IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

h

//

^

1.0

1.1

11.25

itt fii2 [2.2

S La 12.0

■yuu

6"

HiotDgra{Jiirj

Sciences

Corparation

33 WfST MAIN STWET

WE}STH,N.Y. 14SS0

(716) S72-4S03

^

iV

V

•N?

S>

' 1^

^

o^

'^v

^

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHIVI/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notas techniques et bibiiographiques

The Institute has attempted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy which may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checked below.

D

D

D

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

I I Covers damaged/

Couverture endommagAe

Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaur6e et/ou pellicul6e

Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

I I Coloured maps/

Cartes g^ographiques en couleur

□ Coloured init (i.e. other than blue or blacit)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bieue ou noire)

I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/

Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
Reli6 avec d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La re liure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge intirieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout6es
lore d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6t6 fiim^es.

Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppldmentaires;

L'Institut a microfilm* le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il iui a it* possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la mAthode normale de filmage
sont indiquis ci-dessous.

j I Coloured pages/

D

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est film* au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous.

Pages de couleur

Pages damaged/
Pages endommagtes

Pages restored and/oi

Pages restauries et/ou petliculAes

Pages discoloured, stained or foxe(
Pages dicolories. tacheties ou piqudes

Pages detached/
Pages ditachdes

Showthrough/
Transparence

Quality of prir

Quality inigaie de I'impression

Includes supplementary materit
Comprend du materiel supplimentaire

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

I — I Pages damaged/

I I Pages restored and/or laminated/

r~7| Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/

I I Pages detached/

[771 Showthrough/

I I Quality of print varies/

I I Includes supplementary material/

I I Only edition available/

7
ti

7
P

0

fl

C

b

tl
s
o

fl

si
o

T
si
T

IV

di

ei
b(
ri
re
m

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuiilet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont 6t6 filmtos A nouveau de fa^on d
obtenir la meilleure image possible.

10X

14X

18X

22X

26X

30X

y

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks
to the generoeity of:

Library of the Pubiic
Archives of Canada

The imeges sppearing here are the best quslity
possible considering the condition and legibilit/
of the original copy and in keeping with the
fiinting contract specifications.

Original copies in printed paper r overs are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol — <► (meaning "CON-
TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

IVIaps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diegrams illustrate the
method:

L'exemplaire film* fut reproduit grAce k la
ginircsiti de:

La bibiiothique des Archives
publCques du Cimada

Lee images suivantes ont AtA reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition at
de la nettet* de I'exempiaire iilm«, et en
conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.

Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprim«e sont film6s en commen^ant
par ie premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par ie second
plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont filmte en commenpant par la
premiere page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la dernidre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sjr la
dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon ie
cas: le symbols -^^ signifie "A SUIVRE". le
symbols y signifie "FIN".

Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., pejvent Atre
filmte A des taux de reduction diffirents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pcjr Atre
reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est f ilmA h partir
de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite,
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la m6thode.

1

2

3

1

2

3

4

5

6

REPORT

VrOH THl

FISHERIES

kl

or

THE BAF OF EM,

BY

. M. H. PERLEY, Esquire,

HIR majesty's emigration OPPICER at saint JOHN, NEW BRUN8WIC1

Laid be/ore the House of Assembly by commando/ His Excellency the Lieutenant
^ ^ , , Governor, and ordered to be printed,

#s h' Wth lawh, 1881.

FREDERICTON:

J. SIHPSOir, PRINTER TO THE QUEBir's MOST EXCEttEKT MAJB»TT.

1851.

ni

n

rno'i'An

; >

JiJST fXfSV

r' 'A 1 }i a II a I '■!

Sl>

,101: ill lir uii Wl

11, .<>

iV-

:*t^

!.'■'

.•ft-

M^

/:,

;4..

Stt-

iu» ■- ',it ,vV ',:

,t''\itni-j ,M^ <>• ;;i-r, •fc^.,-, iiyna ,'v>U'"y!i^^>

•tie;;?*^ tHi»,",?a'-;"*

■*»^.-.,

.'.).■. !)»);

vS^Viiv.'i

v/ol /-fv it ilji/r but! ; ivii; ' / 'tt» !^t)i*i*»-', '.;:i •' vjk '^ ..f •«• .tiJ
'U')r 'ui '»7Kil r - ^. . jliii* tUvI> fi ill-* f'lli 1. - ,! 't'tiii ' i.M,.»:r oj-.t

Government Emigration Office, * ^"

j( imli , Hj.-a uiiJ ilii S^*^^ •^«*»» ^- ^-^ 12a March, 1851.

Sir,— In obedience to the command of His Excellency the
Lieutenant Governor, communicated in your letter of 6th July
last, that I should examine and report upon the Fisheries of
the Bay of Fundy, so soon as my duties as Emigration Officer
would permit, I commenced the performance of that duty on
the dOth of August, accompanied by George Hay ward Perley,
my second son.

;?! ii(!i)ii, jtr, ■f-iwni'iufn

1 1

The Island of Grand Manan was visited, in a hooker of 16
tons, belonging to Deer Island, which I hired for the trip.
Campo Bello, West Isles, and the shores in that vicinity, were
examined in boats of all sizes, adapted for visiting the several
localities* The upper part of the Bay of Fundy, (including
Cumberland Bay and the Basin of Mines,) was examined in
the Sloop Cutter *' Juno," which I engaged and fitted out for
that service. The South Shore of Nova Scotia was examined
by land, the season being too for advanced, and the weather
too stormy, to admit of its beii^ visited in the Cutter, without
great delay.

I have now the h<niOT to present the accompanying Report,
which embodies the information obtained while engaged in per-
forming the duty assigned me, tog^her with some other infor-
mation in relation to the Fisheries generally, the Markets for
Fish in Foreign Countrien, the American Bounty system, and
t^ destruction of Fish on spawning grounds.

II V'l H-t"

WitJb thi^ Rep^t, I have ajkto the honor to present, a Cata-
lipgue {inpfiirt} 4>f t]be Fj^hes of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia; in which an attempt h^ been made to classify the
Fishes of these Co^p^i^^i i|<!^rdii)g to thf system of Baron

1:

IV.

; t

Cuvicr, in fheir several orders, families, and genera. In the
descriptions of the various species, I have embodied observa-
tions made during a long series of years ; and with a very few
«}xceptions, I have described such fish only, as I have myself
seen and handled. .ifOtiMa TWHWPiifMvo,')

This incomplete Catalogue is offered with the hope, that it
may lead to further inquiry, and a more perfect knowledge of
the habits, haunts, and seasons of the ^'ishes of our waters ;
not merely as matter of interest to the scientific inquirer, but
as being of much value to the practical fisherman, who by b^V
ter information, may be greatly benefited in his calling. .,{,,,j^

' Before entering upon the duty" entrusted to me, J made
application to His Excellency Sir John Harvey, Lieutenant
Governor of Nova Scotia, for permission to pursue my inquiries
on the Nova Scotia side of the Bay* and a copy of tha Com-
mission under Seal, which His Excellency was pleased to trans-
mit me, is annexed to this Report. . . , ^ , , ,, , ,

-* A copy of the Circular Letter of Inquiry whicli I caused to
be printed and circulated, is also annexed to this Report, with
some of the replies thereto. ' " •" ,.' ... iu

« • t • -.V • 11 ' » f ( ' . . t ... . ( . t J i .

I beg to direct especial attention to the Letter No. 6, in the
Appendix, from the Hon. John E. Fairbanks, of Halifax, which
contains information and suggestions possessing much interest.

The Hon. the Commissioners of British Fisheries, besides
noticing my Report of last year in their Annual Report to Par-
liament, very kindly forwarded to me a complete set of their
Parliamentary Reports, and of the Imperial Acts in relation to
the British Fisheries, all which have been of the greatest service.
I have also to express my obligation to their Secretary, the
Hon. Bouverie Francis Primrose, for his prompt attention in
forwarding the prices of Fish in Scotland during the last five
years ; and for valuable information respecting the Markets
for Fish in Europe, drawn from his admirable Report to the
Board of Trade on that important subject. "wlsi'^l

^H'.

V.

In the
I observa-
. very few
i^e myself

e, that it
wledge of
waters;
lirer, but
lo by bet-

, I made
ieutenant
inquiries
ha Com-
to trans-

caused to
ort, with

The directions for taking and curing Herrings, and for cur-
ing Cod and Hake, issued by the Board of British Fisheries,
having been approved by His Excellency the Lieutenant
Governor, one thousand copies thereof were reprinted, and
distributed by me among the fishermen in the several locali-
ties visited, by many of whom these directions were greatly
approved, and highly appreciated. '

At every place visited, my mission appeared to give much
satisfaction. The greatest kindness was everywhere shown to
myself and my son, and very many persons were at great
pains to render us assistance. The hospitality invariably ex-
tended to us, and the facilities which were cheerfully grunted
on both sides of the Bay, demand my most sincere acknow-
ledgements.

I have the honor to be. Sir, ^

w->i

'•i'»".;f!f''> \ *'' '■

Your very obedient servant,

.:*s.'»f* I'm'Mi.*' hnt, ■ \?ii)

. >£<m.

M. H. PERLEY.

i.'rlH

■ ni*

The Hon. John R. Partelow, Proyincial Serectary.

6, in the
X, which
interest.

, besides
t to Par-
of their
lation to
: service,
ary, the
intion in
last five
Markets
r£ to the

;>r ,

Jv ;■

y

f

,-:*

1 1

^''•'"'' ■*•"' V'"i'-"- --"!» :;,... ./-J. ,aru.\ vu,i,4,.i,..r

.OirHi:.,1(J»|>t N^hf^,in,Snt ,!r»7.>.(J,JJj

-.:'*rw <:, ^ jf^ ^i>i,t<VHl VMiMll '-.'17 fto^t ..,.,., .>„ -, , 'H

, . . • ' • • ' Jf"«t ,J)^'< /?l ;l,(„ U'H /|(t

.rf 11 1,1 ,/ ., aall Jill '.llL f,,i:i ,„ ,,j ;.,,j,j,„,'

JiRRATA ET ADDENDA. . • ''->^«"J%li W

pAr.% 64.— In 13th line from bottom, for " 1800," read "800" feet

88.— In 16lh line from bottom, for " are compiled," read " is compiled."
131.— At the end ofQlst line from bottom, omit the words, "that they."
,.' " 156.— After " SpecieB 1. Petromyzon," add " Americanu;"

r. '.IT

!►•• > Virti

p,l\tfU4i

<.lii'l7'>' )

mmIi »?» '}»

h-'it > Mf

i »n»!ij,p,

)v:> 1/

j'i>^;-;?iu

. "il')-/Mi

•.i ^K,...i

•

■').>') ji •

•>r«f )j»ti >l

lied."

E^y."

mas OF REPORT AND APPENDIX.'

.fv.n

i^r THE NEW HRUNSWICK 8HORE. ' ,,, ui-iM . i '

Grand Maoan, - '3

Cameron's Cove; Doggett's Cove ; Plngg's Cove ;
Long Island ; Bencrafl's Point ; Gull Cove ;
X (: Grand Harbour ; the Southern Head ; Dark Har-
t^H- hour ; Money Cove ; Long's Kddy ; Whal«
, " Cove ; Meeting of Fishermen ; Return of Boats,
'"; Vessels, and Men. '"' ^

Campo Bello, , , - - - -,.?,.,- - ,, W

West Isles, ' '" - - - - • - - 28

Deer Island, ' - - 32

The Coast from L'Etite Passage to Point Lepreau, 35

The Wolves, - ^

The value of the Fisheries at West lelles, - ' - 87

EaAtpon, - ^ . - - - .-.;/; e.jH

Lnbec, ---------42

The Fisheries of the River Saint Croix, - - - 43
From Point Lepreau to the Harbour of Saint John, - 49
Fisheries within the Harbour of Saint John, > '50
The River Saint John and its Tributaries, *" i " ' - ' 5^
Firom the Harbour ofSt. John eastwardly, to Cape Enrage, 60
^ ,- J Port Simonds ; Black River; EmQrson's Creek; ,..
"' Gardner's Ci-eek ; Teignikidttth ; QtulEico ; Great
^'^ ^ Salmon Rivier ; I^ong l^each ; Little Salmon '

River ; Martin's Head ; Goose Creek ; Goose •
cH')l River; Point Wolf River ; Heri^ing Cove;

Upper Salmon River, h >Ji«i'r irfi - i I l>

fifidm Cape Enrage to the Boundary of N6Va Stotia, ^

Shepbdy River ; tti« Petltoodiai!;' Rev; Mk GaUv- '

reatl's Letter ; R^ B^ Chaj^mtin's L^tt^ ; from

Memrftinei0ok to MatanrgUiy ; Sfiekvilte Bay;

Estiniate of the quantity of f^^A takien On the

}'7i New Brunswick side of the Bay.

. i

VIII.

'I

> ! '

!l^

THE NOVA SCOTIA SHORE.

Cumberland Bay, -• 80

Amhorst; Minudic ; Mr. Seaman's Letter ; Apple
River; the Coast to Capo Chignecto, and thence
around to Spencer's Island ; Grcville Bay ; West
Bay.

The Basin of Mines, .-.--.

Parrsborough ; Five Islands; Economy; Windsor;
information from Mr. Burgess as to preservation
of Shad nets; Cornwallis River; Habitant River.

The South Shore of the Bay of Fundy, n*i» ,ll4!.:«,i

The Basin of Annapolis, -

Brier Island, ...

General Observations, - - - - - u <;•

iii. The cure of Fish ; Mr. Edward Allison's Letter. , ,^,/jy

Foreign Markets for Fish, _ _ - - - 104

Fish Barrels, - - i,,n'. 108

Allowances, or Bounties, to American Fishing Vessels, 109
The destruction of Fish on spawning grounds, - - 111

.•»!foif. : •!':•

- . ** « *

86

91

22

96

100

. no.

Bru?h Weirs and Stake Nets, - - - -

Summary, - - „ -

Catalogue of Fishes, - j,,,,^;; . -,•: ;;, :,.>-.! isjf^i

APPENDIX. '•'"'■• "'i'r.^^'""'^

( ; ' 1 1 • '• • T '. I J > *

'«;6

113
114
118

1 1 » ■ » I .^

No. 1. Commission from J^is ExceUen^^ 3/^ John

Harvey, , - . - .. ' .' , ' jgo

2. Copy of Circular Letter of Inquiry, , - .. -^ 161

3. Letter from Cochran Craig, J. P., /.,..-.! ., - 162

4. Letter from Captain Daniel M'Laughlin, - 165

5. Regulations for Shad Fishery in Cumberland,
Nova Scotia, 166

6. Letter on the Fisheries from Hon. John £.
Fairbanks, - - - - - - 167

7. Extract of Despatch from Lord Stanley, dated
17th Sept., 18i5, relstive to Foreigners
fishing in the Qay of Fundy, pre^d.ed by a
note of circumstances which led to its trans-
mission, - - • : ,T .;;,;r / r.r.fui-tr •/ ■ *■ 173

80

86

n

r.

91

22

96

• lOQ

- 104

n' 108
, i09

t ^*^
113

114

118

160
161
162
165

166

167

•I .. ' • -J

IlEPOET

I

IP ON

1 (

• 4

,1. .7 ,M I"

' '.1 '» . 11

'I

THE FISHERIES OF THE BAY OF FIINDV.

'>i

.■••n;

I , ) I ^.>>

173

There is greater variety in the Fislicile.s of iho Ray of
Fundy than in tiio80 of the (fulf uf 8t. Lawrence ; anil owin^
to their peculiar character, und a variety uf local circumslnnccs,
they are prosecuted, in ticveral res>]>ect8, in modes wliichgive
to them unusual interest. ( „; irii <>..}•.■! f

The character of the liay itself is very peculiar. Its shores
on both sides are rocky and abrupt, while near its head (divided
into two separate basins) the tide, pressed in and confined within
diminished limits, rushes with much violence and "hot haste"
over extensive and wide-spreading nuid-llats, und rises per-
pendicularly sixty feet or more.

It is asserted by geologists, that the Bay of Fnndy has been
scooped out by the powerful action of the Ciidf Stream, which,
carrying ojff the softer and more friable rocks that anciently
tilled its basin, has been checked in its ravages by the stern
and unyielding cliffs of primary rock which now constitute its
iron bound shores, and frown down upon its rushing waters.

A modern writer, describing the supposed formation of the
Bay, says — "A vast and uninterrupted body of water, impelled
by the trade wind from the Coa it of Africa to the American
Continent, strikes the Nova . .otia shore between 44*^ and
45^ north latitude, with a force almost adequate to its total anni-
hilation. A barrier of fifteen miles only in width, between the
Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of St. Lawrence, seems to have
escaped such a catastrophe — while a space of one Jnmdred
miles in length, and upwards of forty in breadth, has been
swallowed up in the vortex, which, rolling its tremendous tides,
of sixty and seventy feet in perpendicular height, up the beds
of the adjoining rivers, has converted them into inland seas."

Such being the character of this Bay and its extraordinary
tides, it may readily be supposed, that its varied Fisheries are
influenced by local position arising from the greater sweep or
indentation of the coast in particular places, and the position of
headknds, islands, and the mouths of rivers, — all tending to

I

^

■

' I

I

'V,

increase or diminish the rush of the tide, thus influencing the
course of tlic great bodies of fish uhich frequent the Bay during
cart? season, while affording to each some es[)ecial or favorite
place of resort where food is found in abundance, or in whicli
its spawn may be deposited in such manner as will best tend
to the propagation of the species.

In order, therefore, to a comprehensive view of the Fisheries
of the Bay of Fundy, it will be necessary, in the outset, to
describe the various Fisheries, in their several localities. To '
do this with precision, and in a manner readily understood, the
Northern, or New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy, com-
mencing with Grand Manan, will be first noticed ; after which,
the Southern, or Nova Scotia side of the Bay, and its Fisheries,
will be described in their oi'der, from the eastern extremity,
or head of the Bay, to Brier Island. '■■^hii ...» .;,.^ ;.. -• •

•I'^t )i::;;if:? -iil'!'

tr<M*' •'"

Id,

THE NEW BRMSWICK SUOBE.

GRAND MANAN.

This Island is in shape an irregular oval, the extreme length
being nearly twenty miles, and greatest breadth about eight
miles. Its general trend is from south west to north east, like
the neighbouring coast of the mainland, from which it is sepa-
rated by a passage about fourteen miles in width. The western
shore of the Island, throughout nearly its entire length, presents
a succession of lofty mural precipices, with few and limited
beaches, and deep water in immediate proximity — without
shelter even for boats, except at Dark Harbour, which is
more particularly noticed hereafter. From the western shore,
the land has a gradual slope to the eastern side of the Island,
which has many indentations, although destitute of harbours
that are secure against easterly or southerly gales.

The principal Fisheries of this Island, are those for Cod,
Pollack, Hake, and Herring ; and the mode of conducting
these Fisheries, and curing the fish taken, will be described
from information obtained at the several localities which
were visited.

•H?1!

•j.tlli I

" Cameron's Cove. — This h a narrow cove at the northern
extremity of the Island, to tha i outhward of a curiously pro-
jecting spur of rocks, called tne *' Swallow*s Tail," which

Slicing the
ay during
r favorite
in which
best tend

Fisheries
)utset, to
ties. To
stood, the
tidy, com-
ter which.
Fisheries,
ixtreniity,

• f "I -j .»!(•!

f!!i->if (!

i

I

lie length
out eight
east, like
t is sepa-
B western

presents
d limited
—without

which is
rn shore,
le Island,

harbours

for Cod,
nducting
lescribed
;s which

iibrtncrn
usly pro-
" which

separates it from Whale Cove. At this place, 3Ir. J. li. P<;ttes,
an American citizen, has a neat fishing establishment, and a
store for retailing merchandize and groceries. It is alleged,
that he manages to transact a profitable business, without him-
self entering into the fishery, by purchasing green fish from the
fishermen, and curing them on his own premises.

On the 2t5lh August last, the writer visited Cameron's Cove.
At that period, the Hake (Phycis Americanus) were in full
season. On a bank about two miles from Cameron's Cove, cx-
tendiiii;- from the Swallow's Tail to a small island called " Long
Island," the Hake were taken in abundance in 28 fathoms
water, by fishing during the night, at which time this fish is on
the feed, and takes bait greedily. At day-break, the fishing boats
return to the shore, when the fish are thrown out upon the
beach with a pitchfork. Soon after sunrise, the newly-caught
Hake were observed by the writer lying on the gravel beach,
sweltering under the heat. There were no splitting tables, as
in a well-conducted establishment, but the lisliermcn set up
pieces of board upon the open beach in a temporary manner,
on which the fish were split ; they could not be said to be
cleaned, as no water was used in the operation. The heads and
entrails were separated from the bodies of the fish, which, being-
split in a clumsy manner, with uncommonly bad knives, were
thi'own down upon the gravel ; thence they were carried off on
handbarrows, upon which they were tossed in a ''oap, three or
four at a time, with pitchforks. From the barj ows the finh
were pitchforked into the scale to be weighed ; from the scale
they were again pitchforked upon the barrows ; and being
carried off to the pickling casks, were once more pitchforked
into the pickle ; by this time the fish were perforated in all
directions, and looked little better than a mass of blood and
dirt. The fish which were drying on the flakes were covered
with scales on the inside, or split portion of the fish, wiiich had
a most disagreeable appearance.

The fishermen here, stated, that during the previous night,
a Yankee Schooner, called the " John Drake, of Lubec," had
anchored on the Hake-ground, not more than a mile from the
extremity of the Swallow's Tail, and being provided with
abundance of bait and a numerous crew, had soon attracted
all the fish about her. The fishermen had gathered around
the schooner in their boats, and desired the Skipper to move
off; on his refusal, they pulled towards the shore to bring off
an addition^ force with £re arms, when the Skipper lifted bis
anchor and made sail. The fishermen then returned to their

Il

I;

ii;

ground, ami Imd ^ood fisliin<T dnrlnsif tlio night. Tlioy com-
plainod lh;it tlio lary-e Anipricnn Schooners frequently came in
this manner upon their ground, and broke up the fishing, if
they were not strong enough to drive them away.

Dogcett's Covr. — This is an open beach, west of Came-
ron's Cove, whore Mr. Nathaniel Doggett has a curing esta-
blishment. When this place was visited, the fishermen were
engaged in splitting Hake, in the rude and dirty manner
already described. Mr. Doggett stated that Hake were never
washed after being split, but were immediately put in pickle,
in all their blood and dirt. In this pickle the fish remain 24
hours; then being taken out and Avashed with it, they were
put in another pickle, in Avhich they remained eight days. At
the end of that time, they were put on the flakes to dry, and
if the weather was good, they would cure in three days. The
fish are not put into ])ilo to sweat, after being dried on the
flakes, but are at once removed into store, and then consi-
dered fit to be sent to the markets of the United States or the
West Indies. ■'" ' "''-' '-'' '"' "'•^^'^^' ',

The pickle for Hake is made of exceeding strength, a bushel
of salt being used for each quintal offish ; every eftbrt appears
to be used to make the fish weigh as heavily, and render them
as salt as possible ; the fish are not washed, lest the removal
of the blood and slime should detract from their weight. '■''^"*'

Mr. Doggett described the mode of curing Cod at Grand
Manan. He said, that after being split, the Cod are washed
in sea-water, and salted in hogsheads, in which they lay four
or five days in pickle which they make themselves. They are
then taken out, and drained twenty-four hours in kinch, or flat
piles, after which they are placed on the flakes. In good
weather, they cure in six or eight days ; in general they are
not sweated in pile, but are at once piit in the store.

Pollack are cured in the same manner as Cod. Haddock
are cured the same as Hake, except that they are put in kinch,
to drain for two or three days, before being put on the flakes.
In salting Cod and Pollack, half-a-bushel of salt only, to the
quintal, is used.

' Flagg's Cove. — In this Cove, there is a wharf or break-
water, which gives some shelter to small craft ; but the whole
line of Long Island Bay, in which these coves are situate, i^
greatly exposed in easterly gales, when a tremendous sea
comes tumbling in.

'hoy com-
y came in
fishing, if

of Garne-
ring esta-
nen were
' manner
ere never
in pickle,
emain 24
they were
days. At
• dry, and
ys. The
sd on the
en consi-
tes or the

, a biichel
t appears
der them

removal

ht.

at Grand

e washed

lay four
They are
rA, or flat

In good

they are

laddock
in kinch,
e flakes,
y, to the

r break-
le whole
tuatc, ii^
ous sea

Mr. Lorenzo Drake and Mr. John A. Hartt have each sta-
tions here, at which they pnrciinse green fish for curing. Cod,
Pollack, and Hake, fresh from the knife, are taken at 2621bs.
the quintal ; when pickle-salted, they ure taken at 2241b» for
the quintal. When these establishments were visited, they
were taking in Cod at ten shillings per quintal, and scale fish
at five shillings per quintal, payable in merchandize. The Pol-
lack were said to be of smaller size than formerly, one hundred
of them only making two quintals of dry fish.

In the evening the writer observed, in this cove, eight boats
with torches, "driving" small Herrings for bait. An Ameri-
can fishing-boat from a vessel in the offing, came to the shore,
ard having procured material for torches, commenced
" driving" with the others. Mr. Hartt stated, that on the 4th
July last, there were about twenty American fishing schooners
at anchor in Long Island Bay, and while they were engaged
in firing salutes in honor of the day, H. M. Sloop " Sappho,"
suddenly rounded the Northern head, when they all weighed
anchor, in great haste, and stood out to sea. The " Sappho"
having passed along the coast to the southern end of the Island,
these vessels returned to their anchorage in the afternoon, and
finished firing their salutes.

It was stated here, that five American vessels fished in this
Bay, at about a mile from the land, during all the last winter.
The fishermen of Grand Manan complained of these vessels,
which were numerously manned, and occupied the best ground,
to the exclusion and injury of the fishermen residing on the

shores. .^^ rd •ru^^i.ir-i oit , . ^ _ uioJ'-^;.,>.

Mr. Hartt said, there was no inspection of fish whatever at
Grand Manan, or any pretence of inspection. Every man
cured and packed his fish as he pleased ; and he mentioned as
among the evils flowing from this state of things, that he had
purchased, in a previous season, several barrels of Herrings,
put up near the Southern Head, on examining which, he found
that many of the fish were not gibbed, others had become rotten
before salting, and the contents of the barrels were quite
worthless.

MiUIUJi

'.VJiisrV rrt-jj!

:u .uij'u :yni',<i

Long Island. — This Island lies in front of the Bay of the
same name. Mr. IngersoU is the only resident settler ; there
is one clearing of no great extent— the rest of the Island is in

wood. •*»!• i.twiixr i-isj , «a^iii!iij*1 '' 'io ^^*jii ''

On the Island there were forty fishermen encamped^ having
among them thirteen boats. These men were from Nova Scotia,

1

6

nnd it was said that they came over every year from Brier
Island, and its vicinity, and remained during the fishing season.
The fish they catch they sell in a green state to the Grand
Manan dealers, who furnish them with the requisite supplies.
It was stated here, that during the preceding weelc, one boat,
with two men only, had taken ten quintals of Hake for two
nights successively. It was said that the Hake fishing was
gradually falling off here ; but that the Pollack fishing was
better than it had been for twenty years.

tri,

There are three large brush weirs

Bencraft's Point.
near this Point, and a fourth in course of erection. They are
intended to take small Herrings for smoking, but the past sea-
son very few were taken. These weirs so fill up the channel,
that it is somewhat difficult to navigate among them. . i,,,

High Duck Island. — The fishing establishment on this
small Island, belongs to Wilford Fisher, Esquire. There are
weirs for taking Herring in connection with this establishment,
which consists of a warehouse for goods, two fish stores, and
two large smoke houses. These smoke houses, like all others
which were observed at Grand Manan, were far too low, and
insufiiciently ventilated. The fires were made too near the
fish, which thus became heated and seriously injured.

When this Island was visited, there were a number of l)oat3
at the landing, from which Hake were being delivered ; these
were pitchforked about in the same reckless and extraordinary
manner as at Cameron's Core. There seemed to be the same
desire to make the fish weigh heavy, no matter by what means
the extra weight was gained.

At the close of the fishing season, Mr. Fisher (who resides at
Eastport) stated, that the catch of Herrings at Duck Island
weirs only amounted to 175 boxes ; in 1849 it amounted to
5000 boxes.

Gull Cove. — This pretty little Cove is in Whitehead Islancl,
which lies to the southward of Grand Manan, at no great dis-
tance from it. There were a number of small fishing schooners
in this Cove, at anchor, waiting for the tide. Among them
was one American vessel, the '' Glide," which appeared to fish
with the British vessels without observation or hinderajace*

These vessels were engaged in fishing for Pollack, on the
"rips" or "ripplings" oflf Grand Manan. These " rips" are
formed by ^strong currents and the conflict of tidey, in which
the lively Pollack delight to play, as there they fiiod abun-

oin Brier
ig geanon.
lie Grand
supplies,
one boat,
e for two
sliing was
filing was

Hi i>r:'M( "I

Lisli weirs
Tlicy are
! past sea-
3 channel,

t on this

rhere are

)lishment,

ores, and

all others

low, and

near the

r of boats

; these

aordinary

the same

lat means

resides at
ok Island
Dunted to

• it >'ijiti

id Island,
jreat dis-
schooners
mg them
ed to fish
ance* ,;;
k, on the
rips" are
in which
;id s^^un-

dancc of small Herrings for food,
the vessels

>»ff.

g,., .„. .v,„«. For this description of fish-
arc kept under easy sail, the lines being
attached to poles of about seven feet in length, which project
from the sides of the vessel. A round bright lead is used, about
seven inches in length, weighing from half-a-pound to a pound
and a half; the bait is a piece cut from the under, or bright
part of the Pollack, which is called a ** last ;" this beiug kept
in brisk motion by the sailing of the vessel, closely resembles
a living fish darting through the water, and is eagerly chased
by the Pollack. The fishers often take twenty Pollack with
a single *' last," it being a very tough bait.

On Whitehead Island, immense numbers of the Herring,
,or Silvery Gull (Larus Argentatus) build their nests on trees,
and there rear their young. As the fishermen rob these nests
of the eggs as often as possible, the birds continue to breed
all the season, and when this Island was visited at the end of
August, there were numbers of young birds on the nests unable
to fly. The Herring Gull is intimately connected with the Her-
ring fishing, its presence generally denoting the course of the
shoals of fish upon which it preys ; it is therefore closely observed
by the fishermen, who draw from its motions tolerably correct
conclusions as to the presence of fish, and their numbers.

Whitehead Island was granted to the late Wm. Frankland,
who resided upon it, until his death a few years since. The
celebrated naturalist, J. J. Audubon, visited this Island^in the
American Revenue Cutter " Swiftsure," and landed at Mr. *
Frankland's in Gull Cove, on the 22d May, 1833. In his '
great work on the Birds of America, vol. 7, page 163, Audu-
bon thus speaks of his visit, and of the Herring Gulls : —

" I was greatly ST. rprised to see the nests placed on the bushes, some near the top, others
about tlie middle, or on the lower part of the trees, while at the same time, there were many
on the ground. It is true I had been informed of this b^ our captain ; but 1 had almost
believed that on arriving at the spot I should find the birds not to be Gulls. My doubts
however were now dispelled, aud I was delighted to see how strangely nature had provided
them with the means of securing their eggs and young from their arch-enemy, man. My
delight was greatly increased, on being allerwards informed by Mr. Frankland, that the-
strange habit in question, had been acquired by these Gulls within his recollection, for, said
he — 'V/hen I first came here, many years ago, they all built their nests on the moss, and
ip open ground ; but as my sons and the fishermen collected moat of their eggs, and
sadly annoyed the poor things, the old ones gradually began to put their nests on the trees,
in the thickest parts of the wqDds. The youngest birds nowever, still have some on the
ground, and on the whole are becoming lesa wild, since I have forbidden strangers to rob
tiieir nests, for, gentlemen, you are the only persons out of my family, that have fired a gun
at Whitehead Island for several years ; and I dare say you will not commit any greater
havoc among them, than is necessary ; and to that you are welcome.' "

" I was much pleased with the humanity of our host, and requested him to let me know
when ell the Gulls, or the greater part of them, shonld abandon the trees and resume their
former mode of building on the ground, which he promised to do. But I afterwards found
this was not likely to happen, because on some other Islands not far distant, to which the
fishermen and eggers have free access, these Gulls breed altogether on the trees, even when
their eggs and young are regularly removed evary year, so that their original habiu have
been entirely given up. My opinion, that aflcr bemg thus molested for some time longer,

B

',!'

th«v iiittv rcvort td llio iiiacueMiblo shelves o( the ruoks u( ilictic Inlninl*, v. an iiireiiglliciicil
by Mr. Fraiiklnnd's infuriiilng me, tliut many pairs liad already tukcti refuge in such pluocn,
where they bred in perfect security."

" Some of the nests which I (>aw Sverc placed at a height of nioro than forty feet on the
trees; others seen in the thickest part of tlie woods wern eight or ten fent from the ground,
and were placed close to the main stem, so as to be with dilKcalty observed. It was truly
curious to see the broad-winged birds make their way to and from ihem, in these secb'ded
retreats."

At Gull Cove the writer engaged Mr. William Franklantl,
the son of the grantee of the Island, whom Audubon mentions,
and who occupies his father's residence, to pilot the hooker
among the reefs and crooked channels which are numerous in
this vicinity. In sailing from Gull Cove to Grand Harbour,
thousands of gulls were observed returning at nightfall, to their
nests on lofty spruce trees, in a thick wood on Ross' Island.
It was stated by Mr. Franklc..id, that since Audubon's visit, to
which he alluded, the gulls had given up entirely their natural
habit of building nests upon the ground, and had taken wholly
to the trees, in consequence of their constant disturbance by
the fishermen, and the robbing of their eggs.

The flight of the Herring Gull is as strong as that of the
great Blacked-backed Gull, but more buoyant, as well as grace-
ful. Their food consists principally of Herrings, of which they
destroy great numbers, following the shoals, and indicating
their course. They also feed on other fishes of small size, as
well as shrimps and crabs. The shores of the Islands on which
they breed, are covered with multitudes of sea-urchins, having
short greenish spines, which give them the appearance of *a ball
of moss. At low water, the Herring Gulls frequently devour
these animals, thrusting their bill into the shell, and sucking
its contents. .„ ^.„.. . _. , . /„. — .,. . ^.....^ ...,„

I

* Grand Harbour. — While piloting the hooker into this Har-
bour, Mr. Frankland pointed out places at its entrance, where
it was quite customary in former times for a boat, with two
men, to take seven or eight quintals of Cod in a day. At pre-
sent, there is no line fishing at this place, the fish not coming
in, owing to the shoals of small Herring, on which they feed,
being broken up and destroyed by the bi^ish weirs. L'im ij

At this place, Cochran Craig, Esq., J.. P., furnished the
numbers of boats and men employed in the fishery between
this Harbour and the Southern head, which \. ill be found in the
Table hereafter ; and a letter which Mr. Craig subsequently
addressed to tKe writer, in answer to the Fishery Circular, will
be found in the Appendix.

The upper part of Grand Harbour is well sheltered, but it

Ill «iren(jtliciicil
'■ ill such pluci'x,

brty feet on thu
oiii the ground,
1. It was truly
1 these secli'dcil

[^rankland,
mentions,
the iiooker
imcfous in
Harbour,
ill, to their
8s' Island.
I's visit, to
sir natural
ten wholly
irbance by

liat of the

I as grace-
kvhich they
indicating

II size, as
) on which
IS, having
:e of *a ball
tly devour
1 sucking

this Har-

ce, where

with two

At pre-

coming

hey feed,

•t

lished the
between
nd in the
sequently
ular, will

;d, but it

is alinust entirely dry at l<.**v water. It nhoiinds with Jiobsters,
which during the season, nii:y Im; tuk('ii with u guff, in ahnost
any (juantity. The gull' is moicly a cod-hook, without the
barb, attached to a light j)olo, six feet in length. As nuiny as
were "oquircd for the liorikcr were (jiiickly taken in this way,
in two to four foot water ; the places resorted to by Lofi-
sters were easily known, by the hohjs nuidc by thciii in the
flats in digging for the clams on wliich tlicy feed. There is
great abundance of clams in these flats, and it was stated, that
at low spring tides they could be procurod of very large size.
A large brook, the largest in Ciiand Manau, falls into the
head of this Harbour ; during the winter great quantities o<'
Tom-cod (morrhua yruinosa) are taken iVom it, but no
Smelts. It was said that Smelts are not found about this
Island, and that Trouts are very scarce and sujall, rarely
exceeding a <iuarter of a pound in weight. ... •

The Southern Head. — Mr. Frankland having given thu
necessary sailing directions, left the hooker at CI rand Harbour,
from which she was beat down to the Southern Head, against
a strong soath-wester. Upon the spawning ground within the
Head, forty eight fishing vessels were found at anchor, and in
the midst of them, the Revenue Cutter " Phantom," under the
command of Captain Dudne.

Although the season was far advanced, (29th August) yet
the Herring-fishing had not fairly -commenced, the fish not hav-
ing struck in. Subsequently, some were taken, but on the
whole, the fishery was a decided failure, not more than one
third of the usual quantity having been taken.

At Wilcox Cove, about two miles to the eastward of the
Head, there is said to be a small sand bank upon which the
Herrings rush to deposit their spawn. They often congre-
gate in such numbers as to overspread it completely, and tliou-
sands of fish are thus compelled to drop their sprwn on the
very rough, rocky bottom outside the bank. The spawning
season is from the 15th July to the 15th September, after which
period it is said, very good Herrings are often taken, with a
mesh of 2? inches.

The fishermen set their nets from Wilcox' Point, all around
the Head, to Bradford's Cove on the western side of the Island,
a distance of nctarly four miles. The nets are set close to the
shore, in about ten fathoms water ; each net is from 20 to 30
fathoms in length, about 160 meshes deep — mesh from 2\ to
3 inches, on the average about 24 inches. ;. -. . ' ' u. - xi

2

tf

V !■

1-. V

10

I

I

Tlio Soutlicni ll(!n<l rises almost pcrpciHliciihii'Iy from the
water 2(K^ feet <»r inoro;'tlio settler on its summit is mimed
iH'Donald, who tlms occupicjs th(; extreme south western tip of
iVevv Brunswick, as Louis Gautier (mentioned in the lieport
of lust year) possesses its north eastern extremity, at Point
Miscou, on a low sand jjlain, elevated only a few ft;et ahove
the sea. The hahitations of hoth are almost equally miscrahle,
although McDonald has the advantage of a ^^reatcr cpiantity of
land fit for cultivation, and enjoys a milder climate, there hein^
a diirercncc of nearly Jii dej|;rees of latitude between the two
locutions.

Andrew Wilcox, who lives to the (>astward of M'Donald, at
much less elevation, has a farm untler some ilegrce of cultiva-
tion; although the land is gravelly and poor, his new potatoes,
green peas, and other vegctalilcs, were excellent. Andrew
Wilcox stated, that he had lived at thia jilace three years, hut
was not a fisherman ; he is on good terms with the fishermen
who resort here annually, and who r«re good customers for the
produce of his farm. The other settlers in the vicinity, not
exceeding in all a dozen families, are at open war with the
non-residents who come here to fish ; these, he said, had borne
the annoyances of the Islanders very patiently, and on the
whole, had behaved exceedingly well. It was stated subse-
quently by another party, that Andrew Wilcox allowed tho
fishermen to land from their schooners and occupy a grass
pint in front of his house, for the purpose of mending their nets,
l)y which he Iiad obtained the ill-will of his neighbcars, who
had subjected him t^ some vexatious annoyances.

At night fall, the fishermen set their nets by attaching them
to the buoys, ropes, and moorings, which arc put down at the
beginning of the season and are not taken up until its close.
At day light next morning (30th August) when the nets were
lifted, it was found that in all that immense number of nets,
extending more than three miles, one net only contained fish ;
but, from that net sixteen barrels of Herrings were taken.
Most of the nets were set with their upper edge at the surface
of the water, but some few were set with five fathoms of strap
from the cork line, consequently the lower edge, or lead line,
was very near, or actually rested upon the bottom ; yet all were
equally unsuccessful. Many of the nets were thickly covered
with Herring spawn, and in cleaning them, the decks of some
of the vessels were covered ancle deep It was said to be no
unusual circumstance for the net rope, (9 thread ratline) to bo
found in the morning as thick as a man's arm with the spawn.

I

;

If

'A

from tiic
is miiiiud
urn ti|) ol'
ic Uuport
(it Point
i;t*t iibovo
tiiscrablc,
imntity of
icro bciii^
11 the two

Donald, nt
if cultiva-
potatocs,

Andrew
^ears, but
ishcrincn
rs for the
inity, not
with the
tad borne
id on the
id snbsc-
Dwed the

a grasH
lieir nets,
urs, who

ing them

vn at the

its close.

ets were

of nets,

ned fish ;

! taken.

surface

of strap

cad line,

all were

covered

of some

to be no

e) to bo

I spawn.

II

whih) :i voHscl's cable wouhl be increased to the nizo (»f a five
^'alhui ke«f.

It havin/f be<'n inlimated that the writer was anxifius to see
tlies(!tth!rMat this place, J)(ini(;l M*Jian^'hlin ((Japtain of Militia)
with Messrs. Harvey, Worcester, Matthews, M'Donald, and
Dyer Wilcox, came on board tlie hooker. They complained
of the number of vessels which came upon the fishing ground,
considering them as encroaching upon, and usur|)ing a |>rivi-
lege which ought to belong to the settlers in tluit vicinity,
exclusively. They pointed out among the fleet at anchor, a
large schooner called the " 3Iountainecr," belonging to Saint
John, which they said had twelve men, with four boats and
thirty six nets, more than all the inhabitants could muster for
eight miles. The fishery, they said, was continually falling off,
and would eventually be destroyed; from the reckless ir»^\nner
in which it was prosecuted, and the place being over-fished.
As the law formerly stood, each vessel was restricte<l to 30
fathoms of net, and a boat to 15 fathoms ; Herrings were then
abundant, and so were Cod, close to the shore, where none are
taken now. As the Herring come all at once upon the spawn-
ing ground, almost in solid bodies, they are taken in such
quantities that the fishermen are unable to cure them as fast
as caught ; many arc jiut up without being gibbed or washed,
after putrefaction has commenced, while fpiantitics of rotten
iisli are thrown overboard, to the great detriment of the fishery,
■and its permanent injury. it

It was stated to these men, that the fishermen in the schoon-
ers complained of their nets being frequently cut and destroyed,
and often carried ofi' altogether. They denied most jjositively
being in any manner concerned in these outrages, which they
said were committed by fishermen who came there in vessels,
without any outfit but " a rope and a stone," but who de])arted
With a full fare of fish, and a good complement of nets. As a
remedy for this, they suggested the appointment of an Inspector
who should examine each vessel as it came upon the ground,
and mark and register its nets ; thus the vessels without an
outfit would be known, and prevented from plundering those
well fitted. The Inspector also should see that the nets were
set at proper intervals, and not too many of them in a given
space ; and that he should have power to prevent nets being
set in the day time, as nothing tends more to break up and
destroy Herring fishing. They pointed out several gangs of
nets, which, at the moment, were set for the day, the cork line
about two fathoms below the surface ; as the sun was very

liriiilif, fi'xl Hk' wafer rlcar, llicso nets urro ]>lainly to hr neon.
Tlir iK'fs s<'t oil Saliudn* ni^ht wcir offrii allowed to reinaia
ill tlio wat(;r until 3[ondny niurnin/u^, wiiicli tliey ^aid wn» lii^lily
injurious, as it undoubtedly is, to the Honing lishcry.

In Scptoinher, tiio nunibor of fisbing vessels at \ho Soulh(M'n
brad, amounted to on(5 bundred or more ; in 184J), tb«! total
number was 120. The presence of the Revenue Cutter alone
prevented a scene of disorder and confusion, as well as jj^reat
destruction of nets and otber valuable pr()])erty. After tb(; nets
%vero set for the night, all the fisbinfr boats were ordt?r(!d to
return to the vessels to which they belonged ; while the boats
of tbo C/Utter rowed guard during the night, to prcnent persons
from injuring or stealing the nets. Yet, notwitlistanding these
precautions, and the exercise of great vigilance, n(!ts wore con-
tinually destroyed or stolen, especially during dark and windy
nigbts, wben tbc depredators could not be seen or beard. It
was said, tbat boats with old scythes attached to their bottoms
liad been rowed swiftly among the nets, by which great
damage had been done. '■''"' ' ^•s .: '

While tbc writer was at tbo Southern Head, the skipper of
a fishing schooner applied to Captain Dudne of the Cutter, for
a warrant to take some nets then on the ground, which had
been stolen from him there the previous year. Captain Dudne,
not being invested with 3Iagisterial authority, could not grant
a warrant ; but he sent for the party who had the stolen nets
in possession, and advised him to give them uj>, for fear of
consequences — but it was not done.

The observations on this fishery will be found in the sum-
ming up of this Report ; and a letter from Captain M'Laughlin,
expressing the views of himself and his neighbours in relation
to it, is in the Appendix.

Captain M'Laughlin having stated, that he was thoroughly
acquainted with the mode of fishing for Mackerel, so success-
fully practised by the Americans in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
and Bay of Chaleur, he was requested to furnish his descrip-
tion of it, which he very kindly has done, as follows : —

((

The vessel starts for the fishing ground with the trail line
out ; if it catch a Mackerel, the vessel is hove to, on the lar-
board side. The baiter stands amidship, with the bait-box
outside the rail ; with a tin-pint nailed to a long handle he
begins throwing out bait, while every man stands to his berth.
If they find Mackerel, the foresail is taken in, and the main-
sail hauled out with a boom-tackle ; then the fishing begins.

1

ill'!*'

13

Voii iiiuil llio line tlir(>ii<;h the Icrt iiniul uitii tlir li^ht, nn«l not,
harul-ovor-lijmd, us y'>n «l'> t'"'' ^"il ; tt' yow d<», yon aro sun? to
lose your fiwli after it lirouks wattr. VVhcn your fish is iirar
roniing in, you must take it, l»y leaning' over tlu; rail, to pre-
vent itH Htrikin^ against the Hi(U; of the veHsol, eatrhiny the
lino quick, clo.se to the fish, with the ri^ht hand, unhooking it,
with a slin^, into the barrel — with the same motion, the ji^
goc8 out in a line parallel with your own berth. You must be
tpiick in case a Mackerel takes your other line, and entangles
your comrades. You fish witli two lines, most commonly
seven fathoms louff — that is, in heavy weather. In culm
weather, the ji^rs are lighter than when it blows hard ; there is
nn eye spliced at the end of the line, so that the jig may bo
shifted at pleasure. There are two other lines used, called
fly-lines, with smaller hooks ; when Mackerel are shy in biting,
they will often take these — the fly-lines are only three fathoms
long. Very often the Mackerel stop biting ; then the fisher-
men take the gaffs, and work with these until the fish disap-
pear. The gafts nuist not be used while the lines are out, as
they entangle them and cause great trouble. No man must
leave the rail to pick up fish, which miss his barrel and full on
the deck, until the fishing is over."

" You must take care to dress your Mackerel quickly, as
they are a fish that is easily tainted. When you stop fish-
ing, the captain or mate counts the fish, and notes down in
the fish-book what each man has caught. Then the crew goes
to dressing and splitting ; the splitter has a mitten on the left
hand, to keep the fish steady to the knife. Two men gib the
fish with mittens on, to prevent the bones scratching their hands.
One man hands up fish to the splitter, while the rest of the
crew draw water, to fill the barrels in which the fish are put to
soak. The fish are put in the soak-barrels back up ; in a short
time, the water is shifted, and the fish washed out for salting.
The Salter sprinkles a handfull of salt in the bottom of the
barrel ; then takes the fish in his right hand, rolls them in salt,
and places them skin down in the barrel, until he comes to the
top layer, which he lays skin up, covering the top well with
salt."

" Herring or small Mackerel are the best bait that can be used.
These are ground in a bait-mill, by the watch at night ; if the
vessel has no bait-mill, the fish are chopped up with a hatchet,
or scalded with boiling water, in a barrel or tub."

" When there is a fleet of Mackerel vessels fishing, they often
lee-bow each other — that is, run ahead of one another, and so

f-'i

i

14

ilraw the fish toward tlio slioro. ThniM' tlicy nnclior, nml put
H|ii'iii«rH (III \\w\r Miiilos, wJiicli is iIoih; Ity tnkiii;; n strupoiitsidu
llir litiiiHe-holt;, fiiHtcriin^ it to tlio rulilc, tli(>ii iiookin^ it to a
tackle, uiid Imiilin;^ it tiil, at tli<> Name tiiiio paying oat llio
calilo. This brin/^8 the vchncI broadHidc to the wind, or currcat,
and tlio fiHhin^ ^o«s on. JSoatH may fish with the same huocumm
QH vossoIh, when moored in this manner."

" Tliis is the whole systein of Mackerel fishing, British or
American, and retpdres nothing but activity and energy. These
observations are the result of ton years experience ?n British
and American vessels." ,

Dauk Harbour. — In rounding Southern Head, it was ob-
served, that the water for nearly half a mile from the slun'e,
was dotted with buoys, casks, and floats, of every description,
while below the surface, there appeared a complete entangle-
ment of ropes and lines, so numerous were the moorings. Pol-
lack of large size were here taken in pairs, as fast as they could
be hauled in ; but after passing the isolated rock on the western
shore, called " Statue Rock," or *' The Old Maid," there was
no more fishing. The clifls rise from the sea perpendicularly,
to the height of several hundred feet ; the rock is trap in
columnar form ; and these stern and lofty clifTs extend about 12
miles along the shore, without the least shelter for boats, and
with scarcely a landing place, until Dark Harbour is reached.
This is so singular a place as to require especial notice.

Dark Harbour is a salt water lake, about one mile and a
quarter in length, and half a mile in width ; the water is from
five to nine fathoms in depth, the latter being the prevailing
depth throughout, except near the shores. It is separated from
the Bay of Fundy by a iea-wall of stones and gravel, about
400 feet wide, which has an easy slope seaward, but is quite
steep on the inside, towards the Harbour. This curious and
really beautiful sheet of water was entirely cut off from com-
munication with the sea, until 1846, when a channel was cut,
through the sea-wall, of sufficient width to admit large vessels.
In consequence of this admission of the tide, the water within
the harbour was raised permanently eight feet, and very many
trees, growing on the landward side, were killed by the rise of
the sea water upon their trunks.

On the western side of the channel into Dark Harbour, there
is a breakwater of timber and stone, to break the force of the
sea thrown in by the north westerly gales, and prevent the
channel from filling up. When the rising tide attains a

ii,||;

k

15

find put

^ it to a
out tlu;
current,

3 8UCCUHM

Iritish or
. These
1 British

t was ob-
lic nliore,
scription,
entnngle-
igs. Pol-
iicy could
e western
there was
idicularly,
,s trap in
1 about 12
oats, and
readied,
ce.

ilc and a
3r is from
)revailing
ated from
el, about
t is quite
rious and
rom com-
was cut,
e vessels.
;er within
ery many
;he rise of
-■'>r" .

