ABUNDANCE OF THE SQUETEAGUE. 363 



1S70, when it was no longer to be met with, and for several years it was entirely unknown in these 

 waters; so much so, indeed, that fishermen of many years' experience were totally unacquainted 

 with its characteristics. In 18G7 or 18G8, however, scattering individuals were taken on the south 

 coast of Massachusetts, and in 1870 they were quite abundant and have since held their own. 1 



This variation in their numbers is ascribed by writers generally to the action of the blm-fish, 

 which, by its constant attacks, is supposed to influence their abundance. Some cause or oilier 

 produced a similar influence upon the bluefish, which became scarce in turn; thus the Squetengue 

 was enabled to recover its ground, and to resume its place in the food economy of the coast. To 

 what extent this disappearance or reappearance of the Squeteague is actually connected with that 

 of the bluefish, it is impossible at present to state. It is quite likely that other causes, at least, 

 are concerned, with which we are now unacquainted. 



We have intimations, in the writings of the early historians of New England, of the disap- 

 pearances and returns of the Weak-fish, like those referred to in the present century. 



The Squeteague, as well as the bluefish, varies in size with the locality. While on the coast of 

 New Jersey they do not average much over one pound, they are stated to occasionally attain the 

 weight of from six to ten pounds, and have even been known to weigh thirty. 



Although essentially a coast and still-water fish, they occasionally run up tidal waters, and 

 are thought on the coast of New Jersey to prefer the vicinity of the mouths of fresh-water streams, 

 where they can find a mixture of fresh water. In the vicinity of Beasley's Point, where at times, 

 in consequence of drought, there is more fresh water brought down into Egg Harbor than usual, 

 they are known to move to a considerable distance up towards the headwaters, and to leave, to a 

 great measure, their ordinary grounds more seaward. 



The Squeteague in the South is a resident fish, although said by Holbrook to be most abun- 



1 A GREAT CATCH OF FISH -WHAT TIIREK STEAM SMACKS CAUGHT OFF EOCKAWAY. A great Catch of Weak-fish 



was made yesterday about two miles off Rockaway Beach, by Iho s earn smacks "E. T. Uc Blois," Capt. J. A. Keene; 

 'Leonard Brightman," C'api. Elijah rowers, arid " J. \V. Hawkins," Capt. J. W. Han kins. These smacks are engaged 

 in the mriili:ideii or " moss-bunker " fishery for the. oil-rendering and fish-scrap works (in Barren Island, and were 

 cruising off Rockaway yesterday in search of schools. About noon a vas school of what the fishermen supposed at 

 first to be ini-nhadiMi was discoverc d HI retching along the coast for miles. To borrow their language, "The water was 

 red with the fish, but. tbey didu'. break the surface as menhadei always do." The boais were lowerc d, the suiuea 

 spread, and then it was discovered that the school was of Weak-fish and no I nienhad' n. "I have been in the business 

 fur twenty years," said the i- ate of the Brightman, "and I never saw anything like it before." The fish varied in 

 length from one and a half to three feet, and in weight from three to seven pounds. The "I>e Blois" took over 200 

 barrels, th "Hawkins" 150 barrels, and the " Brightman" 3C.O barrels. The entire catch was estimated at something 

 over 200,000 pounds, which, at the ordinary market price for Weak-fish s ven cents a pound would amount to 

 $14,000. But,, of course, the market price could no bo maintained in the presence of such a catch as ibis, and it was 

 said ye terday afternoon that a strong effort was being made by the wholesale fish-dealers of Fulton Market to prevent 

 the greater part of the fish from being put on sale. The captain of the "Hawkins," which landed at Pier No. 22 

 East Uiver, foot of Fulton sr-eet, obtained a promise from a Fulton Market dealer to take part of his catch, and then 

 made venures to Mr. Eugene G. Blackfurd, "f E. G. Blackfoid & Co.. Beekman street, to sell the remainder. Aa 

 soon, however, as the Fulton Market dealer learned of the offer to Mr. Blackford, he refused to take any of the fish. 

 The captain of the "Brightmau," however, had better luck. H. M. Rogers & Co., of No. 11 Fulton Market, engaged 

 tn take his entire catch of :i.OO barrels, and immediately put two men in charge oft I e boat. The "De Blois" meanwhile 

 had made fast against the bulkhead at the foot of Beekman street, and ' aptain Keene failing to come to terms with 

 the Fullon Market dealers, engaged I'. Owens, of No. 104 South street, who manages the peddling trade for the Fulton 

 Market dealers, to dispose of his fish. A crowd speedily gathered about the lioat, and the fish sold almost as fast as 

 they could bo handled at twenty-live cents a pair. The pressure "f the crowd became so great at one time thai police 

 a'-Msiancc was invoked, and Officer William Brosvn, of the steamboat squad, was detailed to stay on the boat. While 

 I )wen \ra.s selling the tUh at twenty-live cents a p.iir, an attempt to break the price was made by two well-known 

 "longshore" characters, Jack Sullivan, the shark-catcher, and T. Long, alias "Blindy," who bought one thousand 

 pounds of tin- fish at ouci cent per pound, and stood on the, street retailing them at twenty cents per pair. 



Fish-dealers say that there will be no difficulty in selling all the fish this morning at from, one to three cents per 

 pound. Friday morning, they say, is the best, in the week for the sale of fish. Tons of ice were cracked last evening 

 mill put on the fish to keep them fresh until to-day. .Veil) York Times, 1H81. 



