788 



HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



obtained than other species of fish. When they are scarce other common species, and especially 

 flounders, are employed. 



MARKETS. Outside of New London County the catch for the several localities is generally 

 sold near home. Most of the lobsters taken by the Stouiugtou fishermen are likewise disposed of 

 in that place. The New London catch is partly sold at home and partly shipped to New York 

 and to interior towns in small quantities. Noank supplies three principal markets, New York, 

 New London, and Norwich, sending to the first by smacks and steamer, to the second by railroad, 

 and to the last by wagon. The Noauk catch is mostly sent to New York early in the season, but 

 later New London takes two-thirds of the catch. 



Lobsters are sold in Connecticut both by weight and count, but generally by weight, the 

 average price to the fishermen in New London County being about 4 cents per pound. 



EARNINGS. The earnings of lobsterrnen in New London County range all the way from $100 

 to $1,000 per season, the average earnings for 1880 having been about $350 per man. In good 

 seasons the Stouiugtou lobsterrnen are said to earn about $1.50 per day; the New London, $25 to 

 $30 per month ; the South Norwalk, $2 to $5 a day ; and those in the vicinity of New Haven, $8 

 to $14 per week. The Noank small boats, fishing for lobsters only, made, in 1879. profits of $110 

 to $570 each. 



SMACKS AND BOATS. The lobster fishery is conducted by means of small boats and smacks. 

 The small boats used for tending the pots in Eastern Connecticut are mainly of the pattern called 

 the Connecticut lobster boats, already described. A few of these boats engage only in the lobster 

 fishery, but the maj rity also fish for cod, mackerel, blacktish, and other species in their season. 

 They range in value from $150 to $300 each. In addition to the regular sloop boats, there are 

 others, generally of smaller size and of less value, employed in lobstering in this region and else- 

 where. The fishermen go in their small boats either singly or in pairs, and usually fish for them- 

 selves, selling their catch. 



Twenty-four lobster smacks of more than 5 tons measurement each are owned in Connecticut, 

 all belonging to New London County ; nine hail from New London, thirteen from Noauk, one 

 from Stouington, and one from Mystic. Two are well smacks, used as carriers only, while all the 

 remainder engage in the fishery; six are employed solely in lobstering, and eighteen engage also 

 in other fisheries. The majority carry their catch to New York City, but many sell at New 

 London. 



List of the Connecticut lobster smiu-l, *. 

 DXGAOED IX LOBSTERING ONLY. 



