AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1815 



Soon after I anchored at Gasprf, I was informed that the anchorage, which I had taken 

 by advice of my pilot, was unsafe if it should blow a gale from the east of frequent occur- 

 rence at this season. No pilot could be found to take so largo a ship into the inner harbor, 

 and, as night was approaching, I got under way and put to sea with both vessels. It hnd 

 now become necessary to replenish our coal, and I determined to go to Sydney, in Cape Bro 

 ton Island, for that purpose. 



I arrived at Sydney on the 4th, the Fulton in company, and, after taking on board a sap- 

 ply of coal tor each vessel, put to sea again on the morning of the IHh. 



After a passage protracted by strong head winds, and a part of the time by thick weather, 

 we anchored at St. John, New Brunswick, on the afternoon of the 13th. 



A large number of persons, estimated at fifty thousand, were congregated at thin place 

 to witness the ceremony of breaking ground for the European and North American Rail- 

 way. The occasion had brought the lieutenant-governor of the province. Sir Edmund I lead, 

 to St. John. We received from the lieutenant-governor and the authorities of the city the 

 most cordial welcome, and every hospitality was extended to us, nationally and individ- 

 ually. 



The absence from St. John of the consul for the United States prevented my getting 

 any official information on the subject of the fisheries ; but from no source could I learn that 

 there had been any occurrence of an unpleasant nature ; and by all persons, official and 

 private, here, as in the other provinces, a most anxious desire was expressed that the rights 

 and privileges of the citizens of the United States, and of the inhabitants of the provinces, in 

 relation to the fisheries, might be so distinctly defined, and so authoritatively announced, 

 that there should be no room for misunderstanding, and no possible cause for irritation on 

 either side. 



I left St. John on the morning of the 17th instant, the Fulton in company, and anchored 

 outside of this harbor on the evening of the 18th, in a dense fog. This morning we have 

 succeeded in getting to a good anchorage, off Fort Constitution. 



It is with diffidence that, from the experience of so short a cruise, prosecuted, as is known 

 to the department, under circumstances of unusual embarrassment, I offer a few suggestions 

 as to the description of force most suitable for the protection of the fisheries, and as to the 

 time most proper for its operations. 



Some of the most valuable fisheries, such as those in Miramichi Bay, Chaleur Bay, and 

 north as far as Gasp6, are carried on in small vessels and open boats, and close inshore. If, 

 therefore, the privilege to fish in those bays is to be maintained by us, the vessels for that 

 service should be small steamers of light draught of water. The shores of Prince Edward 

 Island abound with fish of all kinds. The mackerel strike in early hi the season, and can 

 only be taken close inshore. 



' The fishing season around Magdalen Islands, through the Strait of Belleisle, down on the 

 coast of Labrador, commences early in June. The herring fishing commences in George's 

 Bay, Newfoundland, as early as April, and continues about a mouth. After that, the hsh- 

 ing on that coast is only for mackerel and cod ; and it is to be remarked, that where mack- 

 erel is found, cod is also abundant. These fisheries are carried on in vessels of larger 

 size, but still of easy draught of water ; and the vessels intended for their prelection should 

 also be of easy draught. 



The coasts of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, the south side of Prince Edward Island, Cape 

 Breton, Newfoundland, and Labrador, abound in good harbors, some of them capable of re- 

 ceiving and accommodating large navies ; but there are numerous harbors to which the fishing- 

 vessels principally resort, which will not admit vessels of heavy draught ; and where the pro- 

 tected go, the protector should be able to follow. The narrow passages, the strong and 

 regular currents, and the frequent fogs and thick weather, with which the navigator has 

 here to contend, point emphatically to steamers as the best force for this service. 



One steamer of suitable size for the commanding officer, and two or three of smaller i 

 and easy draught, having speed and power, with light armaments, would be suffic 

 all the purposes of this station. Coal at a low price and of suitable qualify could be c< 

 tracted for at Sydney or at Pictou, both within the limits of their station ; and the c< 

 ing officer, having his headquarters at Portland or at Eastport, might control their 

 ments and make occasional visits to the different fishing-grounds himself. 



The establishment of such a squadron would, I know, give great satisfaction to 

 of the United States all along the coast from Boston to Eastport; of this we 

 cal evidence in our reception at every port where we touched. It would affo 

 portunity for the introduction into the Navy of numbers of the hardy sons of New 

 who, from rarely seeing a vessel of war, have imbibed unfavorable impreaww 

 service. An infusion into the lower ratings of persons drawn from such a popul 

 elevate the character of the service and enable it to maintain a discipline ti 

 sense, moral rectitude, and patriotism. 



The smaller vessels should be one on the coast of Labrador, about New 

 about the Magdalen Islands, Cape Breton, and the Strait of Canso; and 

 tou, Prince Edward Island, and up as far as Gaspe, Lower Canada-all t 

 States by the 1st of June, and return by the last of September. 



