164 BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



the vicinity, and by them sold to the vessels, mostly from Gloucester, 

 that visit the fishing sections for cargoes. 



Fortune Bay, Newfoundland. — During the past winter all the 

 vessels from the United States that engaged in the Newfoundland her- 

 ring-fishery belonged to the port of Gloucester, the first to sail leav- 

 ing that port November 24 ; the fleet numbered 22 sail. One vessel went 

 ashore and returned in ballast. Three cargoes arrived at Gloucester 

 and one at New York in vessels owned in Nova Scotia, making 20 sail 

 engaged in the business. One vessel made two trips, all others only 

 one, making 25 cargoes that reported at Gloucester and one at New York 

 direct. 



The first to return arrived at Gloucester January 3 ; the last cargo ar- 

 rived March 16. 



Herring were reported fully as plenty as in past years, but having 

 struck in earlier than usual, they were the most abundant before the 

 arrival of the fleet to buy them. Most of the fleet secured full cargoes, 

 a few of them ouly partial fares. All were bought of the native fish- 

 ermen, vessels from the United States not trying to catch any. Total 

 amount reported arriving at Gloucester, 25 cargoes by 24 sail, aggre- 

 gating 8,995,000 fish. The cargo direct to New York had 420,000 fish, 

 and comprises the total receipts from Fortune Bay. 



Of the vessels reporting at Gloucester, 16 sail disposed of their car- 

 goes at Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. 



Bay of Fundy. — Twenty-four vessels from Gloucester and 10 from 

 Maine reported at the former port with cargoes of frozen herring pur- 

 chased at Grand Manan and vicinity. These 34 sail landed 42 car- 

 goes, aggregating 10,888,000 fish. Quite an amount also arrived at 

 Boston by rail and steamer. One vessel from that port also landed a 

 cargo, but the bulk of the business is covered by the amount mentioned. 



This large amount of frozen fresh fish was taken by the fresh-fish trade, 

 and by them distributed all over the country, as well as supplying the 

 market-boats and fleets engaged in the winter fisheries with fresh bait. 

 During the season herring were found in average abundance. 



George's Bank fisheries. — The large fresh-fish markets look to 

 this bank for most of their winter supply of cod, haddock, and halibut. 

 The reputation for George's boneless or prepared salt codfish is well 

 known as the best, always commanding extra prices over all other salt 

 codfish, and calling for a large amount. 



The general depression in trade and much lower prices than usual 

 account for a much smaller fleet during January than usual. Only 22 

 vessels from Gloucester were engaged during that month ; in February, 

 60 sail; and March found the fleet increased to 103 sail. 



During February cod and haddock were very plenty, halibut an 

 average catch. During March the catch of cod fell off nearly one-half, 



