[271] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



we obtained only 100 barrels of mackerel — considerably less than half 

 a fare. We left the bay in August on our return home, and having 

 packed out our fish and refitted, returned again for a fall trip. We 

 succeeded in catching 150 sea-packed barrels that autumn, which was 

 more than an average for the fleet. The price of mackerel was good, 

 since, to the best of my recollection, we got $14.50 per barrel for our No. 

 1 fish. My own share for the season's work, from the 1st of June to 

 November, amounted to $150. The mackerel were also scarce on our 

 own shore so far as I can remember, and nearly all of the New England 

 fleet resorted to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Several vessels secured 

 excellent fares of fine large mackerel in the summer of 1859 aloug the 

 south shore of the Saint Lawrence between Cape Gaspe and Cape Chatte, 

 the best catches beiug obtained in the vicinity of the Magdalen River 

 and Mount Louis. Captain Peter Sinclair, in the schooner, "C. C. 

 Davis," did excellently well, perhaps better than any others, bringing 

 home a full fare of extra large mackerel, for which a high price was ob- 

 tained. These fish were taken chiefly in boats which went out from the 

 vessel and caught the mackerel close into the rocks and along the reefs 

 making out from either side of the coves. In some instances when the 

 mackerel played in to the coves, where the vessels lay at anchor, the 

 fishing was carried from the decks of the schooners which were sprung 

 up for the purpose. We had also cruised along this coast in July, but 

 the mackerel not then having arrived on the shore in any numbers, our 

 skipper fearing to remain longer, decided to return to the more fre- 

 quented fishing-grounds in the lower part of the Gulf. An incident 

 transpired, however, before leaving this section that may be worthy of 

 mention here. Failing to find the mackerel inshore we one day stood 

 off between Magdalen River and Anticosti Island, where we caught 17 

 barrels of fine large fish. It is altogether probable that these mackerel 

 were a part of the school that a short time thereafter were found close 

 in to the shores. 



1859. — Prices for mackerel caught in 1858. 



Mackerel, no sales reported some small lots are held at $10.25 and 

 $14.20, Nos. 1 and 2.— (Cape Ann Advertiser, May 13, 1859.) 



1859. — A GOOD TRIP FROM THE BAY. — BIG STOCK. — OTHER ARRIVALS. 



PRICES, ETC.. 



Schooner " O. C. Davis " from the Bay Saint Lawrence, arrived yes- 

 terday with 250 barrels of large mackerel. Advices from the fleet there 

 are a little more favorable. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, November!, 1859.) 



Schooner "C. C. Davis" made good trips — two trips to the bay, pack- 

 ing 535 barrels, sold for $7,487.74, leaving over $0,400 net profit after 

 deducting expenses. Add to this $5,000 made in fishing, and we have 

 the handsome net stock of over $12,000 in a single season. Who can 

 beat this ¥ 



