50 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



Gloucester alone has the sad record, from 1830 to 1882, fifty-two years, 

 of 419 vessels and 2,249 lives, an annual average of 8 vessels and 43 

 lives. 



Fortune Bay, Neicfoundland, lierring fishery. — The schooner Cecil H. 

 Low, of Gloucester, was the first arrival with a cargo of frozen herring, 

 having sailed from liTewfoundland January 15, arrived the 22d, with 

 400,000 herring. She reports the weather very mild, herring abundant; 

 a large amount taken, but for want of freezing weather thrown away. 

 Other arrivals from there during the mouth: Schooner Commonwealth, 

 380,000; Henri N.Wood, 300,000; Electric Light, 400,000 ; and one Brit- 

 ish vessel, schooner Annie Eobinson, 350,000. The last two proceeded 

 on to New York for a market. 



Bay of Fundy lierring. — The fleet for frozen herring remained idle 

 during December, waiting for freezing weather and more fish. During 

 the past month the catch has improved, and suitable weather for freez- 

 ing has enabled the following vessels to load and arrive at Gloucester: 



Name of vessel. 



Joseph Story January 5 



Argonaut J.anuary 13 



William H. Foye January 14 



Goldsmith Maid I January 14 



Number of 

 herring. 



140, 000 

 218, 000 

 240, 000 

 180, 000 



The arrivals from Fortune Bay and the Bay of Fundy find a ready 

 market for cargoes, which are largely used for fresh bait as well as for 

 food. The price is the same for fish from either place, ranging from 75 

 cents to $1.25 per 100 by actual count. 



The Ipswich Bay cod fleet have found fish quite plentiful, but have 

 had only a few days of suitable weather for fishing. Vessels engaged 

 during the month: 20 sail with gill-nets, and 25 with trawls. The 

 former have suffered severe losses in the numerous gales, many nets 

 being lost and others being badly damaged. The catch is nearly all 

 sent to the Boston market fresh, being landed at the nearest ports 

 accessible to the railroad. The amount of codfish landed by this fleet of 

 netters during the month at Portsmouth, N. H., was 99,000 pounds, and 

 at Rockport, Mass., was 45,000 pounds. 



The Grand Banks halibut vessels arrive with light fares, that find 

 quick sale at good prices. They report much rough weather and high 

 seas, but no gales or severe storms like those ofl" the New England coast 

 and George's Bank. 



The new year opened with a dark cloud over the fishing industry. 

 One storm was scarcely over before it was followed by another. The 

 coast was strewed with wrecks, and many lives were lost. In addition 

 to which the agitation of the fisheries question by Congress, and 

 doubts and uncertainty for the future, all had a depressing effect, and 

 little courage was felt to engage in the business for the new year. 



