185 



it in vain in every American sea; at others, it is so voracious as to leap 

 from the water when lured by a red rao;, or attracted b}^ flics and other 

 insects. Some fishermen entertain very strange conceits wlih regard 

 to it, and aver that "it knows as much as a man." Under ordinary 

 circumstances, our vessels pursue it north and east, as the season ad- 

 vances; "make fares" in the Bay of Fundy in July and August; in 

 , the Bay Chaleurs in September; and sometimes in the latter bay and 

 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the month of October. More frequently, 

 however, they are following it on its return west and south, belbre the 

 equinoctial gale. 



Of the fishery in the waters of New England there is mention, as 

 we have seen — incidentally — in the earliest records. The visits ot the 

 vast scools occurred, probably, at intervals, as at present. Winthrop 



westward of South Seal island ; they appeared to be coming from Cape Cod, until nearly over 

 to the Cape. Their course may occasionally vary in consequence of strong southerly and 

 northerly winds ; they generally fall in on the coast to the westward a few days before they do 

 at Canso and Cape Breton. The chief places for netting and seining mackerel in the spring 

 are the Tusket islands, the west side of Cape Sable, east side of Margaret's bay, Little 

 Harbor, White Head, St. Peter's in Cape Breton, Antigouish, and several other places. As 

 there is no doubt but that the mackerel are bound to the Bay Chaleurs for the purpose of 

 spawning, it would lead us to believe that when one fish is taken with the net or seine, thousands 

 are destroyed which woidd otherwise likely come to maturity. Could the practice of taking 

 the fish with their spawn be abolished, it is likely they would be much more abinidant. The 

 mackerel, after passing the south coast of Nova Scotia, proceed to the northward, through the 

 Straits of Canso, and to the eastward of Cape Breton, making their way northwardly until they 

 are up with Shippegan, Bradelle Bank, Gaspe, Seven Islands, &c. After having spawned, 

 they continue about those places as their feeding ground, there being large quantities of lauts 

 there, which they feed upon, and couseiiuently become fat. 



" As the season advances, about the numth of October the fish begin to make their way to 

 the southward, and continue to do so until the latter part of November. The practice of taking 

 mackerel with the hook and line has not been long in operation in Nova Scotia, and I believe 

 there never has been a voyage made with the hook and line on the southern coast of Nova 

 Scotia except at Sable island, where there have been some good voyages made. The fish which 

 resoit here are of a different quality from those which go to the Bay de Chaleurs, being much 

 larger and fatter. In 1850 the fish were plenty and took the hook well, but in 1851 the fish 

 appeared at times to be abundant, but would not take the hook. Mackerel here feed in 

 shallow water, within the bars or shoal edges of sand which extend in different places near the 

 island. The vessels, when employed in the mackerel fishery here, lie at anchor in about six 

 or seven fathoms water, and I am informed that mackerel have been discovered fiom the mast- 

 heads of these vessels, lying Mithin the ridges of sand. They are chiefly taken in bojits or 

 flats, which go over the ridges, when they sometimes appear to be lying on the bottom. Was 

 there a light-house erected on the northwest end of the island, I think it would be of great 

 service to those who tend the mackerel fishery, as they often have to cross the northwest bar 

 when they cannot ascertain the distance from the i.sland. As the season advances the weather 

 becomes changeable, and the bars being dangerous to cross in rough weather, our vessels 

 mostly leave after the last of September. The American vessels which fit out for the hook 

 fisheries are of a superior class to those in Nova Scotia. Their tonnage is generally from sixty 

 to one hundred and thirty tons, very sharp built, well fitted in eveiy respect ; those they term 

 the Sharp-shooters are very superior sailing vessels. This enables them to reach the fishing 

 ground and procure their cargo while those of Nova Scotia are actually carrying sail to reach 

 the fishing ground. Those vessels are likewise well manned, carrying from twelve to twenty- 

 four men; making an average, probably, of about fifteen or sixteen men to each vessel. In 

 1851 I was informed there were about one thousand sail of American vessels, which, with an 

 average of fifteen men, would give fifteen thousand. Some of these vessels, I heard, made 

 three tiips in Chaleurs bay for mackerel. Some, after having made one or two trips or fares 

 of codfish, proceed to the Bay Chaleurs, well fitted, taking sufficient barrels to cure their fish 

 in. These are partly filled with menhaden and clams, which are con.sidered the best bait for 

 mackerel ; others are filled with salt and water, which make ballast. When requii-ed for use, 

 they are emptied of their contents and filled with mackerel ; this keeps their vessels in good 

 ballast. They generally commence their fishing about Bradelle Bank, Shippegan, and follow 

 the fish northerly, until the season advances, when they return to the north side of Prince 

 Edward Island, and Cape Breton." 



