120 FISHERMEN'S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 



verance, which has surmounted difficulties and brought, as a reward 

 of their toil, good returns. 



These men, as a class, are naturally fitted for the business. Born' 

 and reared by the sea, most of them of poor parents, it became a 

 necessity for them to earn their own living at a very early age. 

 Fishing was about the only occupation in which they could engage 

 in the Provinces, and in this branch they commenced, bringing to 

 it all the energies of youth, and by its pursuit laying the foundation 

 of robust health, which enabled them to bear the toil it demanded, 

 and preparing them for the more advanced positions which were 

 offered on board the American fishing vessels. 



The yearly visits of our fishing fleet into the Provincial waters 

 show these men the contrast between the two classes of vessels, 

 Nova Scotian and American ; the one, clipper-built and well 

 appointed in every particular, and the other, clumsy and far behind 

 in all the modern improvements and fittings. It is not strange that 

 they had a desire to connect themselves with the better class of 

 vessels, where opportunities for becoming masters and owners were 

 so temptingly held out as the reward of industry, fidelity and daring 

 to venture for a trip of fish at the most dangerous and inclement 

 seasons of the year. They caught the inspiration of the Yankee 

 fishermen, as they associated with them in their summer visits after 

 mackerel, and learned of the winter fishing on Georges and the Banks ; 

 of the chances to make profitable trips ; the opportunities to get 

 ahead in the States ; and the advantages for their children to obtain 

 an education. They also learned how well the vessels were provis- 

 ioned. All this led them to seek for chances on board our vessels, 

 and we have drawn from the Provinces hundreds of her population, 

 representing all grades, with, a good proportion of really valuable 

 men, who to-day are numbered among the energetic and thriving 

 citizens of the town. 



In addition to these are the Portuguese, who also form a consider- 

 ably large percentage of the fishermen of to-day. They make good 

 stewards, being industrious and very fond of the perquisites which 

 fall to the lot of those who hold this position, receiving not only a 

 full share with the men, but additional compensation for their ser- 

 vices, and other privileges which they are not slow to take advantage 

 of. As a class they are very industrious, very prudent also, looking 

 sharp after the nickels, fully believing in the adage of taking care 

 of the cents, as the dollars will take care of themselves. 



They are mostly natives of the Western Islands, are quite clannish, 



