FRESH-HALIBUT FISHERY. 65 



occasional fares were possibly taken in that locality. From information derived from the most 

 reliable sources, however, it appears that nearly all the vessels engaged in halibut fishing resorted 

 to Green Bank after July. It is undoubtedly true that the small number of vessels engaged in this 

 fishery was favorable to their obtaining large fares throughout the season. Had the fleet, as 

 in 1878 and 1879, been composed of forty or forty-five instead of only fourteen or fifteen sail, there 

 is no doubt but that the school of halibut on Green Bank would have been broken up after two or 

 three months' fishing; and if not, it is certain that the accumulation of lost gear on the fishing 

 grounds would have rendered profitable fishing in that locality a practical impossibility. 



12. JOURNAL OF FRESH-HALIBUT TRIPS TO THE GRAND BANK IN 1878 AND 1879, 

 IN THE SCHOONER MARION, OF GLOUCESTER, MASS.* 



BY J. W. COLLINS, Master. 



Friday, February 15, 18T8. There was a moderate breeze N. by W. in the morning and during 

 the forenoon. This was a fair wind to start with. We had completed our preparations for the 

 trip on the previous day; everything was ready with the exception of a supply of frozen herring 

 for bait. As soon as the crew mustered in the morning between 8 and 9 o'clock two men were 

 sent off to the " baiter," a vessel loaded with frozen herring lying in the harbor, with her flag flying, 

 and they returned with some 5,000 stiffly frozen herring, which were hastily packed in one of the 

 ice-house pens, under straw to prevent their thawing. This having been done, and some other 

 minor matters attended to, we hoisted our sails, and as the city clock rang out the hour of ten we 

 cast off our lines and once more filled away for the Banks. 



After passing Eastern Point, and getting the light sails set and sheets trimmed to the best 

 advantage, the ordinary routine of setting the watch, lashing dories, cables, securing hatches, 

 putting out the log, &c., was gone through with. 



The wind died away in the afternoon, and finally fell calm in the latter part of the day. At 

 7 p. in., however, a breeze sprang up from the southwest. With this wind we could run along on 

 an E. by S. course which we were steering with all sails drawing on the starboard tack, and 

 sheets well off. 



Saturday, February 16, 1878. The morning was fine and clear, with a light westerly breeze, 

 which continued with very little change throughout the day. As soon as breakfast had been eaten, 

 about 7 a. m., the hatches were taken off, the gear was passed on deck, and all hands were soon 

 busily engaged in preparing their trawls, buoy-lines, buoys, dories, and the various other apparatus 

 which they may need for use as soon as we arrive on the fishing ground. Moderate, pleasant days 

 are the exception in these latitudes in winter, and every one is eager to improve to the utmost the 

 opportunity thus afforded of doing work which must otherwise be carried on under much less 

 favorable conditions. 



Longitude, by observation at 9 a. m., 69 25' W. Latitude at noon by meridian observation 

 of the sun, 42 42' N. 



Sunday, February 17, 1878. There was a very light northwest wind and clear weather in the 

 early morning. It was calm for a while in the forenoon, but at 10 o'clock it breezed up again. 



* The accounts of halibut trips given here are selected from a series contained in a journal from April, 1877, to 

 August, 1879, during which time the writer was constantly engaged in the fresh halibut fishery. In other chapters 

 are given the arrangement of the vessel, incidents connected with sailing, obtaining bait at home or in other 

 ports, and many other matters which give an insight into the daily life of the fishermen, and the manner in which 

 this fishery is prosecuted. The notes referred to may, at some future time, be published together. 

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