the lobster fishery of the coast of Maine,
especially by the fishermen of the islands in Penobscot Bay. These boats are mainly built lap-
streak, but a few are " set work." Both ends are exactly alike ; the sides are rounded and the
bottom is flat, being, however, only 4 or 5 inches wide in the center, and tapering toward each end, at
the same time bending slightly upwards, so as to make the boat shallower at the ends than in the
middle. This kind of bottom is called a " rocker bottom," and this style of boat rows easily in either
direction, is safe, and can be quickly turned over ; it is also capable of carrying quite a load. An
average boat of this pattern measures about 15J feet long, 4£ feet broad, and 1J feet deep.
672 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
THE CAPE ROSEWAY WHERRY employed iu the lobster and inshore fisheries of Peuob-
scot Bay, Maine, especially in the vicinity of Castine, is a lap-streak boat with sharp bow, round
bilge, narrow, flat bottom, and very narrow heart-shaped stern. It ranges in length from 12 to 18
feet, is entirely open, and seldom provided with sails.
THE DORY. — This well known style of small boat, in such common use among the fishermen
of New England, is much used iu the lobster fisheries, either as a tender to the smacks or alone,
by fishermen who set their traps close inshore.
THE FISHING SMACKS. — The carrying smacks are described further on in connection with the
account of the lobster markets. In 1880 forty-five registered smacks (between 5 and 20 -tons
measurement), of the class called dry smacks, were engaged both in fishing and iu carrying to
neighboring ports. These are additional to the fishing boats above described, and are apportioned
to the several States as follows : Maine 8, Massachusetts 9, Rhode Island 5, Connecticut 22, New
York 1.
THE LOBSTER CARS, AND METHODS OF HANDLING LIVE LOBSTERS.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE CARS. — The live cars used for the temporary storage of lobsters are
plain wooden boxes, with open seams or numerous small holes, to permit of the free circulation of
water. The buoyancy of the wood of which they are constructed keeps them at the surface of the
water, though with little more than the upper side exposed, and with large cars it is sometimes
necessary to attach a few empty casks to give them greater buoyancy. They are moored to wharves
or stakes, or anchored iu shallow water near shore.
The usual form of live car, such as is commonly employed by the fresh lobster dealers in most
sea-port towns, is an oblong, rectangular box, the size and capacity varying according to the
requirements of the trade. In New York these cars average 12 feet in length, 8 feet in breadth,
and about 3 feet in depth. The frame-work consists of five rectangular frames, set upright and
at regular distanees apart. To these are nailed the boards forming tLe top, bottom, sides, and
ends, and which are about 1 inch thick and generally not more than 6 inches wide. Interspaces
of 1J to 2 inches are left between the boards, excepting on the top, where the boards are placed
closer together. There are no interior partitions. The opening into the car is on the upper side,
and is made very large, extending from one end to the other, so as to occupy the center half of
the top. It is covered with four doors, arranged in pairs, each pair extending from the end to the
center frame. These doors are hinged, or held in place by means of a cleat and staple only. At
Fulton market, New York City, about forty-eight such cars, with an average capacity of 600
lobsters each, are in use.
Many of the cars used by the Boston dealers are much larger than the above. In connection
with the Boston lobster markets, about fifteen cars are employed, with capacities ranging from
5,000 to 10.000 lobsters each. A car suitable for holding 10,000 lobsters measures 40 feet long, 12
feet wide, and 5 feet deep.
LOBSTER CARS AT EASTPORT. — At Eastport, Me., and elsewhere along the Maine coast, the
dealers' cars are generally of large size and divided into compartments, to accommodate the large
or market lobsters and the small or canning lobsters separately. One of the cars which we have
examined at Eastport is about 25 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 5 feet deep inside, and has a capac
ity of 20 tons of lobsters. It is divided into six equal compartments, three lengthwise and two
crosswise. The compartments opposite one another are connected by openings large enough ibr
the lobsters to crawl through, and the car might therefore be said to contain only three double
compartments. A large door opens into each. This car was moored alongside of a wharf, a long
THE LOBSTER FISIIKKV. (573
spar lashed lengthwise to the car serving as a fender between them. The car was also given
greater buoyancy by having three empty casks lashed to each end. Another style of dealers' car
at East-port measures about 20 feet long, 14 feet wide, and 4 feet deep, and is divided into three
simple compartments, with a door to each.
METHOD OF HANDLING LIVE LOBSTEES AT EASTPORT. — When a smack arrives with lobsters,
it runs up to the outer side of the car and ties to it. The doors on the outer line of compartments
are then opened, and the men standing in the smack (which is always in that vicinity a dry smack),
pick up the lobsters in their hands, measure them at a glance, and throw the larger ones, those
measuring above 10i inches, into the end compartments, arid those under that size into the center
compartment. The principal lobster trade of Eastport consists at present in the shipping of live
lobsters in barrels to Boston. On each shipping day the lobsters are hoisted upon the wharf by
means of a basket and tackle, and transferred to the barrels. The small lobsters are allowed to
accumulate in the center compartment until a sufficient quantity has been obtained to warrant
boiling and canning them. One of the objects in having an inner series of compartments is said
to be that the more active lobsters generally crawl through from the outer compartments, leaving
the less hardy ones behind ; the latter can then be used first for shipment, and the others retained
for a longer time, if need be.
LOBSTER CARS ELSEWHERE. — At Wood's Holl, Mass., the dealers' cars measure about 15 feet
long by 6 feet wide. At South Harpswell, Me., they measure 10 feet long by 7 feet wide and 2J
feet deep.
THE FISHERMEN'S CARS. — The fishermen's cars genera-lly resemble those of the dealers, in
construction, but are made of smaller size. Old leaky boats, especially dories, furnished with a
cover, are also frequently employed on many parts of the coast. If the open seams do not
afford a sufficient circulation of water, numerous holes are bored through the bottom and sides.
At Eastport, Me., the fishermen's cars have a capacity of 2 or 3 tons each ; at Wood's Holl, Mass.,
they are about 6 feet long by 4 feet wide or slightly larger. At No Man's Land, Massachusetts, the
cars are made of three shapes, and are moored to stakes, just off the beach, in front of the town, on
the northern side of the island ; they swing with the tide. As this area is much exposed to heavy
seas during some months, the majority of the cars are constructed with special reference to
breaking the force of the waves that may beat upon them. For this purpose, the top and bottom
are made to converge towards one or both ends, which latter are, therefore, narrow and elongate.
The body of the car is, however, rectangular, with the door on top, and is constructed like the
ordinary pattern, which is also employed to some extent at this place, but is usually made of
smaller size than the others. About thirty cars, being an average of about two cars to a man, are
in use at No Man's Land. They average in size about 10 feet by 5 feet by 2£ feet deep, and have
a capacity of 1,000 lobsters each. In the summer, however, it is not considered safe to put more
than 500 or COO lobsters into each at a time. They are emptied once or twice a week into well
smacks running to New York. Outside of the lobster season they are hauled upon the beach.
REASON FOR USING LOBSTER CARS. — The process of freezing now so commonly resorted to
for the preservation of fresh fish cannot be applied in the case of lobsters, and they must be kept
in stock and shipped either alive or boiled. The use of ice in shipping live lobsters in barrels in
the summer is not to freeze them, but to reduce their temperature presumably to nearly that of
the water from which they have been taken, and great care must exercised in the packing to pre-
vent the water from the melting ice coining in contact with the gills.
Lobsters generally ship best alive, and are almost always transported in that condition. The
use of live cars by both the fishermen and dealers is therefore a necessity, resulting from the many
SEC. v, VOL. ii 43
674 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
delays incident to making sales and shipments, and as long as the temperature and purity of the
water remain favorable, lobsters may be kept alive in the cars for an indefinite length of time,
providing they are not too much crowded. Fishermen who have to depend upon the smacks for
disposing of their catch are seldom visited by them more than once or twice a week, and where
they carry their own catch to market they can seldom afford to do so until a full load has accu-
mulated. The wholesale dealers must also keep a surplus on hand to meet unexpected sales, and
delays in receiving supplies.
Some of the fishermen and dealers also claim that they always retain the lobsters in the cars
for at least two or three days after they are caught, in order that they may have time to rid them-
selves of the stale bait which would otherwise impart an unpleasant flavor to the flesh.
Entirely submerged lobster-cars are used in Norway, and in these the lobsters are said to
have greater tenacity of life, but the objections raised against them by the fishermen in this coun-
try are, the extra labor required to lift the cars to the surface every time that lobsters are added
and removed; and the voracity of the eels which readily attack and destroy great quantities
of lobsters when they are confined upon the bottom.
While lobsters will often attack one another with their claws when piled in the dry smacks,
unless their claws are so pegged as to hold them closed, they seldom do so in the cars, and the
practice of pegging the claws, once in vogue among the fishermen, has been almost entirely aban-
doned.
THE BAIT USED IN THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
CHARACTER AND KINDS OF BAIT. — For baiting the lobster traps it is customary to make use
of the commoner species of fish, which can be easily and cheaply obtained and are of little or no
commercial value. Meat is, however, occasionally employed.
The opinion is prevalent among fishermen that lobsters are best attracted by fresh bait,
and that old or stale bait, or such as has remained in the traps a considerable length of time, is
less apt to tempt them. On the other hand, a few old lobstermen affirm that they use whatever
fish happen to be at hand, whether fresh or old, and that they have never noticed any difference
in the amount of their catch, which could be attributed to this cause. A very reliable informant
at Proviucetowu, Mass., states that " old stale bait, having a strong smell, forms decidedly the
best bait for lobsters." This man had followed the lobster fishery for many years, and had been
one of the most successful of his time. Other fishermen expressed the same opinion. Along with
fresh bait we must also class salted bait, which in some regions is very successfully used, at least
during certain seasons.
With reference to the English species, Mr. Frank Buckland states that "neither crabs nor
lobsters will go into the pots unless there is some scent in the fish bait. The crabs are very par-
ticular as to diet; they will not eat stale fish. Lobsters will eat any kind of bait, even dried fish
or stock fish; they will even take a stinking bait."
The chief essential of a good bait is said to be a bright or attractive color, white being pref-
erable, combined, if possible, with a strong odor. Oily fish like the menhaden possess this last
qualification in a high degree, and the menhaden, where it can be obtained, is very favorably
regarded. Cod heads, stripped of their skin, are sometimes employed successfully, as from their
white color they appear to attract the lobsters, although retaining little or no edible portions.
In attaching the bait in the traps, it is customary to arrange it with the bright side facing out-
wards, in order that it may be seen at a greater distance.
Lobsters appear to take the bait more readily at some seasons than at others. A correspond-
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 675
eut at North Haven, Me., writes that in the winter and early spring, when the water is cold, they
cat but little, and must, therefore, he fished tor with the best of bait, while in the late summer and
fall they will take most anythiug placed in the traps. Salt herring is consequently much used it
that seetiou in the tall, but in the spring it is considered very poor bait. This opinion does not
hold good for other districts even close at hand, for at Isle an Haut large quantities of herring
are kept salted in barrels over winter for use in the spring lobster fishery.
MANNER OF CATCHING BAIT. — As above stated, the bait generally used consists of the more
common and less esteemed fish of the region in which the traps are set. On the coast of Maine
flounders, sculpius, herring, and fish heads are almost universally employed. Flounders and
sculpius are abundant almost everywhere, in shallow water, and enter the inlets and coves in
summer. Having no commercial value they serve well for this pupose. They are ordinarily
taken by the lobsterinen themselves, but herring are obtained from the weirs and are used both
fresh and salted, though generally in the latter state. They are often brought from a distance.
Fish heads of several species (cod, haddock, &c.) are coumioiily employed in regions where boat
fishing is carried on during the lobster season. At Small Point, near Bath, Me., fish heads are
used altogether. Some of the lobsterrnen, who are also boat fishermen, save the heads of the fish
in cleaning their catch to use as bait. In some localities, as in the neighborhood of Mount
Desert, Me., the lobsterinen frequently assist the boat fishermen to dress their fish, taking the
heads in payment.
Flounders and sculpins are caught by means of spears, seines, fyke-nets, and hooks and lines.
In spearing it is essential that the water should be smooth, in order that the fish may be seen
upon the bottom.
When the surface is roughened by a breeze, as often happens, the fishermen are obliged to
resort to artificial means to overcome this difficulty, and in many places when in search of bait,
each one carries along with him in his boat a bottle of fish oil, with a swab made by tying a rag
to the end of a stick. Upon reaching the bait grounds he dips the swab into the bottle, and
drawing it out, scatters the oil over the water, producing a " slick," which enables him to see the
bottom as readily as though the water were calm. This simple device often permits him to obtain
bait, when he could not secure it otherwise.
At Isle an Haut, Maine, when oil is used to render the surface smooth, it is not only thrown
with a swab, but having provided himself with a bucket partly filled with blubber, the fisherman
lands on a weather shore just as the tide begins to flow, and spreads the blubber very thinly on the
rockweed for a considerable distance along the shore, and from low-water mark to some distance
above it. It follows that when the tide flows, the slick made by the particles of oil in the blubber
is driven from the shore by the wind, and the fisherman has smooth water continuously, enabling
him to fish over a large area without stopping to throw oil. This is a decided improvement on the
method first described, but is not always practicable*, owing to the state of the wind. In some
places, as at Bristol, Me., a " dark-water spear," as it is called, is occasionally used in the late winter
and early spring (February and March) for taking flounders. It consists of a wooden head 14 to
-4 inches long, attached crosswise to the end of a pole, 16 to 20 feet in length. The head or cross-
piece is set along the outer side with a row of barbed spear points, about 6 inches long and 2 inches
apart. At low water the fisherman goes out in his boat with one of these spears to some muddy
place where the depths are slight and where flounders are supposed to occur, and by thrusting the
spear down here and there into the muddy bottom, he is quite certain to obtain a supply.
At Bremen and Friendship, Me., many flounders are caught in fyke-nets, set in the coves
676 HISTOET AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
into which the flounders swim at high water. At low water the nets are left dry and the fisher-
men go out and secure their catch.
At Isle au Haut the nets used to catch flounders and sculpins measure 20 to 30 fathoms in
length, 2J fathoms deep, and have a 4-inch mesh. They are set mostly ou the edge of the bar,
where the water is about 3 or 4 feet deep, at low tide, and are generally set across the tide, in the
following manner: Two stakes are driven into the flats at distances apart corresponding with the
length of the net, and guy-lines, 10 to 15 fathoms long, are fastened to. their tops by one end,
the other end being attached to the extremities of the net, which are on the deep-water side of the
states. The net is held on the outer side by lines fastened to killicks. This arrangement allows
the top of the net to rise and fall with the tide, the lower part, being heavily weighted, always
keeping on the bottom. The lower margin of the net being quite stationary, it follows that
when the ebb tide sweeps across it, it forms a bight or curve, causing a large part of the net to
lie spread out on the bottom; when the fish begin to move off from the bar on the ebb tide, they
meet with this obstruction, and such as are not meshed settle down upon that portion of the net
which lies upon the bottom ; when the fishermen haul the net, at low tide, they pick up the bottom
as well as the top, and by careful manipulation gather all the fish into one place, in a sort of
bag, resembling a purse-seine. The net with its load is hauled into the boat, and the former is
then disengaged. This method of fishing has recently come into practice, and not quite one-fourth
of the fishermen have yet obtained the nets.
Flounders and sculpius are not as abundant now as formerly in many places, although there
does not appear to be any immediate danger of the supply becoming exhausted. The use of fish
heads in large quantities during the fishing season somewhat relieves the drain upon this impor-
tant source of bait.
About some of the islands off Bristol, Me., where flounders are scarce, but where cunners
abound, the latter species takes the place of the former as lobster bait. For securing the cunners a
box-shaped lath pot, about 2 feet high, 18 inches square, and open above, is used. It is ballasted,
baited with herring or some other kind of fish, and lowered to the bottom. It is usually hauled
every five minutes, and by drawing it up quickly the cunners which have been attracted into it
by the sight of the bait are prevented from escaping. By this method of fishing sufficient material
for the baiting of the traps is obtained in a comparatively short time.
In addition to the above-mentioned species, many other kinds of fish are occasionally used for
bait, when they can be easily obtained. A correspondent at North Haven writes that the heads
and livers of sheep are also sometimes put to the same use.
QUANTITY OP BAIT USED IN MAINE.— The quantity of bait consumed in the lobster fishery
is very great. At Bristol, Me., each lobstermau setting sixty pots uses about half a barrel of
bait every time he hauls his pots, which, in fair weather, is once a day. In the neighborhood of
George's Island, Maine, half a, barrel of bait, on au average, is used for every fifty traps, baiting
every other day, when the weather is favorable and the traps hauled daily. At Jonesport, Me.,
the average amount of bait used by each boat or set of traps during the season is estimated as fol-
lows: Herring, 17 barrels; sculpins, 10 barrels; flounders, 7 barrels; total, 34 barrels.
The total amount of flounders, sculpius, and herring used for lobster bait ou the Maine coast
in 1880 far exceeded 30,000 barrels, of which about 10,000 barrels were of flounders, 16,000 of
sculpins, and 4,000 of herring. No estimate has been made as to the quantity of other fish and
fish heads used for the same purpose. Herring are employed more commonly along the eastern part
of Maine than along the western part. At Jonesport, 12.000 barrels of herring were consumed in
1879, and about 10,000 barrels of flounders and sculpius.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 677
KINDS OF HAIT rsKi), Ni:\v II AMI'SIMKI; TO NEW YORK. — On the New Hampshire coast
many kinds of fish, including flounders and cod, are employed as lobster bait. The variety offish
used for the same purpose on the coast of Massachusetts is equally great, the fishermen taking
those kinds which are supposed to answer best, and which at the same time are most easily and
cheaply obtained. About Cape Ann flounders and sculpins are commonly employed in the sum-
mer, and cod heads and halibut, heads in the spring. Fish heads are also much used about Cape
Cod. lu Vineyard Sound and Buzzard's Bay menhaden are considered to make the best bait, but in
the same region flounders, dogfish, and other species are also employed. Throughout Long Island
Sound menhaden are most commonly used as bait, but in the absence of menhaden the fishermen
resort to other forms having little or no commercial value, such as flounders, skates, dogfish, &c.
THB METHODS OP FISHING.
MANNER OF SETTING AND HAULING THE TRAPS. — The boats used by the lobster fishermen
are, as described elsewhere, of different sizes and of several different rigs, some having sails and
others not. The pots are set both singly and in trawls. Originally they were always set in the
former way, which is the simpler, but as the fishermen came to use a greater number of pots, they
found it more convenient to arrange them on lines, which could be hauled continuously from one
end to the other. The setting of the pots trawl-fashion, therefore, enables each fisherman to handle
a considerably larger gang with less trouble and in much shorter time. The character of the bot-
tom greatly influences the method of handling the pots, as does also the abundance of lobsters. It is
difficult to use the pots in trawls on rocky bottoms as the lines are liable to be cut on the rocks,
and the pots themselves become caught. As a rule, therefore, the pots are set on single warps on
rough bottoms. On smooth bottoms they can always be handled more conveniently and rapidly
attached in trawls, and in regions of this character this is the customary method of setting them.
Where lobsters are not very abundant, however, the fishermen regard it as more advantageous to
change the location of the pots a little every time they are hauled, and to do this they must be set
singly. The drift of the boat by the tide, while each pot is being hauled up, baited and lowered,
is considered to alter the ground sufficiently for this purpose. In hauling a trawl of pots some of
the pots always remain on the bottom, acting like an anchor to retain the boat in about the same
position.
The operation of hauling the pots set singly from a sail-boat is Ihus described by a correspond-
ent at Bristol, Me. :
"•As the fishermen have their pots set on single warps, unlike the fishermen to the westward
of here, they keep their boats under sail while hauling. The pots are set in rows. In winter the
inner pots will be somewhere near some of the outer islands or ledges, the line of pots extending
off shore. The boats are sloop-rigged, and when the inner end of the row of buoys is reached, the
fisherman hauls down his jib, eases off the main sheet, and shooting up alongside of the buoy,
catches hold of it with a gaff and hauls the pot, while the boat lies to, drifting slowly to leeward.
After the pot is thrown over again, he rights the helm, the boat easily fills away under her main-
sail, and he goes to the next buoy and so on to the end. When the weather is very cold the lobsters
are put in the cuddy to prevent their freezing until the boat arrives home."
Another correspondent, at Vinal Haven, Me., states that " both trawl and single buoy lines
are used in that vicinity, the latter method generally having the preference, as the pots may
thereby be scattered more where the lobsters are scarce, and the fishermen claim that by shifting
them a little every time they are hauled, they fish better. As a rule, the pots are hauled in a row-
boat, the cases of hauling with sail-boats being rare. A peculiar style of row-boat, called a 'pea-
pod ' or ' double-euder,' is used quite extensively in this fishery hereabouts."
678 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The manner of setting and hauling the lobster pots in the vicinity of Bath, Me., is described as
follows:
u At first the pots were set on single warps or buoy lines, but now the style of setting them
trawl-fashion is almost universal. This method was introduced about 1865. It enables one man
to handle a large gang of pots, and his boat is prevented from drifting much by the pots which
remain upon the bottom. The old fashioned way of setting them on single lines required two men
in the boat, one to hold the boat with the oars, the other to haul the pots and remove the lobsters ;
when one pot was emptied and thrown overboard, they pulled for the next, and so on. At present
the fisherman rows out, takes hold of his buoy at the end of the trawl, and continues to haul with-
out intermission until he finishes the job. In winter, however, two men go in each boat. The
windy weather and the distances they go from the shore in winter often gives them hard pulls,
and even when under sail in fresh squally weather it needs two men to handle the boat. For
these reasons, two men are required, more as a matter of safety than from the difficulty of the
work, for as soon as the good weather begins in the spring those that continue to fish go singly."
NUMBER OF TRAPS USED. — The number of pots used by each fisherman, or by each boat,
sometimes including two fishermen, varies greatly on different parts of the coast, ranging all the
way from ten to one hundred, and in some places as many as one hundred and twenty-five are said
to be handled by a single person. There seems to be no rule regulating this matter, but the
average is greater on the coast of Maine than elsewhere. The fishermen claim that they are
obliged to set a greater number now than formerly in order to obtain the same catch. Many
of the fishermen keep a surplus on hand, in order to replace those damaged or lost during storms.
In the coast review of the lobster fishery, the average number of pots used on each section of the
coast is indicated.
TIME OF VISITING THE TRAPS. — The traps are generally hauled once a day, beginning early
in the morning or about sunrise. In some places during seasons of great plenty, they are visited
twice each day, early in the morning and again towards evening. A Gloucester correspondent
states that it is customary in that vicinity to visit the pots in the morning during the winter and
spring, and in the morning and evening during the summer. It sometimes happens on exposed
sections of a coast that stormy weather interferes with the hauling of the pots for several days at
a time, and they can be visited only during pleasant weather.
All fishermen do not hold to the custom of visiting their pots at a certain hour in the morning,
but haul them at any time during the day when it is most convenient or when the weather is most
favorable. In strong tidal regions the state of the tide has frequently to be considered, and the
pots can often be visited only at or about slack water, low tide being preferred.
The hauling of the pots consumes but a small portion of the day, and the remainder is spent
in procuring bait and making repairs, or in other occupations.
OTHER METHODS OF CAPTURING LOBSTERS — Lobsters are frequently caught in seines which
are being hauled for fish, but we have never heard of seines being employed exclusively for lob-
sters on any part of our coast. Another kind of net which answers for catching lobsters upon
smooth bottoms in shallow water is the beam-trawl, an appliance used by the Fish Commission in
its sea-coast explorations. Having a wide scope and quickly entrapping whatever animals lie in its
course, it frequently brings up from rich lobster bottoms such catches as would gladden the heart
of any lobster fisherman. Fishing for lobsters with nets of this character would, however, prob-
ably never be permitted upon our coast, where the much more humble lobster pot has already
proved so destructive in many localities.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 679
4. THE FISHERMEN.
NUMBER OF FISHERMEN. — In the Coast Review the number of lobster fishermen is given for
each district of the coast. Following is the summation by States : Maine, 1,843; New Hamp-
shire, 44; Massachusetts, 595; Rhode Island, 129 ; Couuecticut, 148 ; New York, 32; New Jersey,
28; total, 2,819.
OCCUPATIONS OF THE FISHERMEN. — As the lobster fishery is seldom carried on for more
than a few mouths of the year, most lobster fishermen have other occupations in which they
engage outside of the lobster season. In fact, for a large number of these men, lobstering is not
the chief pursuit, and it is not unusual for this fishery to be carried on conjointly with some
other. The resources of the region in which he lives greatly influence the lobsternian in his choice
of occupation, as must also his natural tastes and early training. Very many of the lobstermeu of
the coast of Maine belong to the class of so-called " boat-fishermen," who engage chiefly in hand-
line fishing for cod and haddock, and set lobster pots during a longer or shorter period, dependent
upon the abundance of lobsters. By some, a portion of the day is occupied in hauling the pots
and procuring bait, and the remainder in hand-line fishing or in tending the herring weirs or nets.
At the close of the lobster season not a few join the Banks fishermen, the menhaden steamers or
coasting vessels, while many remain on shore, turning their attention to farming or working in the
quarries or mines, if such exist near at hand. The making and repairing of gear consumes much
time just before the opening of the lobster season, and this work is generally done by the lobster-
men themselves, often assisted by their families, the women frequently attaining great proficiency
in knitting the twine funnels. If occupied in fishing during the entire year, work upon the lobster
gear must be confined to stormy weather.
The following extracts from correspondence respecting the Maine lobster fishery will serve to
illustrate the diverse occupations of the lobster fishermen :
At Cutler, in the Machias district, there are several men engaged in lobstering, who like
the average lobster fishermen of that part of the coast, farm and fish for lobsters at the same
time, selling their catch to smacks. Two-thirds of the lobstermeu of Gouldsborongh follow boat
fishing after July, and the other one-third engage in various pursuits, such as farming, coasting,
mining, &c. Seven-eighths of the lobstermeu of Jouesport farm a little for their own use. After
the lobster season a majority do a small amount of boat fishing; some ship on coasters during the
winter, and many dig clams.
At North Haven, when herring are abundant, many of the men keep several herring nets set
while lobstering, and take the fish from the nets before hauling the pots. During the fall mack-
erel season, it is customary to fish for mackerel in the latter part of the day, after hauling the pots
and procuring bait.
At Vinal Haven most of the regular lobster fishermen do little else out of the lobster season
than prepare their gear and boats for the spring fishery. Some cultivate small gardens and
raise some stock; others engage in other kinds of fishing to a slight extent or work in the
quarries. A large percentage of the professional boat fishermen engage exclusively in lobstering
for several months of the year.
The boat fishermen of Bristol constitute the larger part of those engaged in the lobster fishery,
but there are a number of men who own lobster boats and pots, and who ship in the shore and
Hank fishing vessels or in the menhaden steamers, beginning to fish for lobsters in the fall, about
October. A few follow this occupation all winter, but the majority omit from December to Feb-
ruary or March.
680 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Some of the lobster fishermen of Small Point raise a little produce; in the winter they engage
in cutting and storing ice, and during the fishing season they leave off lobstering for days, and
even weeks at a time, to catch mackerel when the latter are abundant near shore. At snch times
the pots are left down and hauled whenever an opportunity offers.
But few men engage in lobstering at Little Deer Island, and these handle only a small number
of pots each. They spend about half of their time in tending the pots and the remainder mostly
in digging clams.
The boat fishermen of the vicinity of Isle an Haut make a specialty almost of fishing for
lobsters during a longer or shorter season. When mackerel are plentiful they fish for them quite
generally, and the same is true with respect to cod and hake, the fishermen engaging for the time
being in whatever fishery pays them best. No fishing is done in the winter, but that season is
devoted to fixing the gear or spent in idleness, no other occupations being offered by these islands.
MANNER OF TENDING THE TEAPS. — The greater part of the lobstermen own their gear
and fish singly. Frequently, however, they go in pairs, one to manage the boat while the other
hauls the pots. The pots are more easily handled by a single person when set in trawls than when
set on single warps. When working in pairs they may own the gear in common, or it may belong
to one, who employs the other either at stated wages or on shares. In some cases the pots are
tended entirely by hired help.
• MANNEE OF DISPOSING OF THE CATCH. — The manner in which the fishermen dispose of
their catch varies greatly on different parts of the coast, depending upon their distance from the
markets and their facilities for reaching them. On the coast of Maine large numbers of the lob-
stermen are located near the canneries to which the small lobsters are directly carried. Those
suitable for the fresh markets are retained for the market smacks, which make regular trips along
the coast, or are disposed of to dealers in the neighboring towns who ship, by smacks and steamers
or railroad, such as are not needed to supply the local demands. Dry smacks visit the fishermen
who are located too far from the canneries to reach them in their own boats. These remarks,
excepting such as refer to the cannery supplies, apply to the entire coast.
EARNINGS OF THE FISHERMEN. — The earnings of the lobster fishermen upon our coast afford,
at the most, but a meager living, and, according to all accounts, they have been gradually falling
off during the past fifteen to twenty years. At Provincetown, Mass., we find a striking, though
extreme, illustration of the decline in the profits of lobster fishing, consonant with the decrease
iu the abundance of lobsters, which has forced all the able-bodied men of that locality into other
branches of fishery or other occupations. Elsewhere the decrease has generally been less marked,
though none the less apparent. In this industry as in all others, the more energetic men using
the best appliances are, as a rule, the most successful, while the older and less active ones make
but small profits. Below we give a summation of the gross earnings of lobstermeu for many por-
tions of the coast, based upon the fishery census returns of 1880. In this connection it should be
remembered that the lobster season continues actively for only about three or four months of the
year in the principal districts, and the earnings stated are for lobster fishing only. To ascertain
the actual profits iu this one line, allowance must, however, be made for the cost and repair of
traps, boats, and other appliances.
At Eastport, Me., the average earnings per man were from $25 to $30 a mouth ; at Jonesport,
about $150 for the canning season of four months, or from April to August; Gouldsborough, $30 a
month; Rockport, $40 a month by the best fishermen; North Haven, $20 to $25 a month; Port-
land, $1.50 a day. According to Mr. R. E. Earll, who carefully studied the subject, the average
daily stock or earnings per man in the different lobster districts of the coast of Maine iu 1880
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 681
ranged from 75 ceiits to $1.25 for tbe spriug and summer season of four montlis, April 1 to
August 1, but in some instances it was as low as GO cents and occasionally as high as $2. The.
lobstermen of Isle an Haut, who fish during nine months, or from March to December, storked
on an average about $300 for the entire period; those who continue for five months, March to
August, stocked about $200; and those, finally, who fish from the middle of September to Decem-
ber 1, a period of two and one-half months, stocked about $75. At Vinal Haven the earnings for
the full season of two and one-half months was about $85, and at Deer Isle for the same season
about $150.
On the coast of Few Hampshire the earnings ranged from $25 to $50 a month ; and on the
coast of Massachusetts they were estimated as follows: Gloucester, $50 to $75 a month, or about
$200 for the season, some of the men hiring out at the rate of $35 to $>40 a mouth ; Provincetown,
about $75 for the season of three months ; Truro, $50 for the same season, and between Hyannis
and New Bedford, $100 to $300 for the same season, in good years. In Rhode Island the earn-
ings were about $400 for a season of five or six months ; at Stouington, Conn., about $1.50 a day;
New London, $25 to $30 a month ; South Norwalk, $2 to $5 a day; New Haven, $8 to $14 a
week.
5. THE FRESH LOBSTER MARKETS.
GENERAL REVIEW, — The demand for lobsters generally exceeds the supply, and the fishermen
seldom have difficulty in disposing of their catch. For convenience, the lobster markets may be
divided into three classes, the canneries, the towns and smaller cities located along the coast in
the lobster region, and the large distributing centers for supplying the inland trade. The can
neries are entirely confined to che coast of Maine and are fully described elsewhere. They gener-
ally receive only the smaller sizes of lobsters, such as are below the limit of 10 or 10£ inches in
length, and which may be purchased at considerably reduced prices. The local demand takes
whatever is brought in by the fishermen, in some places small lobsters, in others large ones being
preferred. Custom, however, prescribes for the principal markets or distributing centers lobsters
above a length of 10 or 10J inches, which, from the fact that these are the only ones bought by
the well smacks, have earned for them among fishermen the name of "smack lobsters." On
the coast of Maine, as a rule, the smaller lobsters are sold to the canneries and the larger ones to
the smacks, while either size indifferently is disposed of to the local trade. In other States, where
the law prescribes the minimum size of lobsters that can be marketed, small lobsters are supposed
to be thrown back into the water and only the larger ones sold.
Lobsters are carried to market in fishing boats and smacks, and by steamers and railroads.
Wherever markets, whether .large or small, are located very near the fishing grounds the fishermen
of the vicinity generally bring in their catch in their own boats. Two of the largest distributing
centers, Portland and Boston, are closely surrounded by rich lobster grounds, and both receive
many sinplies brought in from the neighboring traps in fishing boats. A limited trade of the
same character once existed at New York, when the bay of New York furnished a small fishery,
but that has long since ceased. Fishing boats and dry smacks supply the canneries of the coast
of Maine and the small distributing centers scattered along the entire New England coast. From
the latter and from the fishermen themselves, the larger part of the market si.pplies intended for
the western trade is carried by well smacks to Portland, Boston, and New York. Steamers and
railroads now transport to the same markets fiom many stations favorably located a large amount
of fresh lobsters packed in barrels. The inland distribution of lobsters is made mostly by railroad.
THE PRINCIPAL MARKETS. — There are three principal markets or distributing centers for
682 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
fresh lobsters in this country, viz., Portland, Boston, and New York, in which are handled nearly
four-fifths of all the fresh lobsters sold, and about two-fifths of all the lobsters taken and disposed
of by the fishermen for all purposes. Portland derives its supplies entirely from the coast of Maine,
and principally from between Portland and Mount Desert. In 1880, sixteen well smacks were
engaged in carrying to this place, in addition to the fishing boats of the vicinity, and some lobsters
were also received in barrels. Trade is most active between March and tbe middle of July. About
1,900,000 pounds of lobsters, valued at $70,000 fishermen's prices, and at $90,000 market prices,
were received in 1880. Besides supplying many inland towns throughout the neighboring States
and Canada, Portland made very large shipments to Boston and New York.
Boston receives lobsters from the entire coast to the eastward, including Nova Scotia, and
from the coast of Massachusetts as far south as Chatham, Cape Cod. Most of the supplies come
in well smacks, but thousands of barrels are received every year by railroad and steamer, and
very many are brought in by tbe fishermen of the vicinity. The greatest number is received in
April and May, and the smallest number about February. Very large quantities are received
from Portland by railroad, where they are transferred from the well smacks, without passing
through the Portland markets. The quantity of lobsters handled in the Boston market in 1880
was over 2,400,000 by count, or over 3,600,000 pounds, valued at $133,000 fishermen's prices, and
$109,000 market prices. Lobsters are shipped from Boston both fresh and boiled, principally to
New England towns and New York City, but also to the Middle and a few Western States, Chicago
being about the western limit of fresh distribution.
Of the supplies received at New York City, from one-half to three-fourths come in barrels,
principally from Boston and other markets in Southern New England, and the remainder in smacks.
The receipts for 1880 amounted to about 2,500,000 pounds, worth $125,000 fishermen's prices and
$175,000 wholesale market prices. Supplies are obtained from the entire lobster producing coast,
including New Jersey, and trade continues throughout the entire year, but is most active during
July, August, and September. During winter, lobsters are received in barrels only, and the same
method of carrying prevails to a greater or less extent during the remainder of the year.
THE SMALLER MARKETS. — Of the smaller markets along the coast little need be said in this con-
nection, as they are all described as fully as the data permitted in the coast review of the lobster
fishery. Some of these markets are of considerable importance as distributing centers for neigh-
boring sections of country, but nearly all are more or less tributary to the three larger markets
above mentioned, which control the main part of the fresh trade. There are scarcely any lob
jjter markets on the coast of Maine outside of Portland and the several canneries, as the fresh
lobster trade is almost exclusively controlled by the market smacks, which buy for the most part
directly of the fishermen. Eastport is an exception to this rule, and nearly all of the lobsters
shipped from the Passamaqnoddy district pass through the hands of a few dealers. In the winter
time, however, when the well smacks are not running, lobsters are packed in barrels at a few
other stations for shipment westward.
In New Hampshire, Portsmouth is the principal market. In Massachusetts, there are several
active markets, like Gloucester and New Bedford, but the former sends nearly all its lobsters to
Boston and the latter many to New York. Newport, R. I., and Stonington, Noank, New London,
and New Haven, Conn., each do a considerable trade in lobsters, those not needed for local con
sumption or for supplying neighboring towns being shipped to New York. The local trade in
many places is, however, very large, and for the southern New England markets probably
exceeds their trade with New York. Noauk is one of the most important sources of supply for
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 683
New York on the southern coast of New England, and also makes large shipments to New London
and Norwich.
METHODS OF CARRYING LOBSTERS. — Reference has been made above to the methods of
carrying lobsters. The well smacks at one time controlled the lobster trade, and on many por-
tions of the coast to-day the fishermen are entirely dependent upon them for the disposition of their
catch. They probably still carry the larger part of the fresh lobsters marketed. They make
regular visits along certain sections of the coast, each smack generally resorting to the same dis-
trict during the season, though ofteu going elsewhere if the supply proves insufficient. Some
engage both in fishing and carrying, and others in carrying only, and a large proportion remain
in the lobster trade only during the principal season. The New York smacks visit the coast of
Maine and the vicinity of Martha's Vineyard and Block Island. The Connecticut smacks seldom
go beyond the southern coast of New England, and are principally fishermen. The Massachusetts
smacks are all fishermen, and remain upon the coast of that State ; while nearly all the Maine
smacks are carriers merely, the well smacks running principally from the Maine coast to Portland
and Boston, and the dry smacks to the canneries. The carrying capacity of the smacks varies
greatly, dependent upon their tonnage. The smacks that supply Portland measure from 14 to 32
tons each, and carry from 2,000 to 8,000 lobsters at a trip. They are gone from one to two weeks,
according to the weather and abundance of supplies. A New York sloop smack of 42 tons has a
carrying capacity of about 20,000 pounds, or between 13,000 and 15,000 lobsters by count. It
can carry this amount, however, only during cold weather, and in the summer makes but half fares.
During the summer it buys of about ten men at Deer Isle, Me., tending in all 800 pots, and makes
a trip about every two weeks. The remainder of the season it makes weekly trips from Cuttyhunk,
Mass.
THE LOSS IN CARRYING. — The loss iu carrying lobsters in the well smacks is stated to be
comparatively slight, during the summer not averaging more than 200 or 300 in a cargo of 5,000,
and in cold weather not over 100. It is said that the losses are not due to overcrowding, but to
the occasional injuries which the lobsters inflict on one another.
THE USE OF CARS. — The lobster fishermen are all supplied with cars in which they preserve
the lobsters taken, awaiting the smacks or an opportunity to carry them in their own boats to the
nearest markets. These cars are of small size, but the dealers have much larger ones, according
to the extent of their trade.
LIVE AND BOILED LOBSTERS. — Live lobsters are preferred for shipment, and but little boiling
for the trade is now done in any of the larger markets outside of Boston. Nearly all the boiled
lobsters sold in New York come from Boston, 5 to 10 per cent, of the lobsters received from the
latter place being boiled. The Boston boiled lobsters have obtained a good reputation in New York,
and are generally preferred to those boiled elsewhere. The demands of the retail trade iu New
York are, however, mainly for fresh lobsters, and the same is true in most of the other cities.
Boiled lobsters are shipped both in barrels and boxes. During warm weather ice is used on the
lobsters shipped iu barrels, but in the colder months it is dispensed with. Live lobsters ship
better than boiled ones in the summer, if freely iced.
MANNER OF BOILING LOBSTERS. — The old style of " set " boilers or " farmer's " boilers, being
large iron kettles of various sizes up to a capacity of about GO gallons, were formerly in quite gen-
eral use for boiling lobsters for the trade. Even now the same kind of boilers are extensively
employed by the smaller dealers all along the coast. In the principal markets, especially Port-
land, Boston, and New York, however, new and improved methods have been adopted by the
larger dealers, whereby the process of boiling is greatly facilitated.
684 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The boilers at tbe Boston establishments which we have examined are rectangular wooden
tanks or vats of about CO gallons capacity, liued with zinc and furnished with a cover. Heat is
applied by the introduction of steam through a series of perforated pipes arranged in the bottom
of the tank. The steam is generated iu an ordinary boiler standing close at hand. The lobsters
are not thrown directly into the vat, as the operation of removing them after cooking would in
such an event be an exceedingly tedious one ; but an iron framework basket of rather slender bars
is made to fit the tank loosely, and is lowered and raised by means of a small derrick placed over
the tank. This frame, which holds about 300 pounds, is filled with lobsters at the edge of the
wharf from the floating cars, and is then carried to the tank and lowered into it, after the water it
contains has reached the desired temperature, that of boiling. The water is first supplied to the
tank, which is filled to about one-half or two-thirds its capacity ; about a peck of salt is added, and
then the steam is turned on. The same water suffices for several successive boilings, about two
quarts of salt being added each time. The lobsters are allowed to remain in about half an hour,
or uutil the proper red color indicates they are sufficiently cooked. With as little delay as possible
after cooking, they are packed in barrels or boxes for shipment or are sold to the local retail
markets. The barrels are usually covered with tea-matting or sacking.
MAKNER OP SELLING LOBSTERS. — Lobsters are sold both by weight and count, the latter
method being probably the more common one among the fishermen, who generally have no means
of weighing their catch. In some places they are also disposed of by the barrel. The canneries on
the coast of Maine usually purchase of the fishermen by weight, though in some instances, as at
South Harpswell, where the lobsters offered them average closely upon 1 pound each, they buy
by weight or count, indifferently. The smacks that visit the fishing-grounds and buy directly from
the fishermen purchase almost universally by count, taking only those above a certain size 'which
are salable iu the fresh markets. Lobsters shipped iu barrels are generally sold by weight.
In the fresh markets, wholesale and retail, both methods of selling are recognized, one method
prevailing in some places and the other elsewhere, this matter having apparently been regulated
by long custom in each place. In the eastern part of the lobster region, however, the prevalent
custom is by count, while to the westward it is by the pound. In the larger markets of Portland,
Gloucester, and Boston, sales are mostly made according to the former method, and in those of
New Bedford, Newport. New London, New Haven, and New York, by the latter. When selling
by count in the retail markets the price is regulated by the size of the lobsters.
6. THE METHODS OF SHIPPING; PKICES.
THE SMACKS. — The well smacks used as lobster carriers are, for the most part, remnants of
the former large fleet of fishermen which, before the custom of icing fish came into common
practice, \vcre obliged to carry their fish alive to market, and many of them are quite old. These
vessels have been fully described elsewhere iu the fishery report, and we need, therefore, only refer
briefly to their connection with the lobster trade.
Prior to 1800, when lobster canneries were less numerous than now, and the greater part of
all the lobsters caught on the coast of Maine were carried fresh to western markets, the well
smacks were, of much greater importance than at present, and many more were required to dispose
of the catch. Even now the larger share of the fresh lobsters carried to Boston and New York
from distant fishing-grounds are. transported in well smacks, which are destined to remain for
some time an important factor in the lobster industry.
Within a few years it has been demonstrated that lobsters can be carried long distances
alive, packed in barrels with ice, and at those fishing stations having direct communication
TIIK I.OIISTKi; K1SIIKUY. 685
with (he markets, either 1>\ rail or steamer, this method of transporting lobsters has become quite
common. This trallie, lias greatly interfered with the business of the well smacks, but the
majority of fishing districts will probably never have the advantages of steam communication
v.iili outside markets. Well smacks have not visited Eastport, Me., for some years back, as lob-
sters can be sent from there by steamer, in ice, much more quickly and profitably than in sailing-
vessels. As opposed to this, we may cite the case of No Man's Land and Gay Head, Martha's
Vineyard, which localities must depend for some time entirely upon the smacks.
The total number of lobster smacks above 5 tons measurement owned upon the coast of the
I'niled Slates between Hastport, Me., and Xe\v York, is one hundred and two. Of these, thirty-
six are well smacks and twenty one dry smacks, employed in the carrying trade only, and forty-
live are dry smacks engaged both in fishing and in carrying- to neighboring ports. Seveuty-one
of all these smacks are schooner rigged, and thirty-one sloop rigged. lu measurement they range
from 5.77 to 45.35 tons each, in the number of the crew from two to seven meu, and in value from $50
to .*:>,SOO each. The combined measurement of the entire fleet is 1,862.43 tous, the total value
$80,925, aud the combined crews three hundred and thirty-two. Some of these smacks are very
old, several having beeu built between 1830 and 1840. Not all of the vessels classed as lobster
smacks engage exclusively in the lobster trade, but about one-half participate in other fisheries
during certain seasons. Fifty-eight of tbe smacks are owned in Maine, twenty-nine being well
smacks, twenty-one dry smacks, and eight fishing smacks. The well smacks carry to Portland,
Boston, and New Yoik, and the dry smacks to the canneries and other markets near at hand. Nine
smacks, all of which engage in fishing, are owned in Massachusetts, and five smacks of the same
character belong to Ehode Island. Connecticut has twenty-two fishing smacks and two well
smacks, and New York one fishing smack and five well smacks. As on the coast of Maine, the well
smacks of Connecticut and New York carry to the larger markets, especially New York, and the
fishing smacks to near localities, but many of the latter class fishing in Long Island Sound carry
directly to New York.
The dry smacks run much smaller in size than the well smacks, the largest one registered
being of 20 tous measurement only. Many of these of the fishing class have beeu described in
connection with the appliances and methods of capture.
Full statistical tables respecting the smacks are given in the account of each district and
State in the Coast Review.
SHIPPING IN BARRELS. — The practice of shipping fresh lobsters in barrels from the fishing
stations to the larger markets has recently come into vogue in several places along the coast and
has proved very successful. It requires somewhat rapid transportation, as by railroad or steamer,
but, where possible, offers greater conveniences than the well smacks. Nearly all the shipments of
fresh lobsters from Eastport, Me., the most distant fishing station of our coast, are made in barrels.
Flour barrels which hold from 135 to 140 pounds, or about fifty-five lobsters, by count, are usually
selected. A small hole is first bored in the bottom of the barrel to afford drainage. The lobsters
are brought in from the cars in large baskets and emptied upon a I able, at which there maybe one
or more packers, each filling a separate barrel. The packer seizes the lobster by the carapax with
his right hand ; with his left hand bends the tail up under the body, and quickly deposits it in
the barrel with the back uppermost. The lobsters are stowed snugly together, so that, they cannot
move from the position in which they are first placed, rapid packing being necessary to accomplish
this. A piece of ice weighing from 10 to 15 pounds is placed on top, and the barrel is covered over with
a piece of sacking, which is secured by passing the upper hoop of the barrel over it. The packers
often wear coarse woolen mittens to protect their hands from the spines of the lobsters. In cold
686 HISTORY AMD METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
weather tbe ice is dispensed with. In taking the lobsters from the cars for packing in barrels,
they are dipped up with large scoop-nets, rapidly examined to ascertain if they have enough life
to stand the journey, and are above the legal limit in size, 10J inches, and then with a quick move-
ment tossed into the basket or back into the car, as the case may warrant.
The barreled lobsters are shipped from Eastport to Boston by steamer, the length of the trip
being from twenty-four to thirty hours, but if properly packed they will live at least forty-eight
hours in this way. As soon as they reach Boston they are transferred to cars or boiled. The
regular steamers from Eastport leave there during the summer about noon of every other day,
and it is customary to pack the lobsters iu the morning of each steamer day, in order that they
may start in good condition. But few are shipped at the end of the week.
Other stations along the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and
Connecticut, having railroad or steamboat facilities, have taken advantage of this new and rapid
method of transportation.
SHIPPINGS FRESH LOBSTERS TO ETJROPE.— In 1877, Messrs. John Marstou & Sons, of Portland,
Me., made a successful shipment of fresh lobsters to Liverpool, England, in the Allan Line steamer
Sardinia. Notwithstanding the great demand in Europe for American canned lobsters, it is not
probable that an extensive trade in fresh lobsters will ever arise, owing to the great trouble and
expense of shipping them, though the Messrs. Marston think that in time many will be sent in
that way. The above consignment was cared for in the following manner: The lobsters, two
hundred and fifty in number, were placed on the main deck in a large tank, 20 feet long by 8 feet
wide and 3 feet deep, and constantly supplied with fresh sea- water through six faucets by means
of a donkey engine, a waste pipe preventing any overflow. Fifty died during the trip and the
balance were sold at from 60 to 75 cents per pound.
THE PRICES.
CANNING LOBSTERS.— The prices paid for lobsters at the canneries in Maine were, in 1880,
nearly uniform for the entire coast, having been about $1 per hundredweight. At Eastport they
ranged from 80 cents to 90 cents per hundredweight when taken directly from the fishermen's
cars, or $1 delivered at the canneries. Since 1880, however, prices have increased considerably at
Eastport, consequeut upon the increased competition in the fresh lobster trade. The prices for
1882 were $1.30 at the traps, and $1.50 delivered at the canneries.
MARKET LOBSTERS. — The "smack" or market lobsters, which are those above 10£ inches in
length, and which, iu 1880, were estimated to average nearly 2 pounds each in weight for the
entire Maine coast, bring to the fishermen much higher prices, varying with the season aud abund-
ance, from 3 to 5 cents each by count. Prices are higher iu the spring than in the summer. At
Saint George's Island, Maine, the prices ranged, in 1880, from 4 to 5 cents each by count, from
the beginning of the season to the middle of April, and after that time fell off to 3 cents. At
Portland, the average prices were 4 to 5 cents each for large lobsters, and only 1 cent each for all
under 10£ inches long. At Eastport, the dealers .received about 3 cents per pound for lobsters
shipped to Boston in barrels.
On the New Hampshire coast, the larger lobsters brought from 4 to 7 cents each, and the
smaller three-fourths of a cent to 2 cents each, the average price being about 5 cents.
On the southern coast of New England, the smacks generally pay the fishermen about 6 cents
each for all lobsters above 10J inches in length, the season usually continuing from May to
October. In the vicinity of Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts, the wholesale prices were 3 cents per
pound, the retail G cents, but the smacks are charged 6 cents each by count. At New Bedford,
TIIK I.OI:STKI; FISHERY. 687
Mass., and New London, Conn., the customary price was 4 cents per pound. In Rhode Island, it
ranged from 3 to 4 cents per pound for lobsters over 10 incites long, Lalf price being charged for
all under that size. In tltat Stale the prices advanced half a cent per pound from 1879 to 1880.
On the New Jersey coast the fishermen received about ;>.l cents per pound.
MARKET VRICKS. — The dealers' prices in the three largest markets of the coast were about as
follows, in 1SSO : Portland, about 7 cents each by count; Boston, about the same; New York, G
cents per pound from May to December, s cents per pound during December and January, and
12i cents per pound from February to May. The retail prices in New York for the same year and
seasons in the order given above were 10, 12.}, and 15 cents, respectively. During the summer of
1882, on account of the unusual demand, lobsters were sold at wholesale in New York at prices
ranging all the way from 6 to 25 cents per pound.
The retail prices are usually much higher than the wholesale, even in many sea-coast towns
located in rich lobster districts, being often nearly double. Boiled lobsters also bring a higher
price than live ones.
7. THE CANNING INDUSTRY.
EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF THE INDUSTRY, HISTORY, &C.
REVIEW. — The lobster canning industry of the United States, with that of the British Prov-
inces owned or controlled by American capital, is of great importance, and from the introduction
of the lobster canning process at Eastport, Me., about 1842, dates the beginning of the extensive
canning interests of the United States in all its branches. About two-fifths ($289,000) of the
entire capital ($71.'J,000) invested in the lobsier fishery in the United States is directly applied to
the canning interests, and of the products of the fishery as they enter into consumption about
one-third of the entire value comes from the canneries.
Lobster canning in the States is confined exclusively to Maine, in which, in 1880, there were
twenty-three canneries in operation. The capital stock of these canneries is mostly owned in
Portland and Boston by five companies. The same companies also own or operate over forty
canneries in the British Provinces. Portland interests in both the Maine and provincial
canneries are greater than those of any other place in either Maine or the British Provinces,
representing or controlling sixteen canneries in the former and thirty-one in the latter. A number
of the Maine canneries are owned by the persons who run them, but most of these are operated in
the interests of the Portland and Boston firms.
The products of the provincial canneries are shipped almost wholly direct to Europe, the
duty of 18 cents per dozen cans (nominally on the tin) interfering with their importation into the
United States. About one-half of the total amount canned in Maine is also exported to Europe,
the balance going mainly to the Western and Southern States. The majority of the canneries of
Maine do not limit operations to the canning of lobsters, but fish, clams, meats, fruit, and
vegetables are also prepared. Many of the details respecting the Maine canneries are given in the
coi.st review of the fishery.
HISTORICAL, NOTICE. — It has been possible to prepare but a brief notice of the origin and
progress of lobster canning in the United States, but, although the statements obtained regard-
ing its early history were somewhat conflicting, it is believed that the following account is essen-
tially correct:
Lobster canning was first attempted in the United Slates at Eastport, Me., shortly after 1840,
and was made successful in 1843, the methods finally employed having been borrowed from
Scotland, which country is said to have learned the process from France. For the successful
688 HISTOKY AND METHODS OE THE FISHERIES.
introduction of the process into the United States we are indebted to Mr. Charles Mitchell, now of
Charlestown, Mass., a practical canner of Scotland, who had learned his trade of John Moir &
Son, of Aberdeen, the first Scotch firm, it is claimed, to put up hermetically sealed preparations of
meat, game, and salmon, their enterprise dating back to 1824.
Mr. U. S. Treat, a native of Maine, appears, however, to have been most active and influential
in starting the enterprise and in introducing canned goods into the markets of the United States.
Mr. Treat was, at an early period, engaged in the preparation of smoked salmon on the Penobscot
River, and in 1839 removed to Calais, Me., where he continued iu the same business. About 1840,
he associated with him a Mr. .Noble, of Calais, and a Mr. Holliday, a native of Scotland, who had
also been employed in the salmon fisheries of the Penobscot River, under the firm name of Treat,
Noble & Holliday. This firm moved to Eastport in 1842, for the purpose of starting the manu-
facture of hermetically sealed goods, and began experiments with lobsters, salmon, and haddock.
Their capital was limited, their appliances crude, and many discouraging difficulties were encoun-
tered. The quality of the cans furnished them was poor, causing them often to burst while iu
the bath, and the proper methods of bathing and of expelling the air from the cans were not under-
stood. The experiments were continued for two years with varying success, and in secret, no
outsiders being allowed to enter their bathing room. Though fairly successful in some of their
results, they could not always depend upon their goods keeping well.
In 1843 they secured the services of Mr. Charles Mitchell, who was then residing at Halifax,
and who was not only well acquainted with the methods of bathing practiced in his own country,
but also a practical tinsmith. He had been employed in the canning of hermetically sealed
goods in Scotland for ten years, and came over to Halifax in 1841, where he continued for two
years iu the same occupation, exporting his goods to England. After Mr. Mitchell's arrival at
Eastport, no further difficulty was experienced iu the bathing or other preparation of the lobsters,
and a desirable grade of goods was put up, but they found no sale, as canned preparations were
comparatively unknown iu the markets of the United States. Mr. Treat visited each of the larger
cities with samples of the goods, and endeavored to establish agencies for them, but he was gen-
erally obliged to send on consignment, as few firms were williug to take the responsibility of buy-
ing on their own account. A patent was also applied for, but the claim was not pressed, and the
patent never received.
In 1845, or perhaps earlier, Mr. Treat withdrew from the partnership, and the firm became
Mitchell & Noble, with W. K. Lewis as agent. In 1846, Mr. Treat purchased the island between
Eastport and Lubec, which has since gone by his name. On one side of the island he constructed
a large herring weir, and iu connection with it extensive smoke-houses. He did nothing, however,
in the canning line for three years, and in 1849 leased his wharf to Mr. Henry Evans, of New York,
whom he assisted in the canning of several kinds of fish. Iu 1852 he began again on his own
account and on an extensive scale, and continued canning for eight or ten years, putting up
lobsters, salmon, halibut, and vegetables. His New York agents were Wells, Miller, Provose &
Co., and he also shipped to California from 1854 to ]85G. In 1855 he first introduced the method
of pressing herring for pomace and oil, and this branch of his business was kept up until 1873.
A Mr. Samuel Rumrey, of West Lubec, obtained employment iu the Eastport cannery of Treat,
Noble & Holliday soon after the process of canning had been made successful, and shortly after
learning its secrets, he hired out to W. K. Lewis & Brother, of Boston, under whom he established
a lobster cannery at Portland, Me. A lew years later Mr. Rumrey left Portland and started
another cannery at South Harpswell, in connection with Mr. Buruham, of the present firm of
Buruhani & Merrill.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 689
About 1847, Mitclicll & Noble sold their Eastport cannery to George K. Underwood & Co., of
Boston, the contract stipulating that Mr. Mitchell should continue with the latter firm to superin-
tend their works. This establishment was soon afterwards removed to a more western point on
the coast of Maine. Mr. J. W. Jones began canning in 1856.
Since the first attempts made in Eastport, the business of preparing hermetically sealed
goods has rapidly increased, and at the present time comprehends many kinds of fish, meats,
fruits, and vegetables. In 1850 there were only three canneries in the United States, but now the
number is very great, and they are scattered through all parts of the country. After the im
portanee of the process of canning became known, several parties attempted to cover it with
patents, but without success, although much money was used for that purpose.
In 1843 the 1-pound cans of lobsters sold at 5 cents each, and 3J pounds live weight were
required to make a 1-pound can. No lobsters under 2 pounds in weight were used.
About 1870 the capitalists of the United States interested in the lobster canning industry
began to establish canneries on the coasts of the British Provinces. This movement was owing
partly to the fact that a scarcity of lobsters was noticeable on portions of the Maine coast, and
partly to the increased foreign demand for canned goods, which exceeded the production of the
older canneries. At present the United States capital invested in provincial canneries exceeds
that invested on the coast of Maine.
Concerning the period from about 1850 to date, sufficient data have not been collected to
furnish a connected history of the progress of lobster canning.
NUMBER AND LOCATION OF THE CANNERIES. — In 1880 there were, as already stated, twenty-
three canneries on the coast of Maine, and over forty in the British Provinces con trolled by United
States capital. The Maine canneries are as follows : In the Passamaquoddy district there are four
canneries, all located at Eastport, and in 1880 they were putting up nothing but lobsters, though two
or three engaged also in the fresh lobster trade. The total capital invested was $12,500. The
oldest of the existing canneries was established in 1870. Machias district also had four can-
neries, located at Jonesboro', Jonesport, Cape Split, and Millbridge, and with a cash capital
of $39,508. The Jonesport cannery engaged in the preparation of canned mackerel and clams in
the proper season, but the other canneries were limited entirely to lobsters. In Frenchman's Bay
district there were three canneries, one at Prospect Harbor, Gouldsboro'; one at Hammond's
Cove, South Gouldsboro' ; and one at South West Harbor, Mount Desert, with a capital of
$55,150. The first mentioned factory canned lobsters only ; the Hammond's Cove, lobsters and
clams ; and that at South West Harbor, lobsters, clams, mackerel, salmon, clam-chowder, and
tixh-chowdrr. There were five canneries in Castine district — one each in Biooklyn; Burnt Cove,
Deer Isle; Green's Landing, Deer Isle; Oceanville, Deer Isle; and Castiue — with a capital of
$01,400. All the canneries, excepting that at Brooklyn, put up mackerel, and those at Green's
Landing and Castine included clams also among their products. Belfast district had three can-
neries, located in Camden, North Haven, and Carver's Harbor, Yinal Haven, with a total capital
of $31,925. Mackerel as well as lobsters were put up at all these canneries. There is one cannery
in the Waldoboro' district, located at Port Clyde, South Saint George, where both lobsters and
imickcn'l are canned ; one at Booth Bay, in the Wiscasset district, canning lobsters, mackerel, and
clams ; and one each at South Haipswell and South Freeport, in the Portland and Falmouth
district. The South Harpswell cannery prepared only lobsters in 1880, and the South Freeport,
lobsters, clams, and mackerel. The combined capital of these four canneries was $30,661. The
entire cash capital invested in the canneries of Maine, in 1880, was $289,834, making an average
SEC. v, VOL. ii 44
690 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHEEIES.
capital for each cannery of about $12,500. The cost of the buildings and fixtures at each of the
canneries ranged from $1,000 to about $4,000, the average cost being about $2,800.
The canneries of the maritime provinces owned or controlled by capitalists of the United
States are scattered along a wide stretch of coast, being mostly located as follows : Nova Scotia —
Grand Manan, Shelburne, Clarke's Harbor, Chester, Harrigan Cove, Carriboo, Little Eiver, Petpis-
wick, Mary Joseph, Crow Harbor, Liscomb, Sonora, Brule, Beckerton, Wood's Harbor ; Cape
Breton — Arichat, Discouse ; Prince Edward's Island — New London ; New Brunswick — Shediac,
New Mills, Bay Chaleur ; Magdalen Islands ; Newfoundland — Placentia and Buren. The capital
is owned almost entirely in Portland and Boston, but we have received statistics of only seventeen
of the canneries, which are owned in Portland. The combined cash capital of these is about
$214,000, or an average of about $12,500 to each.
In addition to the cannery buildings, the several Portland firms have factories in that city for
the manufacture of the tin cans and wooden cases, to supply their Maine canneries, and ware-
houses for the storage of the finished products.
PRODUCTS OF THE CANNERIES. — Many of the lobster canneries engage in the preparation
of other kinds of canned goods, especially outside of the lobster season, these including fish,
shell fish, fruits, berries, corn, &c. In the investigations, however, no account was taken of
other than the sea products, which were mainly lobsters, mackerel, and clams. In Eastern
Maine, however, several of the lobster canneries have become interested in the sardine industry
since 1880. Of the twenty -three canneries in Maine, in 1880, ten prepared lobsters only ; six, lob-
sters and mackerel ; one, lobsters and clams ; and six, lobsters, mackerel, and clams ; one of the last
also put up salmon, fish-chowder, and clam-chowder.
Several different preparations of lobsters are made, the standard and by far the most common
grade, to which nearly all the canneries are limited, being that in which, after boiling, the lobster
meat is simply picked from the shells and put in cans. "Deviled lobsters" in one-half pound cans,
and "German flats" are prepared by one or more canneries, the former having been first put up in
1871 by the cannery at South West Harbor. In 1879, at the suggestion of London dealers, the
South West Harbor cannery began to prepare lobsters in the shell for the export trade, for this
purpose using two sizes, measuring 12 and 14 inches respectively. They are boiled, the tail bent
under the body, and then packed in cylindrical tin cans, 12 and 14 inches long. They are put
into the cans dry, bathed afterwards, and vented in the usual manner. These lobsters are
used principally for garnishing dishes for the table.
The mackerel canning season occurs in the fall, following the lobster. As the fish have to be
delivered at the works, the fishery is mainly limited to the boat fishermen of the vicinity of the
canneries, at such times as the schools approach close to the shore. Occasionally, however, the
fish are kept in pickle over night. The prices paid to the fishermen in 1880 averaged about $1
per cwt. The clam season varies in length on different parts of the coast. At Jonesport, in 1879,
it continued through twelve weeks of December, January, and March, while at South Freeport
it extended from October 1 to December 10. The clams are dug by residents near the canneries,
who are paid from 25 to 35 cents a bushel ; one bushel of clams in the shell is required to fill
a dozen cans. During the clam season the canneries are generally run with a greatly reduced
force.
THE CANNING SEASON. — Prior to 1879 there were two canning seasons for lobsters every year.
The first generally began early in April, and extended to about July 1 or August 1; the second con-
tinued from about September 10 to the 1st of November or December. The length of the seasons
depended greatly, however, on the state of the weather, the abundance of supplies, and the
Til 10 LOBSTER FISHERY. 691
condition oftlic market, the spring season often not beginning until the middle of April or the 1st
of May. May and June were considered by most canners to be the best mouths for their business,
probably because the weather was then most favorable for fishing. Mr. J. W. Jones, however,
regarded the fall season as generally equal to the spring. All of the canneries did not participate
in the fall fishery. The Maine lobster law that came into force in 1879 limits the operations of the
canneries, so far as concern lobsters, to the four months from April 1 to August 1, but the season
often does not begin until toward the middle or last of April, and frequently closes by the •
middle of July. April is often a stormy month, and fishing is more or less interfered with, often
practically limiting the canning season to the three latter mouths. A law passed iu 1885 does not
permit canning after July 15. Nova Scotia also has a law, dating from 1879, which limits the
canning of lobsters to the same months as on the coast of Maine.
After the lobster season is over, other branches of canning are sometimes taken up by the can-
neries, as elsewhere explained; many also make their cans and cases during the winter, but a
large number lie idle for several months.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY IN RELATION TO CANNING.
CHARACTER OF THE SUPPLIES. — When lobster canning was first started at Eastport, the
lobsters were said to have ranged in weight from about 3 to 10 pounds; after three or four years'
time, however, the average weight was reduced to about 2 pounds, and for a considerable period
no lobsters weighing less than 2 pounds each were considered fit for canning. At present even
the maximum weight is much less for the entire coast, and most of the supplies consist of the
smaller lobsters that are not suitable for the fresh markets. In many places these are called cull-
ings, and they range in weight from about three-fourths of a pound to 1£ pounds each, the average
weight in most localities being reckoned at about 1 pound ; in others, from seventy-five to ninety
lobsters by count are required to make a hundred- weight. Mr. J. W. Jones estimated the average
weight of lobsters taken for all purposes within the canning districts, in 1879, as follows: Maine,
1J pounds; Nova Scotia, 2 pounds; Straits of Northumberland and Bay of Chalenr, 2£ pounds;
Magdalen Islands, 3 pounds. The opinion prevails at many of the canneries that lobsters are
still as abundant as ever, though they have been constantly decreasing in size.
There is a great loss in weight in the preparation of canned lobsters, which is said to vary
somewhat with the season. One hundred pounds of live lobsters yield from 17 to 25 pounds of
canned goods, the average being about 22 pounds. Mr. J. W. Jones states that in May 4£
pounds of live lobsters will produce 1 pound of meat, but that iu August 6 pounds live weight
are necessary to make the same ainouut.
SOURCE OP SUPPLIES. — The canning lobsters are generally obtained in the neighborhood of
the canneries where they are used, though supplies are frequently brought in from quite an
extended area, as explained in the Coast Review. It is estimated that on an average about fifty
or sixty fishermen, using from fifty to seventy-five traps each, are required to supply each of the
canneries during the height of the season, though in some places the number is much less. The
lobsters are brought to the canneries in the boats of the fishermen, or by small dry smacks sent
out to collect them. These smacks have been elsewhere described; many of them measure less
than 5 tons, but some are large enough to register, and a few exceed 15 tons. In 1879 one small
steamer was employed iu carrying lobsters to the Castine factory. Some of the smacks are owned
by the canneries and others by the smackmen, and are valued all the way from $125 to $1,500
each, the average valuation being about $350. The average number of smacks running to each
692 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
factory is about two or three, with an average crew of two men each. The crew sometimes
consists of one or two boys in addition to the captain, and occasionally there is bnt one smackman.
The manner of employing the smacks or crews varies somewhat at the different canneries. In
some places the smacks are engaged for the season, at from $50 to $100 per month, in such cases
the captain hiring all his help. In others they are paid by weight for all the lobsters brought in,
at an average price of about 12 cents per cwt., or by count. Where the smacks are owned by the
canneries, the latter may hire the entire crew or only the captain, who looks out for his help; and
may pay regular wages, a certain price by weight or count, or a percentage on the lobsters carried.
The wages of the chief smackmen range from $25 to $75 a mouth.
THE PRICES PAID FOR LOBSTERS. — The prices paid the fishermen for canning lobsters, in
18SO, ranged from 65 cents to $1.50 per hundred pounds, varying somewhat on different parts
of the coast and at different seasons, but averaging about $1. In some places the average was as
high as $1.15 per cwt., and in others, where the lobsters averaged nearly one pound each,
they were bought indifferently by weight or count, provided the fisherman would sell iu the same
way throughout the season, the price being $1 per cwt. or per one hundred lobsters. In a few
localities they were purchased entirely by count.
THE QUANTITY OF LOBSTERS USED: NUMBER OF FISHERMEN.— It is reckoned that, in 1880,
9,494,284 pounds of lobsters, valued at $94,943 to the fishermen, were used at the Maine canneries.
The number of fishermen supplying the canneries was not far from 1,200, but nearly, if not quite,
all of these were also interested iu selling to the market smacks, and the latter trade yielded much
greater profits.
THE METHOD OF PREPARATION AND DETAILS OF CANNING.
THE PROCESS OF CANNING. — At some of the canneries it is customary to keep the lobsters in
live-cars a day or more before canning, but at others they are used at once or as soon as a suffi-
cient quantity is on hand. They are first boiled in a large vat or kettle, from ten to twenty minutes,
after which they are heaped on large tables, usually with the backs up, care beiug taken to have
the bodies more or less straightened out. The boiling is frequently done in the afternoon, in order
that the lobsters may have sufficient time to cool during the night. Early the next morning the
men designated as "breakers" commence to break off the "tails" and claws from the bodies,
throwing the latter away, for the reason that, though the carapax contains some good meat, it is diffi-
cult to extract and clean it. The sweet-bread, however, when it is found, is taken from the bodies
and generally put in the tops of the cans. The claws are then split by the " crackers," using a
small hatchet or cleaver, which opens them so that the meat can be readily taken out. The meat is
now punched out from the tail by means of a small " thole" pin, or other suitable pointed imple-
ment, but formerly the tail was split in a similar manner to the claws. The picking of the meat
from the claws, the washing, and the filling of the cans is generally done by girls. The meat is
thoroughly washed in water, the cans filled and weighed to insure their containing the required
quantity, and then covered and cleaned, after which they go to the sealers, who solder the covers
down. The bathing comes next, and is the most difficult part of the process. The cans are put
into boiling water and kept there for about two hours, though the time appears to vary at differ-
ent canneries from one hour to two and one-half hours. They are then taken out and vented, a
small hole being punched in the cover to release the air, after which they are sealed again and
bathed for two and one half to three hours longer. "Running the bath" is the term generally
applied to taking the lobsters from the first bath and venting. After the final bathing the
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 693
cans are allowed to cot.] over night, are tested to insure their being tight, and are then scoured,
painted, and labeled. In packing them in the rases, each can is wrapped in brown paper.
One cannery, that at Oceanville, has used steam for cooking the lobsters, instead of boiling
them in water. The lobsters arc steamed about thirty -five minutes, but it appears to dry the meat
too much, and in 1870 it was proposed to abandon that process.
llELr. — The help employed at the canneries consists of men, girls, and boys, whose labor is
well systematized. The men attend to the heavier kinds of work and to those details which
require the greatest skill, while the picking out and washing of the. meat, the tilling, weighing,
scouring, painting and labeling of the cans is generally done by the girls. Great dexterity is often
attained in the different branches of the business, and experienced hands work with astonishing
rapidity. In the larger canneries, where the methods of work are most perfect, the help is classi-
fied more or less in the following manner: Superintendent or foreman, boilers, crackers, breakers,
sealers, bathmen, tail pickers or shelters, arm-pickers, tillers, crowders, weighers, coverers, can-
wipers, boxers, &c. In most of the canneries, however, but few of these designations are com-
monly used, and in the smaller ones the same persons may perform several kinds of work. Next
under the superintendent or foreman, the sealers are supposed to be the most skillful of the help
employed, and they generally have to make the cans as well as seal them. The boilers, breakers,
crackers, and bathmen are generally all men and sometimes also the tail-pickers and weighers.
A few examples will serve to illustrate the character and amount of help employed at the
larger canneries. At the Oceauville cannery, in 1880, eleven men and sixteen girls were employed.
Of men there were one superintendent, one boiler, six breakers and crackers, two sealers, and one
bathmau ; and of girls, five arm-pickers, four tail-pickers, three fillers, one crowder, one weigher,
one can-wiper, and one coverer. The cans were painted, labeled, and put in the cases by giris,
while the nailing and stenciling of the boxes was done by the sealers. At the Carver's Harbor
cannery there were eighteen men and sixteen girls; the men consisting of a superintendent, one
foreman, two boilers, one bathman, four crackers, two breakers, two tail shelters, one weigher,
three sealers, and one boxer. At the Boothbay cannery fifteen men and ten girls were employed.
Of men, there were, in addition to the superintendent, boiler, and bathmau, two crackers, two
breakers, three sealers, two tail -shelters and three arm-pickers; of girls, one weigher and one
coverer, and an average of five men and girls engaged in picking arms, two men in shelling tails,
and two girls cleaning.
The average number of hands at each of the Maine factories owned in Portland was esti-
mated as follows, for 1880 : The Portland Packing Company, twenty to twenty-five girls and boys
and eleven men, while fifty men were employed for four mouths making cans for all their factories;
Bnrnham & Mori-ill, twelve girls and boys and eleven men ; J. W. Jones, twenty-five hands, of
which one-half are girls and boys. The number employed at the several canneries varies some-
what at different seasons. The help is mostly obtained in the neighborhood of the canneries, but
some of the more skillful hands, such as the sealers, come from Portland or elsewhere. The men
generally begin their labors somewhat earlier in the morning than the girls, as they have to pre-
pare or lay out the work.
WAGES.— The men are paid much higher wages than the girls and boys, and the rates vary
at the different canneries and somewhat with the seasons. The girls receive from $3 to $4 a
week, their wages being more uniform than those of the men, who are paid from $G to $15 a week,
excepting the superintendent. The sealers or solderers have from $!) to $15 a week ; the weighers
and boxers, about $10.50; the boilers and bathmen from $7.50 to $10; the crackers, breakers, and
tail-shellers, from $0 to $0.
694 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
CANS. — The cans used for the ordinary grade of canned lobsters are made in two sizes, the
one to hold one pound of meat, the other two pounds. They are cylindrical in shape, the one-
pound caus measuring 4£ inches in height and 3 inches in diameter, and the two-pound cans
having the same height, but a diameter of 3£ inches.
The majority of the cans used at the factories owned by Portland capitalists are made in
Portland during the winter, the tinsmiths who make them being sent to the canneries during the
canning season to serve as sealers. Other canners usually have their cans made at the factories
during the winter, by some of the men who are also employed during the lobster season. A few
of the factories buy their cans, and some take contracts to put up the lobsters at a certain price
per dozen cans, the cans and cases being furnished by the capitalists. Mr. J. W. Jones employed
twenty men in Portland during four months of the winter to make cans for his factories, and
Messrs. Burnham & Morrill kept about ten men at the same work for three months. The latter
made on an average about five gross of cans per day, and received wages ranging from $10 to $12
a week. The cans for the South Harpswell factory are made at that place, and those for North
Haven and Deer Isle are made at North Haven. At South Harpswell four men and one boy are
employed, and at North Haven six men during four months ; they are paid at the rate of 45 cents
per gross. Eight gross could be made a day, but they are allowed to make but four gross.
At Boothbay, where cans are made, about two thousand are put together as a day's work after
the tin has been cut.
The weight of the tin cans appears to vary somewhat at different places, but averages for the
one-pound caus about 3£ ounces. At Oceanville the filled cans were made to weigh 14i ounces,
and at Green's Landing 16 ounces.
OASES. — The shipping cases are made partly at Portland and partly at the canneries, the
same as the cans. If made at the canneries, the shocks are generally received from Portland or
from the mills at some other place. They are constructed chiefly of pine, but sometimes of spruce,
and hold four dozen one-pound cans or two dozen two-pound cans of the ordinary grade.
THE REFUSE. — The refuse of the canneries, generally called chum or scrap, and consisting of
the shells and such soft portions of the lobster as are not fit for canning, is often disposed of for
fertilizing purposes, and is favorably regarded as a manure for hay and some other crops. It is
also fed to hogs and poultry, but is said to give a reddish color and an unpleasant taste to the
eggs of the latter. Mr. J. Winslow Jones states that in May, 1878, he sent twenty-four youug pigs
to his Boothbay factory, where they were fed almost exclusively on chum during the summer and
fall, and thrived well. It was estimated that forty hogs could have been kept on the refuse of
this one factory, and that by a short feeding of corn for about six weeks in the fall, they would
range iu weight from 150 to 400 pounds, or average about 250 pounds each.
When sold for fertilizing or other purposes the chum brings but a nominal price, and it is
probably more frequently given away for the hauling. At many canneries it is dumped into the
water, there being no demand for it. In some places, in 1880, the refuse of the entire season was
sold for $10 ; in others it brought 25 cents a ton, or $1 a cord, and sometimes even as high as 50
cents a wagon load. At South Harpswell it was thrown into a scow furnished by farmers of the
neighborhood, who obtained seventy-five such loads in 1880. About 175 tons were shipped to
Portland for fertilizing purposes, in 1880, from the Boothbay factory. At Eastport the scrap was
sold at 5 cents a barrel to the Red Beach Plaster Company, who dried it and ground it with plaster.
Two thousand barrels were sold to them in 1879, and 1,500 barrels in 1880. For use on crops of
hay it is also generally ground.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 695
THE AMOUNT OF PRODUCTION, STATISTICS, ETC.
In 1880 about 2,000,000 pounds of canned lobsters, valued at $238,000, were put up on the
coast of Maine. These included 1,542,696 one-pound cans, 148,704 two-pound cans, and 139,801 of
other brands. The cost of the live lobsters used in their preparation was about $95,000, showing
an enhancement in value by the process of canning of $143,000. In the enumeration of the help
and of the wages paid at the canneries it was found impossible to make an exact calculation for
the lobster industry because of the other interests involved, but it can be roughly stated from the
combined statistics that the total number of persons employed was nearly eight hundred, and the
amount paid them while engaged in the preparation of canned lobsters was between $50,000 and
$60,000.
At one of the canneries the cost in labor of putting up one dozen one-pound cans was calcu-
lated to be from 28 cents to 30 cents, which for the 2,000,000 pounds produced would make the total
cost about $50,000.
The cans cost in tin and labor 25 to 30 cents per dozen, and about one-third of the total cost
of production of canned lobsters was expended in the labor of preparing them in the canneries.
Where the goods were put up by contract, 90 cents per dozen was paid, the capitalists furnish-
ing the cans. The selling prices, per dozen, for one-pound cans, during the past three years were
as follows: 1878, $1.60 ; 1879, $1.45 ; 1880, $1.45. In 1880 two-pound cans brought $2.35 per dozen.
About one-half of the canned goods was exported to Europe, and a large part of the remain-
der was shipped to the Western and Southwestern States. Nearly all the canned lobsters pro-
duced were handled by the Portland and Boston firms already referred to, and which were as
follows : In Portland — the Portland Packing Company, Burnham & Merrill, J. W. Jones & Co. In
Boston — George K. Underwood & Co., W. K. Lewis & Brother. The Portland firms owned four
or five small vessels, which were used in carrying the cans and cases to the factories and in trans-
porting the canned goods to the Portland warehouses. Some of the canned goods were shipped by
steamer, and New York received a few supplies direct.
No account of the total production of canned lobsters on the coast of M aine during past years
is at hand for comparison with the figures herewith presented, but the fact of a very great falling
off in the production from year to year is well known, and can be proved by the statistics of small
sections. It is stated that the total production of 1880 was greatly exceeded ten years ago by
that of a few canneries, and one of the principal reasons given for the transfer of capital to the
British Provinces was the decrease of supplies on the coast of Maine. The question of decrease
has been elsewhere discussed, and it is but fair to assume that the canneries have suffered in com-
mon with other branches of the industry. The increased traffic in fresh lobsters at some places,
as at Eastport, has greatly interfered with the canning interests, and the canneries at that place
are now run merely for the purpose of using up the small lobsters that could not be marketed
otherwise. The decreased production since 1878 has been very largely due to the shortening
of the canning season by the State law that came into force in 1879.
Further statistics of the canning industry are given in connection with the Coast Review of
this fishery.
696 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
S. HISTORY OF THE LOBSTER FISHERY; DECREASE; PROTECTIVE LAWS.
GENERAL REVIEW.
One of the most important questions that entered into the present investigation of the lobster
fishery was that respecting the relative abundance of lobsters as compared with former years.
This question is of such extreme interest to so many of our sea-coast inhabitants, and so many
different views have been expressed regarding it, some in support, and others again in refutation,
of an alleged decrease in supplies, that an effort was made to obtain as complete data on the sub-
ject as was possible with the imperfect means at the disposal of those engaged in the investiga-
tions. The results were not entirely satisfactory nor conclusive for the entire region, but may be
regarded rather as affording materials and suggestions for more elaborate studies in the future.
The manner of conducting the inquiries has been described elsewhere. It was impossible, from
the lack of sufficient funds, to place many or large investigating parties in the field, and each of
these was burdened with a score of other subjects, all of at least equal importance to the lobster
fishery, and many of greater; that they should have accomplished as much in this line as they
did, is a matter of congratulation. From places not visited by the field parties, much information
was secured by correspondence.
It is not difficult to ascertain the facts respecting the details of an industry of this sort, its
character, the methods of conducting it, its statistics, &c.; but when an attempt is made to deter-
mine its exact status, with reference to the supply, it seems impossible to obtain any reliable data,
or at least to properly sift the worthless from the good. This difficulty is the greater when, as in
the present case, we have no previously written history of the industry, and are dependent for
the most part on traditions, or on the memory or judgment of individuals belonging to several
classes — fishermen, dealers, and canners — which are somewhat at variance with one another in
their immediate interests. Prejudice and a natural aptitude for exaggeration are also more or
less characteristic of fishermen as of numerous other classes of persons, and without wrong intent
many misleading statements are often made.
The weight of the evidence collected, however, leads to the conclusion that there has been a
decrease in the abundance of lobsters within comparatively recent years, and in some localities
this decrease has certainly been great enough to entirely change the standing of the fishery and
render its pursuit unprofitable to the fishermen. Similar conclusions have been arrived at in Nor-
way and Great Britain, the two most important lobster-producing countries of Europe, and strong
efforts have been made for some time, at least in the former country, to arrest the decrease by a
system of protection. Abstracts of reports bearing upon those two regions are given further on.
The idea of a serious falling off in the abundance of lobsters on our own coast is not of recent
origin. Protective laws, covering limited areas, were enacted over half a ceutuiy ago, and every
State in the lobster region, excepting one whose fishery is of slight importance, has restricted the
lobster fishery within its own waters by more or less stringent regulations. Probably no stronger
argument in favor of a decrease could be adduced than this realization by one State after another
of a perceptible change in the amount of its supplies, the failure of which would bring suffering
upon many of its citizens. Tbat there hns been a great decrease in some districts, is admitted by
all who are acquainted with the subject, but that this decrease has been general and serious
enough to cause alarm, is not, in the judgment of many, sufficiently proved by facts, but the proba-
bilities certainly favor such a view.
The decrease has been most marked in those regions which have been fished the longest, and
especially in the shallow water areas near the coast, which are easy of access and which have been
subjected to incessant drains. Numerous instances of this depletion of shallow-water grounds are
THE LOBSTER FI8IIKKY. 697
authenticated by the strongest evidence; yet it is claimed by many that the markets are con-
stantly supplied with nearly, if not quite, as large quantities of lobsters as ever, and this fact is con-
sidered by them as entirely refuting the arguments in support of a universal and serious decrease.
Unfortunately the statistics that are obtained of most industries are not of a character to make
them of much value in the case of the lobster fishery, e-ven if such statistics were extant. The
increased quantity of lobsters now coming from any one region is only obtained through the ag^ ncy
of a greater number of fishermen, using a larger number of improved traps, while the average catch
per man or trap may be much less than formerly. In respect to this it is often argued that a
return to the former state of the fishery would bring about the same condition of affairs as origi-
nally existed ; and the fact that the catch of each man or trap is now relatively less than it has
been in regions where the number engaged in the fishery has increased, is certainly not a fair
argument in favor of decrease. Buttbere are other and more positive evidences of decrease, many
of which are discussed further on, and the statements of persons thoroughly acquainted with the
subject appear to furnish conclusive proof that the market supplies from our own coast have beet
constantly diminishing from year to year.
The marked decrease in the average size of the lobsters brought to market, as described in
Section I, Part V, of this report, should probably also be regarded as an indication of decrease in
abundance; and the wholesale slaughter of females with eggs, which has always been going on,
would naturally have tended to diminish the supply. Not being truly migratory in their habits, but
remaining on about the same grounds, as is supposed, year after year, coming into shallow water
in the spring and retiring into deeper water near at hand in the fall, it is the commonly accepted
opinion that the schools do not generally receive many accessions from other regions; and thus
arises the possibility of any one region 1 eing readily depleted by overfishiug. With migratory
fishes the case is different. Init the two have often been compared.
