440 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES. 



fore, present itself in the early history of our fisheries, and it was only through the experiment of 

 a Cape Ann fisherman that the trade in frozen herring originated. 



The Cape Ann Advertiser of February 23, 1877, gives the following account of the origin and 

 growth of this trade on the coast of Newfoundland : 



The frozen herring trade of Gloucester, the foundation of the prosperity of our extensive Bank fisheries, like many 

 another important feature of our leading industry, had its origin in that spirit of adventure which is ever a charac- 

 teristic of the men who man our fishing fleets and shrink at no hazard which promises profit to self and prosperity to 

 the business community. 



Previous to 1854 fresh herring found no place in the fishing industry of this port. Newburyport and other fishing 

 towns were engaged on a small scale in the Magdalen Islands herring-fishery to supply the demand for smoked her- 

 ring, but in this branch of the business the Gloucester fleet did not participate. Though an occasional trip of pickled 

 herring was brought from Newfoundland before 1850, the idea of bringing fresh herring from that locality, " for bait- 

 ing purposes and family use," was not thought of until the winter of 1854-'55. 



In the fall of 1854, from representations of Newfoundland fishermen that large quantities of halibut caught on 

 the shores of that island were annually cut up and barreled, Capt. Henry O. Smith, now a veteran skipper, conceived 

 the idea that it would be a profitable venture to make a trip to Newfoundland and bring home a cargo of frozen hali- 

 but. Accordingly he sailed from this port in the schooner Flying Cloud some time in December, but after arriving in 

 Newfoundland and lying in port about a fortnight, during which time he secured only about 2,000 pounds of halibut, 

 he found that his venture would be a losing one unless he turned his attention to some other cargo than that of which 

 he was in quest. Codfish being plenty, he concluded to obtain a quantity, ami soon succeeded. The catch of her- 

 ring was also large that season, and it occurred to Captain Smith that on one of his trips to George's he had brought 

 in some herring left over from his bait, which, on account of the extreme cold weather, had become frozen stiff, and 

 remaining in that condition had proved serviceable on the next trip to the Banks. At that time the George's fleet 

 were obliged to rely upon the schools of herring found on the Banks for their supply of bait, first catching the bait, 

 sometimes requiring two or three days, either on the Banks or by drifting into deeper water, before commencing to 

 fish. The advantage of starting out with a good supply of bait suggested itself to Captain Smith, and he felt that now 

 was the opportunity to test an experiment which might prove of inestimable importance to the fisheries of Glouces- 

 ter. Accordingly he took on board about 80,000 frozen herring of prime quality, and with his assorted cargo of cod, 

 halibut, and herring, sailed for home. 



On arriving in Gloucester, in February, 1855, about 20,000 herring were sold to Mr. George W. Floyd, who took 

 them on sleds for distribution around the Cape to bait the shore fishermen, then pursuing a profitable industry. 

 Captain Theo. Parsons was the first to see the advantage of frozen herring for George's bait, and took 1,000 fish, 

 while another skipper was willing to try the experiment and took 500 more. The balance of the cargo, not finding 

 sale for bait, was taken to Boston for a market. Captain Parsons sold one-half of his lot to another skipper, 

 so that out of the herring brought by Captain Smith, three George's-men were baited, each taking 500 herring, which 

 proved sufficient bait in those days. * " * The three vessels made speedy trips, and after eight or nine days 

 arrived home again, one with 90,000 and the others with over 80,000 pounds each of codfish the crack voyages of the 

 season. The anticipations of Captain Smith were more than realized, and had there been a cargo of frozen herring 

 then in port there would have been no need for seeking another market for the bulk of the stock. 



Later, the same season, Captain McKinnon arrived from a halibut trip, bringing about 40 barrels of fresh herring 

 on a venture ; but the herring had spoiled before reaching port and were not marketed. 



Gratified with the success of this venture, and unmindful of the peril attending the enterprise, Captain Smith 

 resolved to make a second trip the same season, and sailed for Newfoundland in March, 1855, but was caught in an 

 icefield, where his vessel was confined for a period of nineteen days, with no clear water in sight from the masthead. 

 She was finally released, with a broken rudder, and arriving at Newfoundland took on board a cargo of oil, and 

 returned home in safety. 



The experiment having proved a success, Captain Smith determined to prosecute the business on an extensive 

 scale the following winter. Accordingly, in copartnership with George Garland, four vessels were fitted out for 

 trading trips to Newfoundland, Captain Smith going down in the schooner John to take charge of the business, 

 accompanied by Captains James Ayer in schooner Mary Hart. Stephen Smith in the Flying Cloud, and John Welch in 

 the Diadem. A Marblehead schooner was also chartered by the firm, but threw up the charter before proceeding on 

 the voyage. The same season Capt. Andrew Leighton embarked in the business in the schooner Queen of Clippers. 

 The Mary Hart was first laden with about 20,000 pounds frozen codfish and some 350 barrels frozen herring, and 

 arrived home in due season, being the first to arrive, and Captain Ayer the first skipper to land a cargo of frozen 

 herring at this port. Her arrival was hailed with joy by the George's fleet, who saw in her cargo the hopes of a repe- 

 tition of the big trips of 1855. As she rounded Eastern Point she was recognized by Capt. Jesse Lewis, who was 

 bound out on a George's trip, and who at once returned and was the first to take bait from the new stock. Before 

 the Mary Hart's cargo was fully disposed of Captain Leighton arrived with a full cargo, and after disposing of some 

 30,000 herring for bait sold the rest of the cargo to Messrs. Garland and Smith, who marketed it in Boston. The 

 Flying Cloud's fare was disposed of here. The Diadem brought a cargo- of salt herring and frozen fish, which were sold 

 in New York, and the John came home in April with cargo of fish oil, &c. 



From this humble beginning may be traced the success of the herring business, which was developed into a leading 

 business industry, and employs many of the finest vessels of the fleet. For the first dozen years the business was con- 



