56 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



fish are said to Lave been very plenty in the vicinity, and the vessels, which, with few exceptions, 

 were quite small, fished along the shore or in the vicinity of Matinicus Island. About 1845 the 

 business began to decline and the dealers soon removed to other localities, thus compelling the 

 fishermen to cure their own catch or to seek a market elsewhere. During the "war period," or 

 from I860 to 1868, on account of the more encouraging prospects, the business was revived, and a 

 fleet of 25 to 30 sail of small schooners were owned in the town, most of them belonging at 

 Herring-gut, which, from its nearness to the fishing ground, has from the first maintained its lead 

 in the fisheries. Gradually, however, the fisheries became less important, and the people, -who 

 were already considerably interested in the coasting trade, turned their attention more largely to 

 that business. 



In 1879 fifteen small schooners were licensed for the fisheries from the various harbors of the 

 town. Of these, only three measured over 20 tons, and some of the smaller ones were engaged 

 largely in other work, fishing only occasionally during the season. There were no professional 

 dealers on the mainland, but one firm located at George's Island did a considerable business, 

 buying large quantities of fish from the fishermen of Friendship, Bristol, Cushing, and other 

 places. About 3,500 quintals of the various species were cured during the season. This quantity 

 includes those dried by the fishermen, as well as those handled by the dealers. 



The shore-fishermen, numbering about 100, are extensively engaged in the capture of lobsters, 

 selling their catch to the Boston and Portland smacks and to the lobster cannery at Port Clyde. 

 Lobsters are perhaps more abundant in this district than in any other locality east of the Penob- 

 scot River. The Mussel Ridges have been continuously fished since 1850, and have probably fur- 

 nished more lobsters than any grounds of similar size on this portion of the coast. During the 

 summer mouths, when mackerel are abundant, many of the fishermen turn their attention to their 

 capture for both pleasure and profit, and a good many barrels are annually taken. Most of them 

 are sold fresh for canning, while a few are salted and shipped to market. 



Other parties, including ship-builders, sailmakers, blacksmiths, and ice dealers, were-formerly 

 dependent on the fisheries, to a considerable extent, but the business is now of little importance, 

 and they are turning their attention to the trade with vessels engaged in coasting. 



29. MATINICUS ISLAND AND ITS FISHERIES. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND. Matiuicus is an important island, situated 17 miles 

 southeast of Owl's Head. It is the largest of several rocky islands which together constitute 

 Matinicus Plantation. It contains about 800 acres of excellent land, and has a population, 

 including those of Ragged Island, of 250, devoted exclusively to fishing and farming. This island, 

 on account of its early settlement, is of considerable historic interest. Williamson in his History 

 of Maine, published in 1832, says: "The island of Matiuicus was inhabited very early, and 'remains 

 of stone houses are still apparent, generally supposed to have been built by French or Dutch fish- 

 ermen,' though unknown." He also adds that " there are about 100 souls on the island, in sixteen 

 families," saying of them: "They are a very industrious, humane, and moral people; the men are 

 engaged mostly in fishing and farming; they own six fishing crafts from 10 to 50 tons each, and 

 raise annually about 400 bushels of wheat and abundance of vegetables; living together in pros- 

 perity, quietude, and happiness, without law and without rulers." 



THE HERRING FISHERY. We learn from the inhabitants that as early as 1800 Matinicus 

 vessels were engaged in the Bay of Fuudy cod fisheries. The island has been a favorite resort 

 for the herring for many years, and by 1S40 there were seven smoke-honses, where 10,000 