An illustration of the rapidity with which the lobsters of a small area may be caught up, is
furnished by a salt-water iidet on the coast of Maine, in which lobsters were at one time very
abundant. The basin opened directly into the sea, and was large enough to afford a remunerative
fishery to several lobsterrnen. Two years' time was sufficient to reduce the supply of lobsters
to such an extent that fishing became unprofitable. After an interval of about five years they
became again abundant, and the supply was once more exhausted. Had this inlet not been so situ-
ated that it readily received accessions from without, it is probable that it would have required a
much longer time to become replenished.
On a much Lirger scale has been the depletion of the once noted grounds about Cape Cod,
Massachusetts which atone time furnished nearly all the lobsters consumed in New York. In
the early part of the century, this fishery was entirely in the hards of fishermen from other States,
principally Connecticut, who came to Cape Cod with their smacks, and after catching a 1< ad car-
ried it to New York or Boston. As early as 1812 the citizens of Provincetown realized the
danger of exhausting the grounds about their town, and succeeded in having a protective law
passed by the State legisla'uie. More or less stringent regulations respecting the lobster fishery
of Cape Cod have been in force from that time down to d; te, and they have probably done good
M'i vice in prolonging the fisbeiy, but the period of its prosperity has long since ceased, as con-
tinued overfishiug has so exhausted the grounds, on almost every portion of Cape Cod, that they
are no longer profitable even to the few men who still set their traps there. From the sketch of
this region given further on, it will be seen that the decrease has not been a temporary one,
although an entire rest for a long period of time might possibly allow it to recover more or less
of its former abundant supplies. As it. is, no large catches are now made and but few lobsters are
carried away from the cape.
698 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The j/jmediate vicinity of Provincetown has suffered most in this respect, but scarcely more
than any part of the coast from that town to Boston on the north side and to New Bedford on
the south. A delay in the publication of this report enables the writer to add a note for the
southern portion of this region, covering the period down to July, 1885. Vineyard Sound proper
and the vicinity of Wood's Holl have afforded poor catches for a number of years, but the region
about Gay Head and No Man's Laud has continued to attract the lobstermeu down to the preseut
time. Each succeeding year, however, the lobsters have appeared to be less plentiful, and during
the spring months and June of 1885 scarcely anything has been done. The fishermen are dis-
couraged, and are forced to attribute the scarcity to overfishing, the possibility of which many of
them have all along denied.
lu the waters of Rhode Island and Connecticut a large decrease of lobsters is reported by
many of the fishermen, and the increased catch for the few years preceding 1880 was only obtained
by the use of a much larger number of traps than was employed formerly. Although the fishery
in those States was begun very many years ago, it is only within comparatively recent times that
it has been extensively carried on.
On the coast of Maine the evidences of decrease are very strong, especially as regards the
shallower areas; but the rapid extension of the grounds into comparatively deep water, with
the consequent increase or constancy in catch for a time, has made the actual decrease less
apparent. The rocky bottoms of the coast of Maine are also supposed to afford the lobsters
greater protection than the sandy ones to the south, and in many places the traps cannot be set
so closely together; neither is it probable that the lobsters in such localities move about as much
in search of food.
The greatest decrease has occurred within the past fifteen to twenty years, or since the estab-
lishment of numerous canneries and of the perfected methods of transporting fresh lobsters to
all parts of the country. The demand being so much greater than the supply, there are no
restrictions on the amount of the catch, beyond those imposed by the State laws or resulting from
the scarcity of lobsters. Fish are among the greatest enemies of lobsters, and cod are known to
consume enormous quantities, but nature has provided against their extinction by such means,
and it is man alone who has disturbed ihe balance.
There are some fluctuations in the supply of lobsters in certain localities from time to time,
and a year of scarcity may be followed by one of comparative abundance. Such changes must be
carefully considered in connection with the question of decrease, as they are exceedingly
misleading, and observations upon the sul ject are not of much value unless they have been con-
tinued for a number of years.
In submitting the material contained in the following pages, respecting the abundance of
lobsters and the subject of protection, the writer has endeavored to state the evidence presented
without prejudice or undue comment. As previously remaiked, it was not within the power of
those charged with the fishery investigations of 1880 to summon witnesses, even if they had had
the time for it, and nothing was obtained except from willing contributors. One member of the
party that conducted the investigations on the coast of Maine was not convinced that the decrease
was as great or serious in that State as the accounts appeared to indicate. Opposed to him,
however, is a mass of evidence from many reliable sources, which has been accumulating for
several years. The only satisfactory way of determining the question would be to institute a
thorough and careful investigation of the entire lobster region under the authority of the National
Government or of the several States, and the lobster interests are of sufficient importance to
justify such action. Such an investigation has recently been made of the coasts of Great Britain,
and an abstract from the report of the commissioners is quoted on a following page. In Norway
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 699
the lobster fishery bas also been carefully studied and its condition is well known. We commend
the ri-port of Prof. A. Boeck, on its history and prospects, from which we have largely quoted, to
the attention of lobstermen in this country, as much valuable information, quite applicable to our
own coast, may be obtained from it.
The question of how to protect the fishery is one most difficult of solution, and from the state-
ments given by the fishermen and others, it will be seen that a great variety of opinions exists
regarding it. None of the State Liws now in force have been effective in stopping the decrease,
although they may have retarded it more or less, and in any investigation it will be found more
perplexing to decide upon proper laws than to establish the fact of a decrease.
It was found difficult to collect the data for a complete history of the lobster fishery, but many
of the more interesting facts regarding its origin and progress are given in the following brief
sketch :
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE FISHEEY.
MAINE ; GENERAL REVIEW. — On the coast of Maine the lobster fishery began about 1840, in
the western part of the State, and gradually extended eastward, reaching the Penobscot Bay region
about 1848 or 1850 and Eastport about 1855. At that time, and previously, lobsters were very
abundant in all favorable localities close inshore during the summer mouths, and could be gaffed
out at low tide from their favorite haunts under the shelter of rocks and seaweeds. This method
of capture was resorted to mainly by boys, who could generally obtain a mess in a short time
and with little trouble. It gave rise, however, to no regular fishery. In those early days lobsters
were also more frequently reported from the fishing-grounds lying at short distances off the coast,
where the depths of water are from 25 to 30 fathoms. They would seize the bait on the hooks of
the fishermen or become entangled in their lines, and were often brought to the surface.
The regular fishery began with the use of hoop-net pots, which were generally of very rude
construction. They were mostly made of the wooden hoops of hogsheads, measuring from 3 to 3i
feet in diameter, and with two wooden half hoops crossed above for the attachment of the bait and
buoy-line. The bag usually had a depth of 18 to 24 inches. Contrary to what might be supposed,
these open traps would often secure as many as four or five lobsters at a time. As a rule, two
lobstermen went in each boat and used from twenty-five to fifty pots to the boat, setting them
singly and marking their location with buoys, as is done with lath-pots. These pots were gen-
erally hauled twice a day, morning and evening.
The facility with which the lobsters escaped from the hoop-net pots led to their disuse as
soon as the lath pots began to be introduced, and within a very few years from the time they
were first employed, they had almost disappeared from the coast. The change, though rapid,
was not at once completed, for a fisherman could not afford to give up his entire gang of old pots
for new ones in the course of a single year, and so, for a short period, many of the fishermen
were using some of each kind. The lath pots which superseded the hoop-net pots were essen-
tially the same in construction as those now used on the coast of Maine, and each pair of fisher-
men handled between twenty-five and fifty.
Competition, rivalry, and the supposed decrease in abundance of lobsters, caused the fisher-
men to gradually increase the number of traps used by each, and the increased number of men
who entered into the fishery from year to year also tended to the same results. Up to the time of
the introduction of the method of setting the pots trawl fashion, the custom of fishing in pairs
remained in vogue. It was supposed that two men were absolutely necessary to the work, one to
handle the boat and keep it in position while the other hauled the pots.
Lobster pots were first set on trawls about the year 18G5, several different persons laying
700 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
claim to the iuvention. The precise locality where trawls were first used is not known, but it was
somewhere between Harpswell and Friendship, and probably at Georgetown. This innovation
was in reality the result of competition, arising from the desire of one man to do the work pre-
viously performed by two. Experience also soon taught them that by the use of trawls, one man
might set even more pots than had formerly been handled by two men. Each man would set his
entire gang of pots in one or two strings where lobsters were abundant, but in a greater number
where they were less plentiful. Since about 1870, the use of trawls in the lobster fishery has
been decreasing, due to the fact that the lobstermen have discovered that they can often obtain
a better catch by scattering their pots over a greater area, and shifting them a little every time
they are hauled. Does not this fact indicate at least some falling off in the abundance of
lobsters'?
The following interesting facts regarding the early lobster fishery of Maine are furnished by
Capt. Elisha M. Oakes, of Viual Haven: In 1841, Captain Oakes began to carry lobsters from
Curdy's Harbor and Horse Island Harbor, Harpswell, to Mr. Ebeu Weeks, at East Boston. He
was then running a well smack, named the Swampscott, of 41 tons, old measurement. The season
extended from the 1st of March until about the 4th of July, after which time lobsters were sup-
posed to be unfit for eating ; the black lobsters, or shedders, were even considered poisonous.
During this season of four mouths, Captain Oakes made ten trips, carrying in all 35,000 lobsters,
by count. He continued in this trade about six years, taking the combined catch of about five or
six fishermen. At this same period the smack flulda B. Hall, 50 tons, of New London, Conn.,
Captain Chapell, was carrying lobsters from Cape Porpoise, Maine, Gloucester, Ipswich Bay, and
occasionally Proviucetowu, Mass., to Boston, making fifteen trips in the course of the season of
four months, and taking about 3,500 lobsters each trip. Captain Chapell was supplied with lobsters
by four men at Cape Porpoise, and by the same number at both Gloucester and Ipswich Bay.
For four months following the close of the lobster season on the coast of Maine, or from July 4
until November, Captain Chapell ran his smack with lobsters to New York, obtaining the most of
his supplies at Proviucetown.
In 1847, Captain Oakes purchased the smack Josephine, with which he began running to
Johnson & Young's establishment, at Boston, in 1848, buying a portion of bis lobsters in the
Penobscot Bay region, where this fishery had just been started. The quantity of lobsters carried
by him that year was 40,000. The prices paid to the fishermen for smack lobsters was as follows :
During March, 3 cents each ; April, 2i cents ; May and June, 2 cents. In 1850 he began to obtain
supplies from the Muscle Ridges, leaving Harpswell entirely, on account of the small size of the
lobsters then being caught there. At this time the average weight of the lobsters marketed was
about 3 pounds, and all under 10J inches in length were rejected. The traps were made of the
same size as at present, but were constructed of round oak sticks, aud with four hoops or bows to
support the upper frame-work. A string of bait, consisting mainly of flounders and sculpius, was
tied into each trap. About fifty traps were used by each fisherman, and they were hauled ouce a
day. The warps or buoy Hues, by which the traps were lowered and hauled, were cut in 12 fathom
lengths.
THE MUSCLE RIDGES, ME. — Captain Oakes states that lobsters were so abundant at the
Muscle Ridges, at this period, that four men could fully supply him with lobsters every trip he
made. In the course of ten days each man would obtain between 1,200 aud 1,500 marketable lob-
sters. In Captain Oakes's opinion, the Muscle Ridges have furnished the most extensive lobster
fishery of the Maine coast. He ran to this locality until 1874.
Capt. S. S. Davis, of South Saint George, informs us that about 1S04, when he first began
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 701
buying lobsters at the Muscle Ridges, three men, tending forty to fifty pots each, caught all the
count lobsters he could carry to market in his smack. He could load 5,000 lobsters at a time, and
averaged a trip in seven to nine days. This traffic continued for six or seven years. In 1879
Captain Davis bought from fifteen men in the same locality, and at times was obliged to buy also
df others in order to make up a load.
SOUTH HAEPSWELL, ME.— Between 1850 and 1855, at South Harpswell, the fishermen were
accustomed to go out two in a boat, each boat setting from fifty to seventy-five traps, and obtain-
ing a daily average of from 400 to 500 lobsters of marketable size. All lobsters weighing less than
2 pounds were thrown away, and the remainder were sold to the canneries at an average price of 3
cents each in the spring, and 2 cents each in the fall, the canneries agreeing to take only those
above 2 pounds weight. The fishing season lasted from March until May, and again from Septem-
ber until about the middle of November. When the factories were closed, the fishermen sold to
the smacks running to New York and Boston, scarcely any of the lobsters being disposed of to
Portland parties. The smacks paid about the same prices as the canneries, beginning in the early
spring at 3| to 4 cents, and falling later as low as 1£ cents, when the lobsters had become more
abundant. Frequently, when the markets were dull, the fishermen, after culling out all lob-
sters under 2 pounds in weight, would bring the remainder to the smacks, where about one-third
more in number would be rejected, only the larger individuals being bought. This would happen
only late in a season, or during a very dull market. Marketable lobsters then averaged about 3J
pounds each.
BOOTHBAY, ME.— Mr. Emerson McKowu, of Southport, says that in 1856 lobsters were found
very plentifully and of large size about the islands of Boothbay Harbor. He was then fourteen
years old, and engaged in the lobster fishery, setting his pots close to the shore, in from 8 to 11
fathoms of water. In the course of two and one-half months (March 1 to May 15) he could easily
make $100. In those days the lobsters were sold entirely to the smacks, which carried them to
New York. The season lasted six mouths, from March until the last of May, in the spring, and from
about the 1st of September until December, in the fall. During this season one man, tending fifty
pots, could make $500, and frequently made more. The price paid by the smacks was 2 to 2£ cents
each. As the number of lobsternien increased in this region, the lobsters began to decrease both
in abundance and size. By 1869 they had so diminished in numbers that the average income per
man for the season of six months was not above $175. This caused the, fishermen to try further
out from land, and in deeper water, and the fishery is now largely carried on in depths of 25 to 35
fathoms, although in the summer the lobsters approach nearer to the land.
At all points along the coast, from Cape Small Point to Pemaquid Point, the fishermen are
agreed in saying that formerly lobsters were very abundant and of large size, ami that overfishing
has reduced them both in size and in numbers. They are quite unanimous in the opinion that if
the present State law is continued, it will be better for the fishermen.
MATINICUS, ME. — Lobster fishing was introduced at Matinicus Island in 1868.
NORTH HAVEN, ME. — At North Haven the fishing began in 1S48, but during that year there
was only one man setting traps. The number of lobstermen has, however, rapidly increased since
then up to the present time. At first the entire catch was sold to Boston smacks, at the rate of
2 t(i L'£ cents each. The largest and smallest lobsters were not taken by the smacks, the former
because they were considered not to be able to survive the long trip. Connecticut smacks fol-
lm\ ed soon after the Boston smacks, and later on large quantities of lobsters were shipped annually
to New York. In 1856 or 1857, canning operations were begun on this island, but they were con-
tinued only two years at that time.
702 DISTOKY AND METHODS OF THE F1SUE1UES.
DEEK ISLE, ME. — Lobster fishing began at Deer Isle In 1852, the men of that locality being
first induced to fish for lobsters by smackmen from Portland and Boston. The first cannery in the
district was established at Oceanville a short time prior to 1860. The lobster-pots were first set
on trawls in 1864, and for some years this method of handling them was continued to a large
extent, but it has since been abandoned. The use of nets for catching flounders and sculpins for
bait began in 1874. The lobster fishery was started at Isle au Haute about 1855, or about three
years later than at Deer Isle.
SWAN'S ISLAND, ME. — The fishery for lobsters was begun at Swan's Island, according to Mr.
David Smith, by four men from Gloucester, Mass., who employed others to assist them. They
made only one trip, however, but the inhabitants of the island at once took up the fishery, and
ten men engaged in it up to 1855. Then came an interval of inactivity, which continued three or
four years. In 1860, eight or ten men were again lobstering, and setting from thirty to forty pots
each.
EASTPORT, ME. — The process of canning lobsters was introduced at Eastport, in 1842, but at
that time lobsters were not known to occur in that vicinity in sufficient abundance to induce the
people to fish for them. Smacks were, therefore, sent far to the westward for supplies, stopping
at the different fishing stations along the coast. In 1855 they first began to fish extensively for
lobsters about Eastport, and from that date until about 1865, the fishery continued to develop,
reaching its height about the latter year. Since 1865, however, it has greatly fallen off on the
American side of this district, although it has proportionally increased among the British Islands
of the vicinity. The canning interests gave an increased impetus to the fishery about 1872.
Formerly the greater part of the catch was sold to the canneries, but since the great demand
•
for fresh lobsters in Boston and New York has reached this most distant point of our coast,
the largest and best lobsters have all been shipped westward.
PROVINCETOWN, MASS. — A complete history of the industries of Provincetown, Mass., would
afford an exceedingly interesting chapter regarding the origin, development, and subsequent
decline of one of the most important fisheries of the New England coast, the once famous lobster
fishery of Cape Cod, which for a series of years furnished New York City with nearly all of its
supplies. Unfortunately, however, our record is very fragmentary, though interesting as far
as it goes.
The following account of the lobster laws and regulations of the town, to 1850, was prepared
by Mr. Frederick W. True :
A description of Provincetown in 1802 contains the following statement : " Lobsters of an
excellent quality are obtained in great abundance on both sides of Long Point. Five vessels are
constantly employed in catching them, and carrying them to the market of New York. Two
smacks go with them to the Boston market. Several barrels are pickled and sent to the former
place."*
Lobster fisheries were carried on without restriction until the year 1812, when the citizens of
the town, entertaining fears that the constant encroachments of their neighbors would speedily
effect the extermination of the species, prevailed upon the legislature to pass an act " to prevent
the destruction of the lobster fishery in the town of Proviucetowu in the county of Barnstable, and
to preserve and regulate the same in the waters and shores of said town." This act provides that
" it shall not be lawful for any person living without the jurisdiction of this Commonwealth to take
* A Description of Provincetown, in the County of Barnstable, September, 1802. Coll. Massachusetts Historical
Society, viii, 1802, pp. 198-200.
THU LOBSTER FISHERY. 703
any lobsters within the waters and shores of the town of Provincetown for the purpose of carrying
away from said waters in smacks and vessels owned without said Commonwealth, without first
obtaining a permit in writing from the selectmen," and imposes a penalty for offenses. It also
provides for the appointment of a number of fish wardens, whose duty shall be to prosecute all
offenses against the act. This law, however, did not meet all the requirements of the case, and
this fishery was frequently the subject of legislation in later years.
After the passage of the law in 1812, restricting the lobster fishery, many subordinate regu-
lations were made from year to year at the town meetings. In 1815 it was voted that " the fish
warden take no notice of a lobster fisherman for lobsters, without they take them upon their own
risk," and that the town "defend the fish warden in the lawful discharge of the duties of his office."
This latter clause was probably added because the fishermen from Few York and other distant
points were slow in recognizing the authority of the warden, and attempted to resist him. In the
same year it was voted that " Benj. E. Atkins be fish warden for the town the year ensuing, and
have $10 on a hundred for his fees," and that "he pay what money he collects into the town treas-
ury once in three months, except his fees." In 1820 the fees of the warden were increased, and he
received " 18 per cent, on the amount of the same for his trouble, or $18 on a hundred dollars."
It appears that the duties of the warden were not sufficiently well marked cut in the State law
of 1812, and consequently, in 1824, the citizens passed a law defining them more precisely. At the
same time Elisha Freeman, jr., was voted in as " collector of lobster money," and the rate of
compensation was reduced to 8 per cent. The law referred to provides that it is the duty of the
collector of lobster money " to board every smack or vessel within the limits of Proviucetown,
agreeable to the laws of this Commonwealth, once in every twenty-four hours, and at such times
as his judgment dictates the most proper. If the collector shall find that any smack or vessel thus
visited hath taken a part of a load at or in any other place or waters than Provincetown, the said
collector is authorized by the vote of the town of Provincetown, March 1, 1824, to charge a sufficient
sum to be equal to $1 for every hundred lobsters which said smack or vessel shall or can carry,
and every such smack or vessel which shall take her whole load in and from the waters of Prov-
incetown shall pay 1 cent for every lobster. If, through the negligence of said collector, any
smack or vessel does abscond, not having accounted for the lobsters on board from the waters of
Provincetown, then said collector shall account with the treasurer of said town for said load." *
It soon became apparent, however, that this method of obtaining the dues was defective in many
respects and made the position of collector a very laborious one. Hence, two years later, in 1826,
the town passed another law, according to the provisions of which, every smack or vessel taking
lobsters at Provincetown should pay 50 cents for each ton burden, which money " must be specie
or Boston money at the time the permits are given, which must bo before commencing to take said
lobsters."
In 1850 the lobster fishery again came under discussion, and it was voted in town meeting
that the selectmen should be instructed " not to charge the citizens of this town any fee or charge
whatever for taking lobsters from the waters under the jurisdiction of the town."
The following notes on the lobster fishery of Provincetown were furnished by Captain N. E.
Atwood, in 1880 :
" I remember that, as early as 1815, smacks belonging to New London, and other Connecticut
ports, were fishing here for lobsters, which they carried to New York. They continued to visit
this place for many years thereafter, the crews themselves catching the lobsters. Our own fish-
" Town Records.
704 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
ermen did not engage hi lobstering, as uearly all the lobsters found in these waters were females,
which had no pale in the Boston markets. In 1847 I employed some of our fishermen to catch me
two loads, which I carried to New York. The nest year they engaged regularly in the fishery, and
I carried 25,000 lobsters to Boston and New York. Two years later the Connecticut smacks dis-
continued fishing and bought of our lobstertneu. This new fishery gave employment to a great
many men during the summer. Lobsters were very abundant, and continued to be so until about
fifteen years ago, since when they have rapidly decreased in numbers from year to year until now
they are nearly all gone. All of our fishermen in those earlier times used the so called hoop pots.
Fifteen to twenty years ago, and before then, the fisherman would go out perhaps at midnight,
anchor his boat near the shore, on the edge of the ground, and put over his pots, some half dozen
in number. From time to time he would haul them up and empty them of their contents. If lob-
sters were abundant, it would keep him busy all the time, and he would return to town by 8 or 9
o'clock in the morning with perhaps one or two hundred in number. The price for many years
was 2 cents each. The hoop-pots have since been abandoned for the more economical ones made
of laths. At present the lobster fishery is carried on only by old men who cannot engage in
harder kinds of work. In 1830 only eight men were thus engaged, and they made an average
stock of about $60 each."
During the cholera season of 1849, according to Captain Atwood, the sale of lobsters in New
York and Boston was entirely discontinued, and the fishery was interrupted, buyers breaking off
from their contracts.
NORTH TRURO, MASS. — Prior to ten years ago (or before 1870), many New London smacks came
to this vicinity for lobsters. At that time the hoop-net pots were still in general use, the fishermen
of the vicinity using only as many as they could manage from their small boats, hauling them con-
tinuously. The smackmen, however, set a great many in all directions, marking their positions
with buoys. About 1860 it was not uncommon for a boat-load to be sold at the rate of a cent
apiece. Lobsters are very scarce at present.
BOSTON, MASS. — According to Capt. E. M. Oakes, the first regular lobster dealer in Boston was
a Mr. Benjamin Simpson, who kept a restaurant in the basement of a house at the south end. He
used to go out in the harbor, in a little boat, and catch them in the vicinity of Castle Fort, and
then peddle them about the city. In the course of three or four years a Mr. Newcomb also went
into the business, hiring men to catch the lobsters, which he carried up to the city in a small
smack, of 10 tons (o. in.), called the Eoxana. The lobsters were boiled and peddled through the
streets by venders, who received about 25 per cent, on their sales. Boston began using lobsters
through the entire summer, fall, and winter, in 1855, Mr. Martin M. Johnson having been the first
man to continue their sale beyond the sp ring and early summer. He was also very instrumental
in starting, at about the same time, the important lobster trade between Boston and New York.
In 185G several Boston firms bought lobsters during the entire year, making a few shipments to
New York.
An item in the Boston Journal, in 1857, states that there were at that time only three lobster-
boiling establishments in Boston. During March, April, May, and June, L'00,000 lobsters were
boiled there. The quantity of lobsters brought in during the year 1856 was about 1,200,000, by
count, worth $60,000 to the fishermen, and $84,000 to the retail trade. Two hundred men were
then catching for the Boston market. The lobsters came mainly from the region of Cohasset,
and were carried in fifteen smacks, each with a crew of five men, and seven additional men to
tend the pots. There was a dory to each man, and they handled fifty pots apiece. " The man in
the dory rows among his traps, takes out the lobsters, pushes a wooden plug into the joint of
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 705
each claw, to guard against their belligerent acts, rebaits the trap, and sets it again." Instances
of lobsters measuring 3 feet long, and weighing 35 pounds each, are mentioned.
SALEM, MASS. — The same journal also states that there were three boiling houses in Salem,
for which forty-two men and eighteen boys were employed in procuring supplies. The average
daily catch for one thousand traps was 3,000 lobsters, worth 3 cents each to the fishermen. The
total catch for Salem, in 1856, was estimated at 150,000 lobsters.
The Barustable Patriot, for August 4, 1857, referring to the lobster trade of Salem, says:
" Mr. D. B. Davis, since March 1, last, has boiled at his establishment 320,000 lobsters, costing
$30 per thousand, at fishermen's prices. Other establishments in Salem are boiling large numbers."
SWAMPSCOTT, MASS. — According to the Gloucester Telegraph of October L!6, 1870, the trapping
of lobsters was first practiced at Swampscott by Ebenezer Thorndike, in 1S08.
LYNN, MASS. — The former abundance of lobsters a' out Lynn is noticed by Lewis and Newhall,
in their history of Lynn, in a note written by Mr. Wood in 1663, as follows: "The Bay which lyeth
before the Towne, at a lowe spring tyde, will be all flatts for two miles together ; upon which is
great store of Muscle Banckes, and Clam Banckes, and Lobsters amongst the rockes and grassie
holes."
THE ELIZABETH ISLANDS AND VINEYARD SOUND, MASS. — The following item refers to the
Elizabeth Islands region in 1807.* " The fishes are the same as those of the vicinity; I ut lobsters,
which are scarce at Martha's Vineyard, are caught in great abundance at all the Elizabeth Islands."
Mr. Frank M. Cottle, of West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, says that twenty years ago there
was but one vessel engaged in the lobster fishery on that part of the coast, while now there are a
dozen. Then the business was not regarded as of any value, and but few men entered it at all.
Within the past fifteen years, however, it has rapidly improved, and now there are some sixty
men or more in that vicinity who depend upon it almost wholly, during the season.
Mr. Vinal N. Edwards, of Wood's Holl, states that the lobster fishery began in that vicinity
as early as 1840.
RHODE ISLAND. — The lobster fishery in this State is of long standing, and is said to have
been begun by the early settlers, but we have not been able to obtain any details regarding its
growth. The number of lobstermen has greatly increased during the past twenty years, and they
now use, on an average, twice as many traps apiece as at that time.
CONNECTICUT. — The lobster interests of this State date back to the early part of the present
century, and certainly to before 1810. The lobster fishery within the waters of the State was never
very extensive, however, until comparatively recent times, but the Connecticut lobstermen have
long been active in the, pursuit of their vocation on the coast of Massachusetts, and especially
about Cape Cod, as already explained. The important lobster trade which existed for so many years
between Cape Cod and New York City, was largely due to their enterprise.
NEW YORK.— The following extract regarding the lobster industry of New York City, in 1853,
has come to our notice:
" The annual trade in lobsters and crabs amounts to about $8,000, four fifths of which is for
lobsters. Crabs are more generally used for bait than for eating, and there is only one stand that
drals in them to any extent. Lobsters come chiefly from Cape Cod and Massachusetts Bay; some
from New York Bay. Formerly lobster fishing was more extensively pursued by New York
fishermen, but it has turned out to be so unprofitable that it has been almost entirely abandoned.
An attempt was made some years ago to revive it, but it was given up as a losing speculation."
NE\V JERSEY. — According to the statements of the fishermen of Long Branch and Sea.
* Coll. Mass. Hist. Society, Vol. Ill, second series, page 79.
SEC. v, VOL. n 45
706 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Bright, the lobster fishery was extensively carried oil as early as 1860, the catch being sold to
carters for their local trade. The business gradually declined, however, until, in 1870, it was
almost wholly abandoned. About 1872 it began to revive, and it has continued to increase in
importance up to date.
THE PRESENT RELATIVE ABUNDANCE OF LOBSTERS AS COMPARED WITH THAT OF FORMER
YEARS, ACCORDING TO THE STATEMENTS OF FISHERMEN AND OTHERS.
EASTPORT, ME. — Mr. Thomas Ho-lines, who has been in the fresh lobster and canning busi-
ness for over ten years, is very firm in his conviction that lobsters are steadily decreasing in
abundance from year to year, and that stringent laws are required to protect the fishery. Many
more small lobsters are now brought in than formerly, and four times as many traps are required
to obtain the same catch. The decrease has been most marked in the several rivers of the
region and in the coves and bays that border them. Formerly a large part of the fishing was
done in the Pembroke and Calais Eivers, in the former river to within two miles of the town of
Pembroke and in the latter as far as Eobbiustou and Doshe's Island. These rivers were once
famous fishing grounds, but now very few lobsters are taken above their mouths. Broad Cove,
back of Eastport, was also a rich locality, though now yielding but a small quantity. The
lobsters from the Pembroke River averaged very large, and catches were often made in which
but few individuals weighed less than 4 or 5 pounds. Lobsters are more abundant this year
(1882) than they were in 1880 and 1881. Mr. Holmes roughly estimates the decrease for the
past ten years as about two-thirds. He is in favor of a more stringent law, prohibiting the taking
of any lobsters under 10J inches in length. This would for a time affect the interests of the
fishermen, who would be unable to dispose of their small lobsters to the canneries, but the fresh
lobster trade would not be disturbed, and the former abundance of large lobsters would in time
be restored. The canning interests would thereby be seriously interfered with, but no money is
now being made in the canning business at Eastport.
Mr. Frederick Holmes thinks there has been little or no decrease, though he admits that many
more fishermen in the vicinity are now supplying the markets. His practical experience dates
back but a few years.
Mr. William Martin is of the opinion that there has not been a very perceptible, if any,
decrease in the abundance of lobsters, though they now run smaller in size.
Mr. George R. Ray, from careful computations based upon the books of Messrs. Pike & Fabeu,
canners, estimates the average catch per boat in the vicinity of Eastport, for the season of 1879
(April 20 to August 1), at 3,939 pounds, the lobsters averaging one pound each. These are impor-
tant figures for future reference, but we have no data with respect to former years with which to
compare them.
MACHIAS, ME. — It may be said that Machias Bay is a very good fishing ground, the statements
of several persons warranting the belief that the average daily catch falls but little, if any, short
of two lobsters to a pot. A statement is made by Mr. O. S. Church, of Cutler, that one of the
boats fishing from that place in 1879 was paid by an Eastport firm for 6 tons of lobsters (about
11,000, by count), being the catch for one season.
JONESPORT, ME. — Lobsters are not abundant enough for the use of trawls, although Mr. G.
W. Smith claims that there has been no apparent decrease in abundance during the past ten years.
They do, however, run smaller now than formerly. The average season's catch per boat in 1880
was stated by one informant to be about 9,250 lobsters, and by another 10,000 lobsters.
GOULDSBORO', ME. — Mr. J. M. Williams states that lobsters are less abundant than for-
TIIK LOBSTER FISHERY. 707
merly. A large daily catch for one man now is 400 lobsters; twenty years ago it was SOO to
l,(t(t(t lobsters. The average daily stock at present is said to be about 200 lobsters.
OCEANYILLE, DEER ISLE, ME. — " Lobsters arc very small, scarce, and high. This season
will finish them. Three years at (he most will close up every lobster factory in the State, if
something is not done to protect them. The State law amounts to no protection whatever.'1*
SWAN'S ISLAND, CASTINE, ME.— In 1855 they used to obtain 200 to 250 lobsters daily from
forty pots, the smack-lobsters averaging 3 to 3£ pounds each. In 1879 the average catch to forty
pots was 75 lobsters, the smack-lobsters averaging 2 pounds each.
ROCKPORT, ME. — (Japt. John D. Piper states that lobsters are very much less abundant than
formerly.
IN'ORTH HAVEN, ME. — Mr. N. D. Wooster considers that 400 pounds of lobsters is a large
daily catch for one man now, while twenty years ago, with the same amount of gear, he could
obtain as many as 1,500 pounds in a day.
MUSCLE RIDGES, ME. — Captain Davis, of South Saint George, states that about 1864, when
lie began buying lobsters at the Muscle Ridges, three men, tending forty to fifty pots each, caught
all the count lobsters he could carry to market in his smack. He averaged a trip in .seven to nine
days, carrying about 5,000 lobsters in number each trip. These three men would catch lobsters
as fast as he could market them, and this state of affairs continued for six or seven years, the lob-
sters during this time averaging about 21 pounds each, or a trifle more. At present (1879) Captain
Davis takes lobsters in the same locality regularly from fifteen men, tending sixty pots each, and
at times has to buy of others in order to make up a load. The lobsters carried by him now average
about 2 pounds each.
BOOTHBAY, ME. — The growth of the lobster fishery and the decrease of lobsters in this locality
have been discussed above in the historical sketch. The summer lobster fishery of this region is
now of comparatively little importance. In some places, as in Boothbay Harbor, a few men con-
tinue to catch lobsters through the summer. The greater part of the fishermen, however, stop
lobstering in May, or perhaps earlier.
BATH. ME. — Mr. R. E. Earll reports, upon the authority of numerous persons, that, notwith-
standing the increased amount of gear at present used by the fishermen, and the additional risks
and hardships to which they are subjected, they now find the business far from remunerative; but
as most of them have their gear, and can fit out with little expense, they are induced to engage in
this fishery during the winter season, as it offers, in many places, the only chance of making a
living. At present $75 is considered a fair average profit to a man for the winter season, Novem-
ber to April.
WESTPORT POINT, ME. — Mr. Giles R. Gifford says that lobsters are less abundant now than
they were in former years.
GEORGETOWN, ME. — One correspondent stated that he had hauled fifty pots for ten lobsters,
and thinks one to a trap is a fair average at present, of all sizes. He spent the entire time from
September, 1878, to May, 1879, fishing sixty pots, and made only 8160, which is, however, much
better than most fishermen do in this region.
SMALL POINT, ME. — Lobsters have grown very scarce during late years, and a large share
of those taken are unfit for market. The fishery is now carried on by only a few men.
PORTLAND, ME. — Mr. A. L. Johnson writes: "A good catch per day to a man tending fifty
pots would number one hundred lobsters ; twenty years ago it would have reached four hundred."
Report of Boston Fi^h l!niv;ni. Monil:^ . Ma\ 8, L€
708 HISTOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
J. Marston & Sons state that, "A large catch per trap now is five lobsters; twenty years ago
it was twenty lobsters."
The information obtained by Mr. B. E. Earll, in 1880, lead to the following conclusions: A
fair average catch to a pot per day is one marketable anil three small lobsters. Formerly the
catch was much larger; twenty to twenty-five years ago the average was about seven lobsters to
a pot, averaging in weight from 4 to G pounds each. A fair average weight now for marketable
lobsters is about 2 pounds.
BIDDEFORD POOL, ME. — The opinion is universal among the lobstermen of this region that
lobsters have greatly decreased in abundance and size during the present generation. It is
probable that lobsters were among the products of the early fisheries at this place, which began
in the first part of the seventeenth century; but as a distinct and separate industry, the lobster
fishery is said to date back only about thirty years. "At that time," according to Mr. D. B. Le
Gallee, of Biddeford Pool, " there were only two or three men, with about thirty traps each, fishing
during the summer to supply the local trade, and tending their traps twice weekly. This fishery
continued until about eight years ago, never employing more than eight or ten men at a time, the
same men engaging in the trawl line fishery in the winter. But lobsters became scarce near shore
and the men were induced to begin a winter fishery. There have been, since then, as many as
thirty men and five smacks, of about 20 tons each, engaged in the winter fishery, and forty men
with two thousand traps, in the summer fishery." With reference to the injurious effects result-
ing from the right to sell small lobsters, Mr. Le Gallee justly remarks: "There is no factory
located at this place, but smacks come here in the summer to supply the factories farther north.
They pay on an average 1J cents each for lobsters, which five or six months later would bring
from 4 to 7 cents each, thereby causing much injury to the fishermen. Likewise, the months when
the law is not in force are the only ones when soft lobsters are caught in abundance, and at these
times the small lobsters are also the most plentiful. Thereby the destruction of the lobster is
greatly furthered by the existing laws."
The average daily catch per trap at present is said to be about two lobsters, which is considered
to be one-third the average catch of twenty years ago. As to the decrease in size, it is said that
in 1876, only sixty-five lobsters, on an average, were required to fill a barrel, while now eighty are
necessary. Fifty dollars per month is regarded as fair earnings for a lobster fisherman.
WELLS, ME. — Lobsters have not Iteen abundant in this locality for several years past.
YORK, ME. — The catch has greatly fallen oif in late years, and lobsters have also become
reduced in size.
NEW HAMPSHIRE. — Mr. Eichard Fowler, of Seabrook, states that lobsters are now small and
scarce. Mr. A. C. Locke, of Eye, writes as follows : " A large catch now would be one hundred
lobsters to a haul ; twenty years ago it was two hundred to a haul. The decrease during the
past twenty years has been one half."
" The catch of lobsters thus far in New Hampshire has been only about two-thirds that of last
season at the same time. The scarcity of lobsters puzzles the oldest fishermen and seems to be
wholly unaccountable."*
GLOUCESTER, MASS. — In former times the fishermen made as high as $500 in a season, but
now their season's stock seldom exceeds $200. Nearly all the fishermen consulted in the Glouces-
ter district claim that there has been a marked decrease in the abundance of lobsters during the
past twenty years, amounting in the estimation of some, to about 75 per cent. Capt. Epes W.
* Cape Ann Advertiser, June 23, 1871.
i.or.sTKi; risiiKRY. 709
Merchant states that " in ISIS a man could wade on" at low water, at Bass Hocks, Cape Ann,
and cntch any quantity of lobsters with a common gafl'."
Capt. S. J. Martin says: '-One man now, with fifty pots, won't catch over one hundred large
lobsters a day; twenty years ago, with fifty pots, he would catch four hundred lobsters.
Mr. D. N. Mahlman is of the. opinion that "a large catch for a man now per day would not be
over twenty-live lobsters. Twenty years ago it was one hundred."
MAKBLEHEAD, MASS. — Many of the lobster fishermen affirm that lobsters have greatly
decreased in abundance during the past few years.
BOSTON, 51 ASS. — The fishermen all report a considerable decrease in the abundance and size
of lobsters, which they say has been going on steadily from year to year. The cause assigned is
overfishing.
Mr. James A. Yonng says: "For one man, with eighty traps, a large catch now would be
three hundred lobsters daily. One man twenty years ago, with thirty traps, would catch the
same number, but twice the weight."
Mr. J. W. Marstou states : " Present catch, one hundred and seventy-five lobsters of market-
able size. Twenty years ago, with the same number of traps, the catch would probably have been
double."
According to Mr. G. L. Sampson, of Point Shirley, "one hundred a day of marketable size
would be a large catch for a man, while twenty years ago only seventy-five of marketable size
would be taken ; but we set more pots now than then."
Mr. Charles E. Gove, of Nahaut, states that "fewer lobsters are caught about here now than
was ever known before."
SCITUATE, MASS. — According to Mr. William Bates, the present catch is about two hundred
a day; twenty years ago it was four hundred.
PLYMOUTH, MASS. — "A writer in the Boston Transcript says that ' the strange changes in
the amount of yearly production of lobsters is very puzzling to fishermen. In Plymouth Bay
they used to find good-sized lobsters very plenty, while now the production both inside and upon
the coast is very much diminished, both in size and numbers. They attribute it partly to the
raking of the rocky bottom for Irish moss, which is now carried on to a great extent. By this
means the young lobsters are uncovered and often destroyed, as they need the refuge of the moss
both for growth and safety.'"*
Information from the fishermen corroborate the above statement, the lobster fishery at one
time having been very extensive.
BARNSTABLE DISTRICT, MASS. — This district, including all of Cape Cod as far south as Fal-
mouth and Wood's Holl, was at one time the most important one upon our coast as regards the
lobster fishery, but now it is among the least productive. The history and decline of this
fishery, especially about l'rovineeto\\ n, has been quite fully treated of in the foregoing historical
sketch and in the coast review, but we present below a few additional statements from fishermen
and dealers.
PEOYINOETOWW, MASS. — Captain Bow ley writes as follows : "For many years lobsters were
very plentiful about Provincetown, and men could anchor in the harbor and catch three hundred
or four hundred a day. Thousands were let out of the cars because they would not bring a cent
apiece. ;N"ow (1S70) -seventy or eighty pots can be hauled without obtaining more than eight or
ten lobsters daily. The lobster fishermen cannot gain a livelihood by selling their catch at 7
cents apiece."
'Forest and Stream, vol. iv, 1875.
710 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
NORTH TRURO, MASS. — " It is unusual to get forty lobsters in a day (forty-five traps), but
fifteen are often taken."
YARMOUTH PORT, MASS. — Mr. Benjamin Lovell states that ''twenty years ago, with half the
number of pots, you could catch 5,000 in a week. This season (1880) only about 5,000 have been
caught in all."
WOOD'S HOLL, MASS. — According to Mr. V. N". Edwards, "we use teii times as many pots
now as formerly, and do not catch as many lobsters."
EDGARTOWN DISTRICT, MASS. — A full account of the history of lobster fishing in this
district is given in the Coast Review, further on. The principal lobster grounds are in Vineyard
Sound, and off Gay Head, No Man's Laud, and Cuttyhunk. The fishery began in the vicinity of
Gay Head about 1SCO, but has attained its present proportions only within a few years. It is an
interesting fact that, within this period, lobsters have steadily decreased in size and abundance in
the upper part of Vineyard Sound, while there has been a proportionate increase in numbers, and
the size has remained constant farther out. This apparent change is evidently due to the more
recent development of the outer fishery, as the inner grounds became depleted.*
Mr. F. M. Cottle, of West Tisbury, writes that " the catch is now less, because of the lOi-iuch
law. There would be no difference, providing the same traps were used without restriction."
Mr. D. Vincent, of Chilinark, states : " We probably catch about two-thirds as many as wheu
we first began."
NEW BEDFORD, MASS.— Mr. A. G. Mayhew says that ;' the catch is now less than formerly.
Twenty years ago a man would average four hundred lobsters a day ; now the average is two
hundred a day."
RHODE ISLAND. — Mr. Christian Francis, an intelligent lobster fisherman of Narragansett
Bay, states that the season of 1880 was the best he ever experienced in the lobster fishery,
although the seasons of 1878 and 1879 were not far behind in the extent of the catch. This
increased production resulted from the use of a greater number of pots, as Mr. Francis affirms
that there has been a marked decrease in the abundance of lobsters during the past six years.
The testimony of many other fishermen was to the same effect, but very few thought that relief
could be gained by the enactment of protective laws. At this same period (1880), when the
inquiries regarding the lobster industry were being made, the fishermen complained that their
fishery was being destroyed by the visits of fishermen from other States, who set more pots than
they did, and covered the most of their ground. Since then stringent laws have been passed by
the legislature of the State, forbidding the capture of lobsters in the public waters belonging to
the State, by fishermen of other States, and also prohibiting the capture and sale of lobsters
under 10 inches in length.
Mr. J. M. K. South wick, of Newport, states that there is no doubt but fewer lobsters are taken
to a pot now than formerly. He based his conclusions on the statements of many fishermen
of the vicinity.
Dr. Horatio R. Storer, of Newport, has written as follows : " My neighbors here (I live in the
midst of the fishermen) are exercised because crews come here from other States, and remain for
months at a time, in the spring for lobsters and in the winter for cod, and they think that the
lobsters are rapidly decreasing, perhaps, in part, from their own stupidity, for they often break to
pieces the small ones to prevent their entering the pots and stealing the bait."
CONNECTICUT. — Most of the lob stermen of Connecticut agree that there has been a decrease
in the abundance of lobsters during the past few years, and that the greatly increased catch has
been realized only through the use of a much greater number of pots, the number of fishermen
* For more recent information respecting this region see page 698.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 711
having also increased al the same lime. The decrease is variously stated to have amounted to
from one-third to one-half within the past live years. The majority of the fishermen are, however,
opposed to the law limiting the fishery. One section of the law, that prohibiting the capture and
sale of lobsters with spawn from the 1st to the 15th of July, is especially ridiculed by the tisher-
inen, who claim that during that period not one lobster in a thousand will be found with spawn.
STONINGTON, CONN. — Mr. Franklin Noyes writes : " Present catcli per man about 50 pounds a
day ; twenty years ago, about -00 pounds a day."
NOANK, CONN. — Mr. J. H. Latham states: " I think more are now carried to market than ten
years ago, but there are ten pots now where there was but one ten years ago." Another corre-
spondent at the same place states that the average daily catch is now about 500 lobsters against
150 twenty years ago ; but the gear is much better now.
NEW LONDON, CONN. — Mr. George P. Harris states that lobsters have decreased about one-
third.
SOUTH NOR WALK, CONN. — Mr. Francis Burritt says sixty pots should catch 100 lobsters now;
five years ago, 200 would be taken.
NEW HAVEN, CONN. — Mr. William Fuller writes : " It would be hard to tell what was a large
catch twenty years ago, for they were so abundant ; but now 300 pounds a day is a good catch for
one man. Sometimes a string of a dozen or twenty pots will be hauled and not get half a dozen
marketable lobsters ; perhaps the nest day there may be from fifty to one hundred."
Mr. H. S. Merwiu, of Merwin's Point, states that twenty years ago the catch was much larger
than now.
NEW YOKK. — According to Mr. Eugene G. Blackford, of Fulton market, lobsters were once
abundant in New York Bay and Hell Gate, but now they are virtually extinct. The causes are
stated to have been both overfishiug and the pollution of the waters by neighboring factories.
NEW JERSEY. — From this State there is a reported decrease in size, but lobsters are sup-
posed to be nearly as abundant there now as formerly. The fishery, however, is of slight impor-
tance.
THE BRITISH COAST PROVINCES. — Although the lobster fishery of Nova Scotia, as a regular
industry, is of more recent origin than that of New England, there had already been, prior to
1880, numerous complaints of a falling off in the supply. According to some writers the decrease
was so nirirked as to seriously threaten the interests of the canneries, and the matter was taken in
hand by the Dominion commissioner of fisheries. In 1879 a law was enacted imposing a close
time from August of that year to April, 1880. We have received some correspondence respecting
the abundance of lobsters on the coast of Nova Scotia, but as it refers to only a few localities, it
seems best not to include it here.
In New Brunswick and Newfoundland, the same subject has been under discussion during the
past two or three years, with a view of ascertaining the best means of preventing any injury to
this industry by overfishiug, and great interest has been displayed in the matter by both legislators
and fishermen.
THE DECREASE OF LOBSTERS ON THE COAST OF EUROPE.
NORWAY ; EEPORT BY AXEL BOECK. — In a very interesting paper on the Norwegian lobster
fishery and its history, by Axel Boeck, published in 1868 and 1869,* that author gives a detailed
account of its gradual growth from earliest times, of the early recognized decrease of supplies,
* Om det norske Hnmmerfiske og clets Historic of Axel Boeck ; in Tidsskrift for Fiskeri, 3 die Aargangs, Kjohen-
havn, pp. 28-43, 1868, pp. 14!>-189, 1869.
712 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
aiid of the important measures taken to protect this important food product. Every part of this
lengthy historical sketch contains facts worthy of consideration in connection with our own
fishery, but want of space forbids our reproducing here more than that portion bearing upon the
period from 1820 to the date of publication of the report. This, however, is the part of most
value for our consideration, as it contains conclusive evidence of the possible decrease in the
abundance of lobsters, which many of our fishermen have been led to deny, and also discusses the
probable causes of such decrease, and the eifects of legislation in preventing it and in renewing
the supply.
Professor Boeck's report is as follows :
"The number of lobsters exported in 1821 and 1822 amounted to over a million a year, and
increased still more during the following years, although it was not so large in 1823 and 1824, on
account of the unfavorable weather. From 1825 to 1830 the average number of lobsters exported
annually was 1,268,000, and in 1827 and 1828 the highest number was reached, viz., 1,500,000.
These large numbers, however, were caused not so much by the fisheries being just as productive,
or more so, in the old lobster stations, but by the circumstance that new English companies, seeing
the great profit to be derived from this trade, commenced to export lobsters from places from
which they had never been exported before. Thus, lobsters began to be exported in 1828 from
the district of Tonsberg, and from Sondmor in 1826, and during the two following years from
Molde and Ghristianssund. The exports from Stavanger and Egernsund meanwhile decreased
very much, having been reduced to 67,000 per annum in the latter place in 1827, when the exports
from the whole of Norway amounted to 1,429,703. After 1830 the exports began to decrease even
in the new districts, so that the annual average quantity of lobsters exported during the five
years 1831-'35 was only 640,000. The only places that kept the lobster trade alive were the new
districts, while all the old ones decreased rapidly, some of them to such a degree that according
to the governors' reports the lobster trade must be considered almost extinct in 1835.
" When the attention of the fishermen was directed to this decrease of the lobsters in the old
districts, people began to be afraid that the poor fishermen would entirely lose this means of
earning a living; and it was supposed that the decrease was chiefly due to the fisheries being
carried on during the spawning season of the lobster. In 1830 Mr. T. Lundsgaard, member of the
Storthing (Norwegian Parliament), therefore made the motion to pass a law forbidding the catch-
ing or exporting of lobsters from June 15 to October 1. The committee which had this matter
in charge proposed that the motion should be laid on the table, because Mr. Lundsgaard had not
produced any information which might enable the committee to judge with certainty to what
extent this dreaded decrease of the fisheries really existed, and whether the evil could be remedied
by the measures that were proposed. The committee likewise thought that such a measure would
be too great an encroachment on the rights of many places on the coast, taking away from these
regions their only source of income. The Government, however, thought that the matter was of
great importance; and as the report of the committee showed that only want of information had
prevented any action being taken, it requested those districts in which the lobster fisheries were
carried on. to have the matter examined by the local officers and other competent men, and to send
in a report stating whether it would be useful to pass a law on the subject; and, if so, to state the
objections to Mr. Luudsgaard's proposition. All the reports which reached the Government in
answer to this request agreed that the lobsters had decreased in size, but some supposed that the
great masses of spring herring coming near the coast might have had an influence on it, or that
this decrease in the size of the lobsters might be caused by their young ones, being disturbed by
the cutting of seaweeds for manure ; others advised not to pass any law against exporting lobsters
TDE LOBSTER FISHERY. 713
from June 15 to October 1, fearing that the exports ID ICnglaud might theieby be hindered, as
the companies would naturally not consider the loiister tr.iilc profitable unless it was steady; and
the fishermen would lose their income during the lime when exportation was forbidden, or they
would evade the law, continuing to fish and keeping the lobsters till exportation was ag.iin permit-
ted. Others again raised objections based on their knowledge of the natural history of the lobster,
considering it doubtful whether the lobster spawned and shed its shell during the time indicated,
and even if it were the case, that the time was too long. Reports from other districts, such as
Stavanger, said that such a law was unnecessary, as no fishing was, anyway, going on during that
time. These objections to such a protective law could not have much influence, especially those
founded on the natural history of the lobster, for they could not be proved. But even the fear
of an entire stoppage of the lobster trade would be causeless, as such an event would be much
more injurious to England, whose inhabitants had accustomed themselves to this luxury, than to
Xorway, which received but little money for her lobsters. From other sides it was said, in favor of
the law, that such a protection would be useful, as the lobster very easily dies during the season
when it spawns and sheds it shell, although this season is not the same everywhere. Those who
might suffer from limiting the fishing season would be fully compensated for this, by the greater
number of lobsters that would be taken during the season when fishing was permitted; and the
fishermen should, at any rate, during summer devote their attention more to working their small
farms and to the herring fisheries. The Government found that the whole matter was not yet
sufficiently clear to say with certainty whether such a prohibition of lobster fishing during the
season when the lobster spawns and sheds its shell, would prove generally useful. The districts
where lobster fishing was carried on were, therefore, requested to have those fisheries thoroughly
examined for several years by competent men, and then again send in reports as to whether such
a prohibition would be useful. It was likewise requested that an opinion should be given regard-
ing a proposition made by some people in the district of Nedernees and JRaabygdelagen, to divide
the coast into small districts, where lobster fishing should be alternately protected, so that if a
district had enjoyed the privilege of fishing for three years, fishing should there be forbidden
during the three following years. The reports coming in, in answer to this request, contained a
very extensive prohibitory law. recommended by the above-mentioned district, .suggesting that
fishing should be prohibited from March 1 to October 1, and advising that no lobsters measuring
less' than 8 inches should be caught; the length of time when fishing was to be prohibited should
be three years in each district. Another district only wanted to have fishing prohibited from July
1 to November 1, but was not in favor of alternating the time between the districts. The Stavanger
district reported that as fishing was going on there only in April, May, and June, no law would be
required, and none would be desirable, especially if it were to forbid fishing during the mouth of
June, when the weather was favorable and the fishermen had most time for it. The lobster did
not spawn on that coast till August and September. It was also thought that the number of lob-
sters had not diminished, but that they now staid deeper in the water, finding enough food in
the roe left by the herrings; alternating protection was not thought advisable. The report from
the South Bergen district was essentially the same, and the Eomsdal report said that lobsters
were only caught from the end of May till the end of July. As there were, moreover, many dif-
ferent opinions regarding the time when the lobster spawns and sheds its shell, the Government
resolved to get the opinion of scientists on this point, and requested Professor Kathke, Prof. C.
Boeck, and Professor Sars (at that time a clergyman) to make a report on the nature of the lobster.
Professor Eathke in his report said that, in his opinion, the pairing season of the lobster was over
before midsummer, and that the shedding of the shell took place later, but he thought at the same
714 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
time that the mass of lobsters that came near the coast during tlic spawning season was so large
that the comparatively inconsiderable number that were caught would scarcely be noticed. He also
thought that it would be so difficult to enforce the law, that it would be more injurious than useful.
Professor Sars thought that a thorough investigation of the spawning process of the lobster would
be the only safe basis of any law ; but this process was still very much enveloped in obscurity.
He supposed, however, that fishing could be carried on till the eggs came out of the ovary, and
were fastened under the tail, which took place in June, and fishing should consequently be prohib-
ited from June 1 till September 15. He did not think that the number of lobsters had decreased,
but that it only seemed so, because nowadays more people were engaged in fishing, and fewer
lobsters consequently fell to the share of each fisherman. He thought, however, that the lobsters
had diminished in size. In a later report he expressed his opinion that lobster fishing should be
prohibited from June till the middle of September. Prof. C. Boeck gave in his report, in the first
place, a description of the lobster's mode of life, and a criticism of the reports on the condition of
the lobster fisheries, sent by the governor. He showed from statistics that a decrease in the num-
ber of lobsters was both possible and probable, on account of the increased fisheries during the
past years. The lobster is a coast animal, and only stays where it can easily get a sufficient sup-
ply of food, therefore near the coast, and only as far from it as sea-weeds are found, among which
it finds the animals that constitute its food. Even if it wanders about, it does not go far, moving
in winter into a greater depth, and during summer into the shallow water near the coast. It
then swims about on the surface of the water, but never goes very far, its structure not being
adapted for longer journeys. The fact of the matter is, therefore, that a certain number of lobsters
belong to a certain extent of coast, which, by propagating freely, may increase if they have suffi-
cient food, or decrease from a natural mortality or too much fishing; and in this latter case, the
losses cannot easily be made up by lobsters coming in from the adjoining districts. There can,
consequently, be no doubt that the lobster can, on a given stretch of coast, be exterminated by
continued persecutions, or its number, at least, be diminished to such a degree as to make lobster
fishing unprofitable. Such an event would occur all the sooner if the coast in question be not
favorable to its increase. From the reports which had come in, it seemed that certain places were
less favorable to their propagation, or possible immigration from adjoining districts, than
others, and from such districts the complaints concerning the decrease in the number of lobsters
had come. In other places the bottom of the sea along the coast was a convenient place of sojourn
for the lobsters, and the number caught was but a small part of those that lived and were born
there. In such places the fisheries would be productive and steady. But even there continued
exhaustive fishing would diminish their number, especially if there should be an unfavorable year
for the growth and development of the lobster. Prof. C. Boeck considered it, therefore, not only
desirable, bat even necessary for the even maintenance of the fisheries, that there should be certain
limitations, so that lobsters should not be caught to such a degree as to make an entire stoppage
of the fisheries for a period of time necessary. He believed that the proposed law, in obedience to
which lobsters should only be caught at certain seasons of the year, would not fully answer the
purpose, especially as no fishing was going on during the proposed time of prohibition in those
districts from which there were the loudest complaints of the decrease of the lobsters. He thought,
on the other hand, that a law prescribing that only lobsters of a given minimum size should be
exported and sold, would keep the fisheries in an even condition. Regarding the size of the lob-
sters that were to be offered for sale, sold, and exported, he thought that, even if it could not be
definitely settled at what age and what size a lobster was capable of spawning, it could, to some
extent, be ascertained from an analogical comparison with the river crawfish. This is supposed to
Till'] LonsTKi; I'isiii'i.'Y. 715
In- fully developed sexually in its third year, when it is i inches long, but it may attain an age of
twenty years and a length of (i inches, lie, therefore, supposed that the lobster becomes capable
of spawning when it is three years old and has reached a length of about 8 inches, while lobsters
measuring less are seldom found to have any roe. In order, therefore, that the lobster before
being caught may not only reach the si/,e when it may be considered fully grown, but, might also
be supposed to have contributed something toward the propagation of the species, a minimum size
of a little more than S inches should be agreed upon, for lobsters which might be caught aud
exported. Possibly S inches might be sufficient, as the Kn^lish generally do not buy any from the
fishermen which do not have this si/.e.
"In consequence of this report, the ministry petitioned His Majesty to recommend to the next,
Storthing the passage of a law forbidding the offer fur sale and the sale of lobsters that did not
measure 8 inches in length, inclusive of the head and tail.
"The following royal proposition for a law limiting lobster fishing was thereupon published
November 5. 1838:
" ' We, Carl Johau, &c., make known, &c. :
" '§ 1. That it shall be forbidden in this kingdom to offer for sale or sell lobsters which do not
have a minimum length of 8 inches, inclusive of the head and tail. For every lobster offered for
sale or sold which shall not have this length, a fine of '2-1 cents shall be paid, half of which shall
go to the police or custom-house officer, or any other person denouncing the offender, aud the other
half to the poor. All cases of this kind are to be brought before the police courts.
" ' § 2. Lobsters which do not have the above-mentioned length, shall not be exported.'
"The Storthing committee which had to consider this matter hesitated to recommend to the
Storthing the passage of this law, basing their objections on several reports from the lobster dis-
tricts and on Professor Eathke's report. Their chief objection, however, was that the fishermen
would consider such a law as limiting their liberty, and, not being able to understand its utility,
would thereby only be encouraged to follow the dictates of selfishness and transgress the law.
It was, moreover, thought that it would be difficult to exercise any sufficient control, and that the
trade would be injured thereby. The law was therefore not passed. This was the fourth time that
a moderate proposition had been made to protect the lobster in order to avoid the total ruin of the
fisheries. In the first proposal, by Judge Loin, it had been suggested that the lobster should be
protected at certain seasons of the year, when it spawns or sheds its shell, and likewise that
those lobsters should be protected that had not reached a certain length. In the stcond, by Mr.
Gjertseu, only a certain annual season of protection was suggested; as was also done in the third,
by Mr. Lundsgaard. The fourth, or Government proposal, only suggested that lobsters below a
certain size should not be caught.
" It was not long before there were again numerous complaints of the decrease in the number
of lobsters, which, according to the testimony of impartial men, was owing to lobsters being caught
at a time when they spawn and shed their shell. Before anything further was done in the matter,
a fishery commission that had been appointed made a proposal regarding the lobster fisheries
which must be mentioned here. In 1840 the Government appointed a commission to revise the,
fishery laws. The following were members of this commission : Judge Landmark, Consul Meltzer,
Messrs. Tangeu and Moses, merchants, Kev. (now Professor) Sars, aud Chief Pilot Mousen. One
passage of the law proposed by this commission reads as follows: 'On their own property, as
far as 10 fathoms from the coast at low water, the owners shall have the exclusive privilege to
catch all small fish, lobsters, and oysters, but any one may catch lobsters outside of unimproved
laud bounding the sea without regard to the distance from the coast.'
716 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
"In this proposition, which, however, never became a law, the old idea is revived that the
lobster fisheries, properly speaking, belong to the land-owners, which, in spite of the decree of
1728, had formed the subject of discussion all through the last century. Even if this proposition
had become a law, it would not have exercised any great influence on the lobster fisheries, which
are almost exclusively carried on along unimproved coasts which cau scarcely ever be subjected
to cultivation. No new law regarding the protection of lobsters was introduced in the next
Storthing, but in 1845, when the Storthing had assembled, the department of finance and customs
received a letter from the agent of the English lobster company in Stavanger, that another English
company intended to continue the lobster fisheries, which, iu that district, usually cease toward
the end of June, during July, August, and September, hoping thereby to gain over the lobster
fisheries, and thus to destroy the trade of the other company. As this agent was afraid that
fishing during tbose months would ruin the lobster fisheries iu this district for several years to
come, he urged the department to introduce the royal proposition of a law in the Storthing, for-
bidding lobster fishing from June 15 to October 15. The department requested the governor to
give his opinion on the subject. He stated, as he had done on a former occasion, that such a law
would be unnecessary, as the lobster is not fit to eat during those summer months, and none could
therefore be exported. During this and the following years lobsters were, nevertheless, caught
and exported during those months, as the two companies vied with each other, each endeavoring
to secure the trade. The price of lobsters rose considerably, and all those that were caught were
bought up, even during the season when they spawn and shed their shell, although every one saw
what injury was being done, and although the mortality among the lobsters was great, and the
consequent loss considerable. All this soon bore its fruit, but few lobsters being caught in
1847 in those places where in 1845 fishing had been going on till the end of August, while the fish-
eries were productive in those places where they had ceased in July. All were now agreed that
it was injurious to catch lobsters during the season of the year when they spawn and shed their
shell, which, in the districts in question, was supposed to take place in August and September,
and it became evident that such continued fishing would in a short time drive the lobsters
entirely from the coast. To prevent such a misfortune the governor at last resolved to request
the department to issue a provisional regulation, forbidding lobster fishing during the months
of August and September. The department, however, again considered it necessary to get
reports from the lobster districts and from the agents of the English lobster companies. Some
of these reports declared that lobster fishing should be forbidden from the middle of July till the
middle of October; others that there should be no fishing during August and September. The
agent of an English lobster company in Jarlsberg and Laurvig, however, advised against any pro-
hibition of the lobster fisheries, saying that such a prohibition during the summer months would
cause the English lobster companies to stop this trade, ice hindering the fisheries in winter
and spring, and storms those in the latter part of autumn, so that the fisheries commenced gradu-
ally in May and lasted till the end of September. They are most productive iu July, August, and
September. The decrease of the lobster fisheries he ascribed not to the summer fisheries, which were
said to diminish the number of lobsters, but to the circumstance that the people of the district devote
their attention more to the profitable mackerel fisheries. The governor was of the same opinion.
A totally different opinion, however, was entertained by other competent and trustworthy persons in
Laurvig and the neighborhood, who, from information obtained by the lobster fishers of that district,
judged that such a prohibition of fishing from the middle of July till the middle or end of September
would have a favorable influence on the preservation of the lobsters. The governor of the Lister
and Mandal districts showed in his report, by examples from the years of war, that the more the lob-
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 717
stcrs are protected the more will they increase in number; and their decrease since 1830 was
almost unanimously ascribed to the summer fisheries, which are going on at a time when the
lobsters spawn, although the spawning does not occur at the same time in everyplace. Such
a prohibitory law would therefore be of great importance for the lobster-fisheries. It was true
that, on the other hand, the trade, would be somewhat inconvenienced by such a law, the prices
\v<mld Call, and it would be necessary to modify the time when fishing should be prohibited, according
to different local circumstances. The reports that came in from the other districts likewise
favored the prohibition of fishing during the mouths of July, August, and September, some even
advising an extension of this time from May till October. Another agent of an English lobster
company, however, warned against any interference by law with this trade, particularly on account
of the fishermen, who would not be able to earn their living during a great part of the year. The
decrease of the fisheries was, in his opinion, chiefly caused by the fact that fewer men were
employed in them, the increase of navigation and the rich herring and mackerel fisheries employing
so many men. He supposed, moreover, that a law prohibiting the catching of lobsters during
a certain period would not prove beneficial to the lobster trade, but that an undoubtedly more
•
productive fishery during the months when fishing would be allowed would have a very injurious
effect on the market. The Bergen Board of Trade were of opinion that such a prohibition, if it
did not extend to the months of May, June, and July, would not disturb the fisheries in the Bergen
district, which are chiefly carried on during these months, but that it would not be advisible to
forbid fishing during these months. If it was absolutely necessary to pass some law for the pres-
ervation of the lobster, they would advise the Government to take up the old proposition not to
catch and sell lobsters measuring less than 8 inches. The governor of the North Bergen district
considered it desirable that the lobsters should be protected from the middle of July till the middle
of September. In Romsdal, however, no prohibition was desired between June 15 and September
15, since fishing was going on during this very period. As so many different opinions had come
from the different parts of the country, and as it seemed desirable to hear the opinion of several
naturalists, Professor Rasch was requested by the Government to prepare a law for the preser-
vation of the lobster, giving the full reasons for such a law. In his report to the department he
first of all gave his view regarding the pairing season, and then regarding the time which elapses
between the pairing and the emission of the eggs from the ovary. He found that the pairing-
season of the lobster extended over a long period of time, viz, from the time it first sheds its shell
in September till April or May, but that the embryo does not develop till the heat of summer sets
in, no matter whether the spawning has taken place in autumn, winter, or spring. Most of them
have their eggs hatched in July and August, and the young lobsters leave their mother from the
middle of August to the middle of September.
" He had found, moreover, that the lobster was capable of propagating before it had reached
a length of 8 inches. He would therefore propose —
" SEC. 1. His Majesty may take measures for protecting the lobsters during a continuous
period of two to three months annually in every district of the Kingdom, at the request of the
respective governors.
" SEC. 2. The season of protection shall in every case embrace the whole month of August.
" SEC. 3. The protection may extend both to males and females, or only to the latter.
" SEC. 4. Whoever catches lobsters, or offers them for sale, during the close season, in the dis-
trict or districts where there is such a law, shall pay a fine of 24 cents for every lobster which is
caught or offered for sale contrary to the law.
" SEC. 5. In the district or districts where the protection extends only to the female lobsters,
718 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
a fine of 24 cents apiece shall be paid by every one who, during the season of protection, allows
female lobsters to be caught and offered for sale, or in any way trades in such.
" SEC. 6. The same fine shall be imposed on lobster dealers or their agents if they receive and
ship lobsters caught during the close season, in accordance with the law in force in the district in
which the lobster station is located.
" SEC. 7. The sums realized by these lines go half to the person who denounces the trans-
gressor, and the other half to the poor fund of the respective district. All such cases must be
brought before the police court.
" Professor Rasch has given his reasons for the provisions of the above law as follows :
" 'Although there are frequent complaints that general game and fishing laws are not suited to
all the districts of this large country, where the different degrees of latitude and local circum-
stances produce great differences with regard to the pairing season, the periodical arrival, &c., of
the same races of animals, he had in most cases found fewer differences than one in gene.ral might
be led to suppose. He proposed section 1, so that every district should have the season of protec-
tion best suited to its circumstances.'
" Regarding section 2 ho says :
" ' As in his opinion it seemed sufficiently proved that the most prolific hatching season occurs
in the mouth of August, even in the most northerly portions of the country where lobster fishing
is carried on, he thought that, in all cases, this month should be included in the season of pro-
tection.'
" Regarding section 3, he thought that the strictness of the protection might be relaxed a
little in those districts where the summer fisheries, on account of peculiar circumstances, cannot
be entirely stopped without immediate loss to the poor coast population. He thought, moreover,
that by protecting only the female lobsters, the purpose of the law with regard to the preservation
of the species will be just as fully answered as by protecting both sexes during the same period of
time. The objection may be raised that it will be difficult to distinguish between a female with-
out outside roe and a male ; but the difference of sex is so great that a fisherman may be able
to tell it at the first glance. Xor would he only protect those lobsters which have outside roe, as
this may easily be scraped off. Irregularities of the normal sexual relations will be of very little
importance, as most of the females which have been protected will be caught by the fishermen
when the season of protection is over, as they go but a short distance from I he place where they
stay. The objection made to the law, that it would force the fishermen to return the products of
the sea to it, he considers to be of great importance, but he hoped that they would see what a
great risk they ran by unlawful fishing, and be convinced that protection will in the long run
benefit their trade.
" From the above it will be seen that, with the exception of the governors of Jarlsberg and
Laurvig, and two of the lobster-agents, all local authorities and competent men were in favor of
the opinion that the decrease in the number of lobsters noticed during the last few years, had
been caused by too extensive fishing during that part of summer when the lobster spawns, and
had considered a law prohibiting lobster fishing during a certain period of summer and autumn
as the only effective means of protecting this important animal. But others, we see, wished to
have the protection extended from June or May till October; others only from July to Septem-
ber; and others, again, only to August and September. Both in Sweden and Heligoland there
are laws prohibiting the catching and selling of lobsters from July 1 till September 15, and in
Scotland it is forbidden, under a penalty of £5 each, to catch lobsters from June 1 till September
1; and in England no lobster is allowed to be sold which measures less than 8 inches. The Gov-
THE LOHSTER FISHERY. 7J9
ernment also considered that protection during the season of the year when the hatching is
chiefly going on would answer the purpose, and that it could be more easily maintained than a
law prohibiting the fishing and selling of lobsters below a certain size. As the young are chiefly
hatched during the month of August, but also during July and September, the Government
thought that August should be included in every close season, while it should be left to the local
authorities, with royal approbation, to extend this legal season of protection to July and Septem-
ber, in accordance with the local circumstances of every district. Uy adopting these measures,
the trade would not be restricted to any serious extent. This was also granted by the commis-
sioners of the English lobster companies, and, as far as the fishermen are affected, they can easily
lii id work in nearly every part of the Kingdom during August, while, on the other hand, the pro-
tection of lobsters during a certain period will make the fisheries all the more productive during
the months when fishing is allowed. With regard to the other objections to limiting the fisheries
during the summer mouths, viz, that in the districts of Eomsdal, Jarlsberg, and Laurvig, they are
only carried on from the beginning of spring or summer till some time in the fall, the Government
remarked that this could scarcely be caused by any special arrangements of the lobsters on these
parts of the coast, but is a natural consequence of the circumstance that the fishermen in the
district of Romsdal during spring and autumn are employed in the great fisheries, while in the
districts of Jarlsherg and Laurvig this is caused by the natural hindrances of ice and storms
during spring and autumn. But especially in these districts a law prohibiting fishing during the
month of August could not limit this trade very much, compared with the beneficial consequences
which such a law would have. The Government thought that the prohibition should extend both
to male and female lobsters, which opinion was finally also shared by Easch. The Government
also proposed that the law forbidding the export of lobsters should extend the time when export
was not allowed eight days beyond the end of the close season, so as to enable the fishermen to
fish up to the very commencement of .the close season.
"On January 26, 1848, the King signed the following proposition for a law for the protection
of lobsters, to be laid before the Storthing during its next session :
"'We, Oscar, &c., make known :
"' For some time complaints have been made that the number of lobsters on the coasts of the
Kingdom has decreased considerably, especially since the year 1830. Competent men have been
consulted as to the possible causes of this phenomenon, as likewise as to the means by which the
lobster might be preserved, and a royal proposition for a law forbidding the catching or export of
lobsters measuring less than 8 inches in length was laid before the Storthing, but was not passed.
Renewed complaints of the great decrease in the -number of lobsters have recently come from
several parts of the country, petitions have been sent in asking that the catching of lobsters at
certain seasons of the year might be forbidden, and from the information received on this point it
has been considered absolutely necessary, for the preservation of the lobster, to fix by law a
certain season of protection for this marine animal.
"'His Majesty would therefore invite the attention of the Storthing of the Kingdom of Norway
to this subject, and ask them to pass a law regarding the protection of lobsters, in accordance
with the accompanying draft:
" ' Draft of a Imc regarding the protection of lobsters.
'"1. It shall be forbidden to catch or sell lobsters during the month of August.
"'2. In accordance with a request made by the respective local authorities, the above-mentioned
period may be extended in the different districts by the King, but it shall in no place last longer
than from July 1 to September 30.
720 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
" ' 3. The fishing or selling of lobsters during a period when it is forbidden in accordance with
sections 1 and 2 is punished with a fine of 24 cents for every lobster caught or offered for sale con-
trary to law.
" ' 4. All cases arising from transgressions of the regulations contained in sections 1 and 2 must
be brought before the police courts. If any one is accused of such transgression, the chief of police
in the district shall get his declaration whether he is willing to pay the fines. If he is willing and
does not possess the necessary amount of money, it shall be levied on his property. If, on the
other hand, the accused denies his guilt, or refuses to pay, the above-mentioned officer shall have
the matter investigated and settled. The fines shall be divided between the informer and the local
poor-fund.
" ' 5. During the period when, in accordance with sections 1 and 2, it is forbidden to catch or
offer for sale lobsters, as well as during eight days following the end of this period, it shall like-
wise be forbidden to ship lobsters to foreign parts. Attempted or actual transgressions of this
article shall be punished in the same manner as provided in the law of September 20, 1845, regard-
ing attempted or actual smuggling.
" ' 6. This law shall take effect January 1, 1849.'
" In the committee to which the royal proposition was assigned for consideration, the first two
articles were changed, so as to make the season of protection stricter. In the royal proposition
the local authorities could under special circumstances propose that the season of protection be
extended to the months before and after August; but the committee were of the opinion that the
law should be enforced during a longer period, but in special cases the local authorities might
propose that it should be limited to the month of August, to such a degree had public opinion
changed in favor of such protective law.
" When the matter was discussed in the Storthing April 29, 1848, not a voice was raised
against a protective law, but the discussion was chiefly as to whether the law should be adopted
iu its stricter form as recommended by the committee, or as proposed by the Government. The
law was finally adopted in tbe form recommended by the committee, modified by an amendment
that the season of protection should last from July 15 to the end of September. The first portion
of section 5 was also changed so as to read as follows: 'Eight days after the beginning of the
period during which, iu accordance with sections 1 and 2, it is forbidden to catch lobsters or offer
them for sale till eight days after the end of this period, it shall be likewise forbidden to ship lob-
sters to foreign parts.' As for the rest, the law was passed iu the shape recommended by the
committee; a motion to change the above-mentioned eight days to twelve days or three weeks
being lost, as likewise another motion that the law should not come in force till January 1, 1850.
" The law, which was adopted in the same shape by both houses of the Storthing, and was
sanctioned by the King, came to read as follows :
" ' 1. It shall be forbidden to catch or offer for sale lobsters during the period from July 15 till
the end of September.
" ' 2. In accordance with a request from the respective local authorities, this period may be
limited in different districts by the King; but the season of prohibition must in every case
embrace the whole month of August."
3 and 4 are precisely as in the royal proposition.
" <5. From eight days after the beginning of the period during which, in accordance with 1
and 2, it is forbidden to catch lobsters or offer them for sale, till eight days after the end of this
period, it shall likewise be forbidden to export lobsters to foreign parts.
" '6. This law shall come into force January 1, 1849.'
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 721
" By this law, which forbids all fishing during two and a half months, the yield of the fisheries
was of course somewhat diminished during the first years following its passage, till the protected
youug could reach the necessary size. Thus fewer were exported in 1849 and 1850 than during
the preceding years, so that, while from 1840 to 1848 about 600,000 were exported, the number
had fallen oil' to 408,310 in 1849 and 427,600 in 1850. This decrease, however, is not merely owing to
the circumstance that the number which were usually caught during the close mouths remained
in the sea, but likewise to the fact that the English joint stock company which carried on the
exportation from the districts of Jarlsberg and Laurvig, began to pay a lower price for the lob-
sters, so that the fishermen resolved no longer to catch any even during those months when they
were permitted to do so. While from this district there were from 1846 to 1848 on an average
about 26,000 exported every year, only 7,960 were exported in 1849, 1,664 in 1850, and none at all
during the following years; but, in 1855,14.470 were again exported, chiefly to Copenhagen.
Since 1850 the lobster trade has steadily increased, and the governors, in their quinquennial
reports on the economical condition of their respective districts, state that protection seems to
have produced this result.
" In the district of Stavanger the exports rose from 1850, when they amounted to 120,653,
to 204,803 in 1854 ; in the South Bergen district it is also stated that the fisheries have increased.
Of the following years the least productive was 1858, when the exports from the whole Kingdom
only amounted to 553,238, on account of unfavorable weather during the whole fishing season;
but in I860 the number had again risen to 1,333,037, and kept tolerably steady during the
following years, so that the exports during these years were about the same as during the years
1825-'30, when they were at their highest, only to decrease very rapidly during the following
years. In 1860 the exports rose to 1,000,000, and increased constantly, till in 1865 they very
nearly reached 2,000,000, viz, 1,956,276.
''The complaints regarding the protective law have now ceased, since the Government has,
in several districts, limited it by royal decrees, and in many places the people are rather inclined
to extend the season of protection than to limit it, as in the district of Stavanger, where two years
ago public opinion was in favor cf prohibiting all fishing during autumn and winter, as it was
thought that thereby the spring and summer fisheries would become all the more productive. As
a general rule, no lobsters are exported from there in autumn and winter, except when some new
English companies want to get into the lobster trade, and therefore buy the lobsters at a higher
price than is usually paid, so as to ruin their rivals. Then all the lobsters that can be obtained are
generally bought during autumn, as was the case in 1845 and 1846, and to some extent in 1864
and 1865. During the last-mentioned year such a large quantity of lobsters was caught, on
account of the unusually calm weather, that the Englishmen who had urged the fishermen to fish
could not take more than one-thir.l of all that had been caught, and the rest died, without being
of use to any one. One reason why the fishermen wish to see this autumn fishing forbidden
by law is, that even if they were unanimous as to its injurious character, all of them would, though
unwillingly, take part in it, (if a small number of fishermen moved by covetonsuess were to catch
lobsters, and there was a chance of selling them at that season. They would suppose that those
lobsters which they might otherwise get in the spring would now be caught by others in the
autumn, resulting in great injury to their trade.
NORWAY: REPORT OF G. vox YHLEN. — The following extract respecting the decrease of lob-
sters on certain portions of the Norwegian coast is from a report of more recent date than the above:
"It cannot be denied that the lobster fishery is gradually decreasing, whether the size or the
number of lobsters caught !»•
SEC v, VOL IT 1:>
722 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
"It is irrefutably a necessity that the time of prohibition should be extended in the fall, when
conjugation generally takes place; and also that the minimum size of lobsters allowed to be caught
should be so determined that their first spawning be protected.
"The English Parliament has lately resolved that 8 inches shall be the minimum size, and it
would also be well to adopt that as a law with us."*
NORWAY : REPORT OF PROF. G. O. SARS.— Prof. G. O. Sars, one of the best informed of
Norwegian authorities on the sea fisheries and a naturalist of the highest standing, whose opinion
is worthy of careful consideration, has published the following views respecting the best methods
of protecting the lobster industry:
" The principle which has been followed in framing laws for the better protection of the lobster
is the same which forms the basis of all similar protective laws, viz, a desire to let the propagating
of the lobster go on as undisturbedly as possible. If one considers what an enormous quantity of
roe an adult female lobster carries under her tail, and also that all this roe becomes impreg-
nated, and that, consequently, every egg develops into a lobster, it is very natural to suppose
that if only a sufficient number of female lobsters could hatch their young undisturbedly, ample
compensation would be made for the number of grown lobsters caught every year. It was also
very natural to suppose that the decrease in the quantity of lobsters, which had been observed in
various places, was caused by catching grown female lobsters during the hatching season. With
other fisheries the use of certain fishing implements has proved hurtful to the fish ; but the imple-
ments employed in lobster fishing are of such a kind as to preclude this possibility.
"On general principles, the above-mentioned view seems to be entirely justified and logical.
There is no doubt but that if the lobster is left undisturbed during the hatching season a number
of youug will be produced large enough to compensate, under favorable circumstances, for all the
lobsters that are caught. It is, therefore, only right that the lobster should be, as far as possible,
protected during the hatching season. It is, likewise, possible that indiscriminate fishing during
the hatching season will hinder the increase of the lobsters. It must be remembered, however,
that there are many other disturbing causes. I have already, on another occasion, shown that
the youug lobster, during the earliest period of its life, is exposed to many dangers, and that prob-
ably a large number perish, on account of unfavorable influences during their development. If,
therefore, iu spite of protective measures, a decrease in the quantity of lobsters has been observed
in various places, it must not be supposed that the only cause of it is lack of protection or too
short a season of protection. The season of protection is, in my opinion, correct on the whole, and
if 1 now consider it best to set it a little earlier, viz, to begin the 1st of July, I do this from another
reason, thut is, out of regard tor the shedding of the lobster, which begins during the first days of
this mouth. The lobster is, at that time, entirely unfit for transportation, and may die even in the
boxes. I believe that if the lobster is thoroughly protected during the mouths of July and
August, there will be some guarantee at least that a sufficient number of young ones will be
produced to make up for all losses occasioned by the lobster fisheries during the other months of
the year.
"But no laws and no protective measures can change the unfavorable physical conditions
which have caused a decrease of lobsters on certain portions of our coast. The only means to be
employed under such circumstances is the artificial raising of lobsters. • I shall have occasion to
return to this point, and merely to avoid misconception, will say here that I consider a reasonably
arranged protection of the lobster not only desirable but also necessary ; but the protective meas-
ures should be somewhat uniform in the different districts. At any rate, on that portion of the
•Report on the Sea Fisheries of the Liin of Goteborg and Boh us in the year 1877, by Gerhard vou Yhlen.
THE LOUSTEii tfJLSJJLEKY. 723
coast which I visited, I found but very little difference both with regard to the time of hatching
and the time of shedding. Thus, there is uo reason for having a different season of protection in
these districts. But as memorials have been sent to the Department of the Interior from several
places, asking for an extension of the protective season, it will probably be best, in order to avoid
dissatisfaction, to leave it to each community to extend the protective season wherever there is a
very general demand for it. But I must say that if protection is to answer its purpose, it will be
necessary for the different districts to organize a system of superintendence, so that the laws may
be strictly carried out. As matters now stand, there is— and I speak from personal observation —
as much fishing going on on our southern coast during the season of protection as at other seasons.
Where the protective season lasts only a month, those lobsters which have been caught when fish-
ing is prohibited are generally kept in large boxes until the protective season is passed, when they
are brought to market. But many of these closely packed lobsters die in the boxes, and those
which are left are so lean and miserable that they are of little or no value, and are necessarily thrown
away." *
GREAT BRITAIN.— The fishery commissioners of England, in the years 1875 and 1876, made a
thorough inspection of the crab and lobster fisheries of the English' and Scottish coasts. All the
principal fishing stations were visited, and from personal observations and the testimony of fish-
ermen and dealers a very elaborate report, embodying every detail of their investigations, was
prepared and published in 1877.t The conclusions at which they arrived regarding the state of
the fishery and the suggestions made for its improvement, are contained in the following extract
from their report :
" In a great many cases it is not very easy to conclude whether the fishery is falling off or not.
The increase in price is certainly in almost every case greater than the decrease in the supply.
The take iu many cases is not so large as it used to be, but in nearly every place it is more valu-
able. The increased price and the greater facilities which railways have afforded for bringing
the fish to market, have attracted more fishermen to the pursuit, and have induced them to follow
the crabs and lobsters into much deeper water than formerly. It is no easy matter, therefore, to
compare the results of the fishing now with those which were experienced fifty or twenty-five
years ago. The take now is divided among a greater number of fishermen. The area of the fishery
has been greatly extended. On the whole, however, we believe that we are in the right in con-
cluding that in small fisheries, or fisheries in confined areas, there has been in every case a marked
decrease of fish ; while in large and exposed fisheries there has been no decrease whatever.
