197 



under water, of 1S34, were more sensible, as well as more successiul, 

 than these speculators of former days. 



THE HALIBUT FISHERY. 



The halibut fishery on George's Bank is a new enterprise. It was 

 commenced within a few years by the adventurous fishermen of Cape 

 Ann. Pursued in mid-winter, it is as hazardous an employment as can 

 well be imagined. 



While the fishery was confined to the coast, the consumption of the 

 fish was very limited. In April, 1S43, the Norfolk Herald announced 

 that "Our market, yesterday morning, was enriched with a delicacy 

 from the northern waters, the halibut — a strange fislt m tltese imrts, known 

 only to epicures and naturalists.^'' 



The New Orleans Picayune, in May of the same year, contained a 

 similar paragraph. At present, the fish, packed in boxes with ice, is 

 sent sound and sweet, b}'^ railroads and vessels, to the most distant sec- 

 tions of the countiy. 



Vessels emploj^ed on the bank are absent from port from six to four- 

 teen days. The average catch of halibut is perhaps two hundred to a 

 vessel, though some obtain double that number. The weight of the fish 

 is from fifty to two hundred pounds. 



For some time, dealers in Boston purchased, packed, and shipped 

 the fish almost exclusively; but a company was finalh'' formed at Glou- 

 cester for the purpose of transacting this part of the business, as well as 

 the other. The fishermen, however, resort again to Boston; for this 

 company, after losing a considerable part of their capital, relinquished 

 their design. 



The growth of the fishery has been rapid. The number of vessels 

 employed in it, owned at Gloucester, was thirty in 1844; sixty-three in 

 1S4S; and al>out seventy-five in April, 1S52. The present fleet con- 

 tains many new, well-modelled, and fast-sailing vessels. The value of 

 the halibut caught in 1851 was upwards of sixty thousand dollars. 



The earnings of the vessels sent to the bank are generally ample; 

 but the fishery is not profitable, in consequence of the extraordinary 

 wear and tear of sails and rigging, and the frequent loss of cables and 

 anchors. More than all, hardly a season passes without appaUing dis- 

 asters. Wheiiever a vessel is lost on George's, all on board perish. 



An Americaa citizen may contend, if he will, for the repeal of our 

 bounty laws ; he may favor a low dutjr, or no duty whatever, on foreign 

 fish; but he is bound to honor the courage and the perseverance of the 

 halibut catchers of Cape Ann, who, mid the storms and gales of a 

 northern winter, procure for him the luscious napes and ins which, gar- 

 nish his boai"d- 



