336 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [24 6J 



country. Two years ago, at the same season of the year, he counted 

 over 20,000 barrels on the wharves of the Cape. A much larger fleet is 

 now engaged in the business than at that time, and its faUure this year 

 would greatly depress our enterprising capitalists. We hope, however, 

 that that last resort of our fishermen, the school ''oft" Chatham," will 

 not disappoint their reasonable expectations. — Yarmouth Register. — 

 (Gloucester Telegraph, October 12, 1850.) 



1850. — Scarcity of mackerel off cape ann in late autumn, 

 arrivals from bay, prices, etc. 



The arrivals of mackerel the previous week have been very small. 

 Our vessels are doing nothing. Many of them for the last ten days have 

 not salted one barrel. There are now in this port some 200 sail of mack- 

 erel vessels waiting for the fish to come on this coast. 



There have arrived from Bay Chaleur since our last report about 1,800 

 barrels, and sales have been made at $8.75 for No. 1, $7 for 2's, and 

 $5.12^ for 3's. There now remain about 1,200 barrels in first hands, 

 which are held at higher prices. 



There are now but 16 vessels to arrive from the bay, and five which 

 have just sailed for that place. — (Gloucester Telegraph, October 26, 1850.) 



The arrivals at this port since our last have been very light. The 

 catch in Massachusetts Bay and on the coast of Maine has entirely 

 failed for the last month past. There have been received from the Bay 

 Chaleur this week about 400 barrels. Within a few days more desire 

 is manifested to purchase, and sales have been made at $9 for 1, $7 for 

 2, $5.12J for 3, and $4 for 4, leaving but few in first hands, which are 

 held at higher prices. — (Gloucester Telegraph, November 6, 1850.) 



1850. — Quickest bay-trip ever made. 



The clipper schooner " E. W. Merchant" arrived from the Bay Chaleur 

 on Friday last with about 200 barrels of mackerel, having been absent 

 from this port only 27 days, which is the quickest trip ever made from 

 this place. Beat that who can. — (Gloucester Telegraph, November 20, 

 1850.) 



1850. — Close of the mackerel season. — last arrival from 



THE bay. 



The mackerel season has about ceased. The vessels are now hauling 

 up as fast as they arrive. For the last two months not enough has been 

 caught by the Massachusetts Bay fishermen to pay the outfits for the 

 time. The last vessel from the Bay Chaleur arrived on Friday last. — 

 (Gloucester Telegraph, November 20, 1850.) 



Our mackerel season has closed with the Massachusetts Bay fisher- 

 men with a smaller catch than any season since 1841. The few vessels 

 that were so fortunate as to go to Bay Chaleur have made fair voyages. — 

 (Gloucester Telegraph, November 27, 1850.) 



