REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [284] 



1863. — Eeminiscences of capt. j. w. Collins. 



In the summer of 1863 mackerel were abundant in the gulf of Saint 

 Lawrence and comparatively scarce on the New England coast. In July 

 I started from Gloucester in the schooner " Sea- Witch" on a mackerel trip 

 to the Gulf. We fished about Bank Bradley, North Cape of Prince Ed- 

 ward Island, and the Magdalens, securing a full fare of 250 barrels in 

 four weeks. The last catch of the trip was made off to the eastward of 

 Entry Island, Magdalens; we got more than GO wash-barrels; not only 

 enough to fill all the barrels we had on board, but also our yawl-boat 

 and every other receptacle we could find which would hold the fish. 

 Eeturning again to the Gulf on our second trip, we found good fishing 

 off the Magdalens for a few days, when, the mackerel slacking off, we 

 ran down to Sydney, on the east side of Cape Breton Island, where the 

 year previous some of the mackerel catchers had obtained good fares. 

 There we also met with good success, as did the fleet of some 00 or 70 

 vessels which were fishing in that locality. Again we obtained a full 

 fare of 275 barrels in about four weeks' fishing. After returning home 

 and packing out our mackerel we spent the remainder of the fall, some 

 four or five weeks, in fishing off Cape Ann and Cape Cod, but mackerel 

 being scarce we succeeded in taking only about 30 barrels. The fleet 

 off our own coast engaged in the mackerel fishery that fall compared 

 with that in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence was small and unimportant. 



18G1. — HARWICHPORT MACKEREL FISHERY. 



Our mackerel catchers are beginning to report themselves. The fol- 

 lowing schooners have arrived at Harwich Port : The " Diadem," Bob- 

 bins, with 90 barrels; "IX Ellis," Baker, 110 barrels; "Prince Laboo," 

 Nickersou, 175 barrels; "E. S. Hammond," Cahoon, 150 barrels; "S. 

 Smith," Taylor, 110 barrels ; the "Electric Spark," Godfrey, 125 barrels. 

 Others are expected soon, besides several George's fishermen, which are 

 reported to have good fares. — (Barnstable Patriot, June 13, 1864.) 



1861.— Mackerel fishery. 



Our bay fleet. — About twenty-five of our bay fleet have arrived 

 since our last issue, bringing full fares, and several fares have been sent 

 home by vessels remaining in Bay Saint Lawrence. The prospects seem 

 good for a fair season's catch. The market is active, mackerel being in 

 demand at prices much in advance of those of any year within the 

 memory of the oldest inhabitant. The expense attending the prosecu- 

 tion of this business is larger by one-half than in ordinary times, all 

 kinds of vessel's gear and supplies of every description being held at 

 enormous rates, and unless good prices for fish are sustained there will 

 be but a small margin for profit. But with present prices and good luck 

 in the way of a catch, we may set the season as a good one. — (Barnsta- 

 ble Patriot, September 13, 1864.) 



