[263] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



were of suitable size to be packed for large fish. As in previous years 

 a large fleet of vessels went to the Gulf. In July I went to the bay in the 

 pinkey "Einaldo," 33 tons, old measurement. We fished principally 

 along the north shore of Prince Edward Island from Eastern Point to 

 Cascurnpec. We succeeded in getting a full fare of mackerel — about 

 150 barrels— in five or six weeks, with a crew of seven men all told. I 

 left the " Rinaldo " in the Strait of Canso on her return home, and shipped 

 on the schooner "Mary Ellen,' 1 of Truro, Massachusetts, and returned 

 again to the Gulf. During September and the first part of October, we 

 fished on the north side, or in the waters termed the Bend of Prince- 

 Edward Island, mostly in the vicinity of Malpec, where was gathered 

 a fleet of 200 or 300 sail of American mackerel schooners. Mackerel 

 were fairly abundant in that locality, and many of the fleet did well. 

 Having secured enough fish to complete our fare early in October we 

 left the Bay and came home. After packing out our fish we engaged for 

 a few weeks in fishing on the Xew England coast, though witli indifferent 

 success. The mackerel ofl' our own shores that fall were mostly of small 

 size and not very plentiful. The vessels that arrived home with their 

 fares early in the fall were much more fortunate than those coming in 

 at a later date, since the price of mackerel was very much affected by 

 the financial panic, which occurred during that autumn. I left the 

 "Mary Ellen" a couple of weeks before the close of the season and went 

 home. But little was done, however, at mackerel-fishing late in the 

 fall. 



1858. — Early start for the bay. — increase in the bay fleet. 



Several vessels have already started on their first trip to the bay ; and 

 active preparations are now being made for the fitting out of others, 

 which will be ready to sail in the course of a fortnight. The bay fleet 

 will be larger this season than last by some thirty sail. — (Cape Ann Ad- 

 vertiser, May 22, 1858.) 



1858. — Arrival of baymen. — scarcity of mackerel. 



Since our last issue there have been several arrivals from the Bay with 

 average fares. They report mackerel scarce when they left. — (Cape Ann 

 Advertiser, July 31, 1858.) 



1858. — Early start for the bay. — poor success of the south- 

 ern fleet. 



The George's fishing has been very dull for the last month or six 

 weeks, and a large portion of the fleet are now in port, painting up and 

 getting ready for the bay. It is calculated that by the last of the month 

 two- thirds of the fleet will be there or on the way. This is earlier than 

 usual, and we trust they will return with full fares. 



