AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 2935 



Q. In money value? A. Yes. 



Q. Have you ever sent to Grand Manan vessels for herring ! A. We 

 have sent once or twice. 



Q. Did they go to catch fish, or how did they get them ? A. They 

 always bought them. We always sent the money. 



Q. Did they go with any preparation tor fishing ? A. Not any at all. 

 We never thought of such a thing. 



Q. Have you ever been yourself or sent a vessel to Newfoundland 

 for herring? A. I have been once myself and sent some two or three 

 winters. 



Q. How were the herring procured there I A. They were always 

 bought. We never made preparations to fish. 



Q. Well, were you ever personally engaged in halibut fishing ? A. 

 Yes. I used to go to the George's Banks a good many years. 



Q. How far are the George's Banks from Seal Island ? A. 70 miles, 

 as near as I can recollect. 



Q. How near Seal Island can you go? A. I have been two or three 

 trips when I could just see the light, on a clear night. Right on the 

 edge of the ground, right on the falling-off, there is where the halibut 

 used to be taken when I was there. But I don't think there is any 

 there now. It was broken up. It didn't last but three or four years 

 when I was there. 



Q. Then you don't consider it a fishing ground, even 15 miles from 

 Seal Island Light ? Did you ever fish within three miles for halibut ? 

 A. Never. 



Q. How many halibut fishers are there from Gloucester ? A. 28, I 

 believe. The number shifts a little. I think two or three more have 

 been added. 



Q. How recently have you built a fishing schooner in Gloucester or 

 had one built? A. We had one built last winter. 



Q. When was she completed ? A. In April, I think. 



Q. Now what was the size, and what was the cost ? A. She was 74 

 tons, new measurement. 



Q. Register, I suppose? A. 110 carpenters'. 



Q. What did she cost? A. A little over 87,200. 



Q. In bargaining for building a schooner, you bargain to pay by car- 

 penters' measurement ? A. Yes. 



Q. How much a ton, carpenters' measurement ? A. Well, it differs ; 

 $45 to $47 a ton. 



Q. But you must have paid more for this? A. You have to rig it 

 afterwards. That is simply for the hull. We paid $4,950 for her. We 

 never reckon by the ton. We give the dimensions, what we want, and 

 they give us the figures what they will build her for. 



Q. What does that include ? A. The hull and spars. 



Q. Was that as low as a vessel that size, first class, could be built 

 this year in Gloucester ! A. Yes, sir ; it was. They might since that, 

 perhaps, build for a dollar less on the ton. Perhaps a difference of $200 

 might be made in the whole cost. They might build a vessel that size 

 now for $7,000. 



Q. Do yon know the quality of the schooners built here tn the prov- 

 ince ? A. Yes; I think I do. 



Q. How many new schooners built here have you seen ? Have you 

 seen the best built here within a year or two ? A. No. 



Q. You would know whether they have altered materially or not ? 

 A. They are generally built of what we call hard wood, that is, fishing- 



