[243] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



184S. — A LATE SCHOOL OF MACKEREL OFF CAPE COD, AMD GREAT 



ABUNDANCE. 



In 1848 large mackerel kept in close to Cape Ann. Two hundred and 

 fifty vessels. Pilot found them abuudant 26th November off Three- 

 light Nauset. One hundred and fifty vessels. 



Captain Wixon, schooner " Hamilton, 1 ' of Dennis, in debt $250 Sep- 

 tember 15, and towards the end of the season made three trips (Novem- 

 ber) without taking oft' his oil clothes ; made $900. 



1849. — Scarcity of mackerel in the early summer. 



The vessels that have arrived in this vicinity from mackerel voyages 

 have brought in very small fares. The Yarmouth and Dennis fleets, 

 which have just arrived from a two months' cruise, have packed, at an 

 .average, about 50 barrels to each vessel. — (Barnstable Patriot, June 



27, 1849.) 



1849. — Abundance of mackerel off the coast of maine. 



Mackerel catching. — A fleet of nearly 200 vessels, says the Port- 

 land Advertiser of the 13th instant, was in the offing on Wednesday after 

 mackerel. The mackerel were very abundant, and took the bait well 

 in round the shores and reefs. — (Barnstable Patriot, July 25, 1849.) 



1849. — The mackerel fishery. 



About 150 fishing vessels came into our harbor on Saturday p. m., 

 21st July, there being an appearance of a storm coming on. This was 

 quite an unusual circumstance for this period of the year, as the mack- 

 erel are not iu any quantity off our cape until the latter part of August 

 and during the mouths of September and October. These vessels, we 

 learn, had on board from 10 to 40 wash-barrels each, which they had 

 taken during the previous week or ten days, which was rather slim do- 

 ings. 



There had been two arrivals this season from Bay Chaleur, and 

 although they had an average fare, the men employed made poor wages 

 in consequence of the low price of the article. We understand that but 

 few vessels have gone to the bay this year, in consequence of the poor 

 luck they have experienced at that place for a few years past. — (Glouces- 

 ter Telegraph, August, 1849.) 



1849. — A BIG FARE FROM THE BAY. 



September 20, 1849, the schooner "Canton," Capt. Edward Watson, was 

 reported arrived at Gloucester Monday week from Bay Chaleur, with 

 GOO barrels mackerel, the largest number of barrels ever caught and 

 brought into that port by one vessel up to that time. The " Canton" was 



