PACIFIC COD FISHERIES 425 



moment the men are signed on and cease when the vessel returns to 

 her home port. The fishermen are paid a certain sum per thousand 

 fish. 



In 1924 the fishermen on vessels operating from Puget Sound 

 sailed under the following lay : Those catching under 7,000 fish re- 

 ceived iy 2 cents per pound; those catching between 7,000 and 9,000 

 fish, 1% cents per pound ; those catching over 9,000 fish, 1% cents per 

 pound. The mate received one-fourth cent per pound more than 

 the regular fishermen, while the second mate received three-eighths 

 cent per pound more. Fish 28 inches or more in length are count 

 fish ; all under 28 inches in length count two for one. All fish must 

 be bled by having their throats cut as soon as caught, 



Under this arrangement the fishermen devote their entire working 

 time to fishing, returning to the vessel only when a dory load has 

 been obtained. In this way some of the fishermen will catch several 

 hundred fish a day when good weather prevails. As hand-lining is 

 employed almost universally, but one man goes in a dory. 



A dress gang is composed of a splitter, header, throater, gutter, 

 salter, a man to remove the black skin, and from one to two others, 

 called " idlers," who pew the fish as may be needed. When two 

 gangs are operating, some of the idlers do double duty and thus 

 reduce the total number in the dress gangs. All members of the 

 dress gang, and the cook, are encouraged to fish over the rail of 

 the vessel, when not otherwise engaged, and for all fish so caught 

 they are paid the same sum per thousand as the majority of the 

 fishermen receive. 



The owners of the vessels furnish all provisions, fishing gear, boats, 

 and the bait taken along from the home port, the members of the 

 crew not being required to furnish anything besides clothing and 

 bedding. 



The captains of Puget Sound cod vessels receive as their lay a 

 certain sum per ton for the fish brought home. On the San Fran- 

 cisco vessels the captains generally are engaged by the year and are 

 paid a salarj^. The arrangement of the owners with the captain is a 

 private one and varies much, depending largely upon the reputation 

 of the captain. 



The following represent the average monthly union wages paid 

 the various members of the dress gangs: First salter, $135 to $150: 

 second salter, $90; head splitter, $125 to $175; second splitter, $90; 

 header, $45; throater, $40; idlers, $30 to $40; salt passer, $40; cook, 

 $150; cook's helper, $40 to $45; and donkeyman, $40. One Puget 

 Sound vessel owner paid the head splitters an amount equivalent to 

 that paid a fisherman bringing in 10,000 fish. 



The great increase in recent years in the returns received by the 

 more important members of the crew is well exemplified when it is 

 stated that in 1895 fishermen received $25 per thousand fish; one 

 salter, $65 per month ; one splitter, $60 ; one cook, $55 ; four men to 

 throat, head, and do the other dress work, $25 each per month. 



The high-line fisherman of the 1925 fleet was Dan McEachern, of 

 the schooner Chas. R. Wilson, who is credited with 20,070 fish, un- 

 doubtedly a record catch with hand lines for either the Pacific or 

 Atlantic banks. 