Take, for example, the fisheries off the Laud's End, the Lizard, and the Start. All these fisheries
comprise large areas of sea bottom, all of them are in exposed situations, and the powers of man
have been hitherto incapable of exhausting them. But there are other fisheries in an exactly
opposite position. A description will be found, for instance, in the evidence which we received at
Wembury, relating to a small fishery off the Eddystone Rocks. The fishery is contained in a few
acres, and, though the situation is exposed, the area is so small that the fishermen have been able
to exhaust it. The same conclusion is true of the fisheries which are situated in confined bays,
such, for instance, as that at Falmouth. The fishermen there, exposed to no bad weather, are
able to pursue the fishery at every season of the year. High prices have induced them to increase
the efficiency of their gear, and the gradual decay of the fishery, which overfishing has occa-
sioned, has compelled them to fish harder and harder to earn a livelihood. The fishermen in
* Eeporta made to the Departmen* of the Interior, of Investigations of the Salt-Water Fisheries of Norway during
the years 1874-1677, by Prof. G. O. Sard.
t Keports on the Crab and Lolistcr Fisln ri.-s ,,r i:n;;biid :nul V • 'uk lUiokhiml ;uiil Spencer Walpole,
Esqrs., * " of Scotland, l>y Fra.uk liucklaud and tsjjeuccr Walpolo, Eaters., &.c. London, Iti77.
*
724 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
these cases are themselves conscious of the loss which they are themselves producing. But with-
out the aid of Parliament they are unable to enforce the regulations which in their judgment
would restore the fishery.
"As regards the lobster fishery, three suggestions have been made to us for its improvement,
viz: the institution of a gauge; the enactment of a close season; and the prohibition of the sale
of berried lobsters; but the suggestion which has found most universal favor is the institution of
a gauge. lu Cornwall and Devonshire, in Yorkshire and Northumberland, the fishermen have
almost without exception suggested that no lobster should be sold under a length of about 8
inches. The same recommendation was made to us by the great fish merchants who are estab-
lished at Hamble, and by the great salesmen in Billingsgate Market. * * * On the northeast
coast of England it was suggested to us that no lobster should be taken under 4 inches in the
barrel (carapax). In the rest i f England the almost unanimous recommendation was that no
lobster should be taken under 8 inches in length. These two recommendations are practically
eery similar. A lobster 4 inches long in the barrel is usually more than 8 inches in length ; but,
as it is always undesirable to interfere with local customs, we see no reason why both gauges
should not be inserted in any act of Parliament that may be passed. It would then be illegal to
sell any lobster which did not measure either 8 inches in length or 4 inches in the barrel.
" If the gauge be adopted, it is in our judgment essential that it should apply to all the fish
markets. The only practicable means of enforcing a gauge is to enforce it in the markets, and
the gauge must therefore apply to all lobsters sold in those markets, wherever they may be taken.
The only practical difficulty in enforcing the gauge arises from the large importation of Norwegian
lobsters, and we think it would be unwise to attempt any legislation without considering the
effect which it might have on this trade. * * *
"It will be seen from the foregoing remarks that an 8-iuch gauge has already been proposed
in Norway. Of the two merchants engaged in the Norway trade, whom we had the advantage of
examining, Mr. Fisher, of Billingsgate, was of opinion that an 8-inch gauge would interfere with
the Norwegian fishery, but that a 7J-iuch gauge would be desirable. Captain Haruden, of Ham-
ble, on the contrary, concluded that an 8-iuch gauge would ultimately be beneficial to it. With
Captain Harnden's evidence before us, we think that Parliament may fairly enact that, with one
exception, no lobster shall in future be sold in this country under 8 inches in length.
"The exception which, we fear, must be made to this rule applies to Bognor. Lobsters of a
very small size are taken in large numbers off Bognor, and the application of an 8-inch gauge to
Bognor would destroy the fishery for lobsters at that place. The fishermen at Boguor desire the
institution of a GJ-inch gauge; we have, ourselves, little doubt that a 7-mch gauge would be
large enough for the Bognor fishery. If, however, the Bognor fishermen are allowed to take
7-iuch lob.-ters, their sale should be confined within the limits of the county of Sussex. * * *
"Two other recommendations have in some places been made to us for the improvement of
the lobster fishery. It has been suggested to us that a close season should be instituted, and it
has also been suggested that the sale of berried lobsters should be prohibited. A universal close
season is impracticable, because the season which would suit one part of the coast would be quite
inapplicable to other parts. In a great many places the storms of winter afford by themselves a
sufficient close season. On the coast of Cornwall, again, the pilchard fishery practically entails
a close sea on. * * On the east coast of England, again, the herring season affords a nat-
ural close time. A close season is, then, for all intents and purposes, already established
MI some places. In others, no close season is necessary, on account of the extent and situation of
the fishery. No universal close season need, therefore, be imposed by act of Parliament. * * *
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 725
"We are also unable to indorse the other recommendation which has been made to us, viz,
that the sale of berried lobsters should bo prohibited. In the first place, if it were illegal to take
berried lobsters, it would not pay the fishermen in many cases to pursue the lobster fishery. In
the next place, the lobster when berried is in the very best possible condition for food, and it
would be as illogical, therefore, to prohibit its capture as to prohibit the taking of full herrings.
In the third place, if its capture were illegal, Mr. ScovelFs evidence at Hamble shows that the
fishermen would probably remove the berries. * * *
" We recommend, therefore, the institution of a gauge as the only remedy universally appli-
cable for the improvement of our lobster fisheries."
OPINIONS OF THE FISHERMEN AND OTHERS RESPECTING PROTECTIVE LAWS.
INTRODUCTION. — In the circulars sent out respecting the lobster fishery, and in personal
interviews on the subject, the opinion of each person was asked as to whether he was satisfied
with the existing laws, and if not, in what manner he would desire to have them changed. Com-
paratively few replies were obtained, and these may not be regarded as of much value; but it has
been thought best to insert them here. The names of most of the correspondents have been
omitted, and with reference to a few localities the opinions as here stated are drawn up from the
statements of several individuals.
Three classes of individuals are interested in the lobster fishery on the coast of Maine — the
fishermeu, the fresh-lobster dealers, and the canners — and each regarding the fishery from a some-
what different standpoint, according to individual interests, it is not strange that opinions as to
the present and future needs of this industry should be somewhat at variance. It is the fisher-
men's interest to make as large captures and sales as possible; the fresh dealers cater to a trade
that demands only lobsters above a certain size (about 10J or 11 inches), while the canuers use all
that are large enough to pay them for the handling, although those that are suited for the fresh
markets are generally too expensive to put into cans. Elsewhere on the coast the influence of the
canneries is not felt and the problem involved in the preparation of suitable protective laws is
much simpler.
Many of those directly interested in the lobster fishery, even though conscious of an apparent
decrease, are opposed either to legislation or to any change in existing laws, and this is especially
true of the coast of Maine. The objection generally raised by the fishermen to laws governing
the size of marketable lobsters is that it is difficult either to measure or weigh the lobsters as they
are taken from the traps, and that unscrupulous fishermen would kill those taken under a standard
size in order to prevent their entering the traps a second time. When spawning lobsters are
caught, the same fishermen, it is argued, could easily remove the eggs, and in this manner evade
the law. To most persons, a close time presents the simplest method of protecting the industry;
but a close time to serve the most good should come at that season of the year when the fishery
is most profitable for the fishermen.
GOULDSBORO', ME. — A correspondent writes: "I think there should be no lobsters caught in
July and August."
ROCKPORT, ME. — Mr. John D. Piper writes as follows: "My reasons for expressing a belief
that the law should be so changed as to restrict the taking of lobsters to thrifty marketable lob-
sters of not less than 10£ inches in length, are that the factories use lobsters of from 3 to 7 inches
in size, and these are taken in shoal water where they are feeding in large quantities. Could these
small growing lobsters be protected until they are 10£ inches, the increase of the catch would be
wonderful. I would prohibit the canning of soft-shell lobsters because it is an imposition upon
726 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the consumer, aud in the end will injure the reputation of the canned lobster as an article of food.
The soft-shelled lobster, if protected, would soon grow to be a good fish worth catching, while it
is of little or no value if used when soft"."
NORTH HAVEN, ME. — " It is my opinion that the sale of lobsters under SJ or 9 inches should
never have been permitted, and that it should be prohibited in the future. The canneries and
well smacks should be governed by the same restrictions."
GEORGE'S ISLAND, ME. — The fishermen almost universally approve of the present law forbid-
ding the sale of small lobsters, except from April to August, for canning purposes, and a large ma-
jority would favor a modification of the law, so that no small lobsters could be saved for any purpose.
They argue, and with some force, that the canning of the small ones during the summer practically
destroys the good results intended by the law, as very many are caught up at such times, and
comparatively few remain to attain the adult size. They claim that many lobsters measuring only
6 inches in length and weighing but £ pound are caught for canning at an average price of only
half a cent each, while, if saved, they would in two years at the most be of good marketable size,
and would bring from four to ten times as much. The destruction of small lobsters is quite exten-
sive in the vicinity of Muscle Ridges.
WESTPORT, ME.— "It would be as well if the prescribed length was 10 inches instead of 10 j
inches."
GEORGETOWN, ME. — At this place the fishermen strongly favor the law and would prefer an
extension of its provisions so that no small lobsters could be sold at any time.
PORTLAND, ME. — The Maine law that went into effect August 1, 1879, is heartily approved by
the fresh-lobster dealers, and they are eager in their demands for an extension of the protection to
young lobsters, so that at no period could any lobsters be saved or sold smaller than 10J inches
in length. They claim that the canneries now have all the time they would naturally require for
canning and that they are destroying the fisheries by buying up enormous quantities of the small
lobsters which are virtually of no value, or, at the most, supply but very little meat, while if left
in the water for another season they would attain a good size, and a much smaller number would
then furnish as much meat as is now obtained from the vast number of small ones. They claim to
have learned by experience that there is absolute necessity for stringent legislation, as the fishery
is being rapidly destroyed.
The canneries, on the other hand, considering the question from their point of view, while
acknowledging the necessity of protection and manifesting a strong sympathy with the law as it
now stands, would oppose any measure tending to further restrict the time during which small
lobsters might be canned. They claim that the present law affords the lobsters ample time for
growth, and that with the laws rigidly enforced the fishery will prosper. Their interests suffer for
the time being by the close season, and this year (1880) they will not put up over two-thirds as
many cans as last. They think, however, that in time, with the resulting increase in size, they
will be able to obtain as many as formerly. They would oppose the throwing out of small and
seed lobsters during the canning season, on the ground that it would require much time to
examine each lobster and would cause general dissatisfaction among the fishermen, who, in their
shortsightedness, are thinking only of present necessities and would work in every possible way
against the interests of those canners who were strict in enforcing such laws and in favor of those
who might be disposed to slight them.
BIDDEFOED POOL, ME. — "The existing law in this State is a mere farce, so far as protecting
the lobster fishery is concerned. It benefits the canneries to the injury of the fishermen, and will
result in the extinction of the lobster. Although there are no canneries in this place, smacks
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 727
come bere in the summer to procure supplies for (hose in other localities. They pay on an average
1£ cents apiece for lobsters, which five or six months later would bring 4 to 7 cents apiece. The
mouths during which the law is not in force are the only ones iu which soft lobsters are caught to
any extent, and this is also the season when small lobsters are the most plentiful, thereby fur-
thering the general destruction. In my opinion the Massachusetts law is the most beneficial to
the fishery."
" There should be a law to protect the small and soft lobsters the entire year."
RYE, N. H. — "I would be satisfied with the existing law if it were enforced, but it is not; there-
fore, the lobsters are not at all protected. I think it would be better if all lobsters with spawn were
thrown back into the water; but it would be useless for me to do so, when others would catch
them, pull off the spawn, and thus evade the law. A provision to that effect would therefore, I
think, be of no value."
Mr. A. C. Locke states that " the law of New Hampshire, as it now stands, is but a dead
letter ; it gives us the right to catch all lobsters over 10J inches long, at all times of the year, and
I venture to predict that at the end of ten years, under the present law, a new one will be
necessary, giving us the right to catch all lobsters above 8 inches long, if any such are left. We
are catching them too fast, and at the present rate of decrease we shall soon have to seek other
employment. We are taking every lobster just as soon as it becomes large enough to spawn, and
if the spawning season could be accurately determined all fishing should be prohibited during
that time. At other seasons all lobsters with spawn should be returned to the water."
SEABEOOK, N. H. — "It should be permitted to catch small lobsters, but egg lobsters should
always be thrown back into the water."
GLOUCESTER, MASS. — "All spawn lobsters should be thrown overboard, and a fine of $50
be imposed for non-conformity to the law."
BOSTON, MASS. — Mr. S. M. Johnson gives his opinion as follows: "In regard to laws that exist
at the present time, I think they can only be considered a step in the right direction. Their lack
of uniformity is their most objectionable aspect. What is needed is a uniform United States law
with a limit of 11 inches, and until we have this or one as effective we must suffer a waste, the
extent of which we have hardly begun to realize."
PBOVTNCETOWN, MASS. — Capt. N. E. Atwood states that "the law of this State prohibits the
capture and sale of lobsters less than 10£ inches long. This does not iu any way affect the fishery
of this vicinity, as very few lobsters as small as 10J inches are found about here. A fisherman
will not catch a dozen such during the entire season."
YARMOUTHPOKT, MASS. — "It would be much better to throw back all spawning lobsters and
permit the capture of all salable sizes."
WOOD'S HOLL, MASS. — Mr. V. N. Edwards says : " The law now forbids the sale of all lobsters
under 9£ inches long, but does not prevent any one from destroying all he pleases. All the lobster-
men of this place agree in believing that the best law would be one forbidding the sale or destruc-
tion of all lobsters with eggs."
WEST TISBTJEY, MARTHA'S VINEYARD.— Mr. Frank M. Cottle writes as follows: "There is
but one law governing the trapping of lobsters and that is what we call the ten-and-a-half law.
This law is made to protect young lobsters, but it does not do it, for we catch more from 9£ to 10i
inches in length than any other, and as we cannot tell by eye-measure alone the exact length, they
are put into cars until measured for market, and then what are not dead are thrown away, so that
the destruction is the same and the benefit minus. For less than 9£ inches we can measure by the
eye in nine cases out of ten and throw them, as we do, into the sea from the pots. Therefore if the
728 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
law read 9J instead of 10£ it might do some good, and the lobstermeu. be better satisfied. In my
opinion the law can be of but little protection any way, for the cod destroys more young lobsters
and paper-shells or 'shadows' in one day than all the lobstermen on this coast in a week if they
marketed all sizes. This I know for a certainty. From careful observation I have caught one hun-
dred cod in one day that I know had the amount of one thousand lobsters and 'shadows' in their
entrails."
NEW BEDFORD, MASS. — " All lobsters under 10J inches in length should be thrown back into
the water."
NEWPORT, EHODE ISLAND. — The lobster fishermen of Narragansett Bay set but few pots
apiece. They complain that fishermen come from other States and set about 50 pots each, cover-
ing very much of the ground and absorbing a large share of the business. A few of the lobster-
men of Newport, who have been consulted, suggested that the number of pots to be used by each
man might be restricted to ten or twelve, but none of them seemed to have a clear idea of what
measures would best protect their interests. They did not consider that legislation could afford
them much relief, but would not actively oppose it, should an attempt be made to pass restrictive
laws. Since receiving the above information the first lobster law of Rhode Island, given on a
following page, has been enacted.
NOANK, CONNECTICUT. — "The lobster law, so far as it prohibits the sale or destruction of
lobsters with spawn from the 1st to the 15th of July of each year, has no effect upon the fishery
at this place, as not one lobster in a thousand is found with spawn during that period."
ACTION op THE BOSTON ANGLERS' ASSOCIATION, IN 1874.— The following report, prepared
by the Anglers' Association of Boston, in January, 1874, previous to the enactment of the present
State laws, is of sufficient interest to be reproduced here:
"The committee appointed to take into consideration the subject of the protection of the
lobster, most respectfully submit the following report:
"From the information the committee have been able to obtain, it appears to them that it is
time to take some step to stop the wholesale destruction of the lobster that is now going on.
From the information obtained from the lobster dealers in this city, it appears that unless some-
thing is done, and that very soon, the lobsters in Massachusetts Bay will become, if not entirely
extinct, so small that they will not be of any use for food. It appears to be the opinion of the
dealers that we have met, that the taking of the lobster could be better regulated by the size
rather than by weight, for the reason that it will be much easier for the fishermen to measure
than to weigh; also for the reason that the lobster shrinks in boiling; therefore it would be very
difficult to tell whether it weighed 2 pounds before boiling or not. A lobster that measures 11
inches from the head to the tail will weigh from ] £ to 2 pounds. On Saturday last the committee
paid a visit to Johnson & Young, lobster dealers on Warren Bridge. They met there a number of
gentlemen who were engaged in the lobster trade. From tliem a great deal of information was
obtained. We saw there twenty-six lobsters brought into the office, and out of the twenty-six
there were but fourteen that would measure 11 inches and upwards, twelve of them being under
11 inches long. We were told that was a fair sample of the size of the lobsters now brought to
market. There was also present a gentleman from Portland, Me. (Mr. Marston), who is engaged
in the lobster trade, and whose views coincide with the Boston dealers. He said the lobster fish-
ing on the coast of Maine was used up — in fact, it had got to be so poor that the canning had
about all been removed to the New Brunswick coast. He said they tried last year to get a law
passed to protect the lobster, but all they could do was to get a law to prohibit the taking them
with spawn. That for various reasons did not amount to anything. It was his opinion that a law
THE L011STKK FISUIORY 729
regulating the size of those offered I'm sale was \vhnt \vns \vanU'<l, aud it appears to be the gem-nil
wish of those whom we have met that some law might be made to prohibit the exposing lor sale
of any lobster not of a certain length.
" We therefore recommend that a committee be appointed to take charge of the matter, and
to appear before the legislature or some committee thereof, to use their best efforts to have such
a law passed as may seem best to them to prevent the taking or offering for sale, or being in
possession of, any lobsters less than 11 inches in length.
" We also recommend that the president of this association be requested to correspond with
the fish commissioners of the State of Maine upon the subject."
VIEWS OP MR. S. M. JOHNSON, OF BOSTON. — A few years later Mr. S. M. Johnson, of
Boston, discussed the subject of protection in an address before the American Fish-Cultural Asso-
ciation, from which we abstract the following:
"This, like all questions having for their object the best method for economizing and preserv-
ing our supply of sea food, has become not only of great interest, but of great importance ; aud the
discussion of such topics is looked upon with increasing interest from year to year, as the necessity
for a law in relation to them becomes more apparent. With these facts in view, I esteem it a privi-
lege to accept the invitation of this association to consider briefly the causes of a very apparent
decrease in the size of lobsters offered for sale in our markets.
" The first question seems to be, What relation the supply bears to the demand, aud the abil-
ity of the former to meet the latter, in the future as well as the present.
" In looking for a reasonable solution of this problem, an inquiry concerning the means taken
to provide the supply now, as compared with those taken in former years, might properly be pref-
aced by a statement of the fact that not as many lobsters are consumed now as formerly. A few
years ago fifty or sixty traps per man were considered a good number, while at the present time
from seventy-five to ninety are used, and even with this addition it requires twice the number of
men to catch the same amount of lobsters. These facts seem to show the danger of depletion in
our efforts to keep up the supply, even if size and quality are disregarded.
" It may be fairly estimated that from 28,000,000 to 30,000,000 of lobsters are taken annually
off the coast of Xew Eng land, aggregating in weight not far from 15,000 tons. These figures may
be considered only important here when taken in connection with the ability of the source of sup-
ply to furnish this amount without endangering its perpetuity. This calamity, however, I think
most likely to ensue unless some proper restrictions are enforced, limiting this continual drain.
Whec we compare the lobsters seen in the market to-day with those of former years, the danger
becomes still more evident j and if this decrease in size goes on, the industry will, in a short time,
become of little or no importance.
"The reply to the oft-repeated question, Why do we not get larger lobsters? must be, We
catch them faster than they can grow; the smaller the lobsters we retain, the smaller will they
become in the future, and, as a natural consequence, if we continue indiscriminate fishing, practi-
cal extermination must follow. This ground I am anxious to maintain, and wish to have some
remedy applied to obviate the evil, still, however, permitting a partial supply.
" From actual observation I have found that a lobster measuring 10£ inches in length will, after
shedding, have increased to 12 inches ; but if we make the comparison in weight, it may be better
understood. For instance, a lobster of 10J inches will weigh 1 J pounds, while one of 12 inches, on
an average, 2£ pounds, or double its former weight, which will add to its market value in the
same proportion, or 100 per cent. Now, if a lobster sheds its shell once a year, which is approxi-
mately true, I think, it shows that by establishing a reasonable standard of length (which must not
730 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
be so high that it would prohibit fishing, neither so low that a sufficient age for reproduction may
not have been attained) we may in time get back that which we have so foolishly sacrificed.
"Lobsters of a less length than 10J inches have been found bearing eggs, but by careful obser-
vation and inquiry I have found the exceptions to be very rare. Therefore this standard could
not be safely fixed under that length, but should, on the contrary, be as much above it as possible
still not so high at first as to cause hardship to the fishermen, while from time to time an advance-
ment might be made as the supply of the required length increased and more nearly met the
demand.
" Having pointed out the necessity of such a law, and indicated the best modes of its appli-
cation, it only remains to be shown how it may be made effective.
" I think it is an established fact that protective measures can only be carried out in the open
market, where the possession of unlawful fish or game is prima facie evidence of guilt. Such a law
has been in full force in Massachusetts since 1874, but the possibility of finding a market outside the
State has been a barrier to the best results ; and just so long as there is any place where lobsters
may be indiscriminately sold, we cannot justly judge of its efficiency. I am fully aware that in
advocating a measure of this kind opposition will arise, which must be met and answered in the
most tolerant spirit; for fancied rights of individuals are not always in accordance with the
reasonable demands of the public good.
" The first opponents of the law for the protection of lobsters in Massachusetts were the fisher-
men, whose testimony at the same time was the best evidence given of the necessity of such a law.
These, however, after a trial of one year, not only became reconciled to it, but even its strongest
advocates, and realize year by year more fully the wisdom of the measure they so bitterly opposed.
" There has been one circumstance noticed which I think quite significant, viz, that the first
year the law went into effect one-fourth of the whole number caught were obliged to be thrown
back on account of their insufficient size, which proportion has gradually diminished until at
present scarcely more than one in ten is discarded. The State of Maine, which possesses the
largest lobster-producing grounds ou the coast, has from time to time passed laws for the protec-
tion of the lobster fishery, but has had a powerful and important interest in opposition to a limit
which no other State has, the size being of less importance for canning purposes than for other
consumption. This year, however, a law has been enacted by which the cauners are obliged to
confine their operations to four months of the year, while for the remaining eight months a limit of
10£ inches is required, and, I think, may be looked upon as a great step in advance of any law
previously passed. This movement was made by the fishermen in the form of petitions to the
legislature, numerously signed, and from one end of the State to the other. Maine, New Hamp-
shire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut each have laws practically corresponding to each other,
while New York, without a law which might so much assist in protecting the other States, only
helps on an illegal and wasteful practice."
A committee from the Fish-Cultural Association, consisting of the president, Mr. Roosevelt,
Mr. E. G. Blackford, and F. Mather, was appointed to draft some additions and amendments to
the New York game law. They met, and among other things recommended that the 10£ inch
limit on lobsters be added, which is now before the legislature. By this co-operation the market
is closed, without which the laws of the lobster-producing States were inoperative.
STATEMENT OF ME. J. WINSLOW JONES, OF PORTLAND, ME. — In a letter dated December 22,
1880, Mr. J. "W. Jones, one of the largest cauuers on the coasts of Maine and the British Provinces,
gives the following opinion regarding the protection of the lobster fishery :
" In relation to the duty on lobsters, although lam packing in the provinces, I want the duty
LonsTKi; KISIIKUV. 731
to remain. Were it not lor tin- duty, our lislirnnen could not live and compete with the, provinces.
I think \ve now get as many lobsters as ever, only I he sixe is very small. I think there should be
more stringent enforcement of the law, and when we art- not allowed to pack, fishermen should not
be allowed to take for the market. I think the fisheries should lie regulated by the General Gov-
ernment, not by State law. There is too much private interest in the making and enforcement of
the law. They do the thing much better in the provinces, where the lisheries are regulated by the
General Government. There should also be protection to packers; the fishing ground should be
divided up so that one factory would not be competing with another on prices, making competi-
tion so close that neither the packers nor the fishermen have an interest in protecting the grounds
where they fish, and this cannot be properly done unless there is an interest in protecting the fish.
In some places in the British provinces the ground is divided up and apportioned out to the fac-
tories that pack lobsters, and no party can put out a salmon net without a lease from government,
and they will not grant a permit to interfere with one already placed. I have petitioned the Gen-
eral Government of Canada to have all the fishing ground apportioned to the factories. I have a
letter to-day saying they are bringing the matter before Parliament, and I think the law will pass."
STATEMENT OF MR. GEORGE BURNHAM, JR.* — " The packing of lobsters as early as 1845
shows none of the trouble experienced at the present time — viz, small light meated fish. At that
date all lobsters under 3 pounds in weight were doubled and counted as one ; all such lobsters as are
now packed (then called snappers) were then thrown away ; in fact, we never used to catch many,
as the large lobsters took possession of the traps, driving out the small ones.
" In the fall of 1854 I went to South Saint George, on the coast of Maine, to pack lobsters, and
sent a smack to Deer Isle, where the fishermen used hand nets, and 1,200 lobsters then caught filled
the smack's well. It would take of the lobsters we now catch from 7,000 to 8,000 to fill the same well.
" The only remedy in my mind to preserve the lobsters is to have a close time — they should
not be caught between the first day of August and the first day of March for market or canning.
" The Massachusetts law is a good law if it could be carried out, but fishermen set their traps
for lobsters, and there is only one in five that is large enough to be marketable. Do the fishermen
throw the small ones overboard to again crawl into their traps and eat their bait, or do they take
them ashore and boil them for the hens and other purposes, or destroy them in some other way ?
I am quite certain that the small lobsters once caught never again get the chance to eat bait from a
trap. Therefore I am convinced that the close time is the only sure way of preserving the lobster
fisheries."
THE STATE LAWS RESPECTING THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
Following are the laws of the several New England States and New York, relative to the
lobster fisheries, corrected to March 1, 1885. New Jersey has no lobster law, her fishery not
being of sufficient importance to demand legislation.
Maine.
Chapter 69 of the public laws, passed in 1879.
" SECTION 1. No person or corporation shall can or preserve any lobsters within the limits of
this State, from the first day of August to the first day of April following, under a penalty of five
dollars for every lobster so canned or preserved, and a further penalty of three hundred dollars
for each and every day on which such canning or preserving is done by said person or corporation
from the said first day of August to the said first day of April following.
" SEO. 2. No lobster of less size than ten and one-half inches in length, measuring from one
"Of the canning (inn of Biiruham >V Mnu-cll, of Portland, Me., November 24, 1880.
732 OISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
extreme of the body extended to the other, exclusive of feelers and claws, shall be sold or
exposed for sale from the first day of August to the first day of April following, under a penalty
of five dollars for each and every lobster so sold or exposed for sale.
" SEC. 3. The penalties under this act may be recovered by indictment or action of debt
one-half thereof to go to the person making the complaint or bringing the action, and one-half to
the use of the town in which the offense is committed.
"SEC. 4. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed."
The above law was replaced in 1883 by the following, approved February 21:
Chapter 138 of the public laws, passed in 1883.
"SECTION 1. There shall be a close time for lobsters from the fifteenth day of August to the
fifteenth day of November in each year, during which close time no lobsters shall be fished for,
taken, caught, killed, bought, sold, exposed for sale, or in possession in cars, pounds, or otherwise,
under a penalty of fifty dollars for the offense, and one dollar for each and every lobster so taken,
caught, killed, bought, sold, exposed for sale, or in possession as aforesaid.
" SEC. 2. It shall be unlawful to fish for, catch, buy, sell, expose for sale, or possess for canning
purposes or otherwise, between the first day of April and the first day of August, of each year,
any female lobster in spawn or with eggs attached, or any youug lobsfer less than nine inches in
length, measuring from head to tail exclusive of claws or feelers; and when caught they shall be
liberated alive, at the risk and cost of the party taking said lobsters, under a penalty of one dollar
for each and every lobster so caught, bought, sold, exposed for sale, in possession or not so liberated.
"SEC. 3. The penalties imposed by this act may be recovered in the manner provided by sec-
tion twenty-six, of chapter seventy-five of the public laws of eighteen hundred and seventy-eight."
In February, 1885, the lobster laws of Maine were again amended, to read as follows:
Chapter 27a of the public laws, passed in 1885.
"SECTION 1. There shall be a close time for lobsters between the fifteenth day of August and
the first day of October, during which no lobsters shall be fished for, taken, caught, killed, bought,
sold, exposed for sale, or in possession, in cars, pounds, or otherwise, under a penalty of fifty dol-
lars for the otfense, and one dollar for every lobster so taken, caught, killed, bought, sold, exposed
for sale, or in possession as aforesaid: Provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall
not apply to any person taking lobsters not less than ten and one-half inches in length for the sole
use and consumption of himself and family.
" SEC. 2. No person or corporation shall can or preserve any lobsters between the fifteenth day
of July and the first day of the following April, under a penalty of five dollars for every lobster so
canned or preserved, and a further penalty of three hundred dollars for each day on which such
unlawful canning or preserving is done.
" SEC. 3. It is unlawful to fish for, catch, buy, sell, expose for sale, or possess, between the
first day of October and the fifteenth day of the following August, any female lobster iu spawn or
with eggs attached, or any young lobster less than ten and one-half inches in length, measuring
from head to tail extended, exclusive of claws or feelers, and such lobsters when caught shall be
liberated alive, at the risk and cost of the party taking them, under a penalty of one dollar for
each lobster so caught, bought, sold, exposed for sale, or iu possession not so liberated : Provided,
however, that from the first day of April to the fifteenth day of July it shall be lawful to fish for,
catch, buy, sell, expose for sale, or possess for canning and all other purposes any lobsters not less
than nine inches in length, measured as aforesaid, but not including female lobsters in spawn or
with eggs attached."
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 733
Neic Hampshire*
Fish and game laws, chapter 4.
"SECTION 16. No person shall catch, preserve, soil, or expose for sale within the limits of the
State of New Hampshire, any lobster between the fifteenth clay of August and the fifteenth day of
October of each year; and from the said fifteenth day of October to the fifteenth day of August
next following of each year no lobster shall be caught, preserved, sold, or exposed for sale, under
ten and one-half inches in length, measuring from one extreme of the body to the other, exclusive
of claws or feelers, nor shall any female lobster be killed or destroyed while carrying her spawn
or hatching her young; and any person violating any provision of this section shall be punished
by a fine of ten dollars for every lobster so caught, used, sold, or exposed for sale, as aforesaid."
Massachusetts.
Chapter 91, public statutes.
"SECTION 81. Whoever, from the twentieth day of June to the twentieth day of September,
takes a lobster shall be punished for each offense by fine of not less than ten nor more than one
hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the house of correction for not less than one nor more
than three months; but a person catching a lobster when lawfully fishing, and immediately
' returning it alive to the waters from which it was taken, shall not be subject to such penalty.
" SEC. 82. Whoever, from the twentieth day of June to the twentieth day of September buys,
sells, or has in his possession, a lobster taken in this Commonwealth shall forfeit for each offense
not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars.
" SEC. 83. The mayor and aldermen of every city, the selectmen of every town, and all police
officers and constables, shall cause the provisions of the two preceding sections to be enforced in
their respective cities and towns.
" SEC. 84. Whoever sells or offers for sule, or has in his possession with intent to sell, either
directly or indirectly, a lobster less than ten and one half inches in length, measuring from one
extreme of the body extended to the other, exclusive of claws or feelers, shall forfeit five dollars
for every such lobster; and, in all prosecutions under this section the possession of any lobster
not of the required length shall be prima facie evidence to convict.
"SEC. 85. All forfeitures under the four preceding sections shall be paid, one-half to the
person making the complaint and one-half to the city or town where the offense was committed."
" SEC. 88. If, within the harbors, streams, or waters of any place on the sea-coast which
adopts this section, or has adopted the corresponding sections of earlier statutes, any person
living without the State takes, for the purpose of carrying thence, any lobsters, tautog, bass,
blue fish, or scnppaug, or if any person living within this State takes and carries away from any
such place any such fish or lobsters in vessels or smacks of more than fifteen tons' burden, he shall
forfeit for each offense a sum not exceeding twenty dollars, and all the fish and lobsters so taken.
" SEC. 89. No person shall take lobsters within the waters and shores of the town of Province-
town for the purpose of carrying them from said waters in a vessel or smack of more than fifteen
tons' burden, or for the purpose of putting the same on board of such vessel or smack to be trans
ported to any place unless a permit is first obtained therefor from the selectmen of said town, who
may grant the same for such sum to be paid to the use of the town as they shall deem proper.
" SEC. 90. Whoever violates the provisions of the preceding section shall forfeit ten dollars
for each offense; and if the number of lobsters so unlawfully taken or found on board of any such
vessel or smack exceeds one hundred lobsters, lie shall in addition forfeit a further sum of ten
734 H1STOET AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
dollars for every hundred lobsters so taken or found over the first hundred, :md in that proportion
for any smaller number.
" SEC. 91. For the purposes of the two preceding sections, the waters and shores of Province-
town shall be deemed to be as follows, namely, beginning at Eace Point, one-half mile from the
shore, and thence running by said shore to the end of Long Point, which forms the harbor of
Proviucetown, and from the end of Long Point one-half mile and including the harbor within the
town of Proviucetown.
" SEC. 92. "Whoever, between the first day of April and the first day of July inclusive, takes
more than one hundred pounds per week of lobsters, tautog, bass, or scuppaug in the bays, har-
bors, ponds, rivers, or creeks of the waters of Buzzard's Bay, within one mile from the shore and
within the jurisdiction of the towns of Sandwich and Wareham, shall forfeit a sum not exceeding
fifty dollars, to be recovered in an action of tort by the selectmen or any legal voter of Sandwich
or Wareham, for the use of the party suing therefor."
Chapter 98, public statutes.
The following amendments to sections 81 and 82 of the above laws went into effect March 21,
1882.
" SECTION 1. Section eighty-one of chapter ninety-one of the public statutes is hereby amended
to read as follows :
" SEC. 81. Whoever, during the mouth of July in any year catches or takes from any of the
waters of this Commonwealth any female lobster bearing eggs shall be punished for each offense
by a fine of not less than ten nor more than one hundred dollars, or by imprisonment in the house
of correction for not less than one nor more than three months ; but a person catching or taking
any such lobster during said month of July and immediately returning it alive to the waters from
which it was taken shall not be subject to such penalty.
" SEC. 2. Section eighty-two of chapter ninety-one of the public statutes is hereby amended
to read as follows :
" SEC. 82. Whoever, during the month of July in any year, sells or has in his possession with
intent to sell, any female lobster bearing eggs, taken in this Commonwealth, shall forfeit for each
offense a sum of not less than ten nor more than fifty dollars.
" SEC. 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage."
Chapter 212, section lrof the acts of 1884, amends section 84 of the public statutes to read
as follows :
" Whoever sells, or offers for sale or has in his possession a lobster less than ten and one-half
inches in length measuring from one extreme of the body extended to the other, exclusive of claws
or feelers, shall forfeit ten dollars for every such lobster; and the possession of any lobster not of
the required length .shall be jirima facie evidence to convict."
Rhode Island.
Chapter 147, article XVIII, public statutes of Rhode Island, revision of 1882.
" SECTION 8. Every person not at the time an inhabitant of this State who shall set or keep
or cause to be set or kept, within any of the public waters of the State, any pots or nets for the
catching of lobsters, shall forfeit twenty dollars for each offense, one-half thereof to the use of the
complainant and one-half thereof to the use of the State.
" SEC. 9. Every person who shall Lit or raitt- am pot or net set for the catching of lobsters,
without the permission of the owner thereof, shall forfeit ten dollars.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 735
"SfiO. 10. Every person who shall sell or offer for sale or have in his possession with intent to
sell any lobsters less than ten inches in length, measuring from one extreme of the body to the
other, exclusive of claws and feelers, shall forfeit for every such lobster five dollars, one-half
thereof to the use of the complainant and one-half thereof to the use of the town where the offense
is committed ; and every person who shall take or trap any such lobsters shall immediately return
the same to the waters from whence they are taken, and every person failing so to do shall forfeit
for every such lobster five dollars, one-half thereof to the use of the complainant and one-half
thereof to the use of the town where the offense is committed.
" SEC. 25. Every person living without the State who shall take any lobsters, tautaug, bass, or
other fish, within the harbors, rivers, or waters of this State, for the purpose of carrying them
thence in vessels or smacks, shall be fined ten dollars for every offense, and shall forfeit all the
fish or lobsters so taken."
Connecticut.
Revised statutes of 1875, Title 16, Chap, iv, Article 1, Section 27.
" Every person who shall take, sell, or have in his possession with intent to sell, or destroy,
any lobsters less than ten inches long, measuring from the head to the end of the tail, exclusive of
claws and feelers, shall be fined not less than seven nor more than fifty dollars, half to be paid to
him who shall sue therefor, and half to the town in which the offense is committed, or be impris-
oned not exceeding thirty days, or both."
Chapter 11 of the session laws of 1875.
"Every person who shall take, sell, or have in his possession, with intent to sell or destroy,
any lobsters less than eight inches long, measuring from the head to the end of the tail, exclusive
of claws and feelers, or any female lobster with the ova or spawn attached, shall be fined not less
than ten, nor more than fifty dollars, half to be paid to him who shall sue therefor, and half to
the town in which the offense is committed,' or be imprisoned not exceeding thirty days, or both ;
and all acts inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed."
Chapter 76 of the session laws of 1878.
" Every person who shall at any time take, sell, or have in his possession, with intent to sell
or destroy, any lobsters less than six inches long, measuring from the head to the end of the tail,
exclusive of claws and feelers, or any female lobsters with the ova or spawn attached, between the
first and fifteenth days of July (inclusive) in each year, shall be fined not less than ten nor more
than fifty dollars, half to be paid to him who shall sue therefor, and half to the town in which
the offense is committed, or be imprisoned not exceeding thirty days, or both. And all acts or
parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed."
New fork.
Chapter 282. AN ACT for the preservation of lobsters, passed May 13, 1880.
"SECTION 1. Whoever shall sell, or offer for sale, or have in possession with intent to sell, any
lobster less than ten and one-half inches in length, measurement to be taken from one extremity
of the body to the other, exclusive of claws or feelers, shall, for every such offense, be subject to a
fine of five dollars ; and in all prosecutions under this act the possession of any lobster not of the
length herein prescribed shall be prima facie evidence to convict.
" SEC. 2. All forfeitures accruing under this act shall be paid one-half to the person making the
complaint and one-half to the city or town where the offense was committed.
" SEC. 3. This act shall take effect on the first of June, eighteen hundred and eighty."
736 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Abstract of the State laics.
MAINE. — Law of 1879 : prohibits the canning and preserving of lobsters and the capture and
sale of individuals under 10£ inches long, between August 1 and April 1. No restrictions placed
upon the fishery between April 1 and August 1.
Revision of 1883 : makes a close time from August 15 to November 15, and prohibits the cap.
ture aud sale of females with spawn and lobsters under 9 inches long, from April 1 to August 1.
Revision of 1885: close time from August 15 to October 1, except for personal use of fishermen.
Prohibits canning from July 15 to April 1, the capture of females with spawn from October 1 to
August 15, and of lobsters under 10£ inches long from October 1 to April 1. The taking of all
lobsters over 9 inches long, excepting females with spawn, is permitted during the canning season.
NEW HAMPSHIRE. — In force since 1881 : close time from August 15 to October 15, and a limit
of 10£ inches in length remainder of year. Destruction of females with spawn prohibited during
entire year.
MASSACHUSETTS. — In force since 1880: close time from June 20 to September 20, aud a limit
of 10J inches in length during remainder of year; capture and sale of females with eggs prohib-
ited during July. Also several laws of local application.
Revision of 1882: capture and sale of lemales with spawn prohibited during July.
RHODE ISLAND. — Law of 1882: no lobsters less than 10 inches long can be caught and sold.
The privileges of fishing are restricted to residents of the State.
CONNECTICUT. — Law of 1878: the capture of lobsters less than 6 inches in length is prohib-
ited during the entire year and of females with spawn from July 1 to July 15.
NEW YORK. — Law of 1880: prohibits the sale and capture of lobsters less than 10£ inches in
length.
9. THE CULTIVATION AND TRANSPLANTING OF LOBSTERS.
CULTIVATION. — The artificial breeding of lobsters has been rarely nttempted either in this
country or in Europe, and in no instance are we aware of its having been productive of satisfac-
tory practical results. There are so many difficulties to overcome in an undertaking of this char-
acter, and the breeding habits of lobsters are yet so imperfectly understood, that it is not surpris-
ing greater progress has not been made in materially aiding the increase in supplies by artificial
culture, as in the case of the oyster and of many of our true fishes. That further study and per-
sistent efforts may yet afford us the means of accomplishing so desirable an object is very probable
and is sincerely to be hoped for, in view of the apparent great decrease in the abundance of lob-
sters on many portions of our Atlantic coast.*
NOEWAY. — The same problem has taxed the ingenuity of European fish-cnlturists in those
countries where the European lobster is an important article of trade, and especially has this
been the case in Norway, where a marked decrease in the supplies of that species has been
evident for some time. The most noteworthy of the Norwegian experiments began in 1873, but
of their final results we have been unable to obtain any definite information. The following account
was published in 1875 :
"Several men in the district of Stavanger, viz, Mr. Lorange, a civil engineer, Mr. Olsen, a
teacher, and two merchants, Messrs. Andr. Hansen and H. Hanseu, in 1873, united with a view to
"For recent experiments in lobster culture by the United States Fish Commission, which have been partially
successful, see the following reports: Notes on Lobster Culture (Experiments by the United States Fish Commission
in 1885). By Richard Rathbun. Bulletin United States Fish Commission, Vol. VI, p. 17, 1886.
Hatching, rearing, aud transplanting lobMrrs f Kxperimeots at Wood's Holl Station!. By John A. Ryder.
Science, Vol. VII, No. 175 (June 11, !&*>), pp. 517 519.
TOE LOBSTER FISHERY. 737
making experiments whether it would not be possible to protect the tender young of the lobster
by hatching them iu boxes or small basins, where they could find a place of refuge till they
were so far developed as to take care of themselves. As these first experiments seemed to augur
well, they received at their request, aid from the Royal Society for the Promotion of the Indus-
tries of Norway (Kgl. Selskab for Norges Vel.) to enable them to continue their experiments in
1874.
u For this purpose, they inclosed a sheet of water by building a strong wall at each end of a
sound, between two small islands in the Veafjord, not far from Kopervig. This sheet of water
was about 300 feet long and 30 feet broad ; its bottom consisted partly of rough gravel and partly
of rocks stretching along one of the sides, and its average depth was about 5 feet. Five hatching
boxes were then procured, of which one was placed in the inclosed water, three at Aakrehavu,
and one at Kopervig. These boxes were made of cork, and were 5 feet long and 2 feet deep.
Both at the bottom and at the sides there was an opening of one-half inch between the boards,
which was covered with strips of fine wire-gauze. The boxes at Aakrehavn were, moreover, fur-
nished with a light roof, which, without excluding the light, prevented the boxes from being filled
with fresh water during heavy rains. Only one of these three boxes was used for hatching; the
two other ones being used for receiving the young ones as their number became too large for the
hatching-boxes, and for making experiments whether the young lobster can be kept outside an
inclosed sheet of water, which it might be difficult to procure iu some places. Twenty-two female
lobsters, having roe, were bought, of which three were placed in the inclosed sheet of water and
nineteen iu the boxes, not all at the same time, however, but by degrees, just as it was possible to
procure spawning lobsters.
"Professor Rasch, president of the section for fisheries in the Royal Society for Furthering the
Industries of Norway, made a report to the society on the hatching experiments, accompanied by
prepared specimens, showing the development of the young lobster on each day of the first week
after the hatching, and during the fourth week. Iu this report he says that, in his opinion, the
experiments have been made carefully and skillfully, and that thereby several facts regarding the
natural history of the lobster have been made known, which hitherto were either entirely unknown
or not sufficiently proved by experiments. These facts are —
"a. That the young lobsters swimming near the surface of the water are killed by violent rain,
which was successfully avoided by having the above-mentioned light roofs over the boxes ;
"6. That the older of the young lobsters, when their claws are developed, in their boxes
attack and eat the younger ones which stay near the surface; the possibility of doing this was
diminished by having holes in the sides of the boxes large enough to let the larger of the young
ones which stay deeper under the water slip out easily ;
"c. That the female lobsters which have roe under the back part of their body in June will
have done hatching in September ;
"<?. That the hatching from beginning to end occupies a period of about three weeks;
"e. That the summer-hatching does not begin at the same time every year (in 1873 it began
on the 4th of July, and in 1874 between the 17th and 26th of the same month), which undoubtedly
depends on the higher and lower temperature of water ;
"/. That the newly-hatched young of the lobster keep closely together near the surface of
the water, and because but little skilled in swimming become an easy prey to their enemies; and,
"g. That the young lobsters begin to go toward the bottom when about three to four weeks
old, and that there they soon assume their retrograde motion.
"It was also shown that when the young lobsters have so far developed as to seek the bot-
SEC v, VOL u 47
738 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
torn, they can escape their enemies with comparative ease, partly on account of their quicker
motions and partly by hiding between the stones.
"These experiments have, therefore, not only thrown considerable light on the natural history
of the lobster, but they have also given practical hints how it may be possible to further the
lobster fisheries by adopting regulations for their protection, and by establishing in suitable
localities hatching-places where the young can be protected during the first stages of their
development. To keep the young lobsters in inclosed sheets of water till they are large enough to
become salable will scarcely pay.
"One of our largest exporters of lobsters on the western coast has tried to keep large quan-
tities of grown lobsters in an inclosed sheet of water, feeding them and waiting for the time when
it would be most profitable to ship them ; but it soon became evident that the expenses were too
great.
" These experiments will be continued during the present year with the aid of the Royal
Society for Furthering the Industries of Norway."*
The celebrated Norwegian naturalist, Prof. G. O. Sars, who has devoted much time to the
study of the European lobster, visited the above locality in 1875, and reported very favorably
upon the experiments being made there. Concerning them he writes as follows :
" There is another point which I must briefly mention, viz, the artificial raising of lobsters.
I have in another place expressed my opinion that this is a subject which possibly in the future
may prove a very important aid to our lobster fisheries. The exceedingly simple manner in which
the artificial raising of lobsters can be carried on seems to encourage people in different places to
make experiments in this direction. Mr. Hansen, a merchant of Akrevig, assisted by Mr. Olsen,
superintendent of schools at Kobbervig, has already made several experiments, which, on the
whole, have proved successful. During my journey of last summer I visited the place and
examined the hatching apparatus, which had already produced a large number of young lobsters.
Mr. Hansen has determined to make a kind of lobster park, where the young lobsters, after their
metamorphosis is completed, may live and develop. I consider these experiments of great impor-
tance, and would like to see Mr. Hausen receive sufficient aid from the Government to enable him
to carry them on on a larger scale and in a practical manner." t
PARKING IN THE UNITED STATES. — In the United States, the best results have been
obtained in connection with the so-called "parking" of lobsters — that is to say, their protection
in large, inclosed natural basins, primarily for the purpose of perfecting them for market, and of
retaining conveniently at hand, at all seasons, a large reserve stock for supplying the market
demands. In these parks the young lobsters taken by the fishermen are allowed to attain the
adult size, the soft-shelled individuals to become hardened, and injuries to be repaired. It is
needless to state that under such natural conditions, the breeding habits must continue more or
less normal and large quantities of spawn be hatched. That much of the spat thus obtained grows
into full-sized lobsters and adds very materially to the population of the park, is a question which
has not been satisfactorily settled. If lobsters can be profitably raised from spawn in parks of
this character, their usefulness cannot be doubted, and the matter of artificial breeding might
become comparatively simple. As elsewhere discussed, however, the question of profit and loss
is one for serious consideration to the lobster breeder, and if every lobster he raises costs him
* Om Forsog raed Kunstig Udklaekning af Hummer, Ny Eaekke of Tidsskrift for Fiskeri, 2 •» Aargang, pp. 184-
188, 1875.
t Indbere tninger til Departmentet for det Indre fra Prof. Dr. G. O. Sars, om de af bam i Aarene 1874-1877 anstil-
lede Undersogelservedkommende Saltvands-fiskerierae. Christiania. 1878.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 739
more than its market value, his experiments must be counted a failure from a practical stand-
point.
Lobster parks have been established in Europe as well as this country, but here only a few
have been attempted. Two parks on the New England coast have been brought specially to our
notice. The first, started in 1872, on the coast of Massachusetts, was described as follows, in the
Boston Journal of Commerce for 1873 :
" The attempt to cultivate lobsters for the market was begun about a year ago ; and though
no very great results have yet been obtained, the experiment presents every indication of ultimate
success. A space of some 30 acres of flats having been inclosed by an embankment, the proprietor
of the place conceived the plan of hiring the use of the inclosed water for a lobster pond. The
place was originally an arm of the sea, and had a deep channel in the center, so that sufficient
depth of water was secured. On building the dike an arched way was made in it, so that the
tide could flow out and in at all times. The opening being small, the tide only rises and falls
about 3 feet inside. This keeps the inside water deep at all times, and at the same time prevents
it from becoming foul.
" During July and August last summer, 40,000 lobsters, of every age and condition, were let
loose in the pond. Many of them were in the soft-shell state, and many were unsalable on account
of a lost claw or other mutilation. Food, in the shape of refuse from the fish market, was freely
supplied them ; and a gate was put up at the entrance to prevent their escape into the sea.
Nothing in particular happened for several months ; and the enterprising owner arranged nets
for eels and other fish, which he caught in the pond in large quantities during the fall and winter.
"When the ice had covered the pond, holes were cut and the lobster traps were put down.
Good sizable hard-shell lobsters were at once caught, and two things were proved : first, the
water was deep and pure enough to keep the fish alive, and secondly, the fish were healthy, for
they had taken their hardened shells, in the usual manner, and new claws had grown in the place
of those lost. In the spring, eels, perch, and a great many other kinds of fish were taken from the
pond in liberal quantities, and now that the spawning season is well advanced, the farm has
reached its final and most critical stage. Some 15,000 good, marketable lobsters have been taken
out and sold. Every one was a male fish, as the female fish were all returned to the water for
breeding purposes. The spawn is now on its last stage and in a few weeks, if all goes well, some
millions of young lobsters will swarm in the pond. The eggs are already so far advanced that the
young fry can be seen through the transparent shells, and only one thing will prevent them from
coming to maturity. The question is, Can the young lobsters defend themselves from the fish in
the pond? It is impossible to keep other fish out, and the lobsters must take their chances.
Everything is favorable so far. The bottom is stony and gravelly. There are plenty of hiding
places, such as the young fish seek to hide in, and the water is always deep and fresh.
"The proprietor is a keen, far-sighted man, well educated, and thoroughly in love with hjs
business. He has entire confidence in the success of his venture, and will make it succeed if
anybody can. From a personal inspection of the lobster farm, we are inclined to think the project
destined to prove a financial success. The fish already sold are of excellent quality, and have
won a good name in the market. The number of lobsters that can live in the pond is practically
countless. If one-eighth of the young fish live, a couple of years will see the place stocked with
millions of salable lobsters. The expense is small— the rent, the food (which may be obtained for
the asking), and the labor of catching and preparing for market being the whole of it. The
experiment is a very important one. If it succeeds it will introduce an entirely new system of
lobster fishing, and do much to prevent the destruction of the natural supply. Nor is this all, for
740 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the same pond can be made to yield perch, flounders, eels, smelts, and other fish in great quanti-
ties at no additional expense."
About 1879 or 1880, another similar park of about the same size as that above described was
established on the coast of Maine, by one of the large wholesale firms dealing in lobsters. The
place is a small inclosed bay with a narrow entrance, through which the passage of all objects
above a very small size is prevented by a screen of wire netting. A few years ago this bay always
contained an abundance of lobsters during the summer, and was much resorted to by fishermen.
Overfishing, however, had nearly exhausted the supply and made trapping in the basin unprofit-
able, although it had not deprived it of its natural advantages, which have been recently recog-
nized by those who are now in possession of its privileges. It contains an abundance of plant
and animal food, and toward the center has a sufficient depth of water, with a soft bottom, for the
protection of lobsters during cold weather. Into this park large quantities of soft-shelled lobsters,
of lobsters minus one or both claws, as well as of young individuals under the legal size of 10 or 10J
inches, have been placed for growth and repair, and it is claimed that the results have been satis,
factory. No food has been supplied them beyond what the park naturally contains. At the begin-
ning- of cold weather, the lobsters retire to the deeper parts of the park, and at times, when the
•water has been clear and calm, they have been observed almost completely buried in the mud, with
only their feelers, eyes, and a small portion of the front of the body exposed.
While the owners of the park express great satisfaction at the results thus far obtained, they
are not content to rest their experiment at this point, but are endeavoring to solve the problem of
artificial breeding on a practical scale. They state that many of the lobsters first put into the pond
were females with spawn, and claim that the young then hatched have grown and greatly increased
its population. Since then, spawning females have been purposely added to the stock from time
to time, and at the last accounts young lobsters of various sizes were said to be exceedingly abun-
dant. In an experiment of this kind a considerable lapse of time is required to test its merits, but
the present outlook is very encouraging.
THE POSSIBLE SUCCESS OP LOBSTER CULTURE. — There is little reason to doubt the practi-
cability of lobster culture, but whether it can be made a paying business or not can only be
determined by experiment. A vital question for consideration in connection with it is that of
cost, and especially the first cost in establishing suitable breeding stations with the necessary
outfit, and ample basins for conducting the work on a sufficiently extensive scale to make its
results noticeable in an increased supply of lobsters. It seems scarcely possible that private
enterprise alone could ever successfully carry on such an undertaking which, at the outset,
requires the employment of much skilled labor, and must meet with many perplexing and
unlooked-for delays. The success which has attended the breeding of so many of our marine and
fresh-water products, through the co-operation of the National and State governments, might
better determine the proper course to pursue, and we earnestly hope that the attention of the
authorities will soon be directed toward this end. Before actual breeding operations are begun,
there are many important problems to be solved in respect to the natural history of lobsters, and
these must be intrusted to the painstaking skill of expert naturalists especially qualified for the
work. The breeding habits, rate of growth, and enemies should be carefully investigated, as also
the best means of caring for the young, the age at which they should be liberated from confine-
ment, and the best method of distributing them to different portions of the coast. All of these
questions must arise in any systematic attempt at lobster culture, and upon their proper treatment
future success will depend.
TRANSPLANTING. — It is an interesting question as to whether lobsters can be made to live
TOE LOBSTER FISHERY. 741
and thrive, in other regions than those in which they properly belong. The transportation of live
lobsters over long distances has been successfully accomplished, but their acclimatization in
strange waters is a more ditlieult problem still awaiting solution. Several species of true fishes,
and also the common soft clam (Mya arenaria). belonging to the eastern side of the continent,
have been introduced into the Pacific and its tributaries, and Pacific forms are now living on the
Atlantic slope, making it appear reasonable to suppose that the lobster is capable of transplanta-
tion, providing it is introduced into a region where the water possesses a similar density ami
temperature to that of its natural habitat. Such conditions possibly exist on certain portions of
the western coast, but no investigations have yet been made to determine the fact. The successful
introduction of lobsters into that region would prove of great benefit, and it has already been
attempted, though without permanent results so far as known.
TRANSPLANTING TO CALIFORNIA.— On page 686 we have referred to the carrying of live
lobsters to Europe for the purposes of trade, and will here give a brief account of the experiments
of Mr. Livingston Stone in transporting them across the continent. Three trials were made by
this gentleman, on behalf of the State of California, with the assistance and co-operation of the
United States Fish Commission, in 1873, in 1874, and finally in 1879, the last one only having been
successful.
First attempt. — On the 3d of June, 1873, the first shipment was made in an aquarium car
specially fitted up for the purpose, and which was to run through to California without change.
Several species of fish were also included in the stock. The lobsters numbered one hundred and
sixty-two, and were obtained from Massachusetts Bay and Wood's Holl, Massachusetts. They were
contained in six large cases, the water in which was retained as nearly as possible at a temperature
of between 34° and 36° F. The lobsters began to die early in the journey, but an unfortunate
accident near Omaha, which precipitated the car into a river, brought the experiment to an
untimely end.
Second attempt. — In June of the following year the second shipment was made. It con-
sisted of one hundred and fifty lobsters, of which a portion were carried in wooden cases and the
remainder in a large salt-water tank. The boxes were " without covers, and divided by partitions
into twelve apartments. The surface extent of these apartments was just enough to admit one
lobster lying within it — smaller than was well for them. The depth of the apartments was about
6 inches, and the bottoms were bored with an auger-hole to allow drainage. A handful of straw
was put in each apartment and a lobster laid upon it, then sponges dripping with salt water were
placed above and around it until quite concealed from sight and from dry air by this stratum of
wet sponges." At the start, all of the lobsters were packed in boxes in this manner, but after two
or three days sixty were transferred to the large salt-water tank containing striped bass and other
salt-water fish. Air was forced into the tank continuously, but the following day all suddenly
died, it was supposed, from the cover of the tank having fallen and interfered with the circulation.
The lobsters in the cases were treated in the following manner :
"There were twelve of these boxes, each containing twelve above-described apartments,
placed in the aquarium car, one upon another, in two piles of six boxes each, against the side of
the car. In going over the lobsters twice a day, the boxes were taken down and the sponges were
removed from the lobsters one at a time and squeezed over the animal, which, if alive, will respond
to it by blinking its eyes and stretching its claws, perhaps moving its body a little. The sponges
were then dipped into a pailful of sea water and wetted again, and were carefully arranged as
before about the lobster. Pieces of ice which another person had been breaking up meanwhile
were strewn over each box, among the compartments and sponges, to keep cool the water in the
742 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
sponges and the moisture in the straw and around the lobster. It was slow work, and the lobsters
were too much exposed during the operations. Often, after the boxes were piled up again, pailfuls
of salt-water were poured, over the whole. During the first two or three days only a few were
found dead when they were repacked." After the fourth or fifth day the mortality increased and
from one-third to one-half the number were often found dead at each time of repacking. On the
fifth day the straw was removed from the boxes, and the lobsters were packed entirely with
sponges. Numerous devices were improvised to diminish the death rate, but all were unavailing.
Two lobsters were left at Ogden, Utah, to be deposited in Salt Lake, and on leaving there but
eight live lobsters remained, of these only four reached San Francisco, and they were put into the
sea at Oakland wharf, June 12, nine days after they had been taken from the Atlantic Ocean.*
Third attempt. — The final and successful trip was made in June, 1879, the shipment con-
sisting of lobsters, striped bass, black bass, and eels. They were carried in large salt-water tanks.
The following account is extracted from a report by Mr. Livingston Stone :
" The first difficulty to be encountered [in transporting marine animals], viz, the tendency of
the ocean water to become foul in the tanks en route, was overcome, as above mentioned, by letting
the water stand long enough to clear itself of animal life.
" The second difficulty of keeping the water cold in the tanks without introducing ice into it,
I resolved to meet by using a variety of coolers formed by the mixture of melting ice and salt. I
tried three methods of using the freezing mixtures : (1) Putting the ice and salt in large stone
jugs in the tanks ; (2) The regular ice-cream-freezer plan of putting the freezing mixture in a
vessel surrounding another vessel containing the water to be cooled ; (3) Filling a large earthen
drain tile with the freezing mixture and keeping it in a reserve tank of water from which the water,,
when cool enough, could be exchanged with the warmer water in the lobster tanks.
"All three varieties worked very well, and were employed for nearly the whole trip, the ice-
cream-freezer method, however, being found to work the best in actual practice.
"After completing my preparatory arrangements for the care of the lobsters in transit, I
procured some lobsters of Messrs. Johnson [of Boston], and in order to test the efficacy of my
plans, I subjected the lobsters for a fortnight, as nearly as practicable, to the very conditions
which they would encounter on the journey, and for this purpose 1 kept men watching them and
dipping the water in the tanks every fifteen minutes, night and day, for fifteen days. The result
was very encouraging, and gave strong hopes that the lobsters would reach the Pacific Ocean alive.
"The start from Albany was propitious and encouraging. We had with us three tanks of
lobsters, three tanks of striped bass, two tanks of black bass, and two tanks of eels. The lobster
tanks contained 22 female lobsters with over a million eggs nearly ready to hatch out. * * *
The tanks were very heavy and difficult to lift, weighing about 300 pounds apiece.
" Besides the tanks containing fish, there were two large freezing tanks, in which were kept
the reserve of ocean water and a constantly-renewed freezing mixture to maintain the reserve at
as low a temperature as possible. These weighed nearly 300 pounds apiece when full. We also
had two 5-gallon stone jugs containing the freezing mixture, and a large supply of ice and salt,
an assortment of dippers, hatchets, thermometers, and other small articles indispensable to a
journey of this kind.
"The main points about the care of the fish were : (1) to keep the temperature of the tanks just
right all the time; (2) to keep the water constantly aerated ; (3) at every change of cars to make
the transfer from one train to another without injury to the fish and in season to take the connect-
ing train. * * * I aimed to keep the lobsters at a temperature of between 46° and 55°.
* M. L. Perrin, in Report United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Part III, 1876, p. 260.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 743
" It was easy enough to manage the temperatures of all the tanks except those containing the
lobsters; but these gave us a good deal of trouble, because they could only be cooled by exchanging
the water on the lobsters with the water in the coolers, and by using the stone jugs containing the
freezing mixture. On very warm days it was extremely difficult to reduce the temperature in the
lobster tanks as fast as the heat of the day raised it. With great pains, however, we succeeded
in preventing it from rising high enough to do any mischief."
At Omaha one lobster was found dead. It " proved to be the one that had hatched its brood
at Boston, and was undoubtedly not in condition to survive the journey. * * * No further
mishap occurred during the journey. We passed the Laramie Plains into the Rocky Mountains
in safety, and on the morning of June 17 descended into the valley of Great Salt Lake at Ogden,
with lobsters, striped bass, black bass, and the remaining eels in splendid order. We made the
transfer to the Central Pacific Railroad at Ogden successfully, and renewed our anxious journey
with lighter hearts and more hope of favorable results than we had dared to entertain in all the
previous part of the journey. Cheered by the hope of getting the fish through alive, we redoubled
our exertions and kept at work with the dippers every minute, aerating the water in the tanks
night and day till we reached Sacramento June 20, at 10.30 a. in. (eight days after the start).
" The lobsters were carried to Oakland wharf by the writer, where they were met by a steamer
chartered for the purpose, which took them to the Bonito light-house, under the shadow of which,
in a sheltered bay a few miles outside the Golden Gate, I had the pleasure of placing them with
my own hands — the first lobsters ever introduced into the Pacific Ocean. They were all in splen-
did condition except one, and had with them over a million eggs nearly ready to hatch.
" Thus terminated one of the most important and difficult expeditions ever attempted with
living fishes. The dangers they had to encounter were innumerable. It seemed as if only a miracle
could save them, but they escaped all their dangers, and the result was as gratifying as it was
unexpected."*
RESULT OF THE EXPERIMENTS. — Despite the numerous favorable reports made from time to
time on the appearance of young lobsters in the vicinity of San Francisco, since the first introduc-
tion above described, we cannot find that any of them are authentic or based upon the examination
of specimens by persons capable of identifying the species. Numerous small lobster-like forms that
never attain a greater length than a very few inches at the most, live upon the California coast,
and might easily be mistaken for genuine young lobsters by one not well acquainted with the
structure of the latter. Such forms are undoubtedly taken at times in the nets of the fishermen
and have probably given rise to the reports mentioned.
Mr. W. N. Lockington, of San Francisco, who had been studying the Crustacea of California,
was applied to, in 1880, for information regarding the matter. In reply he states : " I have been
unable to ascertain whether any young lobsters have yet been taken in our waters. Reported
examples prove, on inquiry, to be ' something like lobsters,' probably Gebia or Callianassa, which
are very plentiful along sandy shores. An introduction worthy of mention, however, is that of
the King Crab (Limulus Polyphemus), the young of which are supposed to have been brought over
mingled with the spat of the eastern oyster, which has been largely imported for transplantation
to the shallow waters of San Francisco Bay."
More recent information is wanting and there is still a possibility that some of the last lot
of lobsters introduced may have survived. Before further shipments are made, it would be well
to compare the coast temperatures of the two sides of the continent, with the view of ascertaining
where on the west coast the conditions most resemble those of New England, whence the supplies
are obtained.
* Report United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Part VII, for 1879 (1882), pp. 637-644.
744 HISTOET AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
10. COAST EEVIEW OF THE LOBSTEE INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES, FOE
1880, STATISTICAL SUMMATIONS, TABLES, ETC.
MAINE.
PASSAMAQUODDY DISTRICT.
This district includes tbe line of coast from Calais, on the Saint Croix Eiver, to West Quodtly
Head, in Lubec. Lobster-fishing is carried on mainly from the lower part of tbe Saint Croix,
from Eastport and from Lubec. The fishing season is practically that during which the canneries
are open, beginning, by law, April 1, and ending August 1. Some years, however, as in 1879, the
season does not open until the middle or latter part of April, and generally it closes as early as
the middle of July, the lobsters becoming scarce, or largely soft-shell, about that time. Many of
the lobstermen fish only about two months, which is said to be about the average length of the
season for all of the fishermen. June is considered to be one of the best months for fishing. Lob-
sters are said to be most abundant on rocky bottoms, and in such places the traps are commonly
set; but some fishing is also done on smooth bottoms of gravel and sand. In the spring, from
April 1 to about the middle of May, the pots are mainly set outside of the island of Campobello,
from Head Harbor to Herring Cove. Fishing first begins in depths of 20 to 25 fathoms, but, as
the season advances, the pots are gradually shifted shoreward into much shallower water. About
the middle of May the fishermen begin upon the so-called inside grounds, which are very exten-
sive, and reach from Lubec to near Saint John, New Brunswick. Eastport is the only market for
most of this region. During the summer the pots are usually set in depths of 3 to 10 fathoms.
Many lobsters are brought in from about the Wolves, on the New Brunswick coast, and a few
also from Grand Manan Both the Saint Croix and Pembroke Eivers furnish a profitable summer
lobster fishery, the supplies from those waters containing, it is said, many larger individuals than
are obtained elsewhere. The lobsters from Grand Manan are described as being smaller and
poorer in quality than those from along the mainland; while those taken in South Bay, Lubec,
and the Pembroke Eiver run above the average size.
A curious fact concerning the occurrence of soft lobsters, which influences the market to a
certain extent for a limited period in this region, has been described to us by several reliable persons.
According to their accounts, although soft lobsters are more or less abundant from the middle of
May to August, they are far more plentiful from the 1st to the 10th of May than at any other time
during the fishing season. During this period sometimes fully one-half the catch will be soft-
shell and unfit for use, and great care has to be exercised in making contracts to furnish large
quantities of lobsters at this time. In April soft-shell lobsters are quite rare, especially during
the first part of the month. August and September correspond with the first ten days of May in
the abundance of soft lobsters, and this is said to account for the fact, that during these two
months the lobster fishery has never proved successful about Eastport. There is no fall lobster
fishery of any account in the Passainaquoddy district.
The lobster fishermen in this district own their gear, go singly or in pairs, and use from forty
to one hundred pots to a boat, the average number being about sixty. On rough bottoms the pots
are set on single warps but on smooth bottoms they are worked in trawls. According to a careful
estimate by Mr. George It. Eay, of Eastport, the average catch per boat for the season of 1879 (April
20 to August 1) was 3,939 pounds, the lobsters averaging in weight for the entire catch about one
pound each. The average catch for 1880 was much less, and the season shorter, lobsters having
been less abundant. In 1879, 3,050 barrels of fresh lobsters were shipped from Eastport, and, iu
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 745
1880, ouly 2,546 barrels. The prices paid to the fishermen for cullings, or cauniiig lobsters, were
90 cents per 100 pounds, at the traps, or $1, delivered at the canneries. The larger lobsters,
intended for shipment to the fresh markets, brought 3 cents each to the fishermen. Sales are
generally made by weight for the canning lobsters, and by count for the fresh market. The fish-
ermen live mainly on the islands, and comparatively few lobsters are now caught in this district
by Americans. About 04,500 pounds of lobsters were landed in Eastport by the American lobster
fishermen in 1880, the balance of the sales recorded for that place having been brought in by
provincial fishermen. The lobsterrnen are mostly farmers, tending weirs being the only other
fishery in which many of them engage. Some, however, also go boat fishing. The lobstermen of
the Saint Croix River fish only about two months, during May and June, and sometimes a little in
the fall. They catch about 500 lobsters weekly to a boat, each boat stocking, on an average, $30
per mouth, and sell at Calais, Robbinstou, Saint Andrews, and Eastport, receiving 3 cents each
at the three former places. The fish used as bait in this district are as follows, in the order of
their importance: herring, flounders, sculping. They are usually caught by the lobstermen them-
selves.
The canning of lobsters began at Eastport in 1842, but at that time these crustaceans were
not known to occur in the immediate neighborhood, in sufficient abundance to warrant fishing for
them. Hence smacks were sent in quest of supplies as far to the westward as Muscle Ridges,
stopping and buying also at intermediate ports. Large quantities were thus obtained from the
vicinities of Millbridge and Stubeu. It was not until 1855 that lobsters were found to be plentiful
near Eastport, and then for the first time was the fishery engaged in extensively in that region.
From 1855 to 1865 this fishery continued to develop, reaching its height about the latter year.
Since then, however, it has greatly declined in the American waters, although it has proportion-
ally increased among the British islands of the vicinity. Formerly the entire catch was used by
the factories, but, later, when the demand for fresh lobsters, in New York and Boston, increased
beyond the capacities of the fisheries nearer home, the Eastport fishermen found a profitable
market in those places for their largest and best fish.
Lobsters are sent from Eastport to the fresh markets at the west, mainly in flour barrels,
which hold from 135 to 140 pounds each, or about fifty-five lobsters by count. In the bottom of
each barrel a hole of about an inch diameter is bored to permit of drainage. The lobsters are then
packed in them, care being taken to have the tail of each curled up under the body. The barrel
is filled about even full, and on top is placed a large piece of ice, weighing from 10 to 15 pounds.
Over this is arranged a covering of marline or gunny cloth, which is held in place by the upper
hoop of the barrel. The journey from Eastport to Boston occupies about thirty-six hours, but
lobsters will live in the barrels fully forty-eight hours or longer, if properly packed. They are
transferred to cars, or boiled as soon as they reach Boston. The regular steamer from Eastport
for Boston leaves the former place, during the summer, about noon of every other day. It is
customary to pack the lobsters in the morning of each steamer day, in order that they may start
in good condition.
A portion of the lobster scrap or refuse from the canneries is sold to the Red Beach Plaster
Company, by which concern it is dried and ground with plaster for fertilizing purposes. In 1879
2,000 barrels of scrap were thus disposed of, and in 1880, 1,500 barrels. A large quantity of the
scrap in its crude state is also used directly upon the farms in the vicinity.
CANNERIES. — There were four canneries located in Eastport in this district, in 1880, as follows :
One established in 1870, and owned by the American Sardine Company; one established iu 1877,
746 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
and owned by Thomas L. Holmes, and two established in 1879, and owned by Pike & Faben, and
P. M. Kane, respectively. These canneries put up nothing but lobsters in 1880.
Two canneries are located in the province of New Brunswick, in close proximity to this dis-
trict, viz., one at Saint Andrews, on the Saint Croix River, owned by Hart & Balkam, and one
at Grand Manan, owned by George Underwood & Co.
FRESH-MARKET DEALERS. — In addition to the canneries, two or three of which engaged in
shipping fresh lobsters, there were also three exclusively fresh lobster and fish dealers at East-
port, with a small working capital.
SMACKS. — There is but one lobster smack owned in this district, the Swampscott of Eastport.
She is schooner-rigged, measures 22.88 tons, is valued at $500, and carries a crew of four men.
She carries lobsters in the spring and summer, and herring in the summer and fall, to the East-
port canneries.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY AT EASTPORT, IN 1882. — While at Eastport in July, 1882, the author
made many inquiries regarding the condition of the lobster industry at that time, and it may be in-
teresting to note, in this connection, the few changes which have taken place since the official in-
vestigation of 1880. Lobsters were much more abundant and averaged larger this year than in
1881 and 1880, both of which were considered off years, and although only about the same quantity
of canned lobsters was produced, the number shipped fresh to Boston in ice was much greater.
The canning of lobsters is no longer profitable at this place, because of the great competition which
has arisen in connection with the fresh trade. The dealers, in purchasing of the fishermen, are
obliged to take all sizes that are brought in, and the latter are in consequence able to demand a
higher price for the poorer part of their catch. Lobsters intended for the fresh-market trade
must measure at least 10£ inches in length; all under this size, designated as culliugs, are
canned. The former, since 1881, have paid to the fishermen 5 cents each, and the latter $1.30 at
their cars, Or $1.50 delivered at the canneries. This is an advance, since 1880, of about 50 cents
a hundredweight. The dealers claim that they can the cullings simply to prevent a loss, and
that the canning of lobsters only about pays its way, without adding to their profits. There are
now in Eastport only three lobster canneries, which keep open for lobsters from the first part of
April until about the middle of July, or perhaps a week or two longer if supplies remain abundant.
After this time, they engage in the sardine business, during the proper seasons. All of these
three canning establishments ship fresh lobsters by steamer to Boston, and in addition there
are one or two other fresh dealers, who sell their cullings to one or other of the canneries at
reduced prices. The fresh lobster trade is said to yield fair profits. Contracts are occasionally
made with Boston dealers to supply them with a specified quantity every week, during the
season, the latter, on their part, agreeing to receive these quantities, whatever may be the state of
the market.
In 1882 only about 1,500 cases of canned lobsters were prepared in Eastport, against 4,500
cases ten years ago. The largest shipper of fresh lobsters states that, in 1879, he canned 1,500
cases of lobsters; in 1880, 500 cases ; in 1881, 500 cases ; and in 1882, 500 cases. Ten years ago, when
he started in the business, he put up 1,400 cases and also shipped about 1,400 barrels of fresh
lobsters. This year, in canning 500 cases, he has shipped about 1,600 barrels.
Information was solicited respecting the general decrease of lobster supplies during the past
ten years, but the result of the inquiries was quite unsatisfactory, from the contradictory state-
ments of the informants. It seems quite certain, however, that lobsters are much less abundant
now than formerly, in very shallow waters near shore, and in the more inclosed areas, such as
the mouths of rivers and inner bays. There appears also to have been a decrease in the
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 747
average size of lobsters, the run of small individuals being greater than was the case ten years
ago. Nearly four times as many fishermen supply the Bastport market now as then, and still the
quantity handled is no greater. Formerly a large proportion of the supplies came from the Pem-
broke River, which was fished to within about 2 miles of Pembroke, and from the Saint Croix River,
as far up as Robbinston. Broad Cove, back of Eastport, also furnished at one time valuable
lobster fisheries. The lobsters of the Pembroke River averaged larger in size than the ordinary.
Of late years the catch in these areas has been much less extensive, and some seasons has
amounted to little or nothing, although in 1882 it was far better than for several years back.
The extent of the area fished over for lobsters has been gradually increased from year to year.
Summation of the lobster fisheries in Passamaquoddy district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 62
Number of marketmen 4
Number of vessels above 5 tons burden 1
Value of same $670
Number of boats 37
Value of boats $1,015
Number of lobster pots 2,775
Value of lobster pots $2,081
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $3,766
Number of barrels of bait used 1 , 220
Value of bait $610
Quantity of lobsters sold fresh to the Boston market and local trade, in pounds 351, 348
Value of same $12, 883
Quantity of lobsters sold to canneries, in pounds 953,910
Value of same $9, 539
Total quantity of lobsters taken and sold, in pounds 1,305,258
Value of the same to the fishermen $22,422
Summation of the lobster canneries in Passamaquoddy district in 1880.
Number of canneries „_ 4
Value of buildings and fixtures $4,000
Additional cash capital required $7,000
Number of boats 7
Value of boats $1,500
Total capital invested $12,500
Average number of men employed 31
Average number of women and children employed 31
Average number of sin ackmen employed 19
Total number of persons employed 81
Number of pounds of live lobsters used 953, 910
Amount paid to the fishermen for the same $9, 539
Number of 1-pound cans of lobsters put up 135,792
Number of 2-pound cans of lobsters put up 4, 776
Number of other brands of lobsters put up 12, 000
Enhancement in value of lobsters in process of canning $9,254
Valne of the canned lobsters $18, 793
Summation of the entire lobster industry in Passamaquoddy district in 1880.
Total number of persons employed 147
Total amount of capital invested $16,266
Total value of the products as they entered into consumption $151 , 676
MACHIAS DISTRICT.
In this district lobster fishing is carried on principally from Cutler, Machias and Little
Machias Bays, Mason's Bay, Jonesboro', Jonesport, Harrington, Addison, and Millbriclge.
QTJODDY HEAD TO JONESBORO'. — Passing westward from QuoddyHead, the first lobster fish-
ing station met with is Cutler. Here there are a few men who, like the average lobster fishermen
of this part of the coast, farm and fish fqr lobsters at the same time, selling their catch to smacks
748 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
running to the factories at Eastport or tbe Little Kennebec River. Some of these fishermen live
on Cross Island and about the shores of Little Machias Bay, both of which places are favorably
situated for engaging in the lobster fishery. At Machiasport all of the lobster fishermen live on the
west side of Machias Bay, at Larribee Cove, Buck's Harbor, and Howard's Bay. The lobster fisher-
men of this region are all farmers, and usually do not begin to set their pots until after planting,
although a few may commence to fish as early as the middle of April ; but a small portion of the
day is occupied in hauling the pots, the remainder being spent in procuring bait and in working
on the farms. About one-fourth of the bait used is small herring brought from Eastport in tbe
dry smacks. The greater part of the catch (probably three-fourths) is sold to the cannery at the
Little Kennebec River, the remainder going to the Jouesport factory. Smacks generally go around
to obtain the lobsters, but sometimes the fishermen carry them to the canneries iu their own boats.
Machias Bay is considered an excellent fishing-ground for lobsters, the statements of several persons
warranting the belief that the average daily catch falls but little, if any, short of two lobsters to a
pot. Mr. O. S. Church, of Cutler, says that, in 1879, one of the boats fishing from that place was
paid for 6 tons of lobsters, which is equivalent to about 11,000 lobsters by count.
To the westward of Machiasport we come upon the Little Kennebec River, on the west side
of which, near the mouth, is situated a lobster cannery, owned by Messrs. Burnham & Morrill, of
Portland. It is located in the township of Jonesboro', and draws its supplies mainly from the
fisheries to the eastward. A few lobsters are also obtained from the Jonesport fishermen, in Mason's
Bay, and from fishermen at Chandler's River, Jonesboro'. The catch at the latter places is,
however, mostly sold to the Jonesport cannery, situated at the "Reach" iu Jonesport.
JONESPOET. — About seventy-one men are engaged in lobstering from Jouesport, including
the mainland and Head Harbor, Beals and Great Wass Islands. They fish singly, using boats
valued at $30 each, and, on an average, about sixty-five pots apiece. The average catch per man
for the season of 1880 (three and one-half mouths. April 15 to August 1) was about 9,250
lobsters by count, valued at about $125 to the fishermen. The pots are set singly, as lobsters
are not considered to be abundant enough for the use of trawls, although there has been no
apparent decrease in their numbers during the past ten years. They are, however, said to run
smaller now than formerly, the average weight of those taken during the summer being about 1
pound. The average daily catch for a man is about one hundred and twenty-five lobsters. This
fishery began in the vicinity of Jonesport about 1860. Formerly only flounders and sculping
were used as bait, but during the past two or three years one-half of the bait employed has
consisted of salted herring, brought from the weirs at Millbridge. The average amount of bait
used to a boat for the season is about 34 barrels. After the close of the lobster season the men
engage in boat and other fisheries. Three or four men, however, trap lobsters iu the fall to sell
to the fresh markets, but they do a very limited business. Most of the lobsters taken are sold to
the factory at Jonesport, being carried there in dry smacks, owned on the islands. Of the
average catch of each man for 1880 (9,250 lobsters) about 7,650 were sold to the caunery and
1,700 to well smacks iu the spring, at the rate of 3 cents each. The lobsters taken in the fall and
winter are mainly sent to Portland and Boston packed alive in barrels.
HARRINGTON. — At this place nine men use on an average sixty pots each, and make an aver-
age stock for the summer season of about $75. The catch is sold entirely to Jonesport, Cape Split
Harbor, and Millbridge. The men are all farmers, depending more upon that branch of labor
than upon fishing.
ADDISON. — Twenty-four men from Addison fish for lobsters from April to August. They set
on an average sixty pots each, and make an average season's stock of $100. Herring are prin-
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 749
cipally used as bait. The catch is sold both to the canneries and to well smacks, and a few
lobsters (about 3,000 annually) are consumed locally.
MILLBRIDGE. — About twelve men from this place engage in lobsteriug from April to August,
setting from fifty to one hundred pots each, or an average of seventy-five pots, and fishing in
depths of 3 to 15 fathoms. The men go singly, sometimes having a boy with them to help, and
generally use the so-called " reach boats," measuring 15 to 16 feet in length. In 1879 the average
daily caitch to seventy-five traps was stated to be about 700 pounds of lobsters, and in 1880, 500
pounds. About one-sixth of the catch, weighing on an average 2| pounds each, was sold to the
Boston smacks at 3 cents apiece. After July or August all of the lobstermen engage in hand-line
fishing for cod, hake, pollock, &c.
CANNERIES. — Four lobster canneries are located in this district, as follows: Jonesboro', estab-
lished in 1867, and owned by Buruham & Morrill ; Jouesport, established in 1863, and owned by
William Underwood & Co.; Cape Split, Addisou, established in 1879, and owned by the Portland
Packing Company ; Millbridge, established in 1861, and owned by J. Winslow Jones & Co. The
Jonesport cannery puts up mackerel and clams as well as lobsters, but the other three canneries
are entirely limited to lobsters.
SMACKS. — Only one registered smack, the Havelock, of Jonesport, is owned in this district.
It is a well sloop, of 32.97 tons measurement, is valued at $1,500, and has a crew of two men. It
engages in carrying lobsters from Grand Mauan and the coast of Maine to the Jouesport cannery
and to Boston.
Summation of the lobster fisheries in Machias district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 232
Number of marketmen 2
Number of vessels above 5 tons bnrrlen 1
Value of same $1, 670
Number of boats 1 200
Value of same $6,030
Number of lobster pots 8, 251
Value of same $6,188
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $13, 888
Number of barrels of bait used 4, 330
Value of same $2,165
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks and to the local fresh trade, in pounds. 107, 950
Value of same $3,958
Quantity of lobsters sold to the canneries, in pounds 2,474,300
Value of same $24,743
Total quantity of lobsters taken and sold, in pounds 2,582,250
Value of same to the fishermen $28, 701
Summation of the lobster canneries in Machias district in 1880.
Number of canneries 4
Value of buildings and fixtures $11,650
Additional cash capital required $26,748
Number of boats 8
Value of same $1,200
Total capital invested $39,598
Average number of men employed 58
Average number of women and children employed 71
Average number of smackmen employed 12
Total number of persons employed 141
Number of pounds of live lobsters used 2,474,300
Amount paid to the fishermen for the same $24,743
Number of 1-ponnd cans of lobsters put up 438, 624
Number of 2- pound cans of lobsters put up 24, 144
Enhancement in value of lobsters in process of canning $32,986
Value of the canned lobsters $57,729
750 HISTOR? AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Summation of the entire lobster industry in Maehias district in 1880.
Total number of persons employed 375
Total amount of capital invested $53,486
Total value of the products as they entered into consumption $61,687
FRENCHMAN'S BAY DISTRICT.
In this district the lobster fishery is carried on principally from Stuben, Gouldsboro', Winter
Harbor, Sullivan, Lamoine, Mount Desert, and Bartlett's. Gott's, Cranberry, and Tinker's Islands.
At Gouldsboro' some lobster fishing is done during most of the year, but the principal fish-
ing season is from April 1 to August 1. Lobsters are said to be most abundant in May, June,
September, and October. The traps are set mainly in depths of 4 to 10 fathoms, but sometimes as
deep as 30 fathoms, on both rocky and sandy bottoms. The boats used by the fishermen are the
so-called " reach boats " and dories, the former measuring about 15 feet long by 4£ feet broad,
and costing about $20 each. There are about seventy-eight lobstermen in this place, a portion of
whom go singly in their boats and others in pairs, and they set on an average sixty pots each.
