MAINE: DISTRICT OF PORTLAND AND FALMOTJTH. 8t 



THE FLOUNDER FISHERY. Another business in which the fishermen of the Casco Bay 

 islands, Portland, and Cape Elizabeth are interested, is the winter flounder fishery. The first 

 to engage in the capture of this species for market along this portion of the coast was Mr. Fowler, of 

 New London, Conn. Hearing of the abundance of flounders about Portland, he came to the region 

 with twelve fyke-nets in the winter of 1871-'72, and after renting an old sloop which was to answer 

 both as home and packing-house, set his fykes on the soft bottom of the outer harbor in 3 to 8 

 feet of water at mean low tide. Finding no market for his flounders in Portland he shipped them 

 by rail and steamer to New York. From this beginning the business has gradually increased until 

 in the winter of 1878-'79, according to Mr. Robert Hamilton, of Chebeagne, twenty-five men from 

 Portland, and twenty-four from the various islands of the bay were employed regularly in this 

 fishery. The season lasts from October to April, the average weekly catch being about 1,500 

 pounds for each fisherman. A portion of the flounders are now sold in Portland for shipment to 

 Canada, but a greater part still go to New York. 



THE CANNING OF FISHERY PRODUCTS. Several canneries have been built along the shore of 

 Casco Bay for putting up fruits, vegetables, and meats. One of these, located at South Freeport, 

 began the canning of lobsters and clams in the summer of 1876. The business has been continued 

 regularly since that time, with a gradual increase in the quantity of clams put up. In the summer 

 of 1879 the canning of mackerel was begun at this place. The supply of clams is obtained wholly 

 from the people of the locality, while small vessels are sent to the outer islands to purchase lobsters 

 and mackerel from the professional fishermen. 



45. PORTLAND AND ITS FISHERY INTERESTS. 



THE EARLY FISHERIES OF PORTLAND. Portland, the metropolis of Maine, is located on one 

 of the best harbors of the coast, a few miles above Cape Elizabeth. It was first settled in 1G32, 

 and was included in the town of Falmouth up to 1786, when it was incorporated as a separate town. 

 The city charter was adopted in 1832. The place has suffered much from wars and fires, having 

 been on several occasions almost completely destroyed. In 1790 it had a population of 2,246, which 

 had increased to 12,815 in 1850 and to 33,810 in 1880. Its location on so excellent a harbor, in the 

 very center of one of the best fishing districts of the coast, has giveu it a prominence in this 

 industry from its earliest settlement. Richmond's Island, but a few miles from the harbor, was. 

 one of the most important fishing stations of New England for many years, beginning with 1630, 

 and was annually visited by fishing vessels from different parts of Europe. 



A few extracts from those who have examined into the early history of the region will suffice 

 to show that fishing occupied the attention of a majority of the early settlers. Hon. William Gould, 

 in writing of the early history of Portland, says : 



"Of course the first business at Casco, like most other localities in New England, was to 

 choose a favorable place, fell the forest, and build the trunks of the trees into a habitation; and 

 while doing this, and preparing a clearing for cultivation, the early settlers could get the quickest 

 returns from their labor from the sea, such as wild fowl, shell and other fish, because these required 

 no cultivation. To know how well this was improved in our harbor it is only necessary to examine 

 the shell heaps at Cushing's Point. Some idea of the facilities for fishing and of those engaged in 

 it may be obtained from an account of 'Two Voyages to New England; * * * * a description 

 of the country, natives, and creatures, by John Jocelyn, gentleman, London, 1675.' The author 

 had a brother, Henry Jocelyn, at Black Point, who was a leading mau in the infant colony, whom 

 he first visited in 1638. He was a close observer of men and things, and describes all he saw in a 

 quaint style. He was the first European traveler who remained long enough to get a correct idea 

 6 G R F 



