240 FISHERMEN'S OWN BOOK, 



Capture of a Trunk Turtle. — Sch. Herman JBabson, Capt. Williams, 

 captured a rare reptile for these parts in the shape of a trunk turtle, Oct. 3, 

 1877, ten miles off Cape Elizabeth. In getting it on board the vessel it 

 was injured so badly that it survived but two days, having bled to death 

 from one of its flippers. It measured seven feet across the back and was 

 six feet in length, and its estimated weight was six hundred pounds. It 

 differs from other species of turtle in having the carapace overlaid by a 

 leathery skin instead or horny plates, and this skin is easily punctured by a 

 sharp instrument. The head is large, narrowed in front of the eyes, with 

 small circular nostrils and large eyes, with lids opening nearly vertically ; 

 jaws apparently very strong and sharp edged ; neck short and thick, and 

 the anterior limbs are twice as large as the hind ones. It was a great curi- 

 osity in this section, and hundreds availed themselves of the opportunity of 

 seeing it. Its flesh is said to be of no value. It is found on both sides of 

 the Atlantic, especially in the tropics, coming north as far as Massachusetts 

 Bay. ' 



"Right arter Robert." — Years ago there were two brothers following 

 fishing from this port, both of whom were skippers, owning crafts of their 

 own. Robert was the elder, and William used to follow in his wake as near 

 as he could, when on his fishing trips. One day they both started out to- 

 gether, William following and Robert taking the lead, as usual. When Wil- 

 liam went down to supper, the man at the helm asked him how he should 

 steer. "Right arter Rober," was the reply. It so happened that William's 

 vessel was a little faster than Robert's, in a light breeze, and the wind mod- 

 erating suddenly and the helmsman not being first-class at the business, let 

 her get too near, and ere he could avoid it the vessels collided. The shock 

 brought skipper William on deck, who sang out, as he came up the compan- 

 ion-way, " How are you steering ? " " Right arter Robert, sir, just as you 

 told me to," was the reply. Fortunately there was but little damage done, 

 but "Right arter Robert" served as a by-word on board the crafts during 

 the entire season. 



The Norwegian Flounder has been added to the list of edible fishes 

 taken off our coast. Quite large quantities were secured on the dredging 

 expeditions of the steamer Speedwell, about one hundred pounds being taken 

 at one dredging in 1878. Through the courtesy of Prof. Baird a liberal 

 supply was sent to Taft's at Point Shirley, and Parker's, Boston, where they 

 were served up and pronounced excellent eating. These deep-sea flounders 

 are some fifteen or eighteen inches long, resembling a small chicken halibut 

 in form, and of a dull white color underneath and a light slate-colored back, 

 with some peculiar markings about the head. Their presence in our waters 



