28 GEOGRAPHICAL 11EVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



D. THE FRENCHMAN'S BAY DISTRICT. 



12. GENERAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES OF THE DISTRICT. 



EXTENT OF THE FISHERIES. The Frenchman's Bay customs district, which includes the 

 coast-line between Gouldsboro' and Blue Hill, is not an important fishing district, though several 

 towns send a number of vessels to the distant banks for cod, and quite a fleet of small vessels is 

 employed in the shore-fisheries. Both the offshore and inshore fisheries were formerly more exten- 

 sive than at present. Thirty to fifty years ago several vessels were employed in the Labrador cod 

 fishery and in the herring fishery at Magdalen Islands. The former fishery was abandoned some 

 years since, and in 1880 no vessels were sent to the Magdalens, though up to that time a number 

 had made yearly trips to that region. About 1810 parties came to Gouldsboro' to engage in 

 the whale fishery, going out from the shore in small boats in pursuit of the whales whenever they 

 came in sight. Later, small vessels were employed, and the fishery was continued up to 1860. 



THE FRENCHMAN'S BAY HAKE FISHERY. A large fleet of small vessels was engaged in the 

 Bay of Fundy cod fisheries for a number of years, but this interest gradually declined, and the 

 fishermen turned their attention to the capture of hake in Frenchman's Bay. This fishery has 

 been, perhaps, the most important one in the district. It began in 1840, when vessels from differ- 

 ent parts of Maine and Massachusetts were regularly employed in this fishery, securing large fures 

 of hake which were sold in Portland and Boston. For some years not less than a hundred sail 

 came regularly to the region, and as many more made occasional visits, but since 18G5 few vessels 

 have visited the locality, and the fishery is now practically abandoned. 



THE MENHADEN FISHERY. It is claimed by the fishermen of Surry that the menhaden fishery 

 of the United States originated with the people of that town. For many years menhaden were 

 abundant in all of the shore-waters of the district, being particularly so in Frenchman's and Union 

 Bays. At first they were taken only in small numbers for use as bait in the shore-fisheries, but 

 later, when it was discovered that marketable oil could be obtained from them, the fishery increased 

 enormously, and hundreds of fishermen provided themselves with nets and kettles for engaging in 

 the work. Between 1855 and 18G3 it is estimated that not less than a hundred try-houses, with two 

 to four kettles each, were in operation between Lamoine and Gouldsboro'. Since 1870 the fishery 

 has been less important, and for a number of years, owing to the absence of menhaden from these 

 waters, it has been entirely discontinued. 



THE LOBSTER FISHERY. The lobster fisheries of the district have been important for some 

 time, and the majority of the shore- fishermen devote their attention to the capture of this species. 

 Several canneries have been built for utilizing the catch of small lobsters, while a fleet of well-smacks 

 is regularly employed in "running" the larger ones to Portland, Boston, and New York. 



THE HERRING FISHERY. The herring fisheries were formerly of little importance. At 

 present, however, a number of brush weirs are fished in the vicinity of Mount Desert, and a good 

 many herring are taken. The majority are sold fresh to be used as bait in the shore and bank 

 vessel fisheries, while considerable quantities are smoked and boxed for shipment. 



STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION FOR 18SO. The fishing fleet of the district at present numbers 

 fifty-two sail, forty-six of them being actively employed. The majority are small craft, engaged 

 in the shore- fisheries in the vicinity of Mount Desert Island. Several others are large vessels 

 belonging at Hancock and Lamoine. These are among the largest fishing-vessels in the State, 

 and are employed regularly in the Grand Bank cod fishery. 



