2146 AWARD OP THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



Q. On the average, what quantity of bait preserved in ice do the Glou- 

 cester vessels take in the shape of herring ? A. I could not tell you. 



Q. Do they take enough for the whole banking voyage ! A. No. 



Q. Where do they get the bait necessary for the prosecution of their 

 voyage? A. In Newfoundland. 



Q. How long has the practice of their going to Newfoundland f<5r 

 bait existed ? A. Very few years ; I suppose six or eight. 



Q. Can you tell how many vessels from Gloucester are now fitted out 

 for the Bank fishery ! A. No. 



Q. How many are fitted from there for the mackerel fishery ? A. I 

 should suppose somewhere about 200 sail. 



Q. Are the number of vessels now fitted out from Gloucester for the 

 cod fishery less or more than it was five or six years ago ? A. It is 

 more. 



Q. Has their number increased gradually during the last four, five, 

 or six years ? A. No ; I do not know as it has during the last four or 

 five years. I think not. 



Q. Are you able to state positively whether this is the case or not ? 

 A. I should say not, if I was on iny oath. 



Q. Have you no statistical information on the subject ? A. I have 

 no more than what I see. I know where each vessel is going to ; and 

 I should say that there is a decrease in the number, and that vessels 

 which had been so engaged have gone into the mackerel-fishing busi- 

 ness. 



Q. Have you any statistical information enabling you to speak posi- 

 tively on the subject? A. No ; I cannot tell their exact number. 



Q. You have had five vessels between 1868 and 1876 going to the 

 Bank fishing, with the exception of the last two of these years, when 

 you had three vessels there? A. O, no; I have had the five vessels 

 during the whole period. 



Q. What were they doing; cod-fishing? A. One went for fresh hali- 

 but ; one was on Georges' Bank ; two went to the western and Grand 

 Banks, and one went mackerel fishing. 



Q. How many of your own vessels have gone to Newfoundland for 

 fresh bait? A. I could not tell, but I knew one did. 



Q. When did she do so ? A. In 1870. Her name js the White Fawn. 



Q. And that is the only one which, in your recollection, did so? A. 

 I do not know, but I presume that the others did so, though I am not 

 sure. I was not in the way of knowing that; iny partner would receive 

 the drafts and pay them while I would be on the wharf working, sorting 

 and packing mackerel, &c. If I was in when a draft was laying on the 

 desk, I would see it. 



Q. Then only one of your vessels went to Newfoundland for fresh bait, 

 that you can swear to; this was in 1870; and you do not know of any 

 other of your vessels which went in there for it ? A. I have no doubt 

 that the others went in there. 



Q. But you cannot speak as to this from your own knowledge ? A. 

 No. 



Q. What quantity of herring do you estimate Gloucester vessels bring 

 every spring from Grand Manan for bait ? A. I could not tell you, I am 

 sure. 



Q. Does the principal part of your Gloucester cod-fishing vessels bring 

 their herring bait in the spring from Grand Manan ? A. For about two 

 months yes. 



Q. And salt bait is much better than fresh bait for cod-fishing? A. 

 Well, I will swear that though I think you can catch a few more fish 



