THE SEA FISHERIES OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA, 87 
laid down on the charts, which therefore fail to give an adequate idea 
of its extent and importance as a fishing-ground. Its greatest length 
east and west is 53 miles, from 65° 10’ to 66° 23’ W. longitude, the great- 
est breadth 47 miles, from 42° 15’ to 43° 02/ N. latitude, and the depth 
varies from 20 to 55 fathoms. There is a small shoal on the northern 
part, the location of which has not been definitely determined, where 
itis said there is not more than 9 to 15 fathoms. The bank slopes grad- 
ually from the shoal in a southerly direction, but falls off steep on the 
northern side. The bottom is mostly composed of gravel, pebbles, and 
rocks, the latter predominating near the shoal. 
The tides are nearly as strong here as on George’s Bank, but run more 
directly to and from the Bay of Fundy, the northeast and southwest 
set being generally much weaker than on the latter bank. 
Cod, halibut, and haddock are the principal fish taken, although 
cusk, pollock, and hake are found more or less. Cod are quite plenty 
in the winter and some good fares are obtained, although but compara- 
tively few vessels fish there at that season, most of them being in the 
George’s fleet. At other seasons, however, the fishing on Brown’s Bank 
compares favorably with that on any of the banks in the vicinity, and 
‘quite a number of the so-called Georgesmen are engaged in fishing 
there. The cod is found the year around. Halibut were formerly 
found very plenty, but at present occur in much less numbers. Some- 
times the haddock fishermen make a trip to this bank during the winter 
and good catches are occasionally obtained. 
JEFFREY’S LEDGE. 
This may perhaps be considered one of the best shore fishing-grounds 
in the Gulf of Maine, although it is comparatively small. It is seem- 
ingly an extension of the shoal ground that makes off in a northeasterly 
direction from Cape Ann. It is about 20 miles long NE. and SW. and 
from 2 to 4 miles wide. Its southern limit is 42° 54’, and northern 43° 
11’ N. latitude, and the eastern ana western boundaries may be placed 
at 69° 58’ and 70° 18’ W. longitude. The bottom is rocky on the shoal- 
est parts, with gravel and pebbles along the edges. The depth of 
water is from 27 to 35 fathoms on the bank, falling.off to 40 and 50 fath- 
oms on the borders. Usually there is little or no tide, though occasion- 
ally there is some current setting to the SW. Cod, cusk,and haddock 
are taken in the fall, winter, spring, and early summer, with more or 
less hake or pollock mixed with them. Fora number of years Jeffrey’s 
Ledge was a favorite winter fishing-ground for haddock, which were 
very abundant, and even at the present time many vessels resort there 
in pursuit of haddock ; but since the haddock fishermen have extended 
their cruises to the outer banks, a less number, of course, go to Jeffrey’s. 
Besides the haddock catchers, the vessels engaged in the shore fisheries 
resort to this ground in the spring and fall. 
