[349] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 439 



as mackerel put in an appearance and before they are ready to take the 

 hook, and the ready market for the first fresh mackerel proving a temp- 

 tation to enterprising fishermen. The first receipts in the New York 

 and Philadelphia markets in 1875 were April 30 5 in 187G, Apiil 24 ; in 

 1877, April 25 ; in 1878, April 5; and in 1870, April 14. This year the 

 pioneers of the fleet sailed a month earlier than usual, hoping by going 

 farther South to make an early catch, and quite a respectable fleet are 

 now in southern waters, awaiting the first appearance of mackerel. The 

 following vessels comprise the fleet sailing in March : 



Boston. — Schooner "G. W. Bentley," 1. 



Booth Bay. — Schooners "Alice G. Fox," "Cyrena Ann," "Cynosure," 

 "Lettie S. Keed," "Louis and Rose," 5. 



Chatham. — Schooners " Leila Lin wood," " Willie Irving," 2. 



Dennis. — Schooners "Charlotte Brown," "Cora Louise," "Mary 

 Doane," "Quivet," "Titmouse," " WilUe Parkman," 6. 



Gloucester. — Schooners "Bounding Billow," "Chocorua," "Crest of 

 the Wave," "Charles Haskell," "Earnest F. Norwood," "Frank A. 

 Smith," "Golden Hind," "Goldsmith Maid," "Fred. L. Webb," "Fred. 

 P. Frye," "Ellen M. Adams," "Edward E. Webster," "Fleetwing," 

 "Helen M. Crosby," "Joe Hooker," "John W. Bray," "Joseph Gar- 

 land," "Herald of the Morning," "Marion Grimes," "M. L. Wetherell," 

 "Onward," "Ossipee," " Piscataqua," "Reporter," "Wide Awake," 

 "William S. Baker," "Edward Everett," "Falcon," " Georgianna," 

 ^' Isaac Patch," "Mary O'Dell," "Madawaska Maid," "Oceanns," "Rat- 

 tler," " Sarah M. Jacobs," 35. 



Harwich. — Schooners "Kate Florence," "Nettie Moore," "Phebe and 

 Emma," "Chas. H. Kelly," "Isaac Somes," 5. 



Wewhuryport. — Schooners "George W. Brown," "Lizzie Thompson," 

 ^'Miantonomah," 3. 



Portsmouth. — Schooners "Gov. Goodwin," and "Daniel Marcy," 2. 



Portland.— ^choon^va "Georgie Willard," "Maggie W. Willard," 2. 



Swan's Island — Schooner "Alice," 1. 



Total, 62.— (Cape Ann Advertiser, April 10, 1880.) 



1880. — First arrival of fresh mackerel in new york. 



Fresh mackerel — The first fare of fresh mackerel the present season 

 was landed at New York, Saturday, by schooner "Edward E. Webster," 

 Oapt. Solomon Jacobs, of this port. She brought in a fare of 20,000, 

 which were sold at 8 cents apiece, making her stock $1,600. — (Cape Ann 

 Advertiser, April 7, 1880.) 



1880. — The largest mackerel ever seen. 



Some of the mackerel taken at Block Island Monday, July 25, weighed 

 3 pounds 2 ounces, the largest ever seen. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 

 6, 1880.) 



