192 



the herring ivearnX Plymouth for three years to three men, **who were 

 to deUver the shares of fish, and receive one and sixpence per thousand 

 for their trouble." We hear of it on the coast of Maine, also, a few 

 years afterwards. Josselyn says that the "herrin" were "so numer- 

 ous, they take of them all summer long." In 1670, he continues, "they 

 were driven into Black Point harbor, by other great fish that prey upon 

 them, so near the shore that they threw themselves (it being high 

 water) upon dry land in such infinite numbers that we might have gone 

 half way the leg amongst them for near a quarter of a mile." He 

 repeats the account in his "Chronological Observations of America," 

 where he states that so "wonderful" was the quantity, that "they were 

 half-leg deep for a mile together." Of the manner of cooking at that 

 period he remarks, that "we used to quahfy a pickled herrin by boiling 

 of him in milk." These incidents are sufficient to show the early 

 origin. 



From the fragmentary notices of the fishery which are to be met 

 with, it seems probable that, for a long time, as the scooh of herrings 

 came to our coasts, the inhabitants on the sea and rivers, from Maine 

 to the Carolinas, generally secured sufficient for consumption fresh; 

 that the more careful provided themselves with salt to cure quantities 

 for future use ; and that some, becoming regular fishermen, caught and 

 cured the fish for sale to their neighbors of the interior. And that the 

 practice was continued, substantially, without interruption, until the 

 waters resorted to by the herring for the deposite of" its spawn were ob- 

 structed by dams and mills, is hardly to be doubted. It is certainly 

 true that, on some of the rivers, where the fishery is now nearly extinct, 

 the supply at the revolutionary era was considered inexhaustible ; and 

 that farmers and fishermen were in the constant habit of filling wagons 

 and boats at pleasure with scoop-nets and other simple implements. 

 Since the peace of 1783, the herring has abandoned many of its old 

 haunts, but is still caught in wears, seines, and nets, in various parts of 



10,365 boats and upwards of 44,000 fishermen; while the number of other persons connected 

 with it exceeded 31,000 persons. The quantity of herrings cured in that year was 379,233 

 barrels. In 1831, the quantity cured was 439,370 barrels. Two years later, the number of 

 barrels was 3-29,557, of which 181,654 barrels were exported. In 1837, the quantity was 451,531 

 barrels, and the largest catch known ; while the export was 272,093 barrels. The fishery, at 

 this time, employed 11,284 boats; 49,212 fishennen and boys ; 1,925 coopers; and 23,972 men, 

 women and children, in gibbing, packing, and other labor. The quantity of nets in use was 

 more than oue million square yards. 



Yarmouth is a great herring mart. The vessels employed in the fishery cost about five 

 thousand dollars. The nets fonn a large item in the expenses of the outfit. The fishing voy- 

 age is short, not often occupying more than a week or ten daj's. 



The commissioners of the British herring fishery, in their report, 1839, state that in 1810, 

 when the board of commissioners was instituted, the whole number of barrels of hemngs cured 

 was only about 90,000 ; whereas the number in the first mentioned year was 555,559 barrels. 

 They state, further, that this fishery, as a nursery for seamen, is invaluable ; that it employs 

 50,000 fishennen, (men and boys,) and 11,357 boats, and that " many of the best of our sailors " 

 were drawn from it during the wars in which England had been recently engaged. 



The herring fishery of Sweden, three centuries ago, was extensive. Gottenbui'gh was its 

 principal seat. The fish finally disappeared from the coast, as is said, and did not again 

 appear for a long time. About the year 1660 the business was nearly extinct ; but the catch 

 was large during the fifteen succeeding years. From 1675 to 1747 tlie herring disappeared. 

 From the last mentioned year to 1770, fish were abundant, the pi'oduce of the fishery averaging, 

 probably, 150,000 barrels. In 1833, upwards of 48,000 barrels of herriugs were imported into 

 Sweden ; and in 1840 the Gotteuburgh fishery was declared to be at aa end. 



