262 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



Captain Smith has never known a vessel to make a complete circle around a school of mack- 

 erel while towing the seine-boat from which the net was being thrown out, but thinks it probable 

 that it may have been done. 



A lantern is carried both in the seine boat and dory, the one in the former always being kept 

 darkened or out of sight until the seine is set, since a light would so blind the men in the boat 

 that it would be difficult for them to perform successfully the work of setting the net. 



When a school of mackerel has been taken in the seine and the net is pursed tip, a signal is 

 made by the crew of the seine-boat, who have a lantern, so as to attract the attention of the men 

 on board of the vessel, who immediately bring the latter near the seine-boat. The skipper and 

 three or four of the crew then go on board the vessel in the dory and bring the schooner along- 

 side the seine-boat, performing this evolution in the same manner as it is done in the day time. 

 The lantern, which is always carried in the seine-boat, enables the skipper to find her without any 

 trouble. Much vexatious delay and difficulty, however, sometimes occurs in consequence of the 

 light carried by the seine-boat's crew being extinguished. In such case it is not only hard, but 

 sometimes impossible for the men on the vessel to find the seine boat, since on a dark, windy night 

 she cannot be seen more than a few rods distant. 



It is claimed that the practice of using a large lantern to attract the fish nearer to the surface 

 of the water than they usually come, so that they can be more plainly seen, has met with decided 

 success, and it is believed that there is reason for anticipating considerable improvements in this 

 respect hereafter. In alluding to this matter a writer in the Cape Ann Advertiser, November 4, 

 1881, says: 



"It would not greatly surprise us if the mackerel fleet, next year, were supplied with powerful 

 calcium lights, to be carried at the masthead, and that the fishery will be extensively prosecuted in 

 the night-time. Surely the signs of progression are manifested in almost every branch of the fish- 

 eries, and brains are rapidly coming to the front and making themselves manifest. A year ago who 

 would have dreamed of catching mackerel in the night-time? Now it is fast becoming a reality." 



As may be readily inferred, this practice of night fishing is one which calls for great endur- 

 ance and hardihood on the part of the fishermen who engage in it. It frequently happens, when 

 good catches are made for days and nights in succession, that the men get no rest whatever until 

 they are thoroughly worn out by their constant labors and vigils and are scarcely able to refrain 

 from falling asleep even when engaged at their work. Nor is the work on the fishing ground all 

 they have to do. When a fare is obtained, all sail is made upon the vessel and she is driven as 

 swiftly as possible for the home port, where the fish are landed, new supplies taken on board, and 

 again the men go to sea without, in the mean time, having an opportunity of visiting their homes 

 or of securing the rest they so much stand in need of. So sharp is the competition in this fishery, 

 and so eager are the fishermen to " make hay while the sun shines," that is, to improve every op- 

 portunity during the short season while the mackerel can be taken, that the only limit to their 

 labors is when nature is no longer able to sustain the extraordinary drafts that are made upon it. 

 The following notes written by Capt. S. J. Maitin will serve to give an idea of the continued labor 

 and consequent fatigue which the fishermen endure: 



"Our mackerel fishermen have 'drove business' this season. I know a number of cases where 

 vessels have arrived in the morning with 300 barrels of mackerel, have landed the fish and gone 

 out again the same night. The schooner Fleetwing caught 210 barrels of mackerel; came into 

 Gloucester with them all on deck; hired twenty men who had the fish all dressed and salted at 

 two o'clock the following morning. The vessel's crew went home to sleep; went out again the same 

 morning at eight o'clock. 



