[237] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



1842. — Success of the south shoremen. 



We learn from a friend at Plymouth that the cod and mackerel fish- 

 ermen at that place have been unusually successful thus far this sea- 

 son. — Bay State Democrat. — (Gloucester Telegraph, August 27, 1842.) 



1842. — Arrival of mackerel catchers 



For the week ending September 7, 1842, eight mackerel schooners are 

 reported in the Gloucester Telegraph, with fares ranging from 5 to 126 

 barrels, the total being 410 barrels, or an average of 52 barrels each. 



The following vessels [23 in number] have arrived since our last 

 Wednesday's paper, with fares varying from 10 to 100 barrels and up- 

 wards. The above are the fleet that sailed from the 1st to the 10th of 

 August. — (Gloucester Telegraph, September 14, 1842.) 



1842. — Poor success of the bay men. 



Arrived 24th, schooner "George Parker," from Bay Chaleur, 8 barrels 

 mackerel. The G. P. brings accounts of Gloucester vessels, three months 

 out, with less than 30 barrels. — (Gloucester Telegraph, October 26, 1842.) 



1842. — Scarcity of fall mackerel on new England shore. 



No mackerel of consequence have been caught the last three weeks. — 

 (Gloucester Telegraph, October 8, 1842.) 



Arrived 20th, about 150 sail of mackerel fishing vessels; report mack- 

 erel very scarce, none having been taken for the past fortnight. — (Glou- 

 cester Telegraph, October 22, 1842.) 



1843. — Unfavorable outlook for the mackerel fishery. 



A writer in the Gloucester Telegraph of August 30, 1843, says : "At 

 the present date the catch of mackerel falls far short of last year's, but 

 it is very uncertain how it will terminate. The prospect is considered 

 by our most experienced fishermen as not encouraging." 



1843. — Success of the hing-ham fleet. 



We are happy to hear that this business, so important to our town, 

 bids fair to be more successful this season than it has been for many 

 years. Our mackerel vessels are returning with fuller fares than usual 

 at this season of the year, some of them lately arrived having brought 

 in from 80 to 100 barrels. — Hingham Patriot. — (Gloucester Telegraph, 

 July 15, 1843.) 



1843. — Abundance of mackerel on nova scotia coast. 



The Halifax papers state that the coast of Nova Scotia is now visited 

 by mackerel and herring in larger quantities than ever were known at 

 this season. In the Straits of Canso the people are taking them with 

 seines, a circumstance without a parallel for the last thirty years. — 

 (Gloucester Telegraph, August 16, 1843. x 