9ur, there
rce of the
event the
attains a

HulHciont iiei^^ht, it rusiies throu^^h the channel into the harbour,
with a Hteudy roar until hi^^i-watei : and on the ehh, rubhetf
out with equal noise and turhulenre.

On the landward side of the harhour, there are about filYy
acres of cleared land ; the soil in good, but Honiewhnt stony.
On the top of the hill, which slopes rather steeply to the water,
there is. some good land, the soil a deep loam. The settlers
are John Sinclair, who has resided here 25 years ; John
Urquhart, 10 years and upwards ; and Duncan Anderson, a
resident of 4 years. There are also the son and son-in-law of
Urquhart, wlio live on the eastern side of the harbour;
Urtpdiart himself lives upon the gleho lot on the western side.
Duncan Anderson is very intelligent, and furnished much in-
teresting information, lie stattid that the depth of water in
the channel at high water, varies from 8 to 13 feet, according
to neap or spring tides. There is considerable outfall on tho
ebb, but fishing boats pass out safely, even when there is 8 feet
liill ; at low water there is only 2 feet in the channel. During
the season of 1849, tho settlers caught 100 barrels of fine
Herrings within the harbonr ; but fishing vessels enter the
harbour at nightfall, shoot their nets, and leave again early in
the morning — it is not known what (|uantities they take.

Anderson stated, that a Herring net, such as he used, of 20
fathoms in length, 2i inch mesh, and 160 meshes deep, costs
£3 — made up thus — Twine, 20s. ; netting, 208. ; lead, 5s. ;
rope, 10s. ; floats, &c., 5s. — total, .£3. He said there was
great abundance of Herrings along the west side of the Island,
but nets were not set for them, on account of the numbers of
Dog Fish, which cut \iy> the fish, and destroyed the nets. The
want of boat-shelter and landing-places has, however, more to
do with this neglect, than the ravages of the Dog Fish. Ander-
son said, that men without means should not settle here ; but
men possessing some property would do well enough. Inside
the harbour, Rock Cod and small Pollack are always to be
caught ; and sometimes these fish of largo size are abundant.
The channel at low water was examined ; the bottom
appeared to consist of large boulder stones, thickly covered
with kelp. The breakwater requires to be carried further
out, in order to protect the channel effectually. Anderson
said the necessary extension could be built for i)100, if notice
was given the previous winter, so that logs and timber could be
hauled out, while the snow was on the ground. He was em-
ployed in cutting the channel and building the breakwater,
and thougiit himself qualified to judge of the expense. '■■ '■''"

aw

i

if'-;

ii.i:i

I

il'

It would be of ^reut ndvanta^o to tlio valuable fisheries on
the west side of Grand AJ^anun, if the ehannel into Dark Har-
bour were deepened, so as to admit vessels with the flowinjif
tide ; and of still greater importance to the coasting trade, as
well as to loaded timber ships, or other vessels with cargo, if
the entrance was so improved, that Dark Harbour mi<,^ht be u
sure and certain harbour of refuge at all times. Once within
the sea-wall, vessels arc as completely land-locked, and may
ride in as perfect safety as if in an inland lake, however vio-
lently the tempest nay rage without ; and upon such a preci-
pitous and iron bound shore as the western side of Grand
IVIanan, with nothing but certain destruction to the tempest-
tossed mariner who may be cast upon it, this sole place of
safety should by all means, and under every consideration of
humanity, be rendered easily accessible at all seasons, either
by day or by ni<?ht, and readily found. A few hundred p' jnds
might well be spent in giving perfect access to this most sin-
gular and exceedingly safe harbour, within whose lofty sea-
wall, accumulated by the mighty waves of many centuries, the
largest ships may lay afloat within a stone's cast of the shore,
riding safely with the smallest haAvser, while a fearful surf
thunders upon the beach without, apparently Avith sufiicient
roar, and uncontrolled violence, to shake the Island to its lower-
most foundation, iynn .ilV iiU «bii: :i^ r;!'r n .

The advantages of Dark Harbour, as a place of refuge, can
scarcely be appreciated by those not acquainted with its unusual
and extraordinary character and ))osition. The preserva-
tion of a single life is of infinitely greater account, than all it
would cost New Brunswick to render ^Dark Harbour easily
accessible, not merely by fishing vessels, but by ships of the
largest class, to which, when attained, it would afford the most
perfect safety. The cause of humanity urges the expenditure,
independently of the strong arguments which might be adduced
with reference to the preservation of valuable ships, and much
costly merchandize, i';

i'iJ-

;--.'At

Money Cove. — This Cove is some two or three miles east
of Dark Harbour ; a brook flovrs down a very narrow ravine
between two massive cliffs, which rise on either lalde to the
estimated height of 800 feet or more. A slight indentation of
the coast affords space for a small gravel beach at the base of
the cliffs ; and here Mr. John A. Hartt, during the past season,
erected a brush weir, which cost £350. In this weir were
taken several hundred barrels of Herrings of good size and in

17

islicrics on
[)ark Har-
hc flowiriji;
^ trade, us
h cargo, it*
niii,'ht be a
nee within
, and may
ivovcr vio-
ch a preci-
of Grand
c tempest-
le place of
iteration of
ons, either
red p' inds
s most sin-
lofty sea-
ituries, the
the shore,
earful surf
1 sufficient
3 its lower-

efuge, can

its unusual

preserva-

than all it

our easily

flips of the

d the most

penditure,

)e adduced

and much

miles east
fow ravine
IJe to the
.>ntation of
be base of
ast season,
weir were
lize and in

fine condition differing materially, both as to si/o and (|uality,
from those taken near the Southern Head, and evidently ano-
ther variety of fish. These Herrings were only taken on the
Spring tides, at the full and change of the moon, us then the
fish were swept sufficiently near to the shore to be caught in
the weir.

The bottom of this weir is composed of framed timber
of large size, sunk in about six f^ct water at low tide, and
ballasted with large stones of a ton or more in weight. Above
the strong frame work which forms the bottom of the weir,
there is the usual light wicker-work of poles with twigs inter-
laced, quite sufficient to retal;- the timid Herrings, but altogether
imfit to retoin other small fish of bolder character. The Her-
rings will not go out of a weir unless the opening is of large
size, while all other fish will dash or struggle through any
opening sufficient for their passagQ, even with much squeezing.

Money Cove gains its name from an ancient tradition, that
the noted rover. Captain Kyd, buried two hogsheads of trca-
.sure at this unfrequented place ; and many credulous persons
have expended much time and labour in digging for the pirate's
gold, in the ravine, near the roots of two old French willows,
said to have been planted there by Kyd himself as a guide to
his buried wealth. The ground appears to have been tho-
roughly turned up along the ravine wherever soil was found ;
but the much coveted treasure has not yet been discovered.

liONG*s Eddy. — Between Money Cove and Long's Eddy, is
Indian Beach, so called from its being the usual camping place
,of the Indians, who resort there during the season for Porpoise
shooting. There were two canoes here, with four Indians, and
the pelts of several Porpoises just taken off, were observed
hanging up, previously to being boiled for their oil.

Long's Eddy is formed by a long beach and spit of gravel,
which stretches to th westward of Northern Head. Within
the eddy there was admirable fishing for small Rock Cod, with
which the water seemed perfectly alive. <

There is a clearing at this place, and some land under cul-
tivation, apparently of fair quality. Mr. Cronk has been
settled here many years, and his two pons are settled near him.
They have three boats, a::d take 500 quintals of fish annually.
They fish at half a mile, to a mile only, from the shore, and
follow their business every day in the year that the weather
permits, when bait can be procured.

When the writer landed at this place, soon after sunrise, the

3

' ^

»: t

18

ii "

young Cronks had just taken up the Herring nets, which had
been set during the night. There were only a few dozens of
Herrings in the nets, several of which were damaged by the
voracious Dog Fish, who had apparently carried off many fish
entirely. Besides Herrings, the nets had caught six Pollack,
one Rock Cod, three Silver Hake (mcrlucius albidus), and one
Mackerel ; none of these were injured by the Dog Fish.

Several Cod of the largest size were shown by Mr. Cronk,
as also many fine Pollack recenty taken. This situation is
apparently a very good one for prosecuting " line-fishing,"
which might here be carried on to a much greater extent than
at present, fish of large size and fine quality being continually
found at very little distance from the beach.

Whale Cove. — Between Long's Eddy and this Cove are
the lofty mural cliffs of the Northern He .d, presenting a bold
front to the violent gales from north east which rush with fury
down the Bay of Fundy, and offering stern resistance to the
mighty waves that dash against them, with sullen and almost
ceaseless roar.

The land about Whale Cove is lower than at almost any
other part of Grand Manan, and appears to be merely a nar-
row neck connecting the Swallow's Tail with the Northern
Head. There is but little shelter at Whale Cove, for when the
wind is oflf shore, it sweeps with great force across the low land ;
the hooker was forced twice out of the Cove, by heavy gitsts,
before an anchorage could be gained very close to the shore.

It was stated that the American v >)Sels often ran into this
cove in fine evenings, and set their Herring nets during the
night, being off again at an early hour in the morning.

Meeting of Fishermen. — In proceeding around Grand
Manan, the writer saw many intelligent fishermen, who were
anxious that some general meeting should take place to discuss
matters. It was agreed that, as the most convenient time for
such a meeting, it shduld take place on Saturday evening, (31st
August) at the Central School House, near Winchester's. There
the writer met about sixty fishermen, and explained to them
the imperfections in their cure of Herrings, both pickled and
smoked ; and the improper treatment and bad cure of their
dried fish was also pointed out. They were told that they
could not expect to obtain remunerating prices, or find steady
markets for fish so badly cured as scarcely to be fit for expor-
tation, and which certainly would not be allowed to be exported

I

"

19

s, which had

3W dozens of

m«5ed by the

)ff many fish

six Pollack,

lus), and one

; Fish.

Mr. Cronk,

I situation is

ine-fishing,"

extent than

J continually

lis Cove are
jnting a bold
ish with fury
tance to the
I and almost

almost any
lerely a nar-
he Northern
br when the
he low land ;
leavy giists,
:o the shore,
ran into this
s during the
ning.

)und Grand
1, who were
ce to discuss
ent time for
eniiig, (3l8t
er's. There
led to them
)ickled and
ire of their
I that they
find steady
t for expor-
le exported

If a proper system of inspection were established. The great
and wonderful increase in the Herring Fishery of Scotland, in
consequence of the excellent regulations and rigid inspection
there enforced, was made known ; and the advance in prices
which followed the adoption of improved curing after the Dutch
mode, was also shown — an advance so great as to enable the
Scotch Herrings to beat the Dutch Herrings out of the Con-
tinental markets, in spite of a heavy countervailing duty.
The fishermen were told, that besides Foreign markets which
might be opened under a better system of cure and inspection,
there was in Canada an extensive demand for well cured fish,
as also in the Western States bordering on the Great Lakes.

To this it was replied by the fishermen, that unless the sys-
tem was general, it was useless for any one person to cure his
fish better than his neighbour, as he would obtain no better
prices, all the fish from each locality being ' lassed together,
and bearing one price, while that price was so low, as to aflford
no remuneration for additional labour, or greater care in
curing.

The writer having collected the numbers and description of
the boats and vessels engaged in the fisheries in his progress
around the Island, submitted the list so obtained to the assem-
bled fishermen, who made some corrections and additions, when
the following return was declared to be as correct as could
possibly be obtained : — ^ .

.?!

Return of the numbers of Boats., P^sseh and Men, belonging to Grand Manan,
engaged in the Fisheries, 3] si August, 1850.

No. of

Ton-

No. of

LOCALITIKS.

No. of

Men in

No. of

nar of

Men in

Recapitulation.

Boats.

Boats.

Vessels

\ .-c^ _.J

Vessels

Cameron's Cove,

20

60

o

22

8

Doggett's Cove,

6

18

1

11

4

- ' ■ ■ * ■ ' '

Drake's Cove, to >
Bencraft's Point, 5

20

60

4

20

12

Woodward's Cove,

8

24.

4

104

24

Fishing Boate-» 94.
Men in same. ^ 282.

Lon? Island,
Duck Islands,

o

6

1

12

4

4

12

2

16

7

Fishing Vessels, 24.

Nantucket Island,

2

6

» ,

, .

. ,

Men in same, US.

Kent's Island,

. .

. ,

2

16

8

, 1 - '-■,':;.,■•,

Grand Harbour,

8

24

4

40

20

: • - - * ■ '

Thence to Southern Hec^d,

13

30

5

50

2.5

' ' I •..";'. ■ -

Dark Harbour,

3

9

,,

. ,

• •

•) . ', 1 • - . ,

Money Cove,

4

12

,.

• > .

._

Long's Eddy, = •; ;

3

9

.,

• t

..

■ ■i-'r .:)!,'•'

Whale Cove, ,.

4

12

-•

--

••

. '.,:,,:-H ■^-U<ii

Total,

94

282

24

291

112

The fishermen stated that the average length of the fishing
boats in use at Grand Manan was 17 feet, and the usual

do

\i-

if

breadth of beam 6 foct ; five streaks on each side arc of birch,
the rest of the plunks of'pine. Tlicy build few cedar boats,
as they are not strong enough for these rocky shores. Although
short, these boats are burtliensoine ; but they are not fitted to
go out to those banks where the best Cod-fishing is found, and
cannot with safety venture any very great distance from the
Island. On being asked why they did not build boats of greater
length and larger size, it was answered that such boats would
not do, where the shores were so rocky and greatly exposed,
as the boats had to be Imuled up altogether above the tide in
stormy weather, or they would quickly be dashed to pieces by
the ground-swell and heavy surf.

Some of the excellent Sheffield knives (made by John Algor)
which are in common use in the Bay of Chaleur, for splitting
and dressing fish, were shown to the meeting, and greatly
9')proved ; it was resolved that such knives should be procured
for another season, as also a supply of the long-shanked hake-
hooks used by the Jersey fishermen, which are very superior,
for that fishery.

It was stated, that certain places had been agreed upon by
the fishermen as " gurry -grounds," or places where the offal
of the fish could be deposited conveniently by fishing vessels,
without injury to any description of fishery ; but the Americans
were not included in this arrangement, and threw over their
offal where they pleased. Many of the Grand Manan fishers
did the same ; it was said that the " gurry-grounds " were less
used last season than ever before, and thereby the fisheries of
every kind were greatly injured. Besides the damage done
to the line-fishing by throwing offal upon the fishing ground,
great injury is inflicted by its being drifted into the Herring-
weirs, which are then said to be " gurried," and will take no
fish, for Herrings will not approach weirs when in that stat'i.
It was greatly desired by the fishermen, that some law should
be enacted, by which fishing vessels could be compelled to throw
their ofTal upon the '* gurry-ground," under regulations and
penalties that could be readily enforced.

It appeared that there were then twenty seven Herring-
weirs at Grand Manan, and several ot' f^rs in course of erec-
tion. The fishermen agreed very well, and were quite unani-
mous upon all points concerning the fisheries, until the ques-
tion of Herring-weirs came up for discussion ; then great
differences of opinion were exoressed, and an unpleasant
altercation took place immediately. Mr. Coddington stated,
that one-third of all the fish taken in the weirs were used for

I

21

e of birch, •
diir boats,
Although
jt fitted to
bund, and
c from the
of greater
lats would
f exposed,
he tide in
I pieces by

)hn Algor)
»r splitting
nd greatly
[} procured
iked liake-
j superior,

d upon by
e the offal
ig vessels,
Americans
over their
lan fishers
were less
sheries of
re done
g ground.
Herring-
ill take no
that stat'i.
aw should
d to throw
itions and

Herring-
of erec-
ite unani-
the ques-
Hen great
npleasant
)n stated,
e used for

manure; this was promptly denied by Mr. Guptill and Mr.
Rencraft in the most positive manner. Mr. Bencraft stated,
that from the catch of his weirs during the season of 1849, he
put up 3000 boxes of Smoked Herrings, and 50 to (50 barrels
Pickled Herrings ; that as numy barrels were used for bait ;
and during the whole season, less than 20 barrels were put
u])on the land, consisting altogether of snmll and broken fish.
This statement was corro])orated by Mr. Dakin, a man of very
respectable appearance, who attended 'Pencraft's weirs ; but it
was altogether denied by persons p.osent. The assertions
deliberately made on one side, were denied in the most uu-
f}ualified nmnncr on the otlier, and angry words were freely
used. In order to calm the increasing excitement, it was sug-
gusted, that as so great a difference of opinion existecF, it
would be better for both parties to put their several statements
in writing. This was agreed to ; the storm Vvas allayed ; antl
before the meeting separated, one of the persons [)resent,
whose name was not heard, expressed the satisfaction which
was felt by the fishermen there assembled, with the conduct of
the Government, in sending a person to enquire into their state
and condition, and listen to their representations, as they were
thereby convinced that they were not overlooked or altoge-
ther forgotten by the Executive. .. ,, A .

General Remarks. — Owing to the peculiar manner in
which the people of Grand Manan conduct their fishing busi-
ness, it is quite impossible to ascertain precisely what quantity
of fish is taken, or what is the total value of the fisheries of
the Island. No Duties whatever are paid l^y the inhabitants of
Grand Manan ; in fact, there is no person there authorized to
receive Duties. The inhabitants take their badly cured fish to
Eastport or Lubec, and there sell them at low prices, taking
in return such articles as they need for home consumption.
They pay no Duty on landing their fish in the United States,
as there is a perfectly good understanding with the fishermen
of Maine ; who, in consideration of being permitted to fish
within Treaty limits at Grand Manan, and go on shore to pro-
cure bait, wink at the importation of British fish from thence
Duty free.

Practically, the people oi Grand Manan enjoy perfect free
trade ; they buy what they require in the cheapest markets,
and they can build and fit out fishing vessels at three-fourths
the cost of American vessels of the same class. Yet, with all
these advantages, the Island only owns twenty four vessels, the

22

ill

m

! li

'■'ih

I

0

n.

largest of which is 45 tons, the next 29 tons, and all the rest
under 20 tons ; while the ^shin<^ boats only amount to 94 in
all, less than half the number owned in the Parish of Caraquet.
Nothing so greatly surprised the writer at Grand Manan, as
the comparatively small number of fishing boats and vessels
owned there, and the limited value of the fisheries conducted
by the inhabitants. A dealer who has for some years been
connected with the business of Grand Manan, estimated the
value of the fisheries in 1849, as follows : —

, Produce of weirs, £5,000

Cod, Pollack, Hake, Oil, & Pickled Herrings, 7,000

The»estimatc of the value of the produce of the weirs is be-
lieved to be too large, but the second estimate may be near the
mark. The population of the Island is estimated at 2000 souls ;
and assuming the general value of the fisjieries to be as above
stated, it is just £6 per annum for each soul on the Island— a
very small sum for a community so largely dependent upon the
fisheries for subsistence. i - ■

The people of Grand Manan are active, industrious, and
hard-working, capable of enduring great hardships and fatigue.
The young men, from lack of employment at home, engage on
board American fishing vessels ; they get good wages, because
they are active, hardy sailors, excellent fishermen, and admi-
rable pilots for the Bay. The Americans say, " there is no
better man on board a fishing vessel than a native of Grand
Manan, if you take him away from his own Island." That the
people of Grand Manan conduct the admirable fisheries in their
vicinity very inefficiently, and with but little profit, is undenia-
ble ; and that something may be done for their advancement,
by judicious regulations, and a good system of inspection, is
not to be disputed. But even then, the greatest difficulty will
be untouched — and this is, the low state of education in the
Island. The Schools of Grand Manan are very inefficient ;
and the people are not sufficiently taught, even in the first
rudiments of learning, to compete with their American neigh-
bours, who are more acyte and intelligent, simply from being
better educated. The lack of learning is one of the greatest
evils of Grand Manan ; if the people there were better taught,
and posses,sed greater knowledge of the world, they would
readily perceive the numerous advantages of their position,
and quickly avail themselves of the profits to be derived
from it.

the rest
to 94 in
iiraquct.
[inun, as
I vessels
)iuluctcil
irs been
Qtcd the

000
000

rs is be-
near the
00 sonls ;
as above
sland— a
upon the

ous,

and

rl fatigue,
ngage on
, because
nd admi-
ere is no
)f Grand
That the

in their
undenia-
ticement,
ction, is
culty will
)n in the
efficient ;

the first
an neigh-
om being

greatest

r taught,
BV would

position,
derived

23

CAMPO BELLO.

The inhabitants of this fine Island prosecute the fisheries
witli great diligence, not only in their own immediate vicinity,
but also by sending their vessels to distant places to pro<;uie
fares. The fisheries close to Canipo Bello, are those for Cod,
Pollack, Haddock, and Hake, by line-fishing, on the " slacks"
of the tide just before high and low water, and at other times,
in the coves, eddies and passages whe»e the tide does not set
too strong. The common Herring (clupva elongala) of small
size for smoking, is taken in standing weirs of brush. A
larger description of fish arc taken chiefly in nets, called
" Quoddy Herrings," but which are believed to be the species
of Shad, designated by Do Kay, in his Report on the Fishes
of New York, as alosa mattowaca. They diff*ei' altogether
from the common Herrings in t;heir habits, are taken almost
exclusively in " Quoddy Itiver," (as the channel is called
which separates West Isles from Eastport and Campo Bello)
are generally without spawn, and in the autumn are exceed-
ingly fat and fine flavored.

The writer is under great obligations to Mr. John Alexander,
of Welch Pool, for the very efficient assistance rendered by
him in collecting information in that locality. The following
statement of the fisheries of Campo Bello, compiled with great
cp e, and much labour, by Mr. Alexander and John Farmer,
Esq., a Magistrate, residing at Welch Pool, is presented as
furnishing valuable information of much interest : —

Statement of the quantity and vahie of Fish, taken in one season hj the Fiahrr-
men of the Island of Campo Itillo, in boats, decked vessels, and fish -veirs
owned by them; the estimate being jnnde upfront the quantities taken in 1849,

• corrected by the catch of 1 850, so far as it has advanced.

Number and

description

oi' Boats.

50 Boau.

11 decked
vessels, 400
tons burthen,

81 Weirs.

Number

of men

and boys

employ'd

iOcT"

52

100

Auantity and description of Fish.

5,000 quintals Pollack, per quintal, .. 5s. 6d.

150 barrels Cod and Haddock, perbarrel, lOs.

500 barrels Herrings, per barrel, .. 12s. 6d.

100 barrels Oil, . . . . . • C5s.

1,750 quintals Cod, per quintal, .. lis. 3d.

340 quintals Pollack, . . . . 58. 6d.

4.600 barrels Herrings, per barrel, .. 128. 6d.

480 barrels Mackerel, per barrel, . . 308.

SO barrels Oil, per barrel,.. .. 65b.

40,000 boxes smoked Herrings, per box, Is. 6d.

Total,

Average
price.

Amount.

JtJ,375 0 0

75 0 0

312 10 0

325 0 0

984 7 6

93 10 0

2,875 0 0

720 0 0

65 0 0

3,000 0 0

£9,825 7 6

ri

^^*

•■■in

■\t !fSiV.

1? ''"V ;f'>f?"r .'•,;<*) 'ri'.f.

m:-.

94

H' ■

i

I i 1'

m

im:

RECAPITULATION.

r^n-JO quintals Pollock, £1,468 10 0

1,7.10 Do. Cod ■* 984 7 ti

."5,100 Imn-fls Ilrnings 3,187 10 0

480 Do. Mnrkcrcl, ^, .. VUO 0 0

I.IO Do. Haddock & Cod, 75 0 0

laO Do. Oil 300 0 0

40,000 boxt!S smoked Herrings, 3,000 0 0

Total value, .. .. jf9,H35 7 6
Cainpo Hello, Srptnnber (>, 1850.

, JOH^f ALEXANDER.

*• JOHN FAHMER, J.P.

This statement is compiled from actual enquiry among the
resident fi.shermen, and the totals are put down rather below,
than above the mark. With this document, Mr. Alexander
also furni.shed, in writing, the following interesting observa-
tions, by himself, upon the fisheries of Canjpo Bcllo: —

" Our Herrings are taken in weirs, and with nets ; and
Pollack, Haddock, and Hake, with the line. Several of our
vessels run down to the Tuskets, the Magdalen Islands, and
Newfoundland, in the Spring ; and to St. George's Bay, in the
Winter, for Herrings. In the Summer, they go to Grand 3Ianan,
and to both Shores of Nova Scotia, for Herring, Cod, and
Mackerel. Improvements may certainly be made in our tackle
and gear, but experience will be our best teacher." ' • ;<

" Our Hei ring-season here, is from May until December.
Pollack strike in about the first of June, and the fishing for
them continues until November. Small Cod and Haddock
are taken, to a limited extent, during the whole year ; these
are chiefly pickled, and exported in barrels. The Herrings
taken by our vessels, in the Winter and Spring, at the Tuskets,
the Magdalen Islands, and the Bay of Saint George, as well
as those caught, while spawning, at the Southern Head of
Grand Manan, are very poor, and any thing but in season.
They generally find a ready sale in the markets of the United
States ; and from my own experience, I should say, that the
poor fish bring nearly as good a price as the best. This arises
from the diflference of climate ; the poorer kinds keep better in
a warm climate (as instance, the Alewives of St. John) and
answer for the food of the Slave population."

" I am led to believe, that there is much spawn destroyed
at the spawning ground, near the Southern Head of Grand
Manan, every season. There are but few spawning Herrings
taken here, as it is a small sized Herring that answers for
smoking. There are but few Herrings taken here, by " driv-
ing " with torches ; the fish do not " play " in shore now,

"i

as they did sonic years ago. There is j^'rcat diversity of
opinion as to the caiifie, and I feci diffident in ju^ivin^'- an
opinion. The erratic habits of the Herrin«(s arc uell known
— no donbt you hfivo heard many opinions, and you are well
able to draw your own conclusions."

" With respect to weirs, and whether thoy arc, or are not,
injurious to the Herring fishery, I should say, as well from tht;
opinion of others, as my own observation, that they arc not ;
neither arc they destructive to the fry of other fish. Of the
twenty one weirs upon Campo Bcllo, there are not more than
two that are dry at low-water ; the others have from G to 12
feet water in them, at low-tide — and in many of them, seines IG
fathoms long and 2 fathoms deep, are used to take out the fish.
It is impossible for fish to die in any of the deep weirs ; and
the shoal ones arc too carefully attended, for such an accident
to happen. I am aware that there are conflicting interests on
this question, and very naturally so, as our people, connected
with the wch's, arc generally men in good circumstances.
Our American neighbours have the shores immediately oppo-
site to us, lined with weirs. They neither allow set-nets, or
drift-nets, on their shores, as they say nets break up the
schulls of Herring, and destroy them by " scaling," (that is,
by rubbing off their scales) when they are in any large body."

" Our weir Herrings are principally smoked } as you have
seen for yourself, and taken notes of the mode of cure from
those competent to give information, I shall not attempt a
description. I would remark^ that our best curers, in that
branch, do not put up Herrings in any way inferior to the far-
famed *' Digby Chickens." Our barrelled Herrings arc put up
in the usual style, that is, by *' striking," and afterwards repack-
ing in barrels, either with Liverpool or Turk's Island salt."

" Small Cod, and Haddock, are put up in the same manner;
the dried fish are first pickled, and then cured on flakes in the
sun. I believe many improvements might be made in the
curing and packing of our fish, for a diffeirent market ; and no
doubt it would be done, if other markets open to us ; but so
long as we are confined to the United States for a market, I
doubt if it would pay. While the Americans make so little
distinction, there would be no object in curing our fish in a
better manner. I have seen and eaten the celebrated Loch-
fine Herrings ; but. I think a well cured " Quoddy Herring "
vastly superior."

" There is another very cogent reason why it would not pay
to put up Herrings in the manner pointed out by the directions

4

ft'?

§:

2n

of the Scottish Fishery Board, reprinted in this Trovince —
labonr is very iii^ii, in conse(|nence of our proximity to the
United SttitcM. At tiic soihc time, I am fully aware, that many
of our curers do not pay that attention to tl^c fish which they
on<rht to do. But ho long as the merchants will buy them, ho
long will the fish be put up in a careless manner ; in fact, the
euro lies entirely with the merchant."

" There are but few Herrings, and none of the fry of other
fish, used as manure on this Island. Drifting with nets is the
only illegal mode of fishing practised about here, of which I
am aware, and that would be quickly stopped, if persisted in
to any extent."

" I have been at some pains to get you a correct estimate of
the tonnage, boats, and men, of this Island, employed in the
difTerent fisheries, as also their catch, and its actiml value, by
approximating this with other years. I think you will acknow-
ledge, that if the other fishin*; districts in the Bay show as much
as we do in this small Parish, the fisheries are no contempti-
ble part of the resources of this fine Province."

Several of the fishing establishments at Campo Bello were
visited by the writer, accompanied by Mr. Alexander. These
establishments were found in excellent order, well and conve-
niently arranged, and in good repair ; the proprietors appeared
to be men in very comfortable circumstances, who were pros-
perous in their affairs.

Mr. Joseph Patch, a very intelligent fisherman, thus descri-
bed the mode of cleaning and curing smoked Herrings at
Campo Bello. When the Herrings arc dipped from the weir,
they are thrown into a large boat which is closely ceiled. The
fish are " scaled" by men getting into the boat and working
their legs backward and forward among the fish, without lifling
their feet from the ceiling of the boat — sufficient wkter for the
operation is dipped into the boat with the fish. The men con-
tinue to work their legs until the scales are off the fish ; if
worked too much, the fish become " belly-broken" and spoiled.
After being thus scaled, the fish are washed in small quantities
in the dip-nets, to take off the loose scales and dirt ; they are
then salted. If large and fat, the quantity of salt used is a
bushel and a half to a hogshead of fish ; if the Herrings are
small or poor, a bushel answers. They lay in salt from 18 to
36 hours, according to size — ^the average time is 24 hours ;
while in salt, the fish must be kept cool ; when sufficientiy salted
they are strung on sticks, 3 feet 4 inches in length; the smallest

21

roviiice —
ity to the
that many
fUwh they
them, NO
t fact, the

y of other
letfj is the
[)f which I
Brsistcd in

tstiinntc of
^ed in the
value, by
II acknow-
vv as much
x'ntenipli-

Bello were
r. These
mtl conve-
i appeared
vere pros-

uis descri-
errings at
I the weir,
lied. Tlic
d working
lOUt lifting
ter for the
! men con-
he fish ; if
nd spoiled,
quantities
; they are
used is a
rrings are
rom 18 to
24 hours ;
ntiy salted
ic smallest

fisjh arc strung first, as the largest require more salt. After
they are on the sti<:ks, the finh are rinsed (juite cleiiii in fresh
water ; they are then hung up in the hays of the smoke-house.
The usual si/e ofsmoke-houses, is 24 l>y 30 feet, the height to
the ridge of the roof, 25 feet. Mr. Patcii's smoke-house is tU)
feet high, there are 8 hays in it, each of the usual width of 3
feet ; the lowermost row offish haug only five feet from the fire.
It was stated by Mr. Patch, that he found by experience, f/u:
cooler the smoke, the hit ter the fish ; he had openings made in.
the ridge of his smoke-house, as well to let off the dead smoke,
as to make the ])lace cooler, and he admitted, that the fish
which hung highest were ulways the best. He uses any kind
of wood he can get for making smoke ; hard wood is the best,
as soft wood fills the fish with white ashes. The la;ge fish
require three months smoking ; during that time they need
great attention, and much good • management, especially in
rainy or damp weather. When sufficiently cured, the Herrings
are packed in boxes, of the legal size in Maine — that is 17
inches long, 8^ inches wide, and 6 inches deep, measured on
the inside of the box. The best quality of smoked Herrings
are called " scaled Herrings ;" these are the largest and best
fish. Those called No. 1, are Herrings not scaled, and small
fish. A " scaled Herring " must be seven inches long, fat and
good ; the "No. 1" must not be less than six inches in length ;
and large, but poor fish, arc also branded of this quality. All
other descriptions of fish are considered refuse.

Mr. John Batson's smoke-h< uses were found the same as
those of Mr. Patch, but not so well ventilated. The mode of
scaling and curing was found to be the same as above descri-
bed. At the establishment of Mr. William Flagg, the Herrings
were observed to be particularly well cured, and of fine color ;
this " gilding " as is termed, is given by the use of hard wood
only, with which the last smoking is done ; it imparts a rich
golden colour to the fish, and gives them the well known tinge
of the celebrated " Digby Chickens." The diflference between
the modes of scaling, curing, and smoking, in use at Grand
Manan and Campo Bello, are pointed out in another part of
this Report, in describing the fisheries of Annapolis Basin;
and some of the reasons are given, why the smoked Herrings
of that locality are so greatly superior to all others.

Mr. Flagg, who is a person of much observation and long
experience, stated as his opinion, that it takes Herrings three
years to come to maturity. He has watched them carefully
for years ; and seeing them constantly in the weirs, from the

I !

I!

2ii

size ontii/t, ii|) to the liira^pst Herrings Iip WuAh quite confident
UH to tlie |K>i-io(l. lie hiis HoinetinioH, tiioiigli rarely, taken
'* Sardines'* on the Hliores of Canipo Jtello ; only a few dayn
prcviouHly he had caught a single specimen of this rare fish in
the IJay of Fandy.

This locality was rc-visitcd in the latter part of October.
Mr. Patch then stated, that the herring-season was over ; it
was considered a failure, us the tpiantity taken in the weirs,
was only alioat half the usual, or average, catch. The (|uality
of the fish taken was good ; not many small fish had been
caught — ho had only thrown away three barrels, while his
whole catch amounted to 300() boxes ; at that time, they were
worth fifty cents, or two shillings and six pence currency
per box in consequence of there being a short supply in the
market. .

I P

.|,,l(! '

11; i

,^i,1

'i: '.I

WEST ISLES.

This Parish includes Indian Island, Deer Island, and a
great number of small Islands and Islets, in Passamaquoddy
Bay, west of the Boundary Line of the United States. Tho
inhabitants arc fishermen about exclusively, somewhat peculiar
in their manners and habits, but most industrious, hardy, and
exceedingly hospitable people. The best fishing grounds arc
on the British side of the boundary, which is an imaginary line,
passing down the middle of the channel called Quoddy River,
and out to sea by the western passage, between Lubec and the
western end of Campo Bello.

The fishing boats from Eastport, and other places within
the limits of the United States, ^sh equally, and mingle freely
with the British boats on their fishing grounds, near West
Isles, where the fi;.h are most numerous ; especially near Black
Rock, Casco I?!an:I, and the Big Eddy near Indian Island.
It is a very gay ncene on a fine day, to mingle with some two
or three hundred boats fishing in the Big Eddy, lying so closely
together as to leave little more than space between to pull up
the fish. The writer joined this animated throng more than
once, in August and September, v/hen Pollack were taken of
large size, and in great abundance. The f- ihing began either
just before high Water, or just before low water, on what are
called "the slacks" of the tide. The boats then lay at an-
chor ; as few anchors as possible are dropped to avoid fouling
the fishing lines, the boats making fast to each other, stem and
stern. Thus they lie until the tide begins to run too strong.

i

i *

t1

2U

ronfident
ly, taken
few <lnyH
ru fitih in

October.

over ; it
;lio weirs,
lie ({uality
had been
while his
:hey were

currency
)ly in the

d, nnd a
naquoddy
tcs. Tho
t peculiar
ardy, and
ounds arc
nary line,
dy River,
3C and the

es within
gle freely
ear West
ear Black
n Island,
some two
so closely
to pull up
nore than

taken of
an either

what are
ay at an-
d fouling
stem and

K> J9trOD^»

when the anchors are liAcd, nnd the )>oat.s then Hwin^ about,
nliiiust in a body, with the diflerent Nets of current through
the iiassages betwccMi the iHlandM, fishing ** on the drill *' an
it in termed — the fish below up|)earitig to move about in the
same manner as the boats above. This continues until tho
tide begins to set too strong, when the boats proceed to tho
coves and eddies near Campo Dello, or some of the snuill
Islands or rocky islets, where they drop anchor nnd fish out
the rest of the tide.

While the boats arc congregated together fishing in close
column, they appear to attract the finli by the number of
baits which are let down at the same time. There aro
generally three men in each boat ; all is life, bustle, nnd ani-
mation. The line is scarcely down, when the fisherman
commences drawing up a fish ; the depth varies from 14 to 28
, fathoms, and very often the hook- is not half way down, when
it is seized by a fish. While fish are being thus rapidly drawn
into the boats, jokes nnd gibes are freely bandied ; any lively
story, or piece of stinging wit, passes quickly from boat to
boat, and laughter, cheers, and almost invariable good temper
prevail among all, whether British or Americans. If one boat
falls short of bait, it is supplied from another which is better
provided ; and civilities sometimes extend to an interchange
of hooks, snoods, and fishing leads. When tho British boats
go over to Eastport, as they generally do, to dispose of their
fish, no questions are p.^ked as to the character of the boat.
If the American boats enjoy the privilege of fishing on the best
grounds within the limits of New Brunswick, those of West
Isles can sell their fish at Eastport without payment of duty or-
charges. The good feeling which springs from this state of
things, causes the fishery business to go on smoothly and
quietly along the frontier, where, under other circumstances,
there would almost to a certainty, be constant quarrels and
collisions.

To an amateur, the Pollack fishing in the Big Eddy, with
the crowd of boats to be found there in the season, is extremely
amusing and highly exciting ; but when the fish bite quickly,
and are taken ,of large size in pairs, as frequently happens,
the work soon becomes exceedingly severe. With the Pollack,
small Cod and Haddock are also taken, with, now and then a
Dog fish, and sometimes a Sculpin or a Skate of large size ;
the variety of fish tends to keep up the excitement, ar.d lends
animation to the fishery. re 7f> ^ H • ^

, In a lecture on the Fisheries deliverecl a few years since by

Ri

v\

i
i.

ao

iW

W'

Mr. horen'i.o Sabine, of ' istport, who had paid great attention
to the subject, the following description was given of the fisher-
men of West Isles : —

" In closing my remarks on the fisheries, I feel bound to give
you some idea of a Bay of Fundy, or as we call him, a " boat-
fisherman." In commencing his picture, I cannot say that he
is either so moral, so intelligent, or so industrious, as he might
be ; but yet, I can say, that he is an improved, and an improving
man. Bred to the use of boats from his earliest youth, he dis-
plays rare skill in their management, and great boldness in his
adventures. He will cross from island to island, and go from
passage to passage, through frightful whirls of a tide which
ordinarily rises and fall twenty five feet, in alarming proximity
to rocks and bars, and in the stormiest wepther. As a whole,
lie ir a singular, and withal an interesting being ; and none
who have once learned his peculiarities, will ever forget him.
If he he naturally shrewd, (most of ihem are,) and past the
middle age, occasional intercourse with him will amuse, if not
instruct, the wisest and most polished."

" He is neither a landsman, nor a seaman, nor soldier, nor
marine ; ye t, ten to one, if in the course of conversation with
him, you do not find that he has figured in them all. He is
neither merchant nor mechanic, but no man better understands
buying and selling, or mending, altering, and making. He is
no doctor, but he will out-talk a medical graduate, and will
shame him in a knowledge of ' livers,' * back bones,' the means
to cure * runiatiz,' and the like. He is no astronomer, and
holds nautical instruments in high derision ; but he knows all
about the moon, and let him but hear the moaning of the sea
— listen to the scream of the gull— or the sound cf the surf —
and watch the cat's paw, or ' glim,^ in the sky — ^and he will
reveal secrets, and disclose truths, which put him in high con-
ceit with his own wisdom, an^^. shame the landsman."

" And then, seat yourself beside him, and hear him comment
upon his dream book. Listen as he tells you of the feats of the
witch, that lives in his particular harbour— or of the accidents
that have happened firom doing things on Friday— or what have
followed the ^igns and omens that he believes in. Then, there
are his tales of wonderful escapes— his * fish stories,' and his
sage conclueions in portics— his ncions of religion, or his
profbnnd speculations on the causes of the high price of brt.ael-
stuiTs, or of the means employed to keep down the price of

fiah."

'Ti?-

71'^m.'

Tf^'^i » r^^.

E^i

31

attention
he fisher-

id to give
a " boat-
ly that ho
he might
mproving
h, he dis-
less in his
i go from
ide which
proximity
3 a whole,
and none
rget him.
I past the
ise, if not

Idier, nor
Eition with
1. He is
iderstands
V. He is
, and will
;he means
imer, and
knows all
)f the sea
he surf —
nd he will
high con-
comment
sats of the
accidents
ivhat have
len, there
' and his
>L, or his
of brtrid-
j price of

" But of his dress, and his professional gear — who shall do
justice to them?"

"The oiled garments which cover his upper and nether man,
lie calls his ' ile-sute.' The queer shaped thing which he
wecrs upon his crown, he names a ♦ sou'-wester.' An article,
neither mittens nor gloves, which protect his hands, he calls
* nippers.' The mattf)d and tangled mass which grows upon
his head, and the long red hair which under his chin, answers,
J the purpose of a neckcloth, and in front of his ears, renders him
impervious to a dun, he calls brush.' His boots, he says,
are * stampers ;' and lest he should lose the moveables he carries
in his pockets, he has them fastened to his person by a string,
Avhich he calls a ' lanyard.' He uses one knife which he calls
' cut-throat,' and another that is a ' Splitter ;' his apron is a
' barvel ' — the box, or compartment into which he throws his
fish as he catches them, is a ' kid.' , When he means to go for
Herring, he says he is ' agoing-a-driviug ' — the state of the
moon favourable for this purpose are, ♦ Darks ' — the bent-up
iron hoops, which he uses to carry his burning torch, bears the
name of ^dragon' — ^the small net, with an iron bow and wooden
handle, which he uses to secure the fish that his torch attracts,
is a ' dip-net.' To another and a larger net, with lead • on its
bottom edge to sink it in the water, and with corks fa ^tened
along its upper edge at regular intervals, to buoy it up, and
preserve it in nearly a perpendicular direction, that the Her-
rings may strike it and become entangled in its meshes —
to this he gives a name indicative of its use — he calls it, a
« set-net'" t

" Nor ends his dialect here. Chebacco boats and small
schooners are known to him as ' pinkies,' ' pogies,' and ' jig-
gers.' AH vessels he calls ' craft,' a.id the only distinction he
will condescend to make, is to append the adjective ; such as
large, small, nice, poor * craft.' He knows nothing about the
hours of day or night ; every thing with him goes by tides.
Thus, if you ask him, about what time hf^ was married, he will
perhaps say — *tother night, about half-Hood !' — or what tir.:8
he saw a certain man, his reply will be, * this morning about
low water slack,'— or, * on young flood ' — or, * just as the ebb
tide made.' ''

'' If he has fish to sell, and you ask him their size, he will
tell you they are ' two-quintal fish,' by which he means, that
fifty of them will weigh 112 lbs. His boat anchor he calls a
' killock,' and the rope attached to it he styles a ' rode.' If
he speiiks of the length of line required on different fishing

32

grounds, he will say that on the Banks and in the Bay of Fun-
dy, ' two shotts ' are use4> and at the Labrador but ' half a
shott,' and by a 'shott' he means a line of thirty fathoms."

'' Lest it should bo thought I have made too much of thia
original, I beg to remark, that should any who doubt his exist-
ence ever shake me by the hand at my own home, I promise
to show them the very man ; and I have bestowed the more
attention upon him, because many of his qualities of character
and forms of speech are common to all fishermen, and because
the knives and other gear are in general use. Should any
of you go with me to the house of this singular being, he will
probably ask us to stay to dinner — let me then give you the
form of invitation, that you may remember it."

"He will probably have provided something extra ; it will
consist of his favorite dishes, to wit — ^the three p's, — a pot-pie
of sea-fowl, pudding, and pancakes. The proper moment ar-
rived, he will say — ' come, skippers, down with your killocks
and get some grub; don't know as you'll likfj it, : ■♦ our
woman has got us some fresh smothers, some dui\, aiid joe-
floggies."

It may be remarked, that since Mr. Sabine gave this qi'aint
description of the " boat fisherman " which is copied from his
own notes, the labours of the Sons of Temperance have been
very successful, and have tendfed greatly to improve his con-
dition in every way.

DEER ISLAND.

rl;'l^

This Island is broken and rocky, the central portion espe-
cially, and there is comparatively very little land fit for farming
purposes ; but such as is fit, is of good quality. Its Harbours
are good, and there are numerous Coves which afibrd exec -
lent shelter for boats, with deep water close to their shoi e >
There is a very considerable number of inhabitants on Deer
Island, who are all more or less engaged in the fisheries, of
which that for Pollack, holds at present the first place, in this
locality; the Herring fishery is considered next in value,
after which come the fisheries for Cod, Hake, and Haddock,
with Mackerel fishing when it is to be had in the neighbour-
hood.

The boats generally in use at Deer Island are from V^ to
18 feet in length ; the 12 feet boat has one man, the li" ivet
boat usualiy three men. These boats have sharp, or ph;k
Sterne, with one mast shipped very close to the stenii and a

ii *

J":" "•>

33

ly of Fun-
ut 'half a

lOHlS."

ch of thia
; his exist-
I promise
the more
* character
td because
Ihould any
ng, he will
^e you the

ra ; it will
—a pot-pie
noment ar-
ur killocks
our

■ i*

, aiid joe-

this qi'.aint

;d fVom his

have been

ve his con-

irtion espe-
or farming
Harbour:
Ford excc-
eir shoie-i.
ts on Deer
isheries, of
ace, in this
in value,
Haddock,
neighbour-

from 7^" to
the IF tfet

IP'
em.

or piViX
and a

mainsail very broad at the foot, stretched well out with a light
boom, and running up to a point at the to|). These boats sail
uncommonly well, and lay very close to tho wind ; they are
exceedingly safe in t' e hands of the fishermen, who certainly
manage them most admirably. The sail is usually tanned with
hemlock bark, which imparts to it a reddish brown colour ;
as the boats are generally painted white, they have a very
smart and somewhat singular appearance, as they dart through
the narrow passages between the numerous small islands and
reefs, or sweep down in little fleets of ten or twenty boats to
the usual fishing grounds.

The first place \ iLUted at Deer Island was Chocolate Cove,
at which locality James M'Neal, Esq., J. P., and his son,
both intelligent persons, furnished the following information :
— They said that the most profitable fishing there, was for
Pollack and Herring ; the Pollack average fifty to the quintal.
The Deer Island fishers have some difficulty in procuring bait ;
they are obliged to go over to the American side, and buy it
there from the weir owners, who charge two Pollack, green or
dry, for a bucket full of small Herrings. They said that Her-
rings would not " drive " as formerly ; that the Indians by
continually firing at the Porpoises, have destroyed or driven
them off", and the Herrings not being chased by Porpoises into
eddies near the shore, but keeping out in mid-channel, cannot
now be " driven " with the torch as in the olden time.

The mode of curing Pollack and Herrings on this Island,
was stated to be as follows : — After Pollack are split, they are
washed, and lightly salted in tubs and hogsheads. During
the summer, they remain in salt three or four days ; in the
autumn, four or five days. They are then washed in their
pickle, and piled in kinch to drain for 24 hours, after which
they are put upon the flakes. At night, they are piled on the
flakes, in heaps called " faggots ;" in fine weather, they cure
in a week ; after this, they are spread out again during a
fi) c day, to dry the sweat. In the autumn, the fish are not
sweated.

Herrings afier being gibbed, are washed in a tub, and then
salted ; they lay in salt four days. If the pickle sours, the fish
are spoiled, as they taint at once. When taken out of pickle,
they are packed in barrels, on their backs. Messrs. M'Neal
said, that Herrings had too little pains bestowed upon them,
and very many were sent away to the country quite spoiled.
From want of means to buy a stock of salt, the fishermen used
it too sparingly, and hence, too often, the spoiling of the fish.

5

34

' m

The Herrings liere alluded to, arc those called "Quoddy River
Herrings ;" they are taken from August until late in the
autumn, by drifting at night, in the same manner as for Shad ;
those taken latest in the season are best and fattest, but it is
then very cold work sitting in an open boat all night, and th'j
fishermen suffer severely.

The smaller Herrings, such as are generally cured by smok-
ing, were formerly very abundant on the shores of Deer Island.
The fishermen of Campo Bello said, that the people of Deer
Island had broken up the schalls, and driven the fish away, by
the excessive use of small meshed nets. On the Ame rican side
of Quoddy River, the use of such nets is altogether prohibited.

At Leonard's Cove, the fishing estabUshment of Mr. George
Leonard was visited. Mr. Leonard stated, that he had lived
at I is place thirty years. He fishes principally for Pollack ;
bui '.^e autumn he takes small Cod. He built a brush
weir t )ast spring, which cost £75; up to the 9th September,
it had only caught 75 boxes of Herring ; but it had been
exceedingly useful to the line-fishers in his neighbourhood, by
furnishing them with bait. At Deer Island, there are only
four weirs altogether ; in Leonard's weir there is four feet
water, at low tide. It being near low water, the weir was
visited and examined ; in it were found, a few very fine " Quoddy
River Herrings," about a bushel of small Cod, one Lobster,
eight Mackerel, and some small Herrings, only fit for bait.
Mr. Leonard quite agreed with Mr. Flagg, of Campo Bello
that Herrings attain their full growth in three years.

The fishing establishment of Mr. James Neill^ near the
northern end of the Island, was also visited. Mr. Neill pur-
chases many fish from the fishermen, which he cures hi;wself ;
his dealings in fish are somewhat extensive. In his vicinity,
Hake are abundant, and also Haddock. At the time this
establishment was visited (9th September) the oil made from
the liver of a Hake, was more valuable than the Hake itself.
The Hake here were better cleaned than at Grand Manan, but
there was the same desire to oversalt, and make the fish weigh
as heavy as possible.

Mr. Neill stated-, that the Hake he cured went sometimes to
Cuba, but generally to the foreign West India Islands ; the Cod
to Boston and New York, for domestic consumption there ; the
Haddock were shipped to Cuba ; and the Pollack were sold
in Maine, chiefly for consumption in the forest by the lumber-
men. At this establishment 2621bs. of green fish were weighed
as a quintal.

35

)ddy River
ate in the
for Shad ;
t, but it is
it, and th'j

d by smok-
cer Island,
le of Deer
h away, by
If rican side
prohibited.
Ilr. George
I had lived
ir Pollack ;
It a brush
September,
; had been
urhood, by
re are only
s four feet
e weir was
e " Quoddy
le Lobster,
fit for bait,
impo Bello

s.

f near

the
. Neill par-
es hi;Aiself ;
lis vicinity,
e time this
made from
lake itself.
Manan, but
^. fish weigh

metimes to
Is ; the Cod
I there ; the
were sold
he lumber-
re weighed

i

The practice of taking Herrings on the spawning ground,
at the Southern Head of Grand Manan, was reprobated by Mr.
Neill, as highly detrimental to the Herring fishery genernlly ;
the quality of the Herring caught there, and the careless manner
in which they were cured from want of time, were also stated
to be highly injurious to the market, as depreciating the value
of Herrings which are really good and well cured. An inspec-
tion of Herrings, Mr. Neill said, was greatly required, in order
to raise their character in distant markets — the Herrings
taken on the " ripplings," about six miles from Grand Manan,
were said to be good fish, and needed only proper care and
inspection to be highly prized abroad. ^

A visit was paid at Indian Island to Mr. James Chaffcy, an
aged man, of much intelligence, who has long resided there.
Mr. Chaffey said, that Herrings were not so abundant now, as
twenty years since ; of late years the quantity has fallen off
greatly, and they are now much smaller. He did not consider
the weirs injurious to the Herring fishery, but thought the
mischief was done at Grand Manan.'

