72 



GEOGKAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



Mackerel jiggiug was introduced about 1820, and the method is still in use. Attempts were 

 made to introduce purse-seines iuto tbe fisheries of the islaud in 1872, and again in 1875, but the 

 experiments resulted in considerable loss to the parties interested, and the method was finally 

 abandoned. Captain McCarty was the first to supply himself with dories in the bank fisheries, in 

 1872, but they have never come into general use. 



The present fleet consists of seven vessels, three visiting the banks with hand-lines during a 

 part of the year, and joining the other four in the shore fisheries during the balance of the season, 

 which with some of them lasts through a greater part of the winter. 



The boat-fishermen, numbering twenty-eight, generally camp on the outer islands during the 

 height of the fishing season in summer, returning to their homes occasionally for a supply of 

 provisions. These follow fishing during a few months only, spending the rest of their time in 

 farming. 



There are at present three curing-stands on the island, only one of them doing any extensive 

 business. The amount of fish handled varies considerably from year to year. In 1878, according 

 to Mr. B. F. Jewett, the quantity, including those cured by the boat-fishermen, was about 3,400 

 quintals. In 1879 not over 2,500 quintals were handled, as a considerable portion of the catcli 

 was landed in other places. 



L THE BATH DISTRICT. 



39. GENERAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES OF THE DISTRICT. 



The Bath customs district, including the coast-line between Westport and Harpswell, contains 

 some of the oldest settlements on the coast of Maine. It includes the Kennebec River, which was 

 the favorite resort for the Europeans who came in early times to trade with the natives. European 

 fishermen came to the locality during the first quarter of the seventeenth century, and the region 

 has never since been wholly deserted. Between 1800 and 1870 the fisheries were extensively pros- 

 ecuted from a number of the more important settlements. Since that time they have been less 

 important, and, if we neglect the residents of Georgetown, few persons are at present extensively 

 interested in them. Bath had formerly a large trade with the fishing- vessels of the vicinity, and 

 at present has anchor and cordage factories which supply a considerable percentage of the local 

 fleet, besides shipping large quantities of their goods to other localities. It has also extensive 

 ship-building interests, and many of the best fishing-schooners of New England have been built 

 here. 



STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION FOE 1880. The following statements show in detail the 

 present condition of the fishing interests of the district: 



Summary statement of persona employed and capital inristed. 



a Other fixed, and circulating capital. Cash capital, $13,200 ; wharves, sborchouses, and fixtures, $12.400 ; total, $23,COO. 



