BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 81 



Vol. IV, r¥o. «. Washmg:ton, D. C. April 15, 1884. 



38.— IIVAUGUKATIOIV OF THE FROZEx^T-XIERRIIVO TKADE. 



By J. W. COLLINS. 



Tlie followiDg brief accoimt of tlie first attempt to establish the frozeu- 

 herriiig- trade is giveu as it was told the writer by Capt. Henry O. Smith, 

 of Gloucester, Mass., who was the pioneer in this business. 



The inaugiu'ation of the frozen-herring trade was one of those in- 

 stances of combining the result of accident and enterprise which so fre- 

 quently influences the welfare of mankind. Captain Smith was engaged 

 in fishing for halibut along the west coast of Newfoundland and else- 

 where during the summer, of 1853, and learned, while in Port au 

 Port, that in the winter season halibut were generally very abundant 

 at Harbor Le Coue, on the west coast of Newfoundland. He was told 

 by a resident of that place that the halibut followed in after the school- 

 herring, which generally arrived on the coast during December, and 

 that for the remainder of the winter there was always an opportunity 

 for catching as many of these fish as might be required. Accordingly, 

 in the latter part of 1853, Captain Smith, then in command of the 

 schooner Flying Cloud, determined to make a voyage to Newfoundland 

 in pursuit of halibut, with the intention of freezing his fish and bring- 

 ing them into the markets of the United States. 



He started about the 20th of December. On the last of that month 

 he was caught in a terrific northwest gale near the western part of New- 

 foundland. After lyiugto under a close-reefed foresail throughout the 

 gale, the wind finally moderated on the morning of January 1. The 

 weather cleared up and the snow-clad hiils of Newfoundland were visi- 

 ble in the distance. Captain Smith judged his vessel to be near the x)ort 

 for which he was bound. As soon as practicable reefed sails were set, 

 and the schooner headed for the land. As she approached the shore, to 

 which the crew were entire strangers, no indication of a harbor could 

 be made out. Knowing tbe abrui^t character of the coast, however, and 

 the general freedom from outlying dangers. Captain Smith stood fear- 

 lessly on in his ice-covered vessel, approaching the towering snow-laden 

 mountains. At last an oi^ening was seen, which he thought might be 

 Harbor Le Coue, and into this he sailed, passing the headlands and 

 coves, one after another, until he finally came to the head of the harbor, 

 dropped anchor, and furled his sails. As soon as the vessel was moored 

 she was boarded by residents of the place, who ex^jressed great surprise 

 that he had successfully entered that port under such circumstances. 

 In reply to the inquiries of Captain Smith, tbe local fishermen stated 

 that halibut, contrary to their usual custom, had failed to strike in dur- 

 Bull. U. S. F. C, 84 6 



