fishermen's memorial and record book. 69 



The Winter Fishery of 1846— A Comparison between 

 Then and Kow. 



We have succeeded in obtaining a carefully compiled statement of 

 the doings of the winter fishing fleet on Georges, during the season of 

 1846. There is such a contrast between the business then and now, 

 that we feel assured *the details will be of interest to the reader. 



The entire fleet which followed winter fishing at that time com- 

 prised twenty-nine vessels, as follows : — Schooners Mount Vernon, 

 Clarissa Story, Oregon, Hosea Ballou, Huntress, Columbia, Adeline, 

 Champion, Union, William Wallace, Hannibal, Clarion, Alabama, 

 Concordia, H. A. Holbrook, Canton, Centurion, Constitution, Clinton, 

 Pilot, Richmond, Sarah, Napoleon, Zanoni, William Penn, Emei'ald, 

 Revenue, Cinderella, and Science. Their average measurement was 

 sixty-two tons ; average value $2,800, and were considered the 

 staunchest vessels belonging to the port. The greater number of 

 these vessels have either been lost or sold from this district. The 

 first ten of the above list left for Georges, January 5th, and averaged 

 five trips each, during the season. Their net stock amounted to 

 $11,870, and the average net earnings of the vessels were $151.50. 

 The largest fares brought in, were the first two trips of the William 

 Wallace, Captain James Pattillo, amounting respectively to $500 and 

 $610. The arrival of these trips produced quite a sensation, and 

 was the theme of conversation in the stores, on the wharves, and on 

 the street. The William Wallace was the lucky craft, and to her 

 captain and crew was accorded the honor of being "high liners" of 

 the Georgesmen. She stocked $2,135 for her season's work. 



The next eleven vessels of the list did not go so early in the sea- 

 son, but deferred their departure till February 6th. Their stock was 

 $8,844, and each vessel averaged $128.36 net earnings. The remain- 

 ing eight started March 2d, and netted $110 each. The total stock 

 of the fleet to April 15th, amounted to $25,106, and the average 

 share of each man was $62.16. 



In those days halibut comprised the principal fish caught on Geor- 

 ges, and the amount of codfish caught was small. Now it is reversed, 

 and codfish are the most plentiful. What a contrast — then and now ! 

 Instead of the fleet of twenty-nine, of twenty-seven years ago, there 