When Mr. Chaffey first went to Indian Island, hritt were
very abundant ; they averaged about three inches in length.
These little fish were exceedingly valuable as food for larger
fish, but from some unaccountable cause, they have altogether
disappeared, not a single specimen having been seen for the
last ten years.

With some trouble the number of fishing boats and vessels,
at the following localities in West Isles, was procured, viz: —
Clam Cove, Cummin's Cove, Mill Creek, Chocolate Cove,
Leonard's Cove, Lord's Cove, Bean's Island, Mowat's Har-
bour, Adam's Island, Parker's Island, Minister's Island, Hard-
wood Island, Fish Island, North West Harbour, Northern
Cove, and Indian Island. The whole number of boats was
ascertained to be 99 ; and of decked vessels, 27, of 577 tons
register. ■

Hi

THE COAST FROM L'ETITE PASSAGE TO POINT LEPREAU.

The fishermen on this Coast pay more attention to farming
than those of West Isles ; the character of the fisheries are the
same, except that the Hake are in greater abundance near
the shore, owing to the bottom being soft.

Captain Jedediah CalifF has lived at L'Etang Island, en-
trance of L'Etang Harbour, for thirty years. He stated, that
Hake is the principal fishery near that place ; it begins in

36

July, and continues until November. The fishing fur Cod is
chiefly in the spring and .antumn ; Pollack fishing is had dur-
ing the summer, as the fish strike in — they run about 35 to
the quintal. Herrings are taken during nearly the whole year,
more or less being caught every month ; they do not catch any
of the large fish, known as " Quoddy River Herrings," but
they take the " blue-backs," or " English Herrings," as the
flshermen term them — ^these are the fish designated by natu-
rahsts in America, clupea clongata, or, the common Herring.
There are four brush weirs at L'Etang, intended to take small
Herrings for smoking. The catch has greatly fallen off lat-
terly, and this Captain CalifF attributed to the enormous
destruction of spawning Herrings, and their spawn, at Grand
Manan ; he has been there during the fishing season, and seen
the Herring-spawn after being shaken from the nets, shovelled
out of the boats like snow !

In the dead of winter. Herrings frequently enter L'Etang
Harbour in large quantities ; they are then taken in "set-nets"
of 30 fathoms in length, and 150 meshes deep— the size of the
mesh, 2 inches.

The boats in use along the coast, are from 16 to 22 feet in
length, chiefly built of pine ; some fishermen put in a few
streaks of birch ; the sten}, stern-post, and keel, are always of
birch.

When the fishermen need bait during the summer, they
" drive " the Herrings with torches, and in that way procure
the quantity they require. It appeared that Herrings would
still "drive" in this locality, probably from the schulls not
being broken up, as elsewhere, by numerous brush weirs.

Between L'etite Passage and Point Lepreau, the number of
fishing boats was found to be 90 in all, averaging 3 men eachr
These boats chiefly belong to Back Bay, L'Etang, Beaver
Harbour, Seely's Cove, Crow Harbour, Deadman's Harbour,
Bliss' Island, and Mace's Bay, where the fishermen are prin-
cipally settled, and cultivate the soil to some extent.

THE WOLVES.

■■.'. *■:.#;».!. 7

This cluster of Islands lies at some distance from the main-
land ; on the largest of the group there is one family, that of
James Paul, who constitute the only inhabitants. The fishing
around these Islands is chiefly in the spring, for Cod, which
remain about a month ; and in the autumn for Hake, during a
short time. The best fishing for Cod is on a bank, about nine

mm

37

fniles S.S.E. from the Wolves, upon which, in May, some fine
fish may be taken. There is also Herring fishing occasionally 9
and fishermen from Si. John encamp on these Islands, when
fish are to be had in their vicinity. The Wolves are not greatly
esteemed by fishermen as a fishing station^

During the past season, several hundred barrels of Mackerel
were caught (chiefly by fishermen from Eastport) between the
Wolves and the entrance to L'Stang ; the British fishermen
were not equipped for this fishing, or else they did not under-
stand how to pursue it, for they cai^ht a very few fish on days
when American vessels made a capital catch.

THE VALUE OF THE FISHERIES AT WEST ISLES.

• i i ■» ' I.

Since this Report was written, a return has been received
from Mr. John Alexander, of Campo Bello, of the value of the
fish taken in one season, by the fishermen of West Isles, which
is here given. It will be observed, that Mr. Alexander states
the number of opeii boats at 200, which is believed to be more
than strictly belong to the Parish of West Isles ; the return
probably includes boats belonging to the neighbouring Parishes
of St. George and Pennfield, on the mainland, which fish on
the same grounds — in such case, it may be deemed quite cor-
rect : —

Return of the quantity and value of Fish taken in one season by the Fishermen
qf West Isks, in boats, decked vessels, and fish-weirs owned by them.

Boats, vessels

and
Fish-weirs.

200 open
boats.

97 decked
vessels, 577
tons register.

7 weirs.

No. of
Men.

500

156

35

Quantities and description of Fish.

20,000 quintals Pollack and Hake, per quin.,

800 barrels Cod and Haddock, per brl.,
9,000 barrels Herrings, per brl., . .

400 barrels Oil, per brl., ..
3,750 quintals Cod, per quin.,.. ..

800 quintals Pollack, per quin.,
1,500 barrels Herrings, per brl.,

50 barrels Oil, per brl.,
5,000 boxes Smoked Herrings, per box.

Average
price.

5s. 6d.
lOs.

12s. fid.
65s.
lis. 3d.

5s. 6d.
12s. 6d.
65s.

Is. 6d.

Amount

£5,500
400

1,250

1,300

2,109
220
937 10
162 10
375 0

Total value, £19,254 7 6

RECAPITULATION.

90,800 quintals Pollack and Hake, ^15,720 0

3,750 quintals God, 2,109 7

3,500 barrels Herrings, 2,167 10

800 barrels Cod and Haddock, 400 0

450 barrels Oil 1,468 10

5,000 boxes Smoked Herrings, 375 0

0
6
0
0
0
0

Camjo Bello, February, 1851.

£12,254 7 6
' J. ALEXANDER.

h\-:

I

38

With reference to this return, it may be remarked, that the
decked vessels of West Isles, like those of Campo Bello, follow
the fisheries at Grand Manan, on the shores of Nova Scotia,
and elsewhere, during the season, with much diligence and
perseverance, and as appears by this return, with very consi-
derable success. ird

EASTPORT.

As the Fishermen of West Isles, Campo Bello, and Grand
Manan, find their chief market at this border town of the
United States, the fishing establishments there were visited
and examined.

These establishments are all close to the water side, with
convenient wharves, landing places, cranes for hoisting, and
easy stairs ; the wharf room in each case is ample, and gene-
rally well planked over. The buildings consist of large ware-
houses for salt and materials ; buildings for storing and
packing pickled fish, and stores for dry fish ; and a large chop for
cotton and woollen goods, groceries, and a full supply of every
description of article usually required by fishermen or their
families — ^beyond the buildings on the landward side, is usually
a field covered with fish-flakes, for the cure of dry fish.

During the past year, the decennial Census of the United
States was taken, and the writer was kindly permitted by Mr.
Charles Loring, one of the Assistant Marshals of Maine, to
extract from the Returns compiled by him, the following
official estimate of the products of the Fisheries at Eastport,
as returned by him to the Government of the United States : —

0 <•

0. I)

V:.\-

V .')» .<,!

.^U:->

ii

)

,'t'iti-nvq. i«;i<:i'< «.Ui .■-■frj,i;

i

V'. "-.'..id f '»f .(i t C"

l-'-yH^jjrt ■

■'.' VI 'ji»^.r

'>^H-.i

that the

o, follow
i Scotia,
nco and
ry consi-

(1

'V).'»V/

• ff

d Grand
n of the
e visited

lide, with
ting, and
nd gene-
•ge ware-
ring and
s chop for
r of every
1 or their
is usually
ih.

e United
;d by Mr.
Maine, to
following
Eastport,
States : —

^

I

a

©

00

SI

3

f— «

I

1"^

r

f

8

39

•a
>

i

S"

«►.

nui'^-^

S 2

S||| j|§S

M«0'

O
S

I I

t

'a

•a

M ^

o
tn^

C

g -

Igl

1|

Jfas

' a S

' S H

.cc-so

"a -« a n

•SEfct

a <4 a «

SJL

&>

s « »« 5

U. a

d

II £

ta-
li "^H

« 3 M

.a o*A

b'EsI

&j ft' V

S W k- -

■ - C k

s « a

-a

o
H

- u

s

•a -S J* S V
.S o V c j

4i

a

-a

3

g

■A

SI »

I .*!''

;'i

T3
OR ^

o

73

O

•a

o

o
•a

e
•a

■o

o

a

8-3

&

-a

5

^ .- :

* s« -a

c e fi 5 K-'s
5 5 0 -a p o
~ -* ♦* o ©

U'jrMJV.ri :

-a

m

m

1

8

I

r.('ti!'>

•a
-2

-a

en

I

.0
o

ii'iii

h'

If;)

stsS'a-

Qi 0^

o .S

S.5 J

<

m

M I"

J8

I

f

i

S

m

I

1

o

I

4

I
I

.a

u

I

#■

jlill

40

In proportion to tlic number of men employed, this Return
of products is very great ; but it must be borne in mind, that
the fish are chiefly caught by British fishermen, and carried
over to Eastport, either quite fresh, or only pickle-salted.

The establishment of Upham J. Treat, mentioned in the
foregoing Return, is on Allen's Island, between Eastport and
the neighbouring town of Lubec. At this place, there is
a very large weir for taking Herrings, in which considera-
ble numbers are caught. The arrangements for putting up
Salmon and Lobsters in tin cases hermetically sealed, are
very excellent, besides which, fresh vegetables (green peas
and Indian corn) with poultry, and several descriptions of meat,
are also put up, in similar manner.

The fresh Salmon put up here, are brought in ice from the
Harbour of St. John. Ths Lobsters are brought in smacks,
with wells, from the westward ; when too many arrive at one
time, they are placed *n the tide, in a sort of crib, or pound,
enclosed with bigli palings, and there fed until they can be
boiled and packed. The first supply of Lobsters in the Spring
comes from the vicinity of Portland ; as the season advances,
they are taken further east ; in August, the supply came from
East Machias. The price paid at this establishment for Lob-
sters, is ,$5 per hundred, equal to three pence currency each
Lobster. When the place was visited, on the 20th August- no
less than 1200 Lobsters were boiled and packed on that day.
It was observed, that a great proportion of the Lobsters were
males, many of them of exceedingly large size ; these were
boiled 35 minutes. The smaller Lobsters (females) were only
boiled 27 minutes ; these were kept apart from the others, and
put up separately, as a better articlci the meat being finer, and
the flavour much superior.

The white meat only of the Lobster — ^that which is contained
in the claws and tail part — is picked out in a very expedi-
tious manner, and placed in the tin cases ; all the rest of the
fish is thrown away, or rather, is carted away to the compost
heap.

The smoked fish here, appeared of small size, and were not
well cured. They had not a good color, and hung far too near
the fire to be of good flavour. The smoke houses were alto-
gether too low, and too warm for curing fish of good quality ;
in this respect, the Americans seemed no better than their
neighbours on the other side the boundary.

In order to procure exaci information* the fish stores of Mr.
John Fi^ench, at E^tport, were yisited Qn the 22d August,

:#

41

find Mr. TrtMicli liimsolf pave ovory facility, for which the
writor's host acknowkul^innits are thir

Mr. French stated, that ho had heeu 24 years (>npaped in
the hMii business at Eastport. He was then taking in dric^l
Cod at $2.5() per quintal, and Poihick, Hake, and Haddock
at $1.00 per quintal. Of preen fish, he weighed 202 lbs. as a
quintal, at the same prices, bat tli" pay was not so pood — that
is — the pay was all in poods, and not partly in cash, as for dry
lish. This weipht, Mr. French admitted, would make more
than a <piintal of dry fish, especially at that season of the year.
Pitkled Cod were |)urchased at $1.75 for 200 lbs. ; fi»r scale
fish, the price was $1.(K) for 200 lbs., payable, in both cases, in
poods. The prices of some of the poods delivered in payment
were as follows : — molasses, 35 cents per pnllon ; flour, $6.25
per barrel ; tobacco, 25 cents per pound ; pilot brfcad, 5 cents
per pound ; nav} bread, 4 cents per pound ; pork, 10 cents
per pound. These articles were all of pood quality, the pilot
and navy bread especially.

The Grand Mnnan Herrings arc bought in bulk by Mr.
French, at $1.50 for 2001bs. ; with the price of the barrel,
and expense of packing, they cost at Eastport $2.50 per
barrel, when ready for shipment, which is just the price they
sell for at Boston — the profit is made on the goods that are given
in payment. It was noticed here, that the chimes of the
Herring barrels were twice as deep as those of English bar-
rels ; they hold can-hooks better, and arc considered su])crior
in other respects.

Fish-oil was purchased by Mr. French at $16 per barrel, a
higher price than usual, the article being scarce and in demand.
In the early part of the season, it takes the livers of 100 quin-
tals of Pollack to make a barrel of oil ; but as the season
advances, the fish become in better condition, and the livers of
25 quintals will make a barrel. , i

Porpoise oil was bought at one dollar per gallon. An
Indian who was delivering some of this oil to Mr. French,
stated that ten gallons of oil were usually obtained from six
Porpoises.

It was said by Mr. French, that when he first commenced
business at Eastport, the Pollack were taken of very large
size ; they have since constantly diminished, and are still dimi-
nishing. The small Pollack — which the fishermen call " Har-
bour Pollack " — ^when caught formerly, were thrown back into
the sea, but now they are split and dried with the others. The
decrease in the size of Pollack was supposed to arise from

G

1) I

42

tlio ffront dcstnirtion of Niiinll Horrin^n in tlio wrirw, tliiiH diiiii-
iiisliiii^- tlio (jiiantity of food for the Pollnck.

Prior to I8.*J0, tlic*r« wom excellent MiM-Uerel fisliin«? in tlio
vicinity of (irund Mannn ; these tiHh then entered the Jiay of
Fiindy in immense Hchulls, and the American AHhcrs took them
in lar^e qnnntitieH. But since 1H39, the Mackerel 8eem to
have Hhifted their ground, as no lar^c body of these fish has
heen seen in the Bay since that period. Mr. Fronch stated,
that he had seen hir^^e Mackerel, as fat as any ho ever saw,
which were taken on Cod-hooks, in deep water near Grand
Manan, dnring the winter season ; and he nddnced this as a
proof, that Mackerel do not leave the Coast, but merely retire
into deep water during the winter.

11 ;'i.

I"

ir

I

LUBEC.

At this town, which is about three miles from Eastport, and
very close to Campo Bello, great quantities of smoked Her-
rings are put up annually ; at one period, no less than 60,000
boxes were cured every season, but the quantity lias conside-
rably diminished of late years. There are numerous smoko
houses along the water side, most of which ar pen to the
objection of heating, rather than coolly smoki <c fish, as

ought to be done to ensure fine color and good flavour, as well
as freedom fi om taint or ranoidity.

In the passage between Campo Bello and West Quoddy,
just beyond liubec, there are extensive weirs on both sides, out
to the very edge of th^ ship channel ; in some places the weirs
approach each other so closely, as to leave but narrow space
between. The channel being crooked as well as narrow, it is
difficult for a vessel to get through safely after nightfall, espe-
ciall if the night be at all dark or foggy. The steamer " Com-
modore," having on board a party of delegates to the Railroad
Convention at Portland, in July last, attempted to pass out to
sea by this passage during a foggy night, but was fairly
caught in one of the weirs, and was compelled to remain there
until daylight. The misadventure occasioned some witty, and
piquant remarks, at the Convention, in connection with the
discussion of steam navigation across the Bay of Fundy, in
connection with a Railway through the western part of Nova
Scotia.

A legal gentleman at Eastport was asked, if the laws of
Maine permitted the erection of weirs, in this passage, to such
an inconvenient extent ; it was stated in reply, that the law

5

43

niH(liini-

\\g in tln!
a Hay of
itok th(;in
Hoeiii to
fish lins
h Htiited,
vcr saw,
ir (iruiKl
this as a
cly retire

port, and
keel Ilcr-
m 60,000
J conside-
[\s Hiiioko
en to the
<c fish, as
ir, as well

Quoddy,
sides, out

the weirs
row space
rrow, it is
fall, espe-
er "Com-
i Railroad
lass out to
was fairly
nain there
witty, and
[1 with the
Fundy, in
t of Nova

le laws of
re, to such
It the law

neither sanctioned th<Mr construction, neither did it forhid
their bein^ ftlurod there. The weirs hud been standing in
West Qiiuddy pussn;^'(s this ^entieinan said, for several years
without let or hindiiuice ; and as the law was silent on the
subject, the proprietors conceived' they hud obtained what they
culled ** negative approval/'

In the channel between Ltdiec and Easfpurt, very large and
fine Scallops were formerly found, and in all probability they
may be found there still. Major General 11. A. 8. Dearluu'n,
U.S.A., now Mayor of Roxbury, in a letter to the writer says :

•' I was at Eastport in 1811), and obtained very large and
excellent Scallops — pecten — but differing from pcclen concvn-
tricus, on the Coast of Massachusetts, being four times as
large ; many of them were six inches in din meter. 1 used a
dredge-net, and procured them, between Eastport and the
western end of Campo Bello, in mid-channel, where the water
was six to nine fathoms in depth."

The dredgc-nct might again be employed in this, as well as
other localities in the Bay of Fundy, with advantage ; it would
perhaps bring to light some varieties of fish not generally
known at present, especially < a Flat fish, resembling Plaice
and Sole, which are bcliCved to exist in the Bay. With regard
to Scallops, it may be stated, that they arc frequently taken,
in considerable quantities, and of the large size mentioned
by General Dearborn, at Mace's Bay, north-west of Point
Lepreau, where extensive beds of this peculiar shell-fish arc
known to exist. Of late, the edible portion of these large Scal-
lops has been put up by a noted preserving establishment at
New York, and sold in glass bottles at a high price, as an
unusual luxury. They arc much esteemed, and sell readily ;
so this branch of business is open to the people of New Bruns-
wick, who have a large supply of the Scallop, easily acces-
sible.

THE FISHERIES OF THE RIVER SAINT CROIX.

As several complaints were made to the writer of the state of
the fisheries in the tide-way of the St. Croix, near St. Stephen
and Mill Town, these places were visited in September last.

The River St. Croix being the boundary between the British
Colonies and the United States, the jurisdiction of New Bruns-
wick only extends to the centre of the channel of the river ; the
remaining portion is under the control of the State of Maine.
The fisheries on the American side of the River, arc subject

H

tmmmmm

44

a^i

'I '".

to the supervision of the Fishery Committee of the Town at'
Calais, whose duties ure nearly similar to those of Overseers
of the fisheries in New Brunswick.

The lower dam on the St. Croix is in the tide-way, hetween
St. Stephen and Milltown;' at a [)lace formerly called the
Middle Landing ; it is a high solid dam from bank to hank ; and
upon it there are a number of mills — it is called the Union
Mill Dam. Above the back-water occasioned by the Union
Dam, arc the Salmon Falls ; the St. Croix is here very nar-
row, and there is considerable fall over a rugged ledge of rocks.
Piers for a railway bridge were being placed in the river at
these falls, upon which, it is said, a factory is to be erect> d.
Next above the Salmon Fallsr, are the extensive mills and dams
at Milltown, almost filling the River for some distance. At
the American town of Baring, five milep above St. Stephen,
there is a third dam on the river, extending from side to side.
There is a square opening in this dam, intended for sluicing
logs when the river is low — this is termed a " fish-way," — for
which, however, it is said not to answer. About six miles
above Baring, at Sprague's Falls, there is a solid dam across
the river, called the " driving dam ;" in that there is no provi-
sion whatever for the passage of fish.

On examining the IFnion Mill Dam, it was found that there
was no fish-way. There is a so;t of " roll" on the top of the
dam, over which the waste water passes, and it was said tlint
fish could get over at high-water ; if so, it is most probable
that Salmon only could eflTect the passage — if other fish do get
over, it must be with great difficulty and very rarely.

At Milltown, owing to the peculiar formation of the ledges
on which the various dams are placed, there 'n a narrow chan-
nel, up which fif^h may pass, if it is kept free from obstructions.
This channel was found closely jammed with logs, and the
water being low, no fish, even of the smallest size, could
pass, it was stated by the millmen at this place, that when the
water is high in the Spring, at the usual time for the passage
of fi&h, the fish-way is constantly filleu with edgings, rinds, and
rubbish, from the mills above, so that it rarely happens a fish
can get through.

Mr. Edward Sydney Dyer, who resides at Calais, stated that
hia father's residence w^as near the Salmon Falls ; he m as born
there, and resided beside those Falls until after he attained to
manhood. About thirty years since, Salmon, Shad, and Gas-
pereaux, were exceedingly abundant in the St. Croix ; the
average catch at the Salmon Falls was SOO Salmon per day,

1

45

Town ot*
)verseers

, between
ailed the
lank ; and
he Union
he Union
very nar-
c of rocks,
le river at
J erect» d.
and duuis
ance. At
. Stephen,
do to side.
3r shiicing
v^ay," — for
six miles
lam across
i no provi-

that there
top of the
s said thnt,
t probable
fish do get
r.

the ledges
rrow chan-
istructions.
s, and the
size, could
It when the
lie passage
rinds, and
ipens a fish

stated that
le wds born
attained to
, and Gas-
roix ; the
m per day,

for three months in each season. The Gaspereau came in
such quantities, that it was supposed they never could bo des-
troyed ; and the numbers of Shad were almost incredible.

Up to 1825, the dams on the river were provided with fish-
ways, and while these were maintained, the fisheries of the
river did not diminish; but in that year, the Union Dam, (the
lowermost,) was built without a fish-way, and the fisheries
instantly fell off, continuing to diminish ever since, and now
they can scarcely be said to exist. In 1846, the Union Dam
was swept away by a great flood, and fish got up the River ;
for two years afler, there was very good fishing, but the re-
building of the dam again put a stop to it.

Ninian Lyndsay, Esquire, of Saint Stephen, one of the
Overseera of the Fishery for that Parish, r'escribed the quan-
tities of fish which formerly ascended the Saint Croix, as some-
thing almost miraculous. The fishing in the River was good
until a short time after the Union Dam was built ; since which
it has fallen ofif amazingly. Gaspereau have become very
scarce indeed, although formerly thousands of barrels were
taken in the River. i\o Shad are now cau ^ht above the tide,
and but few below. Before 1825, Shad were taken at the
Salmon Falls, by a large dip-net, attached to a long swinging
pole, like a well-pole. The net was heavily leaded to make
it sink in the swift water ; it was then swung round, and it
was not at all uncommon to take two or three barrels of Shad
at a single dip of the net. Mr. Lyndsay mentioned, that some
years since he knew a man who stood on a jam of logs, below the
Salmon Falls, with a dip-net, and who, in a single day, caught
118 Salmon ! The whole catch of Salmon, in the Saint Croix,
during the past season, according to Mr. Lyndsay's estimate,
would not exceed 200 fish, and a proportion of these were
Salmon out of season, lingering below the Union Dam, and
endeavouring to ascend. * •^'

In Mr. Lyndsay's opinion, sufficient fish-ways might be
placed in each of the dams on this River, without injury to the
Mills or water-power, if the Mill prcjTietors could be compelled
to construct such fish-ways, and -leep them free from obstruc-
tions. This, he said, was admitted by the Mill owners ; but
the law was n jt sufficiently stringent in its provisions to enable
the Overseers to compel the opening of the Ssh-ways, for which
more sumnary and efficient powers were required. It was
also stated by Mr. Lyndsay, that the Fishery Committee of
Calais, had expressed their readiness and anxiety to co-ope-
rate with the Overseers of Fisheries in S;iint Stephen, in

46

»:■

measures for opening the Rivera and preserving its valuable
Fisheries.

An interview was also had at Saint Stephen with William
Porter, Esquire, another Overseer of the Fishery there, whose
statements were similar to those of Mr. Lyndsay. Subse-
quently, those Gentlemen addressed a, letter to the writer,
which is here given in full : —

4 ., Saint Stephen, 6th December, 1850.

Sir, — ^^'e have received your Circular Letter of 12th August
relative to the Fisheries, and in reply beg to state, that from
the first settlement of this country up to the year 1825, there
was annually a great abundance of Salmon, Shad, and Gas-
pereau, in the Saint Croix ; in fact, bo plentiful were ihe
latter, that vessels from Rhode Island, of 100 to 150 tons
burthen, followed the fishing business on this River, and were
never knov/n to leave without full cargoes. They had estab-
lishments on the American side of the River, where they
salted the Gaspereau in vats, and repacked them in barrels,
for the West India market. There were also several seines
belonging to the inhabitants, )vhich were worked in the tide-
way of the River, the owners of which' put up, annually, from
1500 to 2500 barrels of Gaspereau for exportation, besides a
sufficiency for country use.

At the same time. Shad were taken in great quantities ;
very frequently, more than one hundred would be caught in a
small net, in a single night. These fish were also caught in
large numbers, at the Salmon Falls, by dip-nets, where also
Salmon were taken in abundance.

We have known a lad, hfteen years of age, take 500 Salmon
during one season ; and we have known one man with a dip-
?aet, at the Salmon Falls, take 90 to 100 Salmon, two days in
succession. Up to 1826, these Salmon were sold at f«»i.r to
five Cents per pound ; their average weight was about ten
pounds each. After the Union Mill-dam was built in 1825,
the Fisheries fell off very soon ; and continued to diminish
until 1846, when that dam was partly swept away. Then the
Salmon again got up the River, in considerable numbers, so that
in 1848, to the joy and surprise of the inhabitants, they were
quite numerous; but the rebuilding of the dam once more
stopped them, and they have since diminished both in size and
numbers.' Very few indeed now get up the River, and we
therefore advise, that an Act be passed, at the next l^'esKion of
the Legislature, giving the power of g^ttiiQg at offenders in a

i

\

47

valuable

William

re, whose

Subse-

e writer,

,1850.

h August
that from
25, there
and Gas-
were the

150 tons
and were
lad estab-
lere they
n barrels,
ral seines

the tide-
ally, from
besides a

uantities ;
lught in a
caught in
rhere also

K) Salmon
irith a dip
vo days iu
at f'K-r to
about ten

in 1825,
» diminish

Then the
ers, so that
they were
)nce more
in size and
•, and we
ii'estiion of
aders in a

I

more summary manner, as it never will do to lose so great a
source of wealth, when it can b" so readily preserved.

The Grant i:om the Crown, of the premises on which the
Union Dam is built, is subject to conditions, with reference to
the passage of fish, which have not been complied with, and it
has thereby become forfeited. It is to be hoped, that after your
Report is presented, the Attorney General will take steps to
enforce the conditions of the Grant, or else to revest the
premises. in the Crown.

Respectfully yours, &c.

Wm. Porter,
^ N. Lyndsay.

To M. H. Perley, Esquire. , ' , '

The premises on which the Union Dam stands, were granted
to Abner Hill, of Saint Stephen, by letters patent, dated 16tli
December, 1824, which contain very special provisions. There
is a recital, that Abner Hill, the grantee, had presented a
petition, setting forth that there is a good site for erecting Mills
in the River Saint Croix, opposite the dwelling house of
Robert Hitchings, at a place commonly called the Middle
Landing, which is nearly midway between the Saltwater T lis,
so called, and the Falls below the Mills at Mill Town, called
the Fishing Falls, and • praying a grant of the premises ; that
the petition had been referred to the Justices of the Peace in
the County of Charlotte, to report if there was any objection
to its prayer ; and that the Justices, in Sessions, had recom-
mended that it should be coninlicd with. The premises
described in Mr. Hill's petition o then granted to him under
several restrictions and conditions ; the undisturbed right of
fishing in the River is expressly reserved « ' Hi.s Majesty, and
all his subjects. Among other conditions of the Gran', is the
following : —

le

'' Provided also, and this Grant is upon condition, that
said Abner Hill, his heirs and assigns, shall and ^vill cause a
good and sufficient fish-way to be made in each and every
Mill-dam, which may be erected and constructed, in the said
River, on the said premises ; and that the same fish-w , or
fish-ways, shall always be maintained and kept in sii< i state
of reparation, so that the passage of the fish to and from the
Sea may not be impeded by such dam or dams ; and also upon
this further condition, that a free passage shrill always be left
for the floating down of ton timber, logs, aad other lumber,
from the rpper parts of the said River, by all and every of Our

i I

-.M(H»i*" "'Plfl

48

'iff

subjects. And it is Our will and pleasure, and Wc» do hereby
expressly ordain and declare, that in case the said Abner Hill,
his heirs and assigns, shall' not, or do not, fulfil and perform
the said several conditions, in every part thereof, according to
the true intent and meaning of the same, then this Grant shall
be void, and of no effect, and the land and premises hereby
intended to be granted, shall revert to, and revest in Us, Our
Heirs and Successors."

In the face of so special a condition, it is really surprising,
that the proprietors of the Union Mill-dam should so long have
been permitted to evade its fulfilment, to the very great
damage, and almost the destruction, of the Fisheries of the
Saint Croix. A Scire Facias on the part of the Crown, to
enquire as to their compliance with the provisions of the Grant,
would no doubt quicken the perceptions of the proprietors, as
to the necessity of fulfilling those conditions, truly and fairly.
Upon the proprietors *of the Union Dam must rest much of
the blame, for the damage that has been done by obstructing
the free passage of fish ; although there is no doubt, that the
dams higher up in the River, have contributed their share
toward the general injury, for which there is such just ground
of complaint.

When the Union Dam was visited on the 4th September,
there were two Salmon nets set, in open daylight, just below
the waste-way ; they were both on the British side of the
River. One of the nets was a very long one, and the two
were so arran^ou, that it was almost impossible for a Salmon
to reach the dam ; but, as if to prevent even that possibility,
there was also a net on the American side. Not far below the
dam, a party of Passamaquoddy Indians were encamped, for
the purpose of spearing Salmon by torch light ; the fish not
captured, were turned back by the nets, and then fell a prey
to the Indians. At this late period of the year, the Salmon
were, of course, <iut of season, quite black, and almost worth-
less. If this state of things is permitted to exist during
another season, the last remnant of the once valuable and
extensive Fisheries of the Saint Croix will be wholly extin-
guished.

The two great Branches of the Saint Croix, with their
numerous tributaries, and the large Lakes at the head of each
Branch, present every variety of River, Lake, and Stream,
adapted to the breeding and feeding of fish. When this is
considered, it is not at all surprising, that such great and

A

:j

49

a hereby
ler Hill,
perform
irding to
ant shall
s hereby
Us, Our

irprising,
ong have
;ry great
es of the
>own, to
he Grant,
■ietors, as
ind fairly.
t much of
bstructing
, that the
leir share
st ground

eptember,
ust below
de of the
i the two
a Salmon
possibility,
below the
imped, for
le fish not
fell a prey
le Salmon
ost worth-
ist during
uable and
oUy extin-

with their
ad of each
d Stream,
len this is
great and

almost incredible bodies of Salmon, Shad, and Gaspereaux,
as are described by every old resident, should have passed
through the narrow gorges of the Lower Saint Croix, in their
annual migrations from the Sea. The wide-spread extent
and the magnitude of the inland waters connected with the
Saint Croix, are so well adapted to the propagation of fish
on a large scale, and are such favorite places of resort for
all that can reach the ancient haunts of the various species,
that it will be highly discreditable to allow the extinction of
the Fisheries of this River, now threatened with total anni-
hilation.

FROM POINT LEPREAU TO THE HARBOUR OF SAINT JOHN.

There are several harbours, and inlets, along this line of
coast ; but owing to its rocky and rugged character, the settle-
ments are limited, and the inhabitants are not numerous.
There are no regular fishing establishments ; the settlers, in
connection with the cultivation of the soil, follow fii^iing, chiefly
with the view mf supplying the markofk at Saint John with fresh
fish. ' '

The principal fisherii.. are those for Cod and Herrings ;
small Haddock are also taken during the Summer, but Hake
and Pollack are comparatively rare. Along the coast from
Point Lepreau up to Negro Head, just below the entrance to
Saint John, Cod are taken with the long-line (or bultow) from
Christmas until the first of June ; the best fishing is in April
and May — after that, the Cod follow the English Herrings
{clupea elongata) up the Bay. The long lines, or bultows,
with 350 to 600 hooks, are set at the distance of one to two
miles from the sh )re, in about 18 fathoms water. The hooks
are on snoods, 3 feet in length, which are placed 7 feet apart
on the '* back," or long line.

In the Autumn, when the Herrings again appear along this
shore, Cod are taken with hand-lines, on the *' slacks" of the
tide. In November last, fine Cod averaging about 30 to the
quintal, were taken by hand-line fishing, between Mlisquash
and Lepreau. At that time, very fine Herrings had made
their appearance, requiring nets with 2i inch mesh ; these
continued to increase in numbers until January, — and while
this Report is being written, they are taken daily in considera-
ble quantities. The appearance of large bodies of Herring so
close to the shore, during the depth of Winter, is an unusual
circumstance ; in general, they do not approach this coast until

7

i !1

fjr-

i

50

the latter part of Winter, or in early Spring, and-then only in
moderate numbers.*

The fishermen of Saint John also prosecute the fisheries for
Cod and Herring on this shore, in their own boats and vessels,
whenever fish are to be had. During the early part of Sum-
mer they also drift all along this coast, at some distance from
the land, for Salmon, while later in the season, they drift over
the same ground for the Sea Shad, then on the way to their
feeding grounds in the upper part of the Bay.

There is an abundance of Lobsters about Dipper Harboiir,
from which place the Saint John Market is principally sup-
plied ; they are not large, rarely exceeding three pounds
weight, and sell at three pence to six pence each, according to
the season and the supply brought in. If better arrangements
were made for bringing these Lobsters to market, and for
keeping them alive, when brought in large quantities, they
could be sold even at less prices, with greater profit to the
fishermen than at present. i

FISHERIES WITHIN THE HARBOUR OF SAlNT JOHN.

The fisheries within this Harbour belong to the citizens of
Saint John, by a special clause in the Royal Charter incorpo-
rating the City, and are therefore under the management and
control of the Common Council, subject, however, to such
enactments as are made by the Legislature, lor the general
regulation of the fisheries of the Province.

The Various fishing-berths, or lots, 'within the Harbour, are
disposed of annually amon^ tlie freemen of the City, and the
widows of freemen, being residents, by lottery. The lots on
the eastern side of the Harbour appertain to the freemen on
that side ; while those on the western shore, belong exclusively
to the freemen residing there, in that part of the City usually
designated as Carleton. There are from eighty to one hun-
dred lots, on each side, which possess some value ; varying
from number one, of late years worth about JC40, down to
number eighty, which may be worth a dollar, or even less.

- The mode of disposing of the fishing lots in this Harbour is
highly objectionable, and in direct violation of the principles of
the Provincial enactments, which strictly prohibit lotteries in

* While tbis Report ia being printed, Mr. Jpha SandaU, of ^int John, 4mt«i «• follows,
under date 17th March, 1851 : — " At present, we are taking Herrings, in nets of iSi and 3'|
inch mesh, in great abnndance. I have neter known them to be so plentiful at this aeason
of the year. I shonid imagine, that from 3000 to 4000 barrels have been taken witbin the
last tliree weeks — the poor fishermen have great reason to be thankful."

■

'f:

u.i

61

!n only in

iheries for
id vessels,
t of Sum-
ance from
drift over
ly to their

Harbour,
pally snp-
ee pounds*
ccording to
angements
t, and for
lities, they
ofit to the

'.li'tS U"i-.«f> »

citizens of

er incorpo-

gement and

er, to such

the general

arbour, are
ity, and the
The lots on

freemen on
; exclusively
City usually
to one hun-
le; varying
10, down to
Fen less.
3 Harbour is
prindples of

lotteries in

, writ«» M follows,

neU of SJ and ?i

ittfal at thii season

Q uVen within the

every form — this fishing lottery being alone excepted. When
the City was first settled, sixty eight years ago, and the popu-
lation consisted of a few hundred families only, of whom yary
many were engaged in the actual business of fishing, it may
have been very proper to dispose of the fishing stations among
them by lot, as the most simple and equitable mode of annual
distribution. But the reason has ceased long since. The
wealth of the City has become very considerable, and its popu-
lation has increasod to 20,000, and upwards. The fishing lots
are now purchased by the fishermen from those citizens, or
widows of citizens, who are fortunate enough to draw good
numbers in the lottery ; and it is not at all uncommon for the
wealthiest petsons in the City to be waited upon by the hard-
working fisherman, to know at what price they will sell their
" prize in the fishery." The sums received by persons in easy
circumstances for prizes in the fishery, are too often treated as
other '' prize money," and wasted in the like manner.

Instead of distributing the fishing lots, as at present, in a
manner which does the least possible amount of good, and in-
flicts positive evil by inducing the spirit of gambling, with all
its attendant evils, it is proposed by the writer, that the fishery
numbers shall be disposed of annually by auction, and the pro-
ceeds applied to the formation of an educational fund, for the
establishment and support of a Public Free School., in which
the children, or orphans, of citizens, shall have a preference
over all others.

There may, perhaps, be other objects of public utility, to
which the fund arising from the annual sale of the fishing lots
might be judiciously applied ; but there are, probably, few
which could be suggested, that would do more real good, or
meet with more hearty and cordial approbati/^n from the great
body of the citizens, than that which is now proposed. It is
believed to bp only necessary to draw the attention of the citi-
zens of Saint John to the existing evil, and point out in what
way it may be turned t^ a great public good, in order to have
the object efifected.

The fisheries of the harbour are those for Gaspereau, Shad,
and Salmon, which enter it for the purpose of ascending the
River Saint John to their usual spawning grounds. The Gas-
pereau, /^^'a tyrannus) enter the harbour about the 10th of
April, or very soon after. The first of these fish was taken
last year on the 13th April ; on the 22nd they were abundant,
and the fishing continued until about the 10th June. The Shad
(alosa mpidissima) make their appearance about tlie n^iddle

•^^^1 I

I I

M

if)

of May ; these are closely followed by the lordly Salmon, (iaU
mo salar) which continue to. pass in large numbers until the
first of August, although some, chiefly grilse however, con-
tinue to be caught in the weirs until the end of that month.

The following letter from John Randall, Esquire, who has
long been actively engaged in the fisheries, contains much
valuable information in a condensed form : —

Saint John, /V. B., 2l8t January, 1851.

Sir, — In reply to your circular of 12th August, I beg to
state, that the Gaspereau or Alewives, Spring Shad, and Sal-
mon, are taken in this harbour by weirs and drift-nets. The
weirs are made by setting up nets of about 2 j: iifch mesh, upon
tall poles. A great many Salmon are taken outside of Par-
tridge Island, in the Bay, by drift-nets. The fall Shad arc
all taken in the Bay, during the night, also with drift nets.
The drift-nets for Salmon and Shad, are 40 meshes deep,
and each boat has 200 fathoms of net.

I cannot say much about the Cod, Pollack, or Mackerel
fisheries, as it has been found, that they will not pay out of
this harbour.

The Gaspereau ^shery commences with us, as soon as the
river opens, and continues about six weeks ; this fishing de-
pends in a great measure on the Spring freshet. The Spring
Shad come in about the middle of May, but this fishery is of
little consequence. Salmon fishing begins the middle of June,
and continues until the first of August, but the weirs catch a
few up to the end of that month.

The greater part of our Gaspereau ai'e shipped to Boston,
and all our Salmon are sent there, either packed in ice or
smoked, and we have to pay a duty of 20 per cent.

Herrings are taken around Grand Manan and West Isles,
by torch-light, and by brush-weirs ; these weirs, must destroy
a great quantity of Fry every season.

The Herrings and Gaspereau, as soon as possible after being
caught, are placed in casks for the purpose of being " struck,"
as we call it ; when sufliciently salted, they are packed in bar-
relS) wliich should contain 200Ibs. of fish, by the inspection law,
. but the law itself appears to have become a dead letter. It is
desirable that we should have a good strict inspection law ; it
would perhaps cost us some six pence or nine pence per barrel
more than at present, but I am confident we shcdd be gainers
by it.

I know of no fish being used as manure, but it is notorious

53

that the whole of'lho Bay of Fiindy is fished hy vessels from
the United States.

The fishery in this harbour is gradually falling of)', as I
believe, from the great quantity of saw dust thrown into the
harbour, and the erection of saw mills, and mill dams, on the
different streams falling into the Saint John, to which the Sal-
mon and Gaspereau usually resort to deposit their spawn.

I would. also mention, that in my opinion, the deep-sea fish-
ing will never be followed to any extent in this Province, unless
there is some encouragement granted to our fishermen in the
shape of bounty, and also jyotection, by compelling the Ameri-
cans to fish within the Treaty limits. Gentlemen may telk about
American enterprize, but give us an equal chance with them,
and if we do not match them, it is our own fault. The Ame-
rican Government not only grants their fishermen a bounty, but
also a heavy protection, in the shape of duties on foreign-caught
fish ; and when you consider, that all our fish have to go to the
States for a market, is it any wonder we cannot compete with
them ? V

I believe you are aware, that most of the young fishermen
of Grand Manan, are removing to the United States, in con-
sequence of the high wages given them for their skill in fishing,
and as Pilots in the Bay of Fundy.

Your obedient servant,

JOHN SANDALL.

M. H. Perley, E«q.

In addition to this letter, Mr. Sandall has been good enough
to furnish the following, as his estimate of the value of the
fisheries in the harbour of Saint John during the season of
1850:—

32,000 Salmon, which brought 5s. each, £8,000

, 14,000 barrels of Gaspereau at 15s. per barrel, 10,500 ,,

• The Shad-fishery amounted fully to 1,500 ..^

h!

u

a notorious

}'->

Total je20,000

■\ The prices thus stated by Mr. Sandall, are those obtained
by the actual fishermen, and at least twenty five per cent,
must be added for the net prices received from abroad by the
dealers, for the same fish. The persons who packed the Sal-
mon, in boxes with ice, for the Boston market, last season,
paid to the fishermen an unvarying contract price, of five shil-
lings for each fish, whether large or small ; and there is good
reason to believe, that the same fish sold at the average price

1i

54

ill

\ *

I'i ; ■

^

ikM

of ten Hhillings each, in Boston. The price of Gaspercaii,
especially if well cured, was in the saiue way, 17m. 6d. per
barrel. Mr. Sandall states the price obtained by the fialiernnen,
after deducting the expense of the barrels and salt.

The Shad which pass up the river in the Spring, are spawn-
ing lish, of large size, heavy with roe, and very thin. As a
matter of course, these fish have but little flavour, as compared
with the fat and luscious sea Shad, taken in the Autumn, and
are scarcely worth salting. The value of the Shad fishery,
stated above by Mr. Sandall, is that for sea Shad, taken out-
side the Harbour, by drifting duriuj^ the night; Shad so taken,
although of very fair quality, are, however, inferior to those
caught at the head of the Bay, which are fully described in the
subsequent part of this Report. It is much to be regretted,
that the Spring Shad should be caught at all ; they are of lit-
tle value when taken, and their capture, by destroying the
breeding fish, tends greatly to the injury of the valuable Shad
fishery of the Bay, which ought to be most carefully preserved
and protected.

There can be no doubt, that the large quantities of saw-dust
and rubbish from the saw. mills, which have been cast into the
harbour of late years, have been highly detrimental to the
fisheries, and most injurious to the harbour itself. The wri-
ter's official duties, as Emigration officer, during the last eight
years, have rendered it necessary for him to be much afloat
within the harbour every season, and. to visit Partridge Island
at its entrance very . frequently. The damage done to the
harbour within that period, and the injury to its navigation
especially for large vessels, can scarcely be appreciated
by those who have not watched its progress, or examined
its results.

The great floods of the Saint John, occasioned by the melt-
ing of the snow and ice at the close of winter, or by heavy
rains at other periods, bring down large quantities of fine silt,
or alluvial matter, rendering the water at those periods ex-
tremely turbid. This alluvial matter encounters the saw dust
in the harbour, and jointly, they form a deposit, which soon
attains much solidity wherever it happens to rest. The wes-
tern channel into the harbour has shoaled very considerably,
as well from the deposit of silt and saw dust, as the aggrega-
tion of slabs, rinds, and edgings, also sunk there ; while the bar
at the eastern end of Patridge Island, is found to extend and
increase year by year, threatening to damage the eastern
channel very considerably.

55

crcaii,
d. per
rmcn,
<t
pawn-
As ii
n pared
and
fishery,
en out-
taken,
those
d in the
^retted,
e of lit-
ing the
le Shad
eserved

law-dust
into the
to the
rhe wri-
ast eight
;h afloat
re Island
le to the
ivigation
^reciated
xannined

the melt-
by heavy
fine silt,
riods ex-
saw dust
lich soon
rhe wes-
liderably,
aggrega-
te the bar
:tend and
} eastern

It is the opinion of several competent nersonix, that an ex-
penditure of jC10,0()0 would not probably bring those chnnneU
into the same condition and fitness for navigation, as existed
prior to 184<). Notwithstanding the able and careful rc|)ort
of the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the saw dunt
nuisance in the harbour of Saint John, (printed in the Appen-
dix to the Assembly Journals for 1849 ) the evil will probably
continue to increase, until the Legi^Uturo is called upon tr>
mnke a large appropriation for improving the navigation of
tliirf fine harbour, which must be done at no very distant day,
if the present state of things is allowed to continue.

The weirs in the Harbour of Saint John, as described by
Mr. Sandall, are made with nets stretched on long poles, and
they are all dry at low water. From the beach, at high water,
a net is stretched out toward low water mark, at right angles
to the shore ; this is called a lender — it serves to conduct the
fish through narrow openings, into the circular chamber, also
formed of nets on poles, from whicli they are taken when the
tide is out. This description of weir is sometimes called a
" fyke," — nothing can escape from it, unless it be so small us
to pass through the meshes of the net.

Great quantities of Gaspereau and Salmon are taken in the
Harbour by drift nets ; and although this mode of fishing is
prohibited by law, yet it is openly followed in broad daylight.
Some years ago, attempts were made by the Overseers of the
Fishery, to prevent drifting in the Harbour ; but latterly they
have looked on quietly, and allowed the fishermen to do as they
pleased.

The Common Council have, more recently, gone a step fur-
ther. By a bye law for regulating the fisheries within the
limits of the City of Saint John, passed 1^ that body on the
4th December last, it is provided, that " no drift net shall be
used after the tenth day of June, in any year, for the purpose
of catching fish, in any part of the Harbour of Saint John, on
the westerly side of Partridge Island, nor within, or to the
northward of straight lines to be drawn, the one from a point
commonly called Black Point, on the western side of the said
harbour, to the most westerly point on the said island, and the
other from the most easterly point on the same island, to a
|)oint called Lower Battery Point, on the eastern side of the
said harbour, under the penalty of Ten pounds for each and
every offence."

This bye-law, by implication, sanctions the use of drift-nets
up to the 10th day of June in each season, and is believed to

; hi

i:

fi

< ii

66

H'

l>o ill direct violHtion of the Acts of Aii»tieinbly relating to the
tisiieties.

The 1180 of notH on the SabbaHi, in prohibited by the law of
the Province, and although drift-nottt are not generally used
on that day within the harbour of Saint John, yet it ii not at
all unuHuul to nee them employed on the Sunday, by parties
who appear perfectly indiflferent to public opinion, for no other
force is UHod to prevent this desecration of the Sabbath. The
woirs are fished on that day, as on other days of the week, and
they generally get a better catch on Sunday, owing to the drift-
nets being less used.

In Ireland, where this description of weir is much employed
for Salmon fishing outside, or to seaward, of the mouths of
rivers usually frequented by Salmon, it is required by law, that
the nets shall be lifted out of the water at the first time of low
water after Saturday at noon, and they must not be set again,
until after sunrise on Monday morning.*

This wholesome and judicious regulation ought for a variety
of reasons, to be strictly enforced at Saint John ; and it is
somewhat surprising that "The City Fathers" should have
neglected this very important provision in their bye law.

If the citizens of Saint John desire that laws should be made
and strictly enforced, for the protection and preservation of
fish after they have ascended the Saint John, and reached their
spawning grounds in its tributaries, they must set the exau:-
ple of obedience to the laws within their own limits, by fishing
in a fair and proper manner, and only during six days of the
week. The fishermen of Saint John exclaim loudly, and not
without cause, against mills, mill-dams, and other obstacles to
the free passage of the fish up to their spawning beds ; they
denounce in the strongest manner, and very justly, the prac-
tice of taking Salmon by torch and spear, after reaching those
beds, and when out of season ; they deprecate in unmeasured
terms, the casting of saw dust and mill rubbish, into streams
frequented by spawning fish, which is undoubtedly productive
of serious injury to the fisheries, by diminishing the propaga-
tion of the various species which breed in fresh water ; but at
the same moment, they are very likely prosecuting the fishe-
ries at the entrance of the Saint John every day in the week,
Sunday not excepted, and by modes of fishing, which in some
respects, are equally objectionable, as well as illegal.

* See Brabazon on the Deep Sea Fisheries of Ireland, page 55, where also will be found
a description of Uiis mode of nshing, with drawings of the nets, and the manner of arranging

WT

the

THE RIVEIl 8AI.NT JOHN AND ITN TRIBt'TARIEP.

The; Guaptsrcau iiikI Shad rarely OMceiid tho8aintJohn higher
than Frodericton, aliout 80 iiiileM from the Sea, — four niilvH
ubove which the vwifl water and strong rapidH comntcnce.
Their favourite places of resort are Darling's Lake, (a part of
the Kennehecasii Kivci ,) the Ocknabog Lake, the Washade-
moak Lake, the Grand Lake, and the Oromocto Kiver ; all
pieces of water rather sluggish in their character, and, gene-
rally with muddy hottoms. In (mssing up the Rivers to their
spawning grounds, many Gaspereau and Shad are caught hy
the inhabitants, chiolly during the night, in set nets.

Salmon proceed up the Saint John to tlie Grand Falls, u|>-
wards of 200 miles from the Sea ; and they ascend many of its
brunches and tributaries, for very considerable distances. The
writer, at various periods, and at diflferent seasons of the year,
having traversed the Saint John, from Partridge Island to the
head of Lake Temiscouata, (about 300 miles) and proceeded
up nearly all its principal tributaries, generally in light canoes,
is enabled to offer a general view of the state of the different
Uivers usiuilly resorted to by spawning fish from the Sea.

