[273] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



1SG0. — An early start for the bay. 



Two vessels, " Charger" and " Fleetwing," the firstof the season, sailed 

 from this port for Bay of Saint Lawrence Wednesday [May 23]. About 

 20 sail will be ready next week, and in a few weeks the greater portion 

 of the fleet will be ready. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, May 25, i860.) 



1860. — The newburyport mackerel fleet. 



The Newburyport Herald, April, 1860, states that the bay fleet has 

 nearly abandoned the practice of going south for mackerel in the early 

 spring. But two schooners are fitting out, the "Lola Montez" and the 

 " Eleanor," and they are stimulated by the high price offered for 3's — $10 

 a barrel. Labrador fleet has usually been successful. Would not pay 

 for a single year, from great cost of outfits, but those who continue for 

 several years, till nets and other outfits are used up, find it remunerative. 



1860. — A PROPOSED INNOVATION IN THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



There is talk of organizing a company for the purpose of fitting out a 

 vessel to engage in the mackerel fishery of the North Sea. — (Cape Ann 

 Advertiser, March 23, 1800.) 



1800. — First arrival from the bay. — reported small catch. — 

 mackerel plenty on new england coast. 



Schooner " Light of Home" arrived from the bay with 70 barrels ; been 

 gone ten weeks. This is the first arrival of the season, and a little ear- 

 lier than usual. Have reports for the following vessels: "St. Cloud," 

 125 barrels; " Cyrena Ann," 125 ; "J. J. Burns," 120 ; "Anglo Saxon," 

 100; "North Star," 100; "Flora Temple," 80; "Electric Flash," 90; 

 "Oronoco," 25; "Shooting Star," 75; "Chas. McDonald," 75; "Saint 

 Louis," 00. The fleet will probably average about 60 barrels. "Light 

 of Home" will fit for another trip. 



Shore mackerel • quite plenty to the eastward; one vessel from the 

 Point has caught 90 barrels on the hook. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, Au- 

 gust 3, 1800.) 



1860. — Mackerel abundant off cape ann. — a good catch. 



Large quantity of mackerel taken off Eockport on Saturday last. 

 One seine obtained 225 barrels of pretty fair mackerel, while quite a 

 number of barrels were caught by dory fishermen. Quite a streak of 

 luck. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, July 13, 1860.) 



I860. — Abundance of mackerel off the maine coast. — scar- 

 city IN THE BAY. 



The shore fleet have met with a streak of luck quite unprecedented, 

 mackerel of good size swarming the eastern shores of Maine, and take 



