172 EEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



Connected with the factory are two wharves, the longer 150 by 50 feet 

 in dimensions, the shorter 40 by 80. At the end of the long wharf is 

 placed, on posts 10 feet high, a tank capable of containing 4,000 barrels 

 of menhaden. This tank is sometimes completely filled when all the 

 steamers have discharged their loads after a successful day's fishing. 

 On the wharf is an engine of twelve-horse power connected with three 

 drums, all or either of which may be used ; when in full blast one thou- 

 sand barrels can be transferred from the steamers to the tank in an hour, 

 the process being precisely similar to that of unloading coal from barges. 



Also, on the premises of the company, are a main scrap house, 100 feet 

 by 60, with 15-foot posts, and blacksmith's, cooper's, and carpenter's 

 shops, as well as a boarding-house and stable, all used in connection with 

 the business. 



The amount invested in buildings and machinery is between $75,000 

 and $80,000, and in steamers and fishing gear, such as seines, small 

 boats, &c., is about $00,000 additional. 



The utmost capacity of the factory is 2,000 barrels per diem. About 

 thirty-five men are employed at the factory. 



T lie factory of Joseph Church & Co. 



242. The Muscongus Oil Works, on Muscongus Point, Maine, the 

 largest in the United States, were visited by Professor Baird in Sep- 

 tember, 1873. These works were erected in 1872, and are carried on by 

 Joseph Church & Co., of Tiverton, R. I.* The main building is IGl feet 

 long and 40 feet wide. The lower portion is the receptacle of the chum, 

 "Where about 1,800 tons were in store on the 25th of September, three 

 cargoes of about 190 tons each having been sent away during the year. 

 The establishment is larger than any other in the United States, and is 

 well appointed in every particular, capable of working up more than 

 3,000 barrels of fish in a day. About Ibrty-five men were employed at 

 these works, and about 5,500 tierces of 40 gallons of oil each had been 

 manufactured during the year. These works are now much more ex- 

 tensive, employing during the past season (1874) seventy fishermen and 

 seventy factory hands, with four steamers and three sailing-vessels. 

 They have invested in buildings and machinery $05,000, and in fishing 

 gear $55,000. During the season 138,000 barrels or about thirty-four 

 millions of menhaden were caught ] 200 barrels were sold for bait, and 

 of the remaining 130,000 barrels they manufactured 450,000 gallons 

 (11,250 tierces) of oil and 4,000 tons of chum or guano. 



The factory of Kenniston, Cobb & Co. 



243. The establishment of Kenniston, Cobb & Co. is selected for de- 

 scription by Boardmau and Atkins, who state that though not one of 

 the largest, it is generally conceded to be a model of convenience and 

 efficienc3^ 



* Illustrated in Plate XXIX. 