The greater part of the catch is sold to the canneries, the remainder being taken by the well
smacks or consumed locally. The prices paid for lobsters range from 80 cents to $1.20 per 100
pounds. Sculpins, flounders, herring and fish heads are employed as bait. About one-half of the
bait used by the Gouldsboro' lobstermen in 1880 consisted of fish heads, obtained from the boat
fishermen, many of whom dress their catch on shore. Two-thirds of the lobster fishermen of
Gouldsboro' follow boat fishing after July, and the remainder engage in coasting, farming, mining,
&c. About 13,000 lobsters were sold for local consumption in and about Gouldsboro' in 1880.
The average stock, with fifty pots, in that year was $80, and the best stock, with one hundred pots,
was $200. The largest catch for one day by a single fisherman was 850 pounds, live weight, and
the average daily catch about 200 pounds. The lobsters average in weight 1J pounds each.
About eleven men at Winter Harbor and vicinity fish for lobsters in the canning season,
selling to the South Gouldsboro' cannery. All of these men also fish for cod and hake at the
same time, hauling their pots in the morning and going out line fishing the same day. They set
about thirty pots each, and make an average daily catch of about 75 lobsters.
At Sullivan seven men engage in lobstering during about three months, from April to August,
setting on an average about sixty pots each, and selling principally to the Gouldsboro' cannery.
Some lobsters are also sold to the Southwest Harbor cannery, and in 1880 about 1,200 pounds
were used locally. One man sets his pots during three months in the fall and winter, selling
his catch to the country trade. About an equal quantity each of herring, flounders, and scnlpins,
was used as bait. The average season's stock per man was about $105. At the close of the lob-
ster season most of the men stop fishing and obtain work on land. There are nine lobstermen
fishing from Lamoine.
At Mount Desert and Bartlett's, Gott's, and Cranberry Islands seventy-seven men engage in
the lobster fishery from April 1 to August 1, using on an average ninety pots each. Fish heads
constitute about one-half of the bait used, the remainder consisting of sculpins, flounders, and her-
ring. In some cases the lobster fishermen assist the boat fishermen to dress their catch, taking
the heads as payment. In 1880, 45,500 lobsters by count were sold for local consumption. Three
well smacks visit this region during the summer and carry away fully one-half the catch to
western markets.
The lobster fishery of Tinker's Island is participated in by five men, who set about one hun-
dred pots each, and make an average season's stock of $125.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
751
CANNERIES. — There are three lobster canneries in this district, as follows : One at Prospect
Harbor, Gouldsboro', worked for one season, in 1863, and re-established in 1867, run for the Portland
Packing Company; one at Hammond's Cove, South Gouldsboro', established in 1870, and owned
by the Portland Packing Company; and one at Southwest Harbor, Mount Desert, established in
1853, and owned by William Underwood & Co. The Prospect Harbor cannery puts up lobsters
only, and obtains its supplies mainly from Schoodic Point and Boisbubert. The cannery at Ham-
mond's Cove cans both lobsters and clams, and that at Southwest Harbor puts up lobsters, clams,
mackerel, salmon, clam chowder, and fish chowder. The latter cannery obtains its supplies from
a radius of about 20 miles, or from the region lying between Naskeag Point, Isle au Haut, and
Prospect Harbor. Eighty lobstermen fish regularly for this cannery.
List of lobster smacks owned in Frenchman's Bay district, all of which carry lobsters only.
Name.
Where owned.
How rigged. Well or dry. Tonnage. Value. Crew.
Markets supplied.
Citizen Gonldsboro' Sloop Well 18.81 $400 2 Prospect Harbor cannery.
jfaiad do Schooner Dry 8.76 200 2 Gouldsboro' .cannery.
•Total 26.97 600 4
Summation of the lobster fisheries in Frenchman's Bay district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 176
Number of marketmen 4
Number of vessels above 5 tons burden
Value of same ' $940
Number of boats 198
Value of same $4,747
Number of lobster pots 12,990
Value of same $9,742
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $15,429
Number of barrels of bait used 6, 600
Value of same - - - $3, 300
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks and local fresh trade, in pounds 269, 000
Value of same $9,863
Quantity of lobsters sold to the canneries, in pounds .1, 368, 726
Value of same - - $13,687
Total quantity of lobsters taken and sold, in pounds 1,637,726
Value of same to the fishermen $23,550
Summation of the lobster canneries in Frenchman's Bay district in 1880.
Number of canneries
Value of buildings and fixtures $11,000
Additional cash capital required $41,000
Number of boats 6
Value of same $3, 150
Total capital invested $55,150
Average number of men employed
Average number of women and children employed 65
Average number of smackmen employed 12
Total number of persons employed 119
Number of pounds of live lobsters used 1,368,726
Amount paid to the fishermen for the same $13, 687
Number of 1-pound cans of lobsters put up 155,244
Number of 2-pound cans of lobsters put up 33,336
Number of other brands of lobsters put up 127,801
Enhancement in value of lobsters in process of canning $32, 900
Value of the canned lobsters $46,587
Summation of the entire lobster industry in Frenchman's Bay district in 1880.
Total number of persons employed
Total amount of capital invested $70,579
Total value of the products as they entered into consumption $56, 450
752 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
CASTINE DISTRICT.
The lobster fishery is carried on from Blue Hill, Brookliu, Deer Isle, Little Deer Island,
Brooksville, Castine, Swau's Island, Long Island, and Isle au Haut, in this district. Fourteen men
engage in lobstering at Blue Hill during the canning season, selling their catch principally to the
Brooklin and Deer Isle canneries. They set on au average seventy pots each, and make an
average season's stock of $100. One-fourth of the bait consists of herring, and three fourths of
flounders and sculping.
There are twenty-eight lobster fishermen at Brooklin, who begin setting their pots in April.
After June the greater number go smack fishing from other places, or coasting, and during the
spring and fall all dig clams. The average duration of the fishing season is six to eight weeks
only. One-fourth to one third of the catch by weight, and nearly one-half in value, is sold to the
well smacks carrying to Portland, Boston, and New York. More would be sold to these smacks,
but early in the spring, when the smacks obtain abundant supplies from the outer islands, they do
not go as far up the " Reach." The larger part of the remainder of the catch is sold to the Brook-
lin factory. Flounders and sculpius form the principal bait. The average number of pots used
by each man is one hundred and twenty-five, and the average season's stock per man about $125.
At Deer Isle there are one hundred and forty men who fish for lobsters during the season.
The fishery begins at the Thoroughfare the latter part of February or about the 1st of March, but
in other sections about the 1st of April. Seven-eighths of the men fish until August, the re-
mainder dropping off from time to time after June to go boat fishing. Three-fourths of the catch
is sold to the canneries and one-fourth to Portland and Boston smacks. A fall fishery of two and
one-half mouths, from the middle of September to December 1st, is carried on by some of the men.
The average stock per man for the summer season of four months in 1880 was $200, and for the
fall season of two and one-half months $150. A few of the fishermen own two boats each. The
average number of pots to a man is seventy-five; 11,200 barrels of herring, flounders, and scul-
pins were used as bait in 1880.
The lobster fishery of Little Deer Island is of limited extent, being engaged in by only eight men,
who set their pots during the canning season of four months. The greater part of the catch is sold
to the Castine cannery, but the larger lobsters are taken by the Portland, Boston, and New York
smacks. Outside of the lobster season the men do little beyond a small amount of farming and
fishing. Lobsters are caught all about the island in summer, but remain a short distance farther
off during the spring. The average number of pots to a man is forty-five, and the average stock
for the season about $60. The boats used are mainly old dories.
There are thirteen lobstermen at Brooksville, fishing from April to August, and again from
October to January. They set on an average fifty pots each. The greater part of the spring and
summer catch is sold to the Brookliu and Castine canneries. The fall and winter catch is shipped
by steamer to Boston or sold to the well smacks, a small amount (about 8,000 by count) being
peddled up the river.
At Castine there are four men who fish for lobsters during the canning season. They set two
hundred and fifty pots in all, and in 1880 used 215 barrels of flounders, sculpins, and herring
as bait; they made a total catch of 12,000 lobsters, equal to 16,000 pounds.
Seventy-four men engage in the lobster fishery at Swan's Island. Of these, fifty-one are
vessel fishermen, who set lobster pots only in the spring and early summer. They use on au
average one hundred pots each, each man also owning at least two boats, one for lobstering, the
other of smaller size for catching bait. Sculpins, flounders, and herring are used as bait, two-
thirds of the quantity consisting of sculpins. In 1879 many pots were set close inshore, upon
THE LOCSTEll FISHERY. 753
the eel grass, in such shallow water that they were uncovered at low tide. The average weight
of smack lobsters in that year was 2 pounds each, and of canning lobsters from three-fourths of
a pound to 1 pound. The average daily catch to forty pots was about seventy-live lobsters,
the larger part being smack lobsters. By fishing in deep water in the spring but few small
lobsters are taken. According to Mr. David Smith, the lobster fishery was started at Swan's
Island by four parties from Gloucester, Mass., who hired others to assist theui at this place.
They eame in the fall ill a smack, which waited until they obtained a load; but they did not
return for a second trip. The year in which this occurred was not stated by Mr. Smith, but prior
to this time the inhabitants of the islands bad uo idea of the abundance of lobsters in their neigh-
borhood. They began fisliiug the next spring, and ten men engaged in the business up to 1855,
after which time there followed an interval of three or four years when but little was done. In
1800 eight or ten men were again fishing, using from thirty to forty pots each. In 1855 the
daily catch for forty pots vaiied from two hundred to two hundred and fifty lobsters, very few of
which were small. About one-fourth were rejected as soft, or otherwise unsalable, the market-
able ones averaging 3 to 3i pounds each.
Long Island, lying to the southeast of Swan's Islaud, is the outermost of all the islauds in the
vicinity of Mount Desert, and is considerably isolated. It is visited in the lobster season by dry
smacks running to the Southwest Harbor aud Deer Isle canneries, and by well smacks from
Boston aud Portland. There are eight men on the island, who fish for lobsters, with about fifty
pots each, from April to August, and stock on an average about $75. The pots are set singly.
At the close of the lobster season these men engage in hand-line fishing to some extent. Floun-
ders, sculpius, aud fish heads are used as bait.
The boat fishermen of Isle au Haut and the adjacent islands make almost a specialty of fish-
ing for lobsters. As a rule, however, they all catch enough fish for home use, while a portion also
fish for a few weeks iu midsummer, curing most of their catch, .and peddling it up river in the fall.
When mackerel are abundant they fish for them quite generally. There are six fishermen who.
regularly abandon lobstering about the middle of June to go trawling. They fish for cod, hake.,
aud mackerel until September, when they usually begiu to set their lobster pots again. Thoser
who do much other fishing than that for lobsters generally have two boats, a square-stern, center-
board, sloop-rigged fishing boat, 15 to 20 feet long, similar iu most respects to the "Matinicus
boat," and a "double-ender," for lobster fishing. In 1878 one-half of the fishermen fished for lob-
steis the entire season, or from the 1st of March until December. The others had taken up their
pots by the middle of July, in order to fish for cod, hake, and mackerel until the middle of Sep-
tember, when they set them again, completing the lobster season about the first of December. Iu
1879 all of the fishermen, forty iu number, fished for lobsters from the 1st of March to the 1st
of August, selling the count lobsters to Portland, Boston, and New York smacks, and the cullings.
to dry smacks running to Green's Lauding, Oceanville, North Haven, and Castine. After the
1st of August most of the men engaged in the mackerel fishery. Only ten of the fishermen set
pots in the fall of 1879, beginning in October and continuing until December, and selliug all of
their catch to Portland, Boston, and New York smacks. Xo lobster fishing is done iu the winter.
The fishermen make and repair their gear, and build a boat, if needed ; but the greater part of the
time is spent in idleness, as no other employment than fishing is to be obtained on the island. A
few of the men do a little farming to supply their own needs.
A laiger uumber of pots to the man is used here than iu most localities, aud the more active
fishermen make very fair earnings. One instance is recorded of a man stocking $425, lobstering
during the five mouths from March to August of 1879, aud several others, during the same period^
SEC. v, VOL. ii 48
754
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
stocked over $350 eacb. Isle an Haut is favorably situated for boat fishing of all kinds. Lobsters
are caught around the entire island, but are most abundant on the eastern side. The bar in the
Thoroughfare, which is left dry at low tide, is a favorite locality for digging clams, as well as for
procuring lobster bait — flounders and sculpins — which are also to be found in all of the coves and
along the shores where there is gravelly, sandy, or muddy bottom. They are caught with hook
and lines, spears, and nets. In windy weather, when spears are employed, oil is used to render
the surface of the water smooth. The nets used to catch flounders and sculpins measure 20 to 30
fathoms in length, 2£ fathoms in depth, and have a 4-inch mesh. They are set mostly on the edge
of the bar, where the water is about 3 or 4 feet deep at low tide. For several years previous to
1879 about 500 barrels of herring were used annually as lobster bait. They were employed prin-
cipally in the spring, and were kept salted in barrels over winter.
CANNERIES. — There are five canneries in this district, located and owned as follows: Brookliu,
established in 1870, and owned by J. Winslow Jones & Co.; Burnt Cove, Deer Isle, established in
1877, and owned by the Portland Packing Company; Green's Landing, Deer Isle, established in
1877, and owned by W. K. Lewis & Bro. ; Oceauville, Deer Isle, established in 1858, and run by
the Portland Packing Company; aud Castine, established in 1871, and owned by Littell and
Hunt. The products of the several canneries were as follows: Brooklin, lobsters only; Burnt
Cove, lobsters and mackerel; Green's Lauding, lobsters, mackerel, and clams; Oceanville, lobsters
and mackerel; Castiue, lobsters, mackerel, and clams. The Brooklin cannery obtains its sup-
plies from over an area extending east and west about 20 miles; the Burnt Cove cannery depends
mainly upon the fishermen at Vinal Haven, Isle au Haut, Deer Isle, and Blue Hill Bay; the
Green's Landing cannery mainly upon those at Deer Isle, Isle au Haut, Rockport, aud Mount
Desert; and the Oceauville cannery upon those at Swan's Island, Isle au Haut, Slusou's Neck,
Buck's Harbor, or Eggemoggiu Reach, and Hodgkins' Cove Port. The lobsters are mostly brought
in by dry smacks, of which there are fifteen, with a combined crew of about twenty-five men,
running to the five factories.
Lixt of /o&s/ec smacks bvlonyiitg in the Castine dintrici.
ENGAGED IN LOBSTERING ONLY.
Name.
Where owned.
How rigged.
Well or dry.
Tonnage.
Value.
Crew.
Markets supplied.
Ethel and Edith
Brooklin
Schooner .....
Dry
10.12
$500
2
Catnden and D< er Isle canneries.
do
do
do
18 18
500
2
Dry Spring
Deer Isle
....do
...do
12.73
200
2
Burnt Cove cannery.
Dolphin
....do
....do
...do
11.52
250
2
Castine cannery.
J. C. Jameson
....do
....do
Well
24.07
800
2
Portland.
Minna
....do
... do
Dry
17.80
500
2
Green's Landing cannery.
Mozart ,
....do
...do
...do
17.79
100
5
Fishes with traps, and sella locally.
Mary Elizabeth .
do
do
9 04
200
2
Little Eva
do
do
0 79
200
2
Total
128 04
3 250
21
ENGAGED IN OTHER FISHERIES ALSO.
Favorite
Deer Isle
Schooner
Dry
7.13
$150
3
Oceanville cannery.
HattieL.Gray
...do
...do
...do
0.71
200
2
CanKlen cannery.
Hrk-n 51. Macomher
....do
....do
...do
14.75
300
4
Green's Landing cannery.
Israel Washlmrn
....do
...do
Well
25.16
800
8
Portland.
Three Sisters
.. do
.. do
Dry
17.40
300
6
Burnt GOTO cannery.
Trifle
... do
....do
...do
8.56.
350
2
Brooklin cannery.
William
..do
....do
...do
12.77
200
2
North Haven cannery.
Cadet
Swan's Island —
....do
. . do
18.08
400
2
Oci-anvillo cannery.
Total
111. 10
2,700
29
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 755
Summation of the lobster fisheries in Castlne district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 311
Number of marketmen 50
Number of vessels above 5 tons burden 17
Value of same $7, 630
Number of boats 390
Value of same $12,785
Number of lobster pots 28,050
Value of same $21,038
Total amount of capital in vested iii the fishery {141,453
Number of barrels of bait used l(i, 860
Value of same $8,430
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks and local fresh trade, iu pounds 868,500
Value of same $31,845
Quantity of lobsters sold to the canneries, iu pounds 2, 099, 360
Value of same $20,994
Total quantity of lobsters taken and sold, iu pounds 2,967,860
Value of same $52,839
Summation of t/ie lobster canneries in Castine district in 1880.
Number of canneries 5
Value of buildings and fixtures $15,550
Additional cash capital required $38, 500
Number of boats , 15
Value of same $7, 350
Total amount of capital invested $61,400
Average number of men employed 79
Average number uf women and children employed 86
Average number of smackmen employed 25
Total number of persons employed 190
Number of pounds of live lobsters used 2,099,360
Amount paid to the fishermen for the same $-20, 994
Number of 1 -pound cans of lobsters put up 411,804
Number of 2-pound cans of lobsters put up 13,416
Enhancement iu value of lobsters iu process of canning $31,393
Value of the canned lobsters $52,387
Summulion of the entire lobilcr industry in Castlne district in 1880.
Total number of persons employed 551
Total amount of capital invested $102,853
Value of the products as they entered into consumption $84,232
BELFAST DISTRICT.
The principal lobster fishing stations iu this district are Searsport, Belfast, Liucoluville, llock-
port, Islesboro', North Haven, ami Viual Haven.
BELFAST TO OWL'S HEAD. — Along the mainland of this district the lobster fishery was car-
ried on in 1880 as follows : From Searsport, by two men ; from Belfast, by two men ; from Lincoln-
ville, by four men ; from Eockport, by ten men ; from llockland, by eight men, and from Owl's
Head, by ten men. The lobster season in this region is mainly limited to the period when the can-
neries are open, but some lobstering is also done in the spring and fall. More lobsters are taken in
May than iu auy other month. The pots are set in depths of 1 to 20 fathoms, dependent upon the
season. The best lobstermeu will earn as much as $10 per mouth iu good seasons. The average
price of smack lobsters is 4 cents each, and of the small or canning lobsters $1 per 100 pounds. At
rclail they selliu the markets at about three times the price of the commoner fish of the same region,
aud are, therefore, raiher beyond the means of the poorer classes. Flounders, sculpius, and
herring iu small quantities, are used as bait. The men go singly aud set, on an average, eighty
pots eacli. The boats are mostly valued at $15 each. After July a majority of the lobstermeu
756 HISTOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
engage in boat-fishing. Two-thirds of the catch in value is sold to the Portland and Boston well
smacks, and the remainder to the Camden and Castine canneries and the local trade. Forty-eight
thousand pounds of fresh lobsters are sold annually for food in the neighboring regions.
ISLEBORO'. — Thirty two men engage in lobstering from Islesboro' from April 1 to August 1,
setting an average of sixty pots each and stocking on an average $80 for the season. Thirteen
of these lobstermen go boat fishing after July, principally in the vicinity of Matiuicus Island, at
which place they camp out during the fishing season. Most of the bait employed consists of
flounders and sculpins, but a few herring are also used. The boats are all small, and are valued
at about $10 each. The men go singly, and all farm a little for their own use. One-half of the
catch in value is sold to the well smacks and one-half to the canneries and local trade.
NORTH HAVEN, &c. — The lobstermen of the fishing area including North Haven, Eagle, Bear,
Spruce Head, and Beach Islands, belong mainly at North Haven and live along the coves, har-
bors, and inlets which indent its shores ; but a few are also located on each of the smaller islands.
They £ sh for lobsters a part of each day only, working on their farms the remainder of the time.
Those who have the most to do on shore set but a limited number of pots, which can be hauled in
the few hours of early morning ; but others, who do less farming, work with a larger number of pots,
and devote much more time to tending them, and to collecting bait. The methods of fishing are
similar to those employed at Viual Haven, and the fishing season is about the same, beginning,
possibly, a little later or about the first week of April. About the middle of June many stop
lobstering in order to fish for hake, and from that time until the middle of July they are con-
stantly dropping off, one or two at a time, to engage in the other fisheries. Before the close of
the summer season (August 1) not more than one-third of the original number are still fishing for
lobsters.
Prior to 1879 nearly all the lobstermen of this region engaged in the fall lobster fishery, which
continued until about November 20, this season being considered the best of the year, as farm
labors are then done with and the men can devote themselves more fully to fishing than in the spring.
The presence of mackerel in 1879, until well into October, greatly interfered, however, with the
fall lobster fishery of that year. There is no winter fishery for lobsters. When herring are abun-
dant it is customary for some of the lobstermeu to set several herring nets and take the fish from
them before hauling their pots. Likewise in the fall it has generally been the custom, whenever
schools of mackerel appear, to haul the lobster pots in the morning and fish for mackerel the latter
part of the day.
Lobsters are found in all the waters surrounding these islands, but are somewhat more
abundant about the smaller islands and dry ledges to the southwest of Long Island (Islesboro');
consequently very many of the fishermen set their pots in these localities, using sail boats
when there is a breeze and row boats when it is calm. In the early spring (March), the pots
are usually set in depths of 14 to 20 fathoms, but as the season advances they are gradually
shifted in, until, by the first or middle of May, they are placed in from 3 to 6 fathoms. The
bait consists principally of flounders and sculpins, but salt herring, fish heads, and ham fats, are
sometimes put to the same use. The heads and livers of sheep have also sometimes been
employed.
Eighty-nine men engaged in the lobster fishery in this section in 1880, setting on an average
about sixty pots each. The monthly stock per man in the spring and summer ranged from
$20 to $30, but in the fall it advanced to an average of $45 per month. Mr. Nathaniel D.
Wooster, of North Haven, states that the average daily catch to a trap at present is about
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 757
one and a half to two lobsters. He considers 400 pounds a large daily catch for one man; but
twenty years ago, with the same amount of gear, be could obtain as many as 1,500 pounds a day.
The fall catch of lobsters is sold almost entirely to Portland, Boston, and New York smacks.
During the canning season the larger or count lobsters are mostly disposed of in the same way,
while the small lobsters are sold to the canneries at North Haven and Castiue. A small quantity
of lobsters is peddled up the river. About ten well smacks visit this region during the lobster
season. They seldom make regular trips, but run whenever they feel certain of obtaining a
load. The fishermen generally contract for only one load at a time.
ViNAL HAVEN. — Lobsters are very abundant in all the waters surrounding the island of Viual
Haven, and are quite equally distributed. In the early spring they are found somewhat farther
from land than in the summer, and in depths of 15 to 25 fathoms. As the season advances they
gradually move shoreward, into more shallow water, and enter the coves and creeks. Good fishing
is frequently obtained in the summer iii water so shallow that the pots are left uncovered at low
tide. The fishermen are moreover rarely obliged to go much more than a mile from the shore, at
any season.
A large percentage of the professional boat fishermen of Viual Haven engage exclusively iu
lobstering for several months of each year. The season usually begins between the middle and
the last of March, and continues until the first of August. Some of the men, however, drop off
at intervals from the first to the middle of July, to engage iu other fisheries, and a few also leave
off iu June. A very few men keep down their pots, or a portion of them, into the fall, or until
about December, catching a few lobsters, and keeping them iu their cars until such times as they
can find a sale for them. The fall of 1879 afforded so good a mackerel fishery that but little
lobsteriug was done. The fall fishery iu previous years began about the middle of September,
and continued until about the first of December. But very little lobster fishing has ever been
done iu the winter.
The homes of the lobster fishermeu are scattered along the shores of the island, but are prin-
cipally located in the coves and harbors aud on some of the smaller islands, which lie close to the
western side of the main island. The pots are usually set at the nearest fishing grounds, either
in trawls or singly, the latter method generally having preference, as they can then be scat-
tered more in case the lobsters are scarce. The fishermeu claim that by shifting them a little
every time they are hauled, which naturally results from the drifting of the boat, they obtain better
results. Row boats are generally used iu setting and hauling the pots, and sail boats very rarely.
One of the most common kinds of row boats employed iu this region is the so-called "double-
euder," or " pea-pod," which has already been described iu the general account of lobster boats,
aud which is said to have originated either at this place or at North Haven. Most of the lobster
fishermen of Vinal Haveu do a little farming iu the summer for their own use. In the winter a
few may find employment elsewhere, but the larger number do little beyond repairing their boats
and gear for the next spring, building a new boat, perhaps, or getting in their year's stock of fuel.
Flounders and sculpins principally are used as bait, aud also some fish heads, when they cau
be conveniently obtained. The flounders and seulpius are caught by the lobstermen themselves,
by means of spears, fyke-nets, and hooks and lines. Although not as abundant as formerly, they
still occur in considerable numbers in most of the shallow coves and inlets. In windy weather the
surface of the water is rendered smooth by the application of oil.
In 1880 eighty-two men from Vinal Haven were engaged in the lobster fishery, setting on an
average sixty pots each, a smaller number than iu many neighboring sections. The average stock
per man for the four months from April 1 to August 1 was $100, and for the two and a half months
758
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
from September 15 to December 1, was $85. Some of the men own two boats each. The spring and
summer catch was largely sold to the cannery at Vinal Haven, all of the small lobsters having
been disposed of in that way. A large percentage of the larger, or count lobsters, taken in the
spring and summer, and all of that character caught in the fall, are sold to the Portland, Boston,
and New York smacks.
CANNERIES. — Three canneries are contained in this district, being located and owned as follows:
One in Gamden, established in 1878, and owned by J. Winslow Jones & Co. ; one in North Haven,
established in 1806, and owned by W. K. Lewis & Brother ; and one at Carver's Harbor, Vinal
Haven, established in 1863, by E. C. Schenck, of New York, and owned, since 1870, by J. Winslow
Jones & Co. Lobsters are carried to these canneries in seven dry smacks, having a combined
crew of thirteen men. Mackerel, as well as lobsters, are put up at all of these canneries. The
first factory was built at North Haven in 1857, the lobsters being caught at that time with the
old style of hoop-net pots.
List of lobster smarts belonging in the Belfast district.
ENGAGED IN LOBSTEUING ONLY.
Name.
George M. Hodgdon
William Herbert ...
Caro Piper
Matilda
Clear the Track . .
Total .
Where owned.
Stockton
Isleaboro'. . . .
Eockport
.. do
ViualHSven..
How
rigged.
Schooner. .
...do
...do
..do
. . do . . .
Well
or dry.
Dry .
..do..
Well.
..do ..
..do..
Tonnage.
16. 19
10.50
29.64
23.13
41.03
120. 49
Value.
41,000
1,000
3,000
600
800
~MOO
Crew.
Markets supplied.
Castine cannery.
Camden cannery.
Boston.
Do.
Do.
ENGAGED IN OTHER FISHERIES ALSO.
Glenrlale
Vinal Haven.. Schooner.. Dry ..
12. •;
900
Summation of the lobster fisheries in Belfast district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 258
Number of market men 18
Number of vessels above f> tons burden 6
Value of same $3, 150
Number of boats 312
Value of same $6, -293
Number of lobster pots 15,930
Value of same $11,948
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $26, :!93
Number of barrels of bait used 6,555
Value of same $:!, 277
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks and local fresh trade, in pounds 099,000
Value of same $25, 630
Quantity of lobsters sold to the canneries, in pounds 1,177,464
Value of same fill, 775
Total quantity of lobsters taken anil sold, in pounds 1,876,464
Value of same $37, 405
Summation of the lobster canneries in I.'elfast district in 1880.
Number of canneries 3
Value of buildings and fixtures $11,000
Additional cash capital required $18, 000
Number of boats 7
Value of same ,$2, 925
TIIU LOBSTER FISHERY. 759
Total amount of 0:1 pit al invested $31,925
Average nuuibrr of men employed 37
Average niiuilior of women and children employed 47
Average number of smaeUmen employed 13
Total number of persons employed 97
Number of pounds of live lobsters used 1, 177,404
Amount paid to the tisheimen for the same $11,775
Number of l-ponnd cans of lobsters put up 104,292
Number of 2- pound cans of lobsters put np 43,320
Enhancement in value of lobsters in process of canning $10,560
Value of the canned lobsters $28,335
Summation of the entire lobster industry in Belfast district in 1880.
Total number of persons employed 373
Total amount of capital invested So*, 318
Total value of the products as they entered into consumption $53,965
WALDOBORO' DISTRICT.
This district includes many important fishing stations, among which are Rocklaud, Owl's Head,
South Thomaston, Friendship, Saint, George, George's Island, Muscle Eidges, Bristol, Bremen,
and Matiuicus Island.
The boat fishermen of this district constitute the larger part of tbose engaged iu the lobster
fishery; but there are quite a number of men employed on the shore and bank fishing vessels, and
on the menhaden steamers, who own lobster boats and pots, and who, in the fall (about October),
after they have done with those fisheries, begin to fish for lobsters. A few may continue iu this
industry all winter, but the majority of all the lobster catchers take up their pots iu December.
Many begin lobsteriug again in February and March aud continue until April or May ; some even
fish as late as June. The catch is sold to Boston and Portland smacks, and to the canneries at
East Boothbay and Saint George. About one-third of all the lobster fishermen are also vessel
fishermen ; but as about one third of the boat fishermen do not engage in lobsteriug, the number
of lobstermen is about equal to the entire number of summer boat fishermen. Many of the boats
used by the lobstertneu are the same as are employed in the other fisheries, and are known locally
as "lobster boats." They are quite large, measuring 18 to 26 feet in length, and have a cuddy
forward, where the lobsters can be kept from freezing in cold weather, by means of a stove, until
they can be transferred to the floating cars. There are also accommodations for cooking and
sleeping on board. These boats are sloop-rigged, and generally furnished with a center-board.
The men go singly, aud as their pots are set on single warps, unlike the general method to
the westward, they keep their boat under sail while hauling. The pots are set in rows; iu winter
the inner pots will be near one or other of the outer islands or ledges, the remainder extending off
shore.
From the large size of their boats, the lobstermen of this region are enabled to begin fishing
by the middle of February, and to venture some distance from land, where lobsters are most
abundant in cold weather; but the well smacks do not begin to run regularly until between the
1st and the middle of March. By about the middle of April the lobsters have worked back into
shallow water, and soon after this the fishery attains its height. The smack lobsters average about
2 pounds each, while the cullings or canning lobsters run from seventy-five to ninety by count to the
hundred weight. Four to a cents each is paid for smack lobsters until the middle of April, and
after that about three cents each. The smacks cease running about the middle of July, and
beginning again about the middle of September, continue into November, and even as late as
December.
760 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
The lobstermeu on tlic west side of Peuiaquid fish in John's Bay and the Damariscotta River
iu tlie summer, shifting into deeper water in cold weather. Those on the east side and about
Friendship take lobsters well up among the islands and in the coves between Saint George and
Pemaqnid, in the spring, summer, and fall; but in the winter they have to go some distance out,
the best winter fishing-grounds lying beyond the outer islands and headlands. Many of the uien
live on the little islands, between Bristol and Bremen on the one side and Saint George and
Friendship on the other, several of these islands containing the homes of from one to four families,
who also do some farming on a small scale.
The fishermen of this district set from twenty-five to sixty pots each, or an average of about
forty-five ; the season's stock in lobstering ranges from $25 to $200, the average being about $110.
In obtaining flounders for bait the "dark water" spear is frequently used when the water is rough,
during February and March. At Bremen and Friendship the same kind of bait is generally secured
by means of fyke-nets, set in the coves, into which the flounders swim during high water. On
some of the islands, where flounders are not abundant, dinners are much used, and are taken in
box-shaped lath traps about 2 feet high, 18 inches square, and open above. Fish-heads, sculpius,
and catfish are also largely used as bait. About a quarter of a barrel of bait is used daily to
each fifty traps. The average daily catch per trap for the entire season is said to be about one
count and two small lobsters. The callings are sold mostly to the Saint George and East Booth-
bay canneries.
At the Muscle Ridges, during the week ending May 12, 1880, four men on Hunt's Island
stocked on callings $85, and on smack lobsters $115, making a total of $200 for the four men.
According to the Cape Ann Bulletin of April 17, 1878, "there have been over 100,000
lobsters caught and sold by the fishermen of Friendship, Me., since the 1st of February, averaging
4 cents each. Six smacks from this place are constantly employed to carry lobsters to Boston and
Portland, from which they receive from 1A to 2 cents freight on each lobster. One smack made
three trips to Boston this spring, carrying in all 23,000."
The Gloucester, Mass., Telegraph, of June 8, 1870, states that "a firm in Rocklaud, Me., is
said to have shipped to Boston and Portland, during the months of March, April, and May, 100
tons of live lobsters."
At Matiuicus Island lobster fishing was introduced iu 18G8. The season extends from April
1 to August 1. The men for the most part go singly, set on an average eighty traps each, and
make an average stock of about $150 for the four and one-half mouths. In the spring the
traps are set on trawls, but during the summer on single warps. One-half the bait used consists*
of fish-heads.
CANNING. — There is in this district but one cannery, located at Port Clyde, South Saint
George, and owned by Bnrnham & Merrill, of Portland. Both lobsters and mackerel are put
up. This cannery is situated iu one of the best lobster sections of the Maine coast, and gathers
its supplies from Pemaquid Point, on the west, to Owl's Head, on the east, including Matinicns
and George's Islands, Muscle Ridges, the east side of Bristol, Bremen, Friendship, dishing, and
Saint George. Two dry smacks, with four smackmen, are employed in gathering the lobsters
from the fishermen.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
761
List of lobster smacks belonging in TTahloboro' district.
ENGAGED IX I.OliSTERING ONLY.
Name.
Where owned.
II. iv. riimi'd
Well or
dry.
Tonnage.
Value.
Crow.
Markets supplied.
(Unknown)
R.icULiml
Schooner . . .
Drv
9.86
$20U
2
Burnt Cove cannery, Deer lale.
. . do
Well ..-
30.09
800
3
Boston.
.. do
Dry
11.58
300
1
Saint George cannery.
General Worth ..
Cushins
Scl HIT . .
Wo!l ..
19.00
500
Boston.
do
do
do
16.79
400
9
Portland and Boston.
John I>e\ter ...
... do
Sloop
..do
24. 73
1.000
2
Boston.
Republican
...do
Schooner . . .
..do
19.00
600
2
Portland.
do
Sloop
do
15.06
400
2
Boston.
True Republican.
....do
....do
..do
16.38
600
2
Do.
Highland Lass...
Friendship
....do
..do
16.60
400
2
Do.
Planter
....do
Schooner...
..do
32.57
600
3
Do.
Total
•'I1 91
5 800
24
ENGAGED IN OTHER FISHERIES ALSO.
Minnie Davis
Pride of the Poit
Friendship
do . .
Schooner...
du
Well....
do ...
27.51
3.'. 39
$2, 000
1,500
3
3
Boston.
Do.
Sarah E Hyde
do
do
.do ...
36.44
1,200
3
Do.
96 34
4, 7UO
9
Summation of tlie lobster fialicrks in irahloboro' district in I860.
250
Number of fishermen ................................................................
Number of marketmen .............................................................. 33
Number of vessels above 5-tous bur Jen .............. ................................ 14
Value of same ............ ......................... .'. .............................. $12,370
Number of boats .................................................................... 220
Value of same ...................................................................... $17,600
Nn tuber of lobster pots ............................................................. 12, 500
Valus of same ....................................... - .............................. $9,375
Total amount of capital iuvested in the fishery ...................................... §S9,345
Number of barrels of bait used ...................................................... '•', •"•'''
Value of same ................................................................ ..... $4, 798
Quantity of lobsters sold to market smacks and local fresh trade, iu pounds .......... 947,700
Value of same ...................................................................... $34, 74!l
Quantity of lobsters sold to the canneries, in pounds ................................. 748, 182
Value of same ..................................................................... $7, 1-i-J
Total quantity of lobsters taken and sold, iu pounds ................................. 1,695,882
Value of same to the fishermen ...................................................... $42,231
The statistics of the South Saint George cannery are given in connection with those of the
district.
WISCASSET AND BATH DISTRICTS.
The principal lobster fishing stations in the Wiscasset district are Boothbay Harbor, North
and East Boothbay, Southport and Westport; and iu the Bath district, Georgetown and Small
Point.
When the lobster fishery was first started iu Boothbay Harbor, the waters between the
numerous islands which dot the entrance to the harbor abounded in lobsters from the early
spring until December, and some lobsters remained there even during the winter. So plentiful
were they, and so easily obtained from the sheltered waters of the harbor and bay, that those
who first engaged in this industry did much better than the other (Uhermen. This circumstance
naturally tended ro draw lisliennen from the other branches of fishery, and the older men and boys
762 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
who could not endure the hardships of the more active kinds of fishing found in this one remuner-
ative employment close at hand.
The summer lobster fishery of this region is of comparatively little importance at present.
In some places, as in Boothbay Harbor, a few men continue to catch lobsters through the summer,
selling to the canneries until August, and also to the smacks and to the summer residents on the
islands. The larger part of the fishermen, however, stop lobstering in May, or perhaps earlier.
Some go to the banks, and after making one or more trips, when the vessel hauls up, begin lob-
stering again. The majority of the lobster men, however, go boat fishing during the summer. As
a rule, the lobster-fishing season may be said to fairly begin by November 1. Many of the men
set their traps all winter, but some do not. Mr. Steven Seavy states that in Boothbay Harbor
and Liunegau's Bay the ice makes around the shores in winter to such an extent that the men
cannot get to the cars in their boats, and they therefore do not fish in the coldest weather, but
take up their traps and lay by for about two months. This is also the case, to a limited extent, in
some other places. This fishery, like all the small-boat' fishery of this region, is carried on with
great irregularity; and if the fisherman sees a chance of bettering himself for a time, he leaves
off lobsteriug, returning to it again when he feels inclined or when want compels him.
Good lobster-fishing grounds extend off from Small Point to Seguiu Island. The next impor-
tant grounds are those of the Sheepscot River, which furnish as good fishing as can be found any-
where in these two districts. The depth of water in the river prevents its freezing over in the
winter, and offers a good retreat for the lobsters in cold weather without their going far from land.
Lobsters are caught as far up as Wiscasset bridge, and thence out to Seguin. In the winter the
fishermen shift their pots into the deeper water, toward the middle of the river; but Mr. Joseph
R. Rodgers, of Georgetown, says he catches lobsters in the winter, in depths of only 3 to 10 fath-
oms. The Cape Newagen lobstermeu fish as far out as Bantam Ledge, frequently setting their
pots in depths of 35 to 40 fathoms.
Notwithstanding the large amount of gear used by the fishermen in this region, they now find
the business of lobstering far from remunerative ; but as most of them already have their gear, aud
can fit out with but little additional expense, they are still induced to engage in it, as it offers in
many places the only means of making a living. A fair average stock for a man fishing from
November to April is now about $75. Formerly the traps were set on single warps, but now the
method of setting them trawl fashion is almost universally employed, as it enables one man to do
approximately the work of two. This method was first adopted at Harmon's Harbor about 1865,
and at Small Point in 1807. In the winter, however, two men generally go out in each boat, more
as a matter of safety ami for the proper handling of the boat in rough weather.
At Small Point two men engage in lobstering during the entire year, and eight men from April
to November, inclusive, trawling for hake and other fish at the same time during the latter season.
They set on an average thirty-eight traps, the average yearly stock per man being about $125. A
small portion of the catch (about 0,000 by count in 1880) is used locally for bait and food, the
remainder being sold to Portland smacks.
At Georgetown fifty- two men were engaged in lobstering from November, 1879, to April, 18SO.
The remainder of the year they were occupied in other kinds of boat fishing, but some kept down
a few traps during the same time to obtain lobsters for bait. The local consumption is not great.
About one-third of the catch is sold to boats trading up the Keuuebec River, and the remainder
to Portland smacks. Mr. Rodgers, of Georgetown, fishing from September to May with sixty traps,
stocked only $100, which is, however, much better than most fishermen do. On the Kennebec
River side of Georgetown lobstering is carried on only about the extreme southern part of the
THE LOBSTElt FISHERY. 763
point, where in 1871) four men from Portland, living on a scow, caught and sold to tho Portland
smacks and Kennebec lliver boats.
At West port five men were fishing for lobsters from November to April, and two men during
the entire year. They set an average of thirty-five traps each and made on an average about one
dollar each daily. The catch is disposed of as at Georgetown. At Southport there were thirty
men fishing from November to April and five men during the entire year, using on an average
about fifty traps each. During the canning season the small lobsters are sold to the Boothbay
cannery.
There were fifteen lobstermen at North Boothbay fishing from November to April, and to
some extent also during the summer, with about twenty-five traps each and stocking about one
dollar each daily. Sales were made to the Boothbay cannery, to the Portland smacks, and for
local consumption. In Bcothbay Ilarbor and East Boothbay there were seventy lobstermen, with
thirty-five boats, fishing from the 1st of February to the middle of March, about thirty -five men
from the latter date until June, and ten men from Juno to November 1. The Boothbay cannery
takes the smaller lobsters during the canning season, the remainder being sold to the Portland
smacks and the local markets.
CANNING. — There is but one lobster cannery in the Wiscasset district, and none in the Bath
district. Tho Wiscasset cannery is located at Boothbay, on the eastern side of the strip of land
known as Spruce Point, adjoining Liuuegau's Bay. It is owned by J. Wiuslow Jones & Co.,
and was established iu 1S7(J. Clams and mackerel, as well as lobsters, are put up. The lobsters
for this cannery are procured from the fishermen living between Cape Small Point, on the west,
and Pemaquid Point, on the east.
Summation of tlie lobster fisheries in Wiscasset district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 130
Number of boats 106
Value of same 86,200
Number of lobster pots 5,895
Value of same 8-M21
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery •- 810>621
Number of barrels of bait used 2,700
Value of same §1, 350
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks, and local fresh trade iu founds 428,800
Value of same 815, 723
Quantity of lobsters sold to the canneries, iu pounds 367, :'.42
Value of same 8:', <"•>
Total quantity of lobsters taken and sold, iu pounds 796, 142
Value of same to the fishermen 819,396
Xiiiiuiititioii of the lobster canneries in ITaldoboro' and iriscassct dixtrii't-t in 18SO.
Number of canneries " 2
Value of buildings and fixtures $8,750
Additional cash capital required 818,411
Number of boats 5
Value of same 81,500
Total amount of capital invested 828,661
Average number of men employed 35
Average number of women and bo\ s employed
Average number of smacUmen employed
Total number of persons employed ' '
Number of pounds of live lobstc-rs used 1, H", "24
Amount paid to the fishermen lor I lie s.i -XH. 1;)5
Number of 1-pound cans of l.ibs'ers put up 185,340
Number of 2-pouud cans of lobsters put up 21, 'Jl
Enhancement in value of lobsters by process of canning §15,.53l
Value of the canned lobsters 826,680
764 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Summation of the lobster fisheries in Bath district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 88
Number of boats 68
Value of same $4, 100
Number of lobster pots 3, 835
Value of same $£, 6T6
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $6, 970
Number of barrels of bait used 1,900
Value of same $950
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks and local fresh trade, iu pounds 213,400
Value of same - - — §~, H'25
PORTLAND AND FALMOUTH DISTRICT.
PORTLAND. — Lobsters are taken off Portland, iu greater or less quantities, during the entire
year, but are said to be most abundant and in the best condition from March to July, and again
from October to the end of good weather, and during those seasons most of the fishing is done.
From July to October a very large proportion are soft, and but few are caught. The fall catch is
only about one half as large as that in the spring, although fully as many lobsters could be taken
were there a market for them. The fishermen belonging to Portland who engage exclusively in
this industry number about twenty-five, and live mostly on the islands of the vicinity— Hog, House,
Peaks, Gushing, and Chebeague Islands, and at Cape Elizabeth. Nearly all of the shore fishermen
of this region, however, catch lobsters, to a greater or less extent, during the height of the
season, and sell to the Portland fresh markets and to the canneries. The local or warm-weather
fishing grounds are, situated off the back side of Hog Island, about Peaks and Gushing Islands,
and in the vicinity of Portland Light. The winter grounds are mainly off Caps Elizabeth. The
depth of water in which the traps are set varies with the season, from 3 to 30 fathoms. The men
generally go singly, set from forty to sixty-five pots each, and, during the height of the season,
sometimes visit them twice daily. A fair average daily catch per trap is about one marketable
and three small lobsters, which is said to be much less than in former years. Mr. Trefethen, of
House Island, states that twenty to twenty-five years ago he used to average seven lobsters to a
trap'eacli day, the weight of the marketable lobsters ranging from 4 to G pounds. Marketable
lobsters average at present about 2 pounds each. As a rule, the fishermen carry their catch
directly to market, and do not depend upon the smacks, as those living farther away are obliged
to do. Lobsters of 10J inches iu length and larger bring to the fishermen in the fresh markets from
1 to 5 cents apiece ; the smaller ones sell at 1 cent per pound.
SOUTH HARPSWELL. — At South Harpswell the lobster fishermeu go singly, tend forty to fifty
pots each, and make an average daily catch per trap of about three lobsters. A fair week's catch per
man amounts to about 900 or 1,000 lobsters, of which about one third are of marketable size and
the remainder only suitable for canning purposes. The marketable lobsters weigh, on an average,
about 2 pounds each. The smaller lobsters weigh so nearly 1 pound each that the canneries buy
them either by count or weight, as the fishermen may desire, at the rate of 1 cent per pound or
piece. Smack or count lobsters bring about 5 cents each. The best fishing is said to occur during
March and April. From July to October many soft lobsters are taken in the traps. The
summer fishery is conducted along the shores and about the inner islands of Casco Bay, but in
cold weather the fishermen are obliged to resort to the outer islands and offshore, grounds. Most
of the lobster fishermen go shore fishing at certain seasons, bnt a few make a business of lobstering
the entire year. Many engage in other kinds of fishing at the same time, keeping their pots set
and hauling them every two or three days, or when they cannot fish. During the present closed
season (1SSO) for small lobsters, many of the lobstermcn have kept a few pots down, saving the
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 765
large lobsters for the smacks, but using all of the small and otherwise unmarketable ones for bait.
The above remarks concerning South llarpswell apply to all the lobster fisheries of Casco Bay,
excepting Portland.
For many years after 1850, when the lirst cannery was started at South Hai pswcll, the
fishermen worked in pairs, using about seventy-five traps to a boat. The daily catch per boat
averaged 400 to 500 lobsters of salable sizes. All under 2 pounds in wight were thrown away,
and the remainder were sold to the canneries at an average price of 3 cents each in the spring,
and 2 cents each iu the fall. The season extended from March to May and from September to
November 15. After the factories had closed the catch was sold to New York and Boston smacks,
only a small quantity going to Portland. The prices paid by the smacks were about the same as
those given by the canneries, beginning at 3£ to 4 cents iu the early spring, and falling as low as
li cents when lobsters became more plentiful. Frequently, when the markets were dull, the
fishermen, after culling out all under 2 pounds in weight, would bring their catch to the smacks,
which, iu turn, would throw out about a third more, taking only the very largest lobsters.
This happened only late in the fall, or during very dull times. At other times the smacks would
take all weighing over 2 pounds at a fair price. The marketable lobsters then averaged about 3i
pounds each.
SMALL POINT. — On the Casco Bay side of Small Point, from Horse Island Harbor to Bald
Head, lobsters have grown very scarce during late years, and a large share of those taken are
unfit for market. The fishery is carried on by a few men in small boats, who sell their catch to
the Portland, llarpswell, and Freeport smacks. The season extends from April 1 to December 1.
It often happens that the fishermen leave off lobstering for days or even weeks at a time to fish
for mackerel when they are abundant near shore. At such times they leave their pots set, and
haul them when an opportunity offers. Flounders, sculpius, fish heads, luuipfish, and catfish are
mainly used as bait.- The men handle on an average thirty-five pots each, go singly, and make a
gross season's stock of about $125. The daily catch per trap averages about one marketable and
three small lobsters.
CANNERIES. — There are two lobster canneries in this district, one located at South Harpswell,
the other at South Freeport. The former is owned by Marsh & Dennett, and the latter by William
K. Lewis & Brother. At the South Harpswell cannery mackerel, as well as lobsters, were
originally preserved, but this branch of the business has been abandoned. This establishment
was started in 187G; in 1879 it was opened from April 8 to July 3, only closing at this early date
because of the scarcity of lobsters. The South Freeport cannery was established in the fall of
187(5, and puts up lobsters, clams, and mackerel. The season of 1879 lasted from April 12 to July
31. Both of these canneries draw almost all of their supplies of lobsters from Casco Bay. The
total live weight of the lobsters used by them in 1880 amounted to 305,000 pounds, for which the
sum of *3. (>.">() was paid to the fishermen. Mr. George F. Lewis, superintendent of the South
Freeporf cannery, states that the lobsters used there average larger than at most canneries, as
the- fishermen supplying them set their pots mainly out of the course of the well smacks, and find
about their only market at the cannery. During the two years prior to 1880 the following
quantities of one pound cans of lobsters were put up by these two canneries: In 1878, 81,000
cans; in 1879, 04,000 cans. Three fourths of the products of the South Harpswell cannery are
sent to Burnham & Morrill, Portland, and one fourth to Kemp & Day, Boston. All of the
products of the South Freeport cannery are sent to William K. Lewis & Brother, Boston.
The canning of lobsters was started in this district, about 1850, by Mr. William Underwood,
who opened a factory ?.t South Harpswell, and kept it running for about five years. A year or
766 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
two later, Messrs. Buruham & Rumery established another cannery, which continued in operation
during only a single season. Nothing further was attempted in this line, however, from that date
until 1876, when the present canneries were opened. According to the statements of the
fishermen, many more lobsters were canned in those early days than at the present time.
PORTLAND FRESU MARKET. — The Portland fresh-lobster market is largely controlled by two
firms, although a third firm buys and sells to a greater or less extent. The supplies are brought to
the city by about sixteen well smacks, with an aggregate measurement of 345.55 tons. These smacks
run up and down the Maine coast, from Cape Porpoise to Eastport and Grand Manau, buying
directly of the fishermen. The greater part of the lobsters carried to Portland, bowever, come
from between Portland and Mount Desert. The smacks are gone from one to two weeks on
each trip, dependent upon the weather and the abundance of supplies, and carry each time from
2,000 to 8,000 lobsters by count. As a rule, they buy only' the larger lobsters, those measuring
above 10J inches in length, which sell most readily in the fresh markets. In 1880 the fishermen
received from the smackmen 3J to 5 cents each for count lobsters, the latter in turn selling to the
Portland dealers at a slight advance. Lobsters must reach Portland alive, no dead ones being
accepted by the dealers. TLey are transferred at once to floating cars, where they await orders
Of late years many lobsters have been shipped to Portland, as well as Boston, packed in barrels,
with ice in warm weather. This method of shipping is much in vogue at Eastport, but is also
practiced at some other places along the Maine coast. The majority of the fishermen of Gasco
Bay bring their lobsters directly to market in their own boats, not depending upon the smacks.
About twenty five small boats are thus employed.
The lobster trade at Portland is most active from March to about the middle of July, tins
being the principal lobster fishing season of the coast of Maine, whence all supplies are obtained.
From the middle of July until October but little is done in this line, as lobsters are then generally
considered to be in poor condition. From October to the end of favorably weather there is,
however, a good trade, supplied by the so-called fall fishery.
The demand for fresh lobsters in Portland generally exceeds the supply, and in case of an
overstocked market, which but rarely occurs, the surplus is disposed of to the canneries of the
vicinity. The fresh-market trade in Portland in 1880 amounted to about 1,900,000 pounds,
valued at $70,000, fishermen's price, and $90,000, market prices. About 1,000 men on the Maine
coast catch for the Portland market.
Lobsters are shipped from Portland to Boston and New York, and to many smaller places in
Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Canada. About 10 tons are pickled yearly by the
dealers, and put up in barrels or kegs for the trade. In 1880, 213,355 lobsters, received from the
smacks buying on the Maine coast, were shipped from Portland to Boston by railroad, without
passing through the hands of Portland dealers.
CANNING INTERESTS AT PORTLAND. — Although but few lobsters are now canned at Portland,
owing to the great demand for fresh lobsters and the high prices paid for them by the fresh-
market dealers, that city has probably more capital invested in this industry than any other city
in the world, both as regards the coast of Maine and the coast of the British provinces. Port
land interests are centered in three firms, which own or control sixteen canneries in Maine and
thirty-one in the provinces. The cans and cases for these Maine canneries are mostly made in
Portland, this branch of the industry giving employment to about eighty men for three months,
at the rate of about $2 a day. The details and statistics of the canneries are given elsewhere.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
List of the lobster smacks owned in Portland and Falmoulh district.
767
Name.
"\Vhori> o\vueil.
How
ri^od.
Tonnage.
Value.
Crew.
Markets supplied.
Portland
18. 16
$800
2
Portland
do
Sloop . . .
14.33
500
3
Do.
do
do
25.05
600
2
IJo.
do
do .
24.54
500
2
Do.
Star iif the- West ..
Your." Chief
... do
do
Schooner. .
do
21.21
21.79
800
375
2
2
Do.
Do.
Adaliuo Adams
B. F. Brown
II. irp swell
do .
...do ....
Sloop
27.27
24.15
1,000
600
2
2
Portland and Haipswell.
Mai y II. Lr-u is ...
.. do
do . ...
Schooner.
19.07
32.25
1,100
700
3
2
Do.
Do.
Total
227. 82
li 1175
22
Tho above smacks are all well smacks, engaged in carrying lobsters only.
List of the smacks carrying lobsters 1o the Portland market in 1880.
Israel YVashburn, 25.16 tons; J. C. Jameson, 24.07 tons; General Worth, 19 tons; I. W. Crawford, 16.71) tons; Re-
publican, 111 tons; Coruelia, 14.:i3 tous ; Young Chief, 21.79 tons; Alwida Morse, 18.16 tons; James Beckwith, 24.54
tons; Star of the West, 21.21 tons; Georgia, 25.05 tous; Lizzie May, 13.71 tons; Adaliue Adams, 27.27 tons; Mary H.
Lewis, 10.07 tuns; Monterey, 32/25 tons; B. F. Brown, 24.15 tons; total tonnage, 315.55.
Summation of the lobster fisheries in Portland and Falmouth district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 175
Number of inarketuieti 22
Number of vessels above 5 tons burden 10
Value of same $8,875
Number of boats 160
Value of same $7,500
Number of lobster pots 9,015
Value of same $6,761
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $23, 136
Number of barrels of bait used 4, COO
Value of same $2,000
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks and to the local fresh trade, in pounds. . 241, 000
Value of same $8,836
Quantity of lobsters sold to the canneries, in pounds 305, 000
Value of same §3.050
Total quantity of lobsters taken and sold, in pounds 546,000
Value of same to the fishermen $11,886
Summation for the Portland wholesale market in 1680.
A iiidii lit (if capital invested (estimate) $25, (100
Quantity of lobsters handled, not including those shipped to Boston without passing
through the hands of Portland dealers, in pounds 1,929,967
Amount paid to the fishermen for the same $70,765
Value of the same at wholesalers' prices $90,065
Enhancement in value in the Portland market $19, 300
Summation of the lobster canneries in Portland find Fulmoittli district in 1880.
Number < if canneries 2
Value of buildings and fixtures $3,500
Additional c;ish capital required, including the capital employed in handling the
canned lobsters in Portland §56, 000
Number of boats 4
Value of boats $1,100
Total capital invested $60,600
Average number of men employed 55
Average number of women and children employed 16
768 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
Average number of smackmen employed 6
Total number of persons employed, including the men engaged in the manufacture of
lobster cans in Portland 77
Number of pounds of live lobsters used 3U5, COO
Amount paid to the fishermen for the same §3, 050
Number of 1-pound cans of lobsters put up 51,600
Number of 2- pound cans of lobsters put up 7,800
Enhancement in value of lobsters in process of canning $4,713
Value of the canned lobsters .$7,763
Summation of the entire lobster industry in Portland and Falmouth district in 1830, not including the Portland wholesale
market.
Total number of persons employed, including the men, engaged in the manufacture of
lobster cans in .Portland '274
Total amount of capital invested, including the capital employed in handling the
canned lobsters in Portland $83,736
Total value of the products as they entered into consumption $lf>, 599
SACO DISTRICT.
This district includes the lobster stations of Biddeford Pool and Pine Point.
Biddeford Pool is the most important lobster-fishing station of Maine west of Portland.
Fishing is kept up more or less continuously throughout the year, with a break from August to
November. During the warmer months th traps are set about the islands of the vicinity, and
outside of them to a distance of about 2 miles; but iu cold weather, when the lobsters move off
shore, the traps are shifted farther out, being often set as far off' as 7 miles to the east and south-
east of Wood Island, iu depths of 20 to 40, or even 50, fathoms. In the deeper waters a greater
proportion of large lobsters are taken. The bait used consists of several species of small common fish,
including hake, brim, and small cod. In 1880 twenty-one men were engaged iu this industry, using
sixteen small boats, and twelve hundred and sixty pots. The catch for that year amounted to 139.000
lobsters, valued at $6,950. Several of the fishing schooners owned at this place also participated in
the lobster fishery, making a total catch of 54,000 lobsters, valued at $2,700. At Goose Rocks, be-
tween Biddeford Pool and Cape Porpoise, five men, with three sail boats, took, during the same year,
45,000 lobsters, valued at $2,250. Of the twenty-one boat lobstermen from Biddeford Pool, eleven
follow lobster fishing for ten months of the year, and ten for only five months, the latter engaging in
other kinds of boat fishing during the summer.
The larger lobsters are mostly shipped to Boston and New York by rail, packed in barrels of
140 pounds each. The principal market for small lobsters is Portland, where they are canned.
Soft lobsters, when obtained in quantity, are also sent to the latter place for canning. The prices
are about 5 cents apiece for the large lobsters, sent to the fresh markets, and 1 cent each for the
small ones, sent to the canneries.
Lobsters are eaten to a certain extent by the poorer people of the neighborhood, during the
summer, 'when the small ones cost about the same price per pound as the commoner food fish of
the same region. During other seasons they are too expensive and too much iu demand for the
larger markets.
The lobster fishermen do some codfishing during a portion of the year, and some of them also
belong to the life saving station located near the Pool.
PINE POINT.— About ten men from this place fish for lobsters during six mouths every year,
setting their pots from Cape Elizabeth on the east to Wood Island on the west. They use ten
dories, and six hundred pots, and in 18SO made a total catch of 32,400 lobsters, valued at $1,620.
Tllli LOBSTKK KISHKIIY.
769
/.tut of
i't' snitii'L > belongiHff In tin- >'«ri> disi ric I, nil itf ic ft it'll t i"jn</i' l'»fh in lithuh riiiif ami in ollu >' fixfn rii 's.
Xame.
U lii i r ..\yjiril.
How
rigged.
'I'"!!!!.!-''.
Value.
Crow.
M.I i kfU .supplied.
l''lorrmv Triii 1
1! F W'inl
r.i.i.i. i.H.i VIM,]..
do
Sohoouei
ilo
10.62
8. !I7
$750
SUO
4
4
Portland.
r.iililH'nl il I'linl
-I ! 1'.' i i \
do
do
s 11:1
400
5
Portland.
M-iil <il' UH MKl
ilo
do
12 12
1 I'll!)
4
1, nl.il 1. ml 1'iKil
Kinnlo
do
do
10.41
8liO
4
Tola]
!>0. 1.1
3, 450
L'l
All nf Ihr.M- sin:icks set pols in thr \ iciuily of liiddeford Pool.
i af I he lobster fisheries in x<i<-<> iiixtriri in IP-MI.
Number of fishermen ...........
X ninber of market men .................................. ....................
Total number of persons employed ..................
X umber of vessels above 5 tons measun-nifiit ..........................................
Y;ilne of same ................ ....... ....................... f>3,
X umber of boats ........................................................
Value of same ......................................... ........ $1,
Number of lobster pots ............ ............... 1,
Value of same ................................ ............... $1,
Tula I .11110 n nt of capital invested in the fishery ....................................... fili,
X limber of barrels of bait, used .......
Value of same ........................................................................ i
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks and to the local fresh trade, in pounds ..
Value of same to the fishermen .........................................................
42
21
63
5
45(1
:w
250
sill'
3-j;.
nu5
870
S435
600
872
KENNEBUNK DISTRICT.
Ill this district lobster tislriug is carried on principally from Gape Porpoise, Kennebunk Port,
;iii(l Mon stun River.
GAPE PORPOISE.— The winter fishery of Cape Porpoise is mainly limited to the catching of
lobsu-rs. About twelve hundred traps are set during that season outside of the harbor, and to a
distance of 4 miles from hind. In the spring the number of traps is increased to fifteen hun-
dred or two thousand. They are generally set in trawls of fifty pots each. The boats used in
this lisher.v are mostly dories. The catch for the past few years has been poor. In 1880, 34,400
lc.bp.U-is, by count, valued at $2,004, were taken.
KENNEBUNK PORT. — About four hundred lobster traps are set near the mouth of the river
at this place. The fishery is confined to the spring and summer, and is carried on by five men
with five boats.
MorsAM EIVER. — Four men fish for lobsters from this place, using four boats and setting three
hundred and fifty traps. The catch for 1880 amounted to 5,000 lobsters by count, valued at $300.
J.ixl nl' lnh.ilrr Mimr/.s brlougiity lo Keinn hi/iil, ilinlrii'l.
Name.
\\ "In it- nwneil.
How
risked.
Tiiniiii.sH'.
Value.
Crew.
Markets supplied.
Fannie T
('ape PnrpiUM-i.
Schooner
»li>
6.84
7 Ii4
$450
200
3
5
(':IJM- Pill pnise
14.48
650
8
Holh cif llirai' siiKic-ks cns;:ii;i' iii sell ins; loliitiT |»its along thu coast of Maino, and also in other fisheries.
Siniimiiliiiii nf tin' liilixtirjixlirrirx in Keinnliii nl, ,/ixli-i<-l hi I
Number of fishermen
Number of market men
Total number of persons employed..
Number of vessels, above five tous burden. .
SEC V, VOL II 40
55
8
63
770
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Value of vessels
Number of boats -
Value of same
Number of lobster pots
Value of same
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery
Number of barrels of bait used
Value of same
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks and to the local fresh trade, in pounds..
Value of sanm to tlir fishermen -
$650
50
2,250
$1,688
$•2,938
1,050
$525
108, 600
$3, 982
YORK DISTRICT.
Lobster fishing is carried on from Wells, Cape Neddock, York, and Kittery in this district.
WELLS. — Lobsters have not been abundant in this locality for several years past. The fishery
is carried on in small wherries, measuring from 13 to 20 feet in length, and either schooner or
sloop rigged. The old style of hoop-net pot, with iron ring measuring 2£ feet in diameter, is still
employed to a large extent. About thirteen men now engage in the fishery, using seventy-five
lath traps and two hundred and fifty hoop-net traps.
CAPE NEDDOCK.— At Cape Neddock three hundred lobster pots are set from April to July,
the catch being marketed at Portsmouth and Gloucester. Dories are used for tending the traps.
YORK.— A small fishery for lobsters is carried on about the ledges near York Harbor, the
season being limited to the three and one-half mouths, from April to the middle of July. The
catch during late years has greatly fallen off, and the lobsters have also become reduced in size.
Two hundred traps were set in 1880.
KITTERY. — Six men from this place engage in lobstering from March to October, using three
boats and setting two hundred and eighty traps.
Summation of the lobster Jishti 'its in Yuri: ilhlrivt in 1880.
Number of fishermen. 30
Nu inber of boats 23
Value of same $460
Number of lobster pots 1,105
Value of same $829
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $1,289
Number of barrels of bait used 510
Value of same $255
Quantity of lobsters sold to the market smacks and to the local fresh trade, in pounds 99, 000
Value of same to the fishermen - $3, 630
STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION OF THE LOBSTER INDUSTRY IN THE STATE OF MAINE IN 1880.
Table of lobster smacks owned on the coast of Maine.
District.
Including all smacks.
Engaged in lobstering only.
Engaged in other fisheries also.
Number
of
Binacka.
Tonnage.
Value.
Clew.
Number
of
smacks.
Tonnage.
Value.
Crew.
Number
i.l'
smacks.
Tonnage.
Value.
Crew.
1
1
0
17
G
14
10
5
2
52.88
32.97
26.97
u::'.i. L'u
m 20
308. 25
227. 82
50.15
14.48
$670
l,l>70
9)0
7, 6M
8,150
12, 370
8,875
3, 450
650
4
2
4
50
18
33
22
21
8
1
1
2
9
5
11
10
2?. 88
32. 97
2fi. 97
128. 04
I'M. 411
211.91
227. 82
$f.70
1,670
940
4, 251)
7, 2(«)
0,922
8,875
4
2
4
21
13
24
22
Frenchman's Ba
8
1
3
111.16
12.77
96.34
$3, 380
950
5.448
29
6
9
Belfast
Portland and Falmouth
5
2
50.15
14.48
3.450
650
21
8
Total
58
1, 055. 98
44,405 1 1(J2
I
39
771. 06
30, 527
90
19
284. 90
13, 878
72
Of the fifty-eight snwks included in the above list, fifty are carriers merely, whilp eight engage directly in the fishery, setting pots. Of
the fifty carriers twenty-nine are well smackx, carrying to the fresh markers, principally Portland and Boston, and twenty-one are dry
smacks, carrying to the canneries. These smacks do their buying and fisbiug almost exclusively on the Maine coast.
THE LOBSTKU KISIIKKY.
771
Table of the lobster industry of Mnim fur 1-^0, allowing the extent of tlie lobster Jinking, running, and market interests of
the Stale of Maine, including the men employed, oipital invested, and the quantity and value of both the fresh and canned
products.
District
Passamaquodily
Machias
Frenchman's Hay
Castine
Belfast
"Waldoboro*
Wiscasset
Bath
Portland and Falmouth .
Saco
Kennubunk
York .
Total .
Grand total for lult
P
147
375
299
531
37.)
328
103
88
294
63
63
30
2,773
$16,2CC
53, 486
70, 579
102, 853
58, 318
58, 356
20,271
0,970
108, 730
6, (195
2, '.>:;8
1,289
500, 103
tliey
ion.
f products
iuto consum
Valn
en
$31,076
5«,450
84, -_':!2
53, 905
52, 530
24,619
7, 825
33, 899
14, 872
3.982
3,630
131,376
Fisheries.
62
232
176
310
258
250
130
88
175
63
63
30
Fishing
»-ks.
1,843 8
$130
3,450
650
4,230
Boats.
mb
37
200
390
312
220
100
68
160
33
50
23
1,797
$1,015
6,030
4,747
12,783
6.295
17, 600
6,200
4,100
600
4 GO
68,582
Lobster pots.
N
2,775
12,990
28, (I.'IJ
15, 930
12, 500
5,895
3,835
9,015
1,800
2, 250
1,103
104, 450
$2, 081 $3, 096 1, 220
6,188 12,218 4,330
0,742 14,489 6,000
21, 038 33, 953 1C, 800
11,948 18,243 6,555
9, 375 26, 975 9, 595
4,421 10,621 2,71)0
2, 870 6, 976 1, 900
6,761 14,261 4, Ono
1, 395 6, 095 870
I, 688 2, 938
829 1,289 510
78,34'J I 151,154 i 56,190
Bait used.
1
$610
2,165
3,300
8,430
3, '-'77
4,798
1,350
950
2,000
435
525
255
28, 095
District.
Paasarnaquoddy
ATacbias
Frenchman's Bay
Castine
B.-lf.ist
Waldoboro*
Wiscasset
Bath
Portland and Falraouth.
Saco
Kennebunk
York...
Total .
Fisheries.
Quantities of lobsters taken.
Sold to market
smacks.
351,318
107, 950
269, 000
868, 500
699, 000
!)47. 7nii
213,400
241, 000
99, 000
4, 739, 898
$12, 883
3,038
9,863
31, 843
25, 630
34,749
is. -•:::
7,825
Sold to canneries.
P
2, 474, 300
1, 368, 726
2, COO, 300
1,177,464
1
$9, 539
24,743
13, 6S7
11, 775
7.4P2
3,073
305, 000
3,030
14,284 94,913 14,234,182
Total.
Pou
1,303,258
2.5-2,250
1, 637, 720
7, SCO
1, 870,464
1, 695, 882
796,1*2
213.400
lue to
erme
$22, 422
28, 7nl
23, 550
37, 405
42,231
19, 396
7,825
11,886
14,872
3,030
Canm i ies.
23
$4, 000
11,650
11,000
11,000
5,000
3,750
3,500
65, 450
al c
qu
$7, 000
26, 748
41,0(10
38, 500
18, 000
13, 411
5,000
*56, 000
205,659 52
$1, 500
1,200
3,150
7,330
2,925
600
900
1,100
$12, 500
39, 598
55, 150
61,400
31, 925
19, Oil
9,650
60, 600
18, 725 289, 834
* Including the capital employed in handling the canned lobsters in Portland.
772
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Table of the lobster industry of Maine for 1880, .j-c.— Continued.
District.
('aimn ii-s.
a
V
a
*M
O
t.'B
" -
•° c-
Sl
s ft
o a
«
!
!
Average number of women
and childreu employed.
Average number of smack-
nieu employed.
Total number of persons
employed.
Numbe- nf pounds of live
lobsters list d.
Amount paid to the ri^bet-
ini.'ii for same.
Xunun'r of one-pound cans
of lobsteis put uii.
Number of two-pound cans
of lobsters put up.
Number of other brands of
lobsters put up.
Enhancement in value of
lolisters in process of can-
ning.
Value of canned lobsters.
31
58
42
79
37
19
16
31
71
65
86
47
22
11
19
12
12
25
13
4
5
81
141
119
190
97
45
32
953, 910
2, 474, 300
1,368,726
2, 099, 360
1,177,464
748, 182
367, 342
$9, 539
24, 743
13, 687
20, 994
11.775
7,482
3,673
135, 792
43*, 624
155, 244
411,801
161, 292
123, 816
61, 524
1, 770
24, 144
33, 336
13,416
43, 320
14,448
7,464
12, 000
$9.25
32, 98
i
i
i
i
i
i
$18,793
57, 729
46, 587
52, 387
28, 335
17, 790
8,896
127,801
32,90
31,39
16,56
10,30
5,22
Belfast
*55
16
6
*77
305, 000
3,050
51, 600
7,800
4,713
7,763
York
Total
337
349
96
782
9, 494, 284
94. 943
1,5)2, (MO
148,704
139, 801
143, 337
238, 280
District.
Wholesale markets.
Market smacks.
M ii kcimen.
Capital invested.
On;,iitityof lobsters handled
iu tbe markets in pounds.
A mount paid lor toe same to
tbe fishermen.
Value of the same at v hole-
salers' prices.
Enhancement in value in
the wholesale markets.
Smacks.
Smackmen.
Value.
1
1
2
16
6
14
4
2
, 4
45
18
33
$670
1,670
940
7,500
8,150
12, 370
q y
,
Belfast
Bath
10
22
8,875
20
$25, 000
1, 929, 967
$70, 765
$90, 065
$19, 300
K b k
York
Total
50
128
140. 175
20
25, 000
1, 9'.'9, 907
70, 765
90, 065
19, 300
* Including tbe men engaged iu the manufacture of cans.
t The fishing smacks accounted for on the preceding pa^es also carry their catch to market.
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 773
XK\V HAMPSHIRE.
The lobster lislu-i \ of New Hampshire is of slight importance compared with that of its
northern neighbor, and gives employment to but few men, who generally devote most of their
time to other kinds of fishing or other occupations. The principal places from which lobstering is
carried on are Portsmouth, New Castle, Eye, Seabrook, and the Isles of Shoals. Beyond the few
lobsters used locally, the greater part of the catch goes to Portsmouth, which city acts as a small
distributing center for the near inland towns. Lobsters are shipped from Portsmouth, both fresh
and boiled. A small portion of the catch is also sent to Boston and New York.
The season lasts from two to four mouths, lobsters being most abundant in May. When men
are hired by the day to tend the traps they are paid at the rate of about $25 a month, which is
also about the earnings of the men using their own gear. According to the statements of the
fishermen, lobsters have decreased in abundance from one-half to one-fourth during the past
twenty years. The average season's (four mouths) catch per trap of marketable lobsters (those
above 10i inches in length) is stated to be about sixty. The prices paid to the fishermen range
from 4 to 5 cents each.
Off Portsmouth the traps are set around the ledges at the mouth of the harbor, from Kittery,
Me., to Odiorues Point, New Hampshire. The fishery along the remainder of the coast is mainly
confined to slight depths of water near shore; some of the fishermen set their pots off the south-
western corner of Maine. No lobster smacks are owned in New Hampshire.
The average number of pots to a man in the different localities ranges from fifty to sixty-five.
Summation of the lobster fisheries in the State of New Hampshire in 1880.
Number of fishermen (two to four months) 44
Number of boats in use 31
Value of same $460
Numb'.r of pots in use 2,350
Valtif, of same $2,350
Total amount of capital invested $2,810
Number of barrels of bait used 500
Value of same $250
Total catch of lobsters, in pounds 250,000
Value of the same to the fishermen $7,500
MASSACHUSETTS.
GLOUCESTER DISTRICT.
In the Gloucester district, which includes the greater part of Cape Aun, lobster fishing is
mainly carried on in the neighborhood of Rockport, Gloucester, Aunisquam, and Manchester
The fishery is not, however, of great extent in this district. The season begins in March or April
and continues principally through the spring and fall, closing about November 1. Lobsters
are said to be most abundant during March, April, and May, and many of the lobstermen
take up their traps in September. In Gloucester Harbor the traps are set on sandy bottom,
in depths of 2 to 3 fathoms in summer, and about 10 fathoms during the colder part of the
season.
Captain Webb, of Milk Island, near Rockport, states that he used to set his traps in 14 fathoms
in April, changing to 2J fathoms as the water became calmer in the late spring. He often greatly
increased the amount of his catch by watching the storm signals on Thatcher's Island, and shifting
his traps into deeper water when a heavy wind that was likely to produce a strong undertow was
predicted.
As a rule, the fishery is conducted in depths of 2 to 10 fathoms in the summer, and of 10 to
774 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
20 fathoms in the early spriug and late fall. The ordinary half-cylinder lath traps, with uet-
fuunels, measuring 4 feet long by 2£ feet wide and high, are universally employed.
Occasionally, even in recent times, the old style of hoop-net pot has been used by a few fishermen
with fair success. Flounders and sculping are most commonly used as bait in the summer, and
cod and halibut heads in the spriug. The boats in use by the fishermen are mostly dories, valued
at about $20 each. The average catch per trap is said to be about three lobsters, but as many as
thirteen are sometimes taken at a single haul.
In the height of the season the traps are sometimes visited twice a day, both morning and
evening, but, as a rule, they are only hauled in the morning. In former times the fishermen earned
as high as $500 in a season, but now their season's earnings seldom exceed $200. A very few men
hire out at the rate of $35 to $40 per mouth. The average earnings per season for the lobstermen
of this district are about $110. Many of the men fish during only a few weeks.
Lobsters are sold in Gloucester mainly by count, but recently the method of selling by weight
has been coming into favor. The retail prices of fresh lobsters in 1880 were from 4 to 6 cents
each, and of boiled lobsters from G to 10 cents each.
The greater portion of the lobsters caught about Gloucester and Rockport are sent to Boston,
being carried there either by railroad, steamer, or smacks. There are two or three smacks which
make regular trips between Gloucester and Boston. Only a small portion of the catch is sold
locally. The lobsters are landed by the fishermen, aud sold at once to regular buyers, who tend
to the shipping. Many of the fishermen contract in the spring to sell their season's catch, whatever
may be the amount, to certain parties. The lobsters sent in the steamers and by railroad are first
barreled.
At Manchester, the lobster fishery is about the only fishery now carried on. The catch, which
in 1880 amounted to 8,250 by count, is sold locally, and mainly to the summer visitors.
Summation of the lobster fisheries in Gloucester district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 95
Number of boats 78
Value of same $1,560
Number of lobster pots 2, 549
Value of same $2,549
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $4, 109
Number of barrels of bait used 570
Value of same $285
Quantity of lobsters taken and disposed of, in pounds 285, 510
Value of same to the fishermen $10, 468
SALEM DISTRICT.
The lobster stations in this district are Salem and Beverly. Fishing is carried on more or
less continuously throughout the entire year, but the greater part of the catch is made in April,
May, September, and October. But few lobsters are taken in warm weather. The men generally
go two in a boat, each boat using on an average sixty pots. The pots are set on single warps
about the ledges in the harbor and also off the harbor, at distances of 5 to 10 miles. The average
daily catch to a boat during good seasons, is about one hundred and fifty lobsters. The winter
catch averages about seventy-five lobsters daily to a boat. Most of the catch during the early part
of the season is sold in Boston, but later the lobsters caught here are mainly boiled in the old-
fashioned kettles, and sold in Salem, Beverly, and the adjacent towns. One fishing schooner, of
16.40 tons measurement, is owned in Salevn, and engages in the lobster fishery during a part of
TOE LOBSTER FISHERY. 775
the year, setting pots in Massachusetts Bay and carrying to Salem. It is valued at $500, and
has a crew of four men.
Summation of the JoMer fisJuriea in Salmi district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 46
Number of smacks above 5 tons measurement 1
Value of same $500
Number of boats 19
Value of same $380
Number of lobster pots 1,300
Value of same $1,300
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $2, 180
Number of barrels of bait used 640
Value of same $420
Number of pounds of lobsters taken and disposed of, in pounds 422, 250
Value of same to the fishermen $15,482
MARBLEHEAD DISTRICT.
This district includes the fishing ports of Marblehead, Swampscott, Lynn, and Nahant. The
Marblehead lobsterruen set their pots during the entire year, the Nabant lobstermen during the
fall, winter, and spring, and the Swampscott lobstermen during only a small portion of the year.
The half-cylinder lath pots are used by most fishermen. The boats employed are mainly dories,
the men going singly. The depths of water fished in range from 1 to 30 fathoms, according to the
season. At ISTahaut each man handles about eighty pots, setting them attached in trawls. Two
lobster-fishing schooners of more than 5 tons measurement are owned in this district. The Zep-
pie, of Marblehead, measuring 11.78 tons, valued at $700, and with a crew of five men, fishes
on the coast of Maine and Massachusetts, and carries her catch to Marblehead. The Lizzie
Phillips, of Nahant, 14.12 tons measurement, valued at $1,000, and with a crew of four men, fishes
in Boston Bay, and sells to Boston.
The catch by Nahant and Marblehead fishermen is sold principally to the Boston markets ;
that by Lynn and Swampscott fishermen is mostly consumed at Lome. Very few lobsters are
taken at Swampscott. The lobster fishery is the only one now carried on from Nahant. The
Barnstable Patriot of February 19, 1861, says: "Nahaut fishermen have given up winter
codfishing and gone into the lobster fishery, which is a new business for this season of the year.
The fleet consists of some six vessels, manned by thirty men, or thereabouts."
•Summation of the lobster fisheries in Marlileliead district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 62
Number of smacks above 5 toils measurement 2
Value of same $1,700
Number of boats 24
Value of same $430
Number of lobster pots 2,260
Value of same $2,260
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $4,390
Number of barrels of bait us«d 650
Value of same $325
Quantity of lobsters taken and disposed of, in pounds 325, 500
Value of same to the fishermen $11,935
BOSTON DISTRICT.
In this important district the principal lobster-fishing stations are Winthrop, Long Island,
Hull, Cohasset, and Brewster's. During the warmer months of the year this fishery is mainly
carried on in Boston Harbor and along shore, but in cold weather the men go farther out in
776 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Massachusetts Bay, even to distances of 15 miles from laud. The traps are mostly set in the deep
channels of the harbor and among the outer ledges aud islands. The summer fishery is conducted
in depths of 1 to 8 fathoms, and the winter in depths of 12 to 16 fathoms or more. The season for
fishing in Boston Harbor begins about the middle of April and continues until about the 1st of
December. The Massachusetts Bay or deep water fishery is kept up the balance of the year.
April and May, September and October are the best months for lobstering. During June, July,
and August the catch is said to be much lighter, and lobsters are then considered to be in the
poorest condition for eating, very many being soft-shell. The winter catch is almost always
insufficient to meet the demand. The lobsters caught in the deeper parts of the bay are stated by
the fishermen to run larger in size and to -be thicker shelled and firmer in flesh than those
taken in Boston Harbor, also keeping better when boiled. Only about one-fifth as many men are
engaged in the winter fishery as in the spring, summer, and fall.
The ordinary form of lath trap is most commonly employed. The traps are now mostly set
in trawls of twenty to forty each, aud a fixed pulh-y attached at or near the bow of the boar,
for underruuniug the trawl has recently come into general use. Sometimes as many as five
trawls of twenty pots each are handled by a single fisherman. At Hull the trawls are made up
of twenty-five pots each. The bait consists of sculpius, flounders, cod and halibut heads, and
other so-called refuse fish. The boats are mainly schooner-rigged and built lapstreak ; they
are valued at from $50 to $75 each. Some dories are also employed. The only registered lobster
smack of the district is the Joseph ; it is schooner-rigged, of 5.77 tons measurement, valued at
$50, and is manned by a single fisherman. This schooner fishes for lobsters in Boston and Massa-
chusetts Bays, aud carries to Boston.
The average daily catch per trap, reckoning for the entire year, is about one and a half to
two lobsters of marketable size. About Point Shirley a fisherman expects to obtain, on an
average, about 100 lobsters per day in all his traps, of which about fifty will be of salable sizes-
Lobster fishermen are supposed to earn from $3 to $4 per day, or from $300 to $500 during a
season of six mouths. Boston is the only market for the catch of this district excepting the
small quantity which may be used locally. At Hull, the ouly fishery receiving any attention is
that for lobsters. The fishermen all report a considerable decrease in the abundance and size of
lobsters, which they say has been going on steadily from year to year. The cause assigned is
overfishing. They also state that it has been their experience that a greater mortality occurs
among the lobsters in a car where their claws have been wedged than when they have been left
free, and they have therefore abandoned the practice of wedging.
BOSTON WHOLESALE MARKET. — Lobsters are brought to this market in three different ways —
from the immediate neighborhood, in the small boats of the fishermen, dry, aud from a distance in
well smacks, and by railroad, packed in barrels. Although the well smacks bring the largest
supplies from distant grounds, thousands of barrels are received every year in good condition,
from along the coasls of Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, in warm weather protected
with ice, but at other times without it. As soou as they are, received they are transferred, at
least in the case of the larger dealers, to floating cars, capable of holding from 5,000 to 10,000 lob-
sters each, and in which they can be kept alive for some time. About fifteen of these cars are owned
in Boston, six of the largest belonging to a single firm, who profess to keep constantly on hand,
so far as possible, from five to six days' supplies. A car to hold 10,000 lobsters should measure
40 feet long, by 12 feet broad, and 5 feet high. The greatest number of lobsters is received in
April and May, the smallest number about February. The sources of supply vary more or less
with the season. In summer the most and best lobsters come from the eastward of Deer Isle,
THE LOBSTKi; FISHERY. 777
Maine, but in colder weather tlie greater number come from the westward of Deer Isle and from
as far south as Chat ham, on Cape Cod. Very large quantities of lobsters are received from
Portland, Me., where they arc often resbipped by railroad from the smacks which bring them in
from the coast of Maine. No lobsters are sent to Boston from the westward of Chatham, the
entire catch of Southern New England being consumed at ditl'erent places along that coast or
sent to New York City. Occasional supplies of fresh lobsters are received at Boston in summer
from the coast of Nova Scotia. Some of the Boston dealers anticipate that in the future they
will have to depend more and more on shipments from the British Provinces in order to supply
the ever-increasiug demands.
Larger lobsters are demanded by customers in summer than in winter, probably because in
tlie former season larger lobsters, which come mainly from the eastward, are more abundant, and,
therefore, nearly always obtainable, while in the latter season the supply is much more limited.
The outside markets for fresh and boiled lobsters from Boston are principally the New
England towns and New York City. The Middle and Western States also receive a certain
amount, but Chicago is about the westeru limit of fresh distribution.
There are in Boston about six permanent establishments for receiving and distributing
lobsters, both fresh and boiled, and also several small occasional boilers. The lobsters, in either
condition, are generally shipped away in barrels, with or without ice, according to the season.
