2912 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



never measured it; but I have loaded vessels which have drawn 11 

 feet. 



Q. Do they go out except with a high tide and favorable wind ? A. 

 That is left discretionary with the master, of course ; he goes when he 

 is prepared to go, but the presumption is he does not go out in a storm. 



Q. What kind of place is it in case of an impending storm ? If, for 

 instance, the tide is low, or the sea has begun to feel the effect of the 

 gale, is it a safe place ? A. I should think it would be unsafe, and a 

 prudent man would go round ^ofth Cape, and try and make a harbor 

 on the other side of the coast. 



Q. Is the bar a constant one, or shifting one ? A. I do not know 

 from personal observation ; but from general information it is like all 

 sand-bars changeable. I have had occasion, from year to year, to in- 

 quire into the depth of water at the bars on the north side of the island, 

 iu anticipation of sending vessels there. It depends on the action of 

 the storms. In some cases the water is deeper one year than another, 

 owing to the action of gales on the sand, as it is with all barred har- 

 bors. 



Q. Does the bar shift ? A. It usually shifts somewhat by the action 

 of the sea. 



Q. Do you know about Cascumpeque ? What sort of a bar is there ? 

 A. I have loaded vessels at Cascumpeque frequently. It is a good 

 harbor, and safe when you get inside. It is another barred harbor. It 

 is not considered quite as safe as Malpeque ; it has not quite so wide an 

 entrance, and has not quite such deep water. 



Q. It has not so good an entrance as Malpeque ? A. I don't consider 

 it so. 



Q. In 1868, what had you in the bay ? A. The schooner Kebecca A. 



Mathews. 







TUESDAY, October 23, 1877. 

 The Conference met. 

 The examination of GEORGE W. PLTJMER was resumed. 



By Mr. Dana : 



Question. Yesterday you spoke about having fitted out a large ves- 

 sel iu 1868 ; was her crew American ? Answer. Yes. 



Q. Did they sail under the American flag ? A. Yes. 



Q. Did you purchase a license I- A. I think so. My attention was 

 yesterday called to a memorandum which I had in my possession, and 

 that is the only evidence I have of that fact. 



Q. Your impression is that you purchased a license ? A. I think so. 



Q. How long was your vessel gone on the voyage ? A. Some three 

 months, according to my impression. 



Q. What did she take ? A. About 70 barrels of mackerel. 



Q. How much did you lose on that voyage ? A. My estimated loss 

 on the return of the vessel to Charlottetowu in October was some 

 82,200 or $2,300. 



Q. After 1868 did you do any more fishing in the gulf? A. I think 

 not, until 1873 ; but I had some vessels employed on our shore during 

 the interval. Iu 1873 I had a vessel in the bay. 



Q. Had you any vessels on the American coast in 1869, 1870, 1871, 

 and 1872 ? A. Yes. 



Q. How many ? A. For a portion of the time, two only. 



Q. Where were they fishing ? A. On the coasts of Massachusetts 

 and Maine ; they went as far south as Cape Henry during that time. 





