2016 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



Q. Did you see a paragraph in the paper that the American fleet was 

 blocking up St. John Harbor? A. I didn't see it. 



Q. They want considerable bait ? A. Our vessels have clams and do 

 not want anything from Newfoundland. 



Q. The Grand Bank is a very short distance, I think, abput 35 miles ; 

 is it not a very great convenience for them to run into Newfoundland 

 and get this bait? A. Well, if they didn't have to lose too much time. 

 I know there is an inducement wbere a vessel is out on the Banks, ex- 

 posed to the buffeting of the storms, to go into a snug harbor. I know 

 it is very comfortable. Then again they all find things on shore that 

 they don't carry in their vessels. They have all kinds of men in our 

 vessels ; they are not all temperate men, though some of them are very 

 good men. 



Q. Do you mean to say that the captains of all your vessels are dis- 

 honest men ; that they would leave their lawful vocations and go into 

 harbor in the way you speak of I A. No, sir; but their auxiliaries. There 

 are a good many things that influence them. Where you have a vessel 

 out on the Banks, exposed to fogs and storms, it is a great rest to them 

 to come in. They can come ashore and go around. 



Q. Well, I put the question to you straightly on your oath. 



Mr. DANA remarks that the last expression is uncalled for. 



Mr. WHITEWAY. I put the question to you straightly. Is it not a very 

 great advantage for these vessels to get their bait upon the coast of 

 Newfoundland, the Grand Banks being in such close proximity ? A. I 

 think these vessels, if they took the other mode, would do better on the 

 whole than now. I think they have learned a lesson by which you will 

 have less vessels in there in future than you have now. 



Q. You mean that it is more advantageous for a vessel to go from the 

 Grand Banks to the coast of the United States than to go to the coast 

 of Newfoundland ? A. No ; by no means. I mean to say that they 

 will carry bait with them sufficient to catch their cargo without going in 

 anywhere. 



Q. You think it would be better for them to take all the bait they re- 

 quire ? A. Yes. 



Q. To make their voyage and return ? A. Our vessels prove to have 

 done best that have done so. 



Q. That would be salted bait ? A. Salted clams. In going in they 

 lose their time, whereas the other way they get fish all the time. 



Q. Then you think the salt bait is preferable ? A. No. 



Q. You think the fresh is best ? A. I think the fresh squid is best, 

 but they lose a great deal of time going in. 



Q. Notwithstanding that the fresh bait is best, you think it would be 

 far better for them to use salt clams ? A. I think if they would use the 

 salt bait, and stay there and fish every day that the weather permits 

 and it permits most every day it would be better. 



Q. But if they were fishing with fresh bait, as that is better than the 

 salt bait, could not they make more trips during the season ? They 

 would catch lish quicker? A. Our folks only go for one trip. 



Q. Your vessels only make one trip ? A. Only one. 



Q. Have you ever heard of none that go a second time ? A. I have 

 known them going, but make a failure. The first vessel that comes 

 back this season is laid alongside of the wharf and not sent back. I 

 have known them go twice and make a good fair vo$ age on the second 

 trip, but I have known a good many bad voyages. 



Q. Have you ever known of three trips? A. I have never known a 

 third trip to be made since I arrived at manhood. 



