Fish Oils and the Fisheries connected therewith. 221 



American fish oil. Whale oil formerly sometimes bore the 

 name, but has long ceased to do so ; and oils obtained 

 from other fish have their own specific designation. 



The manufacture of oil from porgies or menhaden is 

 an important industry in some of the American Atlantic 

 States. The value of this fishery to the State of Maine is 

 estimated at 300,000. Forty steamers, 350 sailing vessels, 

 and 500 boats, with an aggregate of 3500 men, are employed 

 in this fishery, of which the coast of Maine is the largest 

 and most profitable field, yielding more oil to the number 

 of fish caught. Hence this interest is becoming a local 

 one, and the number of factories is constantly increasing. 



At Portland nearly all the factories are located in 

 Lincoln County. About 500 hands are employed, and the 

 return of produce is to the value of 100,000. In the 

 prosecution of the business there, a numerous fleet of small 

 vessels and steamers are engaged, giving employment on 

 the water and land to probably not less than looomen. 



The menhaden fish emerge from the warm waters of 

 the Gulf Stream, and strike the coast of New Jersey in the 

 month of April, reach the coast of Maine by May or June, 

 and remain till October, when they return south. 



The fishery is carried on by the very smartest of yachts, 

 not fancifully rigged or equipped, but the fastest sailers 

 that can be built or bought. Some of the best boats in the 

 yacht clubs find their way into this service. In size these 

 vessels rarely exceed 20 or 30 tons ; say, 1 8 feet beam and 

 50 feet over all. Built to stand the heavy gales on the 

 coast, and well provided with light and heavy sails, they 

 are able to cruise in weather that sends fancy boats into the 

 harbours. The fishing yachts are manned with from eight 

 to ten men each. To make the outfit complete, two sloops, 

 called carry-ways, are attached to each yacht. These are 



