310 EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [220] 



Wonson, James Merchant, Epes Merchant, were the skipi^ers of the 

 jiggers which comprised the chief part of the mackerel fleet. These 

 jiggers ranged in tonnage from twenty-seven to forty-five tons. Prior 

 to 1818 there were but few mackerel packed in Gloucester, that part of 

 the business being mostly done in Boston. Moses Gilbert was the only 

 inspector in town until 1828, and his accommodations were quite limited. 

 At this date several other inspectors were appointed, and the mackerel 

 fishery began to assume quite a business importance. — (Fisherman's 

 Memorial and Eecord Book.) 



1815. — The hingham mackerel fishery. 



In 1815 there were packed in Hingham 5,615 barrels mackerel, and 

 in 1828, 32,313 barrels. There were 54 vessels employed, some for the 

 season and some for a shorter time. There were 15 employed for the 

 whole season, averaging 1,027 barrels each. The average number of 

 hands were 8 to each vessel, making 432 in the whole. The quantity of 

 salt used in striking and packiug, allowing 18 hogsheads to 100 barrels, 

 would be about G,000 hogsheads. 



There is a company formed in this town who carry on this fishing to 

 some extent, besides several vessels fitted out by individuals. We un- 

 derstand there is a mackerel company in Wellfleet, in this county, 

 extensively engaged in this fishery. We would like to hear with what 

 success. — (Barnstable Journal, July 16, 1829.) 



1815. — Invention of the mackerel jig. 



The mackerel jig is said to have been invented about Hie year 1815 

 by Abraham Lurvey, of Pigeon Cove, Cape Ann ; according to other 

 authority, by one Thurlow, of Newburyport. 



1817. — Beginning of the southern mackerel fishery. 



Capt. John Parsons, of Eockport, Mass., went South after mackerel 

 in the schooner Defiance ; went as far south as Cape May, and took 60 

 barrels of fish, all of which were caught by drailing. 



1821. — The large vessels of the Gloucester fleet. 



About 1821 the fleet began to enlarge. The "Yolante," of 37 tons, a 

 pinkie built by Mr. Epes W. Merchant, was considered a very large 

 vessel ; then came the Independence, and afterwards the Columbus, a 

 square-sterned vessel of 43 or 44 tons, built by George Friend, which 

 was considered a very large vessel. These vessels went after mackerel 

 to salt. Previous to that the entire Gloucester fleet had 'tended the 

 fresh-fish market. Plymouth, Scituate, and Cohasset began salting 

 mackerel in advance of Gloucester. — (Statement of Capt. E. W. Mer- 

 chant.) 



