REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [230] 



1837. — Poor doings of the mackerelmen. 



The vessels from Cape Sable and the Western Banks have generally 

 brought in good fares. The mackerel fishermen have not done so well. 

 — Yarmouth Register. — (Gloucester Telegraph, July 4, 1837.) 



1837. — Success of the cape cod and cape ann mackerelmen. 



The Barnstable Patriot says : " Since ' hard times' have become the. 

 universal topic of conversation throughout the Union, if not the world, 

 it affords us no little pleasure to find that the fishermen of Cape Cod have 

 been blessed with large discounts from their favorite banks. We learn 

 that five mackerelmen who have packed their fares in this town, have 

 already caught 1,000 barrels for the quarter ending in July. Daring 

 the same time last season there were less than 700 barrels." 



" We have heard of several excellent fares having been brought in by 

 ©u^ mackerel fishermen, within two or three Weeks past; and, although 

 the fish are reported rather scarce, yet the season promises well so far." 

 — (Gloucester Telegraph, August 5, 1837.) 



1837. — A BIG SCHOOL OF MACKEREL IN PORTSMOUTH AND GLOU- 

 CESTER HARBORS. 



Nearly 400 barrels of mackerel were taken in Portsmouth Harbor, 

 daily, for two or three days last week. It is not usual for them to be 

 found there. Mackerel have been plenty for several days past just off 

 Eastern Point, in this harbor, but we do not learn that any considerable 

 quantity has been taken. — (Gloucester Telegraph, August 26, 1837.) 



1837. — Boat fishing in maine. 



We learn that not less than 90 barrels of mackerel were brought into 

 our harbor on Thursday, in open boats. — Kennebunk Gazette. — (Glouces- 

 ter Telegraph, September 13, 1837.) 



1837 to 1841. — Scarcity of mackerel; introduction of night 



FISHING. 



Captain Merchant, of Gloucester, informs me that there was a great 

 scarcity of all kinds of mackerel from 1837 to 1841. He had at that time 

 eight vessels engaged in this business, the smartest of which only packed 

 70 barrels, in the season of 1837. Mackerel continued scarce until 1841. 

 At last the skippers became discouraged, and this year they went to 

 Georges' in search offish. They found there large schools of mackerel, 

 which would bite only at night. Vessels would catch 30 or 40 barrels 

 in a night when it was so dark that they must needs have lanterns to 

 see their lines. These night schools were a godsend to Gloucester. 

 Such habits had never been observed before that time nor since. 



In 1837, according to Captain Merchant, the vessels did not get enough 

 mackerel to cover thebottomsof their I ubs. In 1S41, mackerel struck in 

 great abundance; there were oceans of ''(inkers." — (Notes on the Mack - 

 erel Fisheries, by G. Browi) Goode.) 



