[7] NEW ENGLAND SWORD-FISH FISHERIES. 239 



lauded fares at Gloucester are : Carrie S. Alleu, Black Hawk, Hattie 

 J. Hambliu, Village Maid, Eddie A. Miuot, Flyiug Cloud, Flora 

 Temple, Lizzie "W. Huut, Julietta, Vim, Dreadnauglit, Marj- n. Lewis, 

 Millie Floreuce, Fauuie T., Heleua, Carrie L. Payson, Flying Dart, 

 Carrie E., Charles A. Dyer, A. B. Littlejolin, Eva, W. B. Keene, Mary 

 Hagan, Lizzie Hagau, Ambrose, Lizzie May, Fleur-de-lis, and Frank 

 Clark. 



In 1882 the Scud, of Plymouth, captured 128 swordfish. The schooner 

 Florida during the past summer took 10 lish in one day; the Ranger, of 

 Harpswell, 11 in one day, about eight miles oif Thatcher's Island. 



The wholesale price of fresh swordfish in 1884 averaged 5 cents per 

 Ijouud. The highest price paid was 20 cents per pound, at the beginning 

 of the season ; and the lowest, 2^ cents, when they were most abundant. 

 At Gloucester, August 11, the tishermen were paid 5 cents a pound ; 

 August 29, 4i cents; September 7, 3^ cents; September 19, 7 cents; 

 September 29, 10 cents ; October 2, 10| cents ; October G, lOi cents. 

 At Portland the lowest price was 2f cents, and the highest 10 cents. 

 At Block Island 20 cents a i)Ound was paid for the first fish caught. 



As received from the fishermen, the heads, tails, fins, and entrails 

 are removed; a deduction of 10- pounds is then made in the weight of 

 each fish, and the men paid for only the net weight. The heads are 

 sold to oil-makers at 20 cents each. The swords have no commercial 

 value. 



Pickled swordfish, as prepared on the mackerel schooners, or by the 

 few swordfish vessels that salted their catch before landing, was sold 

 to dealers at from $10 to $15 per barrel. September 12, at Gloucester, 

 20 barrels of salt swordfish sold at $12.50 per barrel. 



The greater part of the catch is marketed in fresh condition ; when- 

 ever, however, there is an overstock, the surplus is brine-salted in the 

 ordinary manner. Swordfish are frequently captured by the mackerel 

 vessels, and are salted, unless the vessel is about making a port, when 

 the fish can be sold fresh. Three hundred pounds of round fish make 

 one barrel or two hundred pounds of the barreled product. 



The principal markets for the consumption of this fish are Boston, 

 Providence, New Bedford, New London, and other places in eastern 

 Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Verj' little is sold out- 

 side of New England. 