The first River which the fish enter, after passing the Falls
above the Harbour of Saint J:^Mn, is the Kennebccasis, flow-
ing in from the eastward. Salmon ascend the main stream to
Sussex Vale; and also the Hammond River, one of its branches,
to Titus' Mill-dam, which has no fishway, and stops their fur-
ther progress upward to their former spawning grounds, very
far up that River. From Darling's Lake to Titus' Mill-dam,
on this tributary, and from Hampton Ferry to the head of
Sussex Vale, on the main stream, the Salmon are hunted and
destroyed, in every possible way, by nets, and with torch and
spear, — in season, and out of season. The inhabitants appear
to be actuated by an insane desire to destroy every Salmon
which appears in these Rivers ; and no sooner is it reported,
that Salmon have been seen, in any particular pool, than the
whole neighbourhood is in commotion, with preparations for
their destruction — ^the fish are pursued with untiring zeal, until
all are captured, except a very few, which, perhaps, escape to
some place of shelter and safety.

The next River, in ascending the Saint John, is the Nerepis,
which falls in from tht westward. This is a swift-flowing
River, with a rocky and»gravclly bed. In the summer season,
there is but little water in it ; but it is subject to sudden floods,
from the high hills in its vicinity, which pour down great bodies

mr

- -■■?fHi^wwf<^>^!5aWW

58

of water after rain Btorins. Fortunately, there are no Mill-
dams on this River, and therefpre, no obstruction to the free
passage of fish. The spawning-grounds are far up the IVerepis,
in secluded places, near springs of very cold water ; and, as
the Salmon are able to reach these distant spots, they breed
in comparative safety. There is a valuable Salmon Fishery
near the cntiaiice to this River, at Brittain's Point, (Alwington
Manor,) where, from 1500 to 2000 Salmon have been taken
annually, for a long succession of years.

The Washademoak is next in order, ascending ; it enters
from the eastward. Gaspereau and Shad go into the Lake ;
but Salmon pass through it, and ascend the New Canaan River,
which feed it. Here they are caught in considerable numbers,
without regard to season ; but it is believed that many fish are
bred in these waters.

.V The Jemseg is a narrow, deep channel, which connects the
Grand Lake with the River Saint John ; its entrance is three
miles above Gagetown, flowing in from the eastward. Salmon
pass through the Grand Lake, in order to ascend the Salmon
and Gaspereau Rivers, at its eastern extremity. The Gas-
pereau River is now barred at its very entrance by a Mill-dam,
which wholly excludes fish from that River. The Salmon
River was also barred by a dam for some years ; but this
was swept away by a flood, about seven years ago, and Salmon
have returned t ^ *;he River in large numbers, as it is a favorite
breeding place. They are, however, poached and destroyed
in every way, throughout the entire season, both by Indians
and lumbermen, in every part of this fine stream, up to the
Richibucto Portage, and even beyond it.

' The Oromocto, as its name implies, is a deep river, entering
the Saint John from the westward. For twenty miles, or more,
it is navigable for vessels of sixty tons burthen, or river steam-
ers of large class. Then it separates into two branches, both
flowing from large lakes, up to which, Salmon, Shad, and
Gaspereau, formerly ascended ; but now they are prevented
by mill dams, on each branch^ at short distances above navi-
gable water. The dam on the South Branch has no fishway,
and that on the North Branch has a sort of sluice, intended as
a fishway, but it is not sufficient. Many Gaspereau have been
caught below this dam, whilQ struggling to g«t up to the
Oromocto Lake, formerly a favorite lAunt.

The Nashwaak flows into the Saint 9ohn from the eastward)
nearly opposite the City of Fredericton. Salmon formerly
ascended tliis river, for 'forty miles or more, but are now

.t

69

ri

Mili-
5 free
repis,
id, ns
breed
ishery
ngton
taken

enters
Lake ;
River,
mbers,
ish arc

cts the

3 three

Salmon

Salmon

le Gas-

U-dain,

Sahnon

jut this

Salmon

favorite

jstroyed

Indians

ip to the

entering
or more,
tr steam-
les, both
lad, and
revented
ave navi-
. fishway,
lended as
Mve been
ip to the

eastward)
formerly
are now

prevented by the substantial mill dam which crosses the river,
from bank to bank, about three miles from its mouth. From
the vigour with which the Salmon have been persecuted below
the dam, while struggling to ascend, very few are now taken
in the river, and shortly, they will cease entirely to frequent
its bright and swifl-flowing waters.

Between Fredericton and Woodstock, several small tribu-
taries enter the Saint John, from both sides, in most of which
there are mill-dams The Maduxnakeag, at Woodstock, for-
merly abounded with Salmob ; but the mill-dam at it» mouth
now excludes them altogether. The Begaguimic, above
Woodstock, is also closed by a dam at its entrance ; while
other small rivers, up to the Tobique, are also obstructed, in
t greater or less degree.

The Tobique is a magnificent river, which waters a wide
extent of country, east of the Saint John. A mill-dam which
was erected at the Red Rapids, about fourteen miles above its
mouth, was cut away by the lumbermen, because it obstructed
the navigation, and was therefore a public nuisance. There
is nothing now to prevent Salmon ascending this river, and
very many still go up it every year ; anciently, they passed up
in thousands. There is an Indian village at the mouth of the
Tobique, which is the principal settlement of the Milicetes of
the Saint John ; and these Indi&ns, aided by lumbermen, and
poachers of all shades, from every clime and country, pursue
the Salmon up to the very sources of the river, and destroy
them by every species of contrivance, without the slightest
regard to season, or the condition of the fish.

The Arestook is another noble tributary of the Saint John,
entering it from the westward, about two miles above the
Tobique, on the opposite side. Owing to some lofly falls on
this river, about four miles from its mouth, and within British
territory, Salmon can ascend it n6 further, and here also, they
are subjected to great slaughter. Very few Salmon ascend
the Saint John above the Arestook, although some occa-
sionally reach the basin below the Grand Falls ; when they do,
they are netted and speared in such an effective manner, that
few ever escape.

From this brief notice of the principal tributaries of the
Saint John frequented by Salmon!, it v*riU be seen how greatly
fishway» are required in the various mill-dams, and the neces-
sity that exists for some superintendance over these rivets, as
otherwise, th* breeding ftshtwill be wholly destroyed ere many
je«t6 elapse) and the vieiluable fishery in the Harbour of Saint

:! ,'

it

Ml

■f

60

John, and along the lower part of the river, will scarcely
exist.

The attention of the fishermen of the City of Saint John i»
especially directed to this iniportant matter ; they, and all
others interested in the preservation of the Salmon fishery of
the Saint John, now exceedingly valuable, and yearly beconi-
ing more so, should exert themselves, by all legitimate means
to maintain, and if possible, increase the fishery. A small
subscription might be set on foot, to send fit persons up some
of the principal rivers, especially the Nerepis, the Salmon Ri-
ver at Grand Lake, and the Tobique, to prevent the destruction
of breeding fish there. Under proper enactments, and efficient
management, great good would speedily arise, without any
very serious expense. The numbers of Salmon would be
found to increase, as rapidly as they have done in those rivers
of Ireland and Scotland, which, when nearly exhausted, have
been again filled with fish in abundance, after a few year»
watching and preservation.

'id

FROM THE HARBOUR OF SAINT JOHN EASTWARDLY TO

CAPE ENRAGE.

This line of coast is generally bold, and rocky ; up to Point
Wolf it is fully entitled to be designated an '< Iron-bound
shore." The harbours are few and small, and accessible only
at high water, or a little before. There are no regular fishing
establishments ; and fishing is followed by the Settlers on the
coast, in an irregular and desultory manner, just as fish liappen
to strike in, or as it suits their convenience.

The first inlet east of Saint John, is Port Simonds ; at its
head it receives the Mispeck River, which flows out of Loch
Lomond. Formerly, Salmon ascended the Mispeck and were
caught ill the Loch ; but they were wholly excluded from the
River about twenty five years ago, by mill-dams just above
the tide-way, and none have since been seen in it. Occasion-
ally, some few Salmon are yet caught in the Port, as also
Herrings. In June and July, there is tolerable line-fishing for
Cod and Pollack, near Black Rock, at the ** slacks" of the tide.

Cape Spencer is a bold promontory stretching out into the
Bay, and causing a very powerful race, or tide-rip. In the
season, Pollack may be taken in this race in great numbers,
but it is considered a dangerous fishing ground. Beyond Cape
Spencer, the shore is bold and lofty to Black River, which finds
its way to the Sea, through a very narrow gap with high cliffs,

«

II

on either side. There is a solid Dam without a fish-way across
Black River y beyond this, the shores are not so high, a narrow
slip of the red sandstone for>nation commencing a little east of
Black River, and continuing about eight miles along the coast,
being in that distance intersected by Emerson*s Creek, and
Gardner's Creek. Up both these Creeks, Salmon formerly
ascended to spawn ; but mill-dams, without fish-ways, now
exclude them. At Gardner's Creek, there is an exceedingly
line farm on the red sandstone formation, occupied by Messrs.
Dewar, which is in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Peter Dcwar
stated, that Capelin come in on this shore eariy in June ; he has
seen them in great abundance, at various periods, not only
here, but also at Quaco. When the Capelin are in, Cod are
also abundant ; but after the Capelin leave. Haddock only arc
taken durmg the summer, but they are very numerous. Her-
rings strike in here every season, but the quantity varies
greatly. During the season of 1850, Messrs. Cunningham,
who live to the eastward of Gardner's Creek, caught twenty
five barrels of Herring with one net only, twenty fathoms long
and one hundred and twenty meshes deep — the mesh two and
a half inches. The Herrings make their appearance about the
15th of June, or soon after, and the fishing for them continues
until the end of August ; they are full fish, nearly ready to
spawn. No Shad have been caught, but Mackerel are occa-
sionally taken in the Herring nets. During August, every
year, Messrs. Dewar have set a Salmon net at the entrance to
Gardner's Creek, and caught two or three Salmon every night.
Lobsters are very abundant ; almost any quantity may be
taken, with proper nets or pots. * -

The entrance to Teignmouth Harbour, better known as Ten
Mile Creek, is very narrow ; the Harbour is dry at low-water ;
at high tide, there is sixteen to eighteen feet wat6r. The
lower dam on this Creek, is one mile from the Sea ; it is said
that Salmon may get over this dam, but they can ascend no
further than the second dam, only half a mile above the first,
as that effectually bars their progress. The Harbour was
visited on the 17th September ; a Salmon net was then set
completely across the entrance, so that not a fish could enter.
Within the Harbour, Messrs. Lovett and Parker were building
a Ship of 800 tons. Mr. Lovett said, that fish were abundant
at Teignmouth ; formerly they had a spring-weir across the
mouth of the Harbour, but it was carried away the previous
spring, and had not been repaired ; it secured a great many
Herrings, as also Salmon and Cod. This spring-weir consisted

4 i

I

i''l

62

of a strong net, stretched on stout poles ; it lay flat upon the
bottom while the tide was flowing, and at high-water it was
" sprung," or raised to a perpendicular position, by powerful
capstans. Messrs. Lovett and Parker caught one hundred
and fifty Salmon during the past season, at the entrance to the
Harbour, from twelve pounds to twenty one pounds weight
each ; they also took a number of Grilse. The first Salmon
are usually taken at the end of July ; but the fishing for them
continues as late in the season as any can be caught. Lobsters
are abundant here ; Capelin have been often taken in the weir,
and also very small Gaspereau, but no large ones. Mr. Lovett
gave it as his opinion, that a very good Fishery might be
established here. One year the firm had no Ship on the
stocks ; they turned their attention to the Fishery during that
season, and succeeded very well. They fished at Stanley's
Cove, (about two miles west of Teignmouth,) and caught one
hundred barrels of Herrings ; they had only two nets of thirty
fathoms each, with a mesh of two and a half inches. At
Roger's Pond (two miles east of Teignmouth) they found
good line-fishing, at a quarter of a mile from the shore ; Cod
were plentiful during June, and after that, came Pollack and
Haddock. Large Halibut, some of them weighing six hundred
pounds, were aLo taken on this ground.

In the road-stead of Quaco, and off the Head, the fishery is
of the same general character as that just described. Besides
line-fishing occasionally, Herrings are taken in nets, and also
in weirs ; but the inhabitants are so actively and earnestly
engaged in Ship building, which is carried on extensively at
Quaco, that they have little time for fishing — and from the
want of shelter during south easterly gales, the place is not
visited by fishing vessels.

At Great Salmon River, there is a small but very safe har-
bour for small vessels, within a high sea-wall of gravel ; but it '
can only be entered at high water. The River is a large and ^
powerful stream ; for nine miles from the Sea, it rushes with
much impetuosity through a deep, narrow gorge in the hills, >
the cliffs on either side rising to the height of 600 to 800 feet.
Beyond this gorge, the River flows more gently, through an,-;
undulating country, with much good land, exceedii^ly welf
timbered.

Just where the River makes its final leap into the Sea, there -
is a solid dam from bank to bank, upon which there ore two^
double Saw-mills ; a quarter of a mile above, l^ere is another'
dam of similar character, upon which there is one single senv-

ii i

G3

mill. In neither of these dams is there any fish-way, and fish
are therefore wholly excluded from the River.

Mr. Patterson, who has charge of the Mills here, said the
River formerly abounded with Salmon, and thence derived its
name ; now, none whatever are taken in it. There is a waste-
way for surplus water at the eastern end of the lower dam ; and
Mr. Patterson admitted, that a fish-way might be placed there,
without damage or inconvenience, as also at the eastern end of
the upper dam, the situations being almost precisely alike.
Outside the harbour, on the sea-beach, Mr. Patterson has a
small weir ; during the last season, he caught 36 Salmon in it,
as also some Herrings, and a few good Shad. Capelin appear
in June, and while they remain, there is good line-fishing for
,Cod, off the harbour, at very little distance from the shore ;
during the summer. Pollack and Haddock are taken, but there
is no line-fishing duking the autumn.

Long Beach is about two miles above the entrance to Great
Salmon River ; there are three families settled close to the
beach, who fish a little and farm a little, but do neither efi'ec-
tually, and they appeared in great poverty. A very long and
wide gravel bar juts out into the Bay, which is left entirely dry at
low water ; between this and ihe shore, wholly within the bar,
is a mud-fiat on which stands a brush-weir for taking Herrings.
It id built in an irregular semi-circle, and is about 200 yards
in length ; in the centre it is five feet high, gradually diminish-
ing to one foot at each end. Herrings are usually abundant
at this place during the month of July ; they are then full of
spawn, which does not attain its full size until August — afiter
that, it is supposed they spawn on the coast. During the
season of 1849, Herrings were unusually abundant here, but
the settlers had no salt to cure what were takeiT in the weir ;
they gave away Herrings to every body that would come for
them. One tide, they gave away five large boat loads to
people from Quaco, reserving 30 barrels for themselves ; but
these all spoiled before they could procure salt.

The settlers here (Jabez Wright, and two families named
Tufts) cured sixty barrels of Herrings from the catch of this
weir, during the season of 1850 ; these, on examination, were
found to be the true Herring, from 10 to 12 inches in length,
and of very good quality.

It was stated by Jabez Wright, that in former years, during
the month of June, he had seen the Capelin come on shore here
in "windrows" — ^the Pollack would pursue them up to the
very beach, upon which the Capelin came in with the surf to

• 1

I .]

64

1^4

1*:-

f;pawn, as is iheir custom — for the last two years, they
have not been so abundant. There is good line-fishing for
Cod, at very little distance from the beach, during June and
July ; after that, some Haddock and Pollack may be taken-r-
Hake are rare, and Halibut are only caught occasionally.

Long Beach appeared to be one of the best stations on this
lino of coast for prosecuting the Herring fishery, or for line-
fishing. Besides the insufticiency and small size of the weir,
it has a water-gap near its centre, to let out the waters of a
brook, which flow through it ; and it is only when the fish arc
sufficiently abundant to choke this gap, that any quantity
can be taken. The situation is recommended to the attention
of fishermen seeking a location. No set-nets have yet been
tried here ; it is supposed that sea Shad might be caught by.
drifting, as they are frequently found in the weir.

The settlers here said, that before the dams were built across
Salmon River, the fishing was excellent, and persons came
from all parts to catch Salmon thei 3. One man had caught
as many Salmon there, during a single season, as sold for £§0 ;
and during another season, fifteen years since, Wright and the
Tufls caught 40 barrels, while some others who fished in com-
pany, caught 20 barrels more — now, not a single Salmon is
caught in the river !

Little Salmon River was next visited ; it is very similar in
its character to the larger river, but its banks are even more
lofty, being said to be at least 1000 feet high in some places.
The mill-dam is about half a mile from the sea, and it effectu-
ally precludes the Salmon from ascending as they did formerly.
The mills and buildings are in a very picturesque situation.
Directly behind the dwelling house of Mr. McDonald, who
manages the mills, there is a very steep hill, whose summit
was stated to be 1500 feet above the sea. There is a road to
the interior, which rises from the mill-pond, by zigzags, up the
side of another thickly wooded hill, to the height of 600 feet ;
by this road there is a communication with Sussex Vale,
through the valley of Trout Brook.

Mr. M'Donald said he had only caught one Salmon during
the season, and that was accidentally left in a pool below the
mill, by the ebb tide. He has a small Herring weir on the
beach, near the mouth of the river, in which he caught 16 bar-
rels of Herrings during the season of 1850. In 1849, he fre-
quently let out 100 barrels on a tide, having no salt to cure
them. There is very fair line-fishing off this river, but there
is nobody to pursue it. . ■

66

Tf

The singular bluff known us Martin's Head, is connected
with the main !and by a long gravel beach, which is well
adapted for fishing purposes ; there is also a fine fnrni, but it
is now tenantless. There is good line fishing off the Head ;
in July last, two boys in half an hour loaded a boat of 16 feet
with Cod. There was formerly a large brush weir at the
beach ; last season the mill-men at Croose Creek put some nets
upon its remains, and caught a fair supply of Herrings. It is
to be regretted, that so good a farming and fishing station an
Martin's Head, should remain unoccupied.

At Goose Creek, about three miles above the Head, there is,
as elsewhere, a mill-dam which wholly prevents the passage of
fish. This dam was built twelve years ago ; before that time,
Salmon ascended the stream in considerable numbersi but of
late years, none whatever have been seen, even at its entrance.
Herrings are taken occasionally near the mouth of the creek,
but the fishing is only followed ivhen the settlers have no other
occupation— one person here builds a .vessel occasionally, the
rest are engaged about the mill, and in lumbering.

At Goose River, a few miles albove the creek, there is a safe
harbour for small vessels, which can lay aground at low water
without damage. At the lowest neap tides, a vessel drawing
nine feet water can enter this harbour ; the channel is eighty
yards from the base of the cliff on the western side, from which
it draws over to the high gravel bank on the opposite side ;
passing this, the basin is entered ; in any part of it vessels may
be grounded safely. Two small rivers fall into the basin, but
now, Salmon can go up neither ; there is a mill-dam on one,
and the remains of a dam and flume on the other which effec-
tually stop them. There are four settlers at this place, who
have their farms on the elevated plateau, or table land, at the
top of the steep hill on the eastern side of the river. The
principal settler is Brian Doherty, from whose log house there
is an exceedingly fine view, with Isle au Haut and Cape Chig-
neeto in the distance ; the ascent to the settlement is exceed-
ingly steep, but the land when reached, is of good quality, and
appeared to yield an excellent crop — the cleared land is pro-
bably 500 feet above the level of the sea.

The settlers said, that for two miles up each branch of the
river, the banks are lofty and precipitous ; beyond that there is
a fine stretch of good land, not stony, and covered chiefly with
hard wood — ^through this there is every facility for a good road,
towards the Mechanics' Settlement, crossing the Shepody road.
They stated that there was good line fishing ofif the harbour

9

r ^

.1

I

66

fr

r

fi,

4: vi

,li.

for Cod, Pollack, and Haddock ; of the Cod, 35 to 40 fill a
barrel, and the Pollack are even larger. The fishing begins
as early as 5th May, and continues until the end of July ;.before
they can procure Herrings for bait, they use small trout, which
the boys catch with rod and line in the river ; Trout arc abun-
dant, but they rarely exceed half a pound in weight. During
the past season they caught seven barrels of Salmon at the
entrance of the harbour, with a small brush weir and a short net.

As Goose Harbour can bo entered by coasters soon afler
half-tide, and is sheltered from every wind, it is very desirable
that some distinguishing marks, or beacons, should be set up
tu denote its entrance. There is very little doubt that a pro-
fitable fishery might be established at this place, by competent
persons possessing sufficient means.

Point Wolf River is a large stream, of similar character
with that of the other rivers of this coast. Like those rivers
also, a substantial and rather lofty mill-dam prevents all fish
from ascending, although many Salmon yet enter the large
basin beneath the dam. The saw mills are on an extensive
scale ; they belong to Messrs. Vernon, of Saint John, who
procure their supply of logs within twelve miles of the mills.
Owing to the difficulty of floating down logs in 1849, from the
want of water, the millmen were irMe during part of the sum-
mer ; from lack of other occupation, they were employed in
constructing a weir on the flats, within the bar. In this weir,
nearly 500 Salmon were caught during that season ; of these,
21 breeding fish, heavy with spawn, were taken alive, and
carefully conveyed, in casks of water, to the river above the
dam, into which they were turned without injury. This was a
very judicious step toward preserving the Salmon fishery of
this fine river ; but it is greatly to be regretted, that Messrs.
Vernon have not already set up, and maintained, a sufficient
fishway. The supply of logs decreases annually, and afier a
time, will cease altogether ; but if the Salmon are preserved,
they will prove a source of wealth, long after the saw mills are
worn out and useless.

The weir having been carried away by, ice, no Salmon were
ca 'ght during the season of 1$50 ; and the mills being in full
operation, no other fishixig was carried on, altljough Herrings
and Cod were to be had outside the entrance to the harbour.

An entire change in the geological character of the coast,
begins at Point Wolf. The trap, syenite, felspar, and porphy-
ritic rocks, which, up to this Point, chiefly compose the rugged
and precipitous cliffs fronting upon the Bay, here give way to

s

i

I

the sandstones of the coal measures ; and this formation con-
tinues without interruption to the shores of the Gulf of Suint
Lawrence. With this geological change, there is also a cimnge
in the character of the fisheries ; the coincidence is somewhat
remarkable, although perfectly natural. The Cod delight in
clear water, over a hard bottom ; while the Shad rejoice in
muddy waters, and especially delight in the extensive mud-
flats of the upper part of the Bay, from which they procure the
food that renders them so excessively fat and delicious.

.At Herring Cove, just above Point Wolf, there is very
fair Herring-fishing during the season ; from this Cove a new
road has been laid out, and lots surveyed for settlement on the
labour system. This road passes through some buck settlements,
and is continued to the PoUet Lake in the Mechanics* Settle-
ment ; it will, when completed, be of much value to the settlers
in the forest, by enabling them to reach the Coast with their
produce, at a place where it can be shipped to market, and
whe<'e they may procure fish of the best quality to be carried
into the interior.

A little to the eastward of Herring Cove, is a small settle-
ment, called Cannon Town Beach ; and here for the first time
in going up the Bay, a regular Shad-fishery was found. At
this beach, there are two brush weirs expressly for taking
Shad ; formerly Herrings were plenty at this place, but they
have been very scarce during the last seven years. There are
14 shares in the weirs at Cannon Town Beach ; and each
share gets about 8 barrels of Shad annually. On the 20th
September, the fishing was considered nearly over for the
season ; the Shad taken that morning were exceedingly small
— ^they would scarcely weigh a pound each, and were called
by the fishermen " round fish." The greater part of the Shad
taken at this Beach, during the past season, were of small
size ; the weirs, by taking these small fish, must do a great
deal of mischief to the Shad-fishery generally. It was stated
here, that there was no drifting for Shad west of Cape Enrage,
the Bay being too wide and stormy, and the water too clear.

The Upper Salmon River, which falls into Salisbury Cove
(generally called Enrage Bay) is muddy at the entrance, and
the strong tide of the Bay sweeps in and out with great force.
There is a large brush weir here, for taking Shad ; those caught
in it, during the season of 1850, were of small size — ^very little
larger than Gaspereau. About forty barrels of these small fish
were caught in this weir at one time, during August, and there
hevAg a flood in the river at the moment, the colnbined weight

'}•

I

'r'i:

™

! V

(i. fl,„

of the wntcr and the fisli, corriocl away the centre of the woir.
The fish escaped, and the weir wuh not repaired ; this wa»
fortunate, as the weir is calculated to do much damage by
taking small Shad. There is a mlU-dam at the head of the tide
on this river, which the Salmon can get over. It was stated, that
nearly all the Salmon which passed, were speared almost im-
mediately after, in the shallows above the mill-pond. This
place was visited on the 20th September, and only a week
previous, several Salmon had been speared in the stream ; of
course, they were out of season, and almost worthless at that
late period.

To the westward of Cape Enrage, in Enrag6 Bay, there
are three weirs for Shad on the flats ; these are said to be very
destructive to small Shad, few large fish being caught in this
locality.

FROM CAPE ENRAGE TO THE BOUNDARY OF NOVA SCOTIA. [

Above Cape Enrage, the valuable Shad Fishery of the
north eastern arm of the Bay of Fundy, may be said fairly to
commence. The fishermen here, who chiefly reside in the
Parish of Hopewell, near the *" cpody River, fish the whole
distance from Cape Enrage, o Cape Demoiselle, at the
entrance to the Petitcodiac River ; above that point, the
fishermen of Hillsborough and Memramcook, fish the Petit-
codiac up to Stoney Creek, above which not many Shad are
caught.

Ezra Bishop, a Shad fisher, residing on the banks of the
Shepody River, stated that he usually drifted for Shad in
Shepody Bay, between Capes Enrag6 and Demoiselle. He has
six nets to his boat, each twenty five fathoms long ; the mesh
is five inches — none of the fishers here use a mesh of less size,
as they want the large fat shad only. They fish between
seed time and hay making ; very seldom after that. Bishop
usually catcjjes each season, from twenty to thirty barrels of
prime Shad ; and he supposes, that at least one hundred bar-
rels are taken in Shepody Bay, each day that the boats go out.
Very few Herrings are taken above Enrag6 ; but they some-
times catch Grilse, (or *' Fidlers " as the fishermen call them,)
in the Shad nets. Salmon do not enter Shepody River, the
water being exceedingly muddy. There are a few -weirs in
Shepody Bay, which are not very successful ; the Shad caught
in them, are much smaller than those caught in the drift nets.
Only six Shad boats go out of Shepody River, but others fish

§i

69

occasionnlly — nets nrc let out on «ihnre8 by Mr. Isnnc Turtior,
to persons who finh ut intervulH.

Mr. Bishop In of opinion that more boats thiin now fish
between Cape Enrage and Cape DcinolHellc, might pursue the
Shad Fishery with advantage; but in the Petitcodiac, above
DcmoiHcUe, he think.s there are quite boats enough. From
Grindstone Inland down to Enrage, Sharks frequently do mucii
danuigo to the nets. They come up the Bay in the latter part
of the season, and cause the Shad-fishers to close their fish-
ing much sooner than they otherwise would. This species
of Shark, (carcharias vii/pcs— or ♦' the thresher") is usually
taken here, of the length of 0 to 8 feet ; if one of them strikes
the outer drift net, he is generally taken, as this net swings
with him, and he becomes entangled by rolling up the net, with
its buoy-rope and lead-line, in such manner as effectually
secures him, by preventing the use of his exceedingly powerful
tail. If the Shark strikes one of the nets near the boat, which
does not yield to his motions, he destroys it almost completely
before he escapes. During the past season. Bishop secured
three Sharks, of the length of six, seven, and eight feet respec-
tively ; he cut out their livers and let the bodies float away —
each of the livers yielded six gallons of oil. At times. Dog-
fish are abundant in this locality — Bishop said, he had the
past season, taken a cart-load out of a single Shad-net, all
caught during one tide.

At Shepody, Shad are cured in the following manner : — the
fish, afVer being split, are soaked in two waters, an hour in
each. They are then salted in tubs in the boats, as the She-
pody bouts usually stay out a week ; when the boats come in,
the fish are fully salted. In this state, they are sold at 30s.
for 200 lbs. They are not packed in barrels ; the farmers take
them away in waggons, as fast as they are ready, and none arc
put up for exportation, or for sale elsewhere.

On visiting the Petitcodiac, above Cape Demoiselle, it was
found, that the Shad boats in general use were about 16 feet
in length, on the keel, and 18 feet over all ; the breadth of
beam, 7\ feet. They are fitted with one mast and two sails —
a mainsail and jib. The stem, stern-post, keel, and bottom
planks are of birch ; the upper streaks of spruce and pine —
the boats are generally built by the fishermen themselves, dur-
ing the winter, and the usual cost of a boat and sails is j£10
or jC12. The Shad fishing in the Petitcodiac is generally
by drifting during the night ; each boat has usually 150 fathoms
of net, but some fish with 200 fathoms. The nets are from 20

70

H

M ■ *'.

i' '^

1: ij

I

' M

to 30 futlioms ill ioiigth, 40 invulips deep ; the iiieMh in 41 inches.
All the fi8licriiiuii coiiijilain of tho very Hliort tiiiio the nets
last ; if not oiled, tanned, or prepared in some way, thev
arc completely rotten and useless- in u month ; and even with
every prcpurotion yet known here, they will not lust a whole
season uf three months, even with tho gicatost care.

It was stated hy W. H. Steves, Esq., M.P.P., that from
Stoney Creek to Capo Demoiselle, tho limits of the fishing
ground in the Parish of Hillsborough, there are fifty boats
belonging to that side of the river, which catch 20 barrels of
Shad each, annually. They use from 80 to 200 fathoms of
net ; besides Shad, they take the small Salmon of tho Petitco-
diac, in their drifl netn, occasionally.

After visiting Bellevous Village, on the eastern side of tho
Petitcodiac, and examining the boats and nets there, the writer
waited upon the Reverend Ferdinand Gauvreau, Parish Priest
at Memramcook, who first induced his parishioners to odopt
the mode of fishing for Shad with drifl-nets, and who has always
taken the most lively interest in this fishery. Monsieur Gauv-
reau stated, that the first Shad which appear each season, are
green on the back, with a yellow tinge on the belly ; these arc
good fish. The second run are of a pale green on the back,
and as compared with the first, are a poor fish. The third and
last run, come very near the end of the season ; these have
blue backs, and are the best and finest fish.

Since this visit. Monsieur Gauvreau has been good enough
to forward a communication in writing, respecting this fishery,
which possesses much interest. It is due to Monsieur Gauv-
reau to state, that he is not accustomed to write in English ;
but as he has done so on this occasion, his letter is given as
written, lest any mistake should occur in rendering his meaning.
The letter is as follows : —

.-u.«>. .• J porchester, 10th December, 1850. ^

Sir, — I acknowledge the receipt of your circuiar of 12th
August, respecting the Fisheries of the Bay of Fundy ; and I
must state, that I am quite happy in giving you my share of
information, respecting the meshing of Shad in the upper part
of the Bay.

I will also have a little to say on Codfish, as I have sent my
boat down the Bay, for several years, when I gave up fishing
altogether, and turned my attention to model farming — -but not
until my parishioners had become warmly engaged in the Shad
fishing.

,', lyl

ft

I will proceed to answiir your queries, in tlio ttnmo order
they occupy in vour circular : —

l8t. The mode of conducting HImd fiMhing in the upper pnrt
of the Bay of Fundy in by driil-nots, tied with n rope, obout
eight yards long, to the forepart of tJie fishing boat, or to the
stern, to take advantage of the wind and strenni of the ticfe,
thereby keeping the meshes of the net sufficiently open for the
unsuspecting fish.

Our Shad nets are usually made with the finest Russiun
twine. Some fishermen make them with cotton wnrp, No. 6,
doubled thread and twisted ; or with the home manufactured
flax thread, which answers the purpose very well, when the flux
crop is seasonably taken from the fleld, finely [inssed through
the flax comb, and afterwards evenly spun and twisted.

The meshes, stretched on a measuring rule, arc 4} or 4]
inches long, but are reduced to about 3i inches when secured
to the upper and lower ropes. The floats, or buoys, nrc made
of cedar, and turned smooth with a turning lathe, in order they
should oflfer no obstruction whatever to the good working of
the whole net; when it is lowered down into the water, or taken
back into the boat. The floats are secured on t'le upper rope,
which passes through them, by a strcng thread, that binds them
Vvith the upper row of the meshes ; three feet is the common
distance between the floats, from centre to centre. The sink-
ing leads are cast, polished quite smooth, and in the sumo
quantity, and distance, as the floats, and tied in the like man-
ner. A net of about 45 meshes wide, would be near 16 feet
deep. Made as above described, a net of Russian twine, 100
fathoms long, costs no less than X12 ; of cotton wnrp, £10 ;
and of this country thread, something, less than £0. A sub-
stantial and safe boat, fully rigged, costs £12; and it will
stand good from five to six years.

As to any improvement to be introduced in the manufacture
of these nets, my opinion is, that none whatever could be de-
vised, for the present. For, such as they are made, all my
parishioners agree, they work so well, that if t!ie stream of
the tide were strong enough to stretch it properly, a net 100
fathoms long, might be thrown out of a boat, all in a bunch,
and it would not get entangled in its sinking leads, nor in its
floats.

2nd. The proper and only season for Shad fishing is gene-
rally from the month of July to the 15th of September, so that
v interferes very little with the farming business of the fishing-
farmers. :„.„,,, _„_ __^- ,

f:

I" 'V.

^ I;

As you may presume, the Shad is always of great vahic ;
as it is caught only in the summer, and in the greatest stir of
navigation, it will for a long time command a good price at
home, and in any foreign market.

The average quantity of barrels of Shad caught in the upper
part of the Bay, among the French Acadians, is from 1000 to
1500 a year. Last summer, Francois Victor Lcblanc, cured
30 barrels for his share.

The Shad-fishing ground extends from about eight miles
below the Bend of Petitcodiac, at Stoney Creek, as far down
as Grindstone Island, in the Bay, and thence easterly into the
Bay of Cumberland — on the Nova Scotia side, the fishing is all
with stationary nets, as far as the point of Amherst Marsh,
directly opposite to the Minudie Village.

There never <vas to my knowledge, any standing nets on the
New Brunswick side, in the Bay of Cumberland ; and although
the Barnes family, on this side, had at first drifted their nets,
they soon abandoned that mode and resorted to the stationary
nets, but only on the Nova Scotia flats. These nets would not
pay on this side Cumberland Bay, for you will be pleased to
know, that Shad always go with the strongest stream ; and as
the strength of the tide strikes altogether on the Nova Scotia
Shore, it is there you will see the whole of these mud-flats
entirely covered with stationary nets.

You will be pleased, Sir, to be persuaded of what I have
alr«.ady stated, and what I have to state, upon the Shad fish-
cry, on the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Cumberland, when
you are informed, that for eleven years, I had to discharge my
ecclesiastical duty, two and three weeks at a time, among the
French Acadians of Minudie, and in the Shad season very
often.

This leads me to your third enquiry ; and for want of Her-
ring, I Avill satisfy you with Shad : —

3rd. Standing weiis, and standing nets, are unquestionably,
the most effective means of destroying Shad altogether, in our
Bays, or at least, of thinning their quantity to an incredible
dogree. Both ought to be discontinued at once, and prohibited
by some strict laws, and defaulters heavily fined.

My reasons for condemning both modes are — first, that by a
standing weir, Shad of all sizes are stopped, and those which
have hardly attained the half of their natural growth, are either
left to perish on the mud-flats, or else are cured pele-melc with
the large ones ; 'uid when sent abroad, have the effect of bring-
ing the good sized ones down to a miserably lo.v standard. I

73

have seen with my own eyes what I here mention, when one
summer I went down, with five men, in my own boat — my St.
Peter, — ^to the large French weir in Grande Auve<, or Grand
Tasse, as Dr. Gesner improperly calls it, in one of his Geolo-
gicltl Reports. I had then an opportunity of making my own
observations, as I was three day with a company of French
attending the weir, sleeping at night on the hard ground in
their rough abode, fishing the Dog-fishes on the flood tide, and
more particularly enjoying myself at low water in catching the
flirting Shad inside the weir.

!^ Destruction of small sized Shad, by both English and French,
went on within this weir, and others, for more than forty years,
and at that time there was not a single drifting Shad net in the
Bay. Then, contrary to their customary way, the English peo-
ple of Chrande Anse, (Big Cove,) one summer about ten years
ago, without giving notice to thi French people, without whom
the English could not make it stand before, they put up again
the mammoth weir, and thereby deprived ray people of their
old fishing foundation.

My parishioners, of course, felt very much such an encroach-
ment, and loss ; but to convince them, that they could still have
some Shad in their frying-pans, I went to Richibucto and bought
a boat of nineteen feet keel, got a net made, and drifted it, and
caught two barrels of Shad. As the experiment spoke well,
by my example and exertions, I worked so successfully on
them, ihat in the course of three years, there were more than
20 French boats, catching three times over the necessary fish
supply for the fishermen.

' This year, 100 French fishing boats have been counted
drifting down the Bay, all fine and strong boats, sailing well ;
in fine, fully pr«pared for any storm.

Before I finish with this enquiry, you must be told that no
less than 15 or 20 large weirs have been put up every year,
on the Shepody flats, and so on every flat where the French
used to put them up, even before the invasion of the Province
by the British, and as early as the year 1749, when the fore-
fathers of these French were dispersed for refusing to take the
oath of allegiance to the King of England.

Secondly. — As for the standing nets, I positively affirm, they
are still worse than the weirs, for the loss of the large sized Shad
is greater than that of the small size in the weirs ; this wants
some explanation. When the tide comes in both Bays, of Fundy
and Cumberland, Shad will not be caught at all by weirs, and
consequently lav their course till they reach the further end of

10

1

. .i

7.

1 ■'!.'

n

0:

the weir, towards the deep channel of the Bay, and thereby
are safe on the flood tide ; but on the ebb tide, all the Shad
which ventured on the flats along the Bay, will be stopped
altogether, large and small, as T stated above.

But with the standing nets it is quite the reverse. Shad
will be caught at once on the flood, as well as on the ebb tide,
the meshes being all the time open for them. And here is the
loss, I mean on the flood tide, for then the owners of these nets
cannot save the fish, as they have to wait until the tide is all
out. As you must allow. Shad, for the most part, are shaken
off by the ebb tide, which keeps these nets in a constant and
strong motion. They fall down, are dragged away, and are a
great loss to commerce. They become a treat for the Stur-
geons, and Dog-fishes, these being numerous and strongly
attracted to the upper part of the Bay by the lost fish, as the
Shad itself is attracted by the worms, wh^ch venture out of the
muddy flats, heated by the July and August sun.

I reiterate my suggestion, that both weirs and standing nets
ought to be prohibited by law, as being ciestructive to Shad,
and very ruinous to our fisheries and commerce.

4th. The mode of curing Shad is this-^-aflter they are opened
by the back, and their entrails taken off, they are thrown into
a large open tub of fresh water, and are soaked therein, until
all the blood about the back-bone is got out of it. Then they
are taken out and put separately on the edge of a board, or
horizontal fence poles, each side of the fish hanging dovi^n, on
either side of the board or fence pole. When they are suffi-
ciently freed from the water in which they have been steeped,
they are then salted, and put in the shade, in some fish-house,
which almost every fisherman has built for that purpose.

I am perfectly satisfied, that Shad chiefly feed on the worms
of our muddy flats, since they are found in the stomachs of
the fish, and hardly any shrimp at all, as I am informed by
the fishermen of my Parish. Besides; the Shad is naturally
fond of vermiculated food, and must be fonder of worms than
of arty other kind which have affinity with them. Moreover,
to what sort of food would you ascribe that oily taste which
we find in Shad, as also that thick ytllow oily matter, which we
find on the top of every barrel of 3had, if not to the quality
of their food, which I contend to be worms, and chiefly
worms. Since then, they chiefly feed upon worms, and worms
are very abundaht on the muddy flats of the upper part of this
Bay, I repeat again, that standing rtets, and weirs, are destruc-
t'we to oui* Shad fishery, as they are an insurmountable obstacle

76

to the groWth of fisli, that venture on the flats, in search of
food. Such obstacle does not exist with drifl-nets, as they
must keep to the channel of the Bay, on account of their
depth. <ri«tYw(>!r-i ^Mi i-^xn

I conclude with the necessity of your recommending to
Government, the appointment of an intelligent impartial In-
spector of our Fisheries, having full power to regulate the size
of meshes, the length and depth of nets, the quality and quan-
tity of salt in every barrel of cured fish. Sec. d&c. Sec. ^ ^t
jfr.Ki'SfnKw^f w J'ai I'honneur, Monsieur, &c.

fntiifeh »«fe :., ,.'••• "i*- Ferdinand Gauvreau,

Priest Missionary.

M. H. Perley, Eaquire. ■'.%-* "•* ■

In addition to the above interesting communication, the fol-
lowing letter has been received from R. B. Chapman, Esq.,
M.P.P., who resides near the Bellevous Village, on the eastern
bank of the Petitcodiac : —

^^ Dorchester J October 10, 1850.'

Sir, — ^I have received a copy of your circular respecting the
fisheries, and regret that I had not the pleasure of an interview
when you visited my house. You are aware, that Shad are
the only fish taken to any extent in the Petitcodiac River.
The number of boats employed, the present ^^eason, on the
eastern side of the river, is about 75, with pro! ibly, an average
of 100 fathoms of net to each boat — also, o .le strong active
man, and sometimes a boy, to manage the sa.nA«j. The expense
of the boat and net will not be less than X20 ; the boat, of
course, will last for years, and the rope will last 4 or 5 years ;
but it will require three nets to last two seasons. The average
number of barrels to each boat, this season, will not exceed
fifteen ; price, 278. 6d. per barrel.

If any plan could be devised to preserve the nets, and make
them last longer, a great benefit would be conferred on the
fishermen, as some of them are about to abandon the fishery, in
consequence of the heavy expense of nets,
j There are, certainly, defects in the mode of curing. Some-
times the fidh remain too long, after they are taken out of the
waterj before they are cleaned ; and sometimes, they are
soaked too long m fresh water before being salted. It is quite
eertQin, that the BOfm&r Shad are salted after being caught, the
bejtte'r they are ; and they ought never to be repacked. You
ate aware, that the Sha4 taken at the head of the Bay are,
perhaps, the beet iji the world j yet there is a time, in the latter

76

W u

LA

part of July, and beginning of August, when they arc quite
inferior, both in size and quality, to those taken at any other
time during the season.

You will doubtless have had .an opportunity, during your
tour through this part of the Province, of conversing with per-
sons who have \(mg been engaged in the Shad fishery, from
whom you have received more information than I am capable
of communicating. Your enquiry, my dear Sir, is an impor-
tant one ; our waters abc>und with fish of all kinds, and yet we
are strangely apathetic in prosecuting so important a source of
wealth. That your enquiry and Report may have the desired
effect, is the sincere wish of

Your obedient servant,

R. B. Chapman. ,

M. H. Perley, K»qulrc. -H mO'lJ L I

Between the mouth of the Memramcook River and Cape
Marang.iin, the Shad fishery is carried on by weirs, and stake-
nets. The settlers do not drift for Shad ; it takes too much
time from farming, and they have no shelt^ for boats. Last
year there were only three weirs ; bat nearly every settler had
a string of stake-nets. From Red Head, below Dorchester,
to Grande Anse ledge, there were 15 strings of nets ; and at
least 25 strings more from that ledge down to Cape Maran-
guin. The strings averaged about 100 fathoms each in length ;
the mesh, 41 inches ; and the net, 30 meshes deep. The
stakes are placed 15 feet apart, on the mnd-flats, and the nets
are entirely dry at low water. Some fish mesh on the flood,
but the greatest numbers are taken on the ebb tide. The fair
average catch of each string of nets, in Grande Anse, was
stated to be 20 barrels during the season.

Mr. George Buck, an intelligent fisherman, who resides 4
miles below the Village of Dorchester, has fished there for
Shad during the last 2X) years. He stated, that Shad strike
in at this place, from the 1st to the 15th June ; they are then
large, and pretty fair fish ; the next run comes in the heat of
summer, these are not so good. As the autumn advances, the
fisii grow better and fatter ; those caught latest being the best.
The Shad come to these flats to feed, not to spawn ; and Mr.
Buck is of opinion, that the Shad which ascend the Saint John
in the spring, after spawning, go up the Bay to i^tten. When-
ever there is a large run of Shad up the Saint John in the
spring, there is always good fishing at Petitcodiac in the
autumn, it is unusual to find any rcc in Shad, caught at thi3

77

TT W^

locality ; it sometimes occurs, but thnt is very seldom ; lie Im»
often found slug-worms in the stomach of the Shad, some of
them nearly as large as a man's finger — ^thcse are now called
" Shad-worms." Mr. Buck usually catches 30 barrels of Shad
each season, in his string of nets ; he exceeded that quantity
last season, as en the 26th September his nets were still down.
His nets are tarred, and they last nearly a whole season ; he
thinks it is the mud which does the mischief, and causes them
to rot so quickly. Cotton thread takes the tar well, and there-
fore stands longest ; herring -twine fishes well, but only lasts a
few weeks.

The mode of curing here, Mr. Buck described as follows : —
he cleans the fish as quickly as possible ; washes twice— drains
quickly — and salts down, once for all. He uses generally
about 1 1 bushels of salt to each barrel of Shad ; the past sea-
son he used 50 bushels of salt to 30 barrels of Shad, and these
fish will keep any length of time, anywhere. The necessity of
a strict inspection was strongly urged by Mr. Buck, who ex-
pressed his anxious desire to employ, at that moment, an
Inspector and cooper to pack his fish for exportation.

From Cape Maranguin to the head of Sackville Bay, on the
New Brunswick side, the Shad fishing is followed both by
drift-nets and stake-nets. Each boat has usually 100 fathoms
of drift-net ; the mesh 41 to 5 inches, and the nets 60 meshes
deep — ^the average catch during the last five years, has been
about 20 barrels to each boat, during the season.

Mr. John Barnes of Sackville, who understands the Shad-
fishing of Sackville Bay exceedingly well, stated that he fishes
both with drift and stake-nets ; the latter are 30 to 40 meshes
deep, and set on stakes, 15 feet apart, between high and low-
water mark. He takes Shad in his stake-nets on the ebb-tide ;
the nets are therefore on the lower side of the stake, fastened
at top and bottom. If the tide runs strong the nets must be
allowed to bag a little ; but if it is not strong, they are better
stretched tight. One set of stake-nets will not last during the
season, as thty rot out very soon — a new net of herring twine
has been known to rot out in eleven days. No net will last
more than a month, unless oiled with new linseed oil, or tanned ;
tanning the net to be eiflfective, must be repeated every week.

Mr. Barnes concurred in the opinion, that there are three
distinct runs of Shad, the first, and last, being by far the best
Ml« It is very rare, he said, to find a%y roe in a Shad, and
Vhen it was found, the fish was -poor and thin, like the Spring
Shad caught at Saint John. ._

79

I

i ' f-

Hj

^1^'

i

Hf

;V

J.'.

The usual mode of curing Shad at Sackville, was thus de-
scribed : — The fish are cleaned as soon as possible after being
taken from the net ; they arc split, scraped, and washed, after
which they are soaked a short tiiQe. A second scraping and
soaking next takes place, when the fish are hung up to drain
for half an hour, and then salted down once for all. Mr.
Barnes does not approve of too much soaking ; he thinks the
fish should he washed sufficiently to take the blood out, as it is
the blood does the mischief. A bushel of salt is not enough
for a barrel of Shad, unless they are for immediate use ; a lai-
ger quantity is necessary if the fish are intended for shipment,
or to be kept for any length of time. The necessity of a rigid
inspection was much insisted upon by Mr. Barnes, especially
as regarded Shad intended for exportation.
- Sharks appear in Sackville Bay, at the end of August ; one
was taken there in September last, nine feet in length, by Mr.
Boultenhouse. The greatest obstacle to Shad fishing in Sack-
ville Bay, arises from the south-west gales* which rush through
this narrow part of the Bay of Fundy, as through a funnel, and
occasionally blow v/ith much violence ; when these meet the
ebb tide, they cause a very heavy sea, which puts fishing wholly
out of the question.

Estimate of the quantity of S/iad taken on the New Brunswick aide of the Bay
of Fundy, from Cape Enrage to the Nova Scotia Boundary, made up from
local information, October, 1 850.

Locality.

Shepody Bay, ..

Ditto, f(Ufji\

Cape Demoiselle to Btony Greek,
Memramcook, (Acadian t rench)
Dorchester to Cape Maranguin,..
Cape Mai anguin to Nova Scotia Boundary,
Ditto,

Boats, weirs.

8 i>oat«,

stake nets and

weirs,

SO boats,

100 beau,

40 neU,

15 boats,

stake nets.

39 brls. each.

duantity
caught.

20 brls. each,
15 brls. each,
90 brls. each,
20 brls. each.

Total, barrels.

Total number

of

barrels.

200

200

1000

1500

800

300

100

4,100

The value of pickled Shad in October last, as stated by Mr.
Chapman, was 27s. 6d. per barrel ; at this rate, the value of
the Shad caught and cured in the upper part of the Bay of
Fundy last season, was j£5,637 10s. — This amount, large as it
may appear f&r what has been considered one of the minor
fisheries of the Bay, is believed to be even below the actual
value. The qunntity of fish, stated as havmg been eaiight,
does not include the smaU Shad caught below Cape Enrage, nor
yet those fish cau^t in a desultory manner within the district
indicated, and consumed immediately by the inhabitants.

90

«.

This fishery may be said to have commenced ten years since,
when drifting for Sea Shad, at Petitcodiac, was introduced
by the Rev. Mr. Gauvreau, under the circumstances mentioned
in his letter. It may be rendered yet more valuable than nt
present, by an improved system of cure, and careful inspec-
tion; while the quantity offish caught may be greatly increased,
by proper regulations and judicious management.

THE SALMON FISHERY OF THE PETITCODIAC RIVER.

Although the lower part of this river, so far as the tide-way
extends, is excessively muddy, yet above the tide, its waters
aro bright, and ripple gently over a gravelly bed, forming an
almost constant succession of pools and rapids. Great num-
bers of Salmon, generally of small size, formerly frequented
this river ; but latterly, owing to the unmerciful and cruel man-
ner in which this fish has been hunted and persecuted, as well
in the tide-way as above it, they have greatly diminished and
are at present in a fair way of being extirpated altogether.

In August 1848, the writer was on the upper part of this
river, near the head of the tide, and at night, saw thirty-five
haymakers making war upon a few Salmon which had reached
a pool the day previous. They built large fires upon the banks,
and entering the pool, some wading, and others in canoes with
torches, each man armed with a pitchfork, they pursued and
mangled the fish, until the whole were killed. At a pool far-
ther up the river, the next day, the writer saw a boy in a canoe,
with a pitchfork, pursuing & solitary Salmon in a shallow pool,
from which it could not escape ; the fish was killed at last, but
so mutilated as to be almost worthies- . Every where on the
river, the same destruction appeared to be going on ; it was
said i>y the inhabitants that no regard was paid to season, but
that Salmon were always taken, whenever, and however they
could be had.