According to the estimates of Mr. W. A. Wilcox, of Boston, that city was supplied with lobsters
in 1880 as follows, the figures being by count :
From Maine* 793,099
From Boston Harbor, including Wiuthrop and Lynn 596,400
FromHull 319,200
From Nahant 50,000
From north shore of MasN.-nlin.-ii1 Is Bay, including Cape Ann 300,000
From south shore of Massachusetts Bay, including Cape Cod 360, 954
Total number 2,419,653
Value of same at wholesale prices §169,758
The well smacks carrying from Maine to Boston, in 1880, were about seventeen in number,
and belonged entirely to Western Maine. They ranged in size from 18 to 40 tons, and in value
from $.jOO to $4,000 each ; their combined measurement was 487 tons ; total value, $28,800, and
combined crew fifty men.
One Boston firm is largely interested in the canning of lobsters on the Maine and provincial
coasts, controlling the products of many canneries. Statistics of these canneries have been given
in the coast review of the State of Maine.
SiiniiiKilioii it/' lln ln/inli'r Jix/n rim mill murki'ls in Jlonlnii <1ixlri<-l in 1880.
Xlllllber of lishermeli '"''
Number of markctmen 50
Number of smacks
Value of game *5"
Number of boats
Value of same So, 275
Number of lobster pots 8,290
Value iif >an it- $8,290
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $13,615
Number of barrels of bait used 2,780
Value of same $1,390
Quantity of lobsters taken and disposed of by the fishermen, in pounds.. . 1,390,800
* 507,554 being brought directly from the fishing grounds; 213,355, forwarded from Portland by railroad; and
72,190, sent by railroad from between Portland and Wells.
778 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Value of the catch to the fishermen $50,996
Value of the buildings, teams, and fixtures of the Boston wholesale markets $10, 000
Active capital invested in the Boston wholesale markets $20, 000
Quantity of lobsters handled by the Boston wholesale dealers from all sources, in
pounds 3, 637, 687
Value of same at fishermen's prices $133, 381
Value of same at wholesalers' prices $169,758
Enhancement in value of the lobsters handled in Boston, being the difference between
the fishermen's and wholesalers' prices $36,377
PLYMOUTH DISTRICT.
Plymouth district contains the lobster-fishing ports of Scituate, Duxbury, and Plymouth. The
principal season is from April to September, the pots being set near shore, in depths of a few to 15
fathoms. Off Plymouth the fishing grounds are all within 1 J miles of the shore, and extend from
Cut River on the north to Sandwich on the south. One-half of the catch is marketed at
home, being sold in part to the neighboring towns, aud one-half is disposed of to smacks from
Boston, New York, and New Haven. Lobsters are said to have been very large and abundant in
this region at one time, but to have decreased greatly both in size and numbers, within the past
few years. The season's catch for 1880 was, however, quite large. The average number of
marketable lobsters taken to a trap is said to be about one per day. Sixty pots on an average
are used by each man. The fishery is carried on in small open boats or dories, the men going
singly. The average earnings per man for 18SO were about $300. The business is said to have
declined one-half during the past five years.
Summation of the, lobster fisheries in Plymouth ilistrk-t in I-'11.
Number of fishermen
Number of boats 74
Value of same $1,020
Number of lobster pots
Valueofsame $4,500
Total amount of capital invested $5, 520
Number of barrelsof bait used 1,440
Value of same
Quantity of lobst. rs taken and disposed of, in pounds . ?-Jl,050
Value of same to the fishermen 8-6, 438
BARNSTABLE DISTRICT.
This once exceedingly important district, which furnished at one time a very large proportion
of all the lobsters marketed in New York City, has so fallen off in its production that it now
stands among the poorest on the Massachusetts coast. It includes all of Cape Cod as far south
as Falmouth and Wood's Holl, which places also belong to it. Lobster fishing is now carried on
from Provincetowu, the Truros, Orleans, Chatham, Harwich (Monomoy), Barnstable, Cotuit,
Yarmouth Port, and Wood's Holl.
Provincetown was formerly the center of one of the most extensive lobster fisheries of our
coast, but now comparatively few men engage in this industry tLere, because of the great depletion
of the grounds in that vicinity, from long-continued overfishiug. The history of the lobster
fishery of Cape Cod has been given elsewhere.
The lobster grounds of the vicinity of Provincetown cover most of the sandy bottoms along
the shore, out to a depth of 18 to 20 fathoms, where the area of mud, characterizing the deeper
waters, begins. The fishery is entirely confined to the sandy belt, the traps being mostly set in
depths of 4 to 15 fathoms. The season continues about five months, or from May to October,
lobsters being generally most abundant during July and August. Hoop-net pots were discarded
THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 779
several years ago, and the ordinary lath trap is now universally employed. A man setting fifty
traps would, at present, do well to catch twenty marketable lobsters per day, making the average
daily catch per trap less than one half. Twenty-five lobsters a day to the same number of traps
would be considered a large catch. The average monthly earnings of a man while fishing is about
$25. Twelve to fourteen men now engage in lobstering from Provincetown, many of them fishing
only a portion of the season. They are mostly old fishermen, who are unable to engage in the
more active branches of fishing, and who do little work of any kind after the lobster season has
ended; they fish singly. The entire catch, excepting about 500 lobsters consumed annually in
Provincetowu, is sent to Boston in the sloop smack Pennsylvania, of 29 tons measurement. This"
smack also bought lobsters at Chatham in 1880, and on some of her trips touched also at Ply-
month, even then often arriving in Boston with small fares. The same year she made thirteen
trips from Provincetown to Boston during the lobster season, carrying in all 11,956 lobsters, for
which she paid 7 cents each, making a gross stock of $836.92. The first trip was made on May 27,
when she carried 1,096 lobsters from Provincetown, and the best trip was made July 27, when she
obtained 1,644 lobsters at the same place.
Capt. N. E. Atwood states that the Massachusetts lobster law does not affect the fishery at
that place, as a fisherman will not catch a dozen lobsters less than 10J inches long during the entire
season.
Two men at North Truro set about one hundred traps in all. One fishes from April to
September, the other from May to the middle of July. Captain Hopkins, who uses fifty-eight
traps, states that his daily catch ranges from ten to twenty-five lobsters. Captain Collins sets
forty five traps and often obtains only fifteen lobsters a day, though occasionally his daily catch
amounts to forty lobsters. All of the lobsters from this place are sent to Boston and New York,
generally by rail, but sometimes by the same smack that visits Provincetown. In 1880 the price
was seven cents each, by count, and in 1878, eight cents. At Truro two men also engage in lobstering,
setting their traps both on the bay and ocean side of the cape. They handle only ten traps together,
and in 1879 stocked $75 on the ocean side and $25 on the bay side. The number of lobsters
taken was between 1,400 and 1,500. Most of the catch is used locally, and a portion sold to the
Provincetown smack, which makes occasional visits. From 1,000 to 2,000 lobsters are caught
annually by fishermen from South Truro, who also engage in other kinds of fishing at the same
time. The catch is mostly sent to Boston by rail.
At Orleans only one man engages in lobstering, making an average daily catch of about forty
five lobsters from May to October. Four or five years ago there were eleven lobstennen at this
place, but as the business became unprofitable they left it.
There are twenty lobstennen at Chatham and about the same number make their summer
headquarters at Monomoy. Ttey fish from about the 1st of June to the 1st of November, and set
from forty to eighty traps each. At Chatham the traps are set both inside and just without the
harbor. The average daily catch per man was about thirty lobsters, but in 1879 ouv man, with
sixty-six traps, averaged sixty lobsters daily, his catch for the entire season amounting to about
7,000 lobsters. The other fishermen obtained an average of 3,000 lobsters each for the same season.
The entire catch is carried to Boston in smacks. The price in 1879 was 6 cents each, by count,
which was lower than for the preceding four or five > ears. About nine years ago the price was as
high as 9 cents each.
For the past three or four years a single fisherman from Barnstable, in company with one from
Yarmouth, has set a few traps in Barnstable Harbor during a small part of each year. In July,
1879, they used eight traps, and in July, 1880. twelve to fourteen traps. Their catch for each of
780 HISTORY AND METHODS OF TEE FISHERIES,
those .years was only about 300 lobsters. At Cotuit, near Barustable, twenty-five traps were set
in 1880, taking in all only about 500 lobsters. One lobster smack, the Pontiac, is owned at
Barnstable. She is a schooner of 9.93 tons, is valued at $400, and carries a crew of four men. She
sets traps on the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts and also engages in other branches of fishery.
Capt. Benjamin Lovell, of Yarmouth Port, fished with seventeen traps during the season of
1880, making a total catch of about 2, 500 lobsters. A portion of this catch was shipped to Boston
and the remainder was used locally. Lobsters are generally sold by weight, at the rate of 5 to 10
cents a pound. Since 1876 the lobster fishery of this region has scarcely sufficed to supply the
local demand until this year. Captain Lovell, in speaking of the decrease in the abundance of
lobsters, states that twenty years ago, with half the number of pots, he could catch 5,000 lobsters
in one week.
Five men engage in lobstering at Wood's Holl, and when not so occupied follow other kinds
of fishing. The traps are set in depths of 4 to 15 fathoms, the season extending frotn April to
October. Each man will stock from $100 to $200 per season. The average daily catch per trap is
said to be four or five lobsters of all sizes. About one-half the catch is sold locally, the balance
being shipped away, mainly to New York and New Bedford. The wholesale price of lobsters is 3
cents per pound; the retail, f> cents per pound.
.\iinimiiiiini of the lobster fisheries in Barnstable district in 1680.
Number of fishermen - 66
Number of smacks 1
Value of same $400
Number of boats ' 50
Value of same $1,000
Number of lobster pots 3,000
Value of same $3,000
Total capital invested iu the fishery $4, 400
Number of barrels of bait used 420
Value of same $210
Quantity of lobsters taken and disposed of, iu pounds 21 1, 230
Value of same to the fishermen $7, 745
NANTUCKET DISTRICT.
This district includes the islands of Nantucket and Tuckeruuck. Four men engage regularly
in lobstering from Nantucket, and eleven others fish at odd times. At Tuckernuck there are six
regular lobstermen, who set from thirty to sixty or seventy traps each. Most of the catch, which
is very small, is sold to a New York smack, which makes a trip about once every ten days.
Suninmlioii of llu: lobxter fixlieries In N/tntiiclct iHntrict in 1880.
Number of fishermen 21
Number of boats 21
Value of same $420
Number of lobster pots 1,500
Value of same $1,500
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $1,920
Number of barrels of bait used 22
Value of same $11
Quantity of lobsters taken and disposed of. in pounds 11,250
Value of same to the fishermen $412
EDGAKTOWN DISTRICT.
Edgartown district includes Martha's Vineyard, No Man's Land, and the Elizabeth Islands.
Lobster fishing is carried on mainly from Cuttyhunk, No Man's Laud, Lobsterville (Menemsha
Bight), and Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. This fishery was begun at the Elizabeth Islands
THE LOBSTER F1SIIKUY. 781
as early as 1807. " The fishes are the same as those of the vicinity, but lobsters, which are scarce
at Martha's Vineyard, arc caught in great abundance at all the Elizabeth Islands."* At present
the lobster fishery of the Elizabeth Islands is confined almost exclusively to Cuttyliunk, where it
is engaged in by the majority of all the fishermen, about thirty in number. The season lasts
about four months. The thirty fishermen run six small smacks and twelve open boats, setting
from forty to one hundred and twenty traps each, or a total of 2,000 traps. The Cuttyliunk
Club, a New York association of sportsmen, also 'handles about one hundred and twenty pots,
selling the larger lobsters obtained ami using the smaller ones for bait. During the season of
1880 the lobster traps at Cuttyliunk averaged about one marketable lobster each per day, or a
total of about 2:50,000 lobsters, by count, for the season. The regular tautog fishermen of
Cuttyhunk use about 1,000 pounds of lobsters each for bait during the season.
At No Man's Laud, in 1880, the lobster fishery was conducted by fifteen men who make that
island their headquarters during the fishing season. The catch in that year was small, averaging
about 1,000 pounds to each man, and amounting altogether to about 15,000 pounds. From the town
of Edgartown only about two hundred traps were set in 1880, yielding a total catch for the 'season of
about 16,600 lobsters. The greater part of the lobster fishery of this district is carried on in the
vicinity of Menemsha Bight and Gay Head, at the southwestern extremity of Martha's Vineyard,
and off No Man's Land, by fishermen hailing from Chilmark and Tisbury. Lobsterville consists
of about fourteen temporary shanties, situated near the western end of Meuemsha Bight. Along
Meuemsha Bight, including this settlement, about sixty lobster fishermen were located in 18sn,
using forty boats, of which one-half carried two men each and the remainder one man each.
An average of forty traps was set by each boat in 1880, making a total of sixteen hundred traps
for the region. They were worked in trawls of ten to fifteen traps each. The common form of
lath trap is universally employed. The catch for 1880 amounted to about 200,000 lobsters. In
1879 this fishery was carried on from this locality by a much smaller number of men, with four-
teen boats and 560 traps. .
The fishing grounds range from the shallow water near shore, in depths of 1 fathom, to
depths of 15 to 20 fathoms. The season usually continues four or five months, from May to
October, but a few men sometimes begin fishing as early as the middle of March. Flounders,
menhaden, dogfish, and other common fish are used as bait. The average number of marketable
lobsters caught to a trap per day varies from one to two. Fifteen lobsters of all sizes to a trap
is considered a large catch. Nearly all the lobsters taken in this region are sold to smacks run-
ning principally to New York, but also, to some extent, to other smaller markets. About twelve
well-smacks of different sizes making weekly trips visit this region during the season, and pay
on an average about six cents each for all lobsters above 10i inches long.
After the smacks stop running, which sometimes happens about the 1st of August, the catch
is sold mainly at Wood's Holl at 3£ cents per pound. During good seasons the monthly earnings
for each man are said to range as high as $50 to $100. In 1880 the average earnings per man
for the entire district were about $250 for the season. The following note from Mr. Frank M.
Cottle, of West Tisbury, is of interest, as illustrating the rapid growth of the lobster industry in
this region: "Twenty years ago there was but one vessel in the lobster fishery on this coast, or
rather in this vicinity ; now there are a dozen. Then the business was not considered to be of
any value, and but few men entered it at all. Within the past fifteen years, however, it has
improved rapidly, and now there are some lid men or more in this vicinity who depend upon it
"Coll. Muss. HIM. Soc., '.M MT., vol. iii, p. 71).
782 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
almost wholly during the season." That the destruction of lobsters by fish in this district is very
great is indicated by the observations of Mr. V. N. Edwards, of Wood's Holl, who, during
October and November, 1877, examined the stomachs of hundreds of cod caught about No Man's
Land. Nearly all the fish he examined contained one or more young lobsters, and in many cases
the stomachs were almost entirely filled with them.
THE FISHERY IN 1882. — During the summer of 1882, the author made many inquiries of the
fishermen regarding the lobster fishery of the Martha's Vineyard region, including No Man's
Land and the Elizabeth Islands, with the following results:
Lobsters have, from year to year, steadily decreased in size and abundance, in the upper
part of Vineyard Sound, while at the same time there has been a proportionate increase in num-
bers, and the size has remained constant, about Gay Head, No Man's Land, and Cuttyhunk.
About one third of the catch only is under size or less than 10J inches in length. According to
some of the older fishermen of No Man's Land, 1882 was one of the best lobster years ever ex
perienced there. From fifteen to twenty men lobstered daring the summer season, setting, on an
average, sixty traps each, the greater part of which were arranged in trawls of eight to twenty
traps. The catch during this season, from the middle of May to the latter part of September,
amounted to about 100,000 marketable lobsters, weighing, on an average, 2i pounds each. The
price paid by the smacks was 8 cents each, making a total season's stock for the twenty men
of $8,000.
In addition to the twenty fishermen living on the island, there were six smacks, owned in
New London County, Connecticut, with a combined crew of twenty-four men, which fished in the
same region. Their catch, though large, was proportionately less than for the regular fishermen.
As fast as they obtained fares, they proceeded to market, generally New York. One market
smack, called the Boston Smack, made weekly trips to the island, and carried the catch of the
fishermen to New York, at the rate of about 6,000 lobsters each trip. Another smack, the Daboll
of New York, made occasional trips, carrying about the same amount of lobsters each time.
In the above reckoning no account has been taken of the fisheries of Menemsha Bight, near
Gay Head, and of Cuttyhunk, at both of which places the catch for 1882 was much larger than
for 1880. In the upper part of Vineyard Sound, on both the Martha's Vineyard and Naushou
sides, the fishery for 1882 was poor. The Wood's Holl lobstermen set their traps during only a
very short part of the summer, and the greater portion of their catch was under size.
The lobster season at No Man's Land generally begins about the middle of May and con-
tinues until about the 20th of September. About October 1, the fishermen begin to turn their
attention to the cod fishery, which lasts until bad weather sets in, and is again taken up in the
spring, from April I to the middle of May. The lobster pots are set on all sides of the island,
but mainly off the north and west sides, where there are numerous rocky patches, at distances of
l.J to 2 miles from laud, and with depths of 10 to 13 fathoms. Each of the fishermen owns
one or two floating cars for the storage of his catch, awaiting shipment. Thirty such cars were
in use during 1882, the larger ones having a capacity of 500 to 1,000 lobsters each, but there are
others of smaller size. They are tied to stakes just oft' the shore, in front of the fishing village,
and swing with the tide. They are made of two shapes; the smaller ones are generally rectan-
gular, but the larger ones taper at one or both ends, but from the bottom and top, so as to present
a rather narrow edge to the tidal currents, or to the waves, in stormy weather. This construction
is rendered necessary from the fact that the area in which they are moored is exposed to a
heavy sea, during strong easterly winds, and a plain rectangular car would soon be torn to pieces.
THE LOBSTEE FISHERY. 783
The bait used consists of menhaden, bluefish, flounders, and cod heads. Meuhaden are pre-
ferred, and, in 1882, cost $8 per thousand.
The fishermen of this region recognize the two varieties of lobsters, called "school" lobsters
;m<l "ledge" or " rock " lobsters. The latter, apparently, remain about the island during the
entire year, and live only upon the rocks or rocky grounds. The school lobsters appear about
July 1, and are gone by the last of September. They are most abundant on smooth bottoms,
but also occur among the rocks. Lobsters can, therefore, be caught upon smooth bottoms
only during the season for school lobsters.
The boats used are the so-called " Vineyard fishing boats," having one or two masts.
These are moored just off the town, and are reached by means of dories. In case of an ap-
proaching storm, or wheu it is desirable to clean them, these small smacks are hauled upon the
beach, which consists of large gravel stones, by means of a team of oxen, kept on the island for
that purpose. Ladder-like frames, made in sections, and with the cross-pieces broad and flat,
are placed under the boats, or, rather, the latter are hauled over the frames, to keep them from
being worn by grinding against the gravel. The boat being brought in as near the shore as
possible, one section of the frame, with the cross pieces downward, is set in front of it, leading
up the beach. The boat is then hauled upon it, and another section added, this operation being
repeated until the boat has reached the proper height upon the beach, when it is braced from
both sides.
The No Man's Land fishermen all belong to Martha's Vineyard, and live on the former island
only during the fishing seasons. There are only two permanent residents on the island.
Summation of the lobster fisheries in Edgartown district in 1880.
Number of fishermen 110
Number of boats - 58
Value of same $13,800
Number oflobster pots 4,520
Value of same 84,520
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $18,320
Number of barrels of bait used 1,540
Value of same $770
Total quantity of lobsters caught and sold, in pounds 773,100
Value of same to the fishermen $28,347
NEW BEDFORD DISTRICT.
In the New Bedford district lobster fishing is carried on mainly from New Bedford, Fairhaven,
Dartmouth, and Westport. The traps are set in different parts of Buzzard's Bay to within a
short distance of Cuttyhunk Island, in depths of 2 to 25 fathoms, according to the season. The
fishery is continued through about five mouths of each year, or from May to October, lobsters
being most abundant during June, July, August, and September. Two kinds of traps are in u«e,
one being rectangular and the other semi-cyliudrical in shape; some of these are furnished with one,
and others with two funnel openings. Hoop-net pots are also still occasionally employed. From
New Bedford three small smacks engage in lobstering, but at the other localities small open
boats, valued at 820 to $25 each, are mainly used. Each man uses on an average about thirty
traps. Lobsters are sold by weight in New Bedford at the rate of 4 to 8 cents a pound, but else-
where generally by count, at 5 to 7 cents each. The average season's earnings per man, in 1880,
were about $200. The small-boat fishermen generally go singly, sometimes, however, hiring a man
to help. Neailv all the lobsters taken by the New Bedford smacks are sold to smacks carrying to
New York, New Haven, or New London. The Fairhaven catch is mostly used as bait for tautog,
784
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
scup, and squeteague, ami that of Mattapoisett, Dartmouth, and Westport Point is consumed
locally, or sent to New Bedford, New York, or FaH River.
The catch for the several places in this district in 1880 was as follows: New Bedford, 50,520
pounds; Fairhaveu, 45,000 pounds; Mattapoisett, 3,000 pounds ; Dartmouth, 75,000 pounds ; West-
port Point, 12,000 pounds. About fifteen well smacks, ranging in measurement from 12 to 50 tons
each, visit the New Bedford district, and make about fifteen trips each, during the season, to the
several markets, principally New York. Four lobster-fishing smacks are owned in this district.
They are as follows :
l.hl a/' //«• lohxlrr
cA's owned in JVVii' Kedfonl limtrie.l.
Name.
Where owned.
Rig.
Tonnage.
Value.
Crew.
D. B. May hew
Now Bedford. . -
...do
Schooner. .
do
23.51
2li (IT
$2, 000
1 Dllll
4
i
do
do
111 47
500
3
7.30
100
2
Total
67 95
3 600
13
SiiiiinuiHuii of ill e lobster fishery in New Hertford riixlrict in 1880.
Number of fishermen 35
Number of smacks 4
Value of same $3,600
Number of boats Ill
Value of same |430
Number of lobster pots 1,0«8
Value of same $1,088
Total amouut of capital invested in tbe fishery $5, 118
Number of barrels of bail used 370
Value of same $185
Quantity of lobsters caught and disposed of, in pounds 174,726
Value of same to the fishermen $6, 406
STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION OF THE LOBSTER INDUSTRY OF MASSACHUSETTS IN 1880.
Tahlr nf Ihi' lobster industry of Massachusetts in 1H80.
Districts.
Fishery.
Wholesale markets.
Fishermen.
Smacks.
Boats.
Lobster pots.
1
"55
<u
>
a
"aB
'ft
Ed
0
Bait used.
Quantity of lobsters
taken.
Marketmen.
•d
u
!
_q
«
'ft
A
0
Enhancement in
value.
Number.
Tonnage.
d
>
Number.
o3
£
t>
Number.
o
>
Barrels.
3>
a
>
Pounds.
2
>
Gloucester
T>
78
10
24
92
74
50
58
21
21
$1, 560
380
430
5,275
1,020
1,000
13, 800
420
430
2,549
1,300
•J, 2t:i)
8,200
4,500
3,000
4,520
1,500
1,0*8
$2,549
1,300
2, 2CO
8,290
4,500
3,000
4,520
1,500
1,088
$4,ioa
2,180
4,390
13,615
5,520
4, 400
18, 320
1,920
5,118
570
840
650
2,780
1,44(1
420
1.540
22
370
$285
420
325
1,1190
720
210
770
11
185
285, 510
422, 250
325, 500
1, 390, 800
721, 050
211,230
773, 100
11,250
174, 72C
$10, 468
15,482
11, 935
50, 996
26, 438
7,745
28, 347
412
0,406
46
62
86
1
2
1
16.40
25.90
5.77
$500
1,700
50
Marblehead
50
$30, 000
$36, 377
J
66
110
1
9.113
400
Eil "irtown
g
21
New Bedford —
Totals
35
4
67.95
3,600
595
9
125. 95
6,250
437
24, 315
29, 007
29, 007
59, 672
8,632
4,316
4,315,410
158, 229
50
30, 000
36, 377
THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
785
Table of lobster industry of Massachusetts — Continued.
GRAND TOTALS.
Districts.
Persons
employed.
Capital in-
vested.
Value of
Jiniiliir-ts ;IH
they outer
into con-
sumption.
95
$4 109
$10 463
46
0 JgQ
62
4 390
11 935
136
3 615
87 373
74
45 5^0
26 438
G6
4 400
7 745
no
8 320
"S ;u7
21
11 920
412
35
5 118
Totals . .
645
89 572
194 606
NOTE.— In the above table no account is mad" of any markets outside of Boston. The Massachusetts lobster smacks all engage in fish-
ing, anil tln-ir crews have, therefore, been included among the fishermen instead of the marketmen. Boston capital invested in the Maine
canneries has bnen included in the statistics of that State.
RHODE ISLAND.
Rhode Island ranks fourth among the States in the value and extent of its lobster fisheries.
This industry is carried on to a greater or less extent from nearly all the fishing ports or stations
of the State, the principal ones being Wickford, Newport, Dutch Island, Sanderstown, Narragan-
sett Pier, Sakonnet Point, Bristol, and Block Island.
GROUNDS. — The lobster grounds in Narragansett Bay include the numerous inlets on both
sides of the bay as far north as Hope Island, the ledges lying out in the bay, and the moderate
depths of water surrounding the- islands. Off Sakonnet Point and Brenton's Reef Light Ship
lobsters are taken on both sandy and rocky bottoms, from 2 to 10 miles from shore, and in depths
of 5 to IS fathoms. In these localities the traps are generally set on rocky bottoms in the spring
and fall, and on smooth bottoms during the summer. Brown's Ledge, situated about 20 miles off
shore, used to be a good lobster ground, but of late years it has not yielded much. Various good
fishing grounds for lobsters exist in many places off the coast and about Block Island. The
Block Island region is, however, fished more by boats from Connecticut than by native ones.
The Rhode Island fishery also extends to the Connecticut coast, which is visited to some extent by
boats from Newport, and nearly or quite to Cuttyhunk.
The Rhode Island grounds, like those of many other sections of the coast, have been gradually
extended outward with the increase of trade and the demand for lobsters, in order to accom-
modate the greater number now fishing, but the inner grounds, those of Narragansett Bay, still
furnish many lobsters. The depth of water in which the traps are set varies from a few fathoms
to 15 or 20 fathoms.
SEASON. — The lobster season usually extends from May 1 to October 1, after which the main
part of the fishery generally ceases. In 1879 a few men began lobstering as early as March,
obtaining good fares and high prices. As a rule, some lobsters are taken during every month
from February until November. The so-called school lobsters are noticed in the waters off Rhode
Island. The presence of a school, or its passage over the fishing grounds, is indicated by much
better fishing for a few days at a time, after which the catch falls off to the ordinary run. In
1879 the best schools came as early as July 4; in 1880 they began about a week later. The
best months for fishing are said to be July and August.
78(5
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
TKAPS. — The ordinary semi-cylindrical lath traps are commonly used, but there is a smaller
rectangular or ''square pot," as it is called, which is extensively employed by many fishermen,
who claim that they can work to better advantage with it on account of its being more easily
handled. These traps are furnished with the same kind of funnel openings as the lath traps to
the north. Other more complicated forms of the round-top trap, said to possess several improve-
ments, and costing about x.~> each, are sometimes constructed by the fishermen. The old-fashioned
hoop net pot, made of an iron barrel hoop, is also occasionally used. Although it is customary to
haul the traps every morning, it sometimes happens, because of stormy weather, that those off-
shore cannot be visited for several days or a week at a time. The average number of pots set
by each man in this State is comparatively small, ranging from ten to thirty, but sometimes
reaches fifty.
SMACKS AND BOATS. — The registered Rhode Island lobster smack's are five in number. All
engage directly in the fishery, setting traps in Narragansett Bay, about Block Island, and on
Brown's Ledge, and carrying their catch to Newport and Providence. These smacks also engage in
other fisheries. Their total catch for 1880 was 116.250 pounds, making a gross stock of 84,068.
The ordinary Newport lobster boats used for visiting the traps are cat-rigged, and average in
value about $100 each. They are also employed, to a certain extent, in other fisheries, principally
for tautog, blue-fish, squeteague, and bass. Fifty of these boats are owned iu Newport.
BAIT. — The bait usually consists of refuse fish, called shuck fish, which is obtained from the
home markets and the fishermen, and is also shipped back from the New York markets at half
price. Fish heads are also employed.
It is customary with some of the Newport fishermen to retain their lobsters in the cars three
to five days before selling, or until it is thought that they have become " cleansed" of the food or
bait last eaten. They are then considered more wholesome, and often bring a higher price.
MAKKETS. — The catch by Newport fishermen is sold mainly at Newport, Providence, and Fall
River, from which places many neighboring towns are supplied. A portion of this catch also
goes to Boston and New York, by railroad. The Bristol catch is entirely consumed at that place,
and that of the west side of the bay, including Wickford, Dutch Island Harbor, and Narragansett
Pier, is sold mostly to the numerous summer hotels and the local trade. Prior to 1881, when no
law existed for the protection of the lobster fishery, lobsters of all salable sizes were brought to
market by the fishermen. Those smaller than 10 inches long could not be shipped out of the
State, and were, therefore, considered inferior in value. This gave rise to two grades of lobsters
iu the markets, those above 10 inches being rated in 1879 at 3 to 3£ cents a pound, and those
under 10 inches at half price. Few were regarded as salable under !) inches iu length. In 1880
the prices ranged from 3.1 lo 4 cents a pound. Lobsters are generally shipped to distant places
by railroad, packed iu barrels. The retail price of lobsters in Newport is about 5 cents a pound.
List »f Hit Hlwilr Manil lolxlvr
Value.
Crew.
Markets supplied.
Aliiu-ida
Schooner . . .
!l. TO
$500
5
X, -\\lMirt :iml Providence.
bella - - -
do
19.62
•_', (inn
3
Do.
.1 s. WTrittier -
Sluop
;i. 4.1
1,000
4
Do.
l':ithlmcli-i
Silicon*;!- . ..
650
I
Do
Stella
SI.. oji
'
3
Do,
51.36
4,650
19
LOBSTER FISHERY. 787
inii iif tin- lnhsttr finli<-riea of i;in>il< l*l<nni in 1880.
Number of tinliermeu 110
Number of Ninai-l men \vli> iislicrinen 19
Number ol smacks above 5 tons bnrdeu 5
Value of same $4,650
Niimbi-r of boats 85
Value of same $6,400
.Number of lol>.-tiT jidt.N ;>, 170
Value of same si, i;-.'7
Tnl ;il union lit of i-a|iiial invested fly, 677
Number of barrels of bait used 840
Value of >amo ^1 jo
truant itv of lobsters lakeu anil sold, in I'ounds 4<£i, 250
V nl ite of Mime to the lisherineii $15,871
CONNECTICUT.
The lobster fisheries of Connecticut ;in>, of considerable importance, especially in New London
County. The principal places from which the fishery is carried on are as follows, beginning at
the east: Stouiugton, Noank, New London, Say brook, the vicinity of South Xorwalk, including
Black Rock and Five Mile River, and New Haven. The catch for New London County, including
Stouingtou, Noauk, and New London, is five or six times greater than that of the remainder of the
State. The little town of Noauk, situated at the mouth of the Mystic River, about midway between
Stouiugtou and New London, is the most important lobster station in the State, the catch for that
port in 1880 having beeu equal to about one-half the total catch for the entire State.
SEASON. — The extreme limits of the Connecticut lobster season are from March to December,
but a few lobsters are sometimes taken in the winter when the weather is not too severe. The
Stouiugton lobstermen generally fish from April to November; the New London from April to
September; the South Norwalk from April to November; the New Haven from April to October.
The Noank lobstermen fish more or less the entire season, as indicated above, but state that lob
sters are most abundant during the latter part of the summer and the fall, or from August to
November.
GROUNDS. — The traps are set in all depths of water, from a few feet to 60 fathoms, and on all
kinds of bottom, rocky, saudy, and muddy. Some of the best fishing grounds are situated iii
Block Island Souud off Fisher's Island, where lobsters are caught abundantly, even in deep holes
sounding 50 to 60 fathoms. This region is mostly visited by the Noank fishermen. In Western
Connecticut, from the mouth of the Connecticut River westward, the fishery, being of slight extent,
is generally carried on near shore and in depths of I to 20 fathoms. The New London County
fishermen are, however, more venturesome, being to a greater extent dependent upon this
industry for a living. They have, therefore, extended their field of operations over a much
broader area. The smaller boats set their pots everywhere and in all depths in Fisher's Island
Sound and Block Island Sound, about Montauk Point, and from there towards No Man's Land,
and along the Rhode Island shore to near the mouth of Buzzard's Bay. The larger smacks fish
over the same area and also in Buzzard's Bay and Vineyard Souud, and oil' Martha's Vineyard and
Nautucket.
TRAPS. — The ordinary round-top lath trap, with wooden or twine funnel openings, is most
commonly used. Occasionally, however, a galvanized iron funnel is employed. Another style of
trap is made from basket splints. The hoop-net pot, called in this State the " drop net " trap,
is sometimes, but only rarely, employed.
BAIT.— Menhaden are generally used as bait, as they are usually more easily and cheaply
788
HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
obtained than other species of fish. When they are scarce other common species, and especially
flounders, are employed.
MARKETS. —Outside of New London County the catch for the several localities is generally
sold near home. Most of the lobsters taken by the Stouiugtou fishermen are likewise disposed of
in that place. The New London catch is partly sold at home and partly shipped to New York
and to interior towns in small quantities. Noank supplies three principal markets, New York,
New London, and Norwich, sending to the first by smacks and steamer, to the second by railroad,
and to the last by wagon. The Noauk catch is mostly sent to New York early in the season, but
later New London takes two-thirds of the catch.
Lobsters are sold in Connecticut both by weight and count, but generally by weight, the
average price to the fishermen in New London County being about 4 cents per pound.
EARNINGS. — The earnings of lobsterrnen in New London County range all the way from $100
to $1,000 per season, the average earnings for 1880 having been about $350 per man. In good
seasons the Stouiugtou lobsterrnen are said to earn about $1.50 per day; the New London, $25 to
$30 per month ; the South Norwalk, $2 to $5 a day ; and those in the vicinity of New Haven, $8
to $14 per week. The Noank small boats, fishing for lobsters only, made, in 1879. profits of $110
to $570 each.
SMACKS AND BOATS. — The lobster fishery is conducted by means of small boats and smacks.
The small boats used for tending the pots in Eastern Connecticut are mainly of the pattern called
the Connecticut lobster boats, already described. A few of these boats engage only in the lobster
fishery, but the maj rity also fish for cod, mackerel, blacktish, and other species in their season.
They range in value from $150 to $300 each. In addition to the regular sloop boats, there are
others, generally of smaller size and of less value, employed in lobstering in this region and else-
where. The fishermen go in their small boats either singly or in pairs, and usually fish for them-
selves, selling their catch.
Twenty-four lobster smacks of more than 5 tons measurement each are owned in Connecticut,
all belonging to New London County ; nine hail from New London, thirteen from Noauk, one
from Stouington, and one from Mystic. Two are well smacks, used as carriers only, while all the
remainder engage in the fishery; six are employed solely in lobstering, and eighteen engage also
in other fisheries. The majority carry their catch to New York City, but many sell at New
London.
List of the Connecticut lobster smiu-l, *.
DXGAOED IX LOBSTERING ONLY.
Name.
Where owned.
Kig.
Tonnage.
Value.
Crew.
Carrier
or fishing
smack.
Fishing grounds.
Markets supplied.
C M Harris
24 72
$3 000
3
do
do ..
14
1 500
2
do
Laurel
Phebe
. . do
Noank
...do
do
19.06
•j:. 74
1,500
2 400
3
5
...do....
do
Buzzard's Bay
New York.
Do.
TinaB
... do
Mystic
Sloop
do
8.36
5.82
800
300
3
2
...do....
do
Buzzard's Bay
Block Island
Do.
Do.
Total
1)7 7(1
'.< 500
18
THE LOBSTER FISHERY.
789
1,'mt nf tin' Cninii'i-liciit lobster smai-ki— Continued.
KNIiAliKl) IN OTHER FISIIKKIES ALSO.
Name.
' \VllrlV <i\\ Uril.
Rig.
Toniiam1
Vnlue.
Crew.
Carrier
or lishiug
smack.
Fishiug grounds.
Market supplied.
•j:i "n
$1 500
G
Ainiii Kli/al.rth .
Isabella
....do
do
. .In
1 Sloop
17.08
14 4"
800
500
4
3
Fishing,
do
Block Island and Buzzard's Bay . .
Do.
do
:i" i'i
1 800
G
do
do
:i:i on
2 500
6
do
New York.
do
do
ID 51
800
3
do
Sloop
°:i 74
1 400
5
do
Ella May
... flo
do
...do
14.91
11 77
1,200
2 000
4
3
...do ....
do
Shoals.
Block Island and Vineyard Sounds
New York.
New York.
do
Sloop
29 59
1 000
4
do
Point.
Do.
Mart 1m.
do
27.80
1,000
4
do
Montauk Point.
Do.
Do.
Sharon
do
15 03
600
3
do
Off Block Island
S.R. Packer
Whistler
WiMwood
William Hi'in v . .
...do
....do
... do
do
...do
. . do
. . do
do
10.66
8.62
11.19
8 53
600
700
950
800
3
3
3
3
..do
...do..-.
...do ..._
do
Vineyard Sound
Vineyard Sound and Montauk Pt.
Vineyard Sound and Block Island.
Block Island Sound
New York.
Do.
Do.
Norwich.
Willie
do
13 91
1 800
3
do
New York.
Lizzie
Sloop
7 60
500
3
Do.
Total
20 450
69
Gran-l total
407. 33
29, 950
87
Summation of the lob«tei' /inlicries of the State of Connecticut in 1680.
Nu ml XT of fishermen 148
Nn m I XT of umrketuien 9
Number of smacks above 5 tons burden 24
Value of same $29,950
Number of boats 42
Value, of same $5,700
Number of lobster pots 2, 100
Value of same $2,100
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $37, 750
Number of barrels of bait used 1, 226
Value of same $613
Quantity of lobsters taken, in pounds 613,385
Value of same to the fishermen $23,002
NEW YORK.
Although New York City is next to the largest receiving market for lobsters in the country, the
lobster fisheries belonging to the State are inconsiderable and at present almost entirely, if not
wholly, confined to Eastern Long Island. According to Mr. Eugene G. Blackford, lobsters used
to be exceedingly abundant in New York Bay and Hell Gate. On the New Jersey side of the bay
they were especially numerous, but now they are nearly extinct in this section of the State. This
present scarcity is probably due in part to ovcrfishing, but also very largely to the establishment,
on the shores, of obnoxious manufactories, such as oil refineries, which have so befouled the waters
as to kill off the lobsters as well as other marine animals. As late as 1879, a few lobsters were
received at Fulton Market from Bobbins Reef, in New York Bay, but they were very small and
unlit for sale.
On the north side of Long Island, at Mount Sinai, a lew lobsters are taken annually, but the
quantity is small. The fishery is, however, conducted to a greater, though moderate, extent from
the following ports of Eastern Long Island, arranged in the order of their catch for the season of
790 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
1880, beginning with the most important: Sag Harbor, East Marion, Orient, Greenport, Springs,
Southold, Water Mills, and Amagansett.
In addition to the boat fisheries from these places, there is a sloop smack of 30.87 tons, owned
at Greenport, which fishes for lobsters, setting pots on the Massachusetts coast about Martha's
Vineyard and elsewhere, and carrying the catch fresh to New York City. The total catch of the
above places, including that of the smack, for 1880 amounted to only 135,000 pounds, worth to the
fishermen, at the rate of 3g cents per pound, $5,062.
Six lobster smacks are owned in New York State — two at New York City, and four at Green-
port, Long Island. One of the Greeuport smacks engages directly in the lobster fishery, as stated
above, but all of the remainder are well smacks, acting merely as carriers of fresh lobsters to
New York City, mainly from Northern New England. Both of the New York smacks and one
from Greenport also carry other kinds of fresh fish, but the remaining three limit themselves
exclusively to the lobster trade.
The following account of the operations of the lobster smack Laura Thompson, Captain
Eackett, will serve to indicate the methods of buying and carrying practiced by all the New
York well smacks. This smack engages in carrying lobsters from the Deer Isle, Maine, region,
and Cuttyhunk, Mass., to New York City, from April 1 to December 1. At Deer Isle, Captain
Eackett buys of ten men, each handling eighty pots, and from that place can average a trip every
two weeks in April and May, and one trip every week the remainder of the season, from Cutty-
hunk. In 18SO he had full loads in the spring from Maine, but later only partial loads from
Cuttyhunk. In cold weather, this smack can carry 20,000 pounds of lobsters in its well, but during
the summer not more than half that quantity. The Maine lobsters die more quickly in warm
weather than those from Cuttyhunk. The seasons of 1879 and 1880 were fair ones, but on account
of the law recently passed he was obliged to stop buying small lobsters.
NEW YORK CITY LOBSTER TRADE. — There are twenty-seven wholesale lobster dealers in New
York City, the more prominent ones being located at Fulton market, and most of the others in the
same vicinity. Lobsters are brought to New York both by well smacks and by railroad, during
the warmer months packed in barrels with ice. From one-half to three-fourths of the quantity
received comes in barrels, and the remainder in smacks. About six smacks engage regularly in
carrying lobsters to New York during the spring, summer, and fall, afterwards entering into other
branches of the fishery. A few other well smacks, which make a business of carrying fresh fish
to New York, sometimes also include a few lobsters in their cargo. From six to ten of the whole-
sale dealers, with headquarters at Fulton market, own part interest in the smacks, and thereby
control their shipments, selling for the smacks on commission. The remainder of the wholesale
dealers receive their supplies of lobsters entirely by railroad, as do also some of the retailers. The
smack lobster dealers also receive barreled lobsters. The smacks begin to run about March 1,
carrying from the coast of Maine from that time until the middle of May or 1st of June, when they
commence to take supplies from the Vineyard Sound region, including Menemsha Bight, No
Man's Land, Cuttyhunk, and Block Island. Lobsters continue abundant over this latter area
until into September or October, after which the smacks return to the coast of Maine, and run
until about the middle of November. Occasional fares are obtained from the vicinity of Block
Island during the fall. Each trip consumes from one to two weeks or more, dependent upon the
distance, weather, and abundance of supplies. During the spring and fall, while the weather is
cool, the smacks can carry from 6,000 to 8,000 lobsters each trip, but during the summer months
they carry only 4,000 to 5,000 at a time.
Lobsters are received in barrels during: the entire year, and, after the smacks stop running,
Tin: LOKSTKI; KISIIKI;Y.
791
I only In- ohtuiiu'd in that \vay. Tlicy arc brought from as far cast as Southwest Harbor, and
South Harpswell, on the coast of Maine. The fishing ports from which lobsters are sent in
barrels to New York arc very numerous, and include, in addition to those above-mentioned,
Portland, Me.; Portsmouth, N. H. ; Boston, \Vood's Roll, and New Bedford, Mass.; Newport, E.
I.; Stoniugtou, Noank, New London, and New Ilaveu, Conn., and many small places at the
eastern end of Long Island. N. V. About tii'ly barrels of lobsters are received annually from the
vicinity of Long Branch. N. J. As in the ca-se of the smacks, barreled lobsters are obtained
mainly from Southern New England, Long Island, and Boston during June, July, August, and
September, and from Boston and more northern ports during the remainder of the year. By far
the larger portion of the barreled lobsters come from Boston, from 5 to 10 per cent, of the supplies
from that place being boiled and the remainder fresh. Boston boiled lobsters have obtained a
good reputation in New York, being more favorably regarded there than those boiled elsewhere.
However, nearly all the lobsters retailed in New Tork are sold fresh, the sales of boiled lobsters
being almost exclusively limited to those received in that state from Boston. But at times there
is a small demand for boiled lobsters above the Boston supply, and as there are no regular
boilers in New York, the cooking is accomplished by forcing steam from a boiler into a wooden
tank containing the lobsters and water.
The floating cars employed for holding the fresh lobsters are the same as are used for other
kinds of fish. About forty-eight such cars, with a capacity of about 600 lobsters each, are in
use for lobsters in the slips at Fulton market during a longer or shorter period of each year.
Lobsters are sold in New York during the entire year, but the greatest demand is during the
months of July, August, and September, when five times as many are disposed of as during any
other three months of the year. The demand is least during February and March, when lobsters
are comparatively scarce. The fall trade is good. The great summer demand results from the
enormous consumption of lobsters at the summer hotels and restaurants of the vicinity. The
hotels on Coney Island, for instance, often use as much as 3,500 pounds a day. This trade is of
comparatively recent origin, having commenced about 187G and increased to date. The demand
for lobsters in New York Uity has greatly increased within the past two or three years, but the
supply has remained very much the same from year to year, lu consequence, the prices have
advanced to such an extent that at certain seasons lobsters have come to be regarded as a lux-
ury beyond the means of any but the richer classes.
In 1880 the wholesale prices of lobsters averaged about as follows : From May 1 to November
30, 6 cents per pound ; December and January, 8 cents per pound; February, March, and April,
12J cents per pound. The retail prices for the same periods were 10, 12£, and 15 cents, respect-
ively. During the summer season of 1882 the wholesale prices ranged from 6 to 25 cents per
pound, the average price being about 10 cents. The higher prices obtained when the demand was
greatest.
About 2,500,000 pounds of lobsters, valued at $175.000 wholesale, were brought to New York
City during 1S80.
Lift of New Tork lobster smacks.
ENGAGED EN LOBSTERIXG OXLT.
Xame.
Where owned.
How ripged.
Well or dry.
Tonnage.
Value.
Crew.
Markets supplied.
Cal "Wells
Well
39.36
$1, 200
5
Xew Tork City.
do
<],,
42.31
1,5011
5
Do.
ilu
do
do
30.87
350
5
Do.
Total
1)2.54
3,050
15
792
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES,
List of ^ fir Ynrk lubslcr maiicks — Continued.
ENGAGED IN OTHER FISHERIES ALSO.
Xame.
Where owned.
How rigged. Well in dry. Tonnage. Value. Crew. Markets supplied
Cornelia M. Kingsland Greenport Schooner.. W.-ll 39 $3,000 5 New York City.
Caroline Augusta New York do do 21.92 1,800 7 Do.
Josie Reeves do do do 45.35 3,800 6 Do.
Total lOli.27 8,CO(i 18
Total of all smacks 218.81 11,650 33.
Summation of the lobster fisheries of New Tork State in 1880.
Number of fishermen 32
Number of boats 32
Value of same $640
Number of lobster pots - 960
Value of same §720
Total amount of capital invested in the fishery $1,360
Number of barrels of bait used 270
Value of same $135
Quantity of lobsters taken, in pounds 135, 000
Value of same to the fishermen $5,062
Summation for the New York wholesale market in 1830.
Number of rnarketinen 81
Number of smacks above 5 tons burden 6
Value of same .$11,650
Number of smaekmen 33
Amount of capital invested in the city markets (estimate) |oO, 000
Quantity of lobsters handled, in pounds 2,500,000
Amount paid for same to the fishermen and eastern dealers |125,000
Value of same, at wholesale prices $175, 000
Enhancement in value in the New York markets -- $50, 000
NEW JERSEY.
Although lobsters occur along the entire outer coast of New Jersey, they are sufficiently abun-
dant to give rise to a regular fishery only upon that section of the coast lying between Sandy Hook
ami Atlantic City.
The fishing season proper begins about May 1 and continues until the last of September ; but
some of the fishermen set their pots as early as the middle of March, and others again fish late in
the fall.
The net traps described elsewhere are the principal appliances used for taking lobsters along
this coast. Two men generally go together in a boat and set from thirty to forty traps on small
rocky spots in from 5 to 11 fathoms of water. They then engage in hand-line fishing for the day;
after which the pots are hauled. One man rows the boat while the other tends to the pots. Two
men tending thirty to forty pots will average about one barrel, equal to 140 pounds of lobsters, daily.
In 1875 lobsters are said to have run much larger in size than at present, the catch in weight
having been greater, although the average number procured to the trap was about the same.
Thirty pounds to a trap was not an uncommon catch in former years, but during 1880 the average
to a trap was less than 5 pounds. The average weight of the lobsters taken at the present time is
about 1£ to 1J pounds each.
According to the .statements of the fishermen of Long Branch and Seabright, the lobster fish-
cries were extensively prosecuted as early as 1860, the catch being sold to carters for their local
trade. The business gradually declined, however, until in 1870 it was almost wholly abandoned.
About 1872 it again began to pick up, and it has gradually increased until in 1880 there were four-
THE LOBSTER FIS1IKKY.
793
teen boats with twenty-eight men engaged regularly in lobstering in connection with other fisbiug.
The catch is sold partly to the local trade and partly to the New York and IMiiladelphia markets,
at an average price of 4 cents a pound, netting the fishermen about .':U cents a pound. The total
catch for the season of 188(1 was about l.~>t),SOO pounds, worth to the fishermen $5,488.
SuiiniKit'niii of tin- lobster fisheries <</ JWic .A r,«// in 1830.
Number of iisliermeu 28
Number of boats 14
Value of same |280
Number of lobster pots 500
Value of same x7.Mi
Total amount of capital invested... iSl,n:iii
or ".rn.ss stork to a. I mat. for the season. $-l.ri()
Number of barrels of bait used iil-l
Value of same $157
Total eatc-h for 1880, in pounds 156,800
Value of same to the fishermen $5,488
DELAWARE.
There is uo lobster fishery within the limits of this State, although lobsters occur sparingly
about the Delaware Breakwater, and are occasionally captured by those who desire them for their
own use. One or more are sometimes hauled ashore in drag-seines or gill-nets, or are caught on
the hooks of the fishermen. The areas in which lobsters are said to be most abundant are those
resorted to by vessels for anchorage, and this would interfere with the setting of pots were
there any inclination to engage in fishing. At the most but a few hundred pounds of lobsters are
taken annually. Mr. A. T. Burbage, of Ocean View, Del., states that he has occasionally seen
lobsters along the beach, in the surf, near Indian River Inlet, Delaware. But rare instances of
the presence of lobsters south of Delaware have been noted. Two or three have, however, been
recorded from the northeastern corner of Virginia, and in October, 1884, the U. S. Fish Commission
steamer Albatross, obtained a single specimen of good size off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina,
from a depth of about 30 fathoms, by means of the beam trawl.
STATISTICAL, RECAPITULATION OF THE LOBSTER INDUSTRY OF THE UNITED STATES IN 1880.
Table of the lobster industry of tin' I'nilnl Slu/i'x iu 1880.*
Fishery.
States.
Fisher-
Fishingsmaeks.
Boats.
Lobster pots
Total
amount of
Bait used.
Quantity of lobsters
taken.
men.
vested in
No.
Value.
No.
Value,
No.
Value.
the fishery.
barrels.
Value.
Pounds.
Value.
1 843
8
$4. 230
1,797
$68, 582
104, 450
$78, 342
$151,154
56, 190
$28, 095
14, 234, 182
$268, 739
44
31
460
2,350
2,350
2,810
500
250
250, 000
7,500
Massachusetts ..
595
9
6.250
437
24,315
29, 007
29, 007
59, 572
8,632
4,316
4, 315, 416
158,229
Rhode Island
1-J9
5
4,650
85
6,400
2, 170
1,627
12, 077
Hill
420 423, 250
15, 871
( 'onnecticut ....
148
24
2!P, '.I.',"
4--'
5, 7011
2, 100
2, 100
37, 750
1 , 220
613
013, 385
23, 002
"V • V k
32
32
640
960
720
1,360
270
135
135, 000
5,062
Ni \\ Jeisey
28
14
880
500
750
1,030
314
157
156, 800
5,488
Total
2, 819
40
45, 080
2,438
100. :I77
141,543
1 14, X9li
•Jim. :'.;.::
07, 972
33, 986
2C, 12*, 033
483, h91
• Tin- total value of the pioducts as they enter into consumption is intended t" represent tin- value of all tin- lobsters sold iu 1880, as
they pass tinm tin.- hands of the wholesale dealers, in the three largest markets of the country, Portland, linstoii, and New York; from the
fishermen who ilo not supply these markets, and from the canneries. The figures of this column and of the column of "Total amount of
eapital in \csted." so far as they are made up from the "Amount of capital invested in the wholesale markets," and the "Enhancement in
\alue in wholesale markets" are large!\ i hi- result of estimates, ilost of the lobster markets deal oven more extensively in other kinds of
tish, and it has, therefore, been impossible to piopeiU separate the lobster capital from the fish capital. As to enhancement in value,
prices fluctuate so im:eh that an exact average could not be determined upon. For instance, iu New York, wholesale prices range
from 0 to •-'", cents per pound, the latter price being demanded even during the height of the season, when the demand and sales are
greatest. No a< count has been taken of the b-ssi i \* hob sab- markets, as no returns of their sales were made by the field agents. Of the
I'd. ll'x. (133 pounds ol lobsieis taken and sold by the fishermen, we have, therefore, figured an enhancement in value only on the following:
9,494,'J.-! pounds used by the canneries; K, 11117. fi.r>4 pounds handled m 1%, it land, Boston, and New York— a total of 17,561, 93s pounds ; leaving a
balance of over 2,500,000 pounds, which remain at the li -hei men - prices. It can be safely asserted, with lefereuee to the balance of the
table, that it is founded on as .MI, t data as it was possible to collect of so scattered an industry. The cannery statistics were taken IVoiii
the. books of tin- canneries.
794
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Talile of tlie lobxtrr iii/liixtrii of tin: I'niled Htnlvn in 18S-0 — Continued.
States.
Wholesale markets.
Canneries.
Market smark.s.'
No. of
uuukct-
roen.
Amount of
capital in-
Tested in the
markets.
Enhancement
in value of
lobsters ill
u llnlrs:ll('
market.
No. of per-
Hons (.•in-
ployed.
Amount of
capital in-
\ i-.sted.
Enhancement
in value of
lobstcis li\
process of
ranuiui;.
No.
Value.
No. of
STluirk-
Hirn.
50
$40, 175
128
20
$25, 000
$19, 300
782
$2H9, 834
$143,337
50
30, 000
36, 377
Rhode Island
NewTork
G
11,050
33
81
50, 000
50, 000
New Jersey
Total
56
51, 825
161
151
105, 0(10
105, 677
782
289, 834
143, 337
Grand totals.
States.
Total number
persons em-
ployed.
Total amount
of capital in-
vested.
Total value of
products as
.they entennto
consumption.
" 77't
$506 163
$431 376
New Hampshire
44
•_' Mil
7, 500
Massachusetts
645
89, 57°
194, 606
Ithode Island
129
12, 677
15, S71
Connecticut
157
37, 750
23, 002
NewTork
146
63 010
55, 062
New Jersey
28
1 030
5,488
Total
;, ,r .
713 012
732, 905
•The fishing smacks also cnrr\ lit. h • . -:iti h to mail,* t . :n,d are tin idore. partly of the nature of market smacks.
3.— THE CRAYFISH FISHERY.
1. THE CRAYFISH FISHERY OF NORTH AMERICA.
GENERAL KEVIEW. — Although fresh-water crayfish are very abundant in many portions of
the United States, they are seldom used as food, and, in fact, there appear to be only two regular
markets for their sale — New York and New Orleans. One of the principal uses to which they are
put is for garnishing fish dishes in hotels and restaurants. Through much of the region where one
or more of the many species of crayfish occur, it is probable that they are taken in small quantities
for home consumption ; but of so slight and scattered an industry it is impossible to collect
statistics.
NEW YORK CITY. — Comparatively large quantities of crayfish an- brought to the New York
markets duriug the spring and summer, the sources of supply beiug the Potomac River, at Wash-
ington; Milwaukee, Wis. ; and Montreal, Canada. The first supplies come from Washington,
where the season opens soon after the ice lias disappeared from the river, and just before the shad
commence to run. About June 1 they begin to be received from Milwaukee, and about July 1 from
Montreal. Originally all the crayfish sent to New York, at least in large quantities, came from
Washington; later Milwaukee began to ship them east, and a year ago (1880) the first shipments
TIIK CKAYFISI1 FISIIKl;\. 795
\\crc srnt from Montreal on trial. Crayfish arc scut alive, packed in boxes, containing about live.
hundred e;ieh. In these boxes they arc arranged in layers, alternating with moist \\ ater-plants.
After eraylish begin to arrive I'roin Milwaukee, I he demand tor those from Washington ceases,
partly because the warm weather prevailing ill Washington after May renders their shipment
a'ive quite difficult, and also because the Milwaukee crayfish arc considered superior to the
others. The quantities received at New York from the three places above mentioned for the
past \ear (Issii) were about as follows: From Washington (the season lasting from the middle of
March to near Jane), about 50,000 by count; from Milwaukee (the season lasting about twenty-one
v.eeks from June 1 ), 84,000 by count, or at the rale of about 4,000 a week: from Montreal the
single shipment of 1SSO amounted to I', (100 by count, but this year (1SS1) the receipts will probably be
inucli greater. The shi|iments from Washington for the spring of 1881 were also larger than usual.
The crayfish senl from Washington are larger than those from Milwaukee, and the latter in
turn are larger than those from Montreal. The Milwaukee crayfish are, however, preferred by
epicures to those from Washington, as they are considered to be less coarse in llcsh and flavor.
The Milwaukee and Montreal eraytish are also said to become a deeper red in boiling than the
Potomac, which is to their advantage when intended for garnishing.
In previous years the Potomac eraytish have brought, in the Xew York market, as high prices
as * I to *i'i per hundred, but this year, ou account of the large number received, the price has
fallen, at times to 8- per hundred. The Milwaukee eraytish, coming in greater abundance later
in the season, have been sold at lower prices — from $2 to $3 per hundred. Crayfish are used in
New York principally by hotels and restaurants for making soups and bisque of crayfish, and for
garnishing iish dishes and lobster salads.
Mr. Black ford, of Fulton market, to whom we are indebted for the above information and
figures, often keeps large quantities of eraylish on hand for a considerable period during the
season. In order to do this, he has arranged a large and deep wooden tank in the front part of
his ice-house, in the bottom of which there is room for a great many crayfish to move about.
Over the bottom of the tank, a thin layer of water, not deep enough to entirely cover the animals,
is allowed to pass continuously. The air in the tank is also retained at a moderately low temper
attire. Although many die, yet the mortality is greatly lessened by this method of storing them.
The sales of crayfish in the New York markets for the year 1880, according to the figures
given above, amounted to l.">ii,ooo by count, valued at $2,720 wholesale prices.
WASHINGTON. — Notwithstanding the great abundance of crayfish along the banks of the
Potomac River, in front of, and below, the city of Washington, very few are taken to supply
the retail markets of that city, as they find no ready sale there. The business is entirely in the
hands of a few parties who tish during a short period only in the spring, ai:d send nearly all their
catch directly to New York.
N'r.W ORLEANS. — Crayfish are probably more commonly eaten in New Orleans than in any
other American city, outside of Xew York, and yet they arc seldom seen in the markets there in
large quantities. The supplies c ie mainly from the shores of the lakes and canal and from the
levees of the Mississippi 1 liver, in allot which localities they are said to be very abundant and
easily procured. Some of the species live in the mud in which they excavate their holes, and
others build chimney-like mounds for their protection. The levees of the Lower Mississippi are
often much damaged by the numerous excavations of the burrowing species. The crayfish are
shipped in baskets for which the gatherers receive 40 cents each. The sales for 1880 amounted
to only about 2,000 baskets valued at *suo.
SAN FRANCISCO. — According to Mr. W. X. Locking-ton, crayfish are occasionally brought
796 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
to the San Francisco markets. The only species which has yet been recognized there is the
Axtuciis niyrescens, collected both in Coyote Creek, Santa Clara County, and in the sloughs of the
San Joaquin.
2. METHODS OP CAPTURE, PRESERVATION, AND TRANSPORTATION OF CRAY-
FISH IN GERMANY.
The following account of the methods of collecting, transporting, and protecting crayfish
in Germany, extracted from a report by H Rubelius, in the Industrie-Blatter, Berlin, July 29,
1880, will be of value to Americans interested in this fishery :
"The most common and profitable way of catching crayfish is with the so-called ' Bolljackeu,'
which consists of two hoops with a tube-shaped net attached. On the outside these two hoops
are covered with a net-work, and the whole apparatus has the appearance of a cylinder. The
hoops are kept open by wooden pegs. A piece of fresh fish or a frog is put inside as bait, a
stone is tied to it, and thus the 'Bolljackeu' is let down to the bottom.
"Another apparatus for catching crayfish is the so-called ' Tellerhamen,' a sort of purse-
net, or hoop covered with a net, in the middle of which there is a long stick which serves to keep
the hoop, which resembles a plate, at the bottom of the water. In that portion of the net through
which the stick passes, the bait is fixed, so that the crayfish must go on the ' plate' if it wishes to
seize the bait. The stick must be long enough so that its other end may protrude above the water.
The stick is then pulled out with the net and the crayfish sticking to it, baited anew, and let
down again.
"Another method of catching crayfish is much used by private individuals. During the sum-
mer months the crayfish seeks shallow places with a clear bottom. The fishermen use a torch of
resinous pine-wood, by means of which they throw a strong light on the bottom. The crayfish are
dazzled by the light and can easily be taken out of the water with the hands ; and it has happened
more than once that a single person has in this manner caught 900 to 1,200 crayfish in one night.
"After the crayfish have been caught, the main object of the cultivator is to preserve them, to
give them a pure flavor, and to fatten them. For a number of years I have succeeded very well in
this. Pure running water is the first requisite ; the boxes must be made according to the plan
given below, and must not be overcrowded. The best food is fresh meat, but not too much at a time.
Immediately after having cast its old shell, the crayfish is very voracious, and consequently needs
the largest quantity of food, while in December it needs the least. In January it becomes lively
again, its voracity increases, and during its imprisonment the eggs begin to appear at that time.
Great care should be taken not to leave old and spoilt fragments of meat in the boxes for any
length of time, as they will very soon prove fatal to the crayfish. I have by way of experiment
thrown spoilt meat in boxes where there were only a few crayfish, and the consequence was that
most of them died. I would also draw attention to a very important matter, viz, to clean the
boxes (at least during summer when it is very warm) twice a day and throw out all the dead cray-
fish, for in summer a crayfish commences to putrefy in ten to twelve hours after death, and the
exhalation invariably kills the healthy. One of the greatest dangers to crayfish culture and
transportation is a thunderstorm. As soon as a thunderstorm has passed over, the boxes should
be opened and cleaned, and care should be taken to admit fresh air and water.
"I have transported crayfish in various ways and have finally arrived at a method which in
most cases has proved successful. I have very frequently sent live crayfish by mail from Frauk-
fort-on-the-Oder to Alsace-Lorraine, and they have invariably arrived in good and healthy condi-
tion, unless a thunderstorm came up during the journey, which, however, did not happen very
THE CRAYFISH FISHERY.
797
ofteu. During the shedding period no crayfish should be shipped, as then they cannot stand any
pressure, and die easily. Care should also be taken not to pack a dead crayfish among the live
ones. The main point iu shipping crayfish is to select good, healthy ones, well fed and properly
dried. I generally employ small wicker baskets each holding sixty to one hundred and twenty
crayfish, so that t hey are not piled too high on top of each other. First put a layer of straw in the
basket, then put iu the crayfish, one at a time, laying them on their feet, and if the basket should
not be quite full, it should be packed with straw till full. The packing is to prevent the crayfish
from turning when the baskets, as will frequently happen during a long journey, are thrown
about a good deal. If the crayfish falls on its back during the journey, it will die, as it works
with its feet till it becomes exhausted. On their arrival at the place of destination the crayfish
are taken out of the baskets and placed (again on their feet), in a large vessel, which should be
kept in a cool place, best in a cellar, but not be covered up.
" It is an old belief that crayfish are not good iu those months the names of which contain the
letter r; but I have found that when properly cared for and well fed they are good at all times, for
I have sold and shipped them during every mouth in the yejr, and have never had any complaints.
"An important question remains to be answered, viz, whether artificial crayfish culture in
basins is remunerative. Experience has taught me that crayfish increase and develop better when
in a free state than iu boxes or basins. To start a somewhat remunerative crayfish establishment
involves considerable expense, and does not yield the expected result. In such establishments
the cold of winter kills most of the crayfish, as they cannot find holes and other places of refuge
as when in a free condition. If strong ice forms, as was the case this year, the crayfish are suffo-
cated in the basins; the boxes are soon frozen over on the sides and top, and as soon as the admis-
sion of fresh air is stopped, the crayfish die from suffocation.
"I would therefore recommend the following method : From rivers and lakes containing but
few crayfish the females should not be removed ; the eels and pike should if possible all be caught,
and the young crayfish, large numbers of which will make their appearance in a year or two, must
be well and regularly fed with meat and turnips; during the fourth year all crayfish which have
reached the length of 10 centimeters should be caught and placed in large tanks or boxes prepared
iu the following manner: The bottom and sides are best made of thin boards, which should not
be close together, but have narrow interspaces between them, too small to let a small crayfish
escape. The object of having such interspaces on the bottom is to give free egress to the slime,
mud, sand, &c., which will get in the box, and thus to keep it clean at all times. The interspaces
on the sides will have this advantage that fresh water is constantly passing through the boxes,
which of course is an essential condition of keeping the crayfish alive and in good condition. In
these boxes, through which fresh water must be kept running all the time, the crayfish are flat-
tened. When ice forms in winter the boxes must be let down into the water so that the openings
on the sides do not freeze over."
3. STATISTICS OF THE CEAYFISH FISHERY FOE 1880.
Table showing the quantity and value of the crayfiakes taken for market in 1880.
Locality.
Estimated
wefjjiit.
Value to the
fishermen.
Washington DC..
Pounds.
5,000
$500
Milwaukee Wia
8,400
840
10, 000
800
Total . .
23,400
2,140
798 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
4.— THE ROCK-LOBSTER FISHERY.
THE ROCK-LOBSTER FISHERY OF CALIFORNIA.
GENERAL REVIEW. — The rock-lobster, spiny-lobster, or salt-water crayfish (Panulirus inter-
ruptus) of the Pacific coast of the United States ranges from Santa Barbara, Cal., southward and is
taken for food at Santa Barbara, San Diego, Los Angeles, Wilmington, and other smaller places.
The San Francisco market is entirely supplied from Santa Barbara, whence large quantities are
shipped annually. Very few, if any, are exported from the State. As there are no regular markets
m the smaller places where it is sold, it is hawked through the streets with fish. It is captured in
dip-nets or in traps with a funnel-shaped entrance, similar to the lobster pots of the New England
coast. Fish is used as bait. This species is in season at San Francisco the entire year. The
following account of the fishery is from a report by Prof. D. S. Jordan.
SANTA BARBARA. — During the summer the salt-water crayfish live in shallow water, where
they are taken in a sort of dip-net anchored near the shore, with a piece of bait suspended above
the middle. In October they retire to deeper water and remain in the kelp during the winter,
when they are captured in lobster-pots. Fresh fish, especially bonito, makes the best bait, but
any flesh, fresh or salt, will answer. During the spawning season, which is in the early summer,
the flesh of the crayfish is less fat and less esteemed as food, but, nevertheless, it is eaten all
through the year. At this period it is also very abundant near shore, and a single person has
been able to secure 500 pounds in the space of two hours by means of dip-nets. They are some-
times taken in fish-seines. There is great danger of overfishing, especially in the spawning sea-
son. The average weight of those now taken is 3£ to 4= pounds, or about twenty lobsters to a sack
of 75 pounds. Formerly, 11-pound individuals were taken about Santa Barbara, but such are
very scarce there now.
Some of the crayfish caught at Santa Barbara are peddled through the streets at 10 cents
each, but the greater part are sent to San Francisco, where they are sold by commission mer-
chants, the net results being from 75 cents to $1 per sack. In summer great numbers spoil before
they can be disposed of. Five or six years ago crayfish were shipped from Santa Barbara to San
Francisco by only a single party, who was accustomed to send thirty or forty sacks by each
steamer sailing every five days. Now he sends only twenty to twenty-five sacks by each steamer
in summer, and a smaller quantity in winter, but three others have gone into the fishery and
together they do an increased business. About 180,000 pounds are taken annually at Santa
Barbara, the greater part of which, as stated above, are sent to San Francisco. The first ship-
ments to that place were made in 1872.
In 1877 a cannery for crayfish was started in Santa Barbara, but it failed after the first sea-
son, as the managers were ignorant of the business. It is intended to make another start soon
under better management.
The Chinese fishermen on Santa Cruz Island catch the crayfish, use the bodies for bait, and
dry the tails in the sun without salting or cooking. These dried tails are sent to San Francisco
and sold to the Chinese at about 15 cents a pound.
Captain Larco, the principal crayfish dealer of Santa Barbara, states that he is positive some
law should be passed to protect the crayfish, at least during the spawning season, when large
quantities are destroyed every year. His views on this subject are very reasonable, and no doubt
THE SUUIMr AND PKAWN FISHERIES.
709
some attention should be paid at once to fostering an industry which avaricious fishing may soon
destroy.
BAN DIEGO. — The fishery about San Diego is at present of very slight extent compared with
that of Santa Barbara, but it would undoubtedly admit of greater development, did the demand
warrant it. The Chinese alone supply crayfish to this locality from their fishery at Eoseville.
They catch large numbers, a part of which are used as bait, the remainder beiug sold to parties
who peddle them through the streets after boiling them. Crayfish occur abundantly wherever
there is kelp, both inside and outside of the bay and near its mouth. Lobster-pots and dip-nets
with bait are used in their capture.
The quantity of crayfish sold in San Diego is very small. Three years ago the average sales
per week amounted to only three or four dozens, and now still less are disposed of. The Chinese
are paid from 50 cents to $1 per dozen for them, and by retail on the street they bring from 10
to 15 cents each.
WILMINGTON. — But one man engages regularly in the fishery at this place, although this
crustacean is very common all along the shore. The pots are visited only two or three times a
week, but these few trips are sufficient to collect all that can be sold. There is no regular market
and no regular price, but after boiling they are peddled through the streets and retailed at from
5 cents to 10 cents per pound. About 20,000 pounds are sold annually.
Table showing quantity and value of rock lobatera (Panulirits iuterrupttu) taken and sold on Ike California coast in 1880.
Locality.
Quantity.
Value.
Pound*.
180 000
} $5, 600
£ 30, 000
)
Totals
210 000
5 600
5.— THE SHRIMP AND PRAWN FISHERIES.
(a) THE SHRIMP AND PRAWN FISHERIES OF THE ATLANTIC AND GULF COASTS,
1. INTRODUCTION.
THE DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF SHRIMP AND PRAWNS AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION. — Shrimp
and prawns occur along the entire Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States, but the species
are of much smaller size at the North than at the South, and shrimp fishing as an industry has
thus far been developed, to any extent, at only a few points on the coast of the Southern States.
The common shrimp (Crangon vulgaris) and prawn (Palccmonctes vuJgaris) of the New England
coast are too small and too rarely found in sufficient abundance to offer many inducements toward
a regular fishery. So far as we are aware, the New England prawn is never taken for food, and
the shrimp are caught for that purpose only about New Bedford, Newport, and New York. The
latter species is, however, occasionally used as bait at many points along the New England coast,
but mainly by amateur fishermen.
On the South Atlantic and Gulf coasts at least two species of shrimp or prawns occur, the
names shrimp and prawns, throughout that district, according to several authorities, having ref-
erence merely to different sizes of the same species, the s-maller ones being called shrimp and
the larger prawns. They are but different stages in the growth of Peneem sctiferus and Penceus
800 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
limsiliensis described in the section on natural history. They are not generally found close to the
shore at the same time, the prawn coming first and staying into the summer, the shrimp following
and remaining until fall or even through the winter. At least this is the case on the Atlantic
coast, but we have received no information tending to confirm these statements with reference
to the Gulf coast. The so-called shrimp are said to range in length from 2 to 3 inches and the
prawns from 3 to 6 inches. Capt. T. E. Fisher, of Feraandina, Fla., says he has seen prawns
taken at that place that measured about 9 inches, but that size was very rare. On the coast of
Louisiana and Texas, the same species of shrimp and prawns occur in great abundance, the
average length of those taken ranging from 5 to 8 inches. In that region they appear to go
entirely under the name of shrimp.
At New Orleans one or more additional species of shrimp are utilized; one of these is the
river shrimp (Palwmon ohionis), caught in the Mississippi River. The so-called lake shrimp, found
in the bays and lakes inside of the Louisiana coast may possibly be the young of the true Gulf
shrimp, but we have never had the opportunity of examining specimens. The river shrimp
measure in length from 2 to 3 inches, and the lake shrimp from. 3 to 4 inches.
During the shrimping season, shrimp are generally found in shallow water close along the
shore. Crangon vulgaris is abundant in shallow water nearly everywhere along the New
England coast, being easily taken with a dip-net. It also occurs in considerable depths of water
off shore. At the South, in the various regions where they are taken for food, the two species
of PentKus likewise abound in shallow water during the shrimping season, which, on the Atlantic
coas't, generally begins early in the spring and ends in the fall or at the commencement of cold
weather. About Norfolk, Va., they are taken in seines, 10 to 18 feet deep; at Wilmington, N. C.,
they are caught in slight depths, in both salt and slightly brackish water; at Fernandina, Fla.,
they occur along the shores, in from 6 inches to 4 feet of water, principally on muddy but also, to
some extent, on sandy bottoms ; on the west side of Florida, they are described as inhabiting the
grassy and sandy bottoms along shore, in depths ranging from a few inches to 10 or 12 feet; on
the Louisiana and Texas coasts they are found everywhere to the west of the Mississippi River,
in from 2 to 18 feet of water. Barataria Bay, on the Louisiana coast, and Galveston and Mata-
gorda Bays, on the Texas coast, are especially noted for their shrimp fisheries.
2. COAST REVIEW OF THE SHRIMP AND PRAWN FISHERIES.
THE NEW ENGLAND COAST. — Shrimp are seldom taken for food on the New England coast.
About New Bedford, Mass., they are caught from May to October, in dip-nets, but only at irreg-
ular intervals and in small quantities, an occasional daily catch amounting to from 1 quart to 4
gallons. The greater part of the shrimp taken are retained in New Bedford for use as bait,
small quantities being sometimes shipped to Providence and New York, packed in boxes with
rockweed, moss, or sawdust. Some shrimp are also used at Warehain, Mass., and along the
eastern shores of Buzzard's Bay, as bait for the sea bass and squeteague. In Narragansett Bay,
Rhode Island, shrimp are only taken for personal use in and about Newport. They are not gener-
ally abundant, the largest recorded daily catch by one man amounting to only 1 peck. This was
considered, however, as an unusual occurrence. They are caught in fine-mesh dip-nets. At
many places along the New England coast, outside of those above mentioned, small quantities of
shrimp are used occasionally by amateur fishermen, but the entire amount consumed every year
in this manner would not be worth more than a few dollars. Specimens of Pandalus are frequently
taken in lobster-pots set in deep water, but they are not caught in sufficient quantities for
THE Sill! IMP AND I'KANYN FISHERIES. 801
market. The lobster fishermen of Kiddeford Pool, Me., and Noank, Couii., report their capture
from time to time.
NEW YORK. — At the eastern end of Long- Island a, few shrimp (Cruiif/mi riili/nrix) are taken
every season for home consumption and for shipment to New York City, but the industry is of
slight importance. The vicinity of Kay Uidge is the principal locality in which they are taken
for shipment to New York markets, the season lasting from the middle of March until the middle of
May. The amount shipped each season is about 3,000 gallons. These shrimp are cooked in brine
as soon as caught, and then dried. During July and August of each year about 1,000 gallons of
fresh shrimp are sold about Bay Ridge as bait for general hook-and-line fishing. The average
price is about 8- per gallon.
NEW YORK CITY MARKET. — The New England shrimp (Crumjuii- rnJ<jiirin) is brought to the
New York markets during about sixty days in the spring, from the middle of March to the middle
of May. The average sales per day are about 50 gallons, or 3,000 gallons for the season, which,
at the average market price of $1.50 per gallon, are valued at $4,500. They come mostly from
the vicinity of Ray Kidge, L. I., below New York City, where the nets are hauled every morning.
They are cooked in brine before being sent to market.
The season in New York for the larger southern shrimp or prawn (Petucus) is from the 1st of
February to the 1st of May, after which time the weather becomes too warm to permit their
being shipped safely. During this season each year about 200 bushels are brought to New York,
mainly from Charleston, S. C., and Savannah, Ga., in boxes holding about 1 bushel each. They
sell in the New York market for about $1.50 per gallon. These shrimp, like the others, are dried,
after being cooked in brine.
In 1879 about 200 gallons of Pena'us were sold in the Boston market, and in 1880 about 75
gallons: they were received through New Y^ork.
NEW JERSEY. — Shrimp are reported as abundant along most of the New Jersey coast, but as
yet they have given rise to no considerable industry. From a few places, however, they are
shipped to New York City in small quantities. The shrimping season extends more or less con-
tinuously from May to November. Shrimp are much used on this coast as bait for hook-and-line
fishing, and by many are regarded as superior to any other kinds of bait.
DELAWARE. — A small quantity of shrimp are used in this State every year, as bait for hook
and-liue fishing, but there-appears to be no regular source of supply, and we have not learned
of their being taken there for food.
VIRGINIA. — About the same can be said of the Virginia coast as of the New Jersey. Shrimp
are more or less abundant, but are only taken for use as bait in small quantities, or incidentally
in seines, while hauling for fish. The season begins in the spring and lasts until cold weather,
but is best in the fall. At both Norfolk and Hampton, shrimp are only rarely used as food. They
are reported as having been very abundant at one time in Lyunhaven Bay, but to have nearly
disappeared from that region now. They are but rarely seen in the waters about Hampton.
I'rawns are the favorite bait for " rock" about Norfolk, where they vary greatly in price, according
to their abundance. When very abundant they are sold to fishermen at as low a price as 10 cents
a quart, but, when scarce, the price sometimes advances to 25 cents a dozen.
NORTH CAROLINA. — After passing the Virginia coast shrimp appear to increase in size and
abundance, and also to meet with much greater favor from the inhabitants. Wilmington, X. ('., is
the most northern city of our Atlantic coast where the shrimp fishery assumes the importance of
an actual industry, and where shrimp are caught in sufficient quantities to merit special atten-
tion.
SEC. v, VOL. ii 51
802 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
Pamlico Sound, some distance north of Wilmington, abounds in shrimp and prawns, which
are taken in immense quantities in ordinary fish-seines, but they find no market at home, and
no one in the region has yet been successful in shipping them away to where they might be better
appreciated. Here, therefore, in a central location, is an undeveloped industry, awaiting the
investment of a small amount of capital, backed by a spirit of enterprise. Concerning this and
neighboring regions, Mr. K. E. Earll reports as follows :
" There is no shrimp trade anywhere within the district comprising Pamlico, Albemarle,
Koauoke, and Croatan Sounds, although shrimp are very abundant in many localities, and enter-
prise alone is required to develop an important industry. The fishermen often catch the shrimp
in their ordinary nets, along with fish, but find no sale for them at home, and their means of ship-
ping them fresh to outside markets are imperfect. The fishermen of New Berne catch them in
considerable numbers in their fish nets along the banks of the Neuse Kiver, and they are also
abundant at Stumpy Point, and probably not uncommon in other parts of Pauilieo Sound. They are
taken only occasionally and in small quantities in Croatan and Roanoke Sounds, and do not occur
in Albemarle Sound except in season of unusual drought. The New Berne fishermen often secure
from 30 to 40 bushels at a haul of their fish-nets, and have frequently offered them for sale to the
market dealers at the low price of 50 cents per bushel, which has almost always been refused. The
fishermen eat very few themselves and throw the bulk of their catch away. No shrimp are boiled
and dried at this locality, as the inhabitants are entirely ignorant of the methods of preparing
them as practiced elsewhere. There is no apparent reason, however, why an important shrimp
industry might not be inaugurated at or in the vicinity of New Berne, by the starting of an estab-
lishment where this crustacean could be boiled and dried for market, or put up in hermetically
sealed cans for more permanent preservation."
The vicinity of Beaufort and Morehead City also abounds in shrimp and prawns, but there the
same difficulty exists as in Pamlico sound. There is no local demand for the shrimp, and enterprise
is lacking to start a trade with outside cities. According to Mr. Earll, the Beaufort fishermen
have never fished for shrimp and prawns and have never tried apparatus suited to their capture.
They employ nets of large mesh for fish and frequent only the sand-banks and shores, while
the shrimp are known to prefer in this locality a muddy bottom. Even with this style of net,
however, it is not uncommon for from five to twenty barrels of shrimp to be taken at a single haul
of the seine, indicating that they are quite abundant in the region, and might be secured in
great quantities by the use of proper nets. The dealers have never given any attention to this
trade, and refuse to buy the shrimp accidentally taken in the fish-seines. The fishermen, there-
fore, being unable to sell their catch, find no encouragement in this line of fishing. In 1879 a few
shrimp were bought by one of the dealers, who tried to ship them to New York in ice, but they
spoilt on the way. The result would have been much more satisfactory had the shrimp been
boiled and dried, instead of being sent fresh. Those taken in this region are of large size, and it
only remains for some one familiar with the methods of curing them to engage in the business,
which might soon be made to develop into a very profitable trade.
The principal localities where the shrimp industry has already been started and is carried
on more or less extensively are Wilmington, N. C. ; Charleston, S. C. ; Savannah, Ga. ; Fernan-
dina, Fla. ; New Orleans, La. ; and Galveston, Tex.
Shrimp and prawns are very abundant in both salt and slightly brackish water in the sounds
and bays about Wilmington, N. C., from the last of May until November, but the industry is, as
yet, only imperfectly developed, though it promises to become in the future of considerable
importance. Prior to 1872, shrimp were taken in this locality only with skim-nets : they were not
THE SHltlRIP AND PKAWN FISHERIES. 803
much thought of by the people, aud not over 100 bushels were marketed yearly, at the rate of about
25 cents per quart. In the year 187:.', the first shrimp-seine was introduced, and from that time
business increased until eight seines were in use. None of the shrimp were sent away, and the
home market therefore soon became overstocked, the result being that some of the shrimpers were
obliged to give up the business. At the present time only four shrimp-seines supply the Wilming-
ton markets, all of which are owned in Wrightsville or Middle Sound. These seines range in
length from 30 to 40 yards, and in depth from 6 to 10 feet; the size of the mesh is one-half inch,
and they cost about $35 apiece. Two men are required for each seine, the season's catch for
each being about 500 bushels, or 2,000 bushels for the four seines in use.
In addition to the seiners there are about fifty men engaged in taking shrimp with cast-nets
and skim-nets, their season's catch amounting in all to nearly 3,000 bushels, though not more than
one-half of their catch is marketed. The total catch of shrimp for 1880 amounted therefore to
about 5,000 bushels, of which only 2,200 bushels were sold for food at a cost of $5,500. The
remainder of the shrimp taken were used for fertilizing purposes or thrown away, only the best
and largest specimens being marketed. Fishing is carried on only in the daytime, aud then not
with any precise regularity, as the markets cannot take all that could be caught. Before sending
the shrimp to market, they are boiled by the fishermen for about ten minutes in kettles holding
from 10 to 50 quarts each, and then spread out to cool. They are shipped in baskets.
No shrimp were sent away from the city until 1878. but since that time a trade has sprung up
with the neighboring towns and northern cities, which promises to increase and become of con-
siderable value.
The principal cities and towns supplied with shrimp from Wilmington are New York, Phila-
delphia, Charlotte, N. C., Florence, Sumter, Columbia, S. C., aud Augusta, Ga.
SOUTH CAROLINA. — The shrimp aud prawn industry of Charleston is one of the most import-
ant branches of the fisheries at that point, both as regards the number of men engaged and the
value of the catch. The fishery begins the last of March or first of April, aud continues until the
middle of November. During the first of the season (March to July) the so-called prawns alone
are taken, but after that the smaller shrimp take the place of the prawns. At the first of the
season, six to eight seine-boats, with crews of about six men each, go nightly to the various
fishing shores, all of which are within 15 miles of the city, aud draw their seines during the two or
three hours of low tide; they return before day to supply the boat fishermen with bait, after which
they dispose of the remainder of their catch to the men, women, and children, who vend the
prawns through the street. The catch varies greatly at this time of year, as the prawns seem
to be more abundant in some localities than in others ; and the successful boats may return with
10 to 20 bushels, while the less fortunate ones obtain only 4 or 5 bushels. This is also the time
when whiting are most plentiful in this region, and for this species prawns are said to consti-
tute the best bait. The whiting fishermen, are, therefore, very anxious to obtain them, even at a
high figure, the ordinary price being about 50 cents per plate, containing from a quart to a quart
and a half each. Sometimes, however, as high as 2 cents apiece, or about $1 a plate, is paid for
them. Each hook-and-line fisherman requires one or two plates for a day's fishing, according
to the abundance of fish, and this gives rise to a constant demand for them, at excellent prices.
