[221] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



1818-1836. — Mackerel fishery of hingiiam. 



Mackerel Fishery. — We believe the extent to which this fishery is car- 

 ried on from the towns of Massachusetts is not generally known. For 

 ourselves we were not aware of it and of the importance of encouraging 

 this branch of industry, which not only furnishes the means of employ- 

 ment to a large number of persons, but is of great consequence to the 

 commercial interests of the country in affording a good nursery for sea- 

 men. We have seen a pamphlet recently printed containing "A state- 

 ment of the quantity of mackerel packed from Hiugham vessels from 

 1818 to 1828 inclusive." It appears from this statement that there has 

 been in that town a gradual increase during the above period of ten per 

 cent, a year. In 3815 the number of barrels packed in that town was 

 3,015; in 1828, 33,313. During the last year 54 different vessels were 

 employed from that place in the business, some for the season and some 

 for a shorter period. There were 15 employed the whole season, aver- 

 aging 1,027 barrels each, the highest vessel having packed 1,728^. The 

 average number of persons was 8 to each vessel, making 432 in the 

 whole, to which if the number employed in coopering, packing, &c, be 

 added, would exceed 500. The quantity of salt used in salting and 

 packing, allowing 18 hogsheads to 100 barrels, would be nearly 6,000 

 hogsheads. 



The number of barrels packed in that town during the above period 

 of years, 225,331^. The salt consumed for the same, 45,559 hogsheads. 



We have been informed that this fishing is carried on at Scituate, in 

 this county, about as largely as in Hingham, and several vessels from 

 other towns in this vicinity on the bay. 



A bill is now before the legislature of this State which provides for 

 the repeal of the law requiring a reinspection of mackerel packed in 

 other States when brought into this market. — (Gloucester Telegraph, 

 July 18, 1829.) 



1821. — Mackerel-fishing with the hook commenced in the province of 

 Nova Scotia, and was prosecuted with great success in some of the har- 

 bors of the Bay of Fundy. — (Journal and Proceedings of the House of 

 Assembly of the Province of Nova Scotia, 1857, Appendix 75.) 



1822. — First mackerel voyages from cape ann to george's 



BANKS. 



In the year 1822, Capt. William Marshall caught a few mackerel on 

 George's, which were the first, so far as we can ascertain, ever caught 

 there by a Cape Ann skipper. Mackerel have been caught there every 

 year since, more or less, and rank in quality among the best. — (Fisher- 

 man's Memorial and Record Book.) 



1823. — Introduction of the mackerel gaff. 



The mackerel gaff was introduced about 1823. — (Fisherman's Me- 

 morial and Record Book.} 



