THE SEA FISHERIES OF EASTERN NORTH AMERICA. 91 



iii the, vicinity of Cape Sable, or Brown's Bank. The general set is 

 about WSW. and ENE,, the westerly current usually being much the 

 strongest, although both the force and direction is somewhat influenced 

 by the winds. 



The principal fish are cod, haddock, and cusk, but hake, pollock, and 

 halibut are occasionally taken. The season is usually from May to Oc- 

 tober, during which time fishing is carried on principally by small-sized 

 vessels from the western part of Nova Scotia, although a few American 

 vessels occasionally go there. To the northwest of Boseway, and be- 

 tween it and the laud, is ■' Cape Negro Mud," a good ground for cod at 

 certain seasons. It is of small extent, with muddy bottom, and a depth 

 Varying from GO to 80 fathoms. 



LE HAVE BANK. 



Le Have Bank is situated to the eastward of Brown's and south and 

 east of Boseway Banks. It extends from 4L'° 53' to 43° 24' N. latitude, 

 a distance of 31 miles, and from 03° 50' to 04° 47' W. longitude, a dis- 

 tance of 41 miles. Much of this westerly extension is a long narrow 

 prong that makes out from the main body of the bank. The bottom is 

 largely composed of coarse gravel, pebbles, and rocks, with only here 

 and there small spots of sand. The depth of water is from 40 to 50 

 fathoms. The general set of the current is mostly to the westward, but 

 this, however, is influenced very much by the direction and strength of 

 the winds. The fish that are chiefly taken on this bank are cod and 

 haddock, although the other species of bottom fish are found more or 

 less plentiful. God are found at all seasons of the year, but are more 

 abundant during the early winter than at any other time, and good trips 

 are frequently obtained by the Gloucester vessels, which are the only 

 ones that go there at that season. The Gloucester winter haddock- 

 catchers, who carry these fish fresh to Boston market, Lave extended 

 their trips from George's and Brown's Banks to Le Have, and during 

 the present winter (18S0-'S1) have made some remarkably good catches. 



LE HAVE RIDGES. 



The fishing-ground known as Le Have Bidges is simply a continua- 

 tion of Le Have Bank to the eastward in the direction of the Western 

 Bank, a distance of about 45 miles. This makes the eastern limit in G2° 

 50' W. longitude, while the northern and southern boundaries are about 

 the same as those of Le Have Bank. The bottom is a succession of ridges* 

 of gravel and pebbles, with occasional patches of rocks, and the depth 

 varies from 55 to 85 fathoms. The current is weaker here than farther 

 west on the bank, and, excepting with easterly winds, is but little 

 noticed. The general set is wester^. The " Bidges " were for a number 

 of years one of the favorite places of resort for the halibut catchers in 

 the winter, and many good trips of cod have .also been taken at that 



