362 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [74] 
58.—RESULTS OF TRIPS BY OTHER VESSELS. 
Capt. Benjamin Ashby went swordfishing in the schooner “N. H. 
Dudley” two successive years, in 1859 and 1860. In July and August, 
1859, he took 108 fish; the next year 88. 
The schooner “‘ Yankee Bride”, of New Bedford, visited in Province- 
town Harbor, August, 1879, had already that season taken 60 fish. 
Mr. Earll reached Portland in the progress of the fishery census in- 
vestigation, July 29,180. On this day, he writes, 35 to 40 fish were 
brought in, and on the 1st of August 200 more were landed, 60 by one 
vessel. 
59.—STATISTICS OF CAPTURE. 
It is at present only possible to give estimated statistics of capture, 
though a year hence, when the returns of the fishery census, at present 
in progress, shall have been tabulated, much more accurate figures will 
be attainable. Putting the number of vessels regularly employed in 
swordfishing at forty, estimating their annual catch at eighty fish each, 
which is only half the quantity taken by the “ Northern Eagle”, as 
shown in the preceding paragraph, the aggregate number of fish taken 
would be 3,200. 
Competent authorities estimate that each vessel in the mackerel fleet 
captures and brings in an average quantity of eight barrels of pickled 
fish, or perhaps eight fish each. The number of vessels in the mackerel 
' fleet is at least four hundred. Allowing four fish to each, there is an 
aggregate of 1,600 fish. Estimating one for each vessel in the halibut 
fleet yearly, we add fifty more in the aggregate. 
Mr. Earll judged that in 1878, as for several years previous, 2,000 
Sword-fish had been brought into Portland, Me. Allowing 1,000 of 
these to the regular swordfishermen and the mackerel vessels, we have 
a remainder of 1,000 taken by the occasional fishermen of Portland 
already spoken of, and to be added to the aggregate, which now amounts 
to 5,850. 
Add 150 more for the coasters, sea-bass fishermen, and pound-tending 
vessels of Southern Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and 
the sum is 6,000. 
The average weight of a Sword-fish dressed is estimated by several 
persons, Captain Ashby, Mr. Earll, Mr. Thompson, and others, to be 
300 pounds, and that this is not far from the truth may be seen by re- 
ferring back to the records of the “ Northern Eagle”. If the average 
weight is assumed to be 250 pounds, the aggregate weight of a year’s 
catch of Sword-fish amounts to 1,500,000 pounds, valued at $45,000, 
the average price being estimated at three cents per pound. 
To estimate the number of men employed is almost impossible, since 
the season continues only four months, and many are employed for a 
much shorter period. The crews of the forty vessels number from 160 
