[265] history of the mackerel fishery. 



1858. — The spring fishery at the magdalen islands. 



We subjoin an extract from a letter dated Port Amherst, Magdalen 

 Islands, 7th June. * * * 



We are now taking large quantities of mackerel ;. in fact the greatest 

 quantity ever taken here will be this spring. About 50 sail of strangers 

 are now fishing here. * * * — (Gloucester Telegraph, July 7, 1858.) 



1858. — The bay mackerel fleet from Gloucester harbor. 



Two hundred and twelve of the fleet have gone to the Bay of Saint 

 Lawrence, and are manned by 2,550 men and boys. — (Gloucester Tele- 

 graph, July 24, 1858.) 



1858. — Slim doings of the early bay fleet. 



Schooner "John Gerard," from Bay Chaleur, rnackereling, arrived at 

 Newburyport 21st instant, and reports sailing with a fleet of 25 vessels, 

 the largest catch of which was SO barrels. As none of the fleet have 

 arrived here, it is supposed they are Cape Cod or eastern vessels. 

 Our skippers prefer staying the whole season in the bay to coming home 

 with fares of 80 barrels and less. — (Gloucester Telegraph, August 25, 

 1858.) 

 • Several vessels direct from the bay have arrived at lliugham and 

 Cohasset the past week, with very slim fares, the highest catch being 

 about 150 barrels. They report mackerel plenty but will not bite. — 

 Gloucester Telegraph, September 8, 1858.) 



1858. — The mackerel fishery almost a failure. 



The mackerel fishery seems to have been almost a complete failure 

 so far this season, the number caught being small, and the fish small 

 and poor. We trust something better may result from the fall fishing. — 

 Provincetown Banner. — (Gloucester Telegraph, September 15, 1858.) 



1858. — The bay mackerel fishery. 



Though our vessels are not bringing full fares, the mackerel are 

 very fine, all large and fat. — (Gloucester Telegraph, September 25, 



1858.) 



1858.— Partial failure of the mackerel fishery^. 



There is little hope now that any turn in the fisheries will render 

 them profitable this year; but the latest accounts from the Bay of Saint 

 Lawrence are more favorable, and those vessels that succeed in taking 

 full fares — since the mackerel are uncommonly good and the prices 

 higher — will do well. On our shore the mackerel fishing is not much, 

 but the vessels here employed in pollock catching have the promise 

 of a good season. The fish that have annually struck into our bay in 