• Unless it be intended, that the Salmon fishery of the Petit-
codiac shall be allowed to cease altogether, as a thing of no
value, it is absolutely necessary, that steps should be taken to
restrain this wanton destruction of fine fislf. If the river is not
put under some superintendance, to restrain the destructive
inclinations of the sojourners on its banks, it cannot be ex-
pected, but that the Salmon fishery of the Petitcodiac will
shortly be remembered as a fishery that has been, but which
no longer exists.

:ot,n

->* [i

f'!i

' , 11

or

TOE NOVA SCOTIA SHORE.

iitiin

CUMBERLAND BAY.

In this Bay, the Shad fishery is also prosecuted to a very
considerable extent, and of such value is it considered, that a
special Act of the Legislature of Nova Scotia was passed in
1840, for its regulation. It is set forth in the preamble to this
Act, that the Shad fishery in the County of Cumberland is be-
coming of importance, and difficulties and disputes have arisen,
and are likely to arise, respecting the setting of nets, and the
use of drift-nets ; to prevent which, it is enacted, that it shall
be lawful for the Justices in Sessions, to make rules and regu-
lations for the setting of nets, the placing of weirs, the number
of nets to be allowed to one person, the distance they shall be
set apart, and whether drift-nets shall or shall not be allowed.
The Act also provides for the appointment of Overseers of the
Shad Fishery, each Overseer to be assigned a particular dis-
trict ; and for every net or weir, set or placed within that dis-
trict, the Overseer is authorized to receive, from the owner of
the same, the sum of five shillings, as compensation for his
services in enforcing the fishery regulations.

Under this Act, the Justices have established certain rules
and regulations, a copy of which will be found in the Appendix
to this Report.

After crossing the Missaguash River, (the boundary between
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia,) the writer proceeded to
Amherst, passing the La Planche River, and subsequently
visiting the Napan and Macan Rivers. At Amherst, much
information as to the Shad fishery was communicated by
Joshua Chandler, Esquire, High Sheriff of Cumberland, R.
B. Dickey, Esquire, and Mr. Gordon, Controller of Customs ;
at the rivers, the writer met Mr. Corbett and Peter Niles, both
experienced fishermen, and Mr. Coetes, an Overseer of the
fishery. From these several parties the following information
was obtained.

There are no weirs on the Nova Scotia side of Cumberland
Bay« nor are any drift-nets used on that side ; the people are
opposed to drifting. The only mode of fisiii';^ for Shad is by
stake-nets, on the mud'-flats. Each net is 12 fathoms long,
from 28 to 40 meshes deep, according to situation ; the mesh
is from 41 to 5 inches. Shad have been taken here as early as

i'

81

•

the 8th of June ; but the fishery usually commences on the 1st of
July, and continues until the 1st of October, althou^'h fish have
been token ot the end of October, when ice was making. From
the Missaguash to the La Planche River, there are 12 nets,
which, on the average, take 5 barrels each, during the season.
From the La Planche to Barron's Point, (so named from Sir
Edward Barron, the Grantee of that part of Amherst,) there
are 60 nets, the average catch of which is now 10 barrels
annually. It was stated by all the fishermen, that the fishing
was falling ofi^ very much of late, and the average catch the
last two seasons was only half of what it was seven years pre-
viously. This they attributed to the great increase of drift-
nets used in the Bay, by the inhabitants of New Brunswick ;
when the wind is so high that the boats cannot go out to
drift, then they always get twice as many as when the drift-
ing is taking place.

The nets are so arranged, on the lower side of the stakes,
as to form a bag on the ebb tide, wlien most of the fish are
caught ; but many fish strike the net on the flood, and being
shaken out by the strong motion on the ebb, (as described by
the Rev. Mr. Gauvreau,) they are scattered over the flats, and
much "mud larking" takes place before they are all gathered,
which sometimes does not happen, and the fish arc wholly lost.

There is no inspection offish in the County of Cumberland,
and they are sold entirely on the character of the curer. The
mode of curing was described as being the same as that in use
at Sackville, but they are soaked longer ; a bushel of salt is
the quantity generally considered suflicient for a barrel of Shad.
In the writer's opinion, the fish are injured here by too much
soaking before being salted ; and the quantity of salt used in
curing, is not suflicient to preserve the fish for any length of
time. Liverpool salt is generally used, which is much inferior
to that from St. Ube's, or Turk's Island, for curing fish.

It was agreed by all the fishermen here, that there were three
distinct runs of fish during the season, as at Pctittodiac, the
first and last being the best. It is very rare to find a Shad
with roe ; the Shad-worm and Shrimps are frequently found
in the stomachs of the Shad, which left no doubt as to the na-
ture of their food.

At Minudie, on the River Hebert, there is a valuable Shad
fishery ; and it is asserted, that the fish caught there are fatter
and finer than any others in the Bay of Fundy. The fishing
at this place, and in Cumberland Bay generally, is described
in the following letter from Amos Seaman, Esquire : —

11

8S

Ml

'<.i

I

Ml

Minn flic, lUh Scptrmhir, 1850.

Sir, — In uiiHwor to your circulur of 12th August, relative to
tiie fishericH at tlio head of the Buy of Fundy, I beg leave to
Hay, that I will furnish such information an is in my power,
relative to the Shad fiHhery, which in the only kind KUCccsMfully
followed, in the Bay and Rivers around here.

It is only about 15 ycurH since any attention was paid to thix
business. At first, standing weirs were employed; but, owing
to the circumstance of large quantities of inferior and small
fish being caught, the raising of the flats, and other undefina-
blc causes, this mode has for some years been discontinued.
The only methods now practised arc by set-nets and drifting ;
by the latter, far the largest quantities are taken ; sometimes
may be seen in Dorchester Bay, and around the shores of
Minudic, upwards of two hundred .boats out at one time. The
boats leave th(; place of rendezvous with the ebb-tide, drift
down the Bay until they meet the flood, and rcttirn with it to
the place from whence they started. With favourable tides each
boat will secure from 100 to 150 Shad, with 80 to 100
fatlioms of net. The fishing season commences in June, and
terminates in September.

When we consider the great number of nets that arc set,
almost every resident on the shores having one, and some four
or more — besides others who come from miles inland to em-
bark in the business — as well as the great number of boats
constantly out drifting, it is not perhaps too much to say, that
from five to six thousand barrels are caught and cured every
season. When properly put up, in barrels of 2001bs. weight,
with care in curing and packing — ^the fish being split down the
belly, the back bone taken out, and the tail cut off' which is
the method preferred by the American Merchant, und now
followed by many of our fishermen — these Shad will command
from nine, to eleven dollars, per barrel, in the American mar-
ket ; leaving from six dollars and a half, to nine dollars and a
half to the exporter, after duties and charges arc deducted.

It is but a very few years since any Shad were prepared for
shipment, the people who followed this fishery being content
with securing sufficient for their own wai?ts, and perhaps a
barrel or two for their neigbours. But the fame of our Shad
went abroad, and some American Merchants were induced to
try them in their market ; they were highly prized and sought
after. From that time, exportations were yearly made, and
have gone on steadily increasing. At the present time, there
is a great demand for Shad caught at the head of this Bay,

{li

S(
til

i

foul-

ed

nw Wcinfl[ of HUperior quality — nv.wh Hittor, and of more doli-
ciouH flavour, than any found on the American ohorcH, or in the
markets of the United StutcN.

This demand, and encourngcmcnt, have hud a wonderful
effect in stimulating our fiHlK^rmen to increnflod exertions, and
ffreater care in curing, so that the fish may conmiand the
highest price, and sustain their chunicter. That the supply is
inexhaustible, is plain to every one ; for, notwithstanding the
number of persons employed, and the niciinH for capture have
greatly increased within the last few years, there appears not
the least diminution, in the tpinntity of fish — none complain.
If the contemplated Railroad were once in opttration, and the
Canadian market, now shut to us by circuitous navigation,
should be rendered easily accessible, a large field would l)e
opened for our fisheries. The energies and enterprizo of our
fishermen would receive additional excitement, and the whole
trade would flow in that direction, to avoid the heavy duty of
one dollar per barrel exacted by the American Government.
We consider our Shad fishery to be only in its infancy ; and
not a doubt can be entertained, that when a larger field is
opened; and improvements introduced in the modes of capture
and cure, that the trade will become extensive, of great im-
()ortance, and highly lucrative.

You will perceive, that all my observations have been con-
fined to the ^had-fishery, in and around Minudie, and the
neighbouring Bay of Dorchester, at the mouth of the Petitco-
diac. The same fishery is carried on along the Coast to Chig-
necto, and about the shores at Parrshoro\ and no doubt equal
quantities are en- "^ht there ; but for more full information, I
must refer you t icrsons in those localities.

I have nothiiv • say as to other fisheries here, they being
t<K> insignificant to Icmand oven a passing notice. With my
dexire, that the foregoing may be found useful and satisfactory,

I have the honor, &-c.

Amos Seaman.

M. H. Perley, Esq. ' • . ^

' From Minudie down the coast toward Apple River, the Shad
fishery extends as far as Mill Creek, below which, the waters
of the Bay become p> rfectly clejir, and Shad are not taken.
In this distance are the extensive grindstone quarries of Mr.
Seam'Mi, i^t the South Joggins ; two miles south-west from
these aiifuiies, are the Joggins coal-mines, now being worked
by the Gej'eral Mining Association of Nova Scotia. The coii

IMAGE EVALUATrON
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

1.0

I.I

I

■^ 122 12.2

1^ |i£ 12.0

■it

1.25 III 1.4

i

Ii4

6"

V

O

^l

^^

J

m

/

PhotograiJiic

Sciences

Corporation

?3 Vt&SI MAM STREET

VVf'dSTER.N.Y. 14580

'7116) «72-450;

^^ ^\. ^r\\

'^^A."*'
^

m

f'

i';

is bituminous ; the seam is four feet in thickness, with a dip
of one foot in three ; underneath this seam of coal, there is a
bed of fire clay from two to three feet thick, and below that,
another seam of coal, 18 inches thick, of very superior quality,
but which at present, is not worked. About two miles further
down the coast, is the Ragged Reef, where very large grind-
stones are quarried, many of them six feet in diameter, and
eight inches thick. Along this line of coast, the shores are quite
perpendicular, and composed altogether of the various sand
stones of the coal measures, a fine section of which can be seen
in sailing along the shore. At the South Joggins, there arc
numerous fossil trees in the cliffs, which are well described by
Sir Charles Lyell, (who visited this locality a few years since)
in the account of his first visit to North America. To the
Geologist, this place will be found highly interesting.

Not many fish are caught along this shore, the inhabitants
being all engaged in mining coals^ or quarrying grindstones.
A few Shad are taken at the Ragged Reef, where also, there
is Cod fishing early in summer, and again late in the season.
Some Haddock and Pollack are likewise taken, and also a few
Hake ; but Dog fish are complained of as being very abundant.

At day light on the 27th September, while standing in for
this shore, the Cutter fell in with a Shad boat from Westcock,
(Sackville) which had been out all night drifting for Shad.
There were fifty very large and fat Shad in thg boat, caught
during the night ; the fisherman stated, that two nights pre-
viously, the weather and the tides being favourable, he had
caught 260 Shad during a single night's fishing, 70 of which
filled a barrel ; his whole catch during the season was no less
than 5000 fish, equal to 45 barrels. This boat had 175
fathoms net, 55 meshes deep, the mesh 4| inches ; the mate-
rial, linen hank-thread, oiled with raw linseed oil, and the whole
outfit was altogether superior. The owner said, that some
schooners from Saint John, which had been up the Bay Shad
fishing, had failed, in consequence of having made their nets
so very black with tar, that the fish saw them and would not
mesh.

Off Apple River, some good Cod are caught in June, and
Herrings are taken in July, with a mesh of 2| inch-^s, very
fine and fat ; Halibut of exceedingly large size are taken not
far from the Light House during the summer, but no Shad
are caught at this place, and Hake very rarely. Large quan-
tities of Smelts, and many small Salmon occasionally enter
the basin, but there are no preparations for taking either. In

85

cousequcnce of a very violent storm, the Cutter was obliged to
remain two days in the inner iiarbour at A}>ple River, and
during that time, great numbers of Herring Gulls were observed
to be busily engaged in taking fish, which appeared to bo in
large schuUs.

At the large rocks called the Sisters, about 3 miles below
Apple River, there is very good ashing for Cod during the
summer ; some boats come over from the New Brunswick shore
every season to fish there. A schooner of 50 tons from She-
])ody, make a fare of Cod on this ground in six weeks during
last reason ; the residents complained bitterly of the damage
done to the fishing ground, by the ofial of the fish having been
thrown overboard from this schooner upon it — a practice which
is exceedingly destructive to the fisheries, *"wherever it occurs.

From the Sisters to Cape Chignecto, there is not much fish-
ing, the Coast being lofty, without shelter, and greatly exposed
to southerly or westerly gales. Between Isle Au Haut and
Cape Chignecto, there is a bank extending almost entirely
across that channel, upon which there is good fishing the
greater part of every summer. The residents of Advocate
Harbour formerly fished to some extent upon this bank ; but
the want of boat-shelter at Isle Au Haut, has induced them
to discontinue it almost entirely.

The writer landed above Cape D'Or, at Fisherman's Cove,
near Spencer's Island. At this place, there is fishing for Cod,
Pollack, and Haddock, commencing about the 10th of May
every year ; the best fishing is in June and July, and it alto-
gether ceases in August. There are 25 fishing boats at this
place, each boat 16 feet .keel ; the fishing is near the shore,
and every family fishes, more or less. Early in the season,
they catch a large Herring, in a mesh of 24 inches ; as the
season advances they take a Herring that ts smaller, but
fatter, distinguished as " green backs." These are caught
in a mesh of 2 inches. At the end of July, or early in August,
a small Herring makes its appearance, described by the fish-
ermen as being 4 or 5 inches in length, thickest at one-fourth
of their length from the head, and tapering off to the tail like
a Smelt. What these fish are, it is impossible to say from the
description given by the fishermen. Flounder fishing begins
here about the Ist of June ; but these fish are not in condition
until August, after which they become fat and good.

From Spencer's Island to Cape Sharp, a distance of 20 miles,
there is a wide sweep of coast, known on the Charts as Gre-
ville Bay ; there is good fishing inshore, nearly the whole extent

tf

M&- *

I ^■

if

H

of this Bay, especially near Ratchford'8 River, Diligence River,
Pox River, and Black Rock River. Inside Fox Point, and at
the race off Cape Sharp, there is good Pollack fishing ; these
fish appeared in great numbers, at these localities, during the
past season ; yet few were taken, owing to the inhabitants not
being prepared.

At Black Rock River there are several brush weirs for
taking Herrings ; these first appear at the latter end of April,
but the greatest abundance is at the end of May. The first
Herrings which arrive are spawning fish ; they deposit such
quantities of spawn, that it can be shovelled up upon the beach.
At the latter end of June, and during July, a smaller description
of Herrings come in, which are very fat ; of these, large quan-
tities have been seen, ^jlaying in the tide at a distance from
the' shore, but they do not approach sufficiently near to enter
the weirs, and the inhabitants have no nets. These small, fat
Herrings are followed by Pollack in great numbers ; and ihe
Pollack fishing is excellent in the vicinity of Cape Sharp, for
about six weeks, ceasing at the end of August, with the depar-
ture of the Herrings.

In West Bay, there is good Cod fishing until the middle of
June ; and the fishermen mentioned the taking of Halibut, of
such extraordinary size as to be almost incredible. Great
quantities of Flounders— or Flukes — platessa limanda — are
taken along the coast in the autumn, which are first salted, and
then dried and smoked.

It was stated at Black Rock Beach, that although large
quantities of Herrings had been taken in the weirs there during
the season, yet the weir owners had no salt to cure them, and
allowed all persons that pleased to take them away ; and when
this place was visited, on the 1st of October, it was stated by
Richard Lank, a resident fisherman, that they had not a single
Herring in their houses for winter use. Fishing vessels from
Saint John and Grand Manan formerly visited this place,
bringing abundance of herring nets ; but the inhabitants thought
these nets injured the fishery, and by opposition and annoj'^ance,
succeeded in driving the fishermen away.

THE BASIN OF MINES.

At Parrsborough, it was stated by James Ratchford, Esq.,
that there are fhree runs of Herring during the season ; the
first arrive about the 1st of June, heavy with roe, and the
beaches are shortly after covered with spawn. The second

N If

»ffr'

87

run are smaller, but better fish ; wiiile the third run arc still
smaller, but very fat, by far the best fish of the season. The
Cod follow the Herrings, and continue as long as they remain.
Of late years, Cod have greatly decreased in numbers, while
Haddock have been more abundant. Abreast the Village of
Parrsborough, long-lines have been set for Cod with niuch
success, by an amateur fisherman, who lifted them three times
a day during the season, and usually found them loaded with
fish. There are no regular fishermen at this place, although
during a certain portion of the sjjring and summer, herring
fishing and line fishing might be prosecuted to some extent,
and with considerable profit.

The coast from Parrsborough to Economy Point was visited,
and the information obtained from David M'Burney, Esquire,
of East River (Five Islands,) Silas P. Crane, Esquire, of
Economy, and other persons on the coast, may be thus stated :

On the northern shore of the Basin of Mines, the Shad fisherv
begins at Herrington's River, to the eastward of Parrsborough
River, and extends along the coast to Port-a-Pique, a distance
of 21 miles. The fishing is carried on both by weirs and drift-
ing ; in the whole distance there are about 20 brush weirs.
Between Graham's Head and Economy Point, the flats for
about four miles, were observed to have an almost unbroken
continuance of these weirs, crescent shaped, the ends of the
weirs touching each other.

Mr. Crane estimated the whole quantity of Shad taken in
this district, during the season, by drift-nets and weirs, at 1000
barrels. Drift-nets first came into use here about five years
ago, since which the v/eirs have taken the small Shad only.
The fish taken here are of very good quality ; but Mr. Crane
said, he thought the Minudie Shad a shade fatter and better.

The mode of curing Shad here is as follows : — The fish are
split down the back, cleaned, and washed in salt-water ; they
are then struck in salt, in hogsheads ; at the end of a fort-
night, they are considered sufficiently struck, and are then
packed in barrels for market. There is no inspection of fish,
the chief Inspector at, Halifax, not having appointed any De-
puties in this district. The practice of soaking and draining
Shad, is here deprecated, as temling to impoverish the fish,
which it is contended can be sufficiently freed from blood and
impurities, by cleanliness and care in splitting and dressing.

At Economy Point, Mr. Halliday has a fishing establish-
ment for catching and curing Shad, in connection with Messrs.
Snow and Rich, the eminent fish merchants of Boston. As

i u

88

w ;

I .1 ■-..J

H

I

the Shad cured at this establishment arc for the Boston mar-
ket exclusively, they are split down the belly, the back bone
taken out, and the head and tail cut off; they are then called
" Mess Shad," and arc worth, at Economy, 32s. 6d. per
2001bs. It was stated, that. Mr. Halliday used nets with a
mesh of 5] inches, the desire being to take the largest and
finest Shad only ; his nets are 20() fathoms long, and drying
frames are used to stetch them upon, after being in use.

Herrings also strike in on this Coast, as at Cape Sharp and
Parrsborough, but not in such quantities. Some Cod are
taken from early spring until 1st of June, and again in No-
vember and December, by lines attached to poles driveit in the
flats. . Pollack Jo not go up the Basin beyond Five Islands,
the waters being too muddy ; Basse were formerly abundant,
but none are seen now, they having been destroyed by the
weirs, and by nets set across the rivers. Many Salmon are
taken in Economy River, but they are of very small size, rarely
exceeding the weight of 41bs. ; all the Rivers in this locality
are frequented by these small Salmon, in greater or less num-
bers. At Five Islands, and some other places along this Coast,
it was stated, that the inhabitants were rarely provided with
a sufficiency of salt, when the Herrings first came in the spring ;
and that numbers were lost and spoiled in consequence.

At Windsor, the writer obtained from Mr. James Burgess,
a practical fisherman of much skill and intelligence, some very
valuable information ; from this, and his own observations on
the southern side of tha Basin of Mines, as well as from con-
versations with many fishermen there, the following account
of the fisheries in that locality are compiled.

The taking of Shad by drift-nets was begun in Windsor
River, about 12 years ago. The fishing begins in each season,
about the 25th June, and continues until about the 10th of
August, after which it begins to fail, and is not followed later,
the number of fish caught being too few to be profitable. The
fishermen drift from Avon Bridge down to Cape Blomidon,
dropping down with the ebb, and returning with the fiood ;
they drift both by night and by day, thp water being exces-
sively muddy, but as Blomidon is approached,- the fishing is
only by night, as the water there is clearer. At Windsor, the
" Shad-worm" is found upon the mud flats, but the Shad
are supposed to feed chiefly on Shrimps, which are in great
abundance and of fine quality ; they are often found hanging
upon the Shad-nets, of large sizoj nearly as large as prawns.
The Shrimps leave the River in August, and the Shad depart

«>

nt the same time ; it i^ thence inferred that the Shad follow
the Shrimps to some other locality.

On the flats below Boot Island, in Windsor River, and
thence down to Flat Island, there are standing nets, in which
Shad are taken later in the season than by drifting. The
quantity taken between the Town of Windsor and Horton
Bluff is estimated at 1000 barrels annually, whicli, last season,
were worth there, on the average, 32s. (id. per barrel, as they
are all good fish, and care is taken in curing tliem. The
Windsor Shad are split down the back, well washed, and salted
as at Sackville ; thus dressed and cured, 110 fish fill a barrel.
Last season they sold at Boston for $9 per barrel, less by $1
per barrel than if they had been dressed for the American
market, as " mess Shad," in the manner they are put up by
Mr. Halliday, at Economy, for the Boston dealers.

The Shad fishing is carried on to the eastward of Windsor,
partly by drifting, but chiefly by stake-nets, on the wide spread
flats in front of Cheverie ; thence the fishing is continued to
the Shubenacadie River, up which the Spring Shad ascend, to
the Shubenacadie Lakes, for the purpose of spawning. During
the past season, a stake-net was put up at Noel, between two
and three miles in length, in which several thousand Shad were
taken during a single tide ; this enormous net is owned in
shares by a Company, and such quantities were taken in it,
during the height of the fishing season, that the owners were
obliged to work without ceasing, and even on the Sabbath, to
preserve the vast numbers offish it secured.

The drift-nets in use at Windsor are 100 fathoms in length,
36 to 45 meshes deep ; the mesh is from 41 to 5 inches — it is
being diminished yearly, in order to secure a greater number
offish. The expense arising from the rotting of the nets, after
being a very short time in use, was matter of complaint at
Windsor, as elsewhere ; but it was found, that Mr. Burgess,
during the past season, had, as matter of experiment, used a
composition of his own devising and manufacture, which had
effectually preserved his nets from rotting. This composition
consisted of India rubber, dissolved in the ordinary burning
fluid for lamps, until it became of the thickness of rich cream.
To this solution, boiled linseed oil was added, in the proportion
of a pint of oil to a gallon of the solution ; the nets, made of 3
thread herring-twine, were simply passed through the solution,
without being steeped in it, and were fully stretched out to
dry. They dried in three days, and were then of a light
reddish colour, very nearly that of the rauddy waters in which

12

90

I

t

l>.

they were to be used. The nets thus prepared by Mr. Burgcs.^
were fished by him draiiig the whole season of 1850 ; in October
they were examined by the vriter, who, with the permission
of Mr. Burgess, tested them thoroughly in every part. They
were found perfectly sound and strong, fully suAicient for fish-
ing another ypar.

This mixture having been mentioned by the writer to Dr.
Charles T. Jackson, the celebrated chemist of Boston, its pre-
servative qualities were at once admitted by him ; but he said,
that something much better, and less expensive, might proba-
bly be found by a few scientific experiments. The preservation
of Shad nets fiom sudden decay, is matter of very great impor-
tance to the fishery, not only as regulating its extent, bnt also
the profits to be derived from it. No greater boon could be
conferred upon the Shad fishers of Cumberland Bay, than the
invention of a cheap composition, that would prevent their nets
from rotting, and permit their use until fairly worn out.

The practice of drying nets upon the grass was reprobated
by Mr. Burgess, as highly injurious under any circumstances,
in his opinion,. aH nets will last longer if stretched on proper
drying frames, after being in use.

Salmon ascend the Avon, and its tributaries, in considerable
numbers ; many of the smaller nze are taken in the Shad nets,
but the larger fish break directly through, the thread not being
sufficient to retain them. The Spring Shad do not go up the
Avon to spawn, nor has any roe been found in the Shad
caught there.

Great numbers of Gaspereau every spring ascend the Shubc-
nacadie, the Avon, the Horton, and Cornwallis Rivers to spawn.
Those taken in the Avon, are large but poor ; in the other rivers,
they are much smaller, but thicker and fatter. In the weirs,
on the flats below Windsor, small fish, called " Shiners," are
frequently taken ; these are a little fish, shaped like a Gas-
pereau, very silvery on the belly, and very fat — they are only
used as a pan-fish, and are excellent when eaten fresh.

At Pereau, just below Habitant River, a description of very
small, but very fat fish, not unlike Herrings, are taken in Au-
gust. The oil froift them stains the hands, and they are so
unctuous, that they are very difficult to cure. They are often
sold fresh from the weirs, at ten pence per bushel ; but cart-
loads are frequently used to manure the land. The fishermen
are decidedly of opinion, that they are not young Herrings,
but a distinct fish ; when taken they are full of roe, and ready
for spawning. The writer had not an opportunity of seeing any

■^T J"

n

of these fish, and is therefore uiiahle to class them. It is quite
possible they may prove to be Sardines, some specimens of
which have been occasionally caught in the Bay of Fundy.

Cod are frequently taken at the mouth of the Avon, by
single lines attached to stakes. Hake are said to be abun-
dant in that part of the Basin of Mines, between the mouth of
Cornwallis River, and Cape Blomidon ; they appear nlwut
the Ist of August, and may be taken during the rest of the
season, in 7 fathoms water.

Smelts ascend all the rivers in this locality, at the close of
winter, in almost miraculous abundance. Basse were very
plenty formerly, but are seldom seen now, having been thin-
ned off by the weirs, and other contrivances. Tons of Eels
may be taken at any time during the season ; one fisherman
said, he had seen a stream of Eels, each as thick as his arm,
pass through a gap in a weir, during half an hour.

T'ory large Sturgeon are also taken here ; but Sharks are
oiily found on the northern side of the Basin, where the water
IS less muddy ; they are there taken of large size. Mr. Bur-
gess had the tail of one, caught there, of " the thresher" species,
which measured 3 feet across ; this fish was probably 8 feet
in length.

It was complained by the fishermen, that spring-nets were
used at the Cornwallis River, and Habitant River, which, they
«aid, destroyed great quantities of fish of all kinds ; thig is a
matter for enquiry by the authorities of Nova Scotia. , .»

THE SOUTH SHORE OF THE BAY OF FUNDY.

To the southward of Cape Split, is Scotch Bay, a wide,
open roadstead, with extensive mud-flats at its upper extreme.
Considerable quantities of Shad are taken on these flats, chiefly
in weirs ; !aU a large seine is also used, of which complaint was
made, as being injurious to the fisheries, by taking numbers of
small fish of every description. Here the Shad fishery ceases
on the Southern Shore of the Bay of Fundy, and the geologi-
cal character of the Coast changes. The bold and rugged
cliffs of the South Shore consist chiefly of trap rocks.

From Black Rock down to Brier Island, along the whole
South Shore, there are three fishing banks, or ledges, lying
parallel to the shore, outside each other ; their respective dis-
tances from the coast, have acquired for them the designations
of the three mile ledge — ^the five mile ledge — and the nine mile
ledge. On these ledges, there are 60 fathoms of water, but on

i"-^^^i^

92

U

y\i

the crown of each ledge, 30 Aithoms only. The 3 mile ledge
and the 5 mile ledge, extend quite down to Brier Island ; but
the 0 nnile ledge can only be traced down the Bay, about 14
roilcH below Digby Gut, abreast of Trout Cove, where it ends
in deep water. Below Digby Gut, the 3 mile ledge and 5 mile
ledge are composed of hard gravel and red clay ; above the
Gut, the 3 mile ledge has a rough, rocky bottom, on which
anchors arc frequently lost. Each of these ledges is about a
mile in width, the outer one something more ; between them
the bottom is soft mud.

In April, the small Rock Cod strike in on the South Shore,
which they follow up to Cape Split, whence they cross to the
New Brunswick side of tho Bay. This is the opinion of the
Yankee fishermen, who fellow them at that season, fishing
close in shore ; and with them, they take many Halibut of
large size. On the ledges, the best fishing is in June and July ;
but the fishing continues until the end of September. The
Cod taken on the ledges, in June and July, are well fed fish,
30 of which, on the average, will make a quintal. Pollack
strike in generally during July ; but the past season they
made their appearance in May ; the fishing for them usually
lasts until the end of September — their average size is 40 to
the quintal.

On the ledM:es, line-fishing on the bottom can only be followed
on the '* slacks" of the tide ; during the run of the tide, the
fishermen employ themselves in taking FMlack by trailing
near the surface. Large Hake are often taken on the ledges,
with the Cod ; thirty of them will make a quintal. It is sup-
posed, that these Hake feed upon the soft bottom between the
ledges, it being such as Hake are usually found'upon, and that
they venture occasionally upon the ledges, or are in the act of
crossing them, when taken.

■M

ANNAPOLIS BASIN.

In this beautiful Basin, long celebrated for its fisheries, Cod,
Pollack, Hake, Haddock, and Halibut, are taken, nearly all
the year round ; and here also are caught those delicious small
Herrings, which when smoked, are known everywhere as
*' Digby Chickens." Small Salmon ascend the Annapolis
River, and its branches ; Shad are taken in the Basin, in July;
Smelts are exceedingly abundant in the spring ; Flounders are
taken during the whole summer ; Cod are best in the autumn ;
Mackerel frequently enter during the season, and are catight ,

93

in the Herring weirs ; Eels may be cniiglit in nny quantity ;
Lobsters urc found in various parts of thu Dasin ; CItuns nrc
to be hod everywhere on the flats, and the American fishernKMi
frequently land to lYig them for bait ; on Bear Island Bar,
there arc extensive beds of large Scallops; Shrimps abound
in the Gut, where numbers of Porpoises are shot by the In-
dians, while chasing the small Herrings.

The principal fishery, however, is that for the small Her-
rings to be cured by smoking, which arc taken altogether in
brush weirs, not exceeding 8 feet in height ; these are renewed
every season, the ice usually carrying away the greater portion
of them, at the close of the winter. The weirs on the Clements
side of the Basin were visited by the writer, and the follow-^
ing information was there obtained, chiefly from Mr. Simon
Wm. Riley of Annapolis, Messrs. Ditmars and Wm. L. Ray of
Moose River, and Messrs. Ditmars of Bear River. The
writer was assisted in obtaining information by George Mil-
lidge, Esq., of Annapolis, to whom his acknowledgements arc
due.

There were 47 weirs in Annapolis Basin in order for fishing
during the past season ; the catch offish was unusually small,
much smaller than it had been for years. Formerly, the quan-
tity of Herrings cured in this Basin, was from 25,000 to 30,000
boxes annually ; and twenty years ago, the average catch of
every weir, was 2000 boxes each season. The whole quan-
tity cured during the season of 1850, from the catch of all the
weirs in the Basin, was supposed not to exceed 2000 boxes.

The small Herrings dnter the Basin at the last of May, but
the great bodies of fish come in June and July ; after passing
through the Gut, they follow up the Granville Shore to the Pot-
ter Settlement, near Annapolis, and thence strike over south-
westerly, to the Clements side, directly across a large bar, or
middle ground. On this bar, weirs were first put up about 3
years since, and they are dry at very low spring-tides only ;
some of the weir owners on the Clements Shore, complained
greatly of these weirs, which, they say, have broken up the
schuUs of fish, and rendered their weirs of no value, as they
catch nothing. Mr. Ray said, that he formerly cured 1400
boxes of Herrings every season, from the catch of his weir
near Moose River ; the quantity gradually diminished to 400
boxes, and after the weirs were placed on the bar, it fell off to
200 boxes ; during the season of 1850, he did not get a single
fish.

The first Herrings of the season are of all sizes,, from four

r^:]

inches in lon^tti, ii|) to the largest. In June and July the schulls
lire of more uniform Hize ; the best fish for smoking, are 8 or 0
inehcH in length, a round, fat, handsome, Herring — those less
than 7 inchen in length are not smoked.

It was alleged by Mr. Riley, of Annapolis, that about one
half of all the fish caught in the weirs, are entirely lost ; almost
all the weirs arc dry at low water ; and he stated that he had
sometimes seen 300 or 400 barrels of small Herrings taken
during a single tide, left in the weir to spoil. The weirs arc
not opened on Saturday night ; and as the fish are not removed
on Sunday, they are wholly lost ; some of the weirs have gates,
but very many of them have not. It was further asserted by
. Mr. Riley, that the people were too lazy to remove the spoiled
fish from their weirs, whore the mud immediately made over
them ; and in a good fishing season, the Herrings would accu-
mulate in a weir to the depth of two feet. Some of the fish
thus Icfl to be buried in the mud last season, were bought by
Mr. George Millidge, who carted up 200 barrels of them, to
add to his compost heap ; and of this case there was no doubt.
Rut Mr. Riley's statements were denied by Mr. Ray, who said
that the weir owners were veiy particular in cleaning out their
weirs, as if dead fish were left; in them, the live ones would
not enter, and no more would be caught. As it is quite cer-
tain that this fishery has fallen off to such an extent, as fore-
bodes its ceasing altogether, the causes of its decay arc sug-
gested as a fit subject of enquiry, in Nova Scotia.

The Messrs. Ditmars are among the best curers in the
Basin, and the mode in which they cure " Digby Chickens,"
is as follows : — The fish are scaled by being washed in bushel
baskets with a square bottom, open like a coarse sieve, the
men standing in the water up to their knees. The best fish
have very few scales, and only half a bushel of them are
taken in the basket at once ; they are washed and shaken with
great care, to prevent theiir being broken. They are then
salted in large tubs, the salt being stirred through them by
hand ; the quantity used, is half a bushel of salt to two and a
half barrels of fish, which are a tub full. They lay in salt 24
hours, and are then washed in fresh water to prevent their
becoming " salt burnt ;" after this, they are strung on rods,
with their heads all one way, and then hung up in the smoke
house. In Clements, the smoke houses are usually 30 feet
square, with 14 feet posts, and a high roof; no fish hang nearer
the fire than seven feet, but the most careful curers do not
hang them nrarer than eight feet. Rock maple only is used

^' 1

fur smoking; wiieii it runnot be prociinMl, qhIi [h used, l>rit)<;
considered the best description of wood after rock maple.
Beech und birch are deemed very inferior ; und it is tlioa^Mit
that prime " l^iffby Chickens," to possess the most perfect
care and finest flavoar, mast be smoked with rock maple alone.

Tho process of smoking asnally occapics 8 weeks ; and it
requires tho whole time of one person to watch the fire, and
attend to the smoking, in which mach jadgemcnt and great care
are required. The smoke is usually made up at Tiight-fall, and
again before day-ligiit, unless tlie weather is warm and wet,
during which no fires are made. In fine weather, the smoke-
houses are thrown open duringthe day to cool ; and the greatest
care is taken, at all times, to keep down beat, und to render
the smoke-houses as cool as possible, by numerous windows
and openings. After being smoked, the fish arc packed in
boxes of tho established si/c ; these are 18 inches long, 10
inches wide, and 8 inches deep, measured on the inside ; and
there should bo 12 rods, or 24 dozen offish, in a box of prime
Herrings. If the fish are large and of the best quality, it
requires some pressure to get this number into a box.

The differences between the mode of curing smoked Her-
rings in Annapolis Basin, and that in use at Grand Manan and
Campo Bello, consist principally in the greater care in wash-
ing the fish, and handling them in baskets, in small quan-
tities ; in hanging them at a greater distance from the fire ; in
the use of rock-maple, almost exclusively, for smoking ; and
in precautions taken to keeptlie smoke-houses cool at all times,
while the process of smoking is going on.

In Ure's Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures, and Mines,
(article "Putrefaction") the process of curing provisions by
smoking is thus described : — " Smoking. This process con-
sists in exposing meat previously salted, or merely ribbed over
with salt, to wood smoke, in an apartment so distt.ut from the
fire as not to be unduly heated by it, and into which the smoke is
admitted by flues at the bottom of the side walls. Here the
meat (combines with the empyreumatic acid of the smoke, and
gets dried at the same time. The quality of the wood has an
influence upon the quality and taste of the smoke-dried meat;
smoke from beech wood and oak, being preferable to that from
fir and larch. Smoke from the twigs and berries of juniper,
from rosemary, peppermint, &-c. imparts somewhat of the aro-
matic flavour of these plants. A slow smoking with a slender
fire, is preferable to a rapid and powerful one, as it allows the
empyreumatic principles time to penetrate into the interior

i

if

substance, without drying the outside too much. The pro-
cess of smoking depends upon the action of the wood acid,
or the creosote, volatilized with it."

The writer sincerely hopes, that from the information here
given with reference to the cure of smoked Herrings in the Basin
of Annapolis — which have hitherto borne the highest character,
and obtained the largest price — the curers of Grand Mauan
and Campo Bello may draw some hints for their guidance,
which will enable them hereafter to cure their fish equally
well, and compete successfully with the " Digby Chickens."

BRIER ISLAND.

There is a large fishing population in the Brier Island fishing
district, which includes Long Island, and part of the adjacent
shore. From the best information that could be obtained, it
was found that this district sends to the fisheries between 40
and 50 vessels, from 15 to 30 tons each, and upwards of 100
shore boats. The vessels have generally five men, and the
boats two men each.

The Cod fishing commences about the 20th of April, and
continues until October. The first fishing is inshore, at the
distance of half a mile, to a mile and a half from the land ; as
the season advances, the fish go oflf into deep water, on the
ledges. Pollack fishing, the next in importance, begins about
the 15th of June, and lasts until the end of September ; they
are caught chiefly on " the rips " occasioned by the conflict of
tides ; those caught off" Brier Island will average 35 or 40 to
the quintal. In the latter part of the season, it requires the
livers of 18 quintals of Pollack only, to make a barrel of oil ;
— they must therefore be \n fine condition, and prime fish.

Captain Laffbley,- a native of Jersey, who has lived 32 years
at Brier Island, stated to the writer, that the principal fisheries
there, were those for Cod and Pollack. From that Island,
the fisheries are prosecuted chiefly in Chebacco-boats and
Shallops, from 16 to 24 tons burthen ; in these the fish ai'e
split and salted on board. In the spring, they fish ofiT the
western part of Brier Island, and thence to Cape K^t. Mary,
in 15 to 60 fathoms water, with a tide of four knots. At mid^
summer, they fish in 60 fathoms water, off Bear Cove, (Petite
Passage) and thence to the " west-north-west Baiak," about 9
miles from the land, in 15 to 30 fathoms water, with a 6 knot
tide. Of course, bottom fishing can only be prosecuted on
'' the slacks." During the summer, the fishing vessels some-

97

times run down to the Lurcher Ledge, 20 miles S.S.W. from
Brier Island, and there fish in 15 to 30 fathoms water ; at
this ledge th^y rarely &il to get a fiiU fare of Cod in a few
days, with favourable weather. On the fishing groMnds men-
tioned, it is very rare to take either Hake, or Haddock,
the bottoms being rocky and very rough. Hftlibut are very
abundant, and of large size, especially upon a bank, 0 miles
west of Brier Island. In summer, they are frequently a
plague to fishermen, who shift their ground to avoid them, as
they soon fill up a boat or small vsssel. Captain Laffoley said,
he had frequently seen Halibut thrown on the beach as worth-
less, the fins and napes only being cut off ; in spring much
Halibut is dried, but in summer it will not dry, as the flies spoil
it at that season.

The fair average catch of a Brier Island fishing vessel, by
line-fishing during the summer, is 100 quintals offish to each
man.

The mode of curing Cod was thus described by Captain
Laffoley, as that generally followed by those who desired to
make dried fish of the first quality. Before being split, the
fish are washed ; afler being dressed and split, they are again
washed. Cod are salted with half a bushel of salt to a quintal
of fish ; in summer not quite so much, as then they take salt
quicker. They lay in salt five or six days, after which they are
washed, and put in pile to drain for 24 hours ; they are then
put on the flakes to dry. After eight or nine days of fine wea-
ther, they «re put in press-pile, in which they remain a week
or more to sweat ; they are then spread out again on a fine day,
after which they are put once more in press-pile, in whichthey
remain, until they are put into stor?, or shipped for exporta-
tion. The Cod caught in deep water off Brier Island, are
exceedingly large, thick, well fed fish, of the best description.
Some of these cured by Captain Laffoley were inspected by the
writer ; they were 14 to the quintal, and could hardly be sup-
passed, either in the intrinsic excellence of the fish, or the
admirable manner in which they were cured. If the fish caught
in the Bay of Fundy were all cured in the same perfect man-
ner, there would be no complaint of the want of markets ;
wherever they might be sent, they weald be highly prized, and
would at all times command remunerative prices. ^^ .

The superiority of the large well fed Cod, caught in the
exceedingly cold and deep water of this part of the Bay of
Fundy, especially tor table use, is perfectly understood by
th/9 American fishermen) who resort to these grounds every

og

!;^'

^

season, in great numbers. Whole fleets of American fishing
schooners appear off Brier Island in the Spring as soon as the
fishery commences ; and it was complained by Capt. Laffoley,
as alwo by other fishermen of the same locality, that these ves-
sels disturb the fisheries in a variety of ways. If they cannot
buy bait, these fishermen come inshore, set their own nets in
the liest places, and in fact, do just what they please from mere
superiority of numbers.

Herrings make their appearance about the 10th of April
every season ; these are the large spawning Herrings, full of
roe. At Brier Island, they are chiefly taken for bait ; but at
liong Island, and on the South shore up to Digby 6?.t, and for
some distance above, many are taken in set nets and put up
for sale. The nets generally used are 20 fathoms long, and
4 fathoms deep, with a mesh of 2i: inches ; these are set " off
and on " shore, with graipnels and buoys.

The deep-sea Herring fishery commences at the end of
May ; it is prosecuted in open day light, at half a mile to six
miles from the land, with the same nets as in spring. Wher-
ever the fish are seen to break, the nets are thrown over and
allowed to remain in the water from five to ten minutes only ;
they are then taken in, cleared offish, and again thrown over
— ^this is continued as long as any fish can be taken. These
are excellent Herrings, and the fishing continues for them until
the middle of July. Afler that time, the Herrings strike
over to the " ripplings " of Grand Manan, where they con-
tinue to play during the rest of the season, these ** ripplings "
abounding with Shrimps in vast quantities. At the full and
change of the moon, on the spring tides, the Brier Island fish-
ing vessels go over to fish on the " ripplings," as during those
tides, the Herrings are found there in greatest abundance. '

No Capelin has ever been seen at Brier Island ; the shores
are probably too rocky, and there is too much tide and surf.
Squid, (Cuttle-fish — sepia arctica,) in some seasons, appear
in August, and continue until October ; they are by far the
best bait, whenever they can be procured. *

Israel Outhouse, a ^sherman residing at Petite Passage,
said the average catcli of each man, in the shore boats, was 50
quintals of fish during the season. It was formerly much
more, but has decreased of late years, owing, as he believes,
to there being more fishermen on the ground. The Mackerel
iishery, he said, was very uncertain ; sometimes very good,
and then none at all. A few only were taken during the past
season ; these were caught solely by line fishing on the trail,

99

and not with jigs, in the American fashion, that mode of fishing
not being generally understood or followed.
. Mr. Payson, a magistrate of Brier Island, Mr. Robert Cut-
ler Jones, and other gentlemen connected with this coast, are
clearly of opinion, that the Herring jfishery might be prosecuted
profitably to a much greater extent than at present ; and they
agreed, that the Cod taken off Brier Island, especially on the
west-north-west bank, were probably as fine, well fed fish, as
could possibly be found anywhere. Their excellence, they
said, was fully admitted by the Americans, who came there to
fish, expressly with the view of curing the Cod they caught as
" table fish," which bring a high price in their own market.

Mr. Benjamin H. Ruggles, of the Customs Department at
Westport, Brier Island, furnished the following information as
to the fisheries thtre. After describing the mode of curing
Cod, as already stated, Mr. Ruggles says : —

" HeTings, in general, are badly cured with us. The sum-
mer Herrings, in particular, require much care ; they should
be split with a knife, scraped inside, and then passed through
clear, cool water. Each fish should be separately filled with
salt and packed away, not to be again repacked. None should
be branded No. 1, unless cured in this manner ; our fishermen
are too eager for quantity, without regard to quality ; but the
law of this Province relative to the inspection of pickled fish,
has caused more caution than heretofore.

" I believe that if no Herrings were allowed to be entered
at the Custom Houses in New Brunswick, but those legally
cleared from some Custom House in this Province, it would
prevent much imposition on the country people of New Bruns-
wick. As it is, many Herrings are clandestinely shipped from
this Province and sold in New Brunswick, by which many are
shamefully deceived, and the character of the fish is greatly
injured.

1 "I am well convinced that if the Americans were allowed
to fish in common with our fishermen, in consideration of our
fish being admitted in the American market free of duty, it
would be to our advantage. The Americans at present enjoy
all the fishing grounds of any worth in the Bay of Fundy ; and
all they require is, the liberty of taking bait freely, of which
th&y now procure a supply clandestinely. The American
market, even with the present duty, is a rather better market
for our best quality of dry fidh, than can be found in the Pro-
vinces."

100

n »-

m

The following return of the boats, vessels, and men, belonging to (he Parish of
fTesfport and emploi/ed in the Fineries, also the quantity of Fish caught by
t/iem during th^ wason of 1850, is famished by Mr. Rnggles : —

Number and dascripiioii

Olu.

Brlsof

of Boats and Vessels

No. of Fair average catch per man, of the

dry

Her-

Brls of

employed.

Men.

products of the Fisheries.

Fish.

nngs.

Cod.

48 open boats, S men each.

96

70 quintals dry Fish per man,
6 barrels Herrings per do.
1 barrel Oil per do.

«,720

576

9»

S6 decked vessels from 10

'

to 30 tons, average 5 men

I

to each,

130

90 quintals dry Fish, per man,
100 barrels Herrings, each vessel,
S barrels Oil, per matir

11,700

8,600

260 ,

a vessels in all 240 tons,

*■

one trip to the Magdalen

<jt »'

Islands in the Spring for

Herrings.

30

3S0 barrels Herrings, each vessel.

Total,

"

2,100

Total, men

256

18,420

5,876

356

The quantity of Herrings smoked at Brier Island is small,
not exceeding 500 boxes in a season.

The valuable and varied fisheries of St. Mary's Bay were
not inspected by the writer, whose inquiries in the Bay of
Fundy, terminated at Brier Island.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

- J

Jo

THE CURE OF FISH..

It is quite clear from what has been previously stated, that
all the fish taken is the Bay of Fundy, on the New Brunswick
side, are very badly cured, whether pickled, dried, or smoked ^
and there is besides, great deficiency in the weight of barrels
of pickled fish. In fact, no reliance whatever can be placed
upon the inspection or the weight of fish, although the barrels
may bear the brand of an Inspector regularly appointed. Be-
sides being highly injurious to the interests of commerce, and
to the advancement of tht; fisheries, it is highly discreditable to
allow the laws to be thus openly evaded, ami set 9t defiance. ?

The fish of the Bay of Fundy wiien drawn from the water,
are most excellent ; they can scarcely be eqiiaUed and certainly
not surpassed el^wfaere. Yet these admirable fish* either
firom igoodranee, neglect, m laziness, or &U eombioed> are so
wretcli«^y cored, as <Mily to be fit for the poorest markets,
and are only sold because there is an insufficient supply of fisb
generally. While thousands of Quintals of Cod, caught ia the
Bay of Chaleur, and cured in the best manner on the shoarea of

101

99

356

m

and

New Brunswick, have been shipped annually by the Jersey mer-
chantsfrom ShippaganandCaraquet to Brazil, Spain, Portugal,
Sicily, and the Italian States, not a single quintal of fish hn.s
been sent Orom the Bay of Fundy to the markets of the Medi-
terranean, because none have been cured fit to send ! And
even of the second and third qualities of fish (distinguished as
" Madeira " and " West India ") the cure has been so indif-
ferent, that their shipment to foreign markets has almost
invariably been attended with loss to the exporter.

The following letter from Edward Allison, Esquire, a highly
respectable merchant of this city, who is earnestly engaged in
endeavours to open various branches of trade with distant
foreign markets, explains clearly, and distinctly, the frauds to
which exporters are subjected, and the losses accruing from
badly cured fish : —

Saint John, 20th November, 1850.

Sir, — ^For several years past, our house has been Qmong
the principal exporters of fish—largely of Alewives to the
United States, and to a considerable extent, in Cod, Hake,
Haddock, &,c. to the British and Foreign West Indies.

Our cure of Alewives has generally given satisfaction ; but
there is great dissatisfaction as to the inspection, and more
especially as regards weight. This is of much consequence,
and in seasons like the past, when fish were scarce, and more
valuable than salt, there has been a general deficiency of fish
in the barrel. In fact, with the exception of a few brands, no
dependence as to character or weight is given by the inspec-
tion. I believe that the pibkled fish are rarely, if ever, weighed
prior to packing. An ordinary Herring barrel, which is, I
believe, 17 inches in the head, and 31 inches in ^he stave, will
not contain 200 lbs. of Alewives, unless packed with great care
and attention. The short weight of our Alewives has already
produced its effect upon their character, and in the West India
markets they will not sell at full prices, unless subject to being
r&'Weighed. We are aware of a serious deduction having to
be subiiiitted to, in a parcel shipped to Jamaica a few months
since. They were sold at a good price, but on delivery were
found so shoil of weight, that the deduction swept away all
profit, especially as duties and expenses were paid as upon a
merchantable article. In re-packing a parcel also for the ship
"Courier," for the market of Mauritius, we found scarcely a
barrel to contain more than 160 lbs. or 170 lbs. offish, although
inspected and branded^ '<N<». 1, 200 lbs." Thig is a serioua

Mil

'U1

#1

1 i

102

evil, nml must be remedied, or it will destroy the export trade
in this article.

We are told that the empti/ barreh are frequently branded
])rior to packing, and I am informed, they are so delivered at
the cooperage. The Corporation should nominate only per-
sons of character to fill the responsible office of Inspector ; on
their being sworn in, they should take substantial bonds for the
faithful performance of the duties, and deal rigidly with delin-
(|uents. This we think the most salutary way to correct the
serious evil which now exists. The Corporation should also
take care to prosecute those who act ns Inspectors, without
qualifying themselves. We could name those who have branded
as Inspectors this year, but who have not been licenced to do
so, and they escape because not prosecuted.

