ii6 



FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK. 



For shipment to the West Indies, the Spanish main and other foreign 

 ports, the fish were packed, under a powerful screw pressure, in large casks, 

 made for the purpose, known as fish hogsheads. There were times after 

 the close of our Revolution, and while Europe was involved in Napoleon's 

 wars, that fish found a ready market and a high price on the continent. 

 They were in great demand for army supplies. I have heard of fish being 

 sold there at such times, for a French crown ($i.io) apiece. 



The fishing vessels were sometimes employed in Winter voyages to for- 

 eign ports, carr^'ing the proceeds of their Summer's work, returning with 

 cargoes of foreign produce and money. Many of the fishermen would ship 

 for their Winter's voyage, and thus employ their time for the year round. 

 I ha\e heard Uncle Sam Day, a veteran hand-liner, tell of going to the 

 Banks in the Spring and Summer, working awhile at shoemaking in the 

 Fall, and going a "wige" to Bilboa in the Winter. It was thus, that in ad- 

 dition to their fishing experience, they became expert and able seamen, that 

 could "hand, reef and steer" on board a man-of-war, with the same facility 

 as they could haul a line over the rail. The sturdy fishermen of Glouces- 

 ter, Beverly, Marblehead, and all along shore, have been well represented 

 in our navy in the time of their country's need. 



