183 



tnus 1 liter ruplea n. neir employment; but mark the issue: the vessels 

 that kept their positions under tlieir storm-trimmed foresails escaped 

 unharmed, and resumed their business early the next day; while the 

 refugees were seen no more for four days, two of which were excellent 

 for fishing, and during that time many vessels caught from a quarter to 

 a third part of a full fare. 



What has been said of the operations on board of a mackerel-catcher 

 at sea is to be received as general only, since circumstances modify 

 and change the ordinary course, and since, too, some masters adopt 

 means to suit their peculiar whims and fancies.* 



As being more minute in some particulars, and somewhat different 

 in others, I insert the remarks of Captain McLaughlin, of Grand 

 Menan, as contained in Mr. Perley's excellent report upon the fisheries 

 of New Brunswick, in 1S51. The captain professes to give the mode 

 of proceedings on board of American vessels in the Gulf of St. Law- 

 rence and the Bay Chaleurs, and slates that his observations are the 

 result of ten years' experience in the fishery. "The vessel," sa3^s he, 

 "starts for the fishing around with the trail-line out: if it catch a 

 mackerel, the vessel is hove-to on the larboard side. Tlie baiter stands 

 amidships, with the bait-box outside the rail: with a tin pint nailed to 

 a long handle he begins throwing out bait, while ever}^ man stands 

 to his berth. If they find mackerel, the foresail is taken in, and the 

 mainsail hauled out with a boom-tackle. Then the fishing begins. 

 You haul your line through the left hand with the right, and not hand- 

 over-hand as 3'ou do lor cod: if you do, you are sure to lose your fish 

 after it breaks water. When your fish is near coming in, you must 

 take it by leaning over the rail, to prevent its striking against the side 

 of the vessel, catching the line quick, close to the fish, with the right 

 hand, unhooking it, with a sling, into the barrel: with the same motion, 

 the jio- goes out in a hne parallel with your own berth. You must be 

 quick in case a mackerel takes your other line, and entangles your 



* The British mackerel fishery is unlike ours in several paiticulars. The vessels employed 

 in it are smaller, uets are in more common use, and a much larger proportion of the fish 

 caught are coasumed fresh. 



The average number of fresh mackerel sold in London is upwards of one million annually. 

 This fish was first allowed to be cried through the streets of that city on Sundays in Ki9d ; and 

 the year following, Billingsgate, by act of Parliament, was opened as a free market, with pennis- 

 eion to the fishmongers to sell mackerel on Sundays, previous to the performance of divine 

 service. 



The London market sometimes allows the fishermen to receive liberal reward for their toil. 

 In May, 1807, the first boat-load of mackerel seut there sold at forty guineas the hundred, or 

 for seven shillings each, (the count is six score to the hundred;) RUil the second fare brought 

 thirteen gidueas the hundred. But in 1808, the price on the coast, so large was the catch, waa 

 one shilling only for si.xty fish. Agaiu, in 1828, the supply was large, and more than throe 

 millions were sent to London. In 1831, the crews of sixteen boats caught in a single day 

 mackerel which sold for £5,252, or about twenty-five thousand dollars. Two years later, 

 10,800 fish were brought on shore on Sunday by the crew of one boat. In 1834, a crew earned 

 in one night upwards of five hundred dollars. 



The English fishmermen make frequent complaints against their French competitors, and 

 petition to Parliament for protection. A mackerel boat, with suitable nets and other equip- 

 ments, may be estimated to cost about two thousand dollars. 



The French mackerel fishery was established by Fouquet, near the close of the seventeenth 

 century, principally at Belleisle, on the coast of Brittanny. It has never acquired great im- 

 portance. The number of vessels from Dieppe (a large fishing port) in 1830 was only forty- 

 Sve, and .the catch vas valued at 280,000 livres. 