The Codfish, IJake, and Haddock brought lo this market
arc certainly very inferior in quality to those shipped at Halifax,
and I much fear that our exports of dry fish will not be an im-
portant item, until the quality is improved. This does not
apply so much to the fish, as to the want of care and attention
in splitting, curing, and drying. I can safely say, I have not
seen a strictlij merchantable fsh, since I have resided here —
I mean such fish as are shipped from Halifax, Newfoundland,
and Cape Breton. There the fish are so completely cured and
dried, that many are shipped in bulk, to Europe and South
America, and reach their destination in good order ; while the
best we can get here, carefully screwed, rarely reach their des-
tination in as good order as we would wish. The fault is — ^want
of care in splitting and salting, but more especially in drying ;
we rarely get them so dry, as not to show pickle under the
screw. This is not known elsewhere, and until our fish are
better made, they arc not fit to ship.

During the past few years, we have made various shipments
of fish to foreign ports, and with but doubtful success, arising
from their delivery in bad order ; and we are almost discour-
aged from shipping dry fish until we can purchase an article
better prepared for a sea voyage.

Your obedient servant,

Edwaud Allison.

M. H. Perley, Esquire.

In a not« to the writer which accompanied the above 'ette ",
Mr. Allison says — " To contend with, there is much ignorance,
carelessness, and unwillingness to learn, and it will require all
your patience to accomplish the object you have in view.

103

Much of the difficulty arises from locnl circum.stanccs. Our
fishermen have a choice of markets between St. John and
Eastport, ^nd if they get flour cheaper at i!.? latter, it is an
inducement to take their fish there. The evil is, that our people
have no certain market ; they go to-day to Eastport ; to-mor-
row to St. John, or elsewhere ; in the meantime they get into
u careless way of attei.^ing to their fish, not preparing them for
any market espevially^ and not expecting to keep them long on
hand, they do not dry them, as they should do."

The advantages which have arisen from the careful inspec-
tion of Herrings in Scotland, and the great confidence given by
the official brand affixed by the Officers of the Board of British
Fisheries, to Scottish Herrings in foreign markets, have been
stated in the writer''s preceding Reports. Since those Reports
were presented, certain resolutions passed by the Chamber of
Commerce of Wick and Pulteney Town, and laid before Par-
liament, have been received, the substance of which may be
thus briefly stated. The first resolution states, that before the
establishment of the Fishery Boaixl, the total tpiantity of Her-
rings cured in Scotland amounted to about 90,000 barrels,
which have been increased by the Board's exertions to 600,
000 barrels, while the mode of curing, assorting, and putting
up, or preparing, for various markets, had been improved in at
least a similar ratio. The next resolution states, that the in-
crease in the exportation of Herrings to foreign markets could
not have been arrived at in so short a time, but for the care
taker in affixing the official brand, which serves as a passport
in all foreign countries, freeing the trader from many expen-
sive and Vexatious regulations formerly enforced by foreign
governments.

In consequence of the full reliance placed upon the official
brand in Scotland, barrels of Herrings bearing It^ are trans-
ported from hand to hand on the Continent, with the utmost
confidence, and transported to the most distant parts of Europe.
Ip 1849, it was represented to the Fishery Board by the most
influential merchants of different cities on the Continent, that
the large commercial dealings in which they engage with Great
Britain for Herrings, are undertaken and maintained upon the
faith of the Government Brand, and that nearer markets would
be- resorted to, but fbr this attestation of quality stamped upon
British Herrings.

.vy

iull

»i

9- \

104

FOREIGN MARKET8 FOR FI8II.

Ah a knowledge of the niarketA for fish properly cured, is
matter of great importance, the writer has been at some pains
to acquire information as to the amount of duties and restric-
tions on the importation of British fish into various countries
in Europe and America, which is here submitted.

A large proportion of the pickled Herrings of Scotland
go to Prussia, and the States under the Germanic Union of
Customs ; this is in consequence of the low duty. In the
Germanic Union, the duty is 3s. sterling per barrel on salted
Herrings, and Is. per barrel on smoked Herrings ; the quan-
tity of Scotch Herrings sent there annually is 150,000 barrels.

Austria, an adjoining country, to which there is easy access
from Prussia, probably receives t^omc of the British Herrings ;
but the duty there is 4s. sterling per barrel, besides a transit
duty of Is. 6d. per barrel on all Herrings passing through
Prussia, to Austria or Poland. In consequence of these duties,
British Herrings, instead of becoming a staple export to Aus-
tria, as they ought to be to the Catholic population of that
large empire, are reserved as objects of luxury for the higher
classes. The loss of a direct trade with Austria, deprives the
British merchant of a rich market, which would carry off many
thousand barrels of Herrings.

Russia is tinothcr country to which a large export of Her-
rings might be made, but a heavy ad-valarem duty is assessed
upon them, the value being calculated from the first imports
of the season, which bring an extravagant price. In Russia,
also, fish are exposed to the injurious practice of ^aac^t/t^,
which consists in opening the barrels, and removing the con-
tents to inspect them.

: In France, the duties on the importation of fish are as fol-
lows : — Foreign fish by French vessels, per 100 killograms, 40
francs, or XI 12 6 sterling ; if imported in foreign vessels,
or by land, 44 francs, or £1 15 2 sterling. These high duties
entirely exclude British fish from the French market,
i In Holland, the importation of all kinds of salt fish is pro-
hibited.

In Belgium, the Duties on British fish of every kind vary
with the season at which the importation takes place, as also
whether imported in a British or foreign vessel ; but all the
duties are so high as to exclude Herrings and dried fish.

No British fish have been sent to Sweden or Denmark ; the
reason for this is not ascertained, but the extensive fisheries of
Norway preclude the hope of a market in that quarter.

105

SinoUfMl IIorrin^H arc «oiit from Srotliind to Gonnva, li(!«?-
horn, Na|>!oH, Sicily, Vciiirf, and TrioHt,<!. In IVajtleN and
Sicily, the daty is estimated as lOs. por burr*!!, which added
to the fix'i;,'ht, renders the article a laxnry, and keeps it from
the j^reatcr part of the population.

Imports of Rritish fish, on a small scale, arc received in
Sardinia, Tascany, thv Roman States, (Jrecce, and the Otto-
man Empire, with all of which, a trad*? of some extent mi|>;ht
he established, hut for the uniform system of hi«^h duties kept
up in each.

One or two vessels arc chined armually at St. John's, New-
foundland, with dried fish for the Ionian Islands, and for
Egypt ; hut of the value of the tra<le in those (pmrters no exact
information has been obtained.

In Portugal, the duty on cured fish is fixed at I,()fl0 reis,
or about Os. sterling jier quintal. The object of this high duty
was to protect a fishing company whose operations have failed,
and it is now urged, that Portugal ought to relax this duty,
and allow the admission of British fish, on terms in accord-
ance with the reciprocal good relations which subsist between
Portugal and Great Britain as to other articles of general
commerce.

In Spain, foreign fish of all kinds, fresh, salted, or dried,
except Codfish and Stockfish, are prohibited. If these are
imported in the vessels of Spain, a duty of 30 per cent, is
charged ; if in foreign vessels, the duty is 40 per cent, and
this diflferencc gives the carrying trade to the Spanish vessels.
Great numbers of Spanish vessels resort annually to New-
foundland for cargoes of -dry fish, and some of these vessels
have also visited Halifax for the same purpose. But none of
the vessels of Spain have yet visited the Ports of New Bruns-
wick, although the fish caught near its shores are equally as
good OB those of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia — their cure
is so bad, that they are altogether unfit for the market of Spain.

With the Spanish Islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, an ex-
tensive trade might be carried on in fish, in return for tropical
products, if the fish of New Brunswick were properly cured
and dried to stand the climate, and give satisfaction to the
consumers. The writer has procured from Washington, trans-
lations of the several tariffs of duties levied on fish, in Cuba
and Porto Rico, from which it appears that there are four
separate r^tes. The lowest rate is on Spanish fish, imported
direct in a Spanish vessel ; the next, on foreign fish imported

■ ' 14

106

I

ii ■!

tVom Spain in a Spani^ih vessel ; the third rate, is un finh iin-
|)orte(l direct froni foreign countries in a Spanish vessel ; and
the fourth and highest rate, is on foreign fish, imported in a
foreign vessel. Under the last of these rates, pickled Her-
rings are suhjcct to a duty of 331 per cent , the value being
established at an uniform rate of $4.50 per barrel ; the amount
of duty is therefore $1.52 per barrel. Dried fish of all kinds
pay a duty of 271 per cent, the value being fixed at $3.50 per
quintal of 100 lbs. ; the duty is therefore 97 cents per 100 lbs.
When foreign caught Herrings and dried fish are imported in
a Spanish vessel, they pay rates of duty amounting to $1.07
per barrel on Herrings, and 69 cents per 100 lbs. on dried fish.
If vessels load a full cargo of produce at any of the Ports of
Cuba or Porto Rico, an allowance of one-fifth is deducted
from the duty on the inward cargo. The tonnage duty on
foreign vessels is 77 cents per ton ; but if they load with full
cargoes «f Molasses, they are free from tonnage duty.

Some of the badly cured fish, mentioned by Mr. Allison,
which were shipped to Cuba last season, having been sold
there, the following is furnished as the account sales, dated
Matanzas, November 26, 1850 : —

Sales 1
riO drums fish, weighing 22,005 lbs., sold at $21, $605 1

Charges,
Note of Duties, $2

Duties on 22,200 lbs., at $3i,

Balanza — 1 per cent, on Duty, - -

Freight per Bill of Lading, - - >

Labour, weighing, and delivering, -

Commission, 5 per cent, on $605 1,

217
2

58
10
50

1
5
1

2i

0

2

-320 3

Net proceeds.

$284 5i

In Brazil, the duty on dried Cod is 2.500 reis the quintal
of 100 lbs. ; on other fish, the duty is 25 per cent, on their
valuation. At Pernambuco, on the 21st October, 1850, the
price of dried Cod was 10 milreas 200 reis the 100 lbs. The
exchfinge was then at 28} pence Sterling the milrea ; conse-
quently the price of dried Cod was equal to £1 4 11 sterling
per 100 lbs., and the duty 58. lid. on the same. The milrea
is an imaginary currency, the value of which is governed by
the exchange on London, and fluctuates accordingly.

107

In the United StatcH, all dnh pay a duty of 20 per cent, aii-
valorem^ under the taritf of 184(1. Besides the markets for Hsh
in the sea-board Cities of the Union, there is a large and grow-
ing demand for fish in those States which border on the Great
Lakes, and which may be supplied through Canada, by the
Saint Lawrence. There would seem to be an almost unlimited
demand for pickled Herrings, as well in those States, as in
Canada West, if caught in proper season, and well cured ;
when sufficient care in these respects is taken, the rapidly in-
creasing population of the vast fertile districts of the West,
near the Great Lakes, whether Canadian or American, will
long continue to offer a sure and profitable market for the pro-
ducts of the fisheries.

The Honorable Commissioners of the Board of British Fish-
eries having intimated their readiness to furnish information,
the writer applied to them for a statement of the prices of
Herrings and dried fish in Scotland, with the view of comparing
them with the prices obtained in New Brunswick. In reply
to the application, the following letter was received : —

Board of British Fisheries^

Edinburgh^ 2d January ^ 1851.

Sir, — I duly received your letter of 19th November, 185^
requesting two copies of Capt. Washington's Report on Fish-
ing Boats, and also a statement of the average prices of pickled
Herrings, and dried and pickled Cod in Scotland ; and having
laid the same before the Honorable the Commissioners of the
Board, I have by their directions forwarded to you by mail,
the two Reports in question. I now beg to subjoin a statement
of the prices required by you, which have been taken in the
month of September, and for th^ five years from 1846 to 1850,
both inclusive.

The Commissioners have desired me to return you their
thanks for the promise of sending a copy of your Report, when
published. I have the honor, &c.

B. F. Primrose, Secretary.

M. H. Perley, B«q.

" l>klCES OF HERRINGS FROSl THE LEITH PRICES CURRENT,

' September 1846,

: " 1847,
^' « 1848,
^ 1849,
« 1850,

WhiteHer'gB, p.bbl.

- • - l48. to 18s.
. - . 20s. to 228.

- - - 17s. to lOs.

- - - 10^. to 17b.

- - - i5B. to 18s.

RedHer'gi.p.bM. <W

16s. to 18s.
20b. to 22b.
178. to idB.
6b. to 1^.
148. to 16b. $>>j

108

'•I

%t

i

1 1

m

B ^

■n

m

|MK

* f

■

jH

I

P rites of Dried Cutl Finh, frofn private informafion.

- iivoru^o J5S. per Cwt.
do. 14f). do.
do. 14m. do«

Soptoinbor 1H4H,

IH47,

♦♦ I84H,

•• lH4ft,

" 1850,

do.
do.

ir>H.
15h.

do.
do.

Dried LinirfiNli iiiny be quoted 1^. per cwt. higher than tlioalM)ve.

The fish cured nt the Stiition.s, iigreeahly to the Boord'.M
printed directions, and punched by its ofTicern, were sold and
shipped for the Spanish market, at prices from 7 to 10 per
cent, higher tlian the above cpiotations. Pickled Cod-fish per
barrel sells generally from 18s. to 24s. London is the prin-
cipal market for this article ; and when the bnrrelsare inspected
and branded by the Board's officers, they sell from 25s. to 40.s.
per barrel. B. F. Piumro.se, Secretary.

The Island of Jersey presents a market for pickled Herrings.
A parcel of the '' Q,uoddy Herrings" shipped from Cam(M>
Bello, netted the shipper 22s. 6d. sterling per barrel. There
are no duties in Jersey, and port-charges are very low.

FISH BARRELi:f.

C In connection with the question of foreign markets, the qna*
lity of the barrels in which pickled fish ought to be shipped, is
very material. In Scotland, heretofore, barrels of hard wood'
only have been permitted ; none other could )>e used for pack-
ing pickled fish. But during the year 1840, the Board of
Fisheries arrived at the conclusion, that larch (hacmatac) was
well adapted for the making of herring barrels. In their
Report presented to Parliament in 1850, the Commissioners
say, that experiments have been made by them, on the kinds
of wood, suitable for herring barrels. The Herrings and the
barrels which were the subject of these experiments, were sent
by long sea and land journies to different places on the Conti-
nent ; they were exposed to much rough usage, and great
changes of climate — some were sent far up the Mediterranean.
These experiments have proved, that larch wood may be
safely used for barrels of pickled herrings, and that it is equal
to the hard wood of which barrels are generally made ; whilst
ordinary fir is quite unsuitable, and its introduction would be
highly prejudicial to the sale of Herrings abroad. The expe-
riments were so decisive, that the Commissioners have issued
instructions aidmitting larch wood, in the making of barrels,
but continuing a strict prohibition of fir.

lot)

ali.owan(;i:n, ok wountikm, to .\>>iKiti(;AN i-i.'^hino vI':.s.^i:i..w.

Ill order to olttaiii correct inrorinati ui ii.« to tlio niitiire aiwl
nxteiit of the allowanrex, or lioaiitieM, paitl to Aiiierit an fisliiii;;
vesHclM, tlio writer made application at the Itostoii ('iistoiii
House, where hir^^e ruiiih are paid annually to fiHlieruien, und
wiiH kindly and promptly furniNlied by William A. Wellmaii,
Ksq., the A8«i^tant Collector of the Port, with the following
tetter : —

■ " T ' CiiHlom Ilouai', Huston,

Collector's ()t/ict', lith January, 1H51.

Sir, — The StatntcH under which we pay allowances or
l)ountic$t to fishing veHHcIs, are scattered through the varioiiH
volumes of the Acts of Congress from 1703 to 1835; hat they
may bo readily found in Little and IJrown's edition of the
Public Statutes, published in 1845.

Allowances are paid annually, on the last day of December,
to vessels employed during the fishing season, which is ac-
counted to be, from the last day of February, to the last day
of November, vide Act of March 3, 1819.

By the Act of 1819, chapter 212, we allow to every vessel
of 5 tons, and not exceeding 30 tons burtiien, $3.50 per ton ;
above 30 tons, $4.00 pjr ton ; above 30 tons, with a crew of
20 and not less than 10 persons, and employed not less than
three and o half months, $3.50 per ton — the bounty on any
one vessel not to exceed $360. Vessels more than 5 tons and
less than 20 tons, must land 12 quintals offish per ton, during
the season.

The Act of 1824, chap. 152, prescribes how vessels wrecked
may obtain the bounty in certain cases.

The Act of 1813, chap. 2, requires the Skipper of each ves-
sel, before proceeding on a voyage, to make an agreement with
the fishermen.

The regulations for fishing vessels to touch and trade at
foreign ports, &cc., are prescribed in the 21st section of the
Act 1793, chap. 99.

The oath of the master, as to the time the vessel has been
actually employed in the fisheries during the season, is pre-
scribed by the Act of 29th July, 1813.

By paying monthly wages in money, in lieu of dividing the
fish, or the proceeds of the fishing voyage, in the proportions
specified by law, the agreement is ^'iolated, and the bounty is
forfeited. This, by decision of the Treasury Department, 24th

110

February) 1847, confirmed by the Secretary of the Treasury,
January 21, 1836.

A vessel, to be entitled to the bounty, must be actually
employed at sea, in the Cod-fisheries, a certain specified time,
and must dry-cure the Fish, vide Act July 29, 1813.

The Cod fishery and Mackerel fishery arc each a trade and
employment, or business, and since the Act of 1828, chap. 109,
the Mackerel fishery cannot be lawfully carried on under a
licence for the Cod fishery.

I have thus given you a sunimary of the various laws regu-
lating our fishery allowances ; but we have voluminous instruc-
tions issued by the Treasury Department, from time to time, to #
meet the questions presented by those claiming bounty. If
there are other particular points not alluded to, I will most
cheerfully point them out, if you will indicate them.

We pay at this Oflice annually, about the sum of $225,000,
for fishing bounties. The business is one in which I take great
interest, and when your Report ^3 published, I shall hope to
receive a copy of it.

Your obedient servant,

Wm. a. Wellm an, Ass*t Collector.

M. H. Perley, Esquire.

It has been stated to the writer by persons of standing in
the United States, that the allowances to fishing vessels a^e
continued, on the ground that fishermen are entitled to a
drajvback of the heavy duties which they pay on salt, and their
outfit for the fisheries generally, besides some compensation
for the increased cost of their vessels, arising from the high
duties on iron, cordage, canvas, and other articles used in
building and fitting them out — such increased cost amounting
to ten dollars pef ton more than the cost of vessels of similar
class and equal description, built and fitted out in New Bruns-
wick.

'^ The regulations for dividing the proceeds of the fishing
voyage, instead of paying the crew monthly wages, is intended
to compel the crew to catch fish on the voyage, instead of
idfing away the prescribed time, which the Yankee fishermen
call ♦* fishing for the bounty." But if the American fishermen
whom the writer met on the Coast are to be believed, this
regulation is constantly set at nought or evaded, moiit.hly
wages being paid by a large proportion of th6 vessels. With
the whole system of the American fishitig bounties, there
appears to co-exist an organized systekn of frauds ; attd the

Ill

voluminous instructions of the Treasury Department, issued
from time to time, to meet those cases, clearly prove that not-
withstanding all the care, ard caution of the United States
Treasury Department, and all the vigilance and astuteness of
its many excellent officers, vast sums of money go annually
into the pockets of unscrupulous men, while it is exceedingly
doubtful if the actual fishermen arc at all benefited thereby.

THE DESTRUCTION OF FISH ON SPAWNING GROUNDS.

The obstructions which exist to the passage of fish up the
various rivers falling into the Bay having been noticed, and
the principal rivers mentioned in which Salmon are 'destroyed
while in the act of spawning, it only remnr^s to advert to the
destruction of spawning Herrings on the coast.

The great spawning place for Herrings in the Bay of Fundy,
is undoubtedly, that at the Southern Head of Grand Manan.
It begins at the eastern part of Seal Cove, at a place called
Aed Point ; thence it extends westerly to the southern extre-
mity of the Island ; and thence around the Southern Head to
Bradford's Cove, a distance of more than five miles. The
quantity of Herrings which strike in upon this ground during
the spawning -season, is truly wonderful ; but their numbers
will soon cease to astonish, if such an extensive destruction of
spawning fish as now takes place there annually, is perm'tted
to continue much longer.

In Scotland, the destruction of Herrings on their spawning
grounds is most carefully guarded against, as being of the
greatest importance to the preservation of the Herring fishery
generally, and some useful information may be gained from
the proceedings of the British Fishery Board in this matter.
In the Report of the Board laid before Parliament in 1847, is
the following statement : —

" A letter of the 12th March reached the Board from Mr.
John Stewart, commander of the ' Princess Royal ' Fishery
Cutter, again pointing out the very "?rious destruction to the
Herring fishery throughout the whole branches of the estuary
of the Clyde, by the illegal fishing which is occasionally carried
on, and endures for about fourteen days only, previous to the
above date, opposite to Ballantrae in Ayrshire. This seems
to be the great spawning place for the Herrings belonging to
the Ciyde and Loch Fyne, and for this purpose they congre-
gate in incalculable numbers on a bank, which lies about three
miles off the shore, and is about a mile and a half long, by

tik

Ei

112

.^1

I

f I

ahout throe quarters of a mile broad, and having about nine
fjitliorns water over it. Th^. spawn lies on this bank to a very
great depth, for the smallest net ropes that arc let down here
are hauled up of the apparent thickness of cables, from the
immense quantity of spawn that adheres to them. When taken
at this time, the fish are in *he worst possible condition as hu-
man food, and much more likely to be prejudicial, and to
spread disease, than to be nutritious ; yet, tempted by the
prospect of gain, there were no less than eighty boats engaged
in this fishery, which cleared from £30 to £80 each, during
the fourteen '^'•ys it lasted. In order to make their success
more certain and efiTectual, these boats use means which arc
never resorted to elsewhere. Their nets are' only 21 yards in
depth, and 384 yards in length, and they contain about 960
square yards ; but they attach a row of heavy stones, four feet
apart, to the lower edge of the net, and sink them to the bot-
tom among the spawning fish, so that when the nets are hauled
they are covered with a heavier load of spawn than even t' a
weight of their fish, which are so abundant. It is quite impos-
sible to calculate the extent of loss arising to the Clyde and
Loch Fync fisheries, by this fishing, which, though highly
remunerative to the few boats' crews which engage in it, must
spread disease among the unfortunate purchasers of the fish,
who are ignorant where and how they have been caught, and
which must bring comparative scarcity on the really sound,
productive, and wholesome fisheries, carried on at the proper
season in the Clyde and Loch Fyne."

In their Report for 1848, the Commissioners again allude to
the destruction of spawning Herrings on the banks at Ballan-
trae ; they state, that they had received numerous pe.itions
from fish carers and fishermen deeply interested in the fisheries
of the west Coast of Scotland, complaining of the reckless des-
truction of spawn, and the fry of Herrings, by which myriads
of these useful fish are annually destroyed. The banks at
Ballantrae are stated to be well known as the nurseries of the
Herrings visiting the western coast, and if the indiscriminate
pestruc^ion which takes place there, is allowed to continue, the
fishermen on that coast will be ultimately ruined, and many
thousands of industrious fishermen around the various Lochs
reduced to |M)verty, while the immehsa capital invested in boats
and materials must be rendered wholly unproductive. The
Commissioners conclude by urging upon Parliament, the
necessity of a Legislative enactment bestowing on tliem " cer-
tain discretionary powers beyond those they already possess f

113

to regulate both the mode and the period of capture j so that
they may be enabled to protect the broods of all kinds ofsea-
Jish."

The Herring fishery of the Bay of Fundy will not continue
many years longer to any extent, unless an immediate ptop is
put to the fishery during the spawning season at the Southern
Head of Grand Manan. At that season, no Herrings should
be caught, on any pretence whatsoever ; and the necessity of
a Legislative enactment, similar to that sought by the Board
of British Fisheries, conferring the like discretionary powers
on His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, in Council, would
probably have the effect of leading to a discontinuance of thrs
fishery, and a steady increase in the Herring fishery of the
Bay generally.
»»;■ .
^t* BRUSH WEIRS AND STAKE NETS,

So great a difference of opinion exists among the fishermru
of the Bay, as to the effect of brush weirs upon the Herring
fishery, that it is somewhat difficult to arrive at a correct con-
clusion on the subject.

The erection of Herring weirs has, by implication, been
sanctioned by the Legislature, by the Acts for their regulation,
and it is not now so much a question, whether they shall, or
shall not be permitted, as whether the existing laws are suffi-
cient ; and if not, what further regulations and provisions are
necessary to prevent their injuring the fisheries.

The weirs between high and low water mark, which fire
dry at low tide, should be put under careful superintendence,
as these, above all others, art calculated to destroy vast quan-
tities of small fish and fry, too small for any useful purpose,
except as manure — a dangerous stimulant to the - ' The
weirs set up in narrow channels and passages, some of which
were noticed on the eastern side of Grand Manain, must also
be destructive from their very position, besides being obstruc-
tions to navigation.^

The proprietors of lands on the sea shore, should be made
to understand, that their rights do not in any case extend
below low water mark ; and a careful watch should be kept to
prevent encroachments on the r:ghts of the public, by persons
disposing of " fishing privileges," to which they are in nowise
entitled.

All weirs should be furnished with gates for the free egress
of such fish as ought to pass out again to sea, and this also

15

114

1

requires careful supervision, as very many weirs were found
without any gate or opening whatever.

The brush weirs for Shad, at the Head of the Bay, are
l>eKeved to be most injurious to that fishery, as in almost every
case they were found to take the smallest fish only. In En-
rag6 Bay, they ought to be abolierhed altogether, or at the
utmost^ only permitted at such season, if any, as might on
. inquiry, be found not prejudicial to the Shad fishery generally.
The stake nets for Shad, also require to be limited in their
extent, and when permitted td be set, the mesh to be of the
same size as the mesh allowed to drift-nets, and no smaller.

T^e size of the mesh, both for Salmon and Shad nets, ought
to be regulated in such manner as to prevent the taking of
small Salmon and young Shad. In the Shad fishery espe-
cially, there appears to have been, and still to be, a gradual
diminution of the mesh from year to year, with the view of
taking a greater number of fish each season ; and the efi^ects
4!>f the catch of snr. ?U Shad will soon be ftilt in the decrease of
the fishery.

The use of small meshed nets in the Herring fishery on the
Coast of Scotland, is considered so prejudicial) that they are
strictly prohibited by law. To prevent the use of such nets in
the Firth of Forth, H. M. Steam Vessel " Dasher " has been
stationed there during the last three reasons, and such vigilance
ika6 been exercised, atad so maliy illegal nets seized, that this
iinfair fishing has been broken up. On the west Coast 4>f
Scotland, H. M. Stetim Vessel ** Lucifier " has also been em-
'ployed in a similar manner. Bo^th these steamers, and the
" Princess Royal," Fishery Cutter, oflT the Nortli West High-
lands, have at all lames been able to rendeir most seascaable
■lussistance to the fishermen, besides repressing the depredations
lindl pilfering of fishing property, which invariably takes {dace
Whenever lak-ge bodieisi of fii»herttieii congre^e in the prosecu-
%i<»li of their budbess.

I ^1

[jlfl

SXJ)»l3fA$Y.

1» It lis. quite cteaf f^'om the foregoing Report, that the im-
^f{bdt and cak'e^s? mannc^r df earing tbfe fish eaught in the
my df {"utidy, whether from negfect or want of skiU, 4s «uch
as to prev.ent those fish obtaining the best prices^ and prc^bits
l^ir hijeipg s^nt to iSAaftatA fdt^^h marli^ts, for Which 4hey
Wbidd otfa^wit^e be WeU iidit^t6d | iSh^reby prev^stiag an ex-

■^-^

116

tension c^ the foreign trade of the Province} and diminishinf
its general prosperity*

2. The laws which exist for regulating the inspection of fish,
are everywhere treated as a nullity, except in cases where ii
is found convenient to affix what purports to be an official
brand, for the purpose of giving character to articles which are
short of weight and worthless.

; 3. The enormous destruction of Herrings, aqd their spawn,
at the Southern Head of Grand Manan, is an evil which de-
mands immediate remedy ; if this is neglected, the Herring
fishery of the Bay of Fundy will fail altogether in a fe" years,
and line-fishiifg, which so greatly depends upon the ..^pply of
Herrings, will fall off in proportion.

" 4. The closing of the various rivers flowing into the Bay,
and their^tributaries, by mill-dams ; the injuries arising from
saw-dust and mill-rubbish being cast into rivers and harbours;
and the wholesale destruction of Salmon on their spawning
beds far up the rivers, have all been pointed out in this Report.
They are all evils that require an immediate check.

5. The intrusion of American fishing vessels upon the fish-
ing grounds of the Bay of Fundy is loudly complaihed of every-
where by the fishermen of the Bay. Measures are required
for keeping these vessels without the limits established by the
Convention of 1816, either by requesting the services of some
of the smaller vessels belonging to the Royal Navy^ or else by
employing Fishery Cutters at the Joint expense of New Bruns-
wick and Nova Scotia* The Despatch from Lord Stanley to
Lord Falkland, dated llm September, 1845, under which the
Americans justify their intrusions in the Bay, is given in the
Appendix, with a note of the circumstances which led to its
being transmitted.

*' 6. The laws relative to the regulation of brush- weirs and
the use of drift-nets, require revision ; and enactments are
needed to provide for the use of stake-nets and net-weirs, at
proper seasons only. Provision should also be made for pre-
venting the use of small meshed nets in every fishery, in order
that no fish w'hatever may be taken until it has attained a
sufficient ^owth.

f 7. The great step toward increasing th^ fisheries and ren-
dering them itiore valuable* is the .ei*:::^;ment of a general
inspection law, with provisions for the appointment in every

i: '^ ^

*>!

I n

116

County and district, of competent and trust-worthy Inspectors of
dried, pickled, and smoked 6sh ; and a total prohibition of the
sale or exportation of any such fish, unless inspected and
branded by the proper officer.

8. The employment of persons skilled in the cure and pack-
ing of fish, (such as the curers and coopers of Scotland) to be
located as teachers in the most populous fishing districts,
would soon spread the knowledge of improved modes of cure,
and lead to the fish of the Bay of Fundy being cured in such
manner as would fit them for the best markets of the world.
The employment of such teachers is respectfully recommended.

9. The enactment of a general law for the protection and
regulation of the Sea and River Fisheries of the Province
generally, is greatly needed, and would seem matter of abso-
lute necessity. In such a law, power mi^ht be given to some
central authority, duch as the Lieutenant Governor in Council,
to make rules and ordinances with reference to minor points,
which although apparently trifling, have an important bearing
upon the prosperity and extension of the fisheries.

10. On the shores of the Bay of Fundy, as well as on those
of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the fishermen have great need
of better accommodations and increased conveniences. They
complain, not wholly without cause, of the paucity of the grants
made to assist'them in tiieir business, in comparison with thos^
made to other and more favoured interests. As stated in the
Report of last year, they require in many places, landing-piers,
breakwaters, shelter-harbours, boat-slips and capstans, and
moorings for boats and small vessels ; these ought to be pro-
vided at the public expense, as one of the best modes of
assisting and encouraging the actual fisherman who dwells by
the sea side.

H. The establishment of a few superior schools at Grand
Manan, Campo Bello, and West Isles, and probably in some
other locations, where the young fishermen should be taught
Book-keeping, Navigation, some knowledge of Astronomy, and
such other branches of learning as might, be useful in their
calling, would be one of the greatest boons tha.t could be con-
ferred upon this class of persons. An improvement would
soon take place in their moral and social condition, and they
would not be driven out of the Province to seek employment
from persons possessing more education, but in no other res-^
pect superior to themselves.

117

12. The neglect to enforce the provisions of existing laws,
or to enact other and more stri'^igent provisions in lieu of
such as are ineffective, or too limited in their operation, has
led to a great decrease in several branches of the fisheries.
A longer continuance of this neglect will assuredly lead to the
decay of the fisheries generally, which year by year will waste
away, until some disappear altogether, and others become of
the least possible value.

M. H. PERLEY.

Owernmeitt Emigration Office,

St. John, N. /?., March 12, 1861.

rVS"

CATALOGUE

[in part]

OF THE FISHES OF NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA,*

By M. H. Pkklit, Baquire, H. M. Bmigration Officer at Saint John, N. B.

Fishes arc described as vertebrated ar.imals, with cold
red blood ; breathing by gills through the medium of water ;
without lungs. Body covered mostly with imbricated scales
or plates, or with a smooth mucous skin. Move in water by
means of Ans instead of feef, which vary in number. Repro-
duction by eggs, which are usually fecundated after exclusion.
Heart unilocular, or composed of one auricle and one ven-
tricle. Head various; no neck. Aquatic. Chiefly carnivo-
rous.

•

Fishes have been divided into two great groups, viz : — ^The
Bony, and the Cartilaginous. The first comprises by far the
greatest number of species. '

In these two great divisions, the Fishes of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia, so far as yet examined or known, are here
classified and briefly described.

U 1

II

1 ::!i ji

CLASSIFICATION.

Group 1. — Bony Fishbh.
Order 1. — Fishes with spinous rays in their fins.

' Family 1. Perdda. The Perch family.

2. Triglida. Fishes with hard cheeks.

3. Scomhridm. The Mackerel family.

4. Lophida. Fishes with wrists to the pectoral fins.

5. LahridcK, The Wrasse, or Rock-fish family.

Order 2. — Soft -finned fishes ; the fin-rays almost universally

flexible.

Family 1. Cyprinida. The Carp family.

2. Silurida. The Sheat-fish family.

3. Salmonida. The Salmon family.

4. Clupeida. The Herring family.

Order 3. — Fishes with ventrala under the pectorals, and the
pelvis suspended to the shoulder bones — thus better adapted
for ascending and descending than the preceding order.

Family 1. Gadida. The Cod family.

, 2. Pleuronectid<e. The Flat-fish, or Flour, ier family.

Order 4. — Fishes in which the ventral fins are always wanting.
Family 1. AnguilUda. The £el &mily.

ff.

Group H.-r-CARTiLAOiNous Fishes.

'f

Order 1. — Fishes with free-gills — ^they have in their gills a
Bingle wide opening, and a gilMid, like the Bony fishes, hoi.
no gill-rays.

Family 1. Sturinnida. The Sturgeon family.

■Order 2. — Fishes with fixed gill»— these have the gills attached
iat the outer edge, with a separate opening, throiigii wttidi
wat«r from each gill escapes.

FfMDiily 1. 8quaUda., The Shark ikmi^.
2. Uaid<B. The Ray family.

Order 8i — ^Fish with round moatlis formed into a sucker.
Tamily 1, Petromyzonida. The Lamprey family.

i'l ;

DESCRIPTION OF GROUP I,

CONSISTING OF THE OSSEOUS, OR BONY FISHES.

^.o

Order 1. Fiihei with ipinous riyi in their floi.

FAMILY 1. PEIlClDiE— THE PERCH FAMILY.

Genus 1. Perca.
Species 1. Pcrca flavcscens — The American yeHow Perch, v

This beautiful fish is common in almost all the inland waters
of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is of a greenish
yellow above, with golden yellow sides, crossed by seven trans-
verse dark bands, the broadest upon the middle of the body ;
beneath, white. The back,' and tail fins, brownish ; the other
fins, scarlet. Length 6 to 12 inches. It spawns in May, and
then resorts to the mouths of rivulets in great numbers.

The common yellow Perch is considered one of the best
known, and widely distributed of all the fresh water fishes of
. North Americti. It is a northern fish, as its limits extend to
the 50th parallel of north latitude.

Genus 2. Labrax. > -^f.-.o

Species 1. Labrax Lineatus — The striped Basse.

This fine fish is found on the sea coast of New Brunswick,
and it also frequents many of its rivers and lakes. The upper
part of the body is silvery brown ; lo ver part of sides and
abdomen, a beautiful clear silver colour ; eight or more longi-
tudinal black bands running the whole length of the fish, the
lower ones terminating above the anal fin. Length, 1 to 3 feet.

The Basse is a salt water fish, ascending fresh water streams
to breed, in the Spring, and for shelter during the winter.
Very large fish of this species have been frequently taken in
the Grand Lake, and the *' thoroughfares " therewith con-
nected, by night-lines, in the winter season. The Basse
abounds in most of the rivers of New Brunswick which flow
into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It was formerly abundant
in the Basin of Mines, and the Basin of Annapolis, but in each
has become rare, owing to its unlimited destruction there at
all seasons.

m

Species 2. Labrax pallidui — The little white Basse.

This diminutive Basse is best known by its popular name of
" White Perch." It abounds in many of the lakes and streams
connected with the Rive^ St. John, but it is always found in
localities where there is very little current, if any, and upon
a soft bottom, in the vicinity of aquatic plants and weeds. The
ordinary weight of the " White Perch," is from 4 to 6 ounces ;
in September, they are often taken above half a pound in
weight; the largest seen, weighed a pound. They are a very
fine fish for the table, when in season.

OeNUS 8. POMOTIS. >

Species 1. Pomotit Vulgaris — The common Pond-fish.

This description of Perch is very common, in all those
waters in which the yellow Perch is found. It is generally
from 6 to 8 inches in length, of a deep green- color, mixed
with olive, and is easily distinguished by the bri^t scarlet
spot, behind the opercle. Among rural anglers it is known
as the " Sun-fish, " firom the glittering colors it displays
while basking in the sun. It is seldom dressed for eating,
being an exceedingly bony, dry fish, but is often caught for
amusement.

FAMILY 2. TRIGLID^— FISHES WITH HARD CHEEKS.

-r- i ■'

Genus 1. CoTTueh^TjiE Sculpin.

Species 1. Coitus VirgimanuS'^The common BuUhead.T*
2. Cattus Gromlandicus — The Greenland Bullhead.

The Sculpin is very numerous on all the fishing grounds of
the New JBrunswick and INova Scotia Coasts, and is sometimes
a great annoyance (to lline'fishjws, who regard it with much
aversion. When freshly taken ftrom Ihe water, and irritated,
it presentiS rather a ibrmidable appearance; but nevertheless,
it is said not to be a ibad aitiele pf .food.

When !the Une-rfidhersin the <B«y of Fundy find the Sculpin
biting too ifreely, thoy ta^ediately change their ground to
avoid [it*

Besides the two speeios tiamed, it is ^believed diat th^^
we seveval etlier jspeeies, ras well as some varieties. The
Scttlfin rwnges t^e lOoast of North America from ^Virginia to
Baffiiirs JBay, ttftd is a favourite food of the Chreenlanders.

16

122

m

Genus 2. Gasterosteus.

Species 1. Gasterosteus Biacuhatus — The two-spined

Stickleback. '

u

This diminutive fish abounds in the estuaries of rivers, and
in the creeks of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, to which the
sea has access. It is usually found about two inches in length,
with two distant spines on the back, and a third near the dorsal ;
and a strong serrated spine on en.ch side, representing the ven-
trals. It is exceedingly active in its movements, and will throw
itself a considerable distance out of water. Its appetite is vora-
cious; it feeds on worms and insects, and the fry and roe of
other fish, great quantities of which it devours.

It is believed that more than one species of Stickleback
exists in the waters of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
They are all very pugnacious, and when confined will destroy
each other. They are only worthy of notice on account of
their destructive propensities, and because they are son^etimes
used as bait for larger fish. In some parts of England, , they
are so abundant that they are employed as manure. .\* ^\-

FAMILY 3. SCOMBRI DJE. oil

Genus 1. Scomber — The Mackerel.

SpiBcies 1. Scomber vernalis — The Spring Mackerel.
2. Scomber grex — The Fall Mackerel.

These two species of Mackerel are generally believed to be
but one ; but Cuvier considers them as different, and in this
has been followed by Dr. DeKay of New York. The Scom-
ber vernalis is the ordinary Mackerel of commerce, while
Scomber grex would seem to be those little Mackerel about
ten inches in length, which are found in scattered numbers
every where, and are called by thoi fishermen of the Bay of
Fundy, " tinker Mackerel," from "".heir wandering habits.

Although the Mackerel is caugkt ixt great quantities on the
northern Coast of New Brunswick, and within the Bay of
Chaleur, as also around the Magdalen Islands, yet it is rarely
known to visit the Coast of Labrador. It is stated by Mr.
Horatio Robinson Storer, of Boston, who visited the Labrador
Coast in 1849, that Mackerel appeared there in great abun-
dance that season, at the Island of Little Mecatina ; but no
fishing vessels being at hand, they departed again unmolested.

A'€

t
t

I

123

thefow settlers on that desolate Coast having neither nets or
lines for taking them. The Mackerel fishery of Nova Hcotia
furnishes one of its largest exports. In 1850, no less than
06,050 barrels of Mackerel were exported from the f)ort of
Halifax alone.

.R.i

Genus "2. Xipiiias.
Species 1. Xiphias gladius — The Sword-fish.

This fish is met with in the lower part of the river Saint
Lawrence, where it enters the Gulf, and is oflen seen attack-
ing the Whales which frequent that locality. It has been also
seen in the Bay of Chaleur, where it was likewise noticed in
pursuit of the Whale, to which it is a deadly enemy.

On the coast of the United States, the flesh of the Sword-
fish is eaten both fresh and salted. Before being pickled, the
flesh is cut into slices, and it is said to remain good for a year ;
about 200 barrels are put up annually at Martha's Vineyard.

These fish are taken about 15 or 20 miles fVom land, in pur-
suit of shoals of Mackerel, on which they feed. They are
taken by means of an instrument called a " lily-iron," from
the form of 1\b sbafl, or wings, which resemble the leaves of
a lily. This instrument is thrown like a harpoon, with great
force into the fish, the attempt being always made to strike it
in frpnt of the dorsal fin.

• y t rt 11

FAMILY 4.. LOPHiO-E.

Genus 1. Lophius.

•^'ijii 'j(^i-fd}'.'iz^4i'^::.i;

Species 1. Lophius Americans — The American Angler.

This fish has a very disgusting appearance, and its monstrous
form has given rise to many popular names, such as " sea-
devil," " fishing-frog," "bellows-fish," "goose-fish," "monk-
fish," and various others.

The Angler beloiigei to ft small and singular group of fishes,
designated by Cuvier, Pectoralia PSdicuSet, from the peculiar
formati(Hi of the pectoral fins, which are palmated, and shaped
not unUke the hand of a child ; th6y are placed very far for-
wiurd on the body ; by these and the aid of the pectorals, which
from their. position perform the office of hind feet, the fish can
creep on the bottom like a little quadruped.

A specimen about 3 feet long was observed on Long Beach,

124

above Great Salmon River, in the Bayof Fundy, in September,
1850. It was taken in the weir there, which it had entered in
pursuit of Herrings. Several speeimeo]. ere seen in Novem-
ber, 1850, on the shores of Annapolis Basin, near Digbf , where
they were thrown up by a severe storm. They are said to
abound in that Basin, and to be very destructive to the shoals
of Herrings which resort there.

Yarrellsays, that this fish in its appetite is very voracious,
and as it is not a rapid swimmer^ has recourse to art to satisfy
its appetite. Upon its head are two long, slender appendages,
the first of them broad and fiattewiA towards the ends, and at
the dilated part, having a shining silvery appearance, not unlike
a little fish. While couching close to the gjround, the fish, by
the action of its ventral and pe ^oral find, stirs up the sand, or
mud ; hidden by the obscurity thus produced, it elevates these
appendages, moves them in various directions by Way of attrac-
tion as a bait, apd th? small fishes, approachiiig either to exa-
mine or seize them, immediately become the prey of the Angler,
and thence it derives iln general name.

I'he head of this fish is wide, depressed i the moutu nearly
as wide as the head. The gape of the mouth m the specimens
seen was 9 inches ; and the numerous double rows of teeth,
some recurved and conical, and others long and dcute, give
the enormous gaping moutli a frightfiil appearance. These
fish are never eaten, but they are sometimes opened for the
sake of the numerous fishes found in their stomachs, which are
monstrously large, as compared with the length of the fish.

FAMILY 5. LABBIDiE.

■ 'i y

Genus 1. Ctenolabrus.

,#

Species 1. Ctenohbms Ceruleiu — The Sea Perch, or Cunaer.

This fish id common 6nthe Atlantic Coast of North America,
front Delaware Bay to the Shores of Newfoundland, aftd is
known by a variety of names. In New Vor\, if is called the
*Ber^>all," a natne of Dtitoh <iri|^n; and a)«b the ** C%og6«t,"
dei'iv^d ftmtA th^ Nohegan dialect. Oh aceuunt of Hit f»revail-
1% ^l6i>j it id oftdtt called "Blue^sh." At ]^Moii, where
this fish i» tak^tt in mythids, it •is called ** BlfK^perch ) **
bdc dinottjr/ ^ftdtei^tl fish^riiicn genemlly^ it ti ktaowb &d the
"Cilttliet?* .

There is scarcely luiy fish wti^se cohort are «o r^jiiable as
thii» s[«eeie8. Ih the itnalleir individuitls, t]^<t g^eral o^lor is

n n

• 125

blue, more or less mixed with brown ; and faint, dusky, trans-
verse bars may frequently be seen. In the larger species,
such as are 12t inchea long, the colors are bright and showy,
a light orange colored tint pervading the whole body ; the
head and gill-covers of a beautiful chocolate color, mixed with
light-blue ; the iins of a blue, more or less brilliant.

The jaws of the *' Ounner " are covered with thick fleshy
lips-, whence this family derives its name of labruSy lipped —
that is, thick-lipped fishes.^

The only speeimens of these fish seen by the writer in the
Bay of Fundy, were taken with hook a?id line, in 1844, from
the rocks on the sea-shore near Black River, east of the har>
hour (^Sfl^t John. These were of a reddish brown color ;
the body dcMigated, compressed, the depth equal to one-fourth
of the length.

These fish frequent deep pools among rocks, hide them-
selves injftici^ antd are said to feed chiefly on crusthsea. Where
their haunts are known, and are accessible, there is much fishing
for them, ou the Coasts of Maine and Massachusetts, with rod
and line, fbr they take bait very readily, the first taken being
generally the largest. They are skinned before being dressed ;
the flesh is gweet and palatable. 4-.m!^>

Mr. fL. . Robinsoii Storer says, they are so plentiful in the
Gut of Canso, th^i by sinking a basket with a salt-fish tied
the *ein, he continually caught them by the score, . fbr a supply
of .resh fish while at sea.

f.0' ,1'

fiiivt i Soifl-lhineffllsJies ; the fls-rays almost nnlTersally flexible.

FAMILY 1. CYPRINIDJE.

-*^Wf'^l«!

Gi^NUs 1. Catostomus.

>»

, *>

Species 1. Catostomus comnmms — The common Sucker.

This fish abounds in all the rivers and streams of New
Brunswick. It is from 10 to 14 inches in length ; the flesh is
meagre aiid tasteless, therefore never used as food.

It is beHeved that more than one species of the Sucker exists
in, New Brunswick and Nova Scotisi, but the fish being of no
Talue, it has received vary little attention. *

I

1-

il

126 »

'H%i

Genus 2. Leuciscus.^* ;^^^{ mmtm i^mid

Species 1. LeucUcus €hry»oleuca» — The yellow Shiner.

The general colour of tiiis very pretty fish, is a beautiful
golden ; the top of the head and back, black ; the gill-covers,
a brigiiter yellow than the side's. Its usual length is from 5 to
7 inches, and it is found in great abundance in those parts of
ponds and quiet streams which are frequented by the yellow
and white Perch. The writer has taken them in great num-
bers in the latter part of summer, in the waters near Hampton
Ferry ; they are an exceedingly delicate, fihely flavoured fish,
when eaten Aresh, and may be considered one of the most
savory of the smaller fresh v/ater fishes of New Brunswick.
It has ;'eceived the popular name of Carp, to which family it
properly belongs.

Species 2. Leudsciu CormUus — The Red-fin.

This beautiful little fish is found in many of the swift and
limpid streams of New Brunswick, associated with brook trout.
It is generally about 5 or 6 inches in length, very lively and
active in its movements. All the fins are broadly margined
with deep scarlet, whence it gets its name of the " Red-fin,"
al^Vough it is also generally known as the. Roach. The top of
the head is covered with minute pointed tubercles, which are
also seen onlthe sides of the snout, and form a regular series
along the sides of the lower jaw.

Species 3. Leuciscus PvlcheUv* — The Roach Dace, or Beau-
tiful Leuciscus.

This fish is somewhat larger than the species last mentioned,
but its colour is more silvery, and it has not the brilliant scar-
let fins of the Roach, all its fins being light coloured ; nor has
it the roughness on the top of the head. It is not generally
found in swift water, liut appears to delight in eddies and
pools, where it may be caught in great numbers, when on the
feed.

Hi-'jtf

1 • - -I

shmu

Species 4. Leuciscm Argenteui — The shining Dace.

' This pretty little fi^h varies from 2 ta 6 inches in length.
The whole surfaces of the body is silvery ; rather darker oh the
back. From its brilfiancy, it is tisuaily called the "Shiner.'*

1

127

I The three species last mentioned, all take the artificial fly
readily, and are often caught by fly-fishers while angling for
Trout ; the Red-fin is the be&t for the table.

Species 5. Leticiscus Cephalus — The Chub.

The Chub is well known in evt /y river and stream of New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia frequented by other fresh water
fishes ; it is taken of all sizes, from 4 to 16 inches. In the
River Saint John, in the Miramichi at Boies Town, and in the
Hammond River, the writer has taken Chub by fly-fishing,
weighing three pounds and upwards. The Chub also takes
bait readily, but is a very timid fish ; and if once disturbed or
frighte/i^d, will not bite again for some time. I^. is considered
a coarse fish, but those of large size, eaten fresh, are very pal-
atable. Mr. Yarrell says, that iH-oiling Chub with the scales
on, is the best mode of preparing it for table.

Species 6. Lemiscus Atronasus — The brook Minnow.

This very little fish is found in almost every brook in great
numbers. It is usually about an inch and a half in length, and
has three bands on its sides, running longitudinally ; the lower
a broad black band, then a golden yellow band, soqpiewhat nar-
rower, and above that, a narrow d$ir^ band } when the fish is
swimming, these three bands give it a pleasing appearance.
It is only caught as bait for larger fish, especially for large
Trout, which prey upon it greedily.

%.

Genus 3. Fundulus.
Species 1. Fundulus fasciatus — The striped Killifish. ^^

In all the salt water Creeks and Bays of New Brunswick
an<] ^\ (>va Scotia, this fish abounds. In length, it is from 1 to
3 »Af^':', the sides of a brassy 'yellow tinged with green. It
l-r. '>< 8 much variety in its markings, having from twelve to
ei^htc ? 1 blackish bars, oflen obscure, and two to five longitu-
jdinal stripes.

-' Its popular name is derived from its rbundance in creeks
and estuaries, which the Dutch settlers at New York termed
" Kills." It is also known by its Indian name of " Mumma-
chog," corrupted by the Englieih settlers on the Gulf Shore of
New Brunswick where it abounds, to " Mammychub-."^
■'"' It is only taken as bait for other fishes. Some of these fish
waich were caught in the harbour of Shediac in a landing net.

