EEPOET OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [222] 



1823. — Introduction of bait-mills. 



Bait-mills were first generally used by the Massachusetts mackerel 

 fishermen about 1823. Previous to that time toll-bait had been cut 

 with hatchets. 



1825. — Mackereling in THE GULF OF MAINE. 



In 1825, Captain Merchant went mackereling in the "Hornet," a 

 schooner of 52 tons. The season began May 15, the vessel having been 

 previously engaged in cod-fishing. During the season the crew of 7 

 men and a boy landed and packed 1,304 barrels. They caught 700 

 barrels in Massachusetts Bay in seven weeks' time, and packed them in 

 Boston. The season continued until the 24th of November, and by that 

 time the crew were entirely worn out by their continued labor. A con- 

 siderable number of vessels in this same year packed from 1,000 to 

 1,300 barrels each. Tbe proceeds of the season's work exceeded $2,700, 

 the crew making about $350 or $400 each. The vessel cost about $1,300, 

 when fitted for the work at the beginning of the season. 



According to Captain Merchant the crews of mackerel vessels of 

 Gloucester have made from $100 to $400 to the man during his expe- 

 rience of sixty years. In war times their average returns were about 

 $400 each. — (Reminiscences of Captain Merchant.) 



1S25 and 1831. — Mackerel fishing from cape Ann. 



The seasons of 1825 and 1831 were the greatest known for mackerel 

 up to this date. Vessels not over 50 tons landed upwards of 1,300 bar- 

 rels, averaging through the fleet about 800. Mackerel continued in 

 Boston Bay, near the land, in the year 1825, until the 4th day of Decem- 

 ber, the crew of schooner "Frances Elizabeth" having caught 12 wash- 

 barrels on that day. The catch was not so large as in '31, to each ves- 

 sel, but the aggregate was much larger, and the mackerel of a better 

 quality. These fish were so plenty that the fishermen devoted the day 

 to catching and the greater portion of the night to lauding and dress- 

 ing, and were completely worn out with their arduous labors. One 

 morning during the first week in December, while the fleet were some 

 ten miles off Eastern Point, the mackerel failed to come to the surface, 

 after the usual throwing of bait. This was a pretty sure sign that they 

 had gone, and the fishermen, whose sore hands and tired bodies bore 

 evidence of the work they had accomplished in mackerel catching, were 

 heartily glad that at last the fish had taken themselves off, and many of 

 the fleet hoisted their flags as a token of their rejoicing over the event 

 of the mackerel's departure. The price of mackerel this year was $5.50 

 for l's; $3.50 for 2's; $2.50 for 3's, and out of this, $1.25 was paid for 

 packing. — (Fisherman's Memorial and Kecord Book.) 



