REPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. CLXXXI 

 ATTEMPT TO ESTABLISH A BEAM-TRAWL FISHERY. 



Experiments conducted with a view to introduce new methods into our 

 commercial fisheries, to develop new fishing-grounds, and to place new 

 fish in the markets of the country must always be among the most 

 imiiortaut current matters connected with the fishing industry. Such 

 was the attempt to use the beam trawl on the New England coast dur- 

 ing the winter of 1891-92, and although the experiment was not on the 

 whole successful and was eventually abandoned it was not without its 

 practical results and will no doubt lead to other trials in the near future. 

 While a few other attempts have been made to establish the beam trawl 

 in the vessel fisheries of ]S"ew England, the one in question was much;^ 

 more extensive and important than any other of which there is record, 

 and it seems proper to chronicle its history. 



In the spring of 1891 Oapt. A. Bradford, commanding the schooner 

 Mary F. Chisholm, of Boston, Mass., conducted some preliminary exper- 

 iments with the beam trawl, the success of which led to the construction 

 of the trawler Resolute, of 95 tons, of a type similar to the vessels 

 employed in the fisheries of the North Sea. Capt. Bradford has fur- 

 nished this office with a detailed account of his trips. 



The first voyage of the Resolute was made in November, 1891. The 

 first set was on Middle Bank, where fish were found to be scarce. In 

 Ipswich Bay, where the next set was made, there was also a scarcity of 

 fish. Some witch soles were taken on muddy bottom, but the supply 

 of cod and haddock was very limited. The vessel then proceeded to 

 the southern part of Georges Bank, where, in the first haul, occupying 

 three hours, 10,000 pounds of haddock were secured, together with dog- 

 fish in troublesome numbers; a second set yielded 5,000 pounds of had- 

 dock and some soles. The next haul in the same locality was in 25 

 fathoms of water. The net came up full, but in being lifted the trawl 

 was torn, owing to darkness, and every fish was lost in the same way. 

 A final successful set was made, and the vessel proceeded to market 

 with about 28,000 pounds, representing 20 species of fish, the largest 

 quantities being haddock, plaice, witch soles, lemon soles, turbot, 

 butter fish, cod, hake, and sturgeon. 



The second trip was to the same grounds. During the first night 

 12,000 pounds of fish were secured. Subsequent sets were unsuccess- 

 ful, owing to the weakness of the nets, which would burst with a weight 

 of only 15,000 pounds, whereas they should have held at least 25,000 

 pounds. The vessel made port with only 18,000 pounds. 



On the third voyage the same ground was first visited, but the fish 

 had moved, and the vessel went to the South Channel, where, in 90 fath- 

 oms of water, fish were found to be abundant, but the nets invariably 

 tore when being hfted. Capt. Bradford states that there was one bag 

 of fish that he was exceedingly sorry to lose, as it contained some 

 kinds which he had never seen before and of which he intended to 

 send specimens to the Fish Commission if he had saved them. The 