128 '

were observed to be remarkably tenacious of life, and to live a
long time out of the water after being hung up in the net.

FAMILY 2. SILURID^.

GeMUS 1. PiMELODUS.

Species 1. Pimehdus Caiu» — ^The common Cat-fish.

This unsightly fish is foimd in all those ponds and streams
where the yellow and white Perch are taken, and is some-
times called the " Horned Pout ;" its length is from 6 to 10
inches. The Cat-fish is not eaten in New Brunswick, but in
Maine and Massachusetts, it is highly esteemed as an article
of food, and by many preferred to every other eqpecies of fresh
water fishes, ercept Trout ; it is usually fried, the skin being
first removed. . >

FA»f»x

SALMONID^.

i i

GcRUh 1. Salmo.
Species 1. ScUmo Fcntinalu — ^The brook Tfout.

Mi\n

Nearly every lake and stream in New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia, is furnished with xi greater or lesa number of this spe-
cies of the Salmon family. It is ttLken of all sizes, from 6 to
20 inches, tind is so weH known, as scarcely to need. a descrip-
tion. Its principal characteristics are — ^the vermilion dots and
larger yellow spots in the eicinity of the lateral line, and the
tri-colored fins, these being blackish on their edges, broadly
bordered with white, and the rest scarlet.

The brook Trout is a migratory fish ; when in its power, it
invariabfy descends to the i sea, and returns to perpetuate its
species, 'l^ depositing its spawn in the clearest, coolest, and
most limpid waters it can find. Theiopinion of'Mr. Herbert,
("Frank 'Forrester ") thalrthere is but one distiwet > species of
the brook Trout in North Amevica, cannot ! be '■• disputed. Du-
ring the last thirty years, the writer has caught im^thousonde
of these Trout, in numerous rivers, lakes, streams- and estua-
ries, in the lower Provinciesaad in Maine, ;and. can safety say,
'after, dose and vdtentive <exaniination,^iet:he faais never seen
but one species ef the brook Trout, iw^hatevedrjiwliiin^stsimay
say to the 'Contrary. i; •vi-i!!.'.- -fij "-iji-a ■;• ,7

Various causes havebeenBssTgnedfbr the great variety in
the color of the brook Trout. One great cause is the differ-

129

ence of food ; such as live upon fresh water shrimps and other
Crustacea, are the brightest ; those which feed upon May-flies
and other common aquatic insects, are the next ; and those
which feed upon worms are the dullest and darkest of all.

The color and brilliancy of the water has also a very material
effect upon the colour and appearance of Salmo fontinalis.
Professor Agassiz has made some very curious experiments with
respect to the colors of fifthes, especially the Salmonidee ; and he
has ascertained beyond a doubt, not only that Trout of different
neighbouring waters are affected by the color and quality of
the water, but that Trout of the same river vary in color, ac-
cordingly as they haunt the shady or sunny side of the stream.

The fish of streams rushing rapidly over pebbly beds, are
superior both in appearance and quality to those of ponds, or
semi-stagnant brooks. But this may arise not so much from
any particular components of the waters themselves, as from
the fact, that rapidly running and falling water, is more highly
aerated, the atmosphere being more freely intermingled with
it, and therefore more conducive to the health and condition
of all that inhabit it.

The Brook Trout of America, says Mr. ilerbert, is one of
the most beautiful creatures, in form, color, and motion, that
can be imagined. There is no Sportsman actuated by the true
animus of the pursuit, who would ,not prefer basketing a few
brace of good Trout, to taking a cartload of the coarser and
less game denizens of the water. His wariness, his timidity,
his ez'^reme cunning, the impossibility of taking him in clear
and n uch fished waters, except with the slenderest and most
delicave tackle — his boldness and vigour after being hooked,
and hi» excellence on the table, place him, without dispute,
next to the Salmon alone, as the first of fresh water fishes,
'i'he pursuit of him leads into the loveliest scenery of the land ;
and the season at which ^e is fished for, is the most delightful
portion of the year. '

^ TIm Brook Trout rarely exceeds three pounds in weight ; and
no well-authenticated case is on record, of one of the species hav-
ing reached the weight of six pounds, in these I^ower Provinces.

»' Species 2. Salmo Ferox — The Great Grey Trout.

This fish is found in all the large Lakes of New Brunswick,
and in very many of those in Maine ; it is called by the Lum-
berers the '^ Togue ;'^ the Indians designate it by a name
equivalent to "Fresh Waiter Cod.Vsfri* ..4^ .r^^-uunj^ mn q-

17

130

In Lake Temigcouata, this fish has been taken of the weight
of 21 lbs. ; it is there called the '< Tuladi." It is often taken of
the weight of 12lbs. and upwards, in the Cheputnecticook
Lakes, at the head of the eastern branch of the St. Croix. One
sporting friend informs the writer, that he caught two of these
fish on the St. Croix Grand Lake, one of which weighed 81bs.,
and the other 131bs. ; but that he saw one, taken by a night line,
which weighed 251b8. Another sporting friend, a resident of
New York, informs the writer that he has visited the Lakes on
the western branch of the St. Croix, where he caught several of
the " Togue," weighing from 41bs. upwards. Tho largest he
caught measured 29 inches in length, but weighed Slbs. only,
not being in good condition.

It has been found of late years, that this species of fish exists
in considerable numbers in Loch Lomond, 12 niiles from the
City of Saint John ; and they have in consequence, been sought
after by sportsmen, who take them from a boat, by trolling
over the deepest portions of the Loch.

A specimen of this fish, taken in Loch Lomond in 1848, was
sent to the writer by Charles Johnston, Esquire, High Sheriff
of Saint John, which was 24 inches in length, and weighed 7|lbs.
On a careful examination and dissection of this fish, it was
found to correspond exactly with the fish described by Mr.
Yarrell as Sahno f^oxy the great Grey Trout of Loch
Awe.

In Scotland, this fish is taken from a boat rowed g«ntly
through the water ; the bait, a small fish guarded by several
good sized hooks. They are extremely voraciooSf and having
seized Che bait, will allow themselves to be dragged by the
teeth for forty or fiifty yards, and when accidentally freed, will
again immediately seize it. The young fish up to 3 lbs. weight
rise freely at the usual Trout-flies ; the writer has often taken
them up to that weight by fly-fishiug, but never larger. v^

When in perfect season and full grown, it is a heuidiiome
fish, though the head is too large and long to be in accordance
with perfect ideas of symmetry in «, Trout. The coUnrs are
deep purplish brown oti the uj^r parts, changing iitto red-
dish gray, and thence into fine orange yellow on the breast
and l:^Uy. The body is covered with markings «f dilferent
sizes, varying in number in different individuals. Each spot
is surrounded by a pale ring which sometimes assumes a red-
dish hue ; the spots foeeoine m<M>e distant firom each other as
they descend below the lateral line, and the lower parts of the
fish are spotless. The fins are of a rick yellowish green color,

131

darker towards their extremities. The tail is remarkable for
its breadth and consequent power.

The flavour of this fish is coarse and indifferent ; the flesh
is of an orange yellow, not the rich salmon color of the com-
mon Trout in food condition. The stomach is very capacious,
and generally found gorged with fish ; it is very voracious, and
well deserves the name of Salmo ferox.

Species 3. Salmo Trutta — The Salmon Trout, or White

Sea Trout. .^H

This beautiful Trout abounds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ;
it is found on the northern shores of New Brunswick, and in
the estuaries of those rivers of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia which flow into the Gulf, early in June — ^it is caught
in nets at the Magdalen Islands in summer, and salted for
export. Many sportsmen resort annually to River Philip in
Nova Scotia, during the month of June, to flsh for thes^ Sea
Trout, which enter the estuary of the River at that season.
No specimen of this fish has yet been seen in the Bay of
Fundy, which it is supposed not to frequent.

The flesh of the Salmon Trout is of a brilliant pink color, and
most excellent ; its exceeding fatness early in the season, when
it first enters the minced water of the estuaries, is such, that they
that it can be preserved firesh but a very short time.

The body of the fish is rather deep for its length ; the lateral
line is very nearly straight, passing along the middle of the
body, the scales adhering closely. The upper part of the head
and body* a rich sea-green color ; the lower part of the sides
and belly, a brilliant silvery white. The fins white, except
the dorsal which is nearly the color of the back.

Sir William Jardine in speaking of this fish, accurately
describes its habits, as observed in New Brunswick. He says,
" In approaching the entrance of rivers, or in seeking out as it
were some one they preferred, shoals of these fish may be seen
coasting the bays and harbours, leering and sporting in great
numbers, from about one pound to three or four pounds in
weight ; and in some of the smtdler bays, the shoal could be
traced several times circling it, and apparently feeding."

Mr. H. Robinson Storer on itis visit to Labi^or in 1849,
met with a single specimen of the Salmon Trout of the Gulf,
at Red Bay iik Labrar<or, and not being acq;n^dnted with the
fish, designilted it Sdlmq immacuUitus, The scientific descrip-
tion^ he gives is accui'ately that of the Sahno trutta fnarinat

132

and is as follows : — " Color, Silvery on sides and abdomen ;
darker on back ; no spots." Deicription. *' Length of head
about one-sixth length of body ; depth of head, two-thirds its
length ; greatest depth of body, directly in front of dorsal fin,
equal to length of head. Upper jaw the longer. Jaws with
numerous 'harp incurved teeth. Eyes laterally elongated ;
their diameter one-third the distance between them. Opercles
rounded posteriorly ; lower portion of opercplum naked,
marked with concentric strife ; preopercle larger than in the
fontinalU. Scales larger than those of the /on /tiia/t«. Late-
ral line commences back of superior angle of opercle, and,
assuming the curve of the body, is lost at the commencement
of the caudal rays. The first dorsal fin commences just an-
terior to median line ; is nearly quadrangular. Adipose fin
situated at a distance back of the first dorsal, little less than
one-half the length of the fish. Pectorals just beneath pos-
terior angle of operculum ; their length three-fifths that of the
head. Ventrals just beneath posterior portion of first dorsal;
the plates at their base very large. The anal is situated at
a distance baek of the ventrals just equal to length of head,
and terminates directly beneath the adipose fin ; of the form
of first dorsal; Caudal deeply forked ; its length equal to
greater depth of body. Dorsal 9. Pectorals 13. Ventrals 9.
Anal 11. Caudal 30. Length 131 inches." i

To the epicure, a fresh caught Salmon Trout of the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence, especially early in the season, will always
afibiid a rich treat. The sportsman will find it a thoroughly
game fish, rising well at a brilliant fly of scarlet ibis and gold,
and affording sport second only to Salmon fishing. The wri-
ter has caught this fish with the scarlet ibis fly in the break of
the surf at the entrance to St. Peter's Bay, on the north side
of Prince Edward Island, of the weight of 5 lbs. ; the largest
in the Gulf rarely exceed the weight of 7 lbs., and those are

taken at the Magdalen Islands. V

■ • . .. , . -f

Species 4. Salmo Salar-^The Salmon. ^<

• ■ . , ■ *.

The noble Salmon which honest Izaak Walton justly calls
"the king of fresh water fish," is so well known in the North
American Colonies as to need no description.

As in Europe, so in Ameriea^ it is agreed that there is but
one species — Sahno Solar — The Salmon, And so also is it
agreed, that the Salmon of Europe and that of America, are
precisely similar ; the same fish identically. . ^ v d> »^ ;;s^

♦

133

The Salmon enters the rivers of Nova Scotia during the lat-
ter part of April. Those rivers of New Brunswick which fall
into the Bay of Fundy, the Salmon enters at the latter part of
May i '•rvhile the Salmon does not enter the rivers which fall into
the Gulf of St. Lawrence until the month of June. The female
Salmon first enters the rivers ; the male fish follows, about a
month later than the female ; and lastly, comes the Grilse, or
young Salmon, which continues to ascend the rivers during
July and August.

Salmon swim with great rapidity, shoot up the most oblique
and glancing rapids with the velocity of an -arrow, and fre-
quently leap falls 10 and 12 feet in height. It is believed,
that the utmost limit of perpendicular height which a Salmon
can attain in leaping, is 14 feet ; but their perseverance is
remarkable, for although they may fail time ader time, yet
after remaining quiescent for a few moments to recruit their
strength, they renew their efforts, and generally succeed ; but
it is said they sometimes kill themselves by the violence of
those efforts.

In New Brunswick, Salmon deposit their spawn in Septem-
ber and October, perhaps even later ; and they return to the
sea before the rivers become ice-bound in December. Before
entering the rivers, they live a while in the brackish water of
the tide-ways, as they do also when they descend to the sea, to
render the change from one to the other less abrupt, and to
rid themselves of certain parasitical animals which attach to
them, when they remain long either in fresh water, or in salt,
as the case may be.

The spawn is not deposited until the water is greatly below
its summer temperature. Professor Agassiz stated personally
to the writer, that 42° of Fahrenheit's thermometer, or 10*^
above the freezing point, was the temperature at which Salmon
usually cast their ova. It is absolutely necessary, that the
water should be aerated, or highly supplied with oxygen ;
hence the Salmon resort to shallow, pure water, and swiftly
running streams, the rapidity and frequent falls in which, im-
part purity and vitality, by mingling their waters with the
atmosphere.

A series of interesting and carefully conducted experiments
in Great Britain, have within a few years, led to a much more
accurate knowledge of the habits of the Salmon, than was
before possessed, and corrected many erroneous impres-
sions. It has been found, that the eggs of the Salmon are
hatched in 114 days, when the temperature of the water is at

134

36 "^ — in 101 days when it is at 43 ® —and in 00 dajs when it
is at 45 ® . At the end of two months, the yonng fish attains
the length of an inch and a quarter ; at the agerof six months,
he lifts grown to the length of three inches and a quarter.

In this state the young Salmon Fry are called Parrs, and
are readily known by their silirery scales, and by their having

{>erpendicular bars, of a dusky gray color crossing the lateral
ine. In this state, the Fry remain a whole year in the fresh
water, not going down to the sea until the second spring after
being hatched. As they readily take both fly and bait, great
numbers are often destroyed in mere wantonness ; and it is
desirable all Colonists should know, that the destniotion of
these fry, (which from their dark cross-bars and small red
spots like the young of Troat are supposed not to be the young
of Salmon) will inevitably destroy the run of Salmon in any
river, and tend with other causes to the extirpation of this mag-
nificent fish. When Parrs are taken in angling, they should,
if uninjured, be immediately returned to the stream, and every
true sportcinan wili carefully do so.

The growth of the Parr is very slow, but when it has at-
tained the length of 7 inches, a complete change takes place
in its color. The dark cross-bars disappear, as also the small
red spots, and the fish assumes a briUiant silvery appearance.
It then bear.^ the outward semblance of what it really is, a
young Salmon, and is termed a Salmon-Smolt. i

As soon as the change has taken place, the Smolt evinces
the most anxious desire to visit the sea ; and it is alleged,
that if it is prevented doing so, by any insuperable obsta-
cle, it will throw itself on the bank and perish. Up to this
time the growth of the young Salmon has been very slow,
but on reaching the sea, it is exceedingly rapid -, a Stnolt
of six or seven ounces in weight, after two or three months
absence in the sea, will return as Grilse of four or five pounds
weight ; this has been proved beyond all dispute. Sroolts have
been taken by hundreds, marked with numbel'ed tickets of
zinc littaehed to their dorsal fins, then set at liberty, and re-
captured in the autumn of the same year, as Grilse, Tarying
from two to eight pounds in weight. These have been released
with the labels unremoved, and have been seen in the Spl>ing
of the third year returning to the sea with weight ao€ increased ;
in the succeeding autttmn they have been ohce m^ji^e taken as
full gf own fish, from 16 to 125 pounds height.

The miseroscopical researehes of Dr. Knbx have shownj
that the food of the Salmon, previous to its quitting the salt

1

135

water, contiaU of the eggs of cchinodermata and ctuitacea^
this rich aliment givinff the color and flavour for which its
flesh is io highly prizeut This is sustained by the observa-
tions of Professor Agassiz, who states, that the most beau-
tiful Salmon Trout are found in waters which aboi^nd in
cruitaeete, direct experiments having shown to his satisfaction,
that the intensity of the red color of their flesh depends upon
the quantity ofgammarinte which they had devoured.

r

Genus 2. Osmerus.

Species 1. Osmerus Viridescen» — The American Smelt.

"^ This beautiful and savory fish abounds in New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia ; it is sometimes taken a foot in length, but
its average size is about 5 or 6 inches.

Very soon after the rivers are fteed in spring from their icy
fetters, the Smelts rush in to the smaller streams in countless
thousands, and are then taken with the most wastefbl profu-
sion. The popular name of Smelt is given to this fish from its
peculiar smell, which resembles that of cucumbers ; this is
strongest when the fish is first taken, but ft may be perceived
by raising the gill-covers after the fish has been some time out
of the water. "^

On the Gulf Coast of New Brunswick, large quantities of
the Smelt are used" every season as manure.

^' Genus 3. Mallotus. . . '

Species 1. 'Mallotus Villosus — ^The Capelin.

This, the smallest species of the Salmon family, inhabits the
northern seas only, never ranging further south than the
shores of New Brunswick. Ii is very nearly allied to the
genus OsmerWt from which however it diflers in the small-
ness of its teeth, and in certain other particulars. Some natur-
alists have called this fish Salmo groenlandicusj while others
ha^^ classed it amoag the Herring family. Cuvier has decided
that it bekings to the SalnuHiid», to which it seems now settled
it pffoperly appertains.

The Capelin is from 4 to 7 inches in length, the under jaw
kmger tfamn tfas upper ; the back ai^ top of the head a dull
leek green, with brij^ green and yeUpw reflections when
mov^ in die light ; sides and beHy covered with delicate and
very In'ight sih«ry scales, which are dotted on the margins

136

with black upocks | the back covered with tmall imooth grains
like kaagreen.

The manner in which the Capelin depotiti iti ipawn it one
of the most curious circumstances attenaing its natural history.
The male fishes are somewhat larger than the female, and are
provided with a sort of ridge projecting on each side of their
back bones, similar to the eaves of a house, in which the female
Capelin is deficieht. The latter, on approaching the beach to
deposit its spawn, is attended by two male fisher, who huddle
the female between them, until the whole Inxly is concealed
imder the projecting ridges, and her head only is visible. In
this position, all three run together with great swiftness upon
the sands, when thd males, by some inherent imperceptible
power, compress the body of the female between their own, so
as to expel the spawn from an orifice near the tail. Having
thus accomplished its delivery, the three Capelins separate,
and paddling with their whole force through the shallow water
of the beach, generally succeed in regaining once more the
bo'som of the deep ; although many fail to do so, and are cast
upon the shore, especially if the surf be at all heavy.

Like the common Smelt, the Capelin possesses the cucumber
smell ; but it differs from the Smelt in never entering fresh
water streams. ^

As an article of bait for Cod, and other fish of that class, the
Capelin is a fish of much importance ; wherever abundant, the
Cod fishing is excellent. It has been found as far north in the
Arctic regions as man has yet penetrated ; and it forms so im-
portant an article of food in Greenland, that it has been termed
the daily bread of the natives. In Newfoundland, it is dried
in large quantities, and exported to London, where it is sold

principally in the oyster shops.

-. m.

Genus 4. Coreoonus. ^

Species 1. Coregonus Albus — The White Pish. ^

This fish, the celebrated attikawmeg of the Great N<Mrthem
Lakes, so frequently described by Arctic voyagers as the most
delicious of all purely .fresh water fishes, is found in conbidera-
ble numbers in Li^e Temiseouata, where many are taken
every autumn by the French Canadians, who eMne over from
the Saint Lawrence to fish for them, and caU them Paisson
Pointu; the English Lumbermen call them "gizzard-fish."
They are taken occasionally along the Madawaska River ;

137

!TT

and the writer has caught thoin with rod and line below the
Falls of that river, at its confluence with the Saint John, in the
early part of summer. * At these Falls the inhabitants take
about forty barrels every autumn, which are cured in pickle
for winter use.

Some years since, this fish was abundant in the Grand Lake,
where the writer in the month of May, saw great numbers
taken out of gill nets set for Gasporeau, and thrown away
by the fishermen as worthless. At the same time the writer
caught a number of them, with rod and line, in one of those
small pieces of water connected with the Grand Lake, usually
called ** key-holes." It is occasionally taken in the St. John,
between the Jemseg and Fredericton ; but has never been
noticed below the Jemseg, and is supposed not to visit the sea,
although it has Aill opportunity.

The fish of this species seen by the writer have not exceeded
a pound and a half in weight ; but they are taken in Lake
Temiscouata of the weight of three pounds, and even more.
It is an inhabitant of all the interior Lakes of America, from
Lake Erie to the Arctic Sea ; several Indian tribes mainly
subsist upon it, and it forms the principal food at many of the
fur posts, for eight or nine months of the year, the supply of
other articles of diet being scanty and casual. I -> usual weight
in the northern regions is from two to three pounds, but it has
been taken in the clear, deep, and cold waters of Lake Huron,
o( the weight of thirteen pounds. The largest seen in the vi-
cinity of Hudson's Bay, weighed between four and five pounds,
measured 20 inches in length, and 4 in depth. One of seven
pounds weight caught in Lake Huron was 27 inches long.

As the White Fish has been more scarce of late years in the
Grand Lake, and lower part of the Saint John, it is quite pos-
sible that those formerly found, were swept over the Grand
Falls by some extraordinary flood, and once over the Falls,
there was no possibility of return.

Very recently, the writer had an opportunity of seeing some
fresh specimens of the White Fish of Lake Erie, and was per-
fectly satisfied ortheir identity with the " gizzard-fish " of the
Saint John and Lake Temiscouata.

During the summer the White Fish is not seen in Lake
Temiscouata, and it is then supposed to retire to the depths of
that unusually deep and cold lake. In October, it draws near
the shores, and ascends the Tuladi River for the purpose of
spawning. It ascends the river during the night, and having
deposited its spawn, returns as quickly as possible to the lake.

18

183

It is 'vhen this fish draws near the shor^, prior to spawning,
that the Qshery is carried on, chiefly at a little bay in Lake
Temiscouata, into which the Tuladi di^oharges its waters.
At the same time, the Great Grey Troat {Salmoferox) follows
the White Fish to the shore, and preys upon it. While the
nets are set for White Fi(?h,.the fishers, with torch and spear,
attack and capture the Salmo ferox, frequently of large size ;
and hence this latter fish has acquired the name of " Tuladi,"
from the river to which it is attracted by its favorite prey.

The White Fish feeds largely on fresh water shell-fish and
shelly mollusca ; its stomach thereby gains an extraordinary
thickness, and resembles the gizzard of a fowl, hencj its popu-
lar name of " gizzard fish." The stomach, when cleaned and
boiled, is a favorite morssl with the Canadian voyageurs.

FAMILY 4. CLUPEID^.

Genus J. Clupea.

iHiMiJt^;

■vr

Species 1. Clupea Elungata — 'iM. j common American Herring.

As the Herring of North Aniorici has been found to differ
greatly from tho Herring of Europa, {Vlupea harengus,) the
naturalists of thi United State<3 Lave distinguished it by the
name of Clupea elcrgata. Fishermen designate it by the name
of " blue back," aiiif sometimes they call it the *' English Her-
ring ;" very often, they add the name of the locality where it
is.taken, to distinguish particular varieties.

The statements made by the older naturalists, as to vast
armies of Herrings coming down annually from, the Arctic
Ocean, and making the circuit of the seas, is noMr supposed to
be wholly imaginary. It is generally believed, at present, that
the Herring fattens in the depths of the Ocean, and approaches
the shore in shoals, merely for the purpose of depositing its
spawn. In this opinion, Mr. Yarrell fully coincides, a:id there
can scarcely be a better authority. It is quite certain, that
the common Herring is caught on the shor.es of New Bruns-
wick during every month of the year, which quite precludes
the idea of its being a migratory fish.

It is found everywhere on the coast of Nova Scotia ; and
from the inforu^ditibti obtained by the'v^ritet during his ofiScial
inspection of the Fisheries, it appears certain, that there are
several varieties of the common Herring^ some of which spawn
early in the spring, and others in August and September ; also,
that the quality varies very considerably in different locp.Uties.

ji

m

139

The habits, haunts and seasons of this fish are only beginning
to be understood, and accurate observations on these would be
highly useful to all who are interested in the Herring fishery.

Species 2. Clupea Minima — The Britt.

Dr. Storer in his Report on the Fishes of Massachusetts,
says, that this pretty little specimen of Hearing, is found, at
certain seasons, in incredible numbers on the Coast of that
State, and serves as food for several other species of fish. It
varies in length from one to four inches ; the back, nearly black ;
the upper parts of the sides, dark green ; sides silvery, with
roseate and golden reflections.

^l*he fishermen of the Bay of Fundy speak of this fish as
having been formerly very abundant, but now sectn only occa-
sionally. As the writer has not been fortunate enough to see
a specimen, he cannot describe it from his own observation.' -

-'h f'M!? ,^»y. Genus2. Alosa— The Shad, ^^tl^% J')iqv;l

. ?/o!l'> ' T5>,'oI 'nil Vi iLt

Species 1. Alosa Sapidissima — The American Shad.

The Shad of America, like the common Herring, having
been found to differ inaterially from the Shad of Europe, has
received a distinct name ; the designation given by Wilson,
and adopted by iDr. Storer, alosa sapidissima^ is here followed.

Unlike most fish which frequent the northern seas, this spe-
cies comes from the south to deposit its spawn. Dr. DeKay in
his Report on thn Fishes of New York says, he infers this to be
the fact, from the order of its appearance along the American
Co^st. At Charlieston, Shad appears in January ; at Norfolk,
in February; on the coast of New York, at the latter end of
March, or beginning of April ; at Boston^ in the latter part of
April. In the Bay of Fundy, they seldom appear until the mid-
dle of May. The first fish which arrive ascend the river St. John
to spawn ; it is believed, that they remain in the fresh water no
longer than is necessary to deposit their ova, and then pro-
ceed up the Bay of Fundy to their favourite feeding; grounds,
there to fatten upon the Shrimp and " Shad-worm," until they
attain that degree of excellence which renders tLem so much
sought after. The other Shad which are found in the autumn
upon the same feeding grftunds, and in which no roe has yet
been seen, are probably fish that have. not attained a sufficient
age for spawning, as those which ascend the river for that pur-
pose, are Of large size attd apparently old fish. _,_ :■..:.,.:}

f:.

140

' Very few Shad are seen on the Atlantic Coast of Nova Sco-
tia ; in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, it is comparatively rare ;
the few that are taken there, are very inferior, and also much
smaller, than those of the Bay of Fundy.

Species 2. Alosa Tyrannus — The Gaspereau or American

Alewive.

The Alewive appears in great quantities in the Chesapeake,
in March ; at New York, it appears with the Shad. The
earliest fish appear in the harbour of Saint John, in April, but
the main body does not enter the river before the 10th of May,
It would therefore appear, that the Alewive also comes from
the south, like the common Shad, to deposit Its spawn in
northern rivers. f-^j^xl ^iniii«J

The usual length of this species of Shad, which is best known
in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by the name of Gaspereau,
is from S lo 10 inches ; the back a blue green approaching to
purple ; sides silvery. The head dark green above, and the
tip of the lower jaw of the same color ; opercles yellow.

In the Bay of Fundy, thi& fish is abundant ; in the Gulf of
St. Lawrence, it> is more rare, and of much smaller size ; in
the Bay of Chaleur, it has not yet been noticed, and the Bay
of Miramichi would seem to.be its extreme northern limit.

The catch of Gaspereau in the harbour of St. John, varies
from 12,000 to 16,000 barrels each season, and sometimes
jaches 20,000 barrels.

Species 3. Alosa Menhaden — ^The Mossbonker.

This fish is known by a variety of popular names, among
which are "Bony-fish" — "Hardhead" — "Pauhagen" — and
" Menhaden." It is seldom eaten, being dry, without flavour,
and full of bones. On the coast of the United States, it is
used aa bait for Cod, and also extensively as manure, for reno-
vating old grass fields, but not without injury to the health of
those who reside in the vicinity. The Mossbonker is some-
times caught in the weirs, within the harbour of St. John,
in considerable numbers ; it has occasionally been sold to
the ignorant as fall Shad, to which it bears some resemblance.

Species 4. Alosa Mattotoaca — Xhe Autumnal Herring.

Dr. DeKay says the Autumnal, or Fall Herring, or " Shad
Herring," is a common fish at New York ; he has adopted the
designation of that excellent naturalist Dr. Mitchill, who

]4i^

having first observed this fish at Long Island, near New York,
conferred upon it the aboriginal name of the Island — Matto-
waka.

A careful examination has neen made of the " Quoddy Her-
ring," taken near Campo Bello, and it has been found to
correspond so exactly with the description given by Dr.
DeKay, that the writer, until better informed, ventures to
class it as a member of the Shad family. In flavour ard
excellence, it ranks only second to the best Shad of the Petit-
codiac.

All the members of the Shad family arc serrated, or toothed
like a saw, on the belly, which is carinate, or shaped like a
keel.

^ . i . , I . .. .

Order 8. Fishes with Tentrals under the pectorals, and the pelvis sus-
pended to the shoulder bodes.

FAMILY 1. QADIDM.

(L^.JJ.

•'7 "'i*}

This family is one of the most important to man in the whole

class of fishes.

Genus 1. Morrhua — The Cod.

Species 1. Morrhua Vulgaris — The common Cod.

2. Morrhua Americana — The American Cod.

The first of these two species, is the common Cod of New-
foundland, well known as an article of food, c wide world
over. Among fishermen, it is designated the liuisk Cod ; it is
taken in deep water off the coast of Nova Scotia, and also in
the entrance to the Bay of Fundy, between Brier Islaua and
Graud Manan. It is always a thick, woll fed fish, and often
T.ttains a great weight, sometimes 70 or 80 pounds, and even
more. The color varies much in individuals, but is generally
a greenish brown, fading into ash color when the fish is dead,
with many reddish yellow spots; the belly, silvery opaque
white, (the fins pale greeni the lateral line, dead white.

This fish is taken from the coast of Maine northwardly, as
far as man has penetrated. Captain James C. Ross states
that on the West Coast of Greenland, in latitude 66 ® 30' north,
a number of very fine Codfish were caught by the crew of the
" Victory," on a bank consisting of small stones, coarse sanJ,
and broken shells, with 18 to 30 fathoms over it. At the

■I

142

Penineula of Boothia, Captain Ross purchased Cod from the
Esquimaux, who caught them through holes in the ice. ,

The Commissioners of British Fisheries, in their Reportto
Parliament for the year 1846, state that two vessels in that
year, proceeded for the first time, from the Shetland Islands
to Davis' Straits, for the prosecution of the Cod fishery, and
w ere very successful, the number of fish taken having been
29,403 Cod. The fish were caught in the ordinary manner,
with hand lines and bait. So plenty were they in some places
not far from the shore, that they were caught with raspers^ or
by letting down and drawing up a line with several bare hooks
fixed thereon, tied back to back. The fish were however,
chiefly caught upon a bank, with a depth of water from 15 to
40 fathoms, in liititudes 66° and 67® degrees north, and 55°
west longitude, from 30 to 40 miles oflf the land. The Cod-
fish were in so great abundance, that nearly 2000 fish were
caught by the 20 men on board, in the course of 24 hours ; the
whole quantity was fished in 28 days, being an average daily
catch of 1000 fish. Some of the fish when taken out of the
sta, weighed about 80 lbs., and when dressed, about 60 lbs.
They were of excellent quality, and their livers were so
rich, that they were preserved with the firm conviction they
would produce six tons of oil. In 1847, another successful
attempt was made by a vessel from Lerwick, to prosecute the
Cod fishing at Davis' Straits. The vessel reached the fishing
ground on the 23rd of June, and continued to fish until the
16th of August, during which time 42,143 Cod were caught.
This was considerably above the take of the previous year, and
but iur stormy weather, the voypj::, would have b^pn even
more successful. ,.{>;) vn«)Mi/, .-jai*.

The second species named above, the American C\,d, is
slightly, though permanently distinct from the common or
Bank Cod. The back is of a light olive green, (becoming pale
ash in the dead specimens) covered with numerous reddish or
yellowish spots, to a short distance below the lateral line, which
is an opaque white, throughout its whole extent.

There are several varieties of the American Cod, the most
usual of which are the Arenosus or &;hoal Cod of Dr. Mitchill,
with a greenish brown hue, and inconspicuous spots ; and the
rupeitris^ or rock Cod of the same author, of a smaller size, with
a reddish hue, occasionally a bright red, very numerous on the
whole coast of Nova Scotia, and in the vicinity of Grand
Manan. Fine specimens of this variety may be seen in the fish-
market of Halifax during the season; t&eir quality is ad^airablje.

ffc^

/'

,«^'

143

The southern limit of the Vmerican Cod is New York ;
thence it ranges northwardly, along the whole Coast of North
America.

The Cod is an exceedingly voracious fish. It attacks in-
discriminately every thinff in its way, devouring smaller fish,
Crustacea, and marine shell fish. Its stomach is the great re-
pository from which naturalists have lately obtained so many
rare and undescribcd species of shells, inhabiting deep water,
and which are unattainable by any other means.

A fisherman at Brier Island assured the writer, that he had
often seen the Cod in shoal water, with their heads straight
down and tails up, working mussels and clams ofi'the bottom.

r #iV -*i C**.>

tUif.r ,n Species 3. Morrkuu Pruinosa — The Tomcod. '^(1.+

! .i.

The average length of the Tomcod is about 6 inches. This
fish also ranges the whole American Coast from New York
northwardly ; it is taken on the shores of Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick throughout the year. It frequently ascends rivers
even into fresh water.

In the early part of winter after tho first severe frost, it be-
comes very abundant in the mixed waters of estuaries, and
hence the name of " frost fish" which if *^equently applied to it.
The colors of the Tomcod vary greatly, scarcely any two indivi-
duals being exactly alike ; five varieties have been noticed,
and it is thought the number maj- be still further increased. It
is a savory fish, and may be taken in large quantities with the
greatest ease.

■ . rr.

Species 4. Morrhua ^glefinus — The Haddock.

H

This fish is found every wherd on the American Coast north
of New York. Its distinctive coloring is blackish brown
above, and silvery grey below the lateral line, which is jet
black. The back and sides are varied by purplish and gold
gleams, which disappear very soon after the fish is dead. The
body of the fish is stout forward, and tapering backward, the
head large and arched ; the eyes large ; the lower jaw the
shoitestp :}j

Tl^is is an exceedingly fine fish when eaten fresh, or when
slightly salted and smoked, in the same manner as the Find-
horn Haddocks of Scotland. It is too thin a fish for salting
and drying like Cod, and has only half the commercial value.

' <viH a ■■■' ■ ' Ui JiiTOntj yii:i ,'?B'^,iil

>?«'C/'

I ^ i/". , SkU

i 144
Genus 2. Phycis. ,i ni^rtau,,

iVy

Species 1. Phycis Americanm — The American Hake.

The geographical range of this fish appears to be from Cape
Cod, northwardly. It is taken largely on muddy bottoms, both
in the Bay of Fundy and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, chiefly
by fishing during the night, at which time it feeds oii the smaller
Crustacea, with which its stomach is generally found to be filled.
In the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and Bay of Chaleur, it is inva-
riably called *'Ling," under which name, when salted and
dried, it is exported by the Jersey merchants, who have fishing
establisliments there, and who probably introduced the name.

This fish is frequently taken of the length of three feet,
especially in the Gulf ; it is of a reddish brown colour, with
slight metallic reflections on the cheeks, and a dark patch be-
neath the orbits ; abdomen lighter, mixed with gray. It has
one barbule under the chin ; the ventral fins are simple rays,
divided or forked, one of the divisions longer than the other.
Head pointed, flattened above ; snout prominent ; the upper
jaw projects beyond the lower ; both jaws are arched with
several rows of sharp, incurved teeth, which render necessary
an armature of six or eight inches above the hook, as this fish
readily bites off a common cod-line.

..ii.

Genus 3. Merlucius.
Species 1. Merlucius Alhidm — The Silver Hake.

This fish has the same geographical range as the American
Hake last mentioned. It is abundant around the Island of
Grand Manan, and is known as the Silver Hake ; in the mar-
ket of Saint John, it is sold under the name of '' Whiting."

When quite fresh, it is an exceedingly, sweet and palatable
fish, but it soon becomes soft and tasteless. As it is never
salted, the fishermen attach no value to it whatever. At Grand
Manan, the Silver Hake, of small size, is often taken in the
Herring nets, in which it becomes entangled while pursuing its
prey. The writer observed the fishermen at Grand Manan
throwing away this fine fish by dozens, when clearing their
Herring nets. It is a most voracious fish, as implied by its
name, merlucius — the Sea Pike.

The head and upper part of the body are of a dull lead
colour ; the sides and abdomen white. The eyes are very
large, the pupils black, the irides silvery. There is a sensible

145

depriessibh on the top of the head, betW^i&n tne eyes. Tlie
lower jaw is the longest ; both jaws are armed with ill-defined
scries of very sharp recurved teeth, some of which resemble
the fangs of serpents ; these long fang-like teeth are distant,
the intervals being filled up with smaller teeth.

This fish is from one to two feet in length, and is of roving
habits, following the shoals of Herrings, of which it devours
great quantities. It has been generally confounded with mer-
lucius vulgaris, the Common Hake of Europe, but Dr. DeKay
considers it distinct by its radial formula, long palatine teeth,
deeply concave caudal, and other particulars ; he therefore
confers upon the American species the name of Albidus.

Genus 4. Merlangus.
Species 1. Merlangus Carbonarius — The Coal Fish or Pollack.

According to Dr. DeKay, this is one of the few oceanic
fishes which range on both sides the Atlantic. It is a northern
fish, and the coast of New York is assigned as its southern
limit, on this side the Atlantic. It is found far to the north,
and was the only fish met with by Lord Mulgrave on the shores
of Spitzbergen ; the Fry, only 4 or 5 inches in length, were
caught with the Trawl net on the west coast of Davis* Straits,
during the first voyage of Captain Sir Edward Parry.

The writer has not seen in the Gulf of St. Lawrence a sin-
gle specimen of this fish ; nor has he ever met a fisherman who
had taken one within the Gulf. In the Bay of Fundy, the Pol-
lack abounds almost every lyhere, except in the muddy waters
of Cumberland Bay, and the Basin of Mines. >'

The head and body of this fish are elegantly shaped ; from
its beauty of form and quickness of motion, the Bay of Fundy
fishermen often call it the " Sea Salmon."
f The upper part of the head, and the back above the lateral
line, are almost black ; between that line, (which is silvery
white) the fish is much lighter in color, becoming greyish white
with golden reflections on the sides and belly ; the head tapers
to the snout ; the upper jaw rather the shortest ; the mouth
black ; the teeth very small.

From almost every projecting point in the Bay of Passama-
quoddy, where there is a run of tide, young Pollack may be
taken during the summer, with rod and line very rapidly,
either with bait or any gaudy artificial fly, even of rude con-
struction. The most attractive is the scarlet ibis with gold,
the same as used in the Gulf for white Sea Trout.

19

m

The season for spawning is early in spring ; in the early
part of snmmer, the fish is lank and almost worthless. It
becomes in good condition in A,ugust, and improves as the
season advances ; it then prowls after prey in large companies.
It swims at no great depth, and when attracted by bait, will
keep near a boat or vessel until all are taken.

Hi

Genus 5. Brosmius.

Species 1. Brosmius Vulgaris — The Torsk, T^sk, or Ctisk.

This is a northern fish, and its- southern limit on the North
American Coast, is Massachusetts Bay ; even in the Bay of
Fundy it is not very abundant, it is taken in deep water
while fishing for Cod, and is said to prefer a rocky bottom on
which sea-weed grows. Its usual length is from 18 inches to
3 feet, which it rarely exceeds.

The color of the body is a uniform dark slate, the head
rather darker than the bo4y> The mouth large, the jaws
filled with ll^'ge, recurved teeth ; the upper jaw is a very little
logger than, the lower ; a single barbule under the chin. The
dorsal fin begins well, forward on tjbe fish, and. terminates just
in front of the tail ; the anal fin is. continued to. the t^iland
nearly joins, it. The caudal fin is ronnd, and lik,e the dorsal
and. anal fins, is margined with blue and edged with, wjbite.
This latter peculiarity readers the Torsk,.or Cusk, easily dis-
tinguished among all other n^embe^rs of the Cod. family.

Dr* Storer is of opinion, that the Torsk of America cannot
be distinguished froni the Torsk of Europe, although Le
Sueur qonceives there is a, di^erence, and designates the
American^ species B, Flavfigcens, In Europe this fish rarely
appears below 60 ® or above 73;® north latitude. It is plenti-
ful on the coast, of Norway > as far as Finmark^ and also on
the Wiest and squth coast of Iqeland, but rare on. its. north and
east coast* . f {f-^rt

The fish of this 'species taken in the Bay of Fundy, are
usually caught in the latter part of winter or early spring.
When eaten fresh, it is very fine, but rather tough ; it is
therefore generally preferred after being dried. It then swells
much in bidiling, and parts into very thick fiakes. In Boston,
this fish is considered a delicacy, and when driedj is by many
thought preferable to Cod;

jrft ui Imu m mf?m mii

^

,'*jiM«r/"i«>.n <r<i>

147

Genus 6. Lota.

u/rjC'j.ri

j(

Species 1. Lota Maculosa — The Spotted Burbot, or Fresh-
water Cusk.

This is the only member of the Cod family which resides
permanently in fresh water. Some hundreds are taken an-
nually in the River St. John, by night-lines dropped through
the ice, at the beginning of winter. Many are thus taken
near Fredericton, biit the b^st fishing ground is on the sand
bars, a little above the mouth of the Oromocto river, where
this fish resorts previous to its spawning, which takes place
in February or March.

The length of the fresh-water Cusk, is from 18 inches to 2
feet. The body is compressed, and somewhat eel-shaped ; the
head broad, depressed ; jaws nearly equal ; the gape large.
The teeth are in the jaws, snlall and recUrved, distributed in
bands. The color of the body is a yellowish brown, clouded
and spotted with darker brown spots, and it is covered with
a mucous secretion. The fiiis partake of the color of that
part of the body from which they emanate, those of the lower
surface being much the lightest.

In July 1841, the writer caught one of this species of fish
on a night-line in lake Temiscouata, which weighed seven
pounds. Dr. Richardson (Fauna Boredli Americana) says,
it is common in every river and lake, from Canada to the
northern extremity of this Continent. The Cree Indians call it
the " Mtthy ;" the Caiiadiati voyageurs name it " La Loche,"
and by these two tiames it is known in the fur-countries. Within
th^ limits 6i the United Stktes, it is called the " Eel Pout."
It is very voracious, feeding on smaller fish, and Cray-fish ;
th^se last abound in lake Temiscouata. Dr. Richardson says
he opened several of these fish taken at Pine Idland Lake, in
the month of March, which were filled with Cray-fish to such
a degiree, that the form of their bodies was quite distorted, the
soft integuments of their bellies admitting of great dilatation.
ai Th6 flesh of the "Fresh-water Cusk," is white, firm, and
of good flavour ; the liver and roe are considered delicacies.
When well bruised and mixed with a little flour, the roe
ean be baked into v^ry good biscuit's, which are used in the
fur-couhtHes ai^ tea-^bi'ead. • » *'i -. v '*

This fish is not unlike the Eel in many of its habits, con-
cealing itself under stones, waiting and watching for its prey ;
it feeds principal^ at night, and is therefore generally taken
by night-lines.

148

FAMILY 2. PLEURONECTI D^— THE FAMILY OF FLOUNDERS,
POPULAilLY CALLED FLATFISH.

The peculiarities of thig family are thus described : " Body
flat, compressed vertically. Upper surface dusky, and of
various colors ; beneath, white. Dorsal single, extending the
whole length of the back. Both eyes placed on the same side
of the head. No air-bladder, branchial rays, six."

' With such peculiar characteristics, the members of this
family are readily recognized everywhere. In some of the
members, the eyes are placed on a different side from their
usual situation, and these are termed, reversed individuals ;
more rarely it happens, that both sides are colored, when they
are said to be doubled. As some confusion has arisen, as to
whether a fish is right or left, dextral or sinistralt the following
is the rule adopted. The fish is placed on its edge with the
tail to the observer, and the dorsal fin uppermost ; the fish is
then, said to be dextral or sinistral, according as the colored
side is on the right, or left hand.

All the fishes of this family are very tenacious of life.

;o'«

Si Genus 1. Hippoglossus.

Species 1. Hippoglossus Vulgaris — The Halibut.

This is a very large fish ; it is found on the coast of North
America, from Nantucket to Greenland; and is frequently
taken of the weight of 200 lbs. Dr. Storer mentions one of
these fish brought into Boston market, that weighed 420 lbs.
after the head and bowels were removed ; and another, that
weighed upwards of 600 lbs., which was taken on a bank,
sixty miles south-east of Portland, Maine.

The Halibut is very voracious ; it swinis near the ground,
and devours other flat-fish, as well as shells and Crustacea.
Tn summer, it is caught in shallow water, and often quite near
tL<^ shore ; in winter it retires to deep water. The flesh is
rather coarse and dry, but it is much esteemed by many ; the
fins and flaps are delicacies, if the fish is in good condition.
When the fishermen of the Bay of Fundy, take a number of
these fish at one time, they salt the flesh lightly, and then dry
and smoke it for winter use. j

,.>.-. .^.. s... . .. ,.. .ibrtliq hlry-iyi ii ■

•w

149
,/: i Genus 2. Platessa.

Species 1. PiatesM plana — The common Flounder.

2. Platessa pusilla — The Snnd-floim(lcr,or small Dab.

3. Platessa limanda — The Flcuk, or common Dab.

These several species of Flat-fish are found every where on
the Coasts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ; very likely,
other species exists, and will be hereafter noticed.

The first, or common Flounder, is from 0 to 18 inches in
length ; the eyc;^ and colored surface are on the right. The
color is variable ; some are greenish, others slate-colored, but
generally, rusty brown prevails. In Boston, this fish is called
the " winter Flounder,'* and its flesh is highly prized.

The next species, the sand Flounder or small Dab, is a
little fish, from 4 to 6 inches in length, nearly of a uniform
olive brown ; the eyes and colored surfhce on the right ; found
in shallow and sandy bays and coves. It is very abundant
during summer, on the sands to the eastward of the City of
Saint John, and is taken at low-water by hundreds, in the shal-
low pools of the estuary of the Marsh Creek. The Shrimp-
fishers on these sands, also take them in great numbers in
their shrimp-nets.

The third species, the Fleuk or common Dab, as it ie called
in Scotland, also abounds. It is generally taken towards
autumn, when it approaches the shores prior to spawing.
Several of this species were taken by the writer in October
1850, in the upper part of the Bay of Fundy, near Parrsbo-
rough ; it was found a .very sweet and delicate fish, eaten
fresh. It is readily distinguished from the common Flouilder,
by its more uniform and lighter brown color, its more curved
lateral line, and the greater roughness' of the scaly surface.
The eyes and color are on the right side ; it is from 8 to 12
inches in length.

Another small Flat-fish was observed by the writer, at Point
Miscou, in August 1849, where it was taken in a smelt-seine,
the Smelt being used there as bait for Cod. It had several
of the characteristics of the European Plaice ; but as it was
evidently the young of a larger fish, no decided opinion could
be formed.

,^-

■nt--il.t*''i;'

■:ii-tot«t i^?ti*^0Hu?>^<:>*l':)fi •tati^'^.

• 160
Order I Apodal, witiioot veitral floR.

FAMILY 1. ANOUILMDA-THE EEL FAMILY.

Genu8 1. Anguilla — The Eel.

Species 1. Anguilla VtUgaru — The common Eol.

Tho Eel inhabits both fresh and salt-water, and is taken
in every situation in these Colonies which it can reach. ^ Its
color is greenish olive above, yellow beneath ; this color ex-
tending along the base of tho anal fin, nearly to the end of the
tail. It is caught in a variety of ways ; but taking the Eel
with hook and lino, is considered much too tedious and trouble-
some. In summer, it is caught in long round Indian baskets,
called eel-pots ; it is also taken by torch-light, with the spear.
In winter it is taken through holes in tho ice, by spearing it in
the mud, where it then lies torpid. Tho places where this
fishing takes place are generally well known, and are termed
" Eel-grounds."

It is very voracious, feeding on aquatic insects, small fishes,
and all dead animal substances that come in its way. The
structure of its branchial pouches enables it to live out of wa-
ter for a long time ; and as it can move along the ground, it is
not uncommon to find the Eel shifting its quarters from one
creek or lake to another, by crawling through the grass.

The common Eel, when in good condition, is a very excel-
lent, well-flavoured fish. It varies greatly in size, being taken
from 6 inches to 2 feet or more in length*

Dr. DeKay says he has examined the '• Silver Eel," so
called, and considers it only a variety of the common Eel.
Its general color is ailvery gray, darker above, and a clear
white belly shining like satin. ,,

Species 2. Anguilla Occanica — The Sea Eel.

Dr. DeKay gives this name to a Sea Eel found on the Coast
of New York, which the writer has also noticed in the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence. It is described as brownish on the back ;
pale on the sides ; beneath, smutty white ; fins tipped with
bl'jeish white, or pale blue. It was first observed in June,
1842, at Lennox Island in Richmond Bay, on the north side of
Prince Edward iisland. The Indians had there taken several
with torch and spear, which were three feet in length. A
specimen was also shown to the writer at Pokemouche, (north

of the Bf iramichi,) in October 1840, by a Micmac Indian, who
had split, laltod, and smoked it. In that state, without the
head, it was about the size of an ordinary smoked Salniou, end
fully as thick ; it was taken in Pokemouche Gully, by torch-
light, with a Basse spenr.

The Micmacs sny, that this Eel is exceedingly shy, and
cannot be induced by any means to enter an eel-pot. Those
seen by the writer were excessively fat, the fleiih very white,
and exceedingly well flavoured.

The Sea Eel, described by Dr. DcKny, is Htated to be fifty
inches in length, and weighing nine pnrinds. It is prolmbly
found along the whole North American Coast, north of New
York.

GROUP II. CARTILAGINOUS FISHES.

Or4er 1. Fishei with flree gilli.

"tfi

FAMILY 1. STURIONH)^— THE STURGEON FAMILY.

Genus 1. Accipenser.

^V'ii

l^pecies 1. Accipenser Oxyrinchus — The Sharp-nosed
r •( Sturgeon.

•

This fish is taken in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia from
2 to 8 feet in length. The body is pentagonal ; the skin rough ;
the head flattened above, and slightly depressed between the
eyes. The whole upper portion of the head, bony; the head;
elongated, spatulifnrm, and covered with strong bony shields,
roughened above and beneath. The upper part of the body is
of a greyish brown color ; inferior portion of the sides, silvery ;
beneath, white.

