APE EN DIVX: 
63.—LETTERS. Bs 
I, 
FROM E. G. BLACKFORD, COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES FOR NEW YORK. 
NEw York, November 30, 1874. 
Prof. G. BROWN GOODE: 
DEAR Str: Your favor of 26th instant at hand this a.m. The fol- 
lowing information I received from an old swordfisherman, and he is a 
man whose statements may be relied on: 
The season first opens in the neighborhood of Sandy Hook about the 
first part of June, and continues along the coast as far east as Martha’s 
Vineyard, Nantucket Shoals, until about the middle of September ; have 
heard of their being caught as far north as Cape Sable. At the first 
cold wind biowing in September they disappear, and are not found on 
the coast again that season. They are like the mackerel, the first poor 
and lean, but as the season advances they grow fatter. They feed on 
fresh mackerel and herring. Largest ever caught, 1,200 pounds ; small- 
est about 50 pounds; the large ones about 20 feet long. Average weight 
of a catch, 500 pounds each fish. Largest number caught at one cruise 
of a smack, 350, in the full of 1872; they were carried into Portland and 
sold. F 
Most of the fish caught are salted. Principal markets for the sale of 
the fish are New Bediord, Fall River, Portland, and Boston; are not 
much esteemed in New York market, and not over 2,000 pounds sold in 
this market the entire season. Total catch from beginning to close of 
season estimated at 2,000 fish, weighing 1,000,000 pounds. 
Would advise you to write to some party in New Bedford if you de- 
sire any further details. 
The man I received my information from is full of incidents in refer- 
ence to the fish. He says the vessel he was in had been struck nearly 
twenty times by the Sword-fish, and the blades imbedded in the hull. 
It seems that if the fish is not killed by the stroke of the harpoon it be- 
comes enraged and goes for the vessel. 
The Bill-fish I know nothing of except the one I saw at Noank, in your 
fish-house. 
Of the Sail-fish I have seen only one specimen, and that was in bad 
condition, and came from Key West, Florida. 
tespectfully yours, E. G. BLACKFORD 
S. Mis. 29——24 369 
