144 



GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



the scarcity or abundance of fish. There has been a steady growth in population from 7,786 in 

 1850, to 19,329 in ISSO.(n) The valuation of the place, as shown by the assessors returns, was 

 $1,035,787 in 1850, and $9,615,002 in 1877. In 1879, owing to severe losses by storms and the 

 general depression of the fishing industry, the valuation had decreased to $8,022,623, but since 

 1879 an increased demand for fish, and a good catch has caused an increase to $8,977,559 valuation 

 in 1881. 



The general appearance of the city from a distance is quite inviting as it rises from the 

 water's edge to hills of considerable size, upon which are many handsome residences. Were it not 

 for the narrow, unpaved streets, with few sidewalks, the place would be far more attractive. There 

 are many substantial public buildings including a fine city hall, several churches, and commodious 

 school houses, while in the business part of the city are buildings well adapted to the fishing indus- 

 try. The wharves are eighty-nine in number, seventy-four being used iu the fisheries and the rest 

 for coal and other purposes. They are well built, and have at high tide a sufficient depth of water 

 to float large ships, a number of which annually visit the place with cargoes of salt. Close by 

 the wharves and upon them are flake yards, where thousands of quintals of fish are daily spread 

 to dry. Large sheds are seen on every wharf where are stowed hogsheads of fish in pickle or piles 



(a) Valuation and population of Gloucester from 1845 to 1881. 



