68 FISHERMEN'S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 



deducted from the gross stock, the balance to be divided equally be- 

 tween the owners and crew. 



During the month of September, 1819, as the boat Madison was at 

 anchor on Middle Bank, codfishing, a large school of halibut were 

 struck. One hundred and forty were caught, and the vessel immedi- 

 ately got underweigh for Boston, where the halibut were sold for one 

 dollar each. The boat was owned and commanded by Capt. George 

 Wonson. He had with him, as crew, Moses Parsons and Benjamin 

 Robinson. 



In the year 1840 the schooner Nautilus, (heretofore spoken of as 

 making the first trip to Georges for halibut,) Frederick Gerring, mas- 

 ter, and the schooner Phoenix, William H. Rowe, master, made a trip 

 to Georges, bringing in full fares, and were absent from port but sev- 

 enty-two hours. "We fail to learn of any quicker time than this, and 

 think it would be hard to beat it. They had good runs both ways, 

 and began catching halibut as soon as their anchors were down. 



The Compaerce of Gloucester and the Fisheries, 



The commercial interests of Gloucester were at one time quite ex- 

 tensive, and aided greatly in building up and adding to the wealth 

 and prosperity of the place. An antiquarian friend has recently 

 been poring over some old account books, and informs us that he 

 finds, during the time between 1795 and 1810, the names of eight 

 ships and twenty-five brigs, which were then owned and fitted at this 

 port. The "West India trade was a source of profit for many years, 

 especially that of the Surinam branch ; but now its glory has de- 

 parted, and there is not a vessel from this port engaged in it. Oc- 

 casionalty a craft is fitted from Boston, in which a Gloucester mer- 

 chant is interested ; but aside from this, the trade has passed into 

 other hands. All the energies of our people are concentrated in the 

 fisheries, and in this branch we beat the world. From present indi- 

 cations there is much to encourage the pursuit, and old Gloucester 

 has tacitly consented to let other ports have the swing of commerce, 

 while she looks sharp after the interests connected with the hook, line 

 and net. New firms are constantly engaging in the business, and if 

 energy, tact and pluck avail anything, there is no fear for the future 

 prosperity of our city. 



