THE SEA FISHERIES OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 97 
Saint Pierre Banks, which is near the southern part of Green Bank. 
This locality appears to be a feeding-ground in winter, and during the 
spring is in the direct line of the route followed by the halibut that are 
migrating from the Grand Bank to other places farther north, and at 
this season it is not uncommon for immense schools to make their ap- 
pearance, moving leisurely along the edge, perhaps im some cases only 
a very little for several days at a time, and again more rapidly. The 
only vessels fishing for halibut at this place are from Gloucester, Mass, 
GRAND BANK. 
Considered either as to area or with regard to the extent of its fish 
eries, the Grand Bank is by far the most important fishing-ground in 
the Western Atlantic, if not in the world. It lies south and east from 
Newfoundland, is triangular in form, with sides nearly equal, ong of 
them facing the east, one the south and west, and the other to the north 
and west. The north and east sides are each about 264 miles in kength, 
and the other is 225 miles from the southern to the northwestern limit. 
It extends over more than four degrees of latitude, from 42° 57’ to 47° 
02/ N:, and nearly six degrees of longitude, from 48° 22/ to 54° 16/ W. 
The most remarkable shoals are the Virgin Rocks and the Eastern 
Shoal Water. The former are a number of rocky hummocks, severally 
known as the Main Shoal, Portuguese Shoal, the Haycocks, and the 
Eastern Shoals. On these the depth is from 4 to 25 fathoms, while 
between them it is from 40 to 50 fathoms. One or two of them break 
in rough weather, and though not very large, are at such times dan- 
gerous to passing vessels. They lie between 46° 25/ and 46° 30’ N. 
latitude and 50° 31’ to 50° 58’ W. longitude. The Eastern Shoal 
Water extends from about the fiftieth meridian nearly to the eastern 
edge of the bank and from 43° 50’ to 44° 50’ N. latitude. ‘The depth 
of water is from 22 to 30 fathoms and the bottom is chiefly sand, but 
with some patches of rocks or gravel. With the exception of the shoals 
already mentioned, tie bottom is generally level, the depth being from 
_ 30 to 50 fathoms, excepting in the whales deep, near the western part 
of the bank, where there is from 52 to 67 fathoms on a muddy bottom. 
The Grand Bank may be considered as a vast sandy plain in mid-ocean, 
but notwithstanding this is the gereral character of the bottom, there 
are extensive tracts where it is either composed chiefly of rocks and’ 
gravel or where these occur in patches of more or less extent. 
There is perhaps less current here than on any other of the banks, and 
oftentimes for days and weeks together it may be scarcely perceptible. 
This is generally the case during moderate weather, but a continuance 
of strong winds usually makes some tide. 
The principal food-fish taken here are the cod and halibut. Haddock, 
cusk, and hake are rare. There are a few cod (“ground keepers”) in 
winter, but the best season is between the first of April and the first of 
November. The Grand Bank is essentially a feeding-ground for the 
S. Mis. 90-———7 
