IniLLETiN OF THE UNITED STATES FlSIt COMMISSION. 201 



Meiiliiulen have been scarce. The fleet engaged in their catch often 

 cruised for a week or more without seeing any fish. A few scattering 

 fish taken from the weirs are all the menhaden seen north of Cape 

 Cod. 



Whales have been numerous off tlie New England coast. Three 

 steamers are engaged in taking them, being quite successful, although 

 many that are shot and sink in deep water are not recovered. 



Shad were schooling the last of the month in unusual abundance off 

 Seguin and Small Point, Maine. Five hundred barrels were taken in 

 purse-seines by the mackerel vessels and 200 barrels by smaller vessels 

 that fished near shore. The shad were of good size and quality, one- 

 third iSTo. 1 balance mess, and sold afc Portland for $4| and $8 a barrel. 



On June 9 the new schooner Grampus, of the U. S. Fish Commission 

 fleet, arrived at Gloucester. This vessel, designed by and built under 

 the personal supervision of her commander, Capt. J. W. Collins, is of 

 interest as a departure from the prevailing and almost universal style 

 of a New England fishing vessel. She is 83y\,% tonnage, and by experts 

 is pronounced not only a fine-looking vessel but one that froni her in- 

 creased depth and model gives promise of much greater safety in rough 

 weather, while at the same time she is expected to be a fast sailer. 

 The Grampus is admirably fitted up for the practical and scientific 

 work for which she is intended. 



The Gloucester fishing-fleet enrolled and under license on the last 

 day of June was : Under 20 tons each, 54 sail, with a tonnage of 609.25; 

 over 20 tons each, 384 sail, with a tonnage of 20,448.71; making the 

 total tonnage of the fleet 27,057.96. 



The demand for all kinds offish, both domestic and foreign, has con- 

 tinued depressed and far below the average. Although the receipts 

 show a large decrease from those of one year ago, the market has at all 

 times been well and amply supplied at prices lower than for many years. 

 The extreme low prices do not seem to stimulate an increased consump- 

 tion. 



The following is the position of the New England fishing fleet during 

 the last week of June : 



In addition to the above, three steamers were engaged in taking whales 

 off the New England shore ; and one steamer was fishing for mackerel 

 off this shore. 



