[247] history of the mackerel fishery. 



1841 to 1851. — Captain Atwood's experience in the mackerel 



fisheries. 



" I went again to the Gnlf of Saint Lawrence in 1841, when we 

 fished off the Magdalen Islands. We got about 100 barrels of very ex- 

 cellent mackerel. They were about all No. l's, I think; there were 

 very few No. 2's. The next year I also went iu the same " Lucy Mary" 

 to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, fisbiug off the Magdalen Islands. I was 

 in the bay in 1841 and 1842. We staid there until the end of the season, 

 but secured only 60 barrels. I was then master — that is, my brother 

 was not with me, and I was master of the vessel. I went home with GO 

 barrels. This was my experience in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence uj> to 

 1842. I was there since, in 1851, when I was in a schooner called the 

 "William Gray," 58 tons. She was a small and dull-sailing vessel. I 

 thought we would be much safer off the Magdalen Islands, and so I 

 went there, as 1 had done during previous years. I staid there until the 

 middle of September, but was not very successful, getting only 90 bar- 

 rels ; so I concluded to go over to Prince Edward Island and try there. 

 I did so, and the next day after my arrival I found that I was in more 

 danger at this place than at the Magdalen Islands, for I was that day 

 cast away, and I lost my vessel. 



" Q. When was this ! — A. In 1851. I was cast away on Fish Island, 

 at the entrance to Malpeque Harbor. 



" Q. Was this in the great gale, or previously ? — A. It was two weeks 

 before the great gale. I cleared up my wreck, saved what I could, took 

 the mackerel out, and shipped for home, going on board another vessel. 

 I was off the mouth of Saint Peter's Harbor when the great gale came 

 on, and we were then cast away again. So I was cast away twice in a 

 fortnight. This seemed to prove to my mind that Prince Edward 

 Island was more dangerous than the Magdalen Islands. 



il Q. You speak of fishing at the Magdalen Islands being safer than 

 at Prince Edward Island; explain why it is that you think sol — A. 

 Suppose we were at the Magdalen Islands and it looks stormy. If the 

 wind is blowing on shore where we are, we just run round to the other 

 side of the islands and anchor under the lee. If the wind blows up and 

 it becomes stormy, we are there very comfortable, and night or day 

 we hold ourselves in readiness to get under way and get to the other 

 side again in case the wind should happen to change. Thus I have 

 been round and round the islands time and time again. 



"Q. Are the Magdalen Islands regarded by the American mackerel 

 fishermen as a sale place? — A. Yes, I think so. 



" Q. And as safe as any in the Gulf? — A. I think so; to a person well 

 acquainted with them, they are considered as safe as any part of the 

 Gulf, and I consider them, for my part, safer. I do not know that every- 

 body is of the same opinion, but I think this would be the case if they are 

 thoroughly acquainted with the matter." — (Statement of Captain Atwood 

 before the Halifax Commission.) 



