REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [270] 



1859. — A SCHOOL OF MACKEREL IN GLOUCESTER HARBOR.— ARRIV- 

 ALS FROM THE BAY.— PROSPECTS. 



A large school of mackerel in the harbor yesterday, near Day Bar ; 

 large and fat; several dories took good loads with book and line; 

 schooner "Jane," of Swampscott, seined a good number. 



Twelve vessels arrived from the bay with moderate fares the past 

 week. They do not speak very encouragingly of the fleet, many of the, 

 vessels having done nothing, and others have succeeded in getting from 

 50 to 100 barrels. Probably the whole fleet in the bay will not average 

 50 barrels apiece. 



Our fishermen, however, are not discouraged, but rely on making bet- 

 ter trips in the fall. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 19, 1859.) 



1859. — Mackerel fishing in the bay. — prices, etc. 



Within the last three days 12 vessels have arrived from the bay, aver- 

 aging 140 barrels each. The fleet generally have not been very success- 

 ful. Sales yesterday at 1G, 13i, and S£ for l's, 2's, and 3's. — (Cape Ann 

 Advertiser, August 19, 1859.) 



The prospect for a successful fishing season in the bay is quite en- 

 couraging. * * * If the second trip to the bay should prove suc- 

 cessful, the business of the year will wind up profitably, and our owners 

 be prepared to commence winter fishing. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 

 26, 1859.) 



1859. — The bay and shore fleets. 



There are about 240 sail of vessels yet to arrive from the bay ; a few 

 have arrived ; report very rough weather ; no chance to fish for a month 

 past, and the prospect for a fall catch rather discouraging ; a few ves- 

 sels reported with good trips ; some have had bad luck (50 to 75 barrels), 

 and will probably hold on till late in November. 



The shore fleet have done nothing the past Aveek, as the weather has 

 been very cold and blustering. The prospect now is that unless mack- 

 erel make their appearance off Chatham, the fall catch will be small in- 

 deed. Some of the mackerel-catchers have gone into pollock catching, 

 meeting with good success. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, October 28, 1859.) 



1859. — Reminiscences of capt. j. w. Collins. 



Early in June, 1859, I left the brig "Houston," in which I had made 

 a coasting trip, in Providence, R. L; went on to Gloucester and shipped 

 in the schooner " Arcturus" for a trip to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. 

 This schooner was then on the stocks, but was launched in a few days, 

 made ready for sea, and we started from the bay. The mackerel were 

 of large size in the Gulf that year, but exceptionally scarce. On our 

 first trip we cruised over nearly all of the fishing-grounds that are 

 usually frequented at that season, and although our vessel was com- 

 manded by one of the most expert skippers then sailing from Gloucester, 



