96 fishermen's memoeial and kecoed book. 



Greenland and Iceland Halibut Fisheries. 



This branch of the fisheries was commenced, in 1870, hy Capt. John 

 S. McQuinn, of East Gloucester, who fitted schooner Caleb Eaton, of 

 Boston, for a summer trip upon the coast of Greenland, in pursuit of 

 halibut. Capt. McQuinn made a successful vo5^age, and arrived home 

 in October, after about four months' absence, the vessel making a 

 stock of about $20,000. The success of the Eaton induced the fitting 

 out of a fleet of six vessels in the business the next season (sum- 

 mer of 1871), but the vessels met with a small catch, 5,500 quintals 

 in all, and one vessel, the River Queen, was lost on the return trip 

 with her crev/ of twelve men. Last year there were six vessels en- 

 gaged in the business, meeting with excellent weather and a very fair 

 catch, over 7,000 quintals in the aggregate, which brought good 

 prices. This 3'ear four vessels are engaged in the Greenland fishery, 

 schooners Aaron Burnham, 2d, William S. Baker, Caleb Eaton and 

 Albert Clarence. 



This season, 1873, has witnessed the inauguration of another new 

 branch, that of halibut-catching on the coast of Iceland. . Capt. 

 McQuinn, who had been so successful in the Greenland fisher}^, con- 

 sidered the chances on the coast of Iceland equally as good. The 

 schooner Membrino Chief was fitted out for this business, and sailed 

 from this port the 23d of May. They arrived on the fishing grounds 

 on the 9th of June, but the weather was so unfavorable that they 

 could not catch but six halibut and a few codfish. The vessel re- 

 mained in Iceland waters five weeks, visiting various harbors and 

 cruising on the fishing grounds whenever the weather would permit, 

 but catching very few fish. Among the points visited on the coast 

 were Underfiord, Patricksford, and Allevick, fishing villages, but 

 Capt. McQuinn did not cruise as far east as Reikiavik, the capital, 

 where the governor resides. The weather proving so stormy through 

 the early part of July, affording such limited opportunities for fishing, 

 that Capt. McQuinn determined to abandon the enterprise, and on 

 July 11th set sail for home, which he safely reached on the 13th of 

 August. The schooner William S. Baker, Capt. Albion Pearce, who 

 sailed in company with the Membrino Chief, proceeded to Greenland, 

 to make up a fare. 



