AWARD OP THE FISHERY COMMISSION. . 2497 



No. 53. 



THOMAS WARREN, of Deer Isle, Me., called on behalf of the Govern- 

 ment of the United States, sworn and examined. 



By Mr. Dana : 



Question. Be so kind as to state your age. Answer. Fifty-eight. 



Q. When did you first ; go fishing no matter as to the exact date ? 

 A. About 1853. 



Q. In the gulf? A. Yes. 



Q. For what did you go; for mackerel, or cod, or both? A. Mackerel. 



Q. The mackerel was rather a new thing then in the gulf ? A. Com- 

 paratively; yes. 



Q. How long were you engaged in fishing? A. That season ? 



Q. No; I didn't mean that season, but how many seasons did you 

 go ? A. I went five years in succession. 



Q. Into the gulf? A. Yes. 



Q. Your last trip was in '37 or '38 as a fisherman ? A. '37. 



Q. Where did you catch fish then ? I don't mean the place, but 

 whether inshore or off shore ? A. Do you refer to the first year ? 



Q. To the first five years. You spoke of having been there from '33 

 to '37 ? A. I was there five years. 



Q. Without going into details, did you catch the fish you caught 

 inshore or off shore, and in what proportion ? A. It is a long time ago. 

 1 only speak from memory. In 1833 I was in a schooner named the 

 Eagle. 



Q. That is so long ago that we don't care much about the names, 

 but only whether you can tell from memory whether those five years 

 you caught off shore or inshore ? A. In 1833 I was there for mackerel. 



Q. Can you tell how it was these five years, or, if you prefer, take 

 each year ? A. Well, three of the five years I was there for codfish. 



Q. Those were caught in deep water ? A. Always. 



Q. Two years you were for mackerel ? A. Yes. 



Q. These two years, where did you catch ? A. In 1833 we got them 

 all off shore. In 1837, the last year I was there, we got 23 barrels out 

 of our trip very near St. Peter's, within three miles of the shore. 



Q. You have no doubt they were within three miles of the shore ? A. 

 I am clearly of the opinion that they were within three miles. 



Q. What was your whole trip? A. I don't recollect, perhaps 200 

 1 barrels. The vessel was small. ' 



Q. Of those about 23 barrels were taken within three miles. After 

 1837 what did you do ? A. I never went a fishing voyage after '37. I 

 retired from fishing and went into the fitting business. 



Q. That is, fitting fishermen ? A. Yes. 



Q. How long were you engaged in that business ? A. About twenty- 

 eight years, if I recollect aright. 



Q. You continued in that business until you were appointed inspector 

 or afterwards ? A. My being appointed inspector did not interrupt my 

 fishing business. 



Q. When did you give up your business as an outfitter ? A. In 1874. 



Q. Then from the time you gave up fishing, 1837 to 1874, you were 

 engaged as outfitter of vessels? A. Very slightly for the first four or 

 five years. 



Q. After that more largely. Am I right ? A. Yes. 



Q. How many years were you inspector in the State of Maine ? A. I 

 was appointed in 1862 and held office until '69. 

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