126 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



"wide and is built on the plan of a whale-boat of the old style. Only 

 one seine-boat is used here, and on this the whole seine is carried, one 

 end of the seine being taken by a "dory" with two oarsmen. 



The Cape Ann Advertiser reported in 1873 that the menhaden fishery 

 was prosecuted by about 40 vessels from that port. 



Mr. Frederic G. Wonson, of Gloucester, states that the crew of a 

 " pogie-catcher " consists of about 10 men, and that the cost of a three 

 weeks' trip is about 8400. 



Metiliaden fisliing in Maine. 



176. Mr. Church has furnished a very full account of the organization of 

 crews on the seining-vessels. The largest steamers are 70 tons in burden, 

 the smallest 25, the sailing-vessels about 30 j these vessels are used for 

 the men to live on, and tenders are employed to carry the fish to the fac- 

 tories. These tenders have an average capacity of 250 barrels, though 

 recently they are built of a larger size, some carrying GOO barrels. Be- 

 sides these there are the "purse" and' "mate" boats from which the seine 

 is worked. These are 28 feet long, 6 feet wide, and 2 deep. The sailing- 

 vessel has a cook who manages the vessel while the crew are working the 

 seine. Each boat carries a "seine- setter" and two men to row. The 

 captain of the gang is in charge of the "purse-boat," the first mate of 

 the other, and in addition to these most gangs have a "fish-driver," who 

 keeps close to the school in a small-boat and guides the gang in setting 

 the seine. Some gangs have still another man, called the " striker," who 

 is generally an apprentice learning the business and working at low 

 wages. Four men to row, two to set the seines, and one (the cook) to 

 manage the vessel, seven in all, are all that are really necessary for 

 steamer or sail-vess'^l, the other functionaries being added as may be con- 

 venient. "The seines are 280 fathoms long and 100 feet deep. One-half 

 of the seine is put in each boat. The steamer cruises with men at mast- 

 head looking for fish. When they raise a school they put what are called 

 striker-boats on them. Each steamer has two, with one man in each ; 

 they are men with sharp eyes, quick and active. They row close to the 

 school of fish, observe its course, and then by signs they direct the purse- 

 crew how to set their seine to catch them. If fish get scared, they drive 

 them with white sea-pebbles which they carry in their boats. If the fish 

 turn to run out of th3 seine, they throw the pebbles before them, and as 

 they pass through thv^ water before them the fish turn and swim in an 

 opposite direction. After the fish are surrounded the purse-crew and 

 strikers all work together to get the seine around them. It is different 

 from sail-gangs in this, that sail-gangs hoist the fish by hand, and have 

 boats to take the fish from the fishing-grounds to market, while the 

 l)urse-crew stay on the ground with a separate vessel. Steamers go on 

 the ground, catch their fish, hoist them on board by steam, and when 

 the day is done take them to market, and the same men that catch them 

 discharge them." A steamer has no tenders, and thereby saves much 