During the first few weeks of the season this fishery is one of the most profitable of any on this
part of the coast.
When the prawns become more abundant, cast-nets come into use; early in May the seiners
lay aside their seines, and in common with others, engage in cast-net fishing solely. The fishery
soon reaches its height, and at this time not less than one hundred and twenty men with sixty
804 HISTOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
boats and seventy-five cast-uets are constantly employed. The daily catch during June and July
often exceeds 100 plates to the boat, while the average catch for the season is from 60 to 75 plates
daily per boat. The boats make on an average about four and a half trips per week.
Early in July the prawns disappear and their place is filled by the smaller shrimp, which
continue in great abundance until the middle of November. The difference in size between the
prawns and shrimp may be measured roughly as follows : Of the former only about forty are
required to fill a plate, while a plate full of the latter numbers fifty to sixty. The shrimp fishery
continues to the close of the season, with about the same number of men and boats as were
engaged in the later prawn fishery, and the average catch also remains about the same, but the
price which started at 50 cents for prawns in April soon falls to 25 cents, then to 15, and later to
10 cents per plate, the retail price being about 15 cents, and that to dealers from 8 to 10 cents.
The city authorities exact a monthly license of $1 from each fish vender in the city, which tends
to limit the number of that class, but the shrimp venders are placed under no such restraint, and
many men, women, and children embrace the opportunity of making a few pennies in this line
of business, which requires only a tray and plate in addition to the small daily stock in trade. At
early dawn the entire city is aroused from its slumbers by the incessant cries of "Shrimp" and
" Prawn," as more than a hundred venders, all blacks, and each with a well balanced tray upon
his head, wander through the streets and alleys, trying to dispose of their goods. Shrimp have
come to be considered a standard aiticle of food by the Charleston residents, who eat them
during the entire season. The greater part of the entire catch is sold in the city, either for
bait or food, and the quantity sent to outside markets reaches only a few hundred bushels
yearly. The shrimp catch for April equals about 10,000 plates, valued at $4,000, and the same
from May to November 15 equals about 40,000 plates, valued at $34,067. This is the price as
sold from the boat, but the retail value must exceed $00,000.
GEORGIA. — Shrimp abound along the entire sea-coast of Georgia, from Savannah to the Florida
line. They are taken for food, the prawns from March to June, and the shrimp from July to
November, in nets of one-half inch mesh. They are caught in large quantities to supply the
Savannah and other Georgia markets, and are also shipped to New York and other northern
cities. This industry has not, however, attained the proportions in this State which it has in
South Carolina. The sales for 1879 amounted to 1,600 bushels, valued at $3,500.
EASTERN FLORIDA. — On the sea-coast about Fernaudiua, shrimp and prawns are very com-
mon, and furnish abundant material for a profitable industry ; but at present from the want of
sufficient capital this fishery is not as flourishing as it has been or as it gives promise of becoming
in the future. We are indebted to Capt. T. E. Fisher, of Femaudiua, for very full notes on the
fishery at that place, from which the following account has been prepared:
According to Captain Fisher, the so-called prawns approach the coast about the full moon in
March or thereabouts, and enter the bays, rivers, and creeks in large quantities — as he thinks, to
spawn. About May or June they return again to the sea, and are replaced by very small shrimp,
which from May until August are used mainly as fish-bait. From August to December they
increase rapidly in size, the best shrimping season being during the months of September and
October. If the winter is warm the shrimp and prawns remain on the coast during the entire year,
but ordinarily prawns are found from March until May, and shrimp from May to December. The
fishing is usually conducted on muddy, but sometimes on sandy bottoms in from 6 inches to 4 feet
of water and deeper. Cast-nets from 10 to 15 feet in diameter are generally employed, as seines
when they have been used have given less satisfaction. The shrimp and prawns do not approach
the shore as thickly in the daytime as at night, so that the fishing is mostly carried on after dark.
THE SHRIMP AND PRAWN FISHERIES. 805
Two men go out in each boat, one to paddle, the other to manage the uet. Captain Fisher record*
one unusual catch of 7 bushels made by two men in three hours' time.
The shrimp after they arc taki-n are washed very clean, so as to rid them of any mud or sand
that may have remained upon them, and are then put into a kettle of strong boiling brine, which
is made thick enough to hold up a common potato. About 1 bushel of shrimp is allowed to 3 gal-
lons of brine, and the shrimp are not put into it until the froth and dirt, which usually rises to the
surface during boiling, has been skimmed off. After the shrimp have been boiled about ten min-
utes they are taken from the pot, put into a covered basket or barrel, and allowed to steam for ten
minutes more. They are then spread out in a thin layer upon a platform of boards to dry. It is
very essential that they should be thoroughly dried before being collected together for shipment,
but once in this condition they can be kept for weeks, if always retained in a dry place.
As to the shrimp industry at Feruandiua, Captain Fisher states that shrimp and prawns arc
exceedingly abundant there year after year, and a few years ago he entered into the business of
preparing them for market. He had no trouble in obtaining materials, and worked hard to build
up a trade. Meeting with some losses and with bad returns from dealers, to whom he had been
shipping, he was finally obliged to abandon the project, but, as he says, " from no want of shrimp."
He continues : " I have never found auj trouble in getting as many as I wanted along the entire
coast from North Carolina to Florida, except during severe stormy weather. I have found them
just as abundant one year as another, and they furnish a much greater supply of food along the
coasts of the States mentioned than is generally supposed." With a cast- net 15 feet in diameter
two men can catch on an average 2 bushels per day during the entire fishing season. In 187!»
quite a business was carried on, some 300 bushels of the dried shrimps having been sent to New
York, Philadelphia, Savannah, Atlanta, and Macon, Ga., and Charleston, S. C., in crates or bas-
kets. Since then only enough fishing has been done to supply the home trade, with a very few
sent away.
According to the statements of the fishermen shrimp and prawns are very abundant in the
vicinity of Saint Augustine, Fla., during the mouths of July, August, September, and October.
They are most commonly taken on the mud flats, being seen less often on sandy bottoms. Some
times they school at the surface, but generally they remain at or near the bottom. The shrimp
season is during July and August, and the prawn from the middle of August to November. Fish
ing is carried on mostly in the night-time, the men going out either at early twilight or at low tide,
and remaining until about half-flood. Each trip realizes on an average about 4 bushels. Three
trips are usually made a week. The nets used in this fishery are the so-called shrimp-nets, being
the same as the English cast-nets, and measuring from 4 to 5 feet long, with a one-half inch niesh.
They are valued at from $12 to $15 apiece.
The quantity of shrimp and prawns taken during a, season is about GOO bushels, valued at
not more than $700. None are shipped away, and not over 15 or 20 bushels are dried. At the
beginning of the season they sell readily at 10 cents a quart, but the price soon falls to 5 cents a
quart, and then to 10 cents for 3 quarts. After the season is well advanced or during times when
the catch is unusually large, 10 to 15 cents per peck becomes a fair price.
THE GULF COAST. — The shrimp fisheries of the Gulf coast of the United States are carried
on mainly to the west of the Mississippi River, and especially in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, and
Matagorda and Galveston Bays, Texas. The season lasts about six mouths, from October to
April, and during this time the shrimping crews establish temporary stations at different points
along the shrimping region. Some shrimp may be taken, however, during the entire year. Both
seines and cast-nets are employed, and the work goes on as in the same fisheries on the Atlantic
806 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
coast. The shrimp caught iu Barataria Bay are mostly sent to New Orleans, where they are mar-
keted fresh, or canned for shipment. These shrimp are described as being of large size and flue
flavor; they are mostly caught on the grassy bottoms of the bay, and are shipped to New Orleans
in steamboats or luggers, without ice. They are carried in baskets and sell at prices which vary
according to their abundance. The average price to the fishermen is about 3 cents per pound.
Galveston takes most of the shrimp caught iu that vicinity, both for the fresh market and for
canning. The fishermen sell at an average price of about 25 cents per bucketful.
Shrimp and prawns are very abundant in Apalachicola Bay and near Cedar Keys, Fla.
At the former place they are sometimes taken iu small quantities for shipment to New Orleans,
but they have given rise to no regularly establish ed trade. For shipping they are first cooked
and then packed dry in salt. At Cedar Keys the best months for shrimp fishing are said to be
October and March. At both places they are much esteemed as bait for many kinds offish.
Three kinds of shrimp are recognized in the New Orleans market — the river shrimp, caught on
the shores of the Mississippi River; the lake shrimp, found in the lakes and bays inside of the Gulf
coast ; and the Gulf shrimp from the outer shores of the Gulf of Mexico, mostly to the west of the
mouth of the Mississippi River. The first species is not abundant, and is taken from the beginning
of spring to the fall, iu small quantities only ; the lake shrimp is obtained only during the equinoctial
season ; but the Gulf shrimp is more or less abundant the year round. In the rivers the shrimp are
taken by means of cant baskets, sunk to the bottom near the banks, but in the lakes and Gulf they
are captured in seines as already explained. Fresh shrimp are very extensively sold in the markets
of New Orleans and large quantities are put up in hermetically sealed cans for shipment to all parts
of the United States as well as to England and France. About five hundred and sixty men are
engaged in this industry in connection with the New Orleans markets and canneries.
3. SHRIMP CANNING.
NEW ORLEANS. — In New Orleans, La., there is an establishment owned by the Messrs. G. W.
Dunbar's Sons, where shrimp are put up in hermetically sealed cans, by a process similar to that
practiced farther north with crabs and lobsters. This factory is 7iot limited to the canning of
shrimp alone, but preserves many kinds of fruit in their season, falling back upon the shrimp
when they are most abundant. The shrimp season extends over about five mo uths of the fall and
winter, during which time as many shrimp are put up as can be procured. Sometimes a week or
two passes when none are to be had, but as a rule the work goes steadily on through the five
months.
The working arrangements of the Messrs. Dunbar are of the latest and most approved pattern,
and the entire business is conducted under a single roof, even to the making of the tin boxes and
the solder. In the shrimp season twenty-five men and one hundred and forty girls are employed.
The former make cans and superintend the packing, while the latter prepare the meats by remov-
ing the shells and appendages after the shrimp have been boiled. Then the meats are weighed
and placed iu the cans, which are sealed and put through a similar process to that already
described for lobsters and crabs. Messrs. Dunbar's Sons put up on an average 1,500 one and-one-
half pound cans of shrimp per day, or a total of about 234,000 cans per season. Their invested
capital is about $30,000.
GALVESTON. — This industry was first started iu Galveston, Tex. in 1S79, by the Messrs. Pea-
con Brothers, but at the time their establishment was visited by Mr. Silas Stearns, who supplies
the data for this report, they had been running only about a year and were, therefore, not fully
underway. There was, however, every indication of success, and the firm was anticipating the
THE SHRIMP AND PRAWN FISHERIES. 807
buildiug up of a large and important business. So far they bad not been able to supply the demands
made upon them. They have all the most improved machinery and appliances for doing an exten-
sive business, but during the first year had not worked up to their full capacity. Their methods
of preparing and canning the shrimp are the same as those practiced at New Orleans. They cal
culate to work about one hundred and seventy-five days out of the year, and to put up about 1,008
cans per day ; but last year they had worked only about one hundred and fifty days, preparing only
450 cans a day, or a total of 7ff,500 cans for the season. These at the rate of 17 cents per can were
valued at $13,005. The cans are flat, cylindrical in shape, and contain one pound of shrimp meat
each. During the shrimping season very little other fishing is done in this locality, and this firm
engage some sixty seiners to obtain shrimp for them. In the factory about forty persons in all are
employed, of whom the majority are women and girls, whose duty it is to prepare the shrimp for
packing. The men superintend the work, seal the cans, &c. The amount of capital invested is
estimated at $5,000.
(ft) THE SHRI31P AXD PRAWN FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST.
4. THE SHRIMP FISHERY.
EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF THE FISHERY.— The shrimp fishery of the Pacific coast of the
United States is by far the most important of any there in the line of marine invertebrates, the
exports alone of shrimps from San Francisco in 1880 having been valued at about $100,000. Both
species of California shrimp (Crangon franciscorum and Crangon vulgaris) are taken together, sold
fresh in the markets of San Francisco and elsewhere, and boiled and dried for exportation to China
and the Sandwich Islands. Crangon franciscorum being the larger and also generally the more abund-
ant species, is the one that figures most conspicuously in the shrimp fishery ; but Crangon vulgaris
also forms a large percentage of the quantity taken and disposed of. This industry is controlled
almost entirely by the Chinese, who prepare the larger part of their catch for shipment to their
native country.
Although both species of shrimp range along the entire Pacific coast of the United States, as far
south as Point Conception, they are taken for food in large quantities at only a few localities, prin-
cipally in San Francisco Bay and Tomales Bay. In both of these bays there are numerous small
scattered colonies of Chinese who devote their entire time and energy to the capture and prepa-
ration of shrimps, mainly for exportation to China, only a small quantity being sent to the Sand-
wich Islands, for the consumption of the Chinese living there. In San Francisco Bay, there is a
Chinese settlement at Bay View, numbering about twenty-four men, with an outfit of 100 seines
and ten boats, who fish mainly for shrimps. Another similar settlement of ten Chinese exists about
2 miles farther south, and still others are located farther up the bay, in San Mateo and Santa
Clara Counties, and others also in Marin and Contra Costa Counties. In Marin County, along the
coast south of San Rafael, there are two colonies of Chinese, numbering perhaps one hundred men
in all, whose1 principal occupation is shrimp-catching. At each of these stations both 0. francis-
corum and G. vulgaris are taken and prepared. The process of capture and drying, which is more
or less the same at all the places, is described as follows for the colony at Bay View :
METHODS OF CATCHINO SHRIMP.— The seine or drag-net used by the Chinese for catching
shrimp is a conical bag-like net, 20 to 25 feet long, and about 10 feet across at the larger end,
which is the mouth. It tapers toward the other end, which is about 1 foot broad and open to
permit of emptying the contents of the net. The mouth is furnished with a line of weights on one
side, and with floats on the other, to hold it open while in use; and the lower end is closed at the
808 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
same time by a u sphincter " or " puckering string." The size of the mesh of this net at the mouth
is from 1 to 1£ inches, but it gradually diminishes to one-quarter of an inch at the lower end.
The boats employed in seining are from 12 to 25 feet long, rather narrow and sharp at the ends,
.flat bottomed, and with thick heavy sides; they are built by the Chinese themselves of redwood
lumber.
The fishing is usually carried on in rather deep water near the shore (12 to 20 fathoms) on
the flood tide, and 3,000 pounds is said to be au average daily catch.
MARKETING.— After the day's fishing is over it is the usual custom to carry the fresh shrimp
to the Vallejo street market, in San Francisco, in live baskets covered with a netting, which has a
hole in the center closed by means of a puckering string. At the market the live shrimps are
sold at 10 cents a pound, and those remaining unsold are carried back to the Chinese settlement
and put at once into boiling brine.
METHODS OF PREPARING SHRIMP FOR EXPORT.— The kettle for boiling the shrimp is a
rectangular iron tank, 6 feet long by -t feet wide and 2 feet deep, with a fire-place underneath.
After sufficient boiling, care being taken to prevent over cooking, the shrimps are taken out
and spread to dry upon level plats of hard ground, which have been previously stripped of
grass and rendered perfectly smooth. They are spread out and turned occasionally by means of
a hoe-like broom. After four or five days' time or when perfectly dry, thuy are crushed under large
wooden pestles, or trod upon by the Chinese in wooden shoes, for the purpose of loosening the
meats from the outer chitiuous covering ; after which the entire mixture is put through a fanning
mill, for the actual separation of the meats and shells. This farming-mill, which is rather a crude
affair, is constructed of wood by the Chinese, on precisely the same principle as the one used for
winnowing grain. It measures about 8 feet long by 5 feet high, and consists of a square box,
divided on the inside for the passage of the separated shells and meats, with a hopper above, and
a large fan-wheel worked by a crank at one end.
WHERE SOLD; USES; SHIPPING. — The meats are partly used at home or at the various inland
Chinese settlements, but are mostly shipped to China, The shells are also utilized as manure to
some extent about San Francisco, but like the meats, are mostly sent to China, where they serve
as a fertilizer for rice, the tea-plant, &c. In Sau Francisco they sell at about 25 cents per hundred
weight. Both the meats and shells are shipped to China in sacks. The trade is entirely in the
hands of Chinese merchants, who ship by way of Hong Kong. The meats are eaten by all classes
in China, but are cheaper and less esteemed than the native shrimps, which are comparatively
scarce.
Shrimp are said to be an excellent producer when used as food for fowls. For this purpose
they are broken up, soaked, and mixed with a meal of wheat, oats, or corn. The shells are also
sometimes fed to poultry.
VALUE OF THE SHRIMP SOLD FRESH IN SAN FRANCISCO.— The amount of shrimp sold in
the San Francisco market during twelve months of 1879-'80, is estimated by Mr. Garibaldi of that
city at about 200,000 pounds, which at the rate of 10 cents per pound at the Clay street market
were valued at $20,000.
Many crabs, clams, <Jtc., are also taken in the nets of the Chinese and sent to the Vallejo street
market, San Francisco.
EXPORTATION.— It is impossible to give more than an approximate estimate of the value of the
yearly export of shrimp and shrimp-shells from San Francisco, on account of the practice of lump-
ing together the shrimp, abalones, other invertebrates and even some of the fish products in the cus-
THE SEBIMP AND PRAWN FISHERIES. 809
tom-housc records, under the heading of " Fish, other." The total value of the "Fish, other"
exported from San Francisco to Hong Kong (luring the entire year 1880, was $229,858. The cus-
tom house records give nothing more definite on the subject, but Mr. Lockiugton, who investigated
this fishery, by reference to the manifests of the vessels in which the shrimp were shipped to China,
Japan, and the Sandwich Islands, estimates that the exports for 18SO could not have fallen below
$100,000 in value, and probably exceeded that amount. At this valuation the weight of the shrimp
exported, including both the meats and shells, must have exceeded 1,000,000 pounds.
DANGERS OF OVERFISHING.— There is little doubt but that the consumption of shrimp in and
about Sau Francisco Bay exceeds their rate of increase, and that they must eventually and at no
distant day become much less abundant than they are at prt sent. This is to be regretted not only
because of their great value as an article of food and profit to mankind directly, but also for the
reason that they form a very important part of the food of fishes, the supply of which has already
become very nearly exhausted in the Bay of San Francisco. It seems imperative that some restric-
tions should be placed at once upon the catching of shrimp in the vicinity of Sau Francisco, if it
is desired to keep up this important industry. At present there are no regulations concerning it,
and shrimp catching is carried on continuously throughout the year, without a single interval for
the peaceful spawning of the old and the maturing of the young.
5. THE PRAWN FISHERY.
VARIETIES OF PRAWNS. — Two species of prawns are now brought to the San Francisco mar-
ket. One of these, Pandalux Dana; averages about 7 inches in length, is variegated in color, and
very abundant; the other, which is still undetermined as to its name, is smaller, less abundant,
and plainly colored.
LOCATION OF THE FISHERY. — The two species are found and caught together,'principally in
moderately deep water oft" San Francisco Bay, between Point Reyes and the Farallone Islands.
During the past two years prawns have been much more commonly seen in the San Francisco
markets than formerly, the reason being that the fishermen driven out of the bay by the great
decrease in the fish supply, once so abundant there, have been forced to resort to the deeper
fisheries of the open ocean, where prawns abound. Another species of crustacean quite dif-
ferent from Pandahts, though resembling it somewhat in shape, the l'en«'w.s- br/txilivnsix (?), occasion-
ally visits the bay of Sau Francisco, and is taken and sold in the markets as a prawn. It is con-
siderably larger than Pandnlus Dana- and commands a higher price. In 1879 it was caught from
time to time in the bay, but we have no uetice of its, occurrence there in 1880.
AMOUNT OF SALES IN 1879. — The sales of prawns in the Sau Francisco markets in 1879
were estimated to amount to about 20,000 pounds, valued at about $4,000.
PREPARATION OF LARGE PRAWNS. — Some large prawns (the species not determined) are
prepared in Chinatown, San Francisco, by removing the carapax and stringing them on two slender
pieces of cane, which pass through the flesh, giving rise to a ladder-like structure; they sell at
30 cents a pound.*
* The accouut of the shrimp and prawn fisheries of California was prepared from materials furnished by Mr. W.
N. Lockiugton and Pr»f. D. S. Jordan.
810
HISTORY AXD METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
(r) STATISTICS OF THE SHRIMP AND PRAWN FISHERIES OF THE UNITED
STATES.
6. STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION FOR THE UNITED STATES.
Table showing the quantity and rain? of the fin-imp and prawns taken and sold on the coasts of the United States in 1880.
State.
Quantity.
Value.
Pounds.
1 750
63 000
South Carolina
G30 000
37 500
Georgia
56 000
4 000
Florida
71 750
3 500
Louisiana
534 000
16 0°0
Texas
637 500
19 1^5
California
1 220 000
124 000
Totals
3 214 000
°09 °95
Enhancement in value of shrimp by the process
of canning in Louisiana and Texas
17 640
Total value of the shrimp as they entered into con-
sumption ' .
226 935
XXII.
THE LEECH INDUSTRY AND TREPANG FISHERY.
By RICHARD RATHBUN.
1.— THE LEECH INDUSTRY.
History and present condition of the leech trade of the United States.
2.— THE TEEP.ANG FISHERY.
The trepan g fishery at Key West.
811
XXII.
THE LEECH INDUSTRY AND TREPANG FISHERY.
BY RICHARD EATHBUN.
1.— THE LEECH INDUSTRY.
HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITION OF THE LEECH TRADE OF THE UNITED
STATES.
INTRODUCTION. — Prior to 1839 there was no regular import trade of European leeches into
this country, but sea-captains were accustomed to bring them in occasionally in small quantities,
on private speculation. Leechers were, therefore, obliged to depend largely on the native leech
for drawing blood, and during the early part of the century the American species was in consider-
able demand. Although this species (MacroMella decora) is quite widely distributed, the principal
source of supply appears to have been, as it is now, Eastern Pennsylvania, and especially Berks
and Bucks Counties.
COMPARATIVE MERITS AND USES OF EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN LEECHES. — As already
stated, in discussing the natural history of leeches, the European species is much superior to the
American for most purposes, but during the earlier periods of importation of the former, the
prices charged for it were so high that the American leech held its ground for a time. Gradu-
ally, however, prices have fallen, until now, although the European leech is still more expensive
than the native, its cost is so slight comparatively that it is almost universally employed, excepting
in special cases, and in a few localities where the American leech is preferred. No American
leeches, we believe, are now used either in or about New York City or Boston, but in Philadelphia
they are still in slight demand. In fact, the latter city appears to have held to the old custom of
leeching more than any other American city of which we have information.
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN IMPORT TRADE. — In 1839 the first regular leech importing house
of the country, that of Mr. Herman Witte, was established in New York City, and from that time
until about 1856 the import trade in leeches rapidly increased. The number of leeches received
from Europe by Mr. Witte in the latter year was about 500,000, and his sales per month amounted
at times to 50,000 leeches. At the same time the importing house of Paturel & Co., in New
York, was receiving 300,000 a year, making the total annual receipts during the few years of
that period 800,000. The wholesale prices then and in the few preceding years ranged from $80
to $100 per one thousand. Assuming the average price to have been $90 per thousand, the value
of leeches imported in 1856 and thereabouts was $72,000 annually.
Since 1856 the use of leeches has gradually diminished, and the import trade is now only about
one-seventh in value what it was then ; the wholesale prices have also fallen off to from $25 to
$50 per thousand.
813
814 HISTORY AND MKTHODS OF TLIE FISHERIES.
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES SUPPLYING LEECHES TO THE UNITED STATES. — Originally the leeches
imported into tbi.s country came from Northern Europe, but since the failure of supplies in that
region and the successful cultivation of leeches in France and Hungary, they have been received
almost entirely from the latter countries, Paris being the center of the export trade.
SEASON AND METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION. — Leeches are imported during most of the year,
but only to a slight extent in summer, as they are easily killed by an excess of heat. June, July, and
August are the mouths when the smallest quantities are received, and when the greatest mortality
occurs, reaching sometimes 25 per cent. They are imported packed in swamp earth, in air- and
water-tight wooden cases, holding 1,500 leeches each. These, cases are made rather light, aud
are about -1 inches long, 15 inches wide, and 13 inches high. In shipping leeches to customers in
this country, the same cases are used for sending large quantities, aud tight wooden pails for the
smaller quantities, the packing of swamp earth being also employed. American leeches, on the
contrary, are kept best in water, in earthen or glass jars, in a cool place. Although considerable
quantities of leeches are kept constantly on hand in the importing houses, Mr. Witte is obliged
to draw on his storage-ponds on Long Island, between Winfleld and Newtou, for supplying large
amounts, and especially for the export trade.
EXPORT TRADE FROM THE IGNITED STATES. — The value of the American import trade iu
leeches is increased by the fact that a large share, it- not nearly all, of the European leeches used
in South America, pass through the New York market. Mr. Witte claims to dispose of 100,000
leeches a year in this way; he sends to ports on both the Atlantic aud Pacific sides of the South
American continent.
EXTENT OF IMPORTATIONS, SALES, PRICES, &<•. — The import trade in leeches, including the
quantity sent to South America, amounts to from 300,000 to 350,000 a year. The regular leech
importing houses in this country are only two in number, both being located in New York
City. They sell in quantities of 25 to 1,000 and upwards, at prices ranging from $25 to $50 a
thousand, though the smaller quantities, say from 100 downward, generally bring a higher price.
The retail prices for single leeches varies from 18 to 25 cents. The average wholesale price of
leeches sold by the two New York houses is about $35 per thousand, which for an annual sale of
300,000 leeches would amount to $10,500.
It is stated that about one-half of the leeches regularly disposed of by the dealers of Paris
are sent to this country, or sold to England for her colonial trade, but the latter trade is not
extensive. It is likewise affirmed that the greater part of the leeches sold in this country are
used by emigrants from Europe, and that were it not for that large element in our population the
leech trade would become of comparatively slight importance.
THE TRADE IN AMERICAN LEECHES. — A Philadelphia leecher of long practice informs us that
thirty or forty years ago very many more American leeches were used in that city than foreign
ones, but as the importation of the latter increased and the prices declined, they gradually took
the place of the natives. The market price of the American leeches in New York at that time
was about $10 per thousand. Now. perhaps, scarcely more than 1,000 are actually used a year,
though more than that quantity are brought to the city and sold. About ten years ago the
practice of leeching declined greatly in Philadelphia, and about that period fewer leeches were
used than iu any previous year for a long time. Since then some physicians have again strongly
advocated the use of leeches, and the practice is once more increasing. Philadelphia is supplied
with native leeches by a single person, who collects them iu Bucks and Berks Counties, Pennsyl-
vania, and about, Trenton, N. J. The value of the native leeches used iu Philadelphia annually
is very small.
T11E TREl'AM! FISHEKY.
815
The comparative merits of (lie European and American leeches have been discussed in connec-
tion with their natural history.
Table nhoicliig tin: r.rtfiit inn/ rulur <»/ Ilir import ami c.rp/n-1 Irinlr in lm-li,-H of \/ir York Ijiti/, far 1880 (estimatt<n.~
No. iui(unUMl. Value. N'n. i-\pmlril. Value.
••"", imn $KI, .-,ini ion. linn f.i MO
Tablf showing I/H mint of furnijn h-n-ln-x imported into tin- Uiiitrd Xltitix from July 1, lf-71, In July 1, 1880, according to the
custom-house i't'i'orrt*.\
Year cniliim — \< u Mr],.jui*
New York '^" ut'K'r Annual
purls, totals.
• I 11 in- HO, 1872
June 30, 1873
"> 77 "> 5 775
June 30, 1874
June 30, 1875 ...
Julio 30, 1876
5 712 ^712
June ;;<>, 1*77 , ...
4 288 4 288
.Turn- oil 1S7S .... $1^8
$5 ''ol 4 Til 0 730
June 30 1H79 1()
June 30, 1880 , 46
4 65L 4 Ii'i7
Totals ]<t3
Table showing the ralne of foreign Iwches exported from the United Slates to other
18-W0, according to the custom-house records.
lrirx. fnnn July 1, 1877, to July I
Year {Mnlinii —
Liiko ports
of New Vurk
Mar.-.
Now York
Citj
Annual
totals.
June 30 1878
$83
$675
$758
Junt- 30 1879
1 243
I ''43
Juiie 30 1880
1 170
1 170
Totals
s;i
3 088
3 171
2.— THE TREPANG FISHERY.
THE TREPANG FISHEEY AT KEY WEST.
THE TREPANG AS AN ARTICLE OF FOOD.— The preparation tor market of this soft echino-
derm, variously designated as holothurian, sea-cucumber, sea-slug, beche de iner, and trepaiijr,
was, as the following account will show, once attempted on the Florida coast; but either from
want of financial success or for other reasons, it was soon abandoned. The trepang is commonly
used as food in China, which country derives the most of its supplies from the waters about
some of the South Pacific islands, where one or more suitable species abound, and are prepared
for the Chinese market in large quantities. It is questionable whether Americans could ever be
induced to regard the trepang with favor as an article of food, although Dr. William Stimpson
states that a New England species, J'entacta frondosa, when made into a soup, is very palatable.
It was, however, for the purpose of supplying the Chinese trade that the Florida industry was
•The figures an- nirni.shril by Mr. Herman Witte, of New York. The quantity exported is included in the
quantity imported, as only foreign leeches are exported from this country.
»Tlie amounts given in the column of "All other ports," belong undoubtedly to New York, and there is evidently
an error in the enumeration for 1-7-.
816 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
established, and its failure would indicate the impossibility of competing with a source of supply
so much nearer home, and in a region where labor is much cheaper than in this country. It is,
nevertheless, interesting to know that such a food product exists upon the coast of the United
States in sufficient quantities to permit of its being utilized, should a demand for it arise.
TREPANG FISHERY AT KEY WKST. — Mr. Silas Stearns, of Peusacola, Fla., writes as follows,
regarding the attempted fishery at Key West:
"In 1871 an Englishman came to Key West, Fla., for the purpose of gathering and preparing
trepaug for the Chinese market. He erected a shed, under which were built fire-places, with large
kettles and other arrangements, and also frames for drying. He arranged with the fishermen,
and fishermen's boys particularly, to bring him all the sea-slugs they could obtain, for which he
was to pay a certain price apiece. As the slugs were very abundant on the shoals about Key
West, and the prices paid for them were liberal, no trouble was experienced in obtaining large
supplies."
The method of preparation was explained to Mr. Stearns as follows: "The sea-slugs, still
alive and fresh, were thrown into the kettles and boiled a certain length of time, but as to the
composition of the liquid in which they were cooked, my informant could not tell me. Then they
were taken out, the outer rough skin rubbed off, and the body split with a knife, after which the
intestines were removed and the body spread on canvas in the sun to dry. The next operation
after drying, and the final one, was to smoke them; this was done in a smoke-house of the ordi-
nary kind, in which they were suspended on slats. After the final process the trepang were
packed in bales, covered with sacking, and shipped to New York, where they were probably
reshipped to China. For two seasons (winters) this industry was kept up, and apparently with
much success; but at the close of the second season the houses and apparatus were sold, and the
operator left Key West. Since then nothing further has been attempted in the trepang industry
there."
XXIII.
THE SPONGE FISHERY AND TRADE
By RICHARD RATHBUN.
a. — COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE or SPOXC;ES.
1. General review of the sponge trade.
1>. — THE FLORIDA SPONGK FISHERY.
•2. The sponge grounds.
:!. The sponging vessels and their outfit.
I. Methods of conducting the sponge fishery.
.".. Origin of the Florida sponge fishery.
(>. The danger of overfishing: artificial propagation of
sponge?.
c. — THE BAHAMA spoxr.p. FISHKRY.
7. The methods of the fishery.
fl. — THK MEDITERRANEAN SPOXCE FISHERY.
8. The methods of the fishery.
c. — THE SPOX<;F. TRADE.
9. Character and extent of the New York sponge trade.
in. Origin and growth of the New York sponge trade.
11. Fraudulent practices.
sir
XXIII.
THE SPONGE FISHERY AND TRADE.
By RICHARD RATHBUN.
(a) THE COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OF SPONOES.
1. GENERAL REVIEW OF THE SPONGE INDUSTRY.
The sponge trade of the United States is very extensive, and supplies are obtained from all
the principal sponge-producing regions of the world, not the least important of which is the coast
of Florida.
As previously described,* all of the various grades of commercial sponges belong to a single
genus, called tipongio, and, according to an eminent authority on the subject, may be divided
into four natural species, including at least nine sub-species and a great number of varieties. One
of these species, the ftpongia grumineii, an inferior grade of the grass sponges, is peculiar to
Florida, but the other three species are common to both the Old World and the American grounds
They are as follows : Spongia officinalis, including the Levant toilet sponge and the Turkey cup
sponge of the east, and the glove sponge of Florida and the Bahamas ; tipoitgia equina, containing
the horse sponge, the Venetian bath sponge and the Gherbis sponge of the Mediterranean, and
the noted sheepswool sponge, the velvet sponge, and a portion of the grass sponges of American
waters; Spongia <tqarinna, including the Mediterranean Zimocca sponge, and the American yel-
low sponge and -'hard head."
The several varieties of sponges, based upon differences in structure, and the numerous qual-
ities, resulting in part from the diverse influences of environment during growth, have given rise to
the many commercial grades, according to which sponges are classified and sold in the markets.
The Florida grades, strau'gely enough, have never been increased in number above the six sub.
species recognized by naturalists as belonging to that region, and they are designated under five
mimes. — the same term, grass sponge, having been applied to two of the subspecies. These grades ^
arranged about in the order of their value, are as follows : Sheepswool, velvet, yellow, grass, and
glove. The sheepswool sponges are by far the finest in texture of any of the American grades,
but the relative qualities of the other grades are not always clearly defined; at least the dealers
differ greatly in their opinions regarding them, and the market quotations do not always place
them in the same order. The Bahama sponges, although identical subspecinca'ly with the
Florida, and including the same five principal grades, are still further subdivided, making a total
of about fifteen grades recognized by the New York dealers. The secondary divisions are based
" Section 1. of tliis report. Part V.
819
820 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
mainly ou differences iu shape ami oil the comparative openness of the texture. The Mediter-
ranean grades number as many as twenty-five, in the classification of some of the New York
importers, but not a few of these must be founded on differences of slight importance.
The finest grades of sponges are the so-called Turkish sponges of the Mediterranean, the
wholesale prices of which range from about $5 to $50 per pound. Next iu quality are the
sheepswool sponges of Florida and the Bahamas, bringing from $1.50 to $2.25 per pouud. Not-
withstanding this great difference in price between the Turkish and the sheepswool sponges, it
is not now generally considered that the latter is so inferior in quality to the former as their
respective market values would appear to indicate, and for many of the nicer purposes for which
sponges are used, the Florida sheepswool grade is often preferred. The sheepswool sponges are
not quite so fine and close iu texture, but they are equally elastic and far more durable, and when
properly prepared, greatly outlast the Turkish sponges. The fact that the latter are more care-
fully bleached, and therefore generally present a cleaner appearance, and also that they are an
imported article adds greatly to their value in the opinion of most persons. The American trade
in foreign sponges is very extensive, all of the New York sponge houses engaging in it, while two
or more deal iu uo other kinds.
The Florida sheepswool sponges are now regarded more favorably in the New York market
than the Bahama sponges of the same name, the difference in quality being due, it is said, partly
to the character and mode of growth, and partly to the method of preparation. Although belong-
ing to the same species, the texture of the former is naturally somewhat the finer, and the masses
grow iu better and more compact shapes. An examination of a large assortment of Bahama
slieepswool sponges as received from the producers will show that a considerable percentage are
pierced from below by large and irregular cavities, which sometimes penetrate nearly to the top
These are said to be mainly produced by the irregular character of the bottom on which they
grow, but they probably also arise from a natural tendency to form a more open structure than
the Florida sponges.
This grading of sponges according to compactness or solidity of structure is also recognized
in classifiying the Turkish and other Mediterranean varieties. For instance, the Turkish sponges
are first graded according to their texture, into fine, coarse, &c. Then the finer and other grades
are again sorted with reference to shape and solidity, the rounder and more compact forms being
regarded as the best, while those of a flattened or very irregular shape, or with many large holes,
are considered as inferior. So great is the difference between these several divisions of each
grade, as determined by shape and solidity, that while the best shapes and structures of the finest-
textured Turkish sponges sell sometimes at as high a price as $50 a pound, the inferior shapes
and loose structures of the same texture bring but a few dollars a pound- Shape and solidity as
well as texture must, therefore, be considered in grading sponges of all varieties, and many of
the numerous grades of foreign sponges are formed in this manner.
Marketable sponges range iu weight from about 1 ounce to 1 pouud, but the smaller sizes
within these limits are most in demand. The supply of good grade sponges, of both the Florida
and foreign varieties, is unequal to the demand, and very many more could be sold annually than
the fishing grounds have yet been made to yield. One dealer informs us that the demand upon
him for the better qualities of Florida sponges is ten times greater than he can supply. There
are, therefore, no indications at present of an overstocked market, but the question naturally arises
as to whether there is not great danger of the fishing grounds becoming exhausted from the
continuous drains being made upon them. Certain sections of the Florida coast, which have been
most diligently fished over, have become more or less depleted, but new and extensive grounds
THE SPONGE FISHKKY. 821
are being constantly discovered and the yield lias not varied greatly from year to year. Still,
there is strong foundation in fact for the belief expressed by many, that the present indiscrimi-
nate fishing will, sooner or later, result unfavorably for the Florida coast at least, and several of
the New York buyers have expressed a desire for immediate legislation prohibiting the taking
of the better qualities of sponges tinder a certain size, that size to be equivalent to a weight of
about 1A ounces. In this manner the younger growths would be protected, and the future sup-
plies of large specimens would be more or less insured. This subject is one which merits prompt
attention and it derives an additional interest from the recent successful attempts at artificial
sponge culture about Key West.
Sponges have hitherto been bought and sold in large quantities entirely by weight, but some
of the New York dealers advocate their sale by count, in order to circumvent certain fraudulent
practices which are now largely indulged in, such as sanding and liming, and also because of their
well known absorptive qualities causing them to weigh much more iu moist climates than in dry.
This new method of buying and selling has already been started to a slight extent.
At the fishing ports, of which Key West is the principal one in Florida, the sponges brought
iu by the vessels are, after drying, graded by the agent, each grade being packed separately iu
bales or cases, and are then ready for shipment to market. New York is the only distributing
center for Florida sponges, and receives nearly all the foreign sponges imported into this country.
Sponges are used for a great variety of domestic and professional purposes, the most of which
are familiar to every one. The clippings and small specimens are frequently employed for stuffing
mattresses, cushions, &c., and also for packing, and in the manufacture of certain coarse kinds of
cloth. In upholstery work its chief defect is its tendency to absorb moisture in wet weather, as
previously noted.
There is an import duty on all grades of foreign sponges of 20 per cent, ad valorem. The
wholesale prices of Mediterranean sponges in this country range from 50 cents to $50 per pound ;
of Bahama sponges, from 10 cents to $1.60 per pound ; and of Florida sponges, from 15 cents to
$2.25 per pound. The lower grades of Florida sponges range iu price mainly from 35 to 50 cents
per pound ; and the better grades, or sheepswool sponges, from $1.25 to $2.25 per pound.
(6) THE FLORIDA SPONGE FISHERT.*
2. THE SPONGE GROUNDS.
The Florida sponge-grounds form three separate and elongate stretches along the southern
and western coasts of the State. The first includes nearly all of the Florida reefs : the second
extends from Anclote Keys to Cedar Keys ; and the third from just north of Cedar Keys to Saint
Mark's in Apalachee Bay. The Florida reef-grounds have a linear extent of about 120 miles,
beginning near Key Biscayne in the northeast, and ending in the south, at northwest channel,
just west of Key West. The northwestern half of the grounds is very narrow, having an
average width of only about 5 miles and being limited to the outer side of the reefs. At about
the Matacumbe Eeefs, the grounds broaden out so as to cover the entire width of the reefs,
which are much broader here than at the north. The entire southern half of the grounds
' Tlic account of the Florida sponge fishery — including the sponge grounds, the sponging vessels, and the methods
of conducting the fishery — has been furnished mostly liy Mr. Silas Stearns, of Pensacola, \viio made a special study of
the subject, in 1*7!) and IK-u, in the interest ()f the I". S. Fish Commission, and a large part of liis report is copied
verbatim.
822 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
has more or less the same breadth which is about 13 or 14 miles. The second sponge-ground
begins just south of Auclote Keys, with a breadth of 7 or 8 miles but rapidly broadens out toward
the north to a width of 15 miles, which it maintains from a point about opposite Bay Fort to Sea
Horse Reef, just south of Cedar Keys. The tolal length of this sponging- ground is about 60 geo-
graphical miles; its distance from the shore varies somewhat; at the south the inner edge
approaches within 4 or 5 miles of the main laud, and conies close upon Anclote Keys; but through-
out the remainder of its extent it is distant 6 to 8 miles from the shore, until it touches the
shallow bottom and reefs of Cedar Keys. The depth of water on these grounds, as indicated on the
Coast Survey charts, ranges from 3 to G fathoms, but many portions are undoubtedly shallower
than this. The northern ground, which maintains a nearly uniform width throughout, is about 70
miles long by about 15 miles broad. It approaches to within about 5 miles of the shore, and termi-
nates just off the mouth of Saint Mark's River; the depth of the water is the same as upon the
next one to the south, from 3 to 6 fathoms.
The total area of the Florida spongiug-grouuds, which are now being worked, including also
those that were formerly fished upon but have since been more or less abandoned, may be roughly
stated at about 3,000 square geographical miles. This probably does not include all of the sponge-
grounds occurring in Florida waters, for the fact that new areas are being constantly discovered
would indicate that there might still be more to find, and it is certain that no very strenuous
efforts have yet been made to extend the grounds already known, the discovery of new ones hav-
ing generally been made by accident.
3. THE SPONGING VESSELS AND THEIR OUTFITS.
GENERAL ACCOUNT. — The sponge fishery of the Florida coast differs greatly from that of the
Mediterranean, in that sponges are not obtained by divers, but by means of hooks fastened at the
end of a long pole and managed from a small boat. In the former region, small vessels of from
5 to 50 tons measurement are employed to visit the grounds, to afford quarters for the men, and
to bring home the catch. These vessels are mostly of light draught and schooner rigged, having
proportionately large decks on which to carry boats, working gear, and the sponges as they are
taken. The, holds are of considerable size for storing dried sponges, and the cabins generally small,
indicating a sacrifice of comfort to working room. Each vessel carries, according to its size, from
five to fifteen men, one as cook and the remainder (always an even number) as fishermen, and also
a small yawl-boat to every two fishermen to be used by them in securing the sponges. In addi-
tion to the implements for taking sponges, they are provided with a sufficient quantity of provis-
ions, wood and water for the trip, lasting from four to eight weeks.
The working outfit of a Florida sponging vessel consists simply of a few small yawl-boats
called dingies, and a supply of sponge-hooks and sponge-glasses. Many of the dingies are built
by the fishermen themselves; they are from 12 to 15 feet long, and 4 to 5 feet wide, and are built
of the lightest and strongest material obtainable, the frame of mulberry or white oak, and the
planking of juniper or southern white cedar. The idea is to have the boats light enough to enable
two men to haul them in and out over the side of a vessel, and yet strong enough to withstand
the rough handling to which they are subjected, and to sately carry the rather heavy load result-
ing from a half day's catch. While gathering sponges it is necessary to scull the dingy from the
stern, and, for convenience in so doing, the following form of sculling-notch has been introduced:
A piece of oak plank about G inches wide and a foot long is notched at one end to fit an oar,
and inserted at the other between two guiding strips securely fastened to the stern sheet. This
THE SPONGE FISHEKY. 823
sculling- notch is placed at one side of the center of the steru sheet and is made to be easily
removable in order that it may be taken out of the way when not needed.
The sponge-hooks are made of iron, with three curved prongs, measuring' in total width about
."i in- (i inches. The entire length of a hook is about 8 inches, the upper end being made into a strong
socket for the insertion of a pole.
The sponge glass as originally constructed consisted of a small, square, wooden box having a
glass bottom. More recently, however, this form has given way to an ordinary wooden water-
bucket, the wooden bottom of which is replaced by one of plain window glass fastened in by means
of putty; the inside of the bucket is painted a dark color. In using a sponge-glass, it is placed
upright on the surface of the water and the head is thrust down into it is far as convenient. In this
way very small objects can be distinctly made out on the bottom even at a considerable depth. It
is customary to leave the handle or bail on the bucket, and allow it to pass around the neck when
in use, so that when a sponge is discovered the sponger is not delayed in grasping his hook and
bringing it into play.
THE KEY WEST FLEET. — The spouging-vessels of Key West are the pride of that place and
with good reason, as they are trim and fast sailers. They rank next after the fishing-smacks in
size, ranging in measurement from 5 to 45 tons, and are nearly all schooner rigged. Many of them
were built or rebuilt at Key West or in that vicinity, and like the smacks are strongly put together.
The frames are made of Madeira wood, red cedar, and dogwood, and the planking of yellow pine
or cypress. Before being painted, every outside seam and crack in the hull is filled with beeswax
to render it tight and form a smooth surface. . The masts, sails, rigging, and iron work are all of,
the best quality and all neatly fitted. In shape they are rather wide for schooners, but being shal-
low and loaded with canvas, work well under sail. The mainsail and jib are of the ordinary shape,
but the foresail is generally a "lug" sail, that is having no boom, and so wide as to extend aft beyond
the mainmast. Otherwise it is similar to the foresail ordinarily used on schooners.
These vessels are all of light draught and provided with center- boards. The hold, from the
after end of the center-board to the bow, is entirely clear and unobstructed to afford ample space
for the storage of sponges, boats, and hooks. The cabin, extending from the bulkhead at the
after end of the center-board to the steru, is generally a small affair with but few conveniences,
and is composed almost entirely of sleeping compartments for the large crews that live on
board. The trunk of the cabin is therefore very small in proportion to the size of the deck,
the hatches being also small as well as the bitts and windlass gear forward. Cooking is done on
deck, on a stove that is boxed up and kept between the masts. When ready to start for the
sponge reefs, there is but little empty space anywhere on board; the decks are crowded with boats
and men, and with piles of spare ropes, anchors, sponge poles, water glasses, &c., while below is
stored a large quantity of wood, water, and provisions. The sponging-vessels of Key West are
quite as expensive to build as the fishing-smacks, and according to the statements of several
builders and owners cost on an average about $3,000 complete, for a vessel of 15 tons.
The Key ^Yest spongiug-fleet consisted in 1879 of 80 vessels, all but five of which were schooner
rigged, the balance being sloops. The combined measurement of this fleet, with the exception of
four vessels the tonnage of which was not ascertained, was l,105i tons. The tonnage of each ves-
sel ranged from about 5 to 45 tons. Two vessels were under 5 tons; thirty-six between 5 and 10
tons; thirty-five between 10 and 20 tons; three between 20 and 30 tons; two between 30 and 40
tons; and four between 40 and 45 tons. The total value of the vessels of the fleet was $151,350.
The crews numbered most commonly either five, seven, nine, or eleven men each ; the total number
of men in the combined crews of the entire fleet was seven hundred and forty-four. The majority
824 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
of these were Americans and a large percentage negroes ; the remainder were either from the
British West Indies or of unknown origin. In addition to the vessels described above, there are
many small boats which fish for sponges about the reefs.
The Key West vessels are divided into two distinct fleets, one called the "Bay Fleet" being
composed of the larger vessels that cruise on that part of the coast lying between Anclote Keys
and Saint Mark's, and the other called the "Keef Fleet" consisting entirely of the smaller vessels
that gather sponges on the reefs from Key West to Cape Florida. The vessels of the bay fleet
are gone from home from one to three months according to their capacity and the success of their
cruise, while those of the reef fleet are absent from one to two weeks only.
The bay fleet vessels send out two men with each dingy, one to scull and one to hook the
sponges, but those fishing ou the reefs assign only one man to a dingy, and he can easily manage
both the sculling and the hooking as the reef areas are smooth, clear, and shoal, and the currents
not strong.
THE APALACHIOOLA FLEET. — The vessels engaged in the sponge fishery from this port are
all of small size and light draught, and are mostly schooner-rigged in the ordinary American
style. Many of them were formerly owned in Pensacola or New Orleans, where they were prob-
ably built, while others were built up from large ship's boats, and small yachts.
Taken as a class they are rough and homely, and rather poor sailers, thus contrasting
strongly with the Key West fleet. The total number of vessels in the Apalachicola fleet in 1879
was sixteen, one being sloop-rigged, the remainder schooner-rigged; they ranged in size from 5|
to 36i tons, the total measurement amounting to 154f tons. The combined crews numbered 84
men.
In addition to this fleet of vessels there were a few small open boats engaged in sponging
from Apalachicola, which were not entered upon the custom-house books. The estimated value
of the sixteen vessels of the regular sponging fleet was $10,700, or at the rate of about $71.30 per
ton ; and of the small open boats about $800. The outfit of these sponging vessels consisted of
some forty diugies (two or three to each vessel), valued at $35 each, or $1,400 for the entire num-
ber; and of sponge-hooks and sponge-glasses, estimated to be worth about $100. The total
amount of capital iuvested in the sponge industry at Apalachicola in 1879 was, therefore, about
$13,000.
4. METHOD OF CONDUCTING THE SPONGE FISHERY.
GENERAL ACCOUNT, INCLUDING KEY WEST. — The Florida sponge fishery may be carried
on throughout nearly the entire year, providing the weather continues favorable. The principal
season for work is from May or June until the last of August, for during that period the water is
generally smoother and clearer than at other periods; but it sometimes happens that the best
conditions of water occur in winter, and at such times the fishery can be conducted with great
success. The winter sponge fishery, when it can be carried on continuously, is said to be even
more profitable than the summer, for the fishermen claim that sponges average larger in the
winter than in the summer, though they cannot account for the fact. Decomposition does not
begin in cold weather for three or four days after the sponges are taken. During the usually
stormy months of September, October, and March, nearly all the vessels are laid up, for the
owners, being unable to insure them, are unwilling to risk them off the coast for such long
periods when heavy gales may spring up at any time.
At the commencement of a fishing season, the owners of vessels appoint their captains, who,
iu turn, select their crews. As soon as the crew ami outfit of a vessel are ready, it sails from port
THE SPOXCJIC FISIIKKY. 825
and in from oue to three days is on the fishing-ground and at work. The cook remains on board,
keeps the vessel under way, and prepares the meals, while the spongers pair oft' into the dingies.
Of the two meu who occupy each dingy, one is called the "sculler," and the, other the "hooker.''
The former stands in the stern of the boat and sculls it slowly and steadily forward, being pre-
pared to stop it and hold it exactly in place at a moment's notice from the "hooker," or "bow-
man," who kneels down amidships, or at the bow, with the upper half of his body projecting over
the side. The duty of the latter is to scan the bottom, and, as soon as a sponge of sufficient value
comes into view, to fasten into it by means of his long sponge-hook, a ml bring it to the surface.
It is very evident that both "sculler" and "hooker" must be men of considerable experience and
dexterity in their respective occupations, in order to work together advantageously. The instant
a sponge is sighted, the boat must stop, and without a moment's delay the hooked pole must be
plunged downwards, sometimes to a depth of 25 to 35 feet, with sufficient accuracy to pierce an
object which at the most is only a few inches in diameter. As might be expected, the task of
hooking sponges is rendered much more difficult, when, as frequently happens, the water is rough
or clouded by sediment. To make his position more comfortable and prevent sores and blisters,
the hooker ties sponges about his knees where they would come in contact with the bottom of the
boat, and also across his chest to raise it above the rail. His posture is an exceedingly tiresome
oue, lying as he does with his head and shoulders over the rail, and he must retain it all day.
Formerly, when sponges were collected only in shallow water, no difficulty was experienced in
detecting them with the unaided eye, but of late years, since they have been gathered most abun-
dantly in depths of 20 to 35 feet, it has become necessary to make use of the sponge-glass already
described. The " hooker," wearing the handle of this rude glass about his neck, has both hands
left free, when he wishes to use the pole, which his companion first hands to him, having started
it over the side of the boat. In addition to his skill in detecting a small object on the bottom,
and bringing it to the surface, he must be able to tell at sight whether it is a valuable sponge or
not; and if not, pass it by. Some sponges grow so firmly attached to tbe bottom that it is almost
impossible to pull them off with the hook. Instances are cited where the hooker, in his strenuous
efforts f-o loosen such a specimen from the bottom, has actually pulled the bow of his boat under
the water and caused it to partially fill. Sheepswool sponges are said to be the most difficult to
detach, and yellow sponges the easiest of those growing in moderate depths of water. When a
small sponge, attached to a large one is taken, it is pulled off and thrown back. These sponges
are said not to attach themselves again but to remain loose at the bottom, and to be rolled about by
the movement of the water. When they are. again taken, showing no point of attachment, they
are called "rolling Johns.'' Tbe useful sponges taken by the fishermen are the so-called sheeps-
wool, boat, yellow, grass, and glove sponges; and the worthless ones which they sometimes hook,
are termed by them " loggerhead," " bastard sheepswool," bastard yellow," and " finger sponge."
The gathering of sponges from the depths in which the fishery is now mainly carried on, on
the west coast of Florida, is very hard work, and only the strongest and most skillful men can
succeed. Capt. Ben Pearson, of the schooner Champion, and others, state that they hook up
the sponges from 30 and 30 feet of water. When working in such depths as these, they have to
contend with stronger currents and rougher water than in shoaler localities, and in addition there
is the unwieldiness of so long a pole. Sponges from those depths are, however, superior in
quality to those from inshore.
Collecting goes on at all times when the water is smooth and clear — conditions not always met
with. Some of the Key West spongers have partially removed the inconveniences of rough water
by distributing oil over the surface, and are thus enabled to work more continuously. A tea-
826 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES
spoonful of oil, it is said, will produce a smooth surface for as long a time as a small boat cares
to work iu one spot. Shark oil is considered the best for this purpose, though no reason for it is
given. In summer many Key West people kill the nurse-shark and try out the liver for this oil,
which sells at $1 a gallon. During the day the dingies work steadily along the reefs, picking up
sponges here and there, until dinner-time or night arrives, when they return to the vessel. When
on the spongiug-grouuds the men breakfast at daylight, and soon after are in their boats, pre-
pared for work. At dinner-time — 12 o'clock — the cook blows a horn to recall them, and after a
short rest the work continues until sunset. Should a boat wish to regain its vessel at any other
time, in order to leave sponges, an osrr is hoisted blade up as a signal, whereupon the cook sails
the vessel to that vicinity. As soon as the sponges are brought on board, they are spread care-
fully over the deck of the vessel in their natural upright position, so as to allow the slimy
matter, called "gurry" by the spongers, to run off easily. During the first stages of decomposi-
tion they smell strongly of ammonia, and are extremely noxious to most persons unaccustomed to
the odor. Later the ammonia scent disappears, leaving a stronger one very similar to that of
decaying seaweeds. The fishermen say that after having endured this stench for a few days they
do not notice it at all.
Some of the larger of the sponging-fleet remain at anchor on the "grounds" through the
night, but the majority run inshore, a distance of 10 or 15 miles.
It is the general custom among them to go to the place for curing their catch every Friday
night, carrying with them the results of a week's work. Each vessel has one or more crawls
(an inclosure of stakes 8 or 10 feet square, situated in water 2 or 3 feet deep) at the rendezvous.
A small island, called Rock Island, located a short distance southeast of Saint Mark's River, and
near the spoiigiug-grouuds, is the principal place for these crawls and is visited by both Key West
and Apalachicola vessels. The latter have a number of crawls near the Saint Mark's light-house,
and the former have them scattered all along the coast from Rock Island to the Anclote Keys.
Many of the reef fleet have their crawls at Key West and cure the sponges at home.
The Saturdays are passed in depositing the past week's catch, and cleansing the deposit of
the week before. Sponges as kept on deck will generally die and lose the greater part of their
gelatinous matter in one or two days; therefore, when thrown into the crawls, the chief part of
the curing to be done is the removal of the outside skin or covering. In cold weather they live
much longer than when it is warm, and it is sometimes difficult to cure them properly iu winter.
Vessels at Rock Island have sometimes been unable to cure their catch there and have brought
them all home to die and then be cured.
In summer, and when they are dead at the time they are placed in the crawl, the week's
soaking that they undergo softens all the remaining slime and skin they contain, and a little
squeezing and beating with a short, heavy stick, called a "bruiser," suffices to cleanse them per-
fectly. They are squeezed as dry as possible and thrown into a (iingy, to be strung on rope-yarns
6 feet long, in the form of bunches, which are first strung up to allow the sponges to bleach
and dry, and afterwards stowed iu the hold. As soon as dry they are in condition to sell to the
wholesale merchants of Key West and Apalachicola.
When vessels have crawls iu company and employ a watchman, the cured sponges are left
ashore until they are ready to start home, otherwise they are carried in the hold. Until within a
year or two a watchman for the crawls was not considered necessary, but so much thieving was
done that the spongers were finally obliged to resort to this method of protection. Each vessel
pays her share towards the watchman's expenses and wages.
Sponging-vessels spend from one to two months on a trip, the state of the weather and the
THE SPONGE FISHERY. 827
amount of provisions on board influencing their stay on tbe "grounds." The results of the trips
vary quite as much as with other lishing-vessels, fair winds, clear water, experience, and skill, all
being indispensable to success. On some trips hardly enough sponges arc secured to pay expenses;
on others the men's shares amount to fair wages, and again they will share several hundred dollars
for four to six weeks' work. On an average they make rather more than almost any other class of
fishermen.
The share an aiigements are as follows : On Apalachicola vessels, the owners of vessels furnish
the whole outfit, pay one-third of the provision bill, and receive one-third of the net proceeds of
the trip, leaving the crew to pay two thirds of the provision bill and to share two thirds of the net
proceeds. \Ybeu the members of the crew are not equally experienced and expert, the best men,
such as the captain, cook, and the "hookers'' draw whole shares and the others half or three-
quarters of a share each. The captain usually receives additional remuneration from the owners.
On Key West vessels the owners furnish thecomplete outfit including provisions, and take one-half of
the. result of the trip, thus leaving a clear half to be divided equally among the crew. The captains
are paid a certain commission by the owners. As an illustration of the profits sometimes made in
this fishery it may not be out of place to mention here one or two successful trips. During the
winter of 1S79-'80, the schooner Competitor, of Key West, of 44 tons, carrying about eighteen
men, made a trip of eight weeks and stocked $4,200. The same season the schooner Lone Star,
of Key West, 15 tons, carrying seven men, made a six or seven weeks' trip, and stocked $1,935,
and many others did quite as well. During the month of January, 1880, the spongers had unprec-
edented success having brought in large loads of line deep-water sponges that sold for two dollars
and more per pound for the best quality (sheepswool) ; before that, the average price had been one
dollar per pound for the first quality.
As soon as a vessel arrives in port with a catch the sponges are carried on shore and piled on
the wharf, each variety or quality by itself. At Apalachicola, where theie is but one dealer, they
are inspected and purchased at any time during the day that is most convenient to him, but at
Key West, where there are several dealers, there are certain times for inspecting and other times
for buying these lots. During the forenoon the dealers examine them carefully, and cleverly esti-
mate their worth by eye and touch in handling them. They are so expert that they can correctly
judge the weight of a bunch of sponges by lifting it, and know perfectly the value of textures by
sight ; it is remarkable to see the accurate judgment of several of the largest purchasers. A choice
lot beiug offered, each party separately examines it and makes a bid, and very often a party of
three or more purchasers will not vary ten pounds in a lot of several hundred pounds, and the
amounts offered will not vary five dollars. As they go over the lots they place a value upon them
of which they keep a record on paper. During the afternoon when all the spongers are on shore
for the day. a man sells them at auction, lot by lot, to those whose papers show the highest bids.
Cash is paid at once, and the crews are not delayed in getting their shares, but are able to start
off' on another trip in about a week from the time of their arrival.
The principal varieties sold in these markets are called " sheepswool," " yellow," and " grass '.
sponges. The " sheepswool " sponge is the best quality ; its texture is fine, soft, and very strong,
and it sells for from $1.25 to $3 per pound, the average price being about $1.75 per pound for
the best quality. The "yellow" spouge is of fine but not strong texture, and is not so soft and
durable as the variety just named. It sells for 25, 30, or 40 cents per pound. The " grass" sponge is
of very fine and hard texture, but is not durable and is usually so irregular in shape that it is torn
easily. It does not sell for any set price per pound, and the few that come to market are sold by
828 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
the lot at a price that would not exceed 8 or 12 cents per pound. A few of the small velvet
sponges are obtained and sold for a high price.
As the buyers of sponges require them to be very dry when buying by the pound, and as they
are not always landed in that condition, a price per bunch is sometimes agreed upon. The
bunches weigh from one-half to one pound each, and the price varies considerably, depending
upon the quality, size, and success in cleaning and bleaching. It is the buyer's intention to
obtain a pound of sponges in this way for less than when buying by the pound. There is supposed
to be a difference of about 10 ceuts per pound in favor of the buyer when sold by the bunch, in
the case of the best qualities. Several thousand dollars were paid out weekly for sponges in 1879.
Twenty-two thousand dollars cash were paid for sponges during two weeks in June of that year,
and the sponge trade of Key West from January 1 to March 1, 1879, amounted to $76,500.
The dealers of both Apalachicola and Key West buy for wholesale firms of New York and
receive a commission as compensation. They are kept informed of the state of the New York
market, and make their bids accordingly. The packing-houses are roomy and dry buildings, where
large quantities of sponges can be hung up and kept dry. As soon as a lot of them is taken
in, they are put through a process called " liming," that is to say, they are dipped in a weak solu-
tion of lime and sea-water, after which they are hung up out of doors to dry. Then they are
stored away in the loft until needed.
The "liming" gives sponges a bright yellow color which adds to their value, but when not
properly clone, as by the excessive use of lime, the tissues are injured and the sponges become
rotten and worthless. There is no doubt that even a little lime injures a sponge, and any con-
siderable quantity adds greatly to its weight.
They are not " limed " at Apalachicola because the fresh water of that vicinity has a bad
effect upon them ; consequently it is not uncommon that quantities from that place are reshipped
from New York to Key West simply to be " limed." As soon as " limed" they are laid out to dry,
and they must be thoroughly dried, for if left together damp they soon become ruined. Long
•spells of rainy weather sometimes cause the dealer to lose thousands of dollars' worth of sponges,
for they become damp, turn red, and finally decay; but now some of the dealers have lofts, or
upper stories to their houses, where sponges can be hung up and kept dry in all weather. For
convenience in handling, the sponges are strung in bunches; otherwise such large quantities could
not be managed as they are.
After this process is completed sponges are trimmed, sorted, and packed. Preparatory to
being trimmed, boys beat them with mallets so as to remove all particles of stone, shells, or other
hard substances that would dull the shears. The trimming is done with sheep-shears, and all the
uneven parts and ragged edges are cut off. After this an experienced man sorts out each variety
and quality, weighing them in large crockery-crates in lots of 100 or 120 pounds each. These lots
are then placed under a hydraulic press and formed into compact bales, measuring about 30 inches
long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches thick, which are covered with bagging and corded securely.
In this form they go to the wholesale dealers of the country. The " trimmings " of the sponges
are saved, and when a sufficient quantity has accumulated, are baled up in the same manner as
the others, and shipped to New York to be used in upholstery work.
The sponge trade has steadily increased since it was first started, and at present constitutes a
large business. During 1879, not as much was done as in 1878, because of the unusually boisterous
winter, and the so-called poisoned water, which destroyed a great many sponges about the " reefs"
which the reef fleet would have brought in ; 1880 was also considered a poor year, as the total
THE Sl'ONGE FISHERY. 829
salt's at Key West aniounti'il to only about $180,000, while the average auuual sales have been
about $200,000.
APALACHICOLA. — The crawls of the Apalaehicola spongers were, until 1880, mostly located
on Rock Island, a small island situated 17 miles southeast of Saint Mark's light-house mid about
2 miles from the main-land.
In 1880, trouble arising between the spongers of Apalachicola and those of Ocklockony, the
former built new crawls in the immediate vicinity of Saint Mark's light-house, but they still resort
to their old crawls to some extent.
In 1879 there was but one dealer in sponges at Apalachicola, who sold entirely to New York
parries. After purchasing from the vessels, the sponges are strung on cords and hung iu the sun-
shine until perfectly dry, after which they are transferred to the packing-room, cleaned of the
small fragments of coral-rock adhering to them, and then trimmed as at Key West. The sheeps-
wool sponges are graded according to size, into large, medium, and small, but all sizes of yellow
sponges are packed and shipped together. The method of weighing, pressing, and baling is the
same as that practiced at Key West. The dimensions of the bales are about 30 inches by 18
inches by 18 inches, and their weight from 80 to 125 pounds. The clippings are treated in the same
manner.
The prices paid to the fishermen for sponges in 1879 was from $1 to $1.10 per pound for sheeps-
wool, and from 130 to 30 cents per pound for yellow. The total catch of the Apalachicola fleet for
1879, was estimated as follows : 18,000 pounds of sheepswool sponges, worth $18,000 ; 8,000 pounds
of yellow sponges, worth $2,000; total value, $20,000.
The Apalachicola fishermen have carried on the sponge fishery to this extent for only about
four years. When this fishery was first started only a few small boats owned iu Apalachicola
engaged iu it, but the number of vessels and men increased from year to year until about four
years ago, when the fleet reached its present size. Although no record of the amount of sponges
taken during the past four or five years has been kept, the catch for 1879, which was somewhat
under that for the year or two previous, is supposed to have been an average one.
CEDAR KEYS. — Although situated close to valuable sponge-grounds, and favorably located
for engaging in the sponge fishery and trade, nothing- of any importance has yet been attempted
in this line from Cedar Keys. The summer of 1879 was the first in which sponges were sold at
that place. A small schooner of 5i tons, with a crew of five men, made one or two trips that
season between Cedar Keys and Tampa Bay, and a few other lots were brought in, the entire
amount probably not exceeding 1,000 pounds.
SATNT MAIZK'S. — While this place is not directly interested in the sponge fishery it furnishes
a few men to the Apalachicola fleet. Sponges occur at the month of Saint Mark's River, and on
either side of it, at distances of not more than 15 to 20 miles from town, and could be easily
obtained. At the light-house there is a sponge-crawl, used, in 1880, by Apalachicola vessels.
Previously their sponges had been cleaned every year at Rock Island, but in 1880 trouble arose,
between the men of the Apalachicola fleet and those of the Ocklockony, with respect to the watch-
men employed at that place, whose fees for service were paid at the rate of $2 for every dingy or 81
.for every fisherman, the cook being exempt. The dispute resulted in the Apalachicola fleet resort-
ing to the mouth of Saint Mark's River, where no other watch was needed than that volunteered by
the light-house keeper. After the sponges had been macerated and cleansed in the water, they were
spread out on the ground about the light-house, and left until thoroughly dry, when they were
stored in the holds of the vessels. No frames are used for drying the sponges, either at Saint
Mark's light-house or at Rock Island.
830 HISTOEY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES.
5. ORIGIN OF THE FLORIDA SPONGE FISHERY.
Mr. Silas Stearns furnishes the following historical sketch of the Florida sponge fishery :
Prior to 1850 all of the sponges used in the United States came either from the Mediterranean
Sea or the Bahama Islands, but about that time attention was first called to the abundant sponge
growths occurring on the reefs of South Florida. The people of Key West had used these sponges
for many years in their houses and about their boats, but considered them of little or no
commercial value, and did not discriminate between the different varieties. In or about the year
1852, specimens of the most durable variety of Florida sponges, the so-called "sheepswool",
were secured and prepared for market, and were found to compare very favorably with many of
the Mediterranean grades. After this, the Key West firms of Samuel Kemp & Sous and Brown'
& Curry bought all the sponges brought in at the rate of 10 cents per pound. At first the busi-
ness was little understood, and, from want of capital, the proper vessels, and working gear, it
advanced but slowly. As foreign sponges became more costly, however, the demand for Florida
sponges rapidly increased, and the profits became so tempting as to induce the Key West merchants
to engage in the business much more extensively than before. Key West was nearer the sponge-
grounds than any other moneyed city of the Gulf Coast, and moreover, its people were, as a class,
accustomed to a sea-faring life. It was natural, therefore, that it should take the lead in the
Florida sponge fishery, and year after year they have added to their fleet of sponging vessels, and
to the number of their packing-houses, until now the business has assumed large proportions, and
has become a source of great profit to the Key West merchants.
About the year 1870, Apalachieola first sent out several vessels to gather sponges, in conse-
quence of the discovery of rich sponge-grounds between Saint Mark's and Cedar Keys. Before
that time sponging had been entirely confined to the neighborhood of the Florida reefs. The
discovery of this section and of a similar one between Cedar Keys and Anclote Keys gave a new
impetus to the industry, for it was found that a greater quantity of a superior quality of sponges
could be obtained from these regions by the same means employed about Key West, and the
longer distance to be traveled by the Apalachieola vessels was not regarded as an important
obstacle to the trade.
6. THE DANGERS OF OVERFISHING; ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF SPONGES.
DANGER OP EXHAUSTING THE SPONGE-GROUNDS. — More than 75 per cent, in value of all
the Florida sponges marketed are of the finest or sheepswool variety. Formerly only the larger
specimens of the sheepswool sponges were taken by the fishermen, but when, from overfishiug,
the supply of large sponges became greatly diminished on the grounds then being worked, they
began to bring in every size, down to the very smallest that could be sold, and a much larger
quantity of the small and inferior specimens are now seen in the markets. Notwithstanding this
indiscriminate fishing the annual yield has not increased during the past four or five years, and
the receipts at the New York market have continued about the same. This condition of affairs,
unless the facts have been overstated, does not promise well for the future of the Florida sponge
fishery, and we can but hope that steps will be taken to thoroughly investigate the subject with
the view of preventing, if need be, the destruction of so valuable an industry. The sponge, like
the oyster, is a stationary animal, and is also restricted in its distribution to certain limited areas,
which are favorable to its growth. The supply is entirely dependent upon the yield of these
few grounds, and is in no way influenced by migrations from without. This renders it possible for
a sutliciently large fishing fleet to completely exhaust the supply in a comparatively short time,
TIIK SPONCE FISHERY. 831
although it is doubtful it' tin- regular fleet is yet extensive enough to accomplish such a result.
A scheme to provide for a rotation iu the grounds fished over, from year to year, would appear to
otter the best methods of preserving the supply, and might be easily arranged. In this manner
each section would be allowed a certain period (the number of years to be determined by experi-
ment) in which to recover its growth, and the danger of permanent injury would be avoided.
Such a course is pursued in connection with many of the oyster-banks of the Connecticut coast,
with most beneficial results.
It is claimed that some of the Key West buyers have encouraged the spongers in their indis-
criminate fishing, and that they are largely to blame for the inferior character of much of the pres-
ent supply. In an editorial, iu one of its issues for 1880, the "Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter", of
New York, published the following remarks upon this subject:
" The medium and large sponges therefore bring considerably advanced prices, while the small
ones are more or less a loss to the merchant. These irregular sizes have led to frauds in packing,
it being a common practice with many to 'top off' their bales with good sizes, and make up the,
bulk with small ones. Thus an annoying evil has grown into the trade, despite the strenuous
cHbrts of the honest dealers to prevent it; but still more serious results seeni to promise for the
future, in the entire exhaustion of these fisheries, which have hitherto afforded a field for an im-
portant industry. It is evident that the constant scouring of the reefs will have the same effect
upon them that would occur to oyster beds if they were constantly dredged, or upon game pre-
serves ii they were not protected for certain periods each year from the ravages of the sportsman.''
Natural causes sometimes occasion great injury to the sponge-grounds, as in the case of the
so-called " Poisoned waters," which, although occurring at irregular and generally long intervals,
appear to destroy nearly every living thing in the area within their influence. Not only are the
free-swimming fishes thus affected, but also all the lower forms of life, attached to or growing upon
the bottom. According to Mr. Ernest Ingersoll, this plague was severely felt in 1844, 1854, 1878,
and 1880, and also occurred to some extent iu the intervening periods. Several theories have
been advanced to account for its appearance. Some think it is due to the overflow of swamp waters
from the mainland, but others trace its origin to subterranean causes of volcanic origin, giving
rise to poisonous gases, which ascend and pollute the waters. The latter belief is strengthened by
the fact that the poisoned waters of 1878 and 1880 were immediately preceded by earthquake
shocks, felt throughout the southwestern part of Florida. Mr. Ingersoll's account of the fatality in
1878, so far as concerns the sponges, is as follows :
"The earliest indication of it was the floating up of vast quantities of dead sponges, chiefly
' loggerheads.' All of those seen by Mr. Brady were less than 40 miles north of Key West, in what
is known as 'The Bay,' nor has anything of the sort been seen at any time outside (/. «?., south-
ward or eastward) of the Florida Reefs; but it was soon discovered that all the hitherto profitable-
sponging-grounds lying off the coast as far north nearly as Cedar Keys, and particularly off the
Anclotes, had been ruined. These grounds are only now beginning to show signs of reproductive
ness in sponges. The abandonment of these spouging-grounds from the reefs to Cedar Keys, dur-
ing the three or four years following this attack, entails a loss which it is hard to estimate, because
partially compensated in the increased price of the article in the market, due to its consequent
scarcity; and because at all times the product there is an uncertain quantity; but I hazard the
opinion that $100,000 would not repair the damage to this business interest alone. Had it not
been for the fortunate discovery just at that time of the sponge tracts off Rock Island, northward
of the Snwauee River, almost a famine in this article would have ensued."
832 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
THE ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF SPONGES.
The threatened depletion of portions of the Florida sponge-grounds by overflshing has
suggested the interesting problem as to whether sponges might not be propagated artificially,
with as much success as has been attained with respect to many species of edible fishes. In
the Adriatic Sea of Southern Europe, where the finest grades of sponges are obtained, successful
experiments in this direction were carried on from 1863 to 1872, and the conclusion was reached
that sponges could be profitably cultivated, though only after a considerable outlay in the begin-
ning. The results tended to prove that about seven jears were required for a small fragment or
cutting of sponge, measuring about 1 or 2 cubic inches, to attain a marketable size, and that,
therefore, during the first seven years of such an enterprise, there must be a continued expendi-
ture of money, with no returns. On the other hand, the Florida fishermen have contended that
the Florida sponges gfow much more rapidly and reach a fair size within a comparatively short
period. Recent experiments, made since this report was first written, have confirmed these sur-
mises of the fishermen, and have proved almost beyond question the practicability of sponge
culture on the Florida coast.
SPONGE CULTURE IN FLORIDA. — The first trials were made at Key West, by the agent of
Messrs. McKesson & Robbius, sponge dealers of New York, who have recently contributed to the
U. S. National Museum four specimens of the sheepswool variety showing the first i'ruit of this
important work. We have not been able to obtain a detailed report of these experiments, but
from a letter written at Key West, and kindly furnished by Messrs. McKesson & Robbins, the
following brief account has been prepared :
The sponges were all raised from cuttings; the localities in which they were planted were
not the most favorable for sponge development, and their growth was, therefore, less rapid and
perfect than might otherwise have been the case. They were fastened to the bottom, in a depth of
about 2£ feet of water, by means of wires or sticks running through them. The four specimens
sent to Washington were allowed to remain down a period of about six months before they were
removed. Fully four mouths elapsed before they recovered from the injury done them in the cutting,
which removes the outer " skin " along the edges of the section, and the actual growth exhibited
was for about two months only. The original height of each of the cuttings was about 2£ inches.
One was planted in a cove or bight, where there was little or no current, and its increase in size
was very slight. The other specimens were placed in tide-ways, and have grown to from four to
six times their former bulk. Two hundred and sixteen specimens in all were planted at the same
date, and at the last accounts those that remained were doing finely.
The chief obstacle to the artificial cultivation of sponges at Key West arises from the fact that
the sponge fishermen infest every part of the region where sponges are likely to grow, and there is
no legal protection for the would-be culturist against intruders. The enactment of judicious laws
bearing upon this subject by the State of Florida, or the granting of special privileges conferring
the right to occupy certain prescribed areas for sponge propagation, would undoubtedly tend to
increase the annual production of this important fishery.
SPONGE CULTURE IN EUROPE. — The experiments in the Adriatic Sea were carried on by Mr.
Buccich at the island of Lesina, on the coast of Dalmatia, and the results obtained were embodied
in a report by Dr. Ernil von Marenzeller, published in Vienna in 1878.* This report is so impor-
tant and contains so many valuable suggestions that might be utilized in connection with future
* Die Aiifziicljt des Badeschwamrnes ana Theilaliickeu.
TIM; si'oNci: KISIIKUY. 833
experiments on the coast of Florida, thai we reproduce here certain portions of it, which have
been translated by Mr. Ilerinan Jacobson.
•' After Prof. (>. Schmidt, in an article in the \Vi< nt r /,'i/nni/, and in His work on the s]>ouges
of the Adriatic, * had expressed the opinion ' that if a perfectly fresh sponge is cut into suitable
pieces, and if these pieces, properly protected, are again placed in the sea, they will grow, and
finally develop into complete s[ ges,' the government and a number of prominent merchants of
Trieste had some experiments made during ISii.j-lSTti, and established a station on the bay of Soco-
li//a, at the northeastern point of the island of Lesina, which in May, 1807, was placed under the
direction of Mr. Buecich. This establishment was closed in November, 1872, as its continuance
became impossible, because, in spite of Mr. Buccich's oral and written remonstrances, it was con-
tinually disturbed by the fishing-nets and was actually robbed several times. A species of worm
which destroyed the wood-work appeared harmless compared to the hostile attitude of the popu-
lation, which showed an utter want of respect for the property of other persons, and manifested
deep-rooted prejudices against any innovations, as well as a reluctance to break with old habits.
" The most favorable season for raising sponges from cuttings is winter. It is true that the
growth of the sponge and the, new formations on the cut sides goes on slower in winter than in
summer, but a high temperature of the air often endangers the entire crop on account of the tend-
ency of the sponges to rot. In winter a sponge may remain on the dry land for several hours,
while in summer it will perish in a few minutes especially if it has been injured and if it is uotcon-
stautly moistened with sea water. Mr. Buecich exposed sponge cuttings to the air in a shady
place for eight hours during February, when the temperature of the air was 48° K, and still they
all took root.
•• The best localities are bays where the waves are not too strong, but where the surface
is not entirely smooth either, with a rocky bottom covered with green alg;e and exposed to a gentle
current. It is a well-established principle that the mouths of streams and rivers and of subterra-
nean springs should be avoided. The fresh color of the alga? is a sure indication that the choice
of locality has been fortunate. The worst enemy of sponge culture is mud. Under certain circum-
stances it would be well to close the entrance to the bay to vessels by a chain.
"The sponges which are to be cut should be very carefully gathered by experienced persons. "
* * * The sponges are brought up either with their base — and this is the most favorable
way — or they must be torn from the base, which operation frequently tends to injure them.
In gathering sponges for cutting it is entirely unnecessary to select nice-looking speci-
mens, for misshaped pieces which would be worthless in trade are just as good for this purpose as
beautifully rounded ones. These latter should not be cut, but should be reserved for the trade.
Mr. Buecich found that it was not expedient to place the sponges, as they were gradu-
ally gathered, into a vessel, to keep them there until they were to be cut, because they are easily
injured by pressing against each other or by being shaken too violently. He therefore provision-
ally fastens them with wooden pegs to the inner side of a sort of fish-box, which is held in tow by
the fishing-boat. If the sponges are injured, the injured portions should be immediately removed;
the remainder is likewise fastened with wooden pegs, either as it is, or subdivided into large
pieces.
" When the temperature is low during the cold season, the sponges can be prepared for rais-
ing as soon as the place is reached where the process is to be carried on, while during the warm
• •• liit Spi adriatischen Steeres," Lrip/.i;;. tsi;-.'. p. •>>. Sec, also 0. Schmidt. " *iiji/il< mriit I/IT Spongien
rft- utlrialii.i'li,ii )/i i )•(•,«," Leipzig, lrU4, p. 'J4 : :uid especially, Bix-hui, "Thierlcben," 2d edition, vol. 10, Lower Animals,
by O. Schmidt, 1-T-. p. ,">:J4.
834 HISTOKY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
season it will be found profitable to wait a little iu order to see whether there are any indications
of putrefaction. This can be recognized by the darker color and the softening of the respective
portions. If anything of the kind is noticed, the sponge should be watched to see to what extent the
process of disintegration has progressed. Small sponges will almost entirely fall a prey to it,
while in large ones the evil may be confined within certain limits. The cutting should be done
rapidly either with a common knife or — as Mr. Buccich found more advantageous — with a blade
resembling a flue saw, which is less liable to be injured by the many foreign bodies inclosed iu
sponges. In cutting, the sponge had best be laid on a small board moistened with sea-water.
The size of the cuttings is generally about i'O square millimeters. It is well if every piece has as
large a surface as possible of intact outer skin. The cuttings should be fastened immediately
to those objects where they are expected to grow.
"A healthy piece of sponge soon grows firmly on any object with which it is brought in close
contact. Sponges which have been cut will again grow together. Those cuttings which have
only a single cut surface will soonest grow fast to their new base, stone, wood, &c. Mr. Buccich
thinks that during a calm lasting twenty -four consecutive hours, cuttings could simply be sowed
on a rocky bottom and would soon grow. lie has seen pieces laid on gently slanting rocks grow
fast to them during a perfect calm. Induced thereby, and also by the natural occurrence of
sponges, Mr. Buccich tried flag-stones, about 53 millimeters thick, as a basis. He bored holes in
them and fastened the cuttings by means of wooden pegs, which were driven into the holes; but
it soon became apparent that the mud and sand of the bottom, perhaps also the excess of light,
were injurious to the further growth of the sponges. Experience has shown that light and mud
are among the worst enemies of the sponge, and their influence must be avoided or limited by every
possible means. Stones form the natural basis of sponges; they are cheap and are not attacked
by the Teredo.
li Originally, Prof. O. Schmidt used wooden boxes closed on all sides but perforated, to whose
inner sides the pieces of sponge were fastened with metal or wooden pegs. This exceedingly
simple arrangement did not prove efficient; because the boxes when let down into the deep water
became full of mud, and the holes being stopped up no light whatever could enter. The sponges
began to look pale and sickly. It is not good to fasten them with metal pegs, for it seemed to
retard their growth. The rust which forms very soon causes the pieces of sponge to become loose,
and will ultimately destroy them. Laths or boards placed obliquely, on whose upper side there were
floating contrivances in the shape of tables, to the lower side of which the sponges were fastened,
were likewise used. "With the former, the want of covering was keenly felt, and with the latter,
the rays of the sun proved injurious, as well as all the different little objects floating on the sur-
face of the water which may be grouped together under the collective name 'dirt.' Mr. Buccich
at first prepared an apparatus consisting of two boards crossing each other at right angles with
a third board serving as a sort of lid, and after this had proved unsatisfactory he adopted the
apparatus which 1 shall now describe, and which he preferred to all others because the cuttings
were exposed on all sides to the sea-water and assumed the favorite round form. This apparatus
consisted of two boards, 63 centimeters long and 40 centimeters broad, one forming the bottom
and the other the lid. Both were kept in a parallel position, one above the other, at a distance
of about 42 centimeters, by two props about 11 centimeters distant from each other, between
which stones may be placed as ballast. On the outer side of the lid there was a handle. Both
boards had holes at a distance of 12 centimeters from each other,- the total number of holes iu
each board, therefore, being L'4. Mr. Buccich did not fasten the pieces of sponge singly to the
apparatus, but he placed several of them on one peg and then stuck the pegs in the holes. For
Tin: M'ON<,i: KISHKUV. s;jf)
these pegs he used bamboo, \vluisc hard snuiotli hark defies all attacks of worms. These pegs
were 42 centimeters long and perforated horizontally, the holes being at the distance of lli ecu
timeters from each other, and the lower end was split. Three pieces of sponge were, put on each
peg and pushed up high enough to lie above the horizontal hojes, through which a wooden peg
was pushed, thus fully securing the sponges.
" If the pieces of sponge are simply to be fastened with wooden pegs, a three-cornered stiletto
will suffice for making the holes in sponges, but when they are to be strung up on pegs this or any
similar instrument cannot be used, because too great a pressure would have to be exercised to
make a sufficiently large opening for the passage of the pegs. A in pressure will injure the
sponges to some degree, and to limit its extent or force as much as possible should be the first object.
