2218 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



We got more stock out of those two years than any seasons I went in 

 that vessel. 



Q. But still you went back to the bay ? A. Well, yes. I had every- 

 thing to contend with on our own shores after that. The seiners would 

 go on the ground, and I would not have as good a chance. So we took 

 a trip in the fall in the bay. A number of these years I only went one 

 trip. 



Q. Because you had made your first trip on our coast ? A. Yes. 



Q. In 1872, for instance, you made but one trip, I believe 1 A. That 

 was the year of the gale. 



Q. Where did you go? A. In '72? Where did we make harbor? 

 At the Magdalens we lost our cables and anchors, and went to Port 

 Hood. 



Q. You could get into Port Hood ? A. We ran ashore on the beach. 

 We had to beach her, as we had nothing to anchor her with. 



Q. Now, in 1874: that was, I believe, the last year you fished, was it 

 not? You got how many barrels ? A. I think somewhere about 



Q. Take the first trip ? A. That was somewheres about 290 barrels. 

 The second trip was something about 220. 



Q. Were you in the bend of Prince Edward Island at all ? A. We 

 fished that year around Prince Edward Island altogether from Fish- 

 ermen's Bank, between that and Margaree, on the outlyiug ground. 



Q. Not within three miles ? A. No. 



Q. You were not in the bend of the island ? A. What we call the 

 bend of the island is Malpeque. That is the deepest part of the island. 



Q. Did you fish within three miles in 1874! A. Yes; I did some- 

 times. 



Q. Excepting that year did you ? A. I don't recollect catching fish 

 anywhere within the three-mile limit except that year. 



Q. How were the fish you did catch there ? A. Well, out of 300 

 headed barrels almost, at least 290 barrels, we only had 30 barrels of No. 

 ones. 



Q. What season was that ? A. It was in August, in the best season, 

 when they should have been good fish. 



Q. Since 1874 what have you been doing ? A. Working ashore. 



Q. Now, you have had an experience of eighteen seasons ? A. Eight- 

 een seasons, and two seasons that I was home, made twenty that I was 

 master. 



Q. And several seasons before you were master ? A. O, yes ; I went 

 on the water 35 years. 



Q. You must be well acquainted with that subject. What is the safest 

 part of the gulf as respects vessels in storms or gales ? A. The safest 

 ground to fish in is the Magdalen Islands. 



Q. Is that a settled opinion, do you think? A. That is the settled 

 opinion of any reasonable man that ever took any notice of the lay of 

 the land. There is no place anywhere around there that you can get 

 caught in there quick, to make trouble. There is always a chance, as 

 we say, to scout. We can always run in under some lee or other. The 

 extent of land from North Cape to East Point is 90-odd miles. By 

 striking a line from North Cape to East Point you have a bend of 22 

 miles. 



Q. It is the fixed opinion that the Magdaleus is the safest place ! A. 

 Of course. 



Q. Now, what is the objection to the bend of Prince Edward Island, 

 except, perhaps, in midsummer, when there is no wind? A. It is one 

 of the hardest places. If you get caught in there, let a gale come on 