This fish ascends the River Saiut John in considerable num->
bers, in May, and is then often .taken in the Harbour of Saint
John, of the length of six feet or more, in weirs, seines, and
goc^ereau nets, to which last it is very destructive. In the
summer, it basks on the Oromocfo Shoals, about 70 miles from
the sea ; during very hot days, some one of these monsters :
may be seen every few minutes flinging its whole length intor

152 .

the air, apparently in mere wantonness, but probably to disen-
gage itself from the Lamprey Eel, which fastens upon its belly
and eats into the flesh. Instances have occurred of the Stur-
geon having leaped into a canoe, in its eflbrts to disengage
itself from several Lampreys that had fastened upon it at the
same time.

This fish also basks on an extensive sandy shoal to the
southward of Grand Point, in the Grand Lake, about 60 miles
from the sea. The Milicetp Indians, who formerly encamped
in that vicinity, were accustomed to take Sturgeon on this
shoal, after their own fashion. They used a harpoon of iron,
with two barbs, both on the same side, the one about two inches
above the other ; this was attached to a wooden handle, or
pole, of 10 or 12 feet in length. One Indian paddled the canoe
in that still and noiseless manner so peculiar to the aborigines
of North America, while another Indian stood in the bow,
balancing the harpoon, and with it making signs to the other,
as to the management and direction of the canoe. If a Stur-
geon was struck which the Indian could not lift, the wooden
handle was slipped from the harpoon, to which however it still
remained attached by a long thong of leather or moose skin ;
the Sturgeon would then make off with the handle in tow,
closely followed by the canoe ; before the fish was killed, some
very animated struggles often took place, and not unfrequently
the canoe would be upset. Other canoes would come to the
rescue ; more Indians would be tumbled in the water, not of
very great depth ; and the scufFe and splashing made by them
and the fish, with the wild shouts and whoops of the Indians,
rendered the whole an interesting and somewhat exciting scene.

The flesh of the Sturgeon is like coarse beef, quite firm and
compact, but very rank and unsavoury. The Indians cut it
up in large pieces, and sa't it for winter use ; it is only eaten
by those who can obtain no better fare. The flesh of a young '
fish is much more delicate than that of an old one ; when
stewed with rich gravy, its flavour is not unlike that of veal.

In the north of Europe, extensive fisheries are established
for taking Sturgeon. The celebrated caviare is made of the
roe of the female ; and isinglass is obtained from the dense
membrane forming the air-bladder. '

The Sturgeon spawns in fresh water, before leaving it in "
the autumn, to return to the sea. It is said to spend the win- '.
ter in very deep water, quite beyond the rench of nets, and as '
it has not been known to take a hook, is quite safe from the *
f Jiermen. The Fry of Sturgeon have never been noticed in '

153

the Saint John, and it is supposed that so soon as thej escape
from the eggs, they descend immediately to the sea, and do
not return until they come again in their turn to deposit spawn.

^ttijoir (iAi hiin Order 2. Fiihei with fixed Gilli. i ,,,.

FAMILY 1, SQUAUDiE— THE SHARK FAMILY. .1,

Genus 1. Carcharias.

.'J

U

»«t,;

Species 1. Carcharias Vulpes — The Thresher Shark.

This Shark is said to be common on both sides the Atlantic ;
it is known from New York to Nova Scotia, by the various
popular names of the "Thresher," "Fox Shark," and "Swin-
gle Tail." It pursues schulls of Mackerel, Mossbonkers, and
Shad, which it devours in great numbers. In pursuit of Shad
it is frequently taken of large size, both in Cumberland Bay
and the Basin of Mines, at the head of the Bay of Fundy. It
sometimes attains the length of 12 feet ; is of a slate blue
color above ; beneath, soiled white, marked with faint bluish
spots. The first dorsal fin is triangular, a foot high, and nearly
as long at its base ; the second dorsal similar in shape, but
much smaller. Its principal organ of defence, appears to be
its long, broad, and flexible tail, with which it attacks, and
literally threshes its enemies. ,..«■- •»- „> ... . .^-i ,. ,.

'^^■^^^•'■':;^ r^' ■ genus 2. SpINAX. ;n.\r.>K.Mj ;.lil;v,;

Species 1. Spinax Acanthias — ^The Spinoui:^ Dog-fish.

This fish is found everywhere on the Coast of North Ame-
rica, from the Delaware to Davis' Straits. It varies in length
from one to five feet ; is of a slate-color above, dull white be-
neath. The skin is used for various purposes, but chiefly by
cabinet-makers and others for bringing up and smoothing the
surfaces of hard wood. The livers furnish a valuable oil ; the
fish themselves are often dried as food for cattle. In Nova
Scotia and Cape Breton, it is dried in great quantities ; and
in the winter is fed to pigs, which are said to thrive well
upon it.

The Dog-fish, according to Dr. Storer, is so numerous about
Cape Cod that in spring and autumn, it furnishes an im- j
portant fishery solely for its oil. It assembles in large schulls,

20

154

and feeds upon the offal and garbage thrown down by the
fishermen ; it cleans the ground so perfectly, that it is called
the true " scavenger of the sea."

The Dog-fish brings forth its young alive. In August 1849,
at Point Miscou, in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the writer
opened a female fish in a gravid state, and found the young
perfectly formed ; they were placed in the water with the sac
attached, and appeared quite lively. - t\UU.

Mr. Couch, an English naturalist, asserts of this species,
that it bends itself into a bow for the purpose of using its spines,
and by a sudden motion causes them to spring asunder in
opposite directions. So accurateljr is this intehtion effected,
that if a finger be placed on its head, the Dog-fish will atti}s.e
it, without piercing its own sjiin. i(w¥ wtiKi uunl nwoftji gi ii

.!i:.(:a •n.lij'jvK,
RAlOail—THE RAY FAMILY. Mi/iT if-

■ lilft ,b( jI';

-TflWC" I

In!.!; ,>TVyf: FAMILY 2.

/nil 'Jl\i 'J^> br."Ml • ; ' ■ .. :.';' 'Ui f:i-.l

Spteies 1. R&ia LaMs^^The Skaire. ;;

)i

(M j)in;

This fish is known on the North American C;oa;st, as the
smooth backed Skate^ and ig fqund from 2 to 4 feet in length.
It is of square form ; the body smooth, elevated in the centre ;
of a uniform light brpwn oolor above ; the tail loi^ and slen-
der, longer than the body, with three; rows of spines.

The peculiar form of the Skate adapts it admirably to exist
near the bottom, and it may with more propriety be called a
flat-fish, than any of the flounder family. Its mode of progres-
sion is not very eajiily derseribed ; wheti the ^^h is not altkrmed,
it is perfornied with a slight undulating motion, of its pectoral
fins, soihetMng between flying, aitd swifnmin^. Wh^ k Skkte
is makinig itis way to sMze rood, 6*r to e^apie f^tml ah ^tt^my,
great muscular exertion iir evideYit. . ' .

Th<» young are ]!^^oduce'd in th^ ktt^r p*trt of s^rin;!;^,. eiif*
during sufiimer. The^ aife dtl^o^ifed by t%l6 pdi'efit fish ih
thin hot^f^ cases, in fbriff li^di^y square ; the^6 &t 6ktn fphtiid
along the coast, and being ^rtijpty, iafi^e jbctflai'ly te)^)hed "sail-
ors' purses,*' ' \ . ' . '

As food, the Skate is helid in very differ^iilt d^gr^ of esti-*-
mation in dilSerent places. In London, large quantitie!^ '^re
consftiined, ia^dtb^ flesh is (idnsidei'ed'delieftte ahd wi^U flk^di'eid ;
but on somb biotHis of the £fi^likh cdfist, altfboii^Ii ^^ht in
considbrabTe niihibeirs, the fl4sh iir seldom ^te)i, littd is ue^d

155

for baiting lobster-potg. The French are great consumers of
Skate ; and ita flesh is used extensively both at New York and
Boston ; by many it is deemed a greet delicacy. After the
fish is skinaed, the fleshy part of the huge pectoral fins, which
is beautifully white, is cut into long, thin slips, about an inch
wide ; these are rolled like ribbon, and dressed in that form.

The Skate is found everywhere on the Coasts of New Bruns-
wick and Nova Scotia, and is frequently taken of large size,
with hook ' and line, by Cod fishers. The writer, whil'.^ Had-
dock fishing in June 1848, in the Basin of Annapolis, saw two
fine Skate caught at once, each 30 inches over, which were in
prime condition. In August 1850, while Pollack fishing in 26
fathoms water off the eastern end of Campo Bello, near Head
Harbour Light House, a Skate was taken 3 feet over, weigh-
ing full 60 lbs. It was not in good condition, having probably
spawned ; from the difficulty in. bringing it to the surface, for
the Skate is exceedingly violent when hooked, it was supposed
to be a Halibut.

Dr, Storer states, that Skate are somet\i;nes met with near
Boston, weighing 2001bs., and in his Report, be describes
a n^le specimen sent to him frpm New Beckford, 54 inchi^s
long, and ^6 inc^s wide, t..*] /Vfyn-.t-^i -iu vnoia «/f;it ihiih*

Wijth its powerful spade-like snout, the Skate roots up
Cl^ms, ai^l, crushes them between its flattened teeth, which
appear to ^.ci upon each other like the cyliiidersof a rolling
mill. It also feeds on other fish, for five di0erent species, be-
sides Crustacea, have been taken from the stomach of a Skate.

ill! 1/1

■)iU

Species 2. Raia ErlmaceuH — The Hedgeh^ Ray. '

"\jVTide the writer was at anchor in Whale Cove, near the
Northern Hiead of {Grand Mana^, in. August 1850, a Ray wa^
caught, l8 inches Ipng and 9 inel^s wide, which so closely
resembled the Hedgehog Ray described by Do<?tor Af itchill,
that it is believed to be the sam^ fii^h. The form was
inpre rounded than th^t of the Skate ; the surface of a pale
brown c<j»)Qur,. with several groups of prickles arrayed in rcgiA-
Ijo^ Hn^;9. A dou.ble series ran aloijig, tb«e vertebral line, and
exil(C|i;M|[ed tjl^j? whpl,e length of the tail ;; q^ t^ie sidi^ of tbe tail,
the priipkl^s were very stiff sind stout. It wa^ cau^ght near the
shor,^, m Ifsss than two f^tjhams winter, with, a large si^eed Trout
hoQk> us0^ i&)r taking small Pollack. Whe^ broughl: on. djeck,
it rolled it^^lf almost into a ball, displayed its prickles, and bor«
very great resemblance to a young hedgehog ; if struck with

156

a stick, it lashed about its tail in all directions, and seemed
bent on defending itself to the uttermost. One of the men
belonging to the vessel, after teasing it some time, threw it
overboard, when it swam away, although it had been a long
.time out of water.

A careful examination of this genus will probably show that
several other species exist on the Coasts of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia, besides those now mentioned.

ai;;

Order S. Fishei with round months, fbrmed into a ineker.

FAMILY 1. PETROMYZONIDiE— THE LAMPREY FAMILY.

Genus 1. Petromyzon.

Species 1. Petromyzon — The American Lamprey.

The Lamprey is very common in the fresh waters of the
Lower Provinces. It ascends the Saint John in May, and
passing into the smaller streams, generally selecting those
which have stony or gravelly bottomsj it there deposits its
spawn, among conical heaps of stones. They have been often
seen in the summer, in pai^s, at work together, constructing
these mounds, which are about three feet in diameter at the
base, and twoi, feet high, composed of stones from the size of
an ounce bullet to that of the fist ; they often aid each other
in carrying the same stone.

It is not known at what time the Lamprey returns to the
sea, as it always moves in the night ; but there is an impres-
sion, that it dies in the fresh water after spawning. This
impression may have arisen from the fact, that dead Lampreys
are often seen in the streams toward autumn. In August,
1840, the writer, while Trout fishing in the Nerepis, saw dead
Lampreys along that river for miles.

The Lamprey is usually of a bluish brown color, mottled
with dark olive green along the back ; beneath, a uniform dull
yellowish olive. The fore part of the body is round ; the
posterior part flattened. There are seven large branchial
apertures back of each eye, passing backward in nearly a
straight line, the first smallest. When the Lamprey is unat-
tached, the mouth is a longitudinal fissure ; but when attached,
it is circular, the lip forming a ring, furnished with hard horny
teeth of a yellow colour, within.

167

This fish is believed to do much damage to mill-dams built
upon gravelly or candy foundations, by working its way be-
neath the dam, through the sand and gravel, and occasioning
leaks, which gradually undc.-mine the dam and eventually lead
to its destruction.

LeSueur, a French naturalist, in describing a Lamprey from
the Connecticut River, says the annular or ribbed appearance
of the fish, is owing to the muscles, which are endowed with
great strength, in order to enable it to burrow in the muddy
sands of rivers, which it penetr&tes in a serpentine manner by
means of its snout, the large lip performing the functions of a
terrier. ^

The Lamprey has been known to attain the length of 30
inches, with a girth of 6 inches. The writer has never known
it to be eaten in New Brunswick, but in the United States and
elsewhere, it is held in high estimation by epicures.

I fjiiij-

'Hi II

,.,1 .«'

/

LIST OF THE POPULAR NAMES OF FISHES MENTIONED
IN THE FOREGOING CATALOGUE.

'^^ I. The Perch Family.

1. The American yellow Perch.

2. The Striped Basse.

3. The White Perch.

4. The common Pond Fish*.

II. The hard cheeked Family ^
(8ctUpin.)

1. The common Bullhead.

2. The Greenland Bullhead.

3. The two-spined Stickleback.

•J III. The Mackerel Family.

1. The Spring Mackerel.

2. The Fall Mackerel. .

3. The Sword Fish.

IV. Fishes ttith wrists in their
Pectoral Fins.

1. The American Angler.

V. The Wrasse or Rock Fish
Family, T .'Y

1. The Sea Perch, or Cunner.

VI. The Carp Family.

1. The common Sucker.

2. The yellow Shiner.

3. The Roach, or Red-fin.

4. The Roach Dace.

5. The Shining Dace, or Shi-
ner.

6. The Chub. » Motnl?

7. The Brook Minnow. ^ •>ih

8. The striped Killifish. iWv^v.

VII. The Sheat-Jish Family,
1. The common Cat-fish.

VIII. The Salmon Family.
1. The Brook Trout.

',\

168

2. The Groat Grey Trout.

3. The Salmon Trout, (White

Sea Trout.)

4. The Salmon.

5. The Smelt.

6. The Capehn.

7. The White Fish, (Gizzard

Fish.)

IX. The Herring Family.

1. The common American Her

ring.

2. The Britt.

3. the Shad.

4. The Alewive, or Gaq>ereau.

5. The Mossbonker.

6. The Shad Herring.

X. The Cod Family.

1. The Bank Cod.

2. The American Cod.

3. TheTomcod. "^^

4. The Haddock.

5. The Hake.

6. The Silver Hake.

7. The Pollack.

8. The Torsk, or Cugk.

9. The Fresh Water CusH.

XI. Flat-figh Family,

1. The Halibut. oi

2. The common Flounder.

3. The S^nd Founder. , ,„;

4. The iPleuk. v,|t '\u

Xn. The Eel Family. ''^'

1. The co^imon Eel.

2. The Sea Eel.

iUi'nu

i'H

^III. The Sturgeon Family.
1. The sharp qqsed Sturgeon.
XIV. The Shark Family."'']

1. The Thresher Shark.

2. The Dog-fish.

XV. The Ray Family,

1. The Skate.

2. The Hedge-Hog Ray.

XVI. The Lamprey Family.
I. The Lamprey. .^y^ ^|

fifty

In all, sixteen Families, comprising thirty two gei^era, and
ty five species of fish. , . . , . . ,..T,. ., .

■.)4%'V yfl

LIST OF WORKS CONSULTED.

In preparing the foregoing Catalogue, the c^ssificatibn of
Baron Cuvier has been fi»Ubwed, as that generally adopted iii
the present day by the most eminent naturalists and meti of
science, and best understood.

The following 19 a list of the various works congulted, to
each of which the writer is under greater or less obUgatibh :•«—

Regne Animal^ par M. le Baron Cuvier ; transited with sufir '
plementary additions to the class Fishesi by £dwl^:d Griffith,
F.R.A., and Lt. Colonel C. Hamilton Smith. ^ ^

-w

f*

169

Histoire NaUirelle des Poissons, par Cuvier et Valenciennes.
Tom. 21.

History of British Fishes, and Supplement, by Wm. Yarrell.
Fauna Boreali Americana, or Zoology of the northern parts

of America, by Dr. Richardson.
Report on the Fishes of New York, by Dr. J. E. DeKay.

Report on the Fishes of Massachusetts, by Dr. D. Humphrevs
Storer. *

Synopsis of the Fishes of North America, by Dr. D. H. Storer.
Observations on the Fishes of Nova Scotia and Labrador, by

Horatio Robinson Storer — in the Boston Journal of Natural

History for Oetdb^r 1850.

Fish and Fishing in the United States and British Provinces
of NoWh America, by Henry Wni. Herbert.

The beep Sea and Coast fisheries of Ireland, by tValkm
Brahazon. < . < t*

PeprU^mentary Reports of the Board of British Fisheries, from
^ 1843 to 1850 inclusive. .ja.^ i^u ;>,.» i... .

■ ■■'■■ ,i.

The Writer earriertly requtf^s, tliat this attempt to classify
the Fishes of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, mdy be viewed
with every indulgence, as the work of one who does not pro-
fess to be a N<^turalist, but isimply an occiasionai observer of
nature. .•(, • ; . ,. k

inh m> .^'i"' •,--.:*•>*>{« f»rfl ma-to^M-jq .•"*• "' PERLEY. .^

Oovemment Emtgratwn Office^ f . t , . . .

St, John, N. B,, March 12, 1861. " »>^>H»fiTj^ idovMl u v,m-''Mm

t- . ■ ' . • ■ Him'riH mmii fjd ^iiii i:

' MmvfiiMi him

.f

OuL

■ . '■■ -\
APPENDIX. U yd .wii.iMiA lo

No. 1. .vjio^w

'>/«ni!«|«u»f J .<l .fO v«

..i:;.,.^.-.

Copy of Commiasion from His Excellency the Lieutenant
Governor of Nova Scotia. . '• ,,

PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA. vinikJ !T

By His Excellency Lieutenant General Sir John
Harvey, Knight Commander of the Most Honora-
ble Military Order of the Bath, Knight Comman-
der of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order,
Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief in
and over Her Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia,
and its Dependencies, &,c. Slc, &.c.

J. HARVEY, Lt. Governor.

To all Magistrates, Sheriffs, Revenue Officers, and others,
- inhabitants of said Province : —

Moses H. Perley, Esquire, having been instruct^ by His
' Excellency the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, in
Council, to inspect and report upon the Fisheries of the Bay
of Fundy, during the present season, and having requested
from me permission to prosecute the necessary inquires on th<)
Shores of Nova Scotia, within the Bay of Fundy, which per-
mission is hereby granted —

I do, by these Presents, instruct and require you to give to
the said Moses H. Perley such information and assistance as
he may request from you, or any of you, in reference to the
said Fisheries.

Given under my hand and seal at arms, at Halifax, this
twenty ninth day of July, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and fifty, and in the fourteenth

' year of Her Majesty's Reign.

By Hit Excellencies Command.

Joseph Howe.

161

No. 2.

[Circular.] Government Emigration Office,

Saint John, N. B., 12th Aug. 1850.

Sir, — Having been appointed by His Excellency the Lieu-
tenant Governor of New Brunswick in Council, to inspect and
report upon the Fisheries of the Bay of Fundy — and His Ex-
cellency Sir John Harvey, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia,
having, by Commission under Seal, authorized me to prosecute
the necessary inquiries on the Shores of Nova Scotia, within
the same Bay — I beg to acquaint you that I am desirous of
obtaining information on the following points : —

1st. As to the present mode of conducting the fisheries for
Herrings, Shad, Salmon, Cod, Pollack, Haddock, Hake, and
Mackerel — as also descriptions of the nets, lines, and other
tackle now employed, in order to know if any, and what, im-
provements may be introduced.

2d. As to the proper season for each fishery ; and whether
fish, of any description, are now caught, at times when they
are of no real value.

3d. Whether Herrings are now taken by " driving," with
torch-light ; and whether the use of standing weirs are, or are
not, injurious to the Herring fishery, and destructive to the fry
of other fish.

4th. As to the modes now in use of curing and packing the
several descriptions of fish, with the view of ascertaining what
defects exist in these important particulars.

5th. As to the extent to which the fisheries are injured, as is
said, by the use of Herrings, and the fry of other fish, for
ipanure.

6th. As to the extent to which the fisheries, in the Bay of
Fundy, are encroached upon by foreigners.

7th. As to the extent to which the fisheries, in the various
rivers flowing ' into the Bay, have been injured by mill-dams
and other obstructions, or by illegal modes of fishing.

8th. The Shad fishery in the upper part of the Bay being of
much importance and value, and that description of fish be-
coming every year in greater demand, at an increased price,
it is extremely desirable that the most full and accurate infor-
mation, respecting thi» fishery, should be obtained, with the
view of ascertaining the quantity of fish now caught annually,
and the extent to which the fishery may be safely prosecuted.

I respectfully request you to furnish me with whatever infor-
mation you possess, in connection with the foregoing inquiries^

21

162

or which may be interesting or useful, as regards the fisheries
generally. Any observations as to existing nuisances, obstruc-
tions to the sea or river fisheries, the destruction of fish by
extraordinary means, or at unusual seasons, and as to the
moans of remedying these grievances, will be gladly received.
' As the work in which I am engaged is of great importance
to the interests of the peo[ile of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia, I venture to rely upon your assistance and co-operation
in carrying it out as fully ns possible. Any communications
upon the subject, you will please address to this Office.

M. H. PERLEY.

•*'

i: . S'll/i .hr" .« .

No. 3.

,/-' ».

/ Letter from Cochran Craig, J. P., of Grand Harbour.

Grand Manan, 10</* December, 1850.

Sir, — According to promise, I proceed to give you my views
as required by your Circular of I2th August, respecting the
fisheries. In reply to your first inquiry, I beg to say, that the
fisheries around this Island are those for H*^ ring, Cod, Pol-
Jack, Haddock and Hake, which alone are stt .lily prosecuted.

Herrings are taken in nets with meshes suited to the dif-
ferent sizes of the fish, set in-shore during the night, and on
the outer soundings in the day time, when only it is prac-
ticable to fish there. They are also taken in weirs, which are
now put down here on every bar, and in almost every channel
which thofe fish play through, and even around our shores.
This mod3, I think, must be most destructive, as in securing
such as are generally fit for use, they destroy double the quai^-
tity saved, of those that are entirely too small for any purpose
whatever, but manuie.

All other fishes are taken here by hand lines calculated for
the various currents and depths of water.

In answer to your second inquiry, I have to state, that from
what I learn from the most experienced fishermen here, the
only improper season for fishing for Herrings with nets, is
from the middle of July till the middle of September, on the
spawning ground at the Southern Head, as they are then
and there taken in the act of spawning, and not good ; the
fishery must be injured from the very great destruction of
spawn by the working of the nets. All seasons are considered
proper for the catch of every other fish, they always proving

163

good, and no damage being considered to arise to the fishery
from their being so taken.

* To your third inquiry, I reply, that few Herrings are now
taken hero by driving with torch-light, us at the proper times
of tide for this business there are ntme to drive, they being
principally, as it were, in pound, in the weirs, and often kept
there, dead or alive, big or little, until damages arc [>uid beforo
even a few can be ^ot out for bait. That these standing weirs
arc most injurious to the Herring and in-shoro line fisheries,
none that I have talked with on the subject pretend to deny,
and they lately have been many of our oldest and best fisher-
men, and among them, several of the weir-holders themselves.
The injury the weirs do to the Fry of other fish than Herring,
is very little 1 believe, as it is very rare for the weirs here to
take any other fish.

To your fourth inquiry, I answer, that afler a perusal of
the directions you handed me, as to the curing of Herrings
and other fish, I consider the curing and packing of fish taken
here as quite defective, and conclude that to remedy the evil,
the fishermen cannot do better than adhere closely to those
directions, and adopt the modes of curing and packing therein
set forth. But instead of this, they will tell you, that they can
do better by selling fish, and can find a quicjker market for
them, as now cured and priced, than if managed agreeably to
those directioiis.

To your fifth inquiry, as to the extent to which the fisheries
* here are injured by the use of fish for manure, I will with a
large majority on my side say, that I consider the extent to
which our in-shore fisheries are, and have been, for ten years
back injured by the destruction of Herrings, both fit and unfit
for proper use, taken in the weirs, is almost endless. The
heavy schulls of Herring Fry being yearly cut up by those
weirs, and the Cod and Pollack having no bait to draw them
in-shore, they are only to be found far out in deep water,
where boats and small vessels, (the poor man's dependence)
cannot follow them, and there even generally scarce.

To your sixth — The extent to which our fisheries are en-
croached upon by foreigners, both by their fishing within limits
for Hake, and netting for bait at the Southern Head in the
spawning season, is I believe very considerable, but might, I
think, be prevented by a more rigid enforcement of the existing
kiws. Our Overseers of Fisheries are all fishermen themselves ;
none other can here be had, and they cannot be expected to
complain of their neighbours to their loss. There is here

164

mucli incflicicnry in this respect, but I mn»t leave the prescrip-
tion of a reiniMly to yourself. ^

1 am unable to give any reply to your other inquiries, as
there are no river fisheries in this Islam), nor any Shad fishery.

I find the views of the different invcsti|^ators of these matters
sent here by the Government, aliout as various as the different
kinds offish. Some of them say, that all the Herrings taken
here by weirs, are not at all missed in the sea. They say the
weirs would always be filled up with Herrings, if the weir
stakes and brush wood did not frighten them off into deep water;
my reason for their leaving is, that they arc all killed. With
my Tjeighbours here, experienced fishermen, I agree, that
Herriiigs do not come in from sea at all, but are spawned
on our spawning ground, and play round our shores until taken ;
and that such as are not taken, continue to do so, until they
are full grown ; when they know our shores as well as sheep
know their pasture. Then they go ofT to sea, where they
remain, frequenting shoals and in-shore places only to deposit
their spawn. We catch no spawning Herrings, and but few
large enough to spawn in our weirs. It is considered a settled
point by all experienced fishermen on this Island, that while
so many weirs as are now erected here, are allowed to stand,
so long will our Herring and in-shore fisheries continue to
decline. So long also must we be annoyed with obstruction3
to our navigation, which many of the weirs are at present.

Next to the weirs, the falling oflT of our fishery may be atr ,
tributed to the very great destruction of spawn for many years
past at the Southern Head, by the catch being allowed there
at all seasons, without proper restrictions. I think this might
be remedied by re-enacting the expired law relating to this
fishery passed in 1834, which prohibited all netting on this
ground from 20th July to 20th October, with an amendment
allowing only one boat to each vessel. During the continuance
of this law, our Herring and other in-shore fisheries, upon
which the main body of our Islanders depend for support, was
remarkably improved ; at that time however, there were no'
weirs here.

The practice of throwing oflTal upon the fishing grounds by
foreigners and careless persons, should be prevented by per-
manent fishery laws. The preservation of spawn ought also
to be attended to ; but what will be the use of this, if the Her-
rings are to be fenced in, and killed, before they are the length
of your finger ? Your obedient servant,

Cochran Craig.

M. H. Ferley, Esquire.

166

No. 4. ,
"^ TiCttor from Dnniel M'Lau^rlilin, Escj., dipt, of Militia.

Grand Munan, S. iV. Ifrad, Oct. 9, 1H.50.

Siu, — It ^ivcH nic great plrusiiro to furnisli you with infor-
iimtion rcspcctin^j; tliu fishery at the H. W. Head of Gram!
Manuii. I have rcHided here 21 years, and during 18 years
of that time was Overseer of the Fisliery. When I first came,
the Americans set nets, utui rohbed the ^f. Jolin fiNliermen of
their warps and ancliors at noon day. I comphiiiied of tliis
to their own ofHcers, who took two of the vessels, with the
anchors and warps on board of them. At that tini6, not more;
than eight St. John vessels fished here for Herrings. Rut at
the present time there arc from 40 to 30, all on u small space
of ground, with ten, twenty, and thirty nets to each vessel.
When the nets arc taken up in the morning, they arc replaced
by others, so that the passage of the fish is obstructed. The
nets will become so loaded, that the webs drop from tluj cork
rope, and arc then left to rot upon the bottom, except what
few they can grapple i!p. By thc^e means, the fish are driven
from their spawning ground ; for this mode cf fishing is con-
stantly kept up, Sunday not excepted.

It is well known that Grand Manan is the key of the fish-
eries in the Bay of Fundy. The passage of fish is obstructed
by weirs in every place where the fish resort, and not one with
a lawful gate ; some without any, and those chiefly owned by
foreigners, which I beg to say, are no benefit to any but those
that own the privilege. Some of them even bring their building
timber, their box-stuff, ami barrels ; when the fishing is over,
th^y take all their fish to Campo Bello, or Indian Island, where
they remain until opportunity serves to get them into the
United States and get the American brand upon them. IVot
one of these fish goes to n British market.

In 1834, the inhabitants petitioned and got a law passed,
which remained in force until May 1837. They want the same
law in force now with a little amendment, as to vessels having
boats attached to them — only one boat for the use of the
vessel. By this law, the fisheries for Cod-fish and Herrings
both revived, while it was in force. I took 70 barrels of the
best of Herrings, with 15 fathoms of not, 2\ inch mesh, in
November 1835 j at that time, they were worth 20s. per

barrel.

M. H. Perley, Esq,

;'- '\-

Yours, &c.

Daniel M'Laughlin.

166

No. 5.

Cofy of Regulations for the Shad Fishery in the County of
Cumb'rland, Nova Scotia.

I. It is ordained, thut the rules and regulations made at a
Special Sessions of the Peace on the 14th day of April, 1840,
for the District of Fort Lawrence in the said County, be con-
tinued and in full force, as they were made aforesaid, on the
said day, viz : — that the Fort Lawrence District have liberty
to make their own regulations relative thereto ; that no net
shall exceed fifty fathoms ; and that no family be allowed to
set more than that number of fathoms in different nets.

II. That all the nets shall be set on lines, from the shore
toward the bank of the River or Bay, and that no two lines of
nets shall be set in the range of the tide or current, nearer than
one hundred and fifty yards of each other : Provided, never-
theless, that the Overseer be permitted to allow of the setting
of nets, either above or below said lines of nets.

, III. That the Overseer lay oflf these several lines, as many
as he may deem necessary, for the accommodation of the
inhabitants for the District of Fort Lawrence interested in the
fisheries ; and that each person ballot for his right to a place
in such line or lines, each right or share not to exceed twenty
five yards in each line, which he may ballot for, according to
the number of fathoms in first section.

IV. That tht Overseer be required to give six days notice,
by advertisement, previous to said laying off and balloting.

V. That these fisheries are the undoubted right of the inha-
bitants of the District of Fort Lawrence, but it is their opinion
that whenever the ground for the inhabitants be laid off, that
the Overseer shall admit of any other person to participate in
the same advantage, until the ground be taken up under these
regulations.

For the Township of Amherst.

I. It is further ordained, that there shall not be any drift-net
or nets, alio- <;d to be drifted from the mouth of the River
Missaguash, up to imherst Point Marsh, opposite Barrons-
field in said County.

II. It is further ordained, that one net and no more, be
allowed to each householder, so that only one net be allowed
to each house, and that no other person or persons be allowed
a net or Lets in any of the strings of nets hereafter mentions L

•

167

in. It is fUrther ordained, that whenever ground for the
householders of the Township of Amherst be laid off, that the
Overseer or Overseers be allowed to admit of any other per-
son or persons, being householders, so that only one net be
allowed to each house.

IV. It is further ordained, that no net or nets of any person
or persons, shall be more than twelve fathoms in length, and
the depth thereof as each individual may think proper.

V. It is further ordained, that five strings of nets be allowed
to be set, from the mouth of the River LaPlanche, to what is
called M'Cully's Upper Creek ; and that other strings of nets
be allowed from M'CuUy's Upper Creek, to Amherst Point
Marsh, allowing that no string of such nets be nearer to each
other than five hundred yards.

VI. It is further ordained, that the first mentioned five
strings of nets be numbered from the mouth of the River La-
Planche upwards.

VII. It is further ordained, that the owner or owners of the
soil opposite the strings of nets, or ground taken up for the
same, shall have the first privilege or choice ; and that the
person or persons who had set nets on previous year or years,
shall have the second privilege ; and in case of any difficulty
with either of the above parties, the Overseer or Overseers
shall draw lots, in relation for either of the above parties, as
the case mny require, either for the first, second, or third.

[For a breach of any of the above Regulations, a penalty
not exceeding 40s. is imposed.]

n .uv:

'■■•:. T.:'\ :... No. 6. ■;- * '■

Letter on the Deep Sea Fisheries, from the Honorable John E,
Fairbanks, of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Woodside, ISth November, 1850.

Dear Sir, — Previous to the receipt of your kind favour of
the 12th, I had made a few notes relative to our fisheries. I
much regret that my practical information is so meagre, in a
branch of industry • of such vital importance to the people of
these Colonies ; such as it is however, with the result of some
recent inquiries, I now give it you.

The Custom House returns as to fish will give you some
idea of the Imports and Exports of this article. From them,

168

you will learn, how large a quantity we receive from Nfew-
fonndland, for which cash is paid to a great extent ; but no in-
formation can be obtained as to our domestic consumption. It
is doubtless very great, as there is scarcely a family but uses
fish, in various shapes ; yet this demand would be greatly in-
creased, if the modes of cure were improved, and the quality
could bo relied upon. The farmer who teams a barrel of fish
a long distance into the interior, and then finds them bad, is
cautious how he buys in future. A rigid inspection law, pro-
perly carried out, would be of great service.

I think there is scarcely a man in the Province, who has a
correct idea of the present value of our fisheries ; and I am
sure that few can conceive to what extent they are capable of
being carried under sound and judicious Legislation and ma-
nagement. We have not only no bounties, but not one shilling
of public expenditure has ever been disbursed, in improving a
fishing port or station. AH our nets, lines, and twines, are
imported, the light and simple manufacture of which, might, I
think, be introduced, and thus furnish employment to the fami-
lies of fishermen during the winter season,

With respect to the modes in which our fishing is conducted,
there is — first, the Bank fishery ; and second, the Shore fish-
ery. Our '* Bankers" are generally of small size, from 20 to
50 tons, neither so well constructed, fitted, or found, as those
of the Americans. Our vessels go to sea, from the 1st of
April, to the 1st of May. They continue Cod-fishing on the
various banks, between Cape Sable and Cape Canso, until
about the 10th of June. The Cod they take, are very fine,
thick, well-fed fish. If well cured in pile, not pickled in casks,
they would suit the Spanish market, and get there earlier than
those from Newfoundland, by two months. Those pickled in
casks before being dried, give on the voyage ; and this, no
doubt, has caused the loss of many cargoes, by what is called
" sweating."

These " Bankers " also take Halibut, sometimes ii; large
quantities ; but the fins only are used, whereas the whole bo-
dies, when properly preserved and dried in strips, would meet
a good market in the United States. The tongues and sounds
are also generally thrown away, in the hurry of cleaning.

Much time is lost by these " Bankers " in coiuing home on
Saturday night, as part of the following week is spent in re-
turning to their fishing ground. The Americans cannot do
this, consequently have more time to secure their fares.

In June, our " Bankers " proceed to Cape Breton, the Gulf

F

169

of Saint Lawrence, or the Labrador, whence they return with
cargoes of Cod, Seal-skins, &,c. Many reach home about the
last of August, and commence the catch of Dog-fish, which are
valuable on account of the oil their livers yield. Eight hundred
Dog-fish, if of good size, yield a barrel of oil of 31 \ gallons.
Their dried bodies are sold at 2s. 6d. per hundred, for feeding
pigs during the winter. Two fish, boiled or roasted, per day, will,
feed a good sized store pig, from November until May, when
the food must be changed, and the flavour given by the fish
will be entirely obliterated. This is one of the most valuable
branches of our fishery ; its outfit costs very little, but it is
limited, both by neglect and an unfortunate prejudice against
the use of the fish as food for pigs.

The fishing for Dog-fish having slackened, our vessels are
next engaged in taking Herrings and Mackerel, continuing to
fish for the latter until late in November. During some sea-
sons, this is done both with nets and seines ; but the quantity
taken in the seines is sometimes very large, and then the cure
is not so good, which causes a decided preference to be given
to the net fish.

The second branch, the shore or boat fishery, is carried on
to a greater or less extent, along our whole coast. Whale-
boats manned by 2 to 4 men, and lajge sail beats, undecked,
are used. They commence about tne 2(hh of May, and f ih
within the distance of 10 to 15 miles from the land. 'I'he
diligent and active make a tolerable living, and keep out
of debt ; but as these men have generally a few acres of land,
with some cattle and sheep, their time is divided between fish-
ing and farming, which operates injuriously to both ; many of
them are therefore poor, and unable to pay for their outfit.
This compels them to hire with others the following year ;
after that, they seldom redeem their promises to the merchant.

With regflrd to the fishery within this Harbour, I may ob-
serve, that it is chiefly carried on in boats, and where any
number of " Bankers " might be employed, I may say we have
not one deservihg the name.

Between Halifax and Cape Sambro, about 12 miles, there
are three fishing stations on the western shore, viz : — Fergu-
son's Cove, Herring Cove, and Portuguese Cove. I regret
that I cannot give you either the number of men or boats, or
the quantity of fish cured ; it is however very considerable.
The fishermen there cure a large quantity of Cod, Mackerel,
and Herring ; they have many seines and nets, and generally
are in comfortable circumstances. They supply the Halifax

22

«

170

,

market with Cod, Haddock, Mackerel, Halibut, Salmon, Her-
rings, Lobsters, and a few other varieties of fish.

Few fish markets in America are better supplied, or at
cheaper rates, than that of Halifax. With a little more exer-
tion, and by good prices, it might be made equal to the demands
of the population, however extensive.

On the eastern side of the Harbour, south of Woodside,
there is a population of about one thousand, many of whom
reside on their own farms, and prosecute the shore fishery ;
they hav'3 also two or three small ' ' Bankers," and although
either the fishing or farming might afford them a living, I attri-
bute all the poverty that exists among them, to the union of the
two pursuits, which has invariably ended in disappointment.

I will now give a short detail of my own experience at Wood-
side, where I recently had the pleasure of seeing you. About
three years since, I visited Cape Cod -and Marblehead, in
order to learn theii mode of conducting the fishery, and to
procure some experienced men. I was told, that the best they
had were Nova Sco'iians. They were surprised to find us be-
hind them, with ad\ antages so much superior to their own —
they having to sail one thousand miles to the fishing banks,
out and home, while those banks are almost at our very doors —
this, with the low cost of our vessels, salt, &c., naturally induced
them to think, that it would be a more profitable pursuit with
us, than with them. So I thought, and I still continue of the
same opinion. On my return, I bought a small vessel, built
the flakes, and commenced a small establishment. There has
been no scarcity of fish on the ground ; those cured were of good
quality, early in market, and sold well. Had I been able to
offer 1000 to 1500 quintals of Codfish in the market, I have
little doubt but 15s. per quintal might have been obtained for
them ; I;ut the quantity was too small to make up a cargo,
except for the West Indies, with other parcels. The result,
however, of the three years has been unfavourable, — ^the ves-
sel's half of the fish not producing more than enough to pay
the provisions and supplies, leaving nothing for wear and tear.
The want of exertion on the part of the crew, their insubor-
dination, carelessness, and improvidence, have led to these
results, and deterred me from increasing an establishment,
which, I feel assured, would not only be profitable to me, but
beneficial to the community ; but I am not without the hopot
that fitter men may yet be found. <j

We ought to have five hundred sail at least out of this port.
They should not come into port during the season, unless to

171

land fish, or from unavoidable necessity. A shore crew shotfld
make the fish near the city, where suitable labour could be
easily got. Fish can be made, in clear weather up the har-
bour, while the coast is enveloped in fog.

From my own experience, corroborated by practical men,
I entertain the opinion, that the fishing on our coast could be
made more profitable than that of Newfoundland. There the
season is short, and the weather more uncertain, while from
hence, including a Bay voyage, the fish may be taken the
whole year. Our fisheries however, receive no support from
the Government ; our merchants furnish the provisions and sup-
phes only, not owning the vessels themselves. The American
bounties, and protective duties, enable them to give our fish-
ermen high wages, and we cannot be surprised that our best
men leave us.

New Brunswick has, I think, acted wisely in directing the
inquiry you are now engaged in making, and must feel much
indebted to you, for your exertions in exploring this valuable
branch of her resources. I wish our Government would copy
the example, for the period will soon arrive when our attention
must be turned more seriously towards the fisheries, and then,
the value of these investigations will be duly appreciated.

The Mackerel fishery on the Sable Island banks, has this
season been productive, and seines have been used in hauling
on the shores of that Island. This will induce a larger outfit
next i^eason, the prices in the United States being now very
high.

I have often thought, that when men of capital and enter-
prise turn their attention tp this branch of industry, as they
no doubt will do hereafiler, many improved modes of conduct-
ing It will be introduced. Steam, which has been pressed into
the service of every other business, will I think be found equally
applicable to this. Propellers of a cheap cost might be em-
ployed ; they trould carry a larger crew, who could catch fish,
as it is a simple act, once they are hooked. They could
speedily weigh anchor, shift their ground, keep their crew
comfortable when off woik, and run into and out of Fort
without loss of time, leaving to shoresmen the labour of mak-
ing the f.. h, and so fishing the whole season with little inter-
ruption. This is one idea.

Next, steam is employed in drying many articles of mer-
chandise— whv not fish ? How much labour is lost, atler the
fish are taken and Halted ! How many rof/[(oe8 are spoiled in
makmg froni ovposurti to bad weather, and destroyed by

172

becoming salt-burnt, mildewed, and slimy ! Could science
not discover some practical plan of curing them in suitable
buildings by .steam ? I think it may, and yet will be done.

I met a fisherman yesterday from Canso, who had been
driven off the land some forty miles. He assured me, that he
rtin all night through unbroken schulls of Mackerel, steering
8outh-)vest. Now, on our ^hore, this fishery has been a fai-
lure this fall, and this man's report tallies with those of many
old fishermen with whom I have formerly conversed, namely,
that Mackerel are abundant every season, but from some cause,
at times, pass to the westward in the Fall, at a great distance
from the land. This fact, although well known, has not yet
led to the introduction of the deep-sea net fishery as followed
in the North Sea, where at times 300 fathoms of net are used
for one vessel in taking Herrings ; this mode may one day be
used here, with advantage.

The bultow fishing, as followed by the French on the Grand
Bank, is not known on our shores ; some fishermen think it
would do, but they have not the enterprise to try it.

These ideas have frequently occurred to me ; it is now rather
late in life for me to engage in a pursuit of this nature, but the
field is boundless. The supply can never be exhausted, nor
the demand that exists in almost every country be satisfied.
In a few years, America itself will consume all these Provin-
ces can furnish, and I hope the inventive spirit of the age will
apply itself to the investigation of these subjects, and point
out to the young and enterprising, improved modes of applying
their exertions to this most valuable branch of North American
industry.

I regret that this communication, instead of these discursive
remarks, does not contain that precise statistical information
of which you were in search. I would gladly have substituted
it instead, but as I had prepared you to expect that it could
not easily be procured, I hope you will not feel disappointed.
I so highly approve of the service in which you are engaged,
that I was willing to give you my ideas on the subject, how-
ever imperfect they might be ; but I shall neglect no opportu-
nity of furnishing you with any further information I may
acquire on this interesting subject.

I am, my dear Sir, &.c.

" '" John E. Fairbanks.

U. H. Perley, Btquire.

173

.yi\

No. 7.

Extract of a Despatch from Lord Stanley to Lord Falkiand,
dated nth September 1845, preceded hy a note of the
circumstances which led to its transmission. „ ^

In 1841, Mr. Stevenson, the American Minister at the
Court of St. James, addressed a note to the Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs, complaining of the authorities of Nova
Scotia for having seized a numbei- of American vessels, which
were fishing within head-l^nd^,, but yet at a greater distance
than three miles from the land.

This complaint led to a case being submitted by the Assem-
bly of Nova Scotia, as to the construction of the Convention of
1818 relative to the fisheries, and the opinion of the Queen's
Advocate General and Attorney General of England was there-
upon given, that the prescribed distance of three miles was to
be measured from headlands, or extreme points of land, and
not from the indents of the coast. This opinion will be found
in the Appendix to the Report on the Fisheries of the Gulf of
St. Lawrence, in 1850, as Document No. 11.

The American Minister continued to reiterate his remon-
strances until 1845, when Lord Stanley, by a Despatch to
Lord Falkland, dated • 19th May 1845, intimated that Her
Majesty's Government deemed it advisable for the interests of
both countries, to relax the strict rule which excluded Ameri-
can fishing vessels from entering the Bays on the coast of
British North America.

Lord Falkland immediately communicated to Lord Stanley
his objections to the proposed arrangements, which were
couched in very strong terms. The Honorable Mr. Simonds,
then a member of the Executive Council of New Brunswick,
being about to proceed to England, was instructed by the
Council to oppose the proposed concession. In London, Mr.
Simonds met the Honorable George R. Young, who imme-
diately bent his energies to the same end. On the 4th of
August 1845, Mr. Young presented to Lord Stanley, a most
able and elaborate paper upon the fishery question, which ap-
pears to have had great weight ; it is to be regretted that this
valuable document has not yet been published. The exertions
of Mr. Simonds and Mr. Young were successful, and the follow-
ing statements made by those gentlemen on their return, in
the Legislatures of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, of which
they were respectively members, will best explain their pro-

CeedirgS. ■■■■■- :-,^*;:^.v;v -uirv .,•■;•,.,-.■,-,,■■•;

r

174

On the 2nd of February 1846, in the House of Assembly,
Mr. Simonds rose and said — '* He had some explanations to
make relative to the right of the Americans to fish, under the
Convention of 1818. It had been the intention of the Home
Government to concede to the fishermen of the United States,
the right to fish in our waters. At a meeting of the Council
in this Province, it was considered highly important, that per-
sonal remonstrance should be made on the subject, to the
authorities in Great Britain ; and as he (Mr. Simonds) was
about going to Europe, an Order in Council was passed,
authorizing him to make the proper representations. He was
the only person officially appointed by the Colonies ; but on
his arrival in London, he found a distinguished Nova Scotia
gentleman, (George R. Young, Esq.,) who was anxious to join
him. The Gaspc Fishing and Mining Company were also
anxious to depute a gentleman to join with him. Believing
that he would be materially assisted by these gentlemen, he
gladly acceded to the propositions, and they waited first upon
a member of the Board of Trade, whom they made acquainted
with the facts of the case. They then had an interview with
Mr. Hope, the Under Secretary for the Colonies, to whom
they represented the case in its strongest light. They next
saw Mr. Addington and Mr. Hope together, and went tho-
roughly into the case with them, showing the injury the con-
templated measure would inflict upon the Colonies. These
representations, they had good reason to believe, were effec-
tual. They then had an interview with Lord Stanley, to
whom they made the same representations. In this duty, it
fell to him, (Mr. Simonds) to state the case, he being the only
person officially appointed, but he was ably assisted by the
other gentlemen. From Lord Stanley they received assurance
that nothing should be done in the matter to injure the Colo-
nies ; and he (Mr. Simonds) had no doubt, the representations
made, had induced Her Majesty's Government to decline, for
ever, the proposal of yielding to the United States any further
rights to fish in our waters, than those already granted before
he (Mr. S.) had gone to England. The Americans, under
this arrangement, were at liberty to fish in the Bay of Fundy,
provided they did not come within three miles of the shore."

On the 14th February 1846, the Hon. Mr. Young laid on
the table of the Assembly of Nova Scotia, copies of the docu-
ments which he had prepared in England on this subject,
including the able letter to Lord Stanley already mentioned,
accompanied by the following memorandum : —

> '

V

de

;-.

a]

^-

Ej

th<

\
/

as

; i

re

: V

175

" After the transmission of my note of 1st August, Mr.
Simonds and myself had a long interview by appointment with
Mr. Hope, and Mr. Addington of the Foreign Office, on the
subject of these concessions, and before whom the effect of
them was fully discussed. Our strong ground of argument
Was, that the right of the Colonics being determined by the
Treaty of 1818, the interpretation of that Treaty should be
lef\: without further negotiation, to the action of the High Court
of Admiralty.

" By the Steamer which lefl Liverpool on the 4th August,
I sent a letter to the Speaker, and ray other political friends,
requesting them to take such action on it, as they might deem
advisable.

'* On the 6th of Augu8t,the second note and the letter which
accompanied it, were sent in, with the full approval and sanc-
tion of Mr. Simonds.

" A note from the Hon. Colonel ^ /ilbraham, the Private
Secretary of Lord Stanley, was received, appointing a day for
an interview.

" Such interview was accordingly held ; and at the same
time, Mr. Norman, and other gentlemen representing the in-
terests of the Gaspe Fishing Company, Mr. Simonds as the
Agent of New Brunwick, (Henry Bliss, Esquire, not being
then in London,) and myself, as a Member of the Legislature of
Nova Scotia, were received by Lord Stanley, and Mr. Hope,
at the Colonial Office. The question was then fully discussed in
all its bearings ; and Lord Stanley said, at the conclusion of the
conversation, that no decision should be come to, until we were
further consulted. On behalf of the Legislature and the
country, I earnestly entreated, that the concessions sought for
by the American Minister should not be ceded, until the ques-
tion should be submitted to the Assembly.

" On my return tb London, from Scotland, in September,
I ascertained at the Colonial Office, that the Government had
determined not to grant the concessions sought for, and that
a Despatch, of which I saw the copy, had been sent to their
Excellencies Lord Falkland and Sir William Colebrookc, by
the Mail of the 19th September, to that effect."

The following is an Extract from the Despatch alluded to,
\ as being addressed td Lord Falkland : —

/ Downing Street, 17th Sept. 1845.

I Her Majesty's Government have attentively considered the

representations contained in your Despatches, No. 324 and No.

t.

176

331, of 17th Juno and 2d July, respecting the policy of grant-
ing permission to the fiHhermcn of the United States to fish in
the Bay of Chaleur, and other largo Bays of similar character,
on the Coasts of Now Brunswick and Nova Scotia; and appre-
hending from your statements, that any such general conces-
sion would be injurious to the interests of the British North
American Provinces, we have abandoned the intention we had
entertained upon this subject ; and shall adhere to the strict
letter of the Treaties which exist between Great Britain and
the United States, relative to the Fisheries in North America,
except in so far as they may relate to the Bay of Fundy,
which has been thrown open to the Americans under certain
restrictions.

In announcing this decision to you, I must at the same time,
direct your attention to the absolute necessity of a scrupulous
observance of those Treaties on the part of the Colonial autho-
rities, and to the danger which cannot fail to arise, from an
overstrained assumption of the power of excluding the fisher-
men of the United States, from the waters in which they have
a right to follow their pursuits. < • <.

STANLEY.

V'-''

(>.

' ;■*

ah

.V-i \ •,f.'. V \

U\"«.,-.

•,!

^ •; fi!'sfSf orrA "■!)':'

U

V

^l

>

/'■•

u

r

:i;

— \