197 



ynder water, of iS34, were more sensible, as well as more successlul, 

 than these speculators of former days. 



THE HALIBUT FISHERY. 



The lialibut fishery on George's Bank is a new enterprise. It was 

 commenced within a, few years by the adventurous fishernKni of Cape 

 Ann. Pursu(Hl in mid-winter, it is as hazardcms an empbwment as can 

 well be imagined. 



While the fishery was confined to the coast, the consumption of the 

 fish was very limited. In April, 1843, the Norfolk Herald announced 

 that "Our market, yesterday morning, was enriched with a delicacy 

 from the northern waters, the halil^ut — a strange jUJt in these parts, known 

 only to epicures and naturaVuits.'''' 



The New Orleans Picayune, in May of the same year, contained a 

 similar paragraph. At present, the fish, packed in i30xes with ice, is 

 sent sound and sweet, by railroads and vessels, to the most distant sec- 

 tions of the country. 



Vessels employed on the bank are absent from port from six to four- 

 teen days. The average catch of halibut is perhaps two hundred to a 

 vessel, though some obtani double that number. Tlie weight of the fish 

 is fiom fifty to two hundred pounds. 



For some time, dealers in Boston purchased, packed, and shipped 

 the fish almost exclusively; but a company was finally formed at Glou- 

 cester for the purpose of transacting this part of the business, as well as 

 the other. The fishermen, however, resort again to Boston; for this 

 company, after losing a considerable part of then' capital, relinquished 

 their design. 



The growth of the fishery has been rapid. The number of vessels 

 employed in it, owned at Gloucester, was thirty in 1844; sixty-three in 

 1848; and about seventy-five in April, 1852. The present fleet con- 

 tains many new, well-modelled, and fast-sailing vessels. The value of 

 the halibut caught in 1851 was upwards of sixty thousand dollars. 



The earnings of the vessels sent to the bank are generally ample; 

 but the fishery is not profitable, in consequence of the extraordinary 

 wear and tear of sails and rigging, and the fi-equent loss of cables and 

 anchors. M(jre than all, hardly a season passes without appalling dis- 

 asters. Whenever a vessel is lost on George's, all on board perish. 



An American citizen may contend, if he will, for the repeal of our 

 bounty laws; lie may favor a low duty, or no duty whatever, on foreign 

 fish; but he is bound to honor the courage and the persevera.nce of tlie 

 halibut catchers of Cape; Ann, who, mid the storms and gales of a 

 northern winter, procure for him the luscious nniKs and ins which gar- 

 aJsh his board. 