^Ir. Buccich bored the holes with a trepan G millimeters wide, fastened to a vertical turning-table,
which was kept in rapid motion by a tly-wheel. One hand pressed the sponge lightly against the
trepan, the other turned the wheel, and the operation was finished in a few seconds. The hole in
this manner is perfectly smooth, none of the fibers have been pulled out, and none of the sarcode
has flowed out. As soon as a peg bas been furnished with sponge-cuttings, its split end is stuck
in one of the holes of the apparatus and a wedge is driven through the crack. As lid and bottom
hold twenty-four pegs, each with three cuttings a piece, such an apparatus can hold one hundred
and forty-four cuttings. During this whole process the sponges should be continually moistened
with sea-water, especially during summer. As soon as an apparatus has been filled, it should
immediately be let down into the water if the temperature is high, while in winter a delay will not
prove injurious. The letting down and raising of the apparatus had best be done by means of a
small anchor, and it should be let down to a depth of 5 to 7 meters. Mr. Buccich does not consider
it necessary to have the apparatus suspended from a sort of scallblding. All the wood-work should
be well tarred, as this will prove the only, though by no means always efficient, protection against
worms. The Teredo does not only cause an increase in the capital to be employed, because it
makes new apparatus necessary from time to time, but it also diminishes the results, because the
pegs will gradually get loose and fall off. It would, therefore, be best to dispense with wood alto-
gether, and either construct the apparatus of stone, taking the necessary precautions against mud
and excess of light, or construct Mr. Buccich's exceedingly practical apparatus of iron.
" If, after three or four weeks, the sponges have grown firmly to their base, they are sure to
develop successfully. Their most characteristic tendency is the desire to grow round. In order
to facilitate this in all directions. Mr. Buccich strung the sponges on pegs. As regards the devel-
opment of the sponge-cuttings within certain given periods, we have only very imperfect informa-
tion, as it was impossible to make continued undisturbed observations. Mr. Buccich says that
the cuttings grow two to three times their original size during the first year. He also mentions
that the cuttings grew better during the first and fourth year than during the second and third.
It is his opinion that, although some pieces will grow to a considerable size in five years, it will
require seven years to raise completely matured sponges winch are tit to become an article of mer-
chandise. I cannot pass by the fact that besides well-developed and growing sponges there were
some which outwardly looked perfectly healthy but had ceased growing.
" In conclusion, Mr. Buccich discusses the question whether the enterprise can, on the whole,
be called profitable, and says that he must answer it in the affirmative. lie thinks that if all the
lessons taught by experience are carefully observed, the cuttings will always develop successfully,
and that the loss would at most be 10 per cent., taking into account unexpected accidents and the
stationary character of some of the sponges. Calculating the expense of an establishment for 5,000
sponges at 300 florins and the loss at 10 per cent., the price realized by 4,500 sponges would indi-
836 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
cate the profits. Mr. Buccich calculates the value of 4,500 spoil ges at 900 florins. This sum is,
in my opinion, much too high, as the wholesale sponge -dealers in Trieste receive an average price
of 8 and a maximum price of 10 florins per kilogram of Dalmatian sponges. Sponges fetching the
price given by Mr. Buccich ought:to have a very considerable size, and their slow growth justifies
the supposition that even after seven years they will not yet have reached that size. It must also
be taken into account that the market value of sponges which have been raised on pegs is one-
third less than that of naturally-grown ones on account of the hole in the center. The profitable-
ness of sponge-culture would be far more evident if there was not such a long interval between
planting and harvesting; in other words, if the sponges would grow more rapidly. This was cer-
tainly looked for when the enterprise was started, but it is dispiriting to have to wait for your
crop for seven long years. And in order that when that period has been reached there may be
crops every year, it will be necessary to invest the same annual amount of capital for a period of
seven years. The apparatus, moreover, is not so simple that every fisherman could easily construct
it himself, for experience has shown that wood, which would be the easiest material for working,
cannot be used on account of the ravages of the Teredo. As far as our present knowledge goes, it
is certain that sponge-culture will not be profitable for poor men, but that it can only be carried
on successfully on a very large scale, either by wealthy individuals or by joint stock companies.
It would be very encouraging to know more concerning the progressive development of the sponge
in its natural condition, and especially to know that this development was just as slow as that of
the cuttings. Prof. O. Schmidt inclined to this opinion. But if it should prove erroneous, it would
be more thau questionable whether it is profitable to cut to pieces a sponge which uncut would
have quicker reached the same size and weight than all the cuttings together in seven .years.
Under such circumstances sponge-culture had better be confined to the transformation of flat and
therefore worthless sponges into round ones, which, though small, would find a ready market.
Possibly several especially misshaped pieces of sponge might b< made to grow together and form
larger and better shaped ones. The experiments made by Cavoliui and those of Mr. Buccich above
mentioned show that there is no difficulty in doing this.''
(c) THE BAHAMA SPONGE FISHERY.
7. THE METHODS OF THE FISHERY.
The Bahama sponge fishery is carried on in very much the same manner as the Florida, the
sponges being procured by means of hooks attached to long poles. Negroes perform most of the
work, and according to all accounts, the Bahama vessels and their outfit are inferior to those
of Key West. The following brief notes made by Dr. Edward Palmer during a recent trip to the
Bahamas were furnished by Prof. Alpheus Hyatt, of Boston, and will be found of interest in con-
nection with the foregoing account of the Florida fishery :
Five hundred or more licensed crafts, of 10 to 25 tons burden each, are engaged in the Bahama
sponge fishery. These boats are mostly schooner-rigged, and carry from two to four yawls a
piece, each of which is manned by two persons, one as sculler, the other as hooker. The sponge-
glasses are square or round, and the sponge-hooks two pronged. The crawls in which the sponges
are macerated are in from C to 10 feet of water and are constructed by driving stakes into the
sand. The sponges are left in them about a week. At the beginning of the, season the owners
select the captains and crews and furnish the outfit, but at the close of each trip they take from
mi: SPONCK FISHERY. 837
the proceeds the cost of tlie outfit and one -third of the remainder, two-thirds being divided among
tlic captain and crew. Formerly the owner of the vessel or the captain sold the sponges, which
for convenience' sake were strung in fathom lengths, by weight. Now, however, the law and usage
require that sponges shall he strung in lengths called strands, each size and grade by itself. The
owners are also obliged to select a person to act as agent for the sale, which is conducted in about
the same manner as at Key \Yest, the bids being made in writing. The agent's tee is taken from
the joint proceeds of the cargo. I'.idders take care in estimating, to deduct enough to cover the
loss or waste in clipping. Nassau is the headquarters of the Bahama, sponge, industry, which is
one of the most important enterprises of those islands. During the arrival of cargoes from the
sponging-grounds and the sales of sponges, everything is excitement. Sponges are graded at
Nassau as sheepswool, velvet, glove, reef, hardhead, yellow, and grass. Of late years many of
the Bahama sponging-vessels have carried on their operations in waters adjacent to the coast of
Cuba, for which they are obliged to pay u license fee to the Spanish authorities.
(<?)THE MEDITERRANEAN SPONGE FISHERY.
8. THE METHODS OF THE FISHERY.
The method of conducting the Mediterranean sponge fishery differs greatly from that prac-
ticed in America, the sponges being mostly obtained from deeper water and by diving. Professor
Hyatt describes the fishery briefly as follows:
"The diver goes either in diving armor or naked. The naked diver is carried down by a
broad Hat stone of marble of about 25 pounds weight, which he holds at arm's length in front of
him, and which he uses to guide his flight, to protect his head when he first strikes, and to keep
him down when he walks on the bottom. Fifteen to twenty fathoms is the average depth 5 but
for depths beyond this up to 40 fathoms which is reached in the Mediterranean, more preparation
is necessary. The man standing naked in the boat, with the greatest earnestness practices infla-
ting his chest to the utmost for about ten minutes, and when the blood is thoroughly oxygenated
by this means, seizes the stone and plunges headlong into the sea. The tremendous pressure of
the water, at the depth of even 15 fathoms, is such as to cause bleeding at the nose and month when
divers first begin the season; and only the most expert attempt greater depths. Two minutes is
the usual duration of the dive, and three and a half the utmost extent of endurance. The skin of
the shoulders is, in habitual divers, burnt off by the action of the sun and salt water; -and the hair
is of a greenish or greenish-brown during the height of the summer, returning to the natural black
only in (lie winter time after diving has ceased to be profitable." Each diver has a net bag hang-
ing down in front, and held in place by a cord extending around the neck. Into this he puts the
sponges as lie pulls them from the bottom, and when it is full or before, in case he has remained
too long upon the bottom, he jerks the rope and is quickly pulled to the surface. A dredge con-
sisting of a rectangular iron frame with a net bag behind it, something like the naturalist's dredge,
is also used for procuring the deeper water Mediterranean sponges. In shallow water Mediterra-
nean sponges are sometimes taken with a. hooked pole as in Florida, but all the sponges growing
in such localities are of a coarse and inferior character. "The Mediterranean sponges are prepared
with greater care than ours, being beaten or trodden out after the killing, and not allowed to take
care of themselves at all."
838
HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
(<•) THE SPONGE TRADE.
9. CHARACTER AND EXTENT OF THE NEW YORK SPONGE TRADE.
New York City is the principal port of entry in this country for all sponges, both foreign and
domestic. A few other places receive small quantities of foreign sponges from time to time, gen-
erally brought in by sea-captains on private speculation, but all the regular importing and receiv-
ing houses are located in New York. The other ports which receive occasional supplies of foreign
sponges are, according to the custom-hoitse records, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans,
and San Francisco. The same records show that during the past sixteen years the custom-house
valuation of sponges imported into New York City, was about $1,700,000; while the importations
at all of the other places combined, during the same period, amounted to only about $200,000.
The quantity of Florida sponges received at New York City for the year 1879 was about 205,000
pounds, valued at something over $200,000.
There are eight principal sponge-houses in New York City, of which six deal in all the foreign
and domestic grades, the remaining two importing the Mediterranean kinds only. It can be safely
said that nearly all the Florida sponges sold pass through New York. None are exported direct
from Key West, and only about $10,000 worth are exported annually from New York to foreign
countries, principally England, France, and Germany. About one-half of the Bahama sponges
exported yearly from Nassau come to this country, the remainder going to Europe. Some Bahama
sponges are also sent to New York for shipment to Europe.
According to the statements of several New York dealers, the quantity of Bahama sponges
imported into New York is, by bulk, two or three times as great as the quantity of sponges brought
there from Florida, and the imports of Mediterranean sponges equal, in the same way, the com-
bined quantities of Bahama and Florida sponges received. Florida and Bahama sponges are sent
to New York mostly in tightly compressed bales weighing from 30 to 200 pounds apiece, but a
few are also received in cases, weighing from 20 to 125 pounds each. Mediterranean sponges are
imported in wooden cases, weighing 25, 50, and 100 pounds each. The Florida sponges are shipped
to New York mostly by steamer.
The wholesale prices of the various grades of sponges were given as follows in the New York
market quotations for 1880 :
Table showing the wholesale prices of sponges in Neiv TorTc City in 1880.
Name of grade.
Price per
pound.
Name of grade.
Price per
pound.
I o $0 75
Keof No 1
$1 00to$l 30
Slatr .. . .
45 80
1 40 2 10
35 65
1 00 1 50
Yclvft
cif> 85
1 50 3 00
1 40 1 60
1 15 1 25
" III) " T,
2 00 2 40
1 75 2 00
2 75 3 00
Keef, No. 2 .
80 95
From this table it will be noted that some sponges are graded according to the uses to which
they are put, and also that the more costly foreign grades are entirely omitted, probably because
of their great variation in price, dependent upon their size and shape.
THE SPONGE FISHERY. 839
10. THE ORIGIN AND CKOYVTII OK TIT 10 X10W YORK SPONGE TRADE.
The following interesting account of the introduction of Florida, sponges into this country and
tlic subsequent growth of I liar industry, in connection with the introduction of Bahama, sponges
into France, is furnished by Mr. A. Isaacs, of New York. Hie oldest regular spouge dealer in the
I'nited States:
About the year 1840, a brother-in-law of Mr. Isaacs, .Mr. 1 layman, of Paris, who had been
traveling in the United States and YVest Indies, sailed from Jamaica for K n rope, but was wrecked
on one of the Mahama Islands, near Nassau. Being detained there for some time, awaiting a
vessel to carry him home, his attention was attracted by the great number of sponges in use
among the natives, all of which, he was in formed, came from the waters surrounding the island.
Although wholly unacquainted with the sponge industry, and not knowing what might be the
value of Bahama sponges in a country where the Mediterranean sponges had long been used, he
decided to carry some home with him and to place them upon the market. Accordingly, when he
sailed, he took with him about 500 or 600 selected specimens, which cost him from 5 to 10 cents a
pound. He had no difficulty in disposing of them, and at once made arrangements through the
French consul at Nassau for additional supplies.
Mr. Isaacs became associated with Mr. Hayman in the Paris house, but after remaining with
him about seven years, or until 1849, he came, to New York to engage in the same business,
which, h wi'.s informed, had not yet received a start in this country. It was his intention to deal
only in Bahama sponges, as he had done in Paris, but at that time he knew nothing of the value
of the Florida sponges, and scarcely of their existence. When he arrived in New York, he. found
thr.t no regular importation of Mediterranean sponges had yet begun, but the trade had been
carried on in a very small way to supply the druggists with the finer qualities, for which only was
there then a demand. He also learned that Bahama sponges were not regularly imported, the best
quality selling for only 10 cents a pound, and that several cargoes of sponges from the southern
part of Florida had been brought to New York, but had found no sale. There was thus presented
to him every indication of a good opening in an important and profitable industry, which he
determined to start himself.
After he had been in the country over a year, he ascertained that the shipping firm of S. B.
Fish & Co., in South street, New York, had received sometime before a large quantity of Florida
sponges, which they could not dispose of at any price. He visited their storehouse and found
two lofts filled with loose Florida sponges, which a careful inspection showed him to be, if
anything, superior to the Bahama sponges, in which he had dealt in Paris. The Messrs. Fish &
Co., were about to throw the entire lot away, as they had no use for them, and glad to dispose-of
them at any sum, allowed Mr. Isaac . to sei his own price. He gave them from 8 to 15 cents a
pound, according to quality, and soon afterwards went to Key West to arrange for regular
supplies. He was recommended to the same parties in Key West that had sent the sponges to
Kish & Co., and found them willing to accept his own price in order to start a trade, from which
they had previously realized nothing. He offered them i'L' cents for the best grade, or sheepswool
sponges, delivered in New York, and lower prices for the several inferior grades, and his offer
was accepted.
Mr. I.saacs also began at the same time the importation of Mediterranean and r>ahama.
sponges. For fourteen years he continued in the sponge trade ia New York City without compe-
tition, but since then several other lar.ue houses have started, and now six principal tirms deal in
Florida as well as foreign sponges, while two others limit themselves entirely to importing the
European varieties.
840 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES.
11. FRAUDULENT PRACTICES.
In connection with the sponge trade, several fraudulent practices have grown up, to the great
annoyance of honest dealers, and strenuous efforts are now being made to check them. The two
most serious are the so-called "liming" and "sanding" processes, which greatly increase the weight
of sponges, and, thereby, their cost to the retail buyer.
The liming of sponges is a bleaching process, and consists in soaking the sponges in n solution
of lime and sea- water. It was resorted to primarily for the purpose of improving the appearance
of the sponges and giving them a lighter and brighter color. The use of the bleaching agent,
however, results in great injury to their fibrous structure, and renders the sponges less durable.
It has also been observed that a large percentage of the lime is generally left in the sponges from
insufficient washing, and this tends to increase their weight to the financial gain of the bleacher.
As these facts have become known to the trade and to people generally, the demand for bleached
sponges has fallen off considerably, and it is now generally regarded that the liming process is
continued partly for dishonest purposes. Our remarks on this subject apply more especially to
the Florida sponges, regarding which we have the most definite information ; but almost all the
foreign sponges received at New York, and particularly those imported from Europe, are more
thoroughly bleached than our own, and the practice of sanding is as fully understood on the other
side of the Atlantic as it is here.
The liming of Florida sponges is done solely at Key West, as it is said the process has never
proved successful at Apalachicola. All the sponges from the latter place have been shipped
unbleached to New York, but Key West dealers claim that these same sponges are sometimes sent
to them from New York for bleaching.
The sanding process consists in mixing with the sponges before packing a certain quantity of
fine sand, which increases their weight from 25 to even 100 per cent., according to the amount used.
Sponges are so exceedingly light in themselves and so open in texture that a large quantity of sand
can be easily added without making any appreciable difference in their appearance; in fact, the
quantity of sand required to double the weight of a sponge is so small that its presence in the
sponge might almost seem to be a natural result of the curing of sponges on the beaches. The
method of preparing sponges in Florida does not, however, require that any appreciable amount of
sand should be left in them, and the handling to which sponges are subjected after removal from
the beaches precludes their containing much sand unless it has been put there for unfair purposes.
The sanding of sponges originated in Europe, and the process has only recently been introduced
into this country.
The following editorial from the "Oil, Paint, and Drug Reporter," of New York, for April 21,
1880, gives a graphic description of these evils :
"Reports come to us from sources which we deem authentic licyond question that within
the past week or ten days there have been shipments from Ced;n Keys to Key West, Florida, of
25 barrels of quick-sand for the use of packers of sponges, one or two of whom are working with
closed doors. To affirm from these reports that the packers in question were sanding their
sponges would not perhaps be justifiable, yet the rest of the trade are disposed to regard that as
a fact, and the reports certainly admit of that construction. The sponge business is in a position
to be put upon a fair square footing, more readily than any other branch of trade we know of.
The number of houses engaged in the trade is not large, and they have the means of readily form-
ing a combination for the purpose of establishing uniform and honest methods in their business
instead of retaining the contradictory, misleading, and senseless practices which now prevail,
THE SI'OMIK FISHERY. 841
and having themselves exposed to flic dishonest ones which may so easily creep in. It is in
connection with tlie Florida sponge trade that the most serious evils exist, and these above- all
others could he most handily remedied. The selling of sponges by weight, without reference to
their si/.e, is a practice which, while it cannot be deemed in any respect fraudulent, is most unsat
isfactory to the purchaser, and fails to discriminate fairly between good, si/able sponges and the
smaller and less valuable ones. A change could easily be made which would make the price
depend more upon the actual value of the sponge, and this would have the effect not only of
giving buyers what they wanted, but of chocking the shipments of undersized sponges — an evil
to which we have hitherto alluded in these columns, as being likely to exhaust the fisheries in
time.
"The bleaching of sponges is more of a fraud upon the consumers. Doubtless this process is
honestly carried on by some packers, but it is oftener taken advantage of as the means of weight-
ing the sponges by leaving in them a greater or less percentage of the lime employed as u bleaching
agent. Throughout this process the inexperienced consumer is easily duped. A blenched sponge
has the appearance of being superior to an unbleached one, and might be purchased in preference,
though its absolute inferiority becomes at once apparent upon use. The sanding of sponges ix a
clear and unmitigated fraud. It is a cheat upon the purchaser and its practice casts a stigma upon
the entire trade, and will sooner or later bring into disrepute the very excellent Florida sheepswool
sponge to which it is now chielly applied. We caution the buyers of sponges to guard well against
purchasing any packing which is not guaranteed to be entirely free from sand or lime or any
extraneous matter. There is a disposition among the majority of the sponge houses, we believe,
to root out the existing evils in their trade and especially those which are absolutely fraudulent.
This they can readily do, and they will have no alternative if buyers will insist upon such a guar-
antee as we have suggested."
Other fraudulent practices charged upon the dishonest sponge trade are the substitution of
Bahama, Mexican, or Cuban grades of sheepswool sponges for the Florida, which latter bring from
one-third to one-half more in price than the same kinds of sponges grown in other American waters.
Recently large numbers of small and inferior sheepswool sponges have been packed in the interior
of bales made up oil the outside of the better grades. This has resulted, as before described,
from the falling off in the catch of large sponges, and the taking of all sizes by the fishermen.
The inferior grades of sponges are not subject to fraudulent practices, the supply being much
greater than the demand, and the prices low.
D 35 X .
Page.
Abalono fishery 505,622-026
geographical distribution of 622
habitaof 624
meats, statistics of 624
nsed as food 625
methods of gathering 624
names of 622
red-backed 626
shells, description of 625
for artistic work 622
Indian money made of 626
method of polishing 623,626
statistics of 624
used for money 622
value of 625
species of 623
Aberdeen, Scotland, whaling fleet of 198
Acapnlco, Mexico, visited by whalers 26
Acushnet River, Massachusetts, blue crabs in 635
scallop fishery in. 575
Addisou, Me., lobster fishery at 743
Adriatic Sea, sponge culture in 832
Africa, fur-seals on coast of ...403,415
hu mpback whales off coast of 23
sealing on coast of 441
voyages to coast, of 448-456
sperm whales off coast off 10, 12
whaling omcoast of 115
Alabama, oyster industry statistics 564,565
packing in .. — 56:!
oysters in 512
Alameda Creek, Cal., oyster planting at 539
Alaska Commercial Company, business methods of. 383
by-laws of 386
history of 381
organization of 382
Alaska, crabs in 657,658
Eskimo whaling in
fur-seal industry of 321
rookeries, importance of 331
law protecting fur-seals in 390
mussels iu 619
Russian whaling at 205
sea-lion hunt..... 467-474
sea-otter iisheryof 483,486
whaling by Eskimos of 61
Albemarle Sound, shrimp in 802
Aleutian Islands, humpback whalea at 22
Page.
Aleuts, value of sea-lion to 471
Allen, Joel Asaph, on North American pinnipeds. 474, 475
Allyn, Capt. Gnrdon L 19,293,415
Amagausett, N. Y., hard clams at 606
lobster fishery at 790
Ambergris 4,5,72,212
Amelia, whale-ship 67
American Sardine Company 745
Annapolis, Md., oyster-packing at 561
Annisquam, Mass., clam fishery at 587
lobster fishery at 773
Antarctic fur-seal and sea-elephant fisheries. .319, 400-467
voyage, profits of 428
seal fisheries, methods of capture 429
origin of 400
statistical review of 439
sealing grounds 403
vessels -126
voyage, narrative of 460
voyages, 17S3 to 1880 440-460
Antipodes, fur-seals at 426
Apalachicola Bay, Fla., shrimps in 806
Apalachicola, Fla., oysters at 512
sponge industry at 827
Apparatus of whale capture 247-255
Apponaug River, R. I., scallop fishery in 575
Archer, Alleyne S., on whale fishery 214
Archer Ground, sperm whales on 10
Arctic fleet, supplies for 26
Arctic Ocean, bowhead whales in 19
dangers of whaliug in 79-84
gray whalea iu 24
species of whales iu 204
whaling fleet i u 3, 146-164
Arctic whale fishery 94
dangers of 75
disasters in 1*71 and 1876.... 81,83
history of 73
methods of 74,77
northern limit of 134
season for — 21
Arctic whaling fleet, refitting of 25
Arctoci-plialns australis, distribution of 403
Arnold's History of Rhode Island, cited
Athearu, Capt. George F., on fur-sealing 404,430
Atlantic City, N. J., lobsters at 661
Atlantic ville, N. Y. , hard clams at 607
Atwood, Capt. N. E 9,22,144,660,703,779
843
844
INDEX.
Page.
Auckland Islands, right whaling at 17
sealingat 424
sealing voyage to 448
Australia, humpback whales off 22
right whales at 16
sealing voyage to 446
s | ic Tin whales off coast of 11, 12
whale fishery of 192, 208
Azorean whalemen '218
Azores, sperm whales off 9, 14
whalers supply station at 24, •:'<
Babylon, N. Y., young quahaugs at rii.it">
Back River, Virginia, oyster planting in 527
Baffin's Bay, whale fishery in 95
Bahama Banks, sperm whales near 14
Bahama Islands, whaling at 04
Bahama sponge fishery 836
Bait, blue crabs for 035, (i I-.', t;4f>
clam, law concerning 010
clams for 0:12
crabs for 631,634,6:58, 0 II!
fiddler crabs for G I ^
flounders for lobster 076
horseshoe crabs for C52
lady-crab for 651
lobster 65'.l, 747-71 >:>
manner of catching G7.>
quantity used 67C
total used in Connecticut 789
Maine 771
Massachusetts 7S4
New Jersey 79:!
New York ? ;i^
Rhode Island 7>7
Unit I-d States 793
menhadeu, for lobster 077
mussels for (;:!•_>
prawns for
razor-fish for 015
rock-lobsters for 7;H
salted clams for ;,;i I
sand-bug for , ;.yj
sea-clams for 610
sea-crabs for .' (J44
seal-pins for lobster 076
sheep heads and livers for 070
shrimp and prawns for 11 j:;, ,-nij
used in lobster fishery 07-1-1177
Balaenoptera laticeps 195, 204
musculus 195, 2( 14
sibbaldi 191'., 'Jill
Balenas Bay, humpback whales iu -j-j
Baltimore, Md., oyster packing in Gliii, ,'iil
qnahaug market at (ji IN
seal ing voyages from 4:,1
Baker, Capt. Amos C. , injured by whale ^7;;
Barataria Bay, shrimp in 800,801,805
Barhadoes, whaler's supply station •£,
whaling at u'li
Barnard, Capt. Chas. H., English cruelty to 411
Barnegat Bay, oyster decrease in 518
Barnes, Capt. W. M 7,11,84
on Arctic whaling 74
whalemen's songs 283
Barnstable district, lobster fishery in 778,784,785
Barnstable, Mass., drift whales at 27
lobster fishery at 7*8.780
oysters at 509
soft clams at 589
whale fishery statistics, 1771 to
1775 116
whaling fleet, 1 840 to 1880 .... 17 1 , 172
Barrington River, Rhode Island, oysters in 510,5;i6
Bartlett, I. H., & Sous, on whale fishery ....164,173,246
Bartle.tt, W. H., on steam whale-boats 247
Bass, crabs as bait for 635
Bath district, lobster fishery in 7(51-763
Bath, Me., lobster fishery at 707
soft clams iu district of 584
whaling fleet of 171
Bath, N. Y., hard clams at 607
Bauldry, Capt., escape of 21
Bay of Fuudy , oysters in 509
soft clams in 584
K;iv of Islands, New Zealand 25
Bay of Panama, humpback whales iu 22
Bay of Valle de Banderas, Mexico 23
Bay Shore, N. Y., blue crab fishery at 636
Bay ville, N. Y., hard clams at 605
soft clams at 591
Beach clam 608
Beale, Tho"ias, on sperm whales 8,63
Beam trawl for capture of lobsters 678
Bearded seal 474
flesh of 478
Bear Island, bottle-nose whales at 204
II' -:iu fort, N. C., blue crab fishery at 643
shrimp at 802
stone crabs at 650
terrapin fishery at 501
turtle fishery at 495
whaling at 40,48
Beche-de-mer 815
l.i-.lfast district lobster fishery iu 755,759, 770-772
I'.rlf.'ist, Mi-., soft clams at 584
llVllo Island Straits, whaling in 217
I'., ii'iout, Cal., oyster planting at 539
Beluga, Eskimo fishery for 61
hunting, methods of 61
or white whale, distribution of 24
Russian, fishery for 204
Belvidere, whaling steamer 3
Berardius whale at New Zealand 212
Bering Island, Alaska 321,331
Bering Sea, howhead whales in 18
right whales in 17
whale oil from 8
whaling iu 3,205
Bering Strait, history of whaling north of 73
loss of whalers north of 88
whaling iu 21
Bering's voyage to Alaska 321
Bermuda Islands, whaler's supply station 25
whaling at 63
Beverly, Mass., lobster fishery at 774
whaling fleet of ». 171,172
voyages from 178-192
Bidarkies, covered with sea-lion nkins 471
INDEX.
845
Paga
Biddeford I'.... 1. Me., lobster fishery at 707,706,766
shrimp at <-i'l
Blackish, capture,! l'.\ whalers ~'.!9
captnr ( i"l 2'Jti
clcst met i veto oysters 301
dimensions of
(list lib 11 lion of
fishery tor 291
at. Faroe Isles 3UU
division of profits in 307
from i'ro\ Kieeiowu 11-1
historical notes on 3uo
in New KnvJ.ind -I'.'i
Indian name,"klas-ko-kop-pn" i>-
inaekcrel eaten by 302
methods ,if( -:ipiure at. Faroe Isles 3Uu'
methods of < ap'nre by vessels
nets for capturing
number taken at Faroe Isles
oil of 4,5, 299-309
statistics of rapture of 3oii-:tn7
Blackford, Kugeneti., oucra.li market 0:'-6
lobster laws 7i)n
lobsters ;711,7si
Black whale at New Zealand 209
Block Island, Rhode Island, lobster fishery at 7 .-'0
natural oyster brd at. 511
Blubber, method of mine-in-; -'7!l
whale, for food 6:;
Blue crabs, lishery for 62'.!
lobster Via it for I'lill
statistics of 658
Blue Hill, Me., lobster lishery at 7.VJ
Blue Point oysters, origin of 517
sent to Sau Francisco 538
Boats, Cape Roseway wherry 672
cat, Martha's Vineyard 571
Providence River 071
crab, ili Delaware 64U
New Jersey i>:js
double-euder or peapod 671
in quauaug fishery 603
in scallop fishery 576
lobster 6G9-G71
.statistics of 747,749, 7.~>1, 7.V,, 7.'.-,
761,778, 7-U, 76:.;, 7(14, 767, 769,771,773,
774, 77 j, 777, 7-:;, 7,-4, 7.-7, 7,"1.!, 792, 7:ii;
in Connect it»u t 789
Maine 771
Massachusetts 7-1
New Jersey '(>'.'>
New York
Rhode Island 7-7
United States 793
Maim- reach 670
Ma! miens 670
..yster, at Lou;; [si a nil
ovMei -div. lining ."i.">0
oyster, of Delaware Bay 530
James River
total statistics of
scallop 571
two-sail lobster 671
Boat-spade, method of using ~64
Page.
Boat-steerers mi whaling vessels* 'J'J2
lloat, whaling 3
I'M 1:1 1 -v, haling at Barbadoes 214
Cape Cod 41
early history of -J6
in Australia 208
California 52
Maine 40,41
Mas.sachii>ctis 41
New York 48
\e w Jersey 48
North Caraliua 48
Rhode Island 48
the present century 40
BcBCk, Prof. Axel, on lobster fishery (ills, 711
Bogue Sound, North Carolina, scallops in '. .. 5.^0
Bomb-lance, Allen's -^54
at Barbadoes 21u
Brand's ^;>4
construction of 255
for killing gray whales 24
method of firing 46
premature explosion of 272
used in shore whaling 41
California 56
use of 53
with darting gun 254
Bonin Islands, sperm whales around 11
Bonuycastle, on Newfoundland sealin-j 475
Booth Bay Harbor, Maine, lobster lishery at 161
1 tooth Bay, Me,, 1, .lister INliery ;it 701,707
lljrden, Capt. G. B., on whalemen's signals -J.".7
Border's Island, discovery of 446
sealing a f . 4v!0
Huston Anglers' Association, on lobster law.-. 7'J-
Bostou district, lobster tishery iu 77.~>, 7-4, 78.~>
Boston Fish Bureau, report of 707
Boston Harbor, crabs in 649
whale iu 26
Boston, Mass., Antarctic sealing from 401
iobsrer marki t 682
census statistics of whaling Ueet ... 173
clam fishery at
1 1< crease of lobsters at 71)9
early trade in whale oil 36
lobster industry at.. . .664, ',W, 704, 776, 777
laws at 7'J7
natural oyster beds at 514
oysters at 509,559
sea-clams at 609
sea-clams sold at 610
sealing vessels from 440
voyages from 446, 456
soft i- la ins at 5b9
whale lishery of 104,116
whaling tier t of it, 171,17'J
voyages from, 1-70 to 18riO. 176-192
Bott le-nose whales, fishery for 204
Bounty, mutiny on English ship 409
to vessels iu whale fishery .if.', 66, (17, 111'.', 104, 131,
197, -J07
Bounty Isles, fur-seals at 4v;5,231
Bounty Eocks, fur-sealing at 431
Bouvette's Island, fur-sealing at 413
841)
LNDEX.
Page.
Bowhead whale, beginning of fishery for 18, 74
whalebone of 5
fishery, 1868 to 1884 146,164
grounds for 18
whales, geographical distribution of 18
in Arctic Ocean 56
migration of 97
natural history of 202
Brand bomb-gun, description of 253
Branford, Conn., extinction of oysters at 516
oyster planting at 536
Brazil Banks, whaling grounds 65
Brazil, right whales off *. 16
sperm whales oil" coast of 14
Bremen, Germany, whalers of 218
Bremen, Me., lobster fishery at 759
Brewster, Mass., sea-clam fishery at 610
Bridgehampton, N. Y. , hard clams at 606
scallop industry at 579
Bridgeport, Conn., oyster planting at 536
oysters from 557
soft clams at 590
\vhalingfleetof 171
Brilliant, whaling schooner 22
Brintnall, Capt. Caleb, notes on sealing 443
Bristol Bay, Alaska, right whales at 17
whaling in 87
Bristol, Me., lobster fishery at 759
methods of lobster fishing at (177
Bristol, R, I., lobster fishery at 785
sealing fleet of 439,440
voyages from 450-466
whaling fleet of 171
British Columbia, clams at 611
fur-seals off 394
sealing schooners of 396
British provinces, lobster canning in 6*7
decrease iu 711
British whale fishery 197
Brookhaven Bay, New York, decrease in oysters
in r,17
Brookhaven, N. Y., oyster planting at 534
Brooklin, Me., lobster fishery at T.YJ
Brooks, W. K., on oysters 507
Brooksville, Me., lobster fishery at 752
Brown, J. Temple ;>,:.' is
on whale fishery 218-29 J
Brown, R. , on bowhead whales 202
Brunswick, Ga., whaling at 49
Bryce, T. T., crab canning by 616
Buckland, Frank, on lobster fishery 668,6/4,723
Bucksport, Me., whaling fleet of 171
Buddiugton, Capt. S. O., on Arctic whaling 95
Bullock's Cove, R. I. , oyster planting in 536
Bull's Bay, terrapin fishery in 502
Buoys for lobster pots 667
made of seal skin 395
Buruham, George, on lobsters 731
Burnham & Morrill 694,695,749,700
Buzzard's Bay, blue-crab fishery in (!:;:>
decrease in oysters in 515
green crabs in 651
laws regulating fisheries in 734
lobster fishery in 7B3
Page.
Buzzard's Bay, oyster planting in 537
oysters in 510
scallop fishery in 575, 581
Calais, Me., lobsters canned at 688
Calais River, Maine, lobsters in 706
California, abaloues in 622-62U
Alaska Commercial Company of 386
boat whaling in 52
clams at 613
crabs in 657
fur-sealing in 393
fur-seals in 357
gray whales, capture of 53
distribution of 23
Indian name ' ' chet-a-
puk" 62
method of capturing 266
number taken 24
humpback whales at 22
mussels at 621
names of whaling stations in 54
origin of whaling in 55
prawn fishery of 809
right whales oil' coast of 17
rock-lobster fishery in 798
scallops in 580
sealing in 473
sea-otter in 487
shore whaling in 3, 23
shrimp 807
statistics of 810
soft clams in 593
sperm whales off 12
transplanting lobsters to 741
whales, number taken 60
whaling fleet of 3
Callao Ground, sperm whales on 10
Calliuectes hastatus 629, 648
statistics of 658
larvatus 629
tumidus 629
Callista gigantea 5&1
Callorhinus ursinus 393
Cambridge, Md., oyster packing at 561
Camilla Ground, sperm whales on 9
Canada, crayfish in 794
lobster canneries in 690
canning in 687
decrease in 711
whale, fishery of 192,216
Cauarsie, N. Y., blue-crab fishery at 636
Cancer antenuarius 657
borealis 629,635,649
statistics of 658
irroratns 629, 649
statistics of 658
magister 657
statistics of 658
productus 657
Cancerine, analysis of 656
made from horseshoe crabs 654
Candles, spermaceti 5
Canned clam chowder 606
clams 606,690,751,754,763,765
INDEX.
847
Page-
Canned crabs, preparation of (iUi
halibut 688
lobsters 659,687-1;%
bramls of COO
preparation of < ',;)•.'
statistics of 695,747, 74'.), 751, 755,
758,763,771,775,777,794
mackerel 751,754,758,763,765
oysters 561,f>63
salmon (
shrimps 806
Cauuories, lobster . 745
iii Maine 745-772
number and location of 689
statistics for Maine 771,772
total statistics for United
States 794
workmen at 793
Canning lobsters, laws concerning 732
turtle in Texas 498
Cans, sealing 395
for packing lobsters 694
Canton, fur-seal skins sold in 401
Cape Ann. blackfish driven ashore at 305
drift whales at 2(i
•whales stranded at 41
Cape Cod, blackfish driven ashore at 297-305
fishery at 297-307
boat whaling at 20
clam fisheries at 587
clams for bait at 594
lobster fishery at 697, 709, 778-780
quahaug fisheries at 603
sea-clams at 608
shore whaling at 42
Cape do Verdes, sperm whales near 14
Cape Farewell, Greenland 18
Cape Flattery, fur-seal industry at 393
Indian whaling at 62
sealing season at 394
Cape Fullertou, Hudson Bay 18
Cape Horn, fur-sealing grounds near 404
sealing schooners lost near 427
sperm whales off 10
whalers first round 66
Cape Leenwiu, Australia 16
Cape Neddick, Me., lobster fishery at 770
Cape of Good Hope, fur-sealing near 415
Cape Porpoise, Me., lobster fishery at 76!)
Capo i;»sc\\ay whrrry 672
Cape-saute, name for scallop 565
Cape Verde Islands, humpback whales at 22
sperm whales off 9
whaler's supply stations 24, •.''•
whaling at (i.'i
whalemen from 218
Capital in whale fishery 3,'j::2
Ciirabfllas Banks, sperm whales on ....* 9
i Hi inns mrenas
Caribbean S<ja, sprrm whali-s in 8,14
Carroll Ground, sperm whales on 10,14
Carroll, Michael, on Newfoundland sealing 475
Casco Bay, Maim', <iy«trrs in "i"'.'
<inahaug8 ill 596
Page.
Casco Bay, Maine, whales in 26
Casks, sea-elephant oil 437
.stowing, on whale ships 238
Castiue district, lobster fishery in 752-755
lobster statistics in 770-772
Castine, Me., lobsters at 707,752
soft clams at 584
Cast nets, shrimp 803,804
turtle caught in 490
Cedar Keys, Fla., native oysters at 519
oysters at 512
shrimp at SOS
sponge industry at 821)
turtle fishery at 497
Centreport, N. Y., blue-crab fishery at 636
hard clams at 605
soft clams at 591
Cerros Island, right whales at 17
Ceylon, sperm whales around 12
Challenger exploring expedition 414,421
Chapcll, R. H., in Hudson Bay whaling 97
Charles Kiver, Massachusetts, oysters in 509
Charleston Ground, location of 8,9
whaling on 22
Charleston, S. C., blue-crab fishery at 644
oyster packing at 562
shrimp fishery at 802,803
stone crabs at 650
terrapin fishery at 502
whale captured at 49
Chatham Island, fur-seals at 406
Chatham, Mass., lobster fishery at 778,779
sea-clam fishery at 609
soft-clam fishery at 587
Chesapeake Bay, blue-crab fishery in 634, 541
mussels in 618
natural oyster beds in 517
northern bedding of oysters
from 520
oyster planting in 525
trade in 549
qnahaug fishery in 607
statistics for 608
Chester, Capt. H. C., map by.. 419
Chesterfield Shoals, humpback whales at 23
Chili, right whales off coast of 17
sealing voyage to 442
sperm whales off coast of 10
whale fishery of 192,215
whaling grounds off 12
Chilmark, Mass., lobster fishery at 781
lobsters at 710
China, trepang eaten in 815
Chincoteague, Va., oyster planting at 526
Chinese method of drying shrimp 808
Chionectes species of crabs 658
rhinue snccincta 581
Chipi':nict;;si't scallop gronnds 576
Choct a whatchie Bay, oysters in 515
City Island, oyster planting at 534,533
Clam-bakes 509,600,601
Clam-chowder, canned 606
Cla.u-dredges 598
Clam-fisheries at Cape Cod 587
848
INDEX.
Page.
Clam-fishermen's outfit 610
Clam-fishery 505,581-615
Clam-forks. 585
Clam-peddlers 593
Clam-plow ... . -. — — 590
Clain-rakes 598, 610
Clam-shells for soap-dishes 611
Clams as bait 632
Atlantic coast 581
cauned 606, GOO, 751, 754, 763, 765
cimeata 581
clipper 608
dried 600
exports of, from Boston 586
flat 581
for bait 594
gaper 581
great, habits of Gil
method of smoking 612
of Pacific coast 611
heu 581,603
hard, fishery for 595,613
large sized, in Connecticut 5S9
laws regulating digging of 586, 588
Little Neck 581
long 5el
mannoze 593
method of baking 000,601
mixed with menhaden for bait 594
uanuiuose 593
old maid 581
Pacific coast 581,611
1 lain ted 581
planting of 590,606
pickled 603
plowing 586,590
iiuauaug or bard 581
razor 613
fishery for 613-615
for bait 615
habits of 613
round 581
sand-gaper 581
salted 587,603
laws regulating 610
sea 581
as food COS)
considered poisonous 609
fishery for 505,1,08-613
for bait OUJ
geographical distribution of 608
proportion of meats in 610
washed ashore 609
statistics of 015
eickishoug 39
skimmer 608
smoked 599,0-12
soft 505,581
Cape Cod fishery for 587
Connecticut fishery for 589
description of 582
fishery for 581-594
former abundance of 583
habits of... 582
Pago.
Clams, soft, in Gulf of Saint Lawrence 584
Maryland 593
New York Harbor 592
Virginia 593
large size of 589
Long Island fishery for 591
statistics of 591
Maine fishery for 584
Massachusetts fishery for 585
statistics of 589
methods of cooking 593
digging 585
salting 594
shelling 593
natural history of 581
Ne \v Jersey fishery for 592
Pacific coast fishery for 593
price of 586,587
Rhode Island fishery for 589
salted for bait 594
shelling or shucking 585
spawning of 583
statistics for Maine 584
United States 594,615
uses of 593
squirt 581
surf '. 581,008
swine fed on 585
tea 602
tellens 581
western surf 581
Clapmatcb.es, name for female seals 431
Clark, A.Howard, on Antarctic seal fisheries. ..319, 400-
407
blackfish fishery 295-307
lobster fishery 659
North Atlantic seal fishery.. 319,
474-J-S;
walrus fishery 311-318
whale fishery 1-218
Coues, Dr. Elliot, on sea-otter 488
Climate of Pribylov Islands 322
Clinton, Conn., decrease in oysters at 516
oyster planting at 536
soft clams at 589
Cocheco Eiver, New Hampshire, oysters in 510
Cockle shells for oyster clutch 573
Cod, abundance of, in Pacific Ocean 355
crabs as bait for 030
fishery for, clam bait in 594
fishing banks in Pacific :!',>>
fur-seals feed on 355
lobsters as bait, for 660
Cohasset, Mass., lobster fishery at 775
Colchester oysters 517
Cold Spring Harbor, New York, soft clams at 591
Cold Spring, N. Y., blue-crab fishery at 636
hard clams at 605
whaling fleet of 171,172
Cole's River, Massachusets, oysters in 510
scallop fishery in 575
Collins, Capt. J. W., on crab fishery 639
humpback whales 22
lobster fishery 659
INDEX.
849
Colombia, United S|,-Urn »( 22
Commander Islands, fur-seals ou 331 , 361
Commodore Morris Ground 9
Comoro Islands, sperm whales around 12
Conception Bay, whaling at 1 '
Concord River, shell heaps on 599
Congo River, whaling at 158
Connecticut, decrease in oysters in 516
early whaling at 3-2
former abundance of oysters in 511
lobster boats ' 070
fishermen in 679
fishery in (561,705,787-789
laws of 728,705,736
statistics for 793
natural oyster beds in 517
oyster culture in 545
industry statistics 564
planting in 534
present abundance of lobsters in 710
quahaug fishery in 604
report of shell-fish commissioners 545
soft-clam fishery in 589, 594
whaling fleet of 3
Cook, Captain, onKerguelen Land 418
Copper Island, fur seals on 331
Corinthian Bay, sealing at 420
Cornell Ground, sperm whales on 9
Corral of sea-lions 469
Cottle, Frank M. , on lobster fishery 781
laws 727
Cotuit, Mass., lobster fishery at 778, 780
Crab, as bait 631,634, (i43
bay 630
blue, as bait 638,646
blue-claw 630
blue, coast review of fishery for 635
distribution, season, &c 630
oxteut of fishery for 634
fishery for 629,632
in Delaware 639
Florida 644
Georgia 644
Maryland 641
New England 635
New Jersey 636
New York 635
North Carolina 642
South Carolina 643
Virginia 641
for bait 635,642
in Gulf of Mexico 644
markets for 638
methods of catching 632,637,638
natural history of 629
season for 636, 638,644
in Chesapeake Bay 642
shedding season of 636
size of 630
statistics for Delaware 648
Georgia 648
Louisiana 648
Maryland 648
New Jersey 648
Page.
Crab, blue, statistic* for New York 648
North Carolina ti48
South Carolina 648
Texas 648
Virginia 648
of 64*1,658
transportation of 632
value of 630,640
winter habits of 631,044
boats 638
in Delaware 040
boiled 643
buckler 630
buster 630
canceriue made from 654
canneries ou Chesapeake Bay 034
canning of 646, 647
methods of B4G
origin of the industry 646
statistics of 647
cars or pens for 633, 637
channel 629
comer 689
common edible, fishery for 629
fiddler 648
as bait 648
injurious to levees ..". 648
nshermen 634
fishery 627-658
coast review of 635
implements of 632, 640, 642, 644
in Great Britain 723
season for 630
fisheries of Pacific coast 657, 658
statistical recapitulation of 658
green 630, 651
Gulf 029
hard 630, 631, 645, 646
catch of, in New Jersey 639
sales iu New York City 636
hard-shell 630
hermit 652
hoop-net 632
horseshoe, as bait 652
chicken food 655
fed to swine 652
fishery for 652-657
for fertilizers.. 653
methods of catchin g 653
statistics of 657,658
transplanting, to California 743
Joe Rocker 651
Jonah 629,635
economic importance of 649
kelp, of Pacific coast 657
king 653
lady 629,651
as bait 651
lake 630
marketed alive at New Orleans 645
method of packing 635
shipping 633
mud 649
mussel 64'
850
INDEX.
Page.
Crab, names during period of shedding 630
nets 637, G44
in Chesapeake Bay 042
oyster 019
commercial importance of > 048
pickled 048
Pacific species of C57
paddlcr 630
paper shell 630
peeler 630
pens for, iu New Jersey 638
pound-nets for horseshoe 053
purple shore 657
red, Pacific coast 0,">7
red rock 658
river , 630
rock 629,649
fishery for 649
Pacific coast 657
statistics of 658
sand 051
sea 629, ill;'
as bait 644
seines for 632
scoop-net for 640
shedder 630
soft 630,045,64(1
at Indian Kiver, Delaware 641
catch of, iu Ne w Jersey 639
in Gulf of Mexico 045
price of 640
sales in New York City 636
season for 639
soft-shelled 631
spider 651
squeaker 651
stone G2D,64s,<;.>i
torching for 645
trot-line for 633, 636, 642, 643, 645
yellow shore 657
Cranberry Island, Maine, lobster fishery at 750
Crandall, H. L., ou whaling with nets 247
Craugou franciscorum 807
vulgaris 799,801,807
Crayfish at New Orleans 795
San Francisco 795
Washington 795
average -weight of 798
fishery for 627,794-798
general review of 794
fresh water 794
German methods of capture 790
packing 796
H. Eubelius on 796
in Germany 790
New York City 794
method of packing 7 Do
Potomac 795
salt-water 798
statistics of 797, 798
Creels, lobster iii;s
Crisfield, Md., oyster packing iu 561
Croatau Sound, shrimp in *02
Crozet Islands, discovery of 417
Page.
Crozet Islands, humpback whales at 23
right whales near 16
sealing at 417, 419
voyages to 446-460
whaling at 149, 150
Cuba, sperm whales olf 8
Cumberland Inlet, number of whaling voyages to. 174
whaling fleet iu 147
in 8, 18, 96, 149, 150,
152-164, 203
Gunners for lobster bait 676
Cunningham & Cogau whaling gun 253
Cutchogne, N. Y., scallop industry at 577
Cuttle-fish in ambergris 5
Cutler, Me., lobster fishery at 747
Jobsterracii at 679
Cutting in the whale 277
early methods of :il
in California 53
Cutting-spades, whalemen's 281
Cutting-tackle 280
Cuttyhunk Island, fishing club at 661
I'uttyhunk, Mass., lobster fishery at 780,782
Cyprina islandica 581
Cystophora cristata 474
Dagsborough, Del., blue-crab fishery at 641
Damariscotta, Me., extinction of oysters at 513
oyster-shell heaps at 509,504
Damariscotta River, Maine, lobster grounds at ... 662
oysters in 509
Dangers encountered by whaling vessels 235
of Antarctic sealing 429
Arctic whaling 79
Newfoundland seal fishery 480
sealer's life 438
whale fishery 215
Darien, Conn., oyster planting at 535
Darting gun, whaleman's 254
Dartmouth, Mass., census of whaling fleet 173
lobster fishery at 783
whale fishery statistics, 1771 to
1775 116
whaling fleet of 3, 171, 17V
voyages from, 1872 to
1880 178-192
Davis, Capt. S. S., on lobster fishery 700
Davis Strait, abundance of whales in
bottle-nose whales in 204
bowhead whales iu 18
record of whaling voyages to 99-101
right whales iu 15
whale fishery in.. .3,27,94, 102, 112, 194, 198
Deer Isle, Maine, lobsters at 707, 752
whales off 22
Delago Hay, right whales in 16
Delano's Voyages, quoted - - - 407
Delaware, blue-crab fishery in 039
catch of turtle in 499
horseshoe crabs iu 053,054
lobsters in 793
oyster iudust ry statistics 564
laws in 528
planting iu 528
shrimp fishery in 801
INDEX.
851
Page
Delaware, statistics <>f Mne or;il>s ill (i-l~*
horseshoe crabs in 657
terrapin fishery in 503
Delaware Hay. decrease in oysters in - . . 518
natural o \stcr-hcds ill 511
nystri- planting ill 528
Delaware River, shell heaps cm .V.I9
Dclphin:i[>1eriis lencas. Russian iishrry for 204
Di'iiinark. shell heaps in 59'.l
whale fishery of 71
1 lentils, Mass., boat- whaling at 27
Dennisport, Mass., sea-clams at 009
Desolation Island, discovery of 412
history of 418
humpback whales at 23
sealing voyage to 445-460
whaling at 149,152-164
I lev il-tish, or California gray whale 23
Diego Ramire/ Islands, sealers on 427
sealing at 404
Disasters to sealing vessels 404, 427, 438, 455-460
whaling vessels 151, 158, 175-192
Discipline on whaling vessels 220
Diving for turtles 495
Dogfish oil as food 62
liogs used iii terrapin hunting 500
Dolphin, Russian fishery for 204
Dorchester, Mass., whaling ileet of 171
lionble-euder boat 671
Doiightj , Charles, on crab fishery 638
Douglass, Dr., History of North America by 94
Dory, fishing „ 672
Drag-nets, turtle fishing with 495
Drag-rakes, oyster 523
Dredge, clam 598
kettle-bail 571
oyster 523,537
scallop 571
Dredging, oyster, in Chesapeake Bay 549
scallop 570
Dried halibut 03
shrimp in California 808
preparation of 805
Drift whales, regulations concerning 33
Drug for capture of whales 49
Dudley, Paul, on whale fishery (15
Duff, whalemen's food called 228
Dunbar's Sons. G. W 806
Dundee, Scotland, whaling fleet of 198-200
Dunham, Capt. J. T., injured by whale 274
Dunkirk, France, whale fishery from 00, i;-. ]'•'•'•'<
Dutch Island, Rhode Island, lobster fishery at 785
Dutch whale fishery ::0. 193
Duty on exports of whale-oil 37
Dnxbiuv, Mass.. lobster fishery in •. 778
soft-clam fishery in 5S7
whaling fleet of 171
l>v ei's Creek, New Jersey, horseshoe -crabs at O5."i
Dyer's Island, coast of Africa 410
Eagle Island, Falkland group Ill
Earll, R. E.. on boat whaling 41
el am fishery 5.-I, :.H-.'
crab fishery 044
lobster fishermen .. 680
Paga
Kuril, 1>. K , on lobster fishery 059,707
porpoise fishing 308
quahaug fishery (J07
seal fishery .177
shrimp fishery ,-n-j
shore whaling 48
Earnings of lobster fishermen (j80
oystenncn 552
sealers 428
whalemen 53, 58, 291-294
Ear shell, abaloncs called 022
Easthani, Mass., drift whales at 26
East hauipt on, N. Y 33,36
hard clams at 606
scallop industry at 579
whale fishery at 106
Fast India Islands, sperm whales at 11
East Marion, N. Y. , hard clams at 006
lobster fishery at 790
Eastport, Me., abundance of lobsters at 706
lobster canning at 687
cars at 672
fishery at 702, 744, 746
mussels at 017
soft clams at 584
East River, New York, natural oyster beds in.. ..511,516
pri vate oyster beds in 534
East River oysters sent to San Francisco 539
East Setanket, N. Y. , hard clams at 005
F.eh idiioceros set imauiis 658
Ecuador, humpback whales at 22
Edgartowu district, lobster fishery in 780
statistics 784,785
Edgartowu, Mass., census of whaling fleet 173
drift whales at 29,30
lobsters at 710
soft clams at 589
whaling fleet of 3, 86-94, in
Edmonds, R. H., on oyster packing HOO
o\ stering in Chesapeake Bay. 549
Edwards, Vinal N., on lobster fishery 705, 782
Electric- whaling apparatus 249
Elephant seals at South Georgia Islands 412
size of 435
southern distribution of 403
Elizabeth Islands, Mass., lobster fishery at. . .661, 705, 780
Elliott, H. W., on Alaskan crabs 058
mussels 619
seal industry 319-393
sea-lion hunt 319,407,474
seals born in the ocean 394
sea-otter fishery 319, 483, 491
Embargo of 1757 103
England, lobster laws iu 718
whaling fleet of, 1830 to 1S68 198
Fn hydra marina 483
linsatella amerieana 013
Fpialtns produetns 657
F(|iiipment of whale boat 2 U>
Erignatluis barbatus 474
Fseallopc, name for scallop 505
Escambia Bay, Florida, oysters in -r12
Eskimos, whaling by 22
852
INDEX.
Page.
Essex, Mass., clam industry at 586
Eupagurus Bernhardus 652
longicarpus 652
pollicaris 652
Exportation of whale oil 26
Exports, duty on whale oil 37
of canned lobsters 695
clams from Boston ..." 58C
dried shrimp 808
lobsters to Europe 686
sperm oil each year, 1860 to 1884 166
whalebone in 1763 104
1865 to 1884 167
whale oil, early 3S
1860 to 1884 165,166
and whalebone, 1758 to 1763 105
value of... 167
from New Zealand 213
to England 137
Export trade m leeches 814
oysters 557
Extinction of oysters, causes of 513
Fairchild's Beach, Heard's Island 421
Fair Haven, Conn., bedding Chesapeake oysters at. 522
oyster opening at 559
soft clams at 589
Fairhaven, Mass., Davis Strait whaling from 99
lobster fishery at 783
sealing fleet of 439, 440
whaling fleet of 86, 171 , 172
voyages from 175-192
Falkland Islands, description of 410
fur sealing at 409, 434, 461
right whales near 16
sealing voyage to 441-460
whaling at 119
Fall River, Mass., soft clams at 589
whaling fleet of 171, 172
Falmouth, Mass., whale fishery statistics, 1771 to
1775 116
whaling fleet of 171,172
Fanning, Capt. Edmund, at Masafuera in 1797 465
on South Shetlauds 405
sealing voyage by 401,441
Fanning's Island 417
Fan shells, name for scallops 565
Farallone Islands, fnr seals on 357
Faroe Isles, blackfish fishery at 306, 307
whaling at 248
Fernandina, Fla., shrimp fishery at 804
Fertilizers from lobster refuse 694
horseshoe crab 654,655
Fiddler-crab, uses of 648
Fiji Islands, humpback whales at 22
sperm-whales near 11,12
whalers' supply stations at 25
Finback whales, cruising grounds for 23
Indian name kauwid 62
in Massachusetts Bay 41, 43
number taken 60
on California coast 53
Pacific coast 55
taken at Provincetowu 3
tendency to sink 270
Page.
Finland, whale fishery in 207
Finmark, whale fishery in 195
whaling on coast of 19
Fisher, Capt. T.E., on shrimp fishery 804
Fishermen, clam 610
crab 634, 640
lobster 679-681, 747, 749, 751, 755, 758, 761,
763, 464, 767, 769, 771, 773, 774, 775,
777, 778, 780, 783, 784, 787, 789, 792
earnings of 680, 681
profits of 753
total in Connecticut 789
Maine 771
Massachusetts 784
New Jersey 793
New York 792
Rhode Island 787
United States 793
nationality of 579
oyster, of Chesapeake Bay 550
statistics of 564
seal lop 572
.sponge 822
share system of 827
wages of oyster 552
Fishing-club at Cuttyhuuk Island 660
Fishing grounds, lobster 661,744-794
Five Mile River, Conn., lobster fishery at 787
oyster planting at 535
Flat clam 581
Flatlands, N.Y., blue-crab fishery at 636
hard clams at 607
Floating cars for crabs 633
lobster 776
Florida, blue-crab fishery in 644
native oysters in 519
oyster industry statistics 564,565
oysters in 511
pecten shells in 567
shrimp fishery in 804
statistics in 810
sponge culture in
fishery in 821
origin of 830
stone-crabs in 651
terrapin fishery in 503
transplanting native seed oysters in .f — . 524
trepaug fishery iu 816
turtle fishery in 496
Flounders for lobster bait 675
method of capturing 675
spearing, oil used in 675
Flushing Bay, N. J., clams in 605
Flushing, N. Y., hard clams at 605
Folger, Capt. Barzillar, first on Kadiah ground .. 17
Food of whalemen 227
sealers, in Antarctic seal fishery 433
Foreign whale fishery 17, 192-218
whaling fleet in 1842 71
vessels in Arctic Ocean 85-94
Foxes, statistics of capture of 378
Fox Islands, Alaska 17
Foyn, Capt. Svend, whaling by 195
France, oyster fisheries of 573
INDEX.
853
Page.
France, whale fishery of (56,71,192,207
Francis, Christian, on lobsters 710
Franklin, Dr. Benjamin, on whalemen 115
Franklin expedition, relics of 101
Frauklinville, N. Y., scallop industry at 579
Freetown, Mass., whaling fleet of 171
Frenchman's Bay district, lobster fishery in 7f:0, 751
statistics in 770-772
Frenchman's Bay, Me., soft clams at 584
Friendship, Me., blackfish at 304
lobster fishery at 759
Frills, name for scallops 565
Frobisher Bay, whaling in 96
Fuca Strait, fur-seals in 394
Fuller, William, on lobsters 711
Funnel trap, lobster 666
Fnr-seal, dearth of information about rookeries of 332
fishery, men's shares in 428
notable voyage in 458
voyages iu, 1783 to 1880 440-460
fragile character of bones of 373
hunting, 1797 434
industry, early history of, at Alaska 376
growth of Antarctis 402
in Antarctic Ocean 319
of Cape Flattery 319, 393-400
of Pribylov Islands 319-393
by Russians. 376
origin of Antarctic 400
profits of 401
Fur-sealiug in canoes 395
Fnr-seal oil, commercial value of 372
forfood 396
Ftfr-seal rookeries on Saint Paul and Saint George. 332
Fur-seal skins, Antarctic record of voyage for 440-460
at Patagonia 65
average weight of 370
care of 433
cargo sold in Canton 466
curing 430
dried 444
first taken to China 400
folding and packing 434
former methods of handling 435
value of 406
Government tax on 385
grades of 371,431,432
manner of salting 395
market for 428
method of drying 435
flinching 433
mistaken for sea-otter 400
number taken at South Shetlands. 407
in Antarctic 40-2,439
packing for shipment 370
reasons for varying prices of 371
salt for curing 426, 460
salting 434
sold in London 371
value of Antarctic 428
at Washington Territory . . 399
Fur-seals, Aleut method of skinning 366
Antarctic, habits of 431
methods of capture 429
Page.
Fur seals, Antarctic, methods of hunting 431
skinning 430
sealers' names fur 429
season for hunting 431
at Antipodes 426
Auckland Isles 425
Border's Island 425,426
Falkland Islands 409
in 1796 461
Juan Fernandez in 1797 464
Masafuera in 1797 464
Patagonia in 1796 461
Prince Edward Group 417
Royal Company's Island 426
South Georgia Island 413
Stewart's Island 426
Tristan Islands 400, 401, 413
bachelors called holluschickie 372
behavior of, in the water 355
blubber of 368
can the number be increased 358
capture of, in California 393
curing the skins 369
decay of carcasses of 374
decrease on Pribylov Islands 351
destroyed by sharks 302,353
distribution in southern oceans 403
driving to killing ground 363
encysted bullets in 356
females called elapmatches 431
with young, killed 394
first southern voyage for 400
flesh for food 368
food consumed by 354
former methods of skinning 430
futnre movements of 360
Government restrictions on capture of . 386
gradation of fur of 371
great numbers seen in mid-ocean 394
habits of, at Falkland Islands 435
on African coast 416
holluschickie, or bachelor seals 363
in California 357
increase on Pribylov Islands 351,357
killed by shooting 393
with clubs 429
rifles 429
killing grounds at Pribylov Islands 375
law against killing female 390
limiting number killed 390
protecting 370,300
regulating capture of 407
loss of life among young 352
males called wigs 431
method of capture at Cape Flattery 395
killing at Alaska 363, 365
restricted 390
land travel 364
skinning 433
mortality of, in 1836 333
movements of, after leaving rookeries.. 353
in North Pacific 398
natives paid for 383
natural enemies ofc. 353
854
INDEX.
Page.
Fur seals, number on Pribylo v Islands 334-344
Saint George Island 350
taken at British Columbia 397
Cape Flattery 397,399
Masafuera 407
by Russians in Alaska.. . 377
on Commander Islands.. 362
Pribylov Islands 362
oil of 371
on Commander Islands 361
Faralloue Islands 357
Kurile Islands 361
outfit for vessel hunting 426
pelagic range of 355
pestilence among, on African coast 416
prostration by heat 365
resistance to death-shocks 347
season at Cape Flattery 394
for killing, limited 390
seecatchie, or full-grown males 358
sites of abandoned rookeries 358
size of 335
Antarctic 429
space occupied by 335
taken in open sea at Cape Flattery 395
total number on Pribylov Islands 350, 351
value of, on Pribylov Islands 351)
yield of oil 396
Fyke-nets, flounder 675
Galapagos Islands, sperm whales near 10
whalers resort to 26
Gal veston, Tex. , blue crabs at 645
shrimp canning at 806
Gamming in whale fishery 259
Gardiner's Bay, soft-clam fishery at 591
Gay Head, Massachusetts, half-breed Indians at. .218-220
lobster fishery at 781,782
lobsters at 661
Gelasiuius miuax 648
pugilator 648
pngnax 648
Geography Bay, Australia 16
Geographical distribution of right whales 15
whales 7
George's Bank, whaling south of 9
George's Island, Maine, lobster fishery at 759
Georgetown, Me., lobster fishery in 761
lobsters at 707, 726
Georgia, blue-crab statistics in 648
marketing oysters in 548
native oysters in 549
oyster industry statistics 564,565
packing in 562
sea-crab fishery in 644
shrimp fishery in 804
statistics in 810
stone crabs in 651
terrapi n fishery of 503
wlaJing in 49
Germany, crayfish in 7;)6
mussel industry in 619
whale fishery of 71, 192, 217
Gill-nets, green turtle 496
Glaciers at Heard's Island 422
Glen Cove, N. Y., hard clams at 605
soft clams at '. 591
Globiocephalus melas, fishery for 297
Gloucester district, lobster fishery in 773
statistics 784, 785
Gloucester, Mass., blackfish ashore at :!0.">
clam industry at 587
lobster fishery at 773
laws at 727
lobsters at 662, 708
rock crabs at <)4'J
soft clams at 589
whaling fleet of 171, 172
Glue from whale 4
Gnathodon cuueatus 581
Goode, G. Brown, on blackflsh fishery 298
Gosheu, N. J., horseshoe crabs at 054
Gough's Island, discovery of 415
fur-sealing at 415
Goldsboro', Me., lobster fishery at 750
lobsters at 706, 725
Grand Bank, whaling on 112
Grand Mauau, lobster cannery at 746
lobsters at 744
Graveseud Bay, Now York, blue-crab fishery at... (136
Gray seal 474
Gray whale, distribution of 23
on the California coast 4
Pacific coast 55
Great Bay, New Hampshire, extinction of oysters
in 514
oysters in 509
Great Bay, New Jersey, quahaugs at (J07
Great Bed, Rhode Island, oyster planting at 536
Great Britain, decrease of lobsters in 696
lobster laws in 718
traps of 6(18
report in lobster fishery of 723
whale fishery of U»2, l'J7
Great Egg Harbor, native oysters in. 518
Great Eastern seal rookery, Saint Paul Island.. .349, 350
Great Neck, N. Y. , oyster beds at 534
Great Sale Pond, oysters in 511
Great South Bay, decrease in oysters in 517
oyster planting in 533
Green, Capt. D. F., notable sealing voyage by.. .441, 461
Green crab 651
Greener's whaling-gun .".:;
Greenland, bowhead whales taken at 18
early whaling at 193
East, whaling at 293
English whaling at 7
movements of bowhead whales at 202
right whales oft' 15
seal 474
sealing at 475
sperm whales at 8
whale and seal fishery, statistics 199-202
fishery, Du tch vessels in 104
w ha ling at 197
on east coast of. 94
Grecuport , N. Y. , hard clams at 606
lobster fishery at 790
scallop fishery :it 579
INDEX.
855
Page.
Crcenport, N. Y., whaling licet ot 171, 17'J
Green turtles, fishery tor 495, Ki'.l
value of .UK;
Greenwich Hay, Kin. cle Island, scallop fishery in.. :>7.>
Greenwich, I'm i n., oyster planting at. 534
scallops at 571
(irillin, G. AY., on whaling at Nc\\ /.caland -jii'.i
Grimm, Dr., on Iviissian whale fishery 204
I ; rot on, Conn., whaling licet of 100, 101, 172
(.nailcloiipe Islands, I'nr-seal.s at :i;i:;
(Jnani, visited by American wbalors 26
(inano IVoin \vli.-iles 4
Guilford, Conn., decrease in oysters at 516
oyster planting at 536
soft, clams at 589
Gulf of California, sperm whales in 12
Ghijigha 20
Guayaquil, humpback whales iu 22
Maine, extinction of oysters in 513
oysters iu 509
Mexico, blue crabs iu 645
decrease in oysters in 520
mussels ia 618
oyster markets in 548
shrimp fishery iu 805
sperm whales in 8, 14
transplanting native seed oys-
ters 524
whaling in 144
Para, whaling in 22
Saint Lawrence, extiuction of oysters in .. 513
oysters iu 508
quail au^'s in 603
restrictions iu whaling in. 108
scaling in 475
soft clams in 584
whale fishery in 104,215
G nr> harpoons 252
Guns, whaling, kiuds used 252
Hair-seal fishery, North Atlantic 474
skins 440-460
seals at Falkland Islands 434
Hackeusack River, New. Jersey, natural oyster beds. 511
Haddock, lobster bait for 660
Hakodadi, visited by American whalers 26
Hake, lobster bait for 660
Halibut, canned 688
dried • 63
li si i cry by Makah Indians 396
llaliclKcrns gr.vpus 474
Halifax River, Florida, turtle fishery of 496
Haliotida- 622-i,-.'0
Haliotis coiTiigata (>•_':>
cracherodii 023
rnfcscciis 623,026
splcndcns O-.':;
Hall, ('apt. ('. 1'., Arctic explorer 96
Hall, I icon: e 11., on Canadian whaling 216
Hammond, ('apt. A., first to kill sperm whale in
1'acilic 197
l/anipton Flats, Virginia, oyster planting at 527
Ii'oads, Virginia, bine crabs in 641
Hampton, Va., crab cannery at 634,641,646
HaiiiMance whaleman's. .. 252
Page.
Hannibal, ship, at Spitsbergen 19
Harbor seal 474
Harpooner on -whaling vessel 223
Harpoon-gun, Greener's 03
Norwegian 196
llai pom i, two-lined 250
Harpoons, construction of 251
early use of 250
kinds used in California 57
marked with vessel's nauie 251
number manufactured 251
whale, at. Barbadoes 214
description of -.'Mi
Harp seal 474
Harrington, Me., lobster fishery at 748
Hartford, Conn., sealing voyage from 445
Hart A Balkan), lobster cannery of 746
Harwich, Mass., clam industry at — fi.-7
lobster fishery at 77S, 779
sea-clam fishery at (ilO
Ilatteras Ground, location of 8,9
right whales on 15
whaling on 22, 144
Hawaiian Islands, whaling near 12
Hawksbill turtle, fishery 495-499
Hayes, Major, on French oyster fisheries 573
I leard's Island, description of 120
discovery of 419
glaciers at 422
history of 419
Indian Ocean 403
method of handling seal-bin liber at. 437
rescue of sealing crew on 428
sealing at 419
sealing voyages to 454-460
Hector, Saint John C'revecceur, quoted 31
Heligoland, lobster laws in 1 718
Hempstead Bay, soft clams in 591
Hempstead N. Y., hard clams at 60
Hen clatn 581,608
Hermit crabs 652
Hen ing, abundance of, in Pacific Ocean 3.~i.~i
food of fur-seal 355
for lobster bait 675, 676
Heterograpsus uudus -. 057
oregoneutis 657
Hudson, N. Y., sealing voyages from .446,447
Hippa talpoida 651
Hawaiian Islands, whaling fleet of 86-91
Hobart Town, whaler's supply station 25
Holluschickie, abundant supply of 365
driving the 348
or bachelor fur-seal 363
Holme's Hole, Mass., whaling fleet of 171, 172
Holmes, Thomas L 706,740
I lolothnriau 'sl~>
Hong-Kong \isitcd by American whalers 26
Honolulu, whaler's transshipping port 26
whaling licet of 86,91
I 1 in nlcd seal -174
Hoop- nets, crab 632
lobster 665,099
1 1 or ner, I Jr. A., on seal llesli as food 478
Horseshoe-crab fisher; 652-657
856
INDEX.
Page.
Horseshoe erafcs as chicken food 655
for fertilizing purposes 653, 655
methods of catching 653
mills for grinding 654
qualities and uses of 652
statistics of 658
transplanting, to California 743
Ho well's History of Southampton cited 33
Hudson Bay, length of voyages to 24
number of whaling voyages to 174
record of whaling voyages to 99, 101
whale fishery, origin of 94
oil from 8
whaling fleet in 3,24
in 18,149,150,152-164
Hudson, N. Y., whaling fleet of 171
Hudson River, natural oyster beds in 511
Hudson Strait, whaling in 18
Hull, England, whaling fleet of 198
Hull, Mass., lobster fishery at 775
Hiimpbaok-whale fishery 153, 161
grounds 22, 153
oil, price of 154,157
whales, distribution of 22
former abundance of 28
iu Gulf of Saint Lawrence 216
Pacific Ocean 22
number taken in California .. 60
off coast of Maine 22
on Nantucket Shoals 143
Pacific coast 4,55
quantity of oil from 56
tendency to sink 270
HuntingtoB Bay, New York, blue-crab fishery at.. 636
oyster beds in 534
Himtington, N. Y 36
hard clams at 605
soft clams at 591
Hutehinson, H. M., of Alaska Commercial Com-
pany 382
Hyannis, Mass., scallops at .'....571,575
Hyas, species of crabs 658
Hyperoodon restrains, fishery for 204
Ice, dangers from 79
to whalers from 75, 96, 235
hunting whales among the 20
Iceland, bottle-nose whales at 204
Norwegian whaling at 195
whaling at 23,98,192
Ichaboe Island, fur seals at 416
Imports of sperm oil into United Kingdom 154, 165
Import trade in leeches 813
Inaccessible Island, Tristan d'Acuuha 414
Indian method of boiling mussels 620
Indian Ocean, number of whaling voyages to 174
right whales in 16
sperm whaling in 12, 70
whale fishery in .... 7, 16, 67, 144, 146, 148,
149, 152-164
oil from 8
Indian porpeise hunters 308
Indian River, Delaware, blue-crab fishery in 639
Florida, turtle fishery of 496
sea-otter hunters 684
Pag*.
Indian shell heaps 599
use of mussels 619
shell-fish 599
whalemen of Gay Heaa 218-220
whalers at Nantncket 31
Indians, clams prepared by 600
Makah, sealing by 394
sealing by 394
use of oysters by 509
whaling by 22
Ingersoll, Ernest, "Country Cous;ns"by 546
on abalone fasnery 505, 622-626
clam fisheries 505, 581-615
mussel fishery 505 615-622
oyster industry 505-565
scallop fishery i05, 565-581
Insurance on whaling vessels 152
Ipswich, Mass., oysters at 509
soft-clam fishery at 586
Isaacs, A., on sponge trade 839
Isle au Haut, Me., flounder fishery at 676
lobster fishery at 752
Islesboro', Me., lobster fishery at 755
Isles of Shoals, lobster fishery at 773
Islip, N. Y., clam cannery at 606
oyster planting at 533
Ivory from sperm whales 72
sea-lion teeth 474
walrus 4,317,318,378
Jacksonville, Fla., oysters at 512
Jacobson, Herman, translation by 833
Jamesport, N. Y., hard clams at 606
scallop industry at 579
whaling fleet of 171
James River, Virginia, oysters in 522
seed oysters in 525
Jan Mayen, bottlenose whales at 204
sealing at 475
Japan current 324
Japan Ground, whaling on 69
Japan Sea, right whales in 17
whaling in 94
Japan, sperm whales near 12
off coast of 11
whaling ground, discovery of.., 69
Jason Islands, sealing at 461
Johns Hopkins University, publications cited 507
Johnson, A. L., on lobsters 707
Johnson, S. M., on lobster laws 727, 729
Jonah crab 629,649
statistics of 658
Jones, J. W., on lobsters 691
lobster laws 730
Jones, J. W., & Co., lobster cannery of 695,749,
754,758,763
Jonesport, Me., lobster fishery at 748
lobsters at 706
Jordan, Prof. D. S 487
on abalones 623
California sealing 473
fur-seal industry 393
mussels 621
whaling in California 52
Juan Fernandez, fur-sealing at 402
INDEX.
857
Page.
Juan Fernandez, sealing at 408, 464
sperm whales off 10
whales off 12
.Inel, Capt. Niels, on Norwegian whaling 195
Katliuk, Alaska, discovery of 321
Kadiak Grouud, right whales on 17
vessels on -jo
whaling ground 86,87
Kaiulaika, method of making the 472
Kamtchatka Sea, whaling in 21
Kanaka whalemen 6,218-220
Keetavie seal rookery, Saint Paul Island :'.:'.-, 34 I
Kelp crab of Pacific coast 657
Kennebunk district, lobster fishery in 7fi9
statistics in 77U-772
Kennebunkport, Me. , lobster fishery at 769
Kerguelen Land, history of 418
right whales at 10
sea-elephants at 401
whaling at 16
Keruiadec Islands, sperm whales around 11
Keyport, N. J., clam fishery at 597
oyster freshening at 546
Keyport River, New Jersey, natural oyster beds in . 51 1
Key West, Fla., sponging fleet of 823
trepang fishery at 815
turtle fishery of 497
Kickamnit River, Rhode Island, oyster planting.. 536
Kidder, Dr. J. H., description of Kerguelen Land. 418
Killer whale, Indian name "se-hwan " 62
Kiug crabs 653
King George Sonud, Australia 16
King's Mill Group, sperm whales near 11,12
Kittery, Me., lobster fishery at 770
Knmlien, Ludwig, on scallop fishery 575
Knrile Islands, fur-seals on 361
sea-lions at 471
sea-otter at 483
Labrador, sealing at 475
whaling and sealing at 198
at 9:>,108,216
Laccadive Islands, sperm whales around 12
Ladrono Islands, sperm whales near 11
Lady crab 629,651
Lagoon seal rookery, Saint Paul Island 340, 344
Lake's Bay, New Jersey, qnahaugs at 607
Lambert, Jonathan, at Tristan Islands 414
Lance, whalemen's bomb 254
hand 252
Lankester, Professor, on razor-fish 614
Lanman, Charles, on sea-elephants 436
Latham, J. H.,on lobsters 711
Lath pots 666
Law against oyster dredging^on native "rocks".. 525
limiting terrapin fishery 502
protecting Alaska seal Islands 390
fur seals 370
regulating sealing at Lobos Island 407
Laws, colonial oyster 515
lobster, fishermen's opinions of 725
in Connecticut 735,736
Europe 718
Maine 731,736
New Hampshire 733,736
Page.
Laws, lobster, in New York 735, 736
Norway 712, 713
Rhode Island 734,736
opponents of 730
protective 696
oyster, in Delaware 528
Maryland and Virginia 549
New Jersey 530
protective 514,515
regulating clam fishery 586,588
disposal of drift whales 33
packing of clams 610
scallop fishery 576
whale fishery 28
restricting lobster fishery 703
State, regulating lobster fishery 731-736
Lay system in Antarctic sealing 428
oyster industry 552
shore whale fishery 53, 58
whale fishery 291-294
Leather ft<"n porpoise hide 215
Leeches, European and American, compared 813
import trade in 813
season for 814
trade in American 814
Leech industry 811-815
in United States 813
statistics of 815
Le Gallee, D. B., on lobsters 708
Legislation regulating fur-seal industry 390
Lewes, Del., blue-crab fishery at 640
Lewis, W. K., & Brother 61»5
lobster cannery of 688, 754,
758, 765
Libinia dubia 651
emarginata 651
Licenses in whale fishery 38,39
Limiting Polyphemus 652,743
statistics of 658
Lincolnville, Me. , lobster fishery at 755
Lindeman, Dr. Mori tz, on Arctic whaling 198,217
Little Eastern rookery, Saint George Island 349,350
Little Egg Harbor, N. J., quahaugs at 607
Li (tie Neck clams 581,602
Little Neck, N. Y., clams at 591
hard clams at 605
Live cars for crabs 633,638,640
lobsters 672,776
Lobos Island, law regulating seal industry at 407
Lobscouse, whalemen's food called 228
Lobster bait 747-793
fish for 675
menhaden as 787
quantity used 676
sheep heads and livers for 676
total used in Connecticut 789
Maine 771
Massachusetts 7*4
New Jersey 793
New York 792
Rhode Island 787
United States 793
boats 669-671
Connecticut — 670
858
INDEX.
P»ge.
Lobster boats, double-eiider 671
Muscougus Bay 670
statistics of . .747, 749, 751, 755, 758, 761, 703,
704, 707, 709, 771, 773, 774, 77.\ 777,
778, 780, 783, 784, 7S7, 789, 792, 703
total in Connecticut 789
Maine 771
Massachusetts ... 784
New Jersey 793
NewYork' 792
Rhode Island 787
UuitedStates 793
two sail 671
canneries, effect of laws on 726
help at 693
in Maine 745-772
British provinces 690
number and location of 689
products of . 690
refuse of 694
source of supply for 691
statistics for Maine 771
total statistics for United States 794
canning industry 687-696
in relation to the fishery 691
cans, manufacture of 694
cars 776, 791
construction of 672
fishermen's 673
in Norway 674
reason for using 673
creels 668
culture, possible success of 740
fishermen .679-681, 747, 749, 751, 755, 758, 761, 763,
764, 767, 7(i9, 771, 773,774,775,777,
778, 780, 783, 784, 787, 789, 792
total in Connecticut 789
Maine 771
Massachusetts 784
New Jersey 793
New Yoi k 792
Rhode Island 787
United States 793
fishery 627,658-794
apparatus of 665
ut Cape Cod 77.--7M)
bait used in 674-677
capital in 747-793
coast review of 744-794
general review of 658
history of 696-711 '
in Connecticut 705
in Maine 699
in Massachusetts 703
in New Jersey 705
in NewYork 705
in Rhode Island 705
in Barnstable district 778
Bath d istrict 761-763
Belfast, district 755-759
Boston district 775
Castine district 752,755
Connecticut 787
Edgarton district 780,783
Lobster fishery iu Frenchman's Bay district 750,751
Gloucester district 773
Great Britain 723
Keuuebunk district 769
Machias district 747
Marblehead district 775
Massachusetts 783-785
Nantucket district 780
New Hampshire 773
New Jersey 792
New York 789-792
Passamaquoddy district 744
Plymouth district 778
Portland district 764-768
relation to canning 091
Rhode Island 785-787
Saco district 768
Salem district 774
Waldoboro' district 759-761
Wiscasset d 1st net 761-763
York district 770
laws restricting 703
met hods of 665,677,744-794
profits of 680
review for Maine 744
seasons for 663
State laws regulating 731-736
statistical recapitulation for Mas-
sachusetts 784
statistics for Barustable district.. 780, 784
Bath district 764
Belfast district 758
Boston district 777,784
Oastine district 755
Connecticut 793,794
Edgartown district .. 783
Gloucester district... 774,
784, 785
Machias district 749
Maine 793,794
Marblehead district.. 784
Massachusetts 793,794
Nantucket district — 784
New Bedford district. 784
New Hampshire. 773,793,794
New Jersey 793,794
New York 792, 793, 794
Plymouth district.. .778,784
Portland district 767
Rhode Island.. .787,793,794
Saco district 769
Salem district 775, 784
United States 793, 794
Wise-asset district ... 763
York district 770
total capital iu 793
Massachusetts 784
Rhode Island 787
fishing grounds, character of 662
extent of 661
location of 661
fishing season 663
funnel-trap 666
lump-nets 609,099
INDEX.
859
P»ge,
Lobster hoop- pots 60.~>
industry, capital in 747-793
persona employed in Maine 771
.statistics I'm- Maine in 18*0 77U-772
lvassamaep.ioddv dis-
trict 747, 77u
United States . . . .793,791
total capital in 7'.M
Connecticut 7*9
Maine 771
New .Jersey '93
New York 792
persons employed 794
value of products 7114
lath-pots, construction ol' 660
laws, fishermen's opinions of - 725
in Europe 718
Norway 712, 713-720
Connecticut 73:">, 736
New Hampshire, 733, 7311
New York 735.736
Rhode Island 734, 736
opponents of 730
inarketinen 747, 749, 751. 755, 758, 761, 7(13, 767 ,
769,771,789,792
markets 681
net -pots ''67
puts in California 798
set on trawls 699
statistics of. . . 7 17, 74'.), 751 , 755, 758, 761, 703,
764, 767, 769, 771, 773, 774, 77.r>,
777. 778, 780. 7*3, 784, 7*7, 78!), 792
total in Connecticut 7*9
Maine 771
Massachusetts 7*1
New Jersey 793
\e w York 792
Kliode Island 7*7
United States 793
rock of California 798
smacks 66!)
statistics of. 749, 751,755, 758, 761, 763, 767,
7 69, 771, 775, 780, 787, 789, 792
summary statistics i'or Maine 770
total in Connecticut 7*9
Massachusetts 7*4
New York 792
United States 793
steamer 691
trade, of New York City 790
Norway 7 12, 721
traps 6G.~>
method of using 677
Lobsters, abundance ill Ne\v Jersey 711
apparatus of c.iptnrc (165
for transplanting 741
as bait 6:>9. OOi.)
ha it for 07 I -67 7
best si/e for eating 660
time of day fur 664
boiled 690,704,705
for shipment 0-3
Page.
