I 



[303] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



the first arrival last year. Captain Webber reports mackerel very 

 scarce, and the fleet not doing much. He heard of no vessel having over 

 100 barrels. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 14, 180S.) 



Schooner " Sargent S. Day " arrived from bay, on Wednesday, with 125 

 barrels of mackerel, having been absent since the 1st of June. This is 

 the second arrival of the season, and rather a poor fare ; but there are 

 many of the fleet who have not done as well as this. * * * Last year 

 38 sailing vessels arrived during the month of August, averaging about 

 180 barrels each. The scarcity of mackerel causes prices to rule high, 

 and bay 1 sell at $25.25, against $18 last season. The shore fleet bring 

 in some pretty good fares lately, which meet with ready sale. — (Cape 

 Ann Advertiser, August 21, 1868.) 



1868. — Arrivals from the bay. 



Twenty-one vessels have arrived from the bay since our last issue, 

 averaging about 150 barrels each. The total number of arrivals thus 

 far this season is 41, and an aggregate of 6,000 barrels of mackerel, 

 against 65 vessels and 13,000 barrels up to this time last year — quite a 

 large falling off. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, September 11, 1808.) 



1868. — American vessels not troubled by English cruisers 



in the bay. 



Thus far, the mackerel fleet fishing at the bay have not been troubled 

 by English cruisers. There seems to be a good feeling prevalent in that 

 quarter, and the American fishermen catch mackerel whenever and 

 wherever they can prevail upon them to take the hook. — (Ibid.) 



1868. — Mackerel in Gloucester harbor. 



Mackerel made their appearance in our harbor on Saturday for the 

 first time this season. They were of small size. The schools have also 

 shown themselves several times this week. — (Cape Ann Advertiser^ 

 September 18, 1868.) 



1868. — The baymen. — doings of the shore and george's fleet. 



There have been but few arrivals from the bay the past week, as those 

 of the fleet that intend mating two trips have about all arrived home. 

 Several of the vessels which had small fares have shipped them by 

 steamer, and refitted there for a second trip. Less than one-fifth of the 

 fleet will make two trips, and there will be a great falling off in the 

 catch from last season, providing all the vessels get full fares this fall. 

 About 1,000 barrels of shore have arrived the past week, but the 

 George's fleet have done nothing, the mackerel having left the banks. — 

 (Ibid.) 



