[277] HISTOEY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



captured 118 barrels at one tide. — (Gloucester Telegraph, November 28, 

 18G0.) 



Mackerel of medium size were this fall exceedingly abundant about 

 Cape Ann and other points along the coast of Eastern New England. 



In October there was a large fleet of perhaps 300 sail in Barnstable 

 Bay. The vessels had followed the mackerel from Portland to Cape 

 Ann and across Massachusetts Bay. — (Captain Collins.) 



1860. — Mackerel in the gulf of saint lawrence. 



In 1860 mackerel were quite scarce in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, 

 though of large size. Nearly all of the vessels which went to these 

 waters early in the season fished off the coast of New England in the 

 fall. No. 1 bay mackerel were sold at $18.25 a barrel, and No. 2's, 

 taken off the New England shore, sold for from $7 to $8.50 per barrel. 



1860. — Spring mackerel fishery. 



Southern mackerel. — Six vessels have arrived from the south 

 since our last issue with very good fares, averaging about 100 barrels 

 to a vessel. They report the prospect good. * * * — (Barnstable 

 Patriot, June 12, 1860.) 



1861. — Fall mackerel fishery at cape ann. 



Five weir-loads were taken in a seine off Rockport, at one haul, 

 August 28.— (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 30.) 



1861. — First mackerel taken. 



The first mackerel of the season was taken May 20. — (Cape Ann Ad- 

 vertiser, May 24, 1861.) 



1861. — Notes on southern fishery. — scarcity of mackerel. 



Reports from Newport last week, says the Newburyport LTerald, 

 state that fish are very scarce, and that 60 barrels is the largest fare 

 yet caught. Many of the vessels have caught but 20 barrels. They are 

 determined to persevere, but it is evident unless they meet with an un- 

 usual " streak of luck," the business will prove a losing one. A large 

 fleet of Cape vessels were in Newport on Sunday week, with small fares 

 on board. — ( Barnstable Patriot, June 11, 1861.) 



1861. — Spring mackerel fishery" in cape cod bay. 



Mackerel. — The mackerel fishery in the vicinity of Barnstable Har- 

 bor has been doing a good business for some days past. Several of the 

 boats have taken 3,000 each, and yesterday a new school came inshore, 

 increasing their prospects for a profitable spring business. — (Barnstable 

 Patriot, May 28, 1861.) 



