BULLETIN OF THE IMi'ID STATES FISH COMMISSION. 4.*') I 



The fisheries began off the western fiords in tbe middle of June, at 

 first about 6 miles [probably Danish j 1 Danish mile equals about 4.7 

 English miles] from the coast off tbe promontory of Rytur (Isa Fiord), 

 at a depth of fully GO fathoms, on a white sandy and clayey bottom, and 

 were continued along the coast in a northerly direction, until the north 

 eastern cape had been passed. Tbe vessel was rarely more than 7 miles 

 from tbe coast, generally between 6 and 7 miles [from 28 to 33 English 

 miles f ]. 



As bait, tbe Americans used in the beginning a kind of salt herring 

 [menhaden '?] unknown to tbe Icelander ; but they soon ceased using 

 this bait, because fresb bait proved more advantageous, and small floun- 

 ders and other fisb were used for this purpose; Tbe bait was cut in long, 

 narrow strips with the skin on, about an incb broad, and C or 7 inches 

 long. One end of tbe book was passed through tbe flesh and the skiu. 

 The baiting was invariably done on board the vessel. 



When the weather was favorable, and after the vessel had reached suit- 

 able fishing-grounds, where good hauls might be expected, the anchor was 

 cast, the long lines were laid ready in the boats, and these were then 

 immediately lowered. The 7 boats left the vessel, and set the long-lines 

 at different distances from the vessel, the distances between the lines, 

 however, being the same, each line forming a semicircle, whose center 

 was the vessel. Each end of the line had a buoy ; and a small anchor 

 was used of about the same size as those used in large fishing-boats. 

 The long line was left in the water six or eight hours, never longer, but a 

 shorter time when the weather was bad. It did not take long to set the 

 lines, but somewhat longer to haul them in, especially when there were 

 so many fish on them that the boats had to make several trips to the 

 vessel. The largest catch made in one day was 800 fish, often it was 300 

 or 400 or 500, rarely less than 300 ; and when the weather was fine, some 

 fish were caught every day. These long-lines were so excellently con- 

 structed that they always gave way, so that the halibut but rarely 

 slipped from the hooks ; but when the lines were in the water for a long 

 time, it would happen that some of the hook-lines tore. When the 

 weather prevented the hauliug in of tbe lines the vessel lay at anchor. 

 Thus during a strong wind from the north the vessel lay for a whole 

 week before the lines could be hauled in, and on this occasion 3 or 4 

 long-lines were lost. Sharks had torn them and bit off the greater part 

 of the halibut, leaving the heads. 



The halibut which were caught were generally of medium size, rarely 

 weighing more than 300 pounds; and there were but few small fish 

 among them. A few rays were also caught, but thrown overboard, and 

 some lumpfish, ling, and cod, which were cut up for bait. The largest 

 catch was made off the Dyra Fiord; but in every place some fish were 

 caught. The fisheries were therefore successful, much more so than 

 those carried on the year before noar the coast of Greenland. The 

 American fishermen, therefore, did not deem it necessary to go out any 



