THE SEA FISHERIES OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA, 87 



laid down cm the charts, which therefore fail to give an adequate idea 

 of its extent and importance as a fishing-ground. Its greatest leugth 

 east and weit is 53 miles, from G5° 10' to 00° 23' W. longitude, the great- 

 est breadth 47 miles, from 42° 15' to 43° 02' N. latitude, and the depth 

 varies from 20 to 55 fathoms. There is a small shoal on the northern 

 part, the location of which has not been definitely determined, where 

 it is said there is not more than 9 to 15 fathoms. The bank slopes grad- 

 ually from the shoal in a southerly direction, but falls off steep on the 

 northern side. The bottom is mostly composed of gravel, pebbles, and 

 rocks, the latter predominating near the shoal. 



The tides are nearly as strong here as on George's Bank, but run more 

 directly to and from the Bay of Fundy, the northeast and southwest 

 set being generally much weaker than on the latter bank. 



Cod, halibut, and haddock are the principal fish taken, although 

 cusk, pollock, and hake are found more or less. Cod are quite plenty 

 in the winter and some good fares are obtained, although but compara- 

 tively few vessels fish there at that season, most of them being in the 

 George's fleet. At other seasons, however, the fishing on Brown's Bank 

 compares favorably with that on any of the banks in the vicinity, and 

 quite a number of the so-called Georgesmen are engaged in fishing 

 there. The cod is found the year around. Halibut were formerly 

 found very plenty, but at present occur in much less numbers. Some- 

 times the haddock fishermen make a trip to this bank during the winter 

 and good catches are occasionally obtained. 



JEFFREY'S LEDGE. 



This may perhaps be considered one of the best shore fishing-grounds 

 in the Gulf of Maine, although it is comparatively small. It is seem- 

 ingly an extension of the shoal ground that makes off in a northeasterly 

 direction from Cape Ann. It is .about 20 miles long NE. and S W. and 

 from 2 to 4 miles wide. Its southern limit is 42° 54', and northern 43° 

 11' H". latitude, and the eastern and western boundaries may be placed 

 at 69° 58' and 70° 18' W. longitude. The bottom is rocky ou the shoal- 

 est parts, with gravel and pebbles along 'the edges. The depth of 

 water is from 27 to 35 fathoms on the bank, falling off to 40 and 50 fath- 

 oms on the borders. Usually there is little or no tide, though occasion- 

 ally there is some current setting to the SW. Cod, cusk, and haddock 

 are taken in the fall, winter, spring, and early summer, with more or 

 less hake or pollock mixed with them. For a number of years Jeffrey's 

 Ledge was a favorite winter fishing-ground for haddock, which were 

 very abundant, and even at the present time many vessels resort there 

 in pursuit of haddock ; but since the haddock fishermen have extended 

 their cruises to the outer banks, a less number, of course, go to Jeffrey's. 

 Besides the haddock catchers, the vessels engaged in the shore fisheries 

 resort to this ground in the spring and fall. 