Lobsters, canned 687-696, 74*, 749, 751 ,
755,758,763,767,771,775
deviled 0911
exports of 6!l.ri
history of 6*7
preparation of 692
eason for 690
statistics of 6'.ir>
varieties of 690
close -time' for 731-736
commercial importance of 6.",*
cult iv a tii in of 730
dc 'crease ill abundance of 696, 711
Canada 711
Kmopc 711
Creal Britain 723
New Brunswick 711
New York Bay 711
Norway 711
size of 697
depths of water frequented l>y 661,1562
duty on 730
exported to Europe 686
fishing grounds for 661, 744-794
season for 744-794
fresh, markets for 6*1
Portland trade in 766
geographical distribution of 661
history of lishery for 696-71 1
in Delaware 793
lit ws protecting 696
ledge , 7*3
legal size of 681, 725, 731-730
in Great Britain 724
Norway 715
manner of boiling 6*3
methods of carrying 683
catching 665.677,744-794
handling alive 672,673
of selling 6*4
shipping 684
number tiskeii in New England 729
packed in ice ' >- I
[Kicking of 738
j icgging claws of 674
present abundance in Connecticut 710
Maine 706
Massachusetts .. . 7ns
New Hampshire . 708
lfhc.de Maud .... 711)
pickled 766
price's 6*4, 6 -'6, 692
propagation of 714
quantity handled at Huston .>*2
New Yoik 6.~.>
reproduction of 737
lock 7*3
•.all-water p Is for 660
school 783
.season for 063
sex preferred for food 660
shedding season in Norway 716
860
INDEX.
Page.
Lobsters shedding, time for 729
shipped alive 683
in barrels 685
size of 691
soft-shelled, at Eastport 744
not edible 660
southern limit of 661
statistics of catch 747-793
tongsfor catching 668
total, caught in Connecticut 789
Maine 771
Massachusetts 784
New Jersey 793
New York 792
Rhode Island 787
United States 793
receipts at Boston 777
transplanting of 740
transportation of live 673
to market 681
value and uses of 659
weight of 729
wholesale trade at Boston 776
Lolisterville, Mass., lobster fishery at 780
Lockington, W. N 658
on abalones 623
crayfish 975
lobsters in California 743
Lockwood, Prof. S. S 518,597,600
Loggerhead turtles, annual catch of 496
diving for 495
fishery for 495
Long Island, blue-crab fishery at 634,635
decrease in native oysters at 517
h istory of shore whaling at 32
horseshoe-crab fishery at 652
lobster fishing at 789
mussels at (H7,G-20
mussel statistics at 622
natu ;al oyster beds in 511
oyster planting at 53-
qnahaug fishery at 605, 608
scallop statistics for 581
sea-clams at 609
scallop industry at 572,577
soft-clam fishery at 591
whale fishery at 106
Long Island Sound, green crabs in 651
oyster decrease in 516
planting in 534
whales in 48
Lord, J. K., on Pacific clams 611
Los Angeles, Cal., clams at '613
Los Angeles County, California, abalones in 624
Louisiana, bine crabs in 645
oyster industry statistics 564, 565
oysters in 512
shrimp in 800,805
statistics of blue crabs 648
shrimp 610
Lubec, Me., lobster fishery at 744
Lukannon seal rookery, Saint Paul Island 340, 344
Lutraria maxima 611
Lynnhnven, Va., oyster planting at 626
Page.
Lynn, Mass., lobster fishery at 775
whale-fishery statistics, 1771 to 1775. 116
whaling fleet of 171,172
Machias district, lobster industry in 747-750
lobster statistics in 770, 772
Machias, Me., lobsters at 706
soft clams at 584
Mackerel, canned 751,754,758,763,765
fishery, clam bait in 594
Macoina nasuta '. 581
Mactra falcata 581
solidissima 581,608
Macy's History of Nantucket 31,63, 440
Madagascar, sperm whales around 12
whaling at 70
Magdalena Bay, humpback whales in 22
Magdalen Islands, lobster canneries at 690
sealing at 475
Mahone's Creek, Delaware, horseshoe crabs at 654
Makah Indians, sealing by 394
whaling by 62
Maine, blacknsh at Friendship 304
boat whaling in 40
decrease of lobsters in 698
extinction of oyster beds in 514
former abundance of oysters in 509
history of lobster fishery in 699
lobster canning industry in 687
fishermen in 679
fishery in 661
laws of 731,736
park in 740
statistics for 793,794
present abundance of lobsters in 707
quahaugs in 596
quantity of lobster bait in 676
reach boats of 670
review of lobster fishery in 744
season for lobsters in 663
soft-clam fishery in 584, 594
statistics of oyster industry 564
statistical recapitulation of lobster indus-
try 770
transplanting native seed oysters 524
whaling off coast of 22
Maltby, C. S., oyster packing by 560
Manchester, Mass., lobster fishery at 773
Mantels, name for scallops 565
Maories as whalemen 218-220
Marblehe.id district, lobster fishery in 775, 784, 785
Marblehead, Mass., lobster fishery at 709,775
Mariu County, California, clams at 613
Marion Island, sealing at 417
Marion, Mass., oysters at 510
whaling fleet of 3,171,172,173
voyages from 1870 to 1880 . 170-192
Marquesas Islands, sperm whales off 11
Marsh & Dennett, lobster cannery of 765
Martha's Vineyard, boat-whaling at 29
cat-boats of 671
lobster fishery at 780
laws at 727
oysters at 510
quahaugs at 604
INDEX.
861
Page.
Martha's Vineyard, whalo fishery from 106,116
Martin, Capt. S. ,1., on lobsters 709
Maryland, blue-crab fishery in 641
crab canneries in 034,647
oyster laws in 549
(lurking in - 5(>1
si :i I is! irs for 553, 564, 5(J5
soft clams in "''•':•
statistics of blue crabs 648
terra pin fishery of 503
Masafnera, description of 407,465
fur sealing at, 401, 407
sealing at, ill 1797 464
voyages to 441—446
sperm whales near 10
Massachusetts, boat whaling in 41
extinction of oysters in 514
history of boat-whaling in 26
horseshoe crabs in 652
laws regulating salted bait 610
lobster fishermen in 679
fishery iu 661,773-785
park ill 740
statistics 784, 793
oyster-industry statistics 564
oysters in waters of 509
present abundance of lobsters at . . 708
scallop fishery in 574, 575
sea-clams in.... 608-013
shell heaps in 599, 003
soft-clam fishery in 585, 589, 594
whale fishery of, 1771 to 1775 116
whaling fleet of 3, 94
Mather, Fred., on blue-crab fishery 635
clam fishery 591
lobster fishery 659
laws 730
quahaug fishery 605
scallop industry 577, 579
on sea-clams , 609
Mutiuii-ns boat 670
Mutinicns Island, Maine, lobster fishery at 759
Matinicus, Me., lobster fishery at 701
Mattapoisett, Mass., lobster fishery at 783
o Y sters at 510
Mattituck, N. Y., hard clams at 606
scallop industry at 579
Maurice Cove, New Jersey, native oysters in 518
oyster planting at 529
oysters sent to San Francisco 538
Mauritius, sperm whales off 12
whaler's supply station 25
McDonald, Col. Marshall, on oyster planting .vj(i
McDougal, United States Consul, on whale fishery. 198
McKesson & Bobbins..." 832
McKowu, Emerson, on lobster fishery 701
McMeuamin & Co., crab canning by illii
Mediterranean sponge fishery 837
Megaptera hoops 195
iu Russian Arctic Ocean 204
Melon oil of blacklish 309
Menemsha Bight, lobster fishery at 780,782
Menhaden as bait for lobsters 787
for lobster bait .. 677
Page.
Menippo merconarius 629,650,658
Mercury Island, fur seals at 416
Merrimac River, shell heaps on 599
Middletown, Conn., sealers from 444
Millbrae, Cal., oyster planting at 539
Millbridgc, Me., lobster Iishery at 749
Mill Creek, Virginia, oyster planting in 527
Miller, John F., President Alaska Commercial Com-
pany 390
Millsborough, Del., blue-crab fishery at 641
Milwaukee, Wis., crayfish at 794
Mindora Sea, sperm whales in 11
Miriam Coffin, on the whale-fishermen, quoted . .. 220
Mississippi oyster-industry statistics 564,565
oysters iu 512
Mississippi River, shrimp iu 800
Mobile, Ala., oyster packing at 563
shell roads at 599
Modiola hamatus 618
modiolus 615,618
plicatula 615,618
Modiolaria uigra 615, 618
Mona Passage, sperm whales in 8
Money, wampum 600
Monganui, whaler's supply station 25
Monomoy, Massachusetts, lobster fishery at 778
Monterey Bay, humpback whales in 22
Monterey, Cal., mussels at 621
whaling at 52, 54
Monterey County, California, abalones in 624
Monterey Whaling Company 58
Montevideo, whaler's supply station 25
Montreal, Canada, crayfish at 794
Monument River, oyster planting in 537
Morehead City, N. C., blue-crab fishery at 643
scallops at 580
shrimp at 802
stone-crabs at 650
terrapin fishery at 501
turtle fishery of 495
Morgan, Capt. Eheuezer, of Alaska Commercial
Company 382
Morgan's "Bay, Heard's Island 420
Moriches Bay, New York, blue-crab fishery at 636
Morrell, Captain, on Falkland Islands 411
Moseley, H. N 414,424
Mount Desert, Island, oysters at 509
Mount Desert, Me, lobster fishery at 750
Mount Sinai, hard clams at 605
lobster fishery at 789
Mount Wollastou, whale-ship 76
Mousam River, Maine, lobster fishery at, 769
Mozambique, whaling at 136
Mozambique Channel, sperm whales in 12
Mud-crabs 649
Mullet at Falkland Islands 4] 0
Mnllica River. New Jersey, native oysters in 518
oyster planting in 530
Muscle Ridge, Maine, lobster fishery at 700, 707, 7.".'.'
Miiscongus Bay lobster-boats 570
Mussel-crab 648
Mussel-digger, or California gray whale 23
Mussel fishery 505,615-622,626
industry in Germany 919
862
INDEX.
Page.
Mussels, Alaskan method of cooking 020
as bait 632
Atlantic species of , . Old
boiled and pickled 621
called black shells fi20
mustles 585
commercial importance of 619
cultivation of 619
description of beard of 016
enemies of 619
geographical distribution of 615, 619
greenness of 621
horse 018
in Alaska 619
Indian use of 019
marketed at New York 620
method of boiling 620
natural history of 616
pickled 464
ribbed 618
used as food 620
by Indians 599
val ue for manure 621
yellow 618
Mystic, Conn., sealing fleet of 4:!9,440
voyages from ... 451-460
whaling fleet of 171, 172
Mystic RiYer, Massachusetts, oysters in 509
Mya arenaria 581, 582
fishery for 58L-594
Mytilus califormanns 649
edulis 615,61s, 619
Nahaut, Mass., lobster fishery at 775
Nantucket district, lobster statistics 784, 785
Nantucket, Mass., blackti.sh ashore at 302
early whaling at 27, 63
history of shore whaling at 30
lobster fishery at 780
Macy's History of 31
sea-clam fishery at 610
sealing voyages from 440-460
sealing fleet of 439,440
soft clams at 589
statistics of lobster fishery at.. 780
whale fishery statistics It'll, 116
whaling fleet of .. .94, 112, 116, 171, 172
interests transferred to
France 132
whalemen of, in Europe 134
move to Nova
Scotia 138
Napeague Beach, soft clams at 591
Narragansett Cay, blue-crab fishery in 625
bedding Chesapeake oysters in. 52-2
decrease of oysters in 515
lobster fishery in 061 , 7s.~>
oyster planting in 530
quahaug fishery in 604
scallop fishery in 571, 575
shrimp in 800
soft-clam fishery iu 589
Narragansett Pier, Ehode Island, lobster fishery at. 785
Navigators' Islands, sperm whales near 11
Neah Bay, fur-seal industry at 394
Page.
Neah Bay, peeteu shells at 567
Neptune, ship, notable sealing voyage by 441,460
Net pots, lobster 667
Nets, flounder and sculpin 676
for capture of blaekfish 306
porpoise :>ns
u sed for capture of whales 247
Newark, N. J,, whaling fleet of 171
Newark Kiver, New Jersey, natural oyster beds
in 511
New Bedford d istriet, lobster fishery in 783
New Bedford, Mass., Arctic whaling fleet of 80-94
beginning of whale fishery
at 107
blue-crab fishery at 634, 635
census of whaling 173
Davis Strait whaling 99
lobster fishery at 783
statistics 784, 7Sf.
oysters at 510
Pacific whale fishery from ... 68
rock-crabs at 649
scallop fishery at 571,575
sealing fleet of 439,440
voyages from 442-460
shrimp at 799, 800
soft clams at 589
whale-oil refiuiug at 4
whaling fleet of 3, 171,172
voyages from 175-190
New Berne, N . C., oyster packing at 562
shrimp at 802
New Brunswick, lobster canneries at 690, 740
decrease in 711
Newbnry, Mass., oysters in 509
Xewburyport, Mass., clam fishery at 586
fur sealing from 415
rock-crabs at 049
sealing vogages from 450, 453
soft clams at 589
whaling fleet of 171, 172
New Caledonia, sperm whales around 11
NewCastle, N. II., lobster fishery at 773
New England, history of boat whaling in 20
Newfoundland, lobster canneries at 690
industry at 711
seal fishery, danger of 480
sealing at 474
whale fishery of 192
New Hampshire, extinction of oysters in 514
lobster fishermen in 679
fishery in 773
grounds, iu 002
laws of 727, 733
statistics for 793, 794
oysters in waters of 5(19
present abundance of lobsters iu . 708
soft-clam statistics in 594
.statistics of oyster industry 564
New Haven, Conn., Antarctic sealing from 401
as a lobster market 682
bedding Chesapeake oysters.. 522
blue crabs at 035
!ol 'ster fishery at 787
INDEX.
863
Pago.
New llaM'ii, Conn., marketing oysters al 559
natural oyster-beds al 510
oyster-beds a I 542
culture at .".II
farming at 545
planting at 530
trade at 559
sealing voyages I'roni -141— Hid
voyages of sealing ship Ncp-
t MHO of -Kil
whaling licet of 17'.'
Nr\v Hebrides, humpback whales at 22
New Holland, whalers' supply stations at 25
whaling at 146,158
Ne\\ Ireland, sperm whales near 11
New Jersey, lioat whaling in 48
Idne-eral) fishery in 634,636-039
decrease in oysters in 518
former quahaug fisheries in 602
horseshoe crabs at 653
lobster fishermen in 679
fishery iu 705,711,792
statistics for 793, 794
mussels at - 621,622
statistics for 622
oyster-industry statistics 564
la ws iu 528, 530
planting in 529
qua hang fishery in 607,608
statistics for 698
scallop fishery iu 580
sea-clams for manure 009
shrimp fishery in 801
soft-clam fishery in 592
statistics of blue crabs 048
statistics of horseshoe crabs 657
terrapin fishery in 503
New London, Couu., as a lobster market 682
blue crabs at 035
census of whaliug fleet 173
Davis Strait whaling from .. 95,39
interest in Alaska seal fish-
eries 3*2
lobster fishery at 711, 787
planting at 530
sea-elephant voyages from. .. 429
sealing fleet of 439. 440
from 420,451-460
vessels from 476
whale fishery of 117
whaling licet of....3,*0-94, 171, 17'.'
voyages from, 1870
to 1880 170-192
Ni-u Orleans, La., crabs from 029
crab trade of 645
crawfish at 79!!
lady-crabs at 651
n\ -lei • mai kn at 540
shell roads at 599
shrimp canning at Hl(!
Newport, 1{. I., as a lobster market 0*2
lobster fishery at 785
rock-crabs at 049
sealiug fleet of 439
rag*
N'e\\ port, It. I., sealing voyage* from i;, I
whaling Heel of 171, 1*2
Me« Suffolk, N. V., hard clams at (it Hi
o\ ster i ml list ry at 572-0*1
scallop industry at 577
whaling licet of 171
New York, as a lobster market i;.— .'
bine-crab fishery at li::.".
boat whaling in 4s
decrease in native oysters in 517
horseshoe crabs in 652
lobster cars at 072
fishermen in 079
fishery in 705, 7*9-792
la ws of 735-736
statistics for 79:!, 794
market for (]iiahaugs 602
mussels in 018,020,622
oyster firms iu 554
industry statistics 504
market of 554
quahaug fishery in 605
sealing fleet of 440
voyages from 440-400
shrimp statistics in *lo
soft-clam statistics iu 594
sponge trade of 838
statistics of blue crabs 048
terrapin fishery in 503
whaliug fleet of 271, 172
voyages from, 1874 to 1880 ..182-190
New York IJay, bedding Southern oysters in 52:!
decrease in oysters 51*
lobsters in 661,711,789
mussels iu 018
natural oyster beds in 511
oyster planting iu 531
iiuahaug statistics for 00-
tishcry in 607
New York City, blue-crab market in 636
cray fish market in 794
lobster trade 790
scallop trade 580
New York Harbor, scallops iu 571
soft clams in 592
New York Island, sealing at 417
New Zealand, right whaliug at 17
sperm whales near 12
off 11
whaling at 69
whale lislicn of 192,20*
whaling at.*. I 1-, 150, 153-10 1. 2"9
Nightingale Island, Tristan d'Aciinha 414
Noauk, Conn., as a lobster market 682
lol.st T fishery at 7-^7
lobsters at 711
shrimp at 801
No Man's Land, lobster fishery at 780,781
Xordi nskiold, Baron, on beluga hunt ing 24
Spitsbergen fishery 191
Norfolk, Va., oyster packing at 502
quahaug market al oo.-.
shri m)i at 800
North Atlantic, whaling grounds in 15
864
INDEX.
P»ge.
North Atlantic, whaling in 159
North Carolina, blue-crab fishery in 642
boat whaling in 48
catch of turtle iu 499
native oysters iu 519
natural oyster-beds in 511
oyster-industry statistics 564,565
packing in 562
planting Ln 524
porpoise fishing iu 308
quahaug fishery in 008
right whales off 15
scallops in 580
shore whaliug in 3
shrimp fishery in 801
statistics 810
statistics of blue crabs 648
stone crabs in 650
terrapin fishery in 499, 505
turtle fishery in 495
Northeast Gulf, Okhotsk Sea 20
Northeast seal rookery, Saint Paul Island 342, 344
North Haven, Me., lobster fishery at 701,707,755
North Pacific, sperm-whale fishery 69
sperm whales iu 11
whale fishery in 20
history of 73
whaling by Germans in 218
fleet of .. .8, 19, 84-94, 145, 150, 151
grounds in 17
North seal rookery, Saint George Island 348,350
North Truro, Mass. , lobster fishery at 704
lobsters at 710
Northumberland Inlet 18
Northwest coast right- whale ground 17
Norwalk, Conn. , natural oysters at 516
oysters from 557
quahaugs at 604
soft clams at 589
Nor walk oysters sent to San Francisco 538
Norway, lobster apparatus in 6*8
cars in 674
cultivation in 736
decrease of lobsters in 696,711
lobster laws in 713-720
trade in 712,713,721
shell heaps in 599
whale fishery of 7,19,192,195
Nor w ich, Conn. , decrease in oysters in 516
sealing voyages from 451
Nova Scotia, lobster canneries in 690
decrease in .. 711
Novastoshnah seal rookery, Saint Paul Island - ..342, 344
Nova Zembla, whaling at 160
white whales at 204
Oakc-s, Capt. Elisha M., on lobster fishery 700
Oakland Creek, California, oyster planting at.. .. 539
Off shore grounds 12
sperm whales on 10
Ohio River, shell heaps along the 599
Oil, blackfish 4,299-309
dogfish, as food 62
fish, to render water smooth 675
fur seal 372,373
Paga.
Oil, fur seal for food 296
melon, from blackfish 309
of white whale 204
porpoise jaw 4,309
pouches made from seal paunches 396
sea-lion stomachs 473
qualities o/ whale 56
quantity of, from humpback whales 56
right whale 288
sea-elephant, preparation of 437
quantity and value of 439
taken in Antarctic
waters 402
seal, by Dundee steamers 202
export of, from Newfoundland 476
in California 473
uses of 478
shark 53
sperm, home consumption of, 1860 to 1884 166
price of 167
receipts of, 1860 to 1884 166
statistics of 4
walrus i 107
watch, from porpoise jaw 309
whale 3
by Dundee steamers 202
early method of saving 31
exports of, 1758 to 1763 105
for food 63
illumination 136
market grades of 4
method of refining 4
price of 168
quantity taken in 1880 4
used for illumination 139
Okhotsk Sea, bo whead whales in 18, 19
gray whales iu 24
right whaling iu 17
Russian whaling in 205
whaling in 8,86,87
Oregon, gray whales at 24
oyster supply of 520
right whales off coast of 17
Orient, N. Y., hard clams at 606
lobster fishery at 790
Orleans, Mass. , blackfish ashore at 300-305
lobster fishery at 778
whaling fleet of 171,172
Ormershells 622
Ostrea borealis 507
canadeusis 507
coneophila 507, 520
lurida 507
virgiuica 507
Otter Island, Priby lo v group 327
Otter-skins, Antarctic 452
Outfits for whaliug voyage 237
Owen, Capt. L. C., on walrus fishery 316
O whyhee, sperm whales near 12
Owl's Head, Me., lobster fishery at 759
Oxford, Md., crab canning at 641,646
oyster packing at 561
Oyster Bay, N. Y. , blue-crab fishery at 636
hard clams at ... 605
INDIOX.
805
Page.
Oyster I'.ay, N. Y., oyster beds in 534
soft i-l.-iins ;:t .MM
Oyster beds :il New llaven, Conn fi-lv;
cleaning •''-'•'•
ill Chesapeake Itay 519
laying out 543
method of securing ground for f>4v!
private, in East River 5:'. I
scrapers for 523
boats at Long Island 534
in I 'hcsapeako Bay 549
license for 5.">1
of Dela\\ arc I!ay -ISO
.James Ri\ er 520
ranors 552
crab, commercial importance of 648
crabs, pickled l>4~1
I'tilt nre 524
deep-water, at New Haven 540
expense of 54:!
experiments at Wood's I loll 544
French methods of 544
from tbe spawn 539
implements for 344
obstacles to 546
origin of 539
preparation of grouud for 541
statistics of 545
lor Connecticut 545
cutch or cultch 541
dredges 537
dredging in Chesapeake Bay 549
method of 529,550
steaiut rs in 523, 538
drinking 546
embryo 508
export tradr . 557
statistics of 558
fanning at New Ila\en, Conn 545
farms at New Haven 543
fisheries of France, liy Major Hayes. 573
industry 505-565
capital in 564
financial arrangements of 550
statistics of ground outfit 565
United States 564
laws iu Delaware and New Jersey 528
Maryland 549
Virginia 549
markets 547
float ing 555
packers, statistics of 5(11
packing, enhancement in value, in 565
in Alabama f.i,:1,
Baltimore, Md 5ti(l
Maryland olil
North Carolina 502
Virginia 502
plant ing at Long Island 532,533
San Francisco 538
in Connecticut 534
Delaware 528
Long Island Sound 534
Narragansctt Bay 530
Oyster planting in Now .Jersey 5211
Now York I'.ay .">:!2
Virginia 520
statistics for Long Island .V.I
of r>27,5::o,.r,:!i
platforms or hoard-banks 546
schooners :>•_'.',
scows in New York 555
scraping 551
shell heaps .a 5(l'.l,5(i3,r,i;i
shells, for hydraulic cement . .".o:;
making lime 518
great ijnant il ics of 51 i:;
ntili/al ion of 503
sloops 535
spawn, a) ipara I us lor holding .'.Ill
French methods of handling 544
shells for bold ing 543
tonging in Chesapeake liay 551
Virginia 525
tongs, early use of 513
in Long Island Sound 5!!7
trade in New England 558
New York City 554
of Chesapeake. I'.ay 549
Philadelphia 553
A essels 535
statistics of 561,564
Oysteruien of Chesapeake Bay 549,550
morals of 549-551
number of 552
statistics of 564
wages of 550
Oysters, bedding of 520,523
blister. 540
Blue Point 557
origin of 517
boxes for 558
breeding of 520
canned .561,50:'.
fried 563
i -an-esof extinction of 513,514
Colchester 517
enlleus 540
cnllentincs 55S
culls 558
cultivation of young 520
culture of, from the spawn 5: in
decrease in, at Long Island 517
Buzzard's Bay 515
Delaware Bay 518
East liiver 517
Gulf of Mexico 520
Narragansetl I'.ay 515
natives, in Connecticut 516
New York 517
N'ew Jersey 518
Kappahannook River 5-J7
(di Pa i -Hie coast 520
development of 507
early use by Indians 512
extinction of, in Massachusetts 514
extras 558
fatalities to young 546
8(56
INDEX.
Page.
Oysters, floats for freshening 546
for European market 535
former abundance in Connecticut 511
Maine 509
freshening of 546
grades of 558
green 515
history of culture of 540
decline of 512
iu Alabama 512
Florida 512
Gulf of Maine 509
Gulf of Saint Lawrence 508
Louisiana 512
Massachusetts waters 509
Mississippi 512
New Hampshire waters 509
Rhode Island 510
rivers of Maine 009
Savannah River 511
Indian implement for opening 513
James River 522
lake 547
laws protecting 514
marketing in the shell 546
•wagons 548
of opened 559
methods of buying for transplanting 522
selling in New York 556
the shell 546
transplanting 521,523
mother 541
names for infant 540
native in Chesapeake Bay 518
Florida 519
Georgia 519
North Carolina 519
natural beds in Chesapeake Bay 511
Delaware Bay 511
New Haven Harbor 516
New Jersey waters 511
New York waters 511
South Carolina 511
natural history of 507
northern bedding of Chesapeake 520
opened, marketing of 559
packed in ice 560
packing raw 560
pearls iu 517
pickled 563
planting 520
iu Chesapeake Bay 525
prized by Indians 509
Professor Lockwood on decrease in 518
raising of seed r>:>4
reef 547
nefrigeratiou of 562
reproduction of ' 007
Saddle Rock :,:,1
schooners for transporting 521
seed, at Long Island 534
in Connecticut 534
James River 525
Narragansett Bay 537
Page.
Oysters, seed, methods of gathering 537
sent to San Francisco 538
set 540
sharpers 548
Shrewsbury 557
spat 540
spawners 540
species of 507
steamed 560
si i nils for 540
total production of ;.. 564, 565
transplanting, esteut of business 522
native seed 524-539
Southern 520
to new beds 520
transportation of 559
tropical species of 507
used by Indians . 599
value of, at New Orleans 548
seed 537
Paehytlernia, crabs in 649
crassatelloides 581
Pacific-Arctic whaling grounds 19
statistics of 84
Pacific coast clams 611
shrimp fishery 807
Pacific Ocean, humpback whales in 22
whale fishery in, beginning of 67, 140
whaling fleet of 146,149
in, methods of 68
Pacific sperm-whale fishery 197
walrus fishery 311-318
Packing of oysters at Baltimore 560
Painted clam 581
Palreinouetes vulgaris 799
Paliemon ohionis 800
Palmer, Capt. Nath., sealing voyage by 406
Palmer River, Connecticut, oyster planting in 536
Palourde, name for scallops 566
Pamlico Sound, shrimp in 802
terrapin fishery in 499
Panama Bay, sperm whales in 12
Panama, whaler's transshipping port 26
PandalusDamo 809
Panopeus Herbstii 649
Panulirus interruptus 798
Parker River, Massachusetts, oysters iu 509
Passamaquoddy district, lobster industry in 744-747
Indians 308
Patagonia, dangers of sealing at 404
fur-sealing at, in 1796 461
right whales oil' 16
sealing voyages to 442-460
Spanish restrictions against sealing. .. .462
Patagonians, description of 463
Patchogne, N. Y.. o \xter planting at 533
Pawtucket River, Khmle Island, oyster-beds in.. - 510
Pawtucket, R. I., scallop fishery at .- 575
Peacon, Brothers, shrimp canning by 806
Pearls found in oysters 517
Peconic Bay, scallop fishery in 577
soft elatns in 591
Pecouic, N. Y,, scallop industry at 579 .
Pecteu hastatus. . 567
INDEX.
867
Page,
Peetcn irradians 51)8, f>74
isliimliciis r,Tn
jacobes r>li?
niaximns rii>."i
Pectinida1 565
Pembroke l.'ner, M:iino, lobsters in 706
1 Vir.ens brasiliensis » 800
set i ferns 799
1'rMilletoii. ( ';i|>l:iin. fur-seal ing by 424
Pennsylvania, oyster- industry statistics M14
Peusacola, Ha., blne-erab fishery at 645
oystera at 512
Peutaeta frond osa 815
Peiiuonuock Kiver, Connecticut, oysters in 516
Perch, lobster bait, for 660
Periwinkle 600
Periwinkles, wampum made of ."'.>'.>
Perlev, 51. II.. on whale fishery 'Jlti
Periiambut'o, whaler's supply station 25
Pern, war with, in 1813 112
whaler's supply stations in •,'(!
I'eteruead, Scot la nil, whaling fleet of 11)^,200
Peterson diaries, on sealing voyages 441,460
Petron", Ivan, on beluga hunting lil
Alaska 3*1
Philadelphia, market for quahaugs (ln2
oyster trade of 553
sealing voyages from 441-4."iii
Phoca fcctida 474
grcenlandica 474
vituliua 373,474
flesh of 473
Pickled mussels, preparation of 621
oyslcr-erabs 114^
"\ stcrs 563
Pinnotheres ostreuni (ll'.l
Pierce & Egger's whaling gun -jr.:',
Pike-headed whale 209
Pike & Faben, lobster cannery of 7 1(1
Pine Point, Me., lobster fishery in 71 IS
Pinnotheres maculatus 619, 648
ostrenm (14s
Piper, John D., on lobsters 725
Pitcairn Island, crew of English ship Bounty at. . 409
fur-sealing at • 4(19
Platyonichus ocellatus 651
Plows, clam 5sO, .'>'.">
Plum pnd'ners, whaling vessels called 233
Plymouth district, lobster fishery in 778
(statistics 7.-'4, 7H.~.
Plymouth, Mass., lobster fishery at 77*
lobsters at 7U'.I
soft-clam fishery at . ">.-7
clams at 589
whaling fleet of 171
Po int Barrow, whalers wrecked near 83
whaling at. 21
Polavina seal rookery, Saint Paul Island 341.314
Porpoise captured in nets 3ns
distribution of 24
fishery for 308 :il(i
by Russian!) 204
in Gulf of . Saint Lawrence 215
jaw oil of 309
I'm |M MM', leal lier from hide of 215
oil of 4
1'nrt Kgmont, Falkland Islands 4 Hi, 4(11
Porter, Captain, P>ritish whaling vessels sei/.ed by. 143
Port .Tctl'erson Harbor, New York, scallops in 577
Port Jell'erson, N. Y., hard clams at (in.".
oyster beds at .",'.11
soft clams a I 591
Portland district, lobster fishery in 764-768
lobster stal ist ics in 770-772
Portland, Me., as a lobster market 682
fresh-lobster trade 766
lobster-canning interests 687,766
laws at :-J(i
lobsters at, 707
soft clams at 584
whaling fleet of 171
Portland Packing Company... 695,749,751,754
Porto Rico, sperm whales off 8
Portsmouth Harbor, N. H., oysters in 509
Portsmouth, N. II., as a lobster market 682
lobster fishery at 773
whaling fleet of 171
Port Starford Whaling Camp, California 60
Port To wusend, Wash 399
Portugal, sperm whales oft" 9
Portuguese sealers at Heard's Island 423
whalemen 3, (1, :,!>, 218-220
on California coast, 55
Port Washington, N. Y., hard clams at 605
oyster beds at 534
soft clams at 591
Possession Islands, fur-seals at 4H>
Potomac crayfish 795
Pots, lobster, statistics of 747,749,751,755,758)
761,763,764,767,769,771,773,774,
777,778,780,783,784,787,789,792
Poughkeepsie, N. \'., whaling fleet of 171
Pound-nets for horseshoe crabs 653
Powers, Stephen, on abalono money 626
Prawn fisheries (KJ7.799-H10
of California 809
Prawns as bait (',:;•-'
California species of 808
in North Carolina 802
Sou t h Carol ina 803
large shrimp railed 801,804
preparation of Mi'.i
si/e of 800
species of 799
Pribvlov Islands, a da | iled to fur seals 331
climate of 323
condition of rookei ies on 358
desrript ion of 322
dimensions and contour of 325
discos cry of 321
dogs not allowed on 388
free schools on 3.-''.)
increase of seals on 351
intoxicating liquors forbidden on. 389
killing of seals limited 392
lack of harbors at 326
law protect ing seals on 390
law regulating killing of sealson. 390
868
INDEX.
Page.
Pribylov Islands, leased to Alaska Commercial Com-
pany 385
limit to use of fire-arms on 383
natives on 380
number of seals taken on 377
reasons for presence of fur seals . 331
regulations for conduct of affairs
on 388
rental of 391
restrictions in landing on 385
Russian seal industry on 376
sea-lion hunt oil 467-474
sites of abandoned seal rookeries. :i.">s
statistics of seals taken on 3(H
total number of fur seals on 350, 351
Treasury Department agents on . 393
under Russian-American Fur Com-
pany 379
value of seals on 359
wages paid natives on 383
Prince Edward Group, fur-seals at 417
sea-elephants at 417
sealing voyages to 446-456
Prince Edward Island, lobster canneries at 690
oysters at 509
Privateers, destruction of whalers by 235
Products of Dundee whale fishery 202
whale fishery, statistics of 4, 145, 166-173
Profits of lobster fishermen 680
whale fishery 98
Propagation of sponges H32
Providence, R. I., oyster freshening at 546
opening at 559
whale fishery of 117
whaling fleet of 171,172
Providence River, Rhode Island, cat-boats 671
former abundance
of oysters in ... 510
oyster planting in. 536
Proviucetown, Mass., blackfish at 303
boat whaling at 40
census of whaling fleet 173
decrease of lobsters at 698
early whale fishery from.. .. 94
history of whale fishery of. . 144
lobster fishery at 702, 778
laws at 727
lobsters at 662, 709
sealing fleet of 439, 440
vessels from 476
shore whaling at 3,41
whale fishery from 27
whaleman's share system . . . 292
whaling fleet of 3, 171, 172
voyages from 17C-192
Frussic acid used in capture of whales 248
Ptiget Sound, mussels in 619
Quahaug, clamming grounds for 603-1511
description of 595
flshery 505, 595, 613
fishery, apparatus and methods of 597
at Long Island 605
in Chesapeake Bay 607
Connecticut 604
Page-
Qaualiang fishery in New Jersey tiU7
New York Bay 607
North Carolina 608
Rhode Island 604
Indian names for 595
or hard clam 581
reproduction of 596
shells, Indian implements made from ... fiSI'J
trade of New York, history of 602
Qiuihaiigs, called Little Neck clam , ti02
poqaim C04
tea-clams 1102
canned 606
dried on strings 600
food qualities of 098
geographical distribution of 595
habits of r,;u;
iced tor shipment 603
markets for 602
methods of baking 600,601
capturing 597
packing 604
planting 606
price of 604
season for 607
statistics for Chesapeake Bay 608
Long Island 608
New Jersey 608
\e\v York Bay 608
Southern States 608
of total production 608
value of 597
wampum made from shells of 599
winter habits of 597
Qu iucy, Mass. , whaling fleet of 171
Rahway, N. J., oyster freshening at 546
Rakes, clam 610
quahaug 598
Rappahannock River, Virginia, decrease in oysters 527
oyster planting in. f;27
Raritan River, New Jersey, natural oyster-beds in . 511
Rathbuu, Richard, on crab fisheries 627-658
crayfish fishery 627,794-798
leech industry 811,813
lobster fishery 627, 658-794
rock-lobster fishery. ..627,798,799
shrimp and prawn fisheries ..627,
799-810
sponge fishery 817-841
Ray, George R., on lobsters 706
Razor-fish 505, 613
Professor Lankester on 614
Red Brook, Mass., oysters at 510
Red crab of Pacific coast 657
Reef seal rookery, Saint Paul Island 336, 344
Refineries, whale-oil 4
Refining whale oil, method of 4
Refrigeration of crabs 639
oysters 562
Reindeer, whaling bark, at Iceland ID
Resolution Island, whaling at 18
Return Reef, whaling at 21
Rhode Island, boat whaling in 48
clam bakes in 601
INDEX.
869
Pnge.
Rhode Island, decrease in oysters in 515
early \\ haling in 32
lobster iishermon in li/ii
fishery in 001, 7n;>, 7H>,7s:i 7 .-7
laws in 72-i,73.|,7:!0
season in c,i;i
statistics for 79::, 7!H
natural oyster beds in 510
oyster- industry statistics 504
planting in 530
quahaii", lisliery in CC4
scallop (isliery i" 575
laws in 57ii
statistics for 5fl
soft- c la in statistics in .">'.il
whale lishcry in 107
Ehy t ilia Stelleri 205
Rieketson's History of New Bedford, cited .. 107
Right whale captured in C'barleston Harbor 52
lisbcry 100
Indian name, " yakh-yo-bad-di " 62
of New Zealand 213
oil. called right-whale glue 288
cruising grounds for 15
formerly abundant at Cape Cod 28
in North Pacific 17
movements when struck 203
North Atlantic grounds for 15
on California coast .">:!
Pacific coast 4, 55
total number taken, 1804 to 1880 169
Rio de Janeiro, whaler's supply station 25
Riverhead, N. Y., hard clams at 606
" River La Plate ground," sperm whales on 10
Roanoke Sound, shrimp in 802
terrapin lisliery in 499
Rochester, Mass.. oysters at 510
whaling fleet of 171
Rockaway Bay, soft clams in 5'J1
Rockaway, \. Y., bard clams at 607
mussels at 620
Rockaway oysters sent to San Francisco 53-i
Rock-crabs 'i'-".1
economic importance of CM
of 1'aeitie coast (157
statistics of fi5^
Rock-hopping casks of seal oil 437
Rockland, Me., lobster lisliery at 7:i'.i
Rock-lobster lisliery 627, 7H-. 7;i:i
Rock-lobsters, bait for 7{.t.->
dried tails of 798
for bait 798
value of 708
Rockport, Me., lobster lisliery at 755
lobsters at 707, i 25
Rockport, Mass., lobster lisliery at ..
Roderique, sperm whales near
Rogers, Capt. E. D., on sealing ll'.>
Roosevelt, Mr., on lobster laws
Koslyn, X. Y., hard clams at 605
Rosemary Islands, Australia
Rough seal 474
Round clain •r>l"l
Page.
Roway ton, Conn., oyster planting al 534
o\ si i -rs from 557
([unhangs at 604
1,'oulcy River, Massachsetts, oysters in 509
1 Joy al Company 's Island, fur seals at 426
Rubelins, H., on crayfish 796
Rnmslick Point, Rhode Island, oyster ]ilanting at,. 536
Russian American Company 205,379,485
America, whale fishery in 204
whale in Arctic Ocean 56
w baling 19
Whaling Company in Alaska 206
Russians, white-whale lisliery by 24
Russia, whale fishery of 204
li'\ iler, ,loli 11 A., on lobster culture 736
oysters 507
Rye, N. H., lobster fishery at 773
law at, 727
Saco district, lobster fishery in 768,770-772
Sag Harbor, N. Y., clams at 5111,606
lobster fishery at 790
scallop industry at 579
whale fishery of .... 100, 106, 117, 171,
172, 178-192
Saint Andrew's Sound, terrapin fishery in 502
Saint Augustine, Fla., shrimp at 805
turtle fishery 496
Saint Croix River, lobster lisliery in 744
Saint George Island, Alaska 329
description of fur-seal
rookeries on 332
driving the. hollnschichie on. 348
killing ground on 375
of seals limited 392
Little Eastern rookery 349, 350
North rookery 348, 350
number of fur seals on 350
rookeries of 344
sea-lion hunt at 407
Starry Artec! rookery 347,350
Zapadiue rookery 345, 350
Saint George, Me., lobster fishery at 759
Saint Helena Sound, terrapin fishery in 502
Saint James, N. Y., clams at, 591,605
Saint Mark's, Fla , sponge industry at 829
Saint Michael's, Md., oyster packing at 561
Saint Paul Island, Alaska 321,329
Americans pre-empt rookeries
on 382
description of seal rookeries on. 332
Keetavie rookery 338, 344
killing ground at 343,375
of seals limited 382
Lagoon rookery 337,344
Lukiiunon rookery .33S, 344
Northeast rookery 342,344
\ovastoshnah rookery 342,344
number of sea Is on 344
Poiavina rookery 341, 344
1,'eef rookery 336,344
review of rookeries on 336
sea-lion hunt at 467
sea-otter at 484
870
INDEX.
Page.
Saint Paul Island, Tolstoi rookery 339, 344
village on 375
Zapadiiie rookery 340,344
Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island, lobster fishery at.. 785
Salem district, lobster fishery in 774, 784, 785
Salem, Mass., lobster fishery at 705,774
sealing voyages from 445-450
whale fishery at 26,171,172
Salmon, abundance of, in Pacific Ocean 355
canned 688, 751
food of fur seal 355
smoked -- 688
Samoan Islands, sperm whales ne*r
Sand-bug as bait 651
crab C51
Sanderstown, E. I., lobster fishery at 785
San Diego, Cal , clams at 613
rock-lobsters at 799
San Diego Couuty, California, abalones at 624
Sandy Hook, mussels at 617
sea-clams at 609
Sandwich Laud, fur sealing at 413
Sandwich Islands, sperm whales about 12
Sandwich, Mass., drift whales at. 27
whaling fleet of 171,172
San Francisco, abaloues at 623-626
Alaska Commercial Company of. . . 386
clams at 612
crayfish at 795
oyster planting at 538
whalemen's share system in 291
whale-oil industry at 165
refineries at 4
whaler's transshipping port 26
whaling fleet of 3, 86-94, 172, 173
voyages from 176-192
Sauford, F. C., on sealing voyages 442
sperm-whale fishery 197
San Luis Obispo County, California, abalones in . . 624
San Simeon Wahliug Company, California 5J
Santa Barbara Couuty, California, abalones in 624
Santa Barbara, Cal., rock-lobsters in 798
sea-otter at 487
sealing at 474
Sars, Prof. G. O. , on lobster culture 738
lobsters in Norway 722
Norwegian whaling 196
Saucelito, Cal., oyster planting at 539
Saugatuck River, Connecticut, oyster planting in. 535
Savannah, Ga. , blue-crab fishery at 634
mussels eaten at 620
oyster packing at 562
shrimp fishery at 804
terrapin fishery at 502
Savannah River, natural oysters in 511
Saxidomus aratus 581
Saybrook, Conn . , lobster fishery at 787
oyster planting at 536
Scallop, anatomy of i 567
boals 574
dredge 571
dredging 570
fishery '. 505,565-581
at Cape Cod 574
Page.
Scallop fishery at New Suffolk 577
boats in 571,578
disposition of catch 572-581
in Buzzard's Bay 574
Long Island Sound ,r)77
North Carolina 580
Peconic Bay, New York 579
Rhode Island 575
laws regulating 576
methods of 571
season for 578
statistics of 574-581
names of 505
natural history of 565
shells in literature 566
uses of 573
Scallops, abundance of, in Peconie Bay 574
early uses of 572
enemies of 574
habits of 568
in California 580
markets for 579
methods of capturing 571
opening 572
packing 573
size of 568
spawning habits of 5ti8, 569
utilization of 572-081
value of 578
yield of meat 568
Scaniinon, Capt. C. M., on blackfish fishery 299
sealing fleet 408
whaling 17, 20, 23, 52, 70
Scaminon's Lagoon, California 23
Marine Mammalia, quoted 54,266,429,437
Schizothierus nuttalli 581
Schmidt, Prof. O., on sponge culture 833
Schooners in whale fishery 44,232
oyster 525
sealing, and their outfit 4'>li
at Cape Flattery 395, 396, 399
statistics of 4il!»
Wellfleet oyster 521
Scollop, name for scallop 565
Scituate, Mass., lobsters at 709,778
Scoop-net, crab G'4U
Scoresby's Account of the Arctic Regions cited 194
Scotch Greenland whale fishery 152
steam whalers, cruising grounds of 18
whale fishery 198
whaling fleet 7
Scotland, lobster laws in 71H
Scragg whale at Nantucket 30
Sculpins, apparatus of capture 675
for lobster bait 675
Scup, lobster bait for 660
Seabrook, N. H., lobster fishery at 773
Seabury, Capt. H. W 7,10,23,72,74
Sea clams •- 581,608
fishery for 505, 608-6 1 :t
Sea-elephant fishery 319,400-467
voyages iu 440-400
oil, preparation of 437
quantity and value of 402,439
INDEX.
871
1 1 -pliant oil, voyages for 41
voyage, out lit for |-.'i!
Sea-elephants at Falkland Islands Ill I
Heard's Island 41H, 42::
Kergiiehii Land 419
Patagonia 6.~i
Prince Edward Group 417
South Georgia Island 412
Tristan d'Acunha. 414
blubber of 43li. 437
color of i:;ii
distril.ntioii of 401,403
ferocity of male 424
habits of 4-Jn, i:;i;
inferiority- of skin 436
live, brought to Philadelphia in 1H24 449
methods of killing 43.~i
season for hunting 430
size of 435
teeth of 430
why so called 4:!i>
Seaford, Del., oyster industry at ulil . .~>i'i.~>
Sea-leopard at Heard's Island 423
Seal, bearded 474
blubber boiled for its oil 396
elephant 41s
Eskimo uses for 479
fishery, Antarctic, methods of 429
at Newfoundland ! 95, 198, 319, 474-483
dangers of 4C 1. 4-9
division of, profits in 479
methods of, Newfoundland 480
North Atlantic 447
products of 476
flesh, value as food 478
gray 474
Greenland 474
harbor 474
harp 474
hooded 474
hunt at Newfoundland 479
leather, made from hair seals 478
leopard 423
liver, value as food 478
meat, method of cooking 478
oil, export of, from Newfoundland 476
from fur seals 371
imports of 147
in California 473
quantity taken by Dundee steamers 202
uses of 47s
rough 474
skins, export of, from Newfoundland 47i>
fur. (See Fur-seals.)
hair 440-460
method of drying -I:;.-,
oses of
Stomach, Eskimo use as food I7'.i
Sealers, cruelty to; at Falkland Islands 411
dangers from disease 4:;:;
discoveries by Antarctic 407
food of 42t;.433
huts at Heard's Island 4:x;
life on the seal islands ...4-!4, l::i
Seali-i-s. loss of Antarctic 404
niunliei- of, in Antarctic tislicry 4.11)
rrsriie of, b_\ naval vessel 428
• I by Spaniards 462
shares of .' 428
wages of 479
Sealing at Alaska 321
Falkland Islands in 1796 461
Juan Fernandez in 1797 464
Masafucra in 1797 464
Patagonia in 1796 461
boats used in 426
canoe, outfit of 395
lleet, Antarctic 408,439,440,443
of Bristol, R. I 439,440
Cape Flattery 399
Fairhavcu, Mass 439 440
Mystic, Conn 439,440
Nan tucket, Mass 439, 440
New Bedford, Mass 439,440
New London, Conn 439,440
Newport, E. I 439
Provincetown, Mass 439, 440
Stonington, Conn 439,440
North Atlantic .476
grounds, Antarct ic 403
in North Atlantic 474
in Antarctic waters 400
schooner, loss of 404
profitable voyages of 427
ship Neptune, narrative of voyage in 460
spear, Indian 395
steamers 476
vessel stove by a whale 445
vessels and their outfit 426
disasters to 438
Newfoundland 479
voyage, method of conducting 430
outfit for 432
to Pacific aud China in 1796 460
voyages, Antarctic, 1783 to 1880 440-460
early 440
from New England 440-460
notable 44 1 , 458
Sea-lion, dint of 473
economic use of • 471
galls used as medicine 474
i: en it a Is used for soup 474
hunt at Alaska 319,467-474
inti-st ines, clothiug made of 472
used for food 474
meat of 369,472,473
methods ol' capture ._. 467
mustache. I. risiles used by Chinese 472,473
oil-pouches made from stomachs of 473
palms used in making boots 472
skins, uses or' 471,474
weight of 474
stomach \\alls, use of 472,473
i, eth used I'm- ornaments 474
\ ali ie to Alaskan natives 467
trater proof garments from intestines of. 472
whiskers used as tool h picks 474
Sea-lions at Falkland Islands 435
872
INDEX.
Page.
Sea-lions at Saint George Island 345
behavior when driving 470
surprised 469
called seevitehie 4C8
gall bladder of 472
in California 473
method of driving 468
killing 470
native methods of cutting up 471
the corral 469
surround of the cows 471
Seal islands of Alaska 321
Seals, catch of, at Newfoundland 475
elephant, fishery for 400
method of hunting 435
fur, fishery for, in Antarctic waters {see also
Fur-seals) 400
galls arid geuitalia eaten by Chinese 473
hair, at Falkland Islands 434
commercial products of 478
in California 473
mussels eaten by 618
names for male aud female 435
Newfoundland methods of killing 481
number on Pribylov Islands 350, 351
taken by Dundee vessels 202
species taken in North Atlantic and Arctic
waters 474
used for food 478
Sea-otter at play 489
.Straits <if Fnca 486
breeding grounds in Alaska 486
habits of 486
California 487
cal led sea-ape by Steller 483
clubbing the 490
dangers of bunting 491
decrease in numbers.../ 484
discovery of 321 , 483, 484
early abundance of 484
name for .|s:i
elliTts of ovcrhnntiug 487
fishery for 319, 483-491
of Alaska 483
food of 486,488
former abundance of 394
geographical distribution of 483
growth of 487
habits of 487
known to the Japanese 484
methods of capture 489
netting 490
not gregarious 488
number taken in 1833 375
1880 486
manner of nursing the young 488
physiognomy of 489
Russian search ings for 321.484
sense of hearing and smell 488
shedding habits of 488
size of 487
skins, value of 466,484
varieties of 488
sleeping habits of 488
Pago.
Sea-otter, surf-shooting 489
swi mni jug habits- of 488
tin- spearing surround 490
Searsport, Me., lobster fishery at, 755
Seavillo, N. J.,qnahaugs at 607
Seines, crab 133-^
Seizure of British whaling vessels by Captain Por-
ter ... 143
whaling vessels by Peruvians. , 143
Si'incle decisa 581
Setauket, N. Y., soft clams at 591
Seekouk Ei ver, green oysters in 515
oyster planting at 537
Seychelle Islands, sperm whales near 12
Shag Rocks, Beard's Island 420
Share system in Alaska seal industry 383
Antarctic sealing 428,479
blackfish fishery 297, 307
clam fishery 610
lobster fishery 680
oyster industry . , 550-552
sponge fishery 827
whale fishery 49, 58, 291-294
Shark River, New Jersey, blue-crab fishery in 637
Sba.rk's Bay, whalers' supply station 25
Sharks, basking, taken for oil 58
destructive to fur seals 352
man-eater, taken for oil 58
Sheath-fish ' 614
Sheepscot River, oysters in 509,514
Sheepshead Bay, New York, bine-crab fishery at .. 636
Shell heaps at Cape Cod 603
iu Mississippi Valley 599
location of ,">99
Shell roads at New Orleans aud Mobile 599
Shells made into lime 518
oyster 563
Shelter Island Indians 35
Shoremen , statistics of oyster 564
Shore whale fishery, methods of 41 , 208
Shore whaling at Barbadoes 44
Nautucket :U
by Eskimos aud Indians 01
history of 26
in Australia 208
California 3,4
Connecticut 32
New York 32
New Zealand 209
Rhode Island 32
methods of 49
Shrimp and prawn fisheries 627,799-810
•Shrimp for bait 643,800
( '.-ilifornia methods of catching 807
drying 808
canned 806
cast, nets for 803
dangers of overfishing for 809
dried and salted 806
exports of 808
fishery, coast re view of 800
in Delaware 801
Georgia 804
I ; ill f of Mexico... 805
INDKX.
873
Shrimp fishery in New England 800
Ne« Jersey 801
Now York soi
North Carolina 801
methods of -n|
Pacilic coast -i>7
Gulf 807
in Gulf of Mexico stio
lake .-oil
methods of capture 800
selling 804
preparation of dried 805
price of 801
river 806
sea son for 801
seines 803,807
shells, ex ports of 808
species of 799
taken in skim-nets 803
Siegafrit7.,Prof. Anton, on clam bakes 601
Signals, code for whalemen 257
Sipiiican, Mass., whaling-fleet of 171, 172
Skim-nets, shrimp 802
sioops, oyster 535
Smacks, fishing 672
lobster 669,6,-:;, H- 1
statistics of 749, 751, 755,758,761,763,
767, 761), 771, 775, 780, 787, 7,89, 792
summary statistics for 770
total in Connecticut 789
Massachusetts , 784
New York 792
United States 793
Small Point, Maine, lobster fishery at 761,765
Smoked clams at Puget Sound 599
salmon 688
Society Islands, sperm whales near 12
Soft clams, fishery for 5115,581-594
Soft-shell crabs 619
Soleii maxim us 614
Solomon Islands, sperm whales near 11
Somerset, Mass., whaling fleet of 171
Soh MI Sea, sperm whales in 11
Southampton Island, Hudson Hay 18
Southampton, N. Y :!:!, 36, 1116,6116
South Atlantic, whaling grounds in 16
in I.V.I
South Carolina, crab fishery of 64:',, ill-, 65H
natural oyster beds in 511
oyster-industry statistics 5r. 1, 565
shrimp and prawn industry in.. 803,810
turtle fishery in 496,499
whaling in 49
South Freeporr, Me., lobster cannery at, 765
South Georgia Island, fur-sealing at 401,412,441-460
South Harpswell, Me., lobster fishery at 701,764
Southhold, N. Y 579,6116,791)
South Nor walk. Conn., lobster fishery at 71 1,787
oyster planting at 531
South Oyster Bay, New Y.uk, hard clams at 6117
South Pacilic whaling grounds 10
Southport, Me., lobster fishery at, 761
South Sea whalebone 5
South Shetland Islands, description of H'5
Page.
South Shetland, discovery of .111.",
.-'•a I ing at 155, .1(1.', 405, 106
voyages to II-, i:,-\ 1511, 4611
South Thomaston, Me., lobster fishery at 759
Son th \M-II, Thomas, on bot I le nose \\ hales -Jill
Soi i th wick, .1. M. K., on lobsters 710
Spade, boat, use of -Ji;|
Spain, sperm whales off coast of 9
Spears, llonndcr r>7.~,
sealing :i;i.-,
Spermaceti from whale oil 4
method of obtaining 279
uses of 5
whales at Bermuda Islands 6-1
Sperm candles, exports of, in 177(1 111!
Sperm from whale's head 32
oil, exports of ir,r,
from New /.aland 21:!
borne consumption of, I860 to 1884 166
imports into 1'nited Kingdom 154
price ol'eaeh month, 18C8 to 1880 1U7, ITU
i|uanlity taken by each \essel 175-192
Irom 1804 to 1880 72
receipts of, I860 to 18-4 166, 168, 170
results of refining 4
si a I istics of 4
n lire filled 4
uses of 5
Sperm-whale fishery at Bermudas i; I
British 66, 67
development of G3
French 66
from Cape Cod 28
history of 37
in Indian Ocean 70
length of voyages in 71
oft' Japan coast 69
origin of 63
Pacilie. beginning of 197
products of 72
review of 70, 146-164
statistics of 65,72
voyages in 1.-70 to 1880 175-192
Indian name " Kutske" . 62
grounds 8, 12
teeth of :!2
Sperm -whales at New Zealand '.'11
dimensions of •_'(;•_'
first one taken at X.intuckcl :;•_'
killed in Pacific by an American 140
food of 5
geographical distribution of 8
habits of 73
in Indian < leean 12
North Atlantic- 8
North Pacitic 11
H|H South Atlamie 9
South Pacilic In
movements when harpooned 263
number taken, i-"l to 1.-:-" 7-.', 169
off Cape Hoi ii 9
on Par Hi'' coast 55
proportion of head matter in 73
sizeof 72
"874
INDEX.
Page.
Sperm-whales, spouting habits of 73
viciousness of 201,273,274
yield of oil from 72
Sperm- whaling at New Zealand 69
Seychelle Islands 70
fleet in 146
grounds in North Atlantic 9
revival of 7
Spider crabs 651-
Spiny lobster 793
Spitsbergen, sealing at • 475
whaling at 7, 18, 19, 94, 98, 193, 197, 293
white whales at- 24
Sponge crawls 826
culture in Europe 832
Florida 832
methods of 832-836
divers in Mediterranean 837
fishery 817-841
Bahama 836
European methods of 837
Florida 821
Mediterranean 837
methods in Florida 824
vessels and outfit.; 822,836
glass 823,825,836
grounds of Florida 821
hooks 823,836
industry at Apalachicola 829
Cedar Keys 829
Saint Mark's 829
Sponges, artificial propagation of 832
bleaching of 840
carriage 838
commercial grades of 819
importance of 819
coupee 838
dangers of overfishing 830
Florida sheepswool 838
forme 8.!8
glove 819, b38
grass 819,827
hardhead 837
liming of 828,840
loggerhead 831
method of cleaning 826
gathering 825
marketing 627
Nassau sheepswool 838
potters' 838
preparation for market 828
prices of 820,829,838
reef 837,838
sheepswool 819,827
slate 838
species of 819
trade in, at New York 838
Turkish, grades of 820
velvet -. 819,838
weight of 820
yellow 819,827
uses of 821
Zimocca 838
Spougia agaricina : 819
Page.
Spougia equiua sl9
graminea 819
officinalis 819
Springs, N. Y., lobster fishery at 790
scallop industry at 579
Squeaker crab 651
Squeteague, crabs as bait for 635
St. Ambrose Island, fur-seals at 443
Stamford, Conn., oyster planting at 535
Starbuck's History of Whale Fishery, quoted 5. 27,
32, 40, 71), 102, 219
Starry Arteel rookery, Saint George Island 347,350
States Harbor, Falkland Islands 410, 434
Statistics of abalone industry in California 624
Antarctic seal fishery 439
Arctic whaling 84-94
blue-crab fishery 648
Chesapeake oyster industry 553
clam fishery 615
crab fisheries 658
crayfish fishery iu 1880 797
fur-seal industry at Capo Flattery ..397,399
Greenland whale fishery 199-202
horseshoe crabs 654, 657
leech industry 815
lobster industry in Connecticut 789
Maine in 1880 770-772
Massachusetts in
1880 764
Ehode Island 78?
New York 792
of United States iu
1880 793,794
lobsters taken in New England 7-,",'
mussel fishery ii'J2
oyster culture in Connecticut 545
exports 558
industry of each State 564
packing at Baltimore 5lin, fill]
planting at Long Island 534
transportation 553
quahaug fishery 603, 608
rock-lobster fishery 799
scallop fishery 572-581
seals taken from Priby lov Islands :!(il
shore whale fishery 40, 42
shrimp and prawn fisheries 810
soft-clam fishery in Maine 584
Massachusetts 589
soft clams in United States 594
sperm-whale fishery 65, 72
terrapin fishery 503
turtle fishery 499
walrus fishery 318
whale fishery 3, 67, 98, 145, 166-173
whaling fleet 171-174
voyages, 1870 to 1880 174-192
St. Domingo, sperm whales off 8
Steamers, lobster 691
oyster dredging 523,538
sealing 476
whaling 3,196,198,232-240
dimensions of Norwegian 196
Steam whale-boat 246
INDI:X.
875
Steam whalers, lirst one by I'liilcd States. 100
SI ran is. Pi. i; E.G., on abahuies 625
scallops 567,580
Stearns, Silas, on crali ttshcry ';l ••
oyster industry 548
shrimp canning 806
sponge fishery 821
trcpang tisliei y 816
Steen Ground, sperm whales on
Stewart's Island, 1'ur seals at -1-0
riulit whaling at 17
St. George River, oysters in 509
St. Helena, sperm whales off 10
whaling supply station 24
St. Lawrence Island, whaling at 21
Stone-crabs 048,658
Stone, Livingston, on 1< .lister transplanting 7-41
Stonington, Conn., blue crabs at 635
lobster industry at 682,787
rock-crabs at 649
sealing fleet of 439,440
voyages from 448-400
whaling fleet of 171, 172
Stoney Brook, N. Y., clams at 605
Stony Creek, Conn., oyster planting at 536
Storer, Dr. H. R., on lobsters 710
St. Paul's Island (sec Saint Paul's Island) 321
Indian Ocoau 16
Straits of Belle Isle, whale fishery in 28, 104, 108
Straits of Magellan, sealing near 404
Straits of Le Maire 464
Striped bass, lobster bait for 660
Steubeu, Maine, lobster fishery at '50
St. Vincent Bay, whaling at 17
Sullivan, Me., lobster fishery at 750
Sulphur-bottom whales, cruising grounds tor 23
Indian name for 62
number taken 60
on Pacific coast 4,52,55
Surf clams 581,60?
Snsquehanna River, shell heaps on
Swan, James G., on Indian whaling 62
seal industry 319, 393-400
Swampscott, Mass., lobster fishery at 705, 775
Swan's Island, Me., lobster fishery at 702,732
Sweden, lobster laws in 718
Swift & Allen, on whaling grounds 9
Swivel guns used in whaling 57
Tacames, whaler's transshipping port, 26
Talcahuano, sperm whales oil' 10
whaler's supply station 25
whaling at 17
Tanks for oil on whaling vessels 239
Tanner, Lieut. Z. L 246
Tariff on lobsters 730
Tasmania, sperm whales around
whaling fleet of 12, 17
Taonton River, Massachusetts, green oysters 510
Tautog, crabs as bait for 6*1, (14-
lobster bait for 660
Tchanter Bay, Okhotsk Sea 90
Techmainov, on fur-seals 357
Teeth of sperm whale
Tempest, whaling bark, in Spitzbergen Sea 19
Page.
Teneriffe, sperm w bales off 9
Tel cilo, damage caused by l>l>7
Terra del Fuego, fur-sealing .-it 404
Terrapin, bucking for ."ill.1
caught in seines 502
counts, bulls, and hei fers 500
culture at Roauoke Island 500
drag or dredge 499
fishery 493,499-503,505
grades of 500
habits of 499
hunted with dogs 500
inclosuro for raising 500
methods of capture 499,502
season for 502
torching for 502
trap for capturing 499
Texas, catch of turtle in 499
oyster-industry statistics 564,565
shrimp in 800,801
statistics in 810
statistics of blue crabs 648
turtle-canning in 498
Thames River, Connecticut, oysters in 516
The Snares, fur-seals at 425
Three-Milo Harbor, New York, hard clams at 606
Tisbury, Mass., lobster fishery from 781, 782
whaling fleet of 171, 172
Tiverton, R. I., whale fishery of 117
Tolstoi seal rookery, Saint Paul Island 339, 344
Tomales Bay, California, oyster planting in 539
shrimp in 607
Tonga Islands, humpback whales at 23
Tonging, oyster 551
Tongs, lobster 668
oyster, early use of 513
in Long Island Sound 537
Torching for crabs 645
terrapin 502
Townsend, Eben, narrative of sealing voyage 460
on Falkland Islands 410
fur-sealing 400,434
Transshipment of whale oil 235
Traps, lobster 66J.
methods of using 677
Trawl, crab 633
Trawls of lobster-pots 699
Treaties affecting whale fishery 124
Treat. U. S., lobsters canned by 688
Trepaug as an article of food 815
fishery for 811,810,816
Trinidad, island of, whaling at...
Trist ; an d'Acnnba, description of .- 414
fur-scaling at 413
Tristan Islands, fur-seals at 401
right whales near 16
whaling at 149,150
Tromsoe, Norway, whalers of
Trot-lines, crab .. .633, 636, 042, 643, 645
True, Frederick W., on clam industry 587
rakes 598
lobster fishery 659, 702
porpoise fishery 308
ipialiang fishery 603
876
INDEX.
Page.
True, Frederick W., on scallop fishery 575
sea-clams. 609
turtle and terrapin fisher-
ies 493-505
Trnuibull, J. H., ou origin of quahaug 595
Truro, Mass., blaekfish at 304
lobster fishery at 778
season at 064
whaling fleet of 171, 172
Tnckerunck, Mass., lobster fishery at 780
Turtle, canning, in Texas 498
crawl or pen 498
fishery, boats in 498
ofFlorida 496
North Carolina 495
Pacificcoast 499
South Carolina 496
statistics of 499
green, fishery for 495— 199
hawksbill, fishery for 495-499
loggerhead, fishery for 495-499
Turtles caught in cast-nets 496
gill-nets 496,497
with drag-nets and seines 495
crawls or pens for live 498
gill-nets for capture of 496
large 498
number taken 496
sizes of 495,496,498
Tussock grass at Tristan Islands 414
Two Forties, whaling ground called 9
Two Thirty-sixes, whaling ground 9
Underwood, George K., & Co 669, 695, 746
Underwood, William 765
Underwood, William, &, Co., lobster cannery of .749,751
Unionidae 615
Union Oyster Company 560
Vancouver Island, clams at 611
Van Diemen's Land, whaling at 17
Varangar Fiord, Fiumark 19
Vasques ground, sperm wiiales on 11
Veniamiuov, Bishop Innocent 332, 485
Ventura County, California, alialones in 624
claius at 613
Vriuis mercenaria 581, 595-613
Verrill, Professor, on clams 589
mussels 617
oysters 507
quahaugs 596
razor-fish 613
Vessels, Newfoundland sealing 479
oyster, total statistics of .. 564
sealing 420,4:59
sponging fJ'J
whaling. (.See Whaling vessels.)
Vinal Haven. Me., lobster fishery at 7">5
grounds at 662
Vim-yard Sound, Mass., blue-crab fishery in 635
green crabs in 651
lobster fishery at 705
lobsters at 661
Virginia, blue-crab fishery in 641
crab canneries in 634,646
law regulating oyster dredging 525
Page.
Virginia, natural oyster beds in 511
northern bedding of oysters from 522
oyster-industry statistics 564, 565
oyster laws in 549
packing in 562
planting in 525. 527
statistics for 553
tougiug in 525
shrimp in 800-801
soft clams in '. . 593
statistics of blue crabs 648
terrapin fishery of 503
whale fishery from 107
Voyages of whaling vessels, record of 99-101
Wages of lobster-cauners ... 693
scallop-openers 573
Wainwright.'s Inlet, whalers lost in 80,88
Waldoboro' district, lobster fishery in 759-761
statistics in 770-772
Waldoboro', Me., soft clams at 584
Walpole, Sp encer, on lobsters 723
Walrus, distribution of Pacific 313
Eskimo methods of capture (see plates) . . 314
fishery by Arctic whalers 311-318
development of 314
in 1594 192
statistics of 318
flesh used for food 31g
galls used by Chinese 316
heart and liver for food 316
habits of Pacific 313
ivory 4,317,318,378
leather from hides of 316
oil of 157
stripping and preparing blubber 316
taken by Arctic whalers 75
tongue used for food 316
whalemen's methods of capturing 314
Walrus Island, Pribylov group 328
Wampum, sheila made into 0™J
\Vareham, Mass., oyster laws at 515
oysters at 510
whaling fleet of 171,172
Warehain River, Massachusetts, oysters at ">ll>
Warren, R. I., sealing fleet of 440
voyage from 455
whaling fleet of 171,172
Warren River, Rhode Island, oyster planting in.. 536
oysters in 510
Washington, D. C., 'crayfish at 794
Washington Territory, crabs in 657
decrease i n oysters in 520
fur-seal industry at 393
oyster-industry statistics. 564, 565
sealing fleet of 399
shore whaling at 3
Water Mill, N. Y., hard clams at 600
Weddell, Captain, on fur-sealing 412
Weddell's voyages, quoted 406
Wellfleet, Mass., blackfish ashore at 300-305
horseshoe crabs at 652
oysters at 509, 514
oyster schooners of 521
quahaug fishery at 603
S77
Page.
Wclllleet. Mass., whale-fishery statistics, 1771 to
1775 Ill,
whaling licet of 172
\Vcll smacks, lobster tii'.'.i, i,- :
Wells, Me., lobster fishery at 770
Inlistrrs at 71 W
Westerly, R. I., natural oyster beds in .Ml
Western (i round, sperm whales on 9
West liulic's, humpback whales at 23
West port. Conn., oyster planting at 535
Westport. Mass.. census of whaling licet «( 173
lobster li si H TV ut ~i -'•'•
whaling licet of 3, 17'.'
voyages I'nuii, 1S70 to
i— ii !76-i'.i2
West, port, Me., lobsters at 720,761
Westport Point, Me., lobsters at 7(17
Westport Kivcr, Massachusetts, oysters in f-IH
West Tisbury, Mass., lobster laws at 727
lobsters at 710
Weymouth, Mass., oysters at ."iii'.i
Whale blubber as fooil 62. i>3
Whale-boat, color of 242
cost of ."i'J
dimensions of 241
durability of 2-12
equipment of 240
for shore whaling at New Zealand. . . . '411
general description of 240
locomotive appliances of 241
lost from vessel 27(i
material of construction 241
method of transporting 242
officers and men of 224
outfit of 214,217
price of 242
racing with 260
rigging the 230
selection of ere w of 229
spare •. 245
speed of 241
steam 246
used in seal fishery 426
weight of 242
Whalebone, Arctic, price of 147
statistics of 84
average price, 1-21 to 16 0 170
each month 1868 to 1880. 167
bounty on 32
bo whead 5
exports of, 17.ri8 to 1763 in:,
in 17(i:i 104
1770 116
1865 to 1884 K',7
tinback 5
first brought to Eugland 192
from Davis Strait 99-101
finback whales 42
North Pacific, statistics of - 1
grades of 5
greatest yield in 1853 146
home consnmpt ion, 1865 to 1884 167
humpback 5,56
\alue of 147
Pager
Whalebone in (illlf of Saint Lawn-lice 'Jill
.lapan Sea 156
monthly receipts of, IN;,- lolHHO ICiS
northwest 5
] ire para t ion of 5
price of 2l(i
Arctic ir,'. i, 161,162
Smith Sea 151), 1111, 1(12
proportion from different oceans 8
qnanliU I'm in ilill'ercnt grounds H
taUen b\ each Vessel 17fi-li»2
receipts, ISI15 to 17*4 1C.7
size of 5
.South Sea 5
statistics of, at New /ea la nil
. ill 1880 4
taken at 1'ro vim-clown ::
by Dundee steamers •,MI-.'
Scotch strainers 198-200
taxes paid in 37
total production in 1*72 I .VI
uses of 5
yearly receipts and value, Is-JCto ISMI. 170
\\ hale, bones of, used for soap-making 57
captured in Charleston Harbor 49
fishery, accidents in 272
apparatus of 218,247-290
capture 247-255
in Norway IDG
Arctic 204
at Barhadncs 214
Atlantic Ocean 148
at Mozambique Ktti
boiling and stowing oil 285
bounty in.. 32,66,157, 102, 104, 131, 1 '.17. 207
British 6(5
by Biscayans 192
Dutch 7
Makah Indians 3! Mi
capital in 3, li.~>, 173
causes of decline of .">
census statistics of licet for 1880... 173
code of signals in 257
condition of, in 1775 11(1
1789 67
cruising grounds 7-24
cutting in and trying out 277-288
tackle •-'-•o
dangers from ice 75
of 58,515
Danish 71
Davis Strait 94
decline of, in 17-li 13t>
depredations by privateers on 113
development of sperm t',3
division of profits of 291
Dutch 1'.'3
early care of products 31
history of American '•'•'' 31
laws regulating 28
effects of, on cod fishing HH
Revolutionary war on... 118
war of 1755 on 105
1-12 on .. 141
878
INDEX.
Whale fishery, electric apparatus in 249
embargo on, in 1757 103
English, in 1779 122
1768 139
expense of transshipment of cargo. 159
extended south of equator in 1774 - 400
financial arrangements 291-294
tinning out 269
fleet of the world in 1846 and 1880. 192
forays by English vessels 124
French 60,71,207
gamming in 259
general review of 3
German 71
getting fast to the whale 262
going on the whale 258
Gulf of Saint Lawrence 104
hailing ports of fleet 171,172
history and present condition of.. . 1-218
Hudson Bay 94
in Davis Strait, statistics of 98
Indian Ocean, origin of 07
John Adams on 123, 135
largest fleet in 1846 145
length of voyages in 24
licenses for 38, 39
loss from disasters 83
lowering for 257
methods of 49, 66, 214
capture 49, 58, 555-277
in California 52-58
Mr. Pitt on 136
northern limit of 134
Norwegian methods 196
of Australia . 192, 208
Canada 192
Chili 192
France 192,207
Germany 192, 217
Great Britain 192, 197
Newfoundland 192
New Zealand 192, 208
Norway 192, 195
Kussia 204
origin of 33, 192
on Japan ground, origin of 69
outfits for .' 237
Pacific, origin of 67
permits to vessels iu 127
products of, iu 1854 145
profits of 140-162,163,210
prospeiity of, 1770 to 1775 112
Proviuceto wu 144
prussic acid used in 248
raising whales 25(5, 270
record of Davis Strait voyages 99, 101
voyages, 1870 to 1880 .. .174, 192
regulations concerning 34
restrictions on 108, 205
review of foreign 192-218
revival of, in 1789 140
Scotch methods of preparing blub-
ber 286
shore 3,40,43,214
Page.
Whale fishery, Spanish depredations on 116
statistics of 145, 166, 173
1771 to 1775 116
iu 1786 137
supply stations 24, 25
total value of products 167
trade reviews, 1868 to 1884 146-166
transferred to France and England- 132
trouble with France iu 1798 140
value of boat outfit 56
products of Dundee 202
vessels lost in 80, 95
Whale-foots, uses of 4
Whale intestines, uses of 63
Whale, killer ___ 62
Whale line, dangers from fouling 275
material and length of 252
Whale meat 216
Whale oil, Arctic, price of 147,148,154
at Barbadoes 214
average price, 1821 to 1880 170
each month, 1868 to 1880 . 167
bleached winter 4
boiling and stowing 285
by Dundee steamers 202
competition with other oils 163
consumption of 146-165
double-bleached winter 4
duty on exports of 37
early methods of preparing 31
effect of introduction of cotton-seed oil
on 149
exports 105,116
1860tol884 166
for food 63
freight on 146
greatest yield in 1851 146
home consumption, 1860 to 1884 165
humpback, price of 147, 154
foots of 4
for illumination 136
exportation 26
freezing of 4
from Davis Strait 99-101
North Pacific, statistics of 84
gummiuess of 288
grades of 140
market grades of 4
method of storing i n docks — 4
stowing 238
monthly receipts of, 1868 to 1880 ....... 168
natural winter 4
prepared as lubricator 5
price of Arctic 160,161
humpback 160, 101
quantity from different grounds 8
iu white whale 204
taken by each vessel 175-192
in!880 4
used for illumination 139
receipts, 1860 to 1884 166
soap from 4
Scotch methods of preparing 286
spring-make bleached 4
1M>I<L\.
ST'.t
Page
Whale oil, spring-make, natural -1
statistics of, at liarbadoes 215
.Ncxv /calami 213
stock on liaiul at close of cadi year.. .1 lii-U;4
taken at l'ro\ ineetown ::
by Scot i-li steamers 198
tanks on vessels tor •.';;;P
transshipment, of 1 1 ;::.•.':; I
transshipped by rail I .Mi
uses of r>
value of receipts, 18(35 to 1880 Itw
\early receipts and value, 1820 to 1680. 170
yield by d i tl'ereut species 195
Whale sinews used for food 56
use made, of 63
'Whale stomach, use of 63
Whalemen, accidents to 272
American, in English fishery 12i!
arrival home 289
boat-steerers 224
camp of, on North Carolina coast 49
choosing the watch 229
cruel treatment of 6
cry when whales are sighted 'J5li
dangers from scurvy 100, 101
of -.'7ii
darting-guns of 254
desertions of 6
discipline among 220
Dutch 218
duties during pursuit of whales 255-077
of 223
while cutting in 281
food of 228
French 218
general account of 218-232
grades of, on vessels 222
homo life of 221
Indian 3l,:;r>
Irish 218
Italian -,'l-
Kanaka 0, -,'18-220
life ashore of 221
manner of shipping crew of 225
messing of, on vessels 227
Mexican 220
Nantucket, in Europe 134
nationality of American 218
negro 218-22Q
New Zealand 218-220
nnmher of :i, llii
in 1880 17:;
outfit of 2-.T.
Portuguese 0, 51), 218, -j l;i, 221 1
profits of 2111-2!) I
quarters of, on the vessels
Scotch •_• H
and English 201
M-riiiishawing by ....' 23]
seizure of, by Peru 1 42
selection of boats' crows 2,".l
services of, during war of 1812 142
.-.liar.- or lay of 291-294
songs of 2«{,2-'.i
Whalemen, superior seamanship of American 115
wrecked, in Arctic Ocean 76, 77
\\ hale 1 1 's shipping lists, extracts from 146
Whales, abundant, in (I nit' Stream Ill
ambergris from 4
among the ice 20
black 61
at New Zealand 21111
1 lot tie nose, fishery for 204
howhead 18,74
distribution of -jn-j
California gray 4
captured by arrows and cross-bow 196
capture of, by poisons 249
with nets 247
common apparatus of capture 250
cutting in 277
decided to be "royal fish " 39
difficulties of capturing 266
dimensions of California gray t.l
drift 28
disputes ahout 30
in Massachusetts . 26
regulations concerning 33
early abundance of 193
methods of cutting in 31
finback, cruising grounds for 23
on Pacific coast 4
finning out 269
food of 42,.r.G,2ti4
former abundance of 7,31
geographical distribution of 7
getting fast to 202
glue from 4
going on the 258
guano from 4
harpooning 260
humpback, distribution of 22
in Gulf of Saiut Lawrence ... 211!
on Pacific coast 4
in Boston Harbor 26
Indian names for 62
killer, destroy fur-seals 352,353
killing of, by poison 196
manner of defending themselves 262
maternal affection of 268
method of capturing 45, 255-277
cutting in :,:;
saving products of 277-288
stripping blubber from 278
movements of, at Barbadoes 214
from Hudson Bay to Bering
Strait !)7
New Zealand Berardius 212
number taken at Greenland, 1699 to 177- mi
by Dundeeo steamers ui-j
\orwegians, 18G(i to 1884 195
pii.-- headed 209
raising the 255,270
rate of speed of 265
right, at Australia
on Pacific coast 4
Russian, in Arctic Ocean 56
scarcity and .shyness of 6
880
INDEX.
Page.
Whales, seasons for.. 7-24
size of right Hi
species called Racks 37'
captured by Norwegians 1'JO
in Arctic Ocean 204
of, ou California coast 53
Pacific coast 4,55
specific gravity of 270
sperm, early capture of, at Nantucket 32
first in Pacific killed by an Ameri-
can 140
number taken , 1804 to 18*0 72
size and habits of 7:!
sulphur-bottom, cruising grounds for 23
on Pacific coast 4
sweeping and linking 284
tax on 1 28
total number taken, 1804 to 18K> 169
value of l'J7
product of 205
vessels towed by H2
viciousness of 2G1
white, Canadian fishery for 215
captured with nets 204
Eskimo fishery for 01
Norwegian fishery for Hl.~>
number taken by British whalers. 199, 200
Russian fishery for 204
Whaling among the ice 20
apparatus, electric 241)
at Hoard's Island 422
boat, early history of 20'
by Indians anil Eskimos 22
captain, duties of 222
Company, Russian 20fi
cutter, experiment with 246
fleet, American, in 1880 2:12
and outfit 232
at Greenland, 1669 to 1778 194
cruising grounds of 7-24
distribution of 3
each year 1868 to
1884 140-164
in 1869 '... 149
home ports 171, 172
in Davis Strait, 1729 to 1778 194
in 1737 94
largest in 1846 145
names of vessels in 86-94
of Provincetown in 1820 144
the world in 1842 71
1846 and 1880 192
Scotch 198-200
statistics, 1840 to 1880 171-174
of, in 1844 145
tonnage of, 1794 to 1884 173
value of 3, 232
where owned 3
Whaling-grounds 7-24
African 115
Archer ground 10
Atlantic 148
at St. Helena 10
Brazil Banks 65
Page.
Whaling-grounds, bowhead 18
"Callao ground" 10
Camilla 9
" Carroll ground '•' 10
Charleston 9,22,144
Chili 158
Commodore Morris 9,146
Congo River 158
Crozette 149, 150
Cumberland Inlet --'.<•>, 150. 152-164, 174
Davis Strait 94, 112, 198
Desolation 149, 152-164
discovery of Arctic 19
Falkland Islands 119
False Banks '. 16
Frobisher Bay S6
Grand Bank 110,112
Greenland 94, 193
Gulf of Saint Lawrence. 95, 104, 108,215
Gulf Stream Ill
Hatteras 9,15,22,144
Hudson Bay 94,150,152-164
humpback 22
Iceland 192
Indian Ocean 12,16,152-164,174
in North Atlantic 9
North Pacific 17
ICadiak 17,86-90
Japan groin ic! 11,69,94
Labrador 95
list of voyages to 174-192
Main Banks 16
New Zealand 11, 150, 153-164
North Atlantic 9,15,146-164
North Pacific 11
Nova Zemblu 160
off-shore 10,12,69
Pacific 140
Pacific-Arctic 19
Patagonia 165
relative importance of 8
right whales 15
River Plate 158
routes to 24, 70
Sooloo Sea 159
South Atlantic 9, 16, 146-164
Pacific 10
Spitz bergeu 19, 94, 160, 193
Straits of Belle Isle 104
Tristan 16,149,150
Two Thirty-sixes 9
Two Forties 9
' ' Vasques ground " 11
Western Islands 112
Whaling-gun, Brand 253
Cunningham & Cogan 253
darting 254
Greener's 53
invention of 254
manner of using 215,253,254,267
use of 49
Whaling-guns 56
in California 59
kinds used 252
INI) FA.
88 1
196
Whaling-guns, Norwegian • .,.„
Whaling-harpoons. general accou
~~
Whaling-nets
. _.j
Whaliu-outtVK value of ............. ' '^ ^
Whaling-rocket ...................... ' ^
Whaling-stations in California
South America '' •"•
12—240
Whaling-steamers -
description of
first from United States .
use of
196
Norwegian
number of Scotch ...
Scotch
Whaling-vessels, British, seized by Captain Porter.
building of
-called plum pud'ners...
Canadian
classesof
condition while cruising
crews' quarters on. .
dangers encountered by
deck plan of..
destroyed by privateers
disasters to 76,79,83,85-94,115,
146-164,175-192
220
discipline on
first displayed American flag in
England
fitting out of .
•238
84-94
15-2
234
general account of
in North Pacific, statistics of
insurance on
men's quarters on . .
names of, 18701o ISH i
in Arctic fleet ^'--';
personnel of. .
preparation for homeward pas-
Russian
statistics for 1880
of, 1771 to 1775
steam
transportation of boats on
voyages of, 1-70 to 1880 17r,-19'J
Whaling voyages, combined with Ruling-
length of
number of, 1870 to 1880
outfits for
record of Davis Strait
1870 to 1880
results of, 1870 to 1880... 175-
to Davis St rait, record of-
Whitestone, N. Y., hard clams at
' -
19
706
799
654
Whitest.. ne, N. Y.. soil, clams at.
Whisk \ r-a\ ,Hea l
White whales, Canadian fishery for •"_•
-.ill, nets ... «4,24
rapture "f. by Scotch whalers . .
distribution of 24/J04
Eskimo fishery for...
in Gulf of Saint Lawrence
number taken by lirilish whalers. 199,200
Russian fishery for
Wickford, R. 1., lobsie,- tishery at ..
scallop fishery at
soft-clam lishery at &®
Wilcos, W. A., ou dam tishery
],,bster fishery
lop fishery... 571,575
Wilkes, Commodore, ou whaling-gronnds...
Williams, Hon. Thomas W..
Williams, J. M., ou lobsters ..
Wilmington, Cal., roek-lobsters at
Wilmington, Del., crab fertilizer at .
whaling Uect of
Wilmington, N.c., bine crabs at ..
shrimp at
terrapin fishery at nl
Winter Harbor, Me., lobster fishery at .
Winter, United States consul at Due.
Wiuthrop. Mass., lobster lishery at
Wiscasset district, lobster lishery in .
statistics iu !71,77^
Wiscassot, Me., soft clams at
whaling fleet of -^ "1
Witte, Herman, on leeches. .
Woodbury, N. J., horseshoe crabs at
Wood's Holl, Mass., lobster culture at 7*
laws at •'-'
lobsters, at 698,710,778,780
oyster culture at •'•'4
Yarmouth, Mass., drift whales at .
lobster law at
sea-clam fishery at ' '^°
whaling fleet of
Yarmouth Port, Mass., lobster fishery at- 778,78
lobsters at ' lu
Yellow Sea, right whales iu . .
Yhlcn. G. von, on lobsters iu Norway-
Yokohama, visited by American whalers .... *
York district, lobster fishery in _ ^
statistics in 1 11~
York, Me., lobsters at .. " ' ; '||
Young, James A., on lobsters ' ^
Zanzibar, sperm whales off .. ;
Zapadine eeal rookery, Saint George Island. . - .345, •>•
Saint Paul Island 340, .544
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