THE COASTS OF XEW HAMPSDIRE AND MASSACHUSETTS. 41 



gravelly slojie, for a number of years, luiddock and cod were taken in abundance, the former in 

 winter, the latter in fall and spring. The fishery was continued on a large scale until as late as 

 1S75, and is even now carried on to a greater or less extent by the smaller vessels composing the 

 coast fleet. The grounds off the southern end of the bank, and between it and Eace Point, 

 abound in cod in the fall and winter. 



East side of Cape Cod. — The sea bottom off the east side of Cape Cod is sandy, and slopes 

 oil' gradually from the beach, reaching depths of thirtj' to forty fathoms at distances of tive 

 to seven miles from land ; below Chatham the slope is even more gradual. 'Within the.se limits 

 good catches of cod are occasionally obtained, and the same is true of haddock, tliotigh to a 

 less extent. Farther from shore, in depths of forty to eighty fathoms, and from a point eight 

 to ten miles off the highlands of Cape Cod to another point lying twenty miles or n. ore east- 

 southeast of the Chatham lights, there is one continuous stretch of excellent winter haddock 

 grounds, which were first generally fi.shed upon about 1870. From that time until about four or 

 five years ago, these grounds w^ere much resorted to during the most of the winter months, and 

 they still afford abundant catches to the vessels of the shore fleet. 



MoEEis Ledge, lying to the eastward of Chatham, is a favorite locality for certain codfisher- 

 men during the spring and early summer. 



Two very excellent fishing-grounds for cod lie off the southeastern x>art of Cape Cod ; one of 

 these is situated close inshore ; the other is an off-shore ledge. They are described as follows : 



Outer Ceajb Ledge. — The center of this ledge lies about fourteen miles east- southeast of 

 Chatham lights; it extends about five or six miles in a north and south direction, and is about 

 one mile broad. The depth of water ranges from nineteen to twenty-three fathoms; tlie bottom 

 is rocky. Cod are more or less plentiful on this ledge during the entire year, but are fished 

 for during the fall, winter, and spring, the same fishermen engaging mainly in bluefishing 

 during the summer. The boats used arc large cat-rigs, of twenty^ to thirty-five feet in length, 

 and belong mostly to Chatham ; a few also hail from Harwich. From seventy to eighty boats of 

 this character may often be seen about this ledge at the same time. In former years, this ledge 

 was frequented by large well smacks, of thirty to fifty tons burden, belonging to the south shore 

 of Cape Cod. It is now occasionally resorted to by large Gloucester schooners. 



Pollock Kip Grounds lie between Pollock Eip light-ship and Shovelful light-ship, and 

 extend northward to Pollock Eip Shoal. The extent of these grounds is about three miles east 

 and west and two miles north and south, the depths of water ranging from four to twelve fathoms. 

 They are fished upon during the spring and fall by cat-rigged boats from Monomoy. In stormy 

 weather Chatham boats also frequently resort to them, instead of going to Crab Ledge. Late in 

 the spiing and early in the fall, the cod move in nearer shore, and may be caught between Brush's 

 shoal and Monomoy light. In the winter, however, the cod entirely leave Pollock Rip Grounds, 

 and move into deeper water. 



Nantucket Shoals. — There are three principal codflshing-grounds included in these shoals. 

 Thejf are as follows : 



Great Rip lies about thirteen miles east by south one-half south from Sankaty Head, Nan- 

 tucket, and is about five miles long north and south, and three miles broad. Over this area the 

 depths are only nine to eighteen feet, but fishing is mainly carried on around the edge of the 

 shoal, in depths of six to twelve fiithoms, where the bottom consists of gravel and shells, covered 

 with sponges, kelp, etc. This region is visited mostly by well smacks from the ports of Long 

 Lsland Sound, which fish more or less during the entire year, and carry their catch alive to New 

 York. More fishing is done here during the winter and spring than at other seasons. 



