190 HISTOEY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



Ill early days, when the George's vessels were smaller, the crew consisted of six to eight men. 

 The vessels now in the fleet carry ten or twelve, occasionally thirteen, though not more than twelve 

 or fifteen vessels carry so large a number as that last mentioned. In summer, when it is often 

 hard to obtain men, vessels sometimes go out with smaller crews. 



The successful result of a trip to George's Bank for codfish is largely dependent upon the exer- 

 tions of each individual ; men are, therefore, required for that fishery in whose natures is combined 

 hardihood, doggedness of purpose, and bravery. Owing to the fact that each man's success 

 depends in a great part on his individual efforts, the Portuguese and Irish have a special fondness 

 for this fishery, though many others engage in it. 



Many of the best fishermen and most capable skippers follow the George's fishery; but, as a 

 rule, the crews are considered intellectually inferior to those employed in the mackerel and halibut 

 fisheries. The results obtained depending so much on the individual efforts of the men, a vessel 

 may make a successful trip under the control of a skipper who would be totally incapable of com- 

 manding a halibut schooner or one employed in the Grand Bank cod fisheries. 



4. THE VESSELS. 



The George's vessels, like those in the fresh-halibut fishery, are the stanchest and best of the 

 Gloucester fleet.* 



Their size is smaller, however, the average George's- man registering about 60 tons. In the fleet 

 there are some vessels of 45 tons to 50 tons and a few of 80 tons and more. In the winter, as a 

 rule, the George's men carry no main-topmast and jib-boom, being rigged " snug." In summer the 

 regular George's-men carry main-topmast and staysail, but rarely, if ever, a flying-jib. 



Until within a few years a peculiarity of the vessels of this fleet was, that when riding at 

 anchor they set a "balance-reefed mainsail" to steady the vessel and keep her as nearly head to the 

 wind as the tide would permit. When the mainsail was " balance reefed" only a small portion 

 perhaps a fourth or fifth of its area was exposed, and it then answered the same purpose as the 

 riding-sail used at the present tirne.f 



The average outfit of charts and instruments is less complete than on board of a halibut 

 schooner. 



The outfit of a George's schooner is in many respects very different from that of a halibut 

 schooner. The cable is shorter, since the vessels fish in shallower water, its ordinary length being 

 about 225 fathoms; the cable is generally also smaller, usually about 8J inches in circumference, 

 though some are 7f , S, 8i, or even, though rarely, 9 inches. The cable is stowed in the same manner 

 as on the halibut schooner, but of course occupies somewhat less space. The anchors, of which 

 there are three, are of the same type, but usually lighter, weighing from 400 to 500 pounds. 



There are no checker- boards on the deck, but instead two or three oblong bins, which are called 

 gurry-pens. These are made of li inch to 2-iuch plank, and are about 3 feet in height. They are 

 divided by transverse partitions into two or three compartments, and small sliding doors are placed 



"No class of vessels are better calculated for a battle with the storm-king and no braver souls tread the deck, 

 but the contest is an unequal one, and ruauy a stanch craft and gallant crew go down in the conflict. In a single 

 storm, on the night of February 24, 1862, 15 Gloucester vessels and 120 men were lost, leaving 70 widows and 140 

 fatherless children to mourn for the loved ones who would return no more. Last year 200 vessels were engaged in the. 

 George's fishery at some time during the year; a large fleet followed the business the greater part of the year, and a 

 total of 1,348 fares were landed at Gloucester. (Gloucester and its Fisheries.) 



t The peculiarity of a " balance reef" is this, that when the mainsail is " balanee-reefed," the foot-stops are east 

 oft" and the foot of the sail raised from the boom, being attached to the boom only at the clew and tack, and by a reef- 

 strap passing through the reef-crinkle. In other respects it is like a three-reefed mainsail. 



