64 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



ing the height of the mackerel season. In 1868 some of the fishermen from other towns in the 

 vicinity engaged in mackerel dragging more extensively, using small vessels and going further 

 from the shore. About the same time a few small vessels were bought for this purpose by the 

 islanders, who found the business a profitable cue. 



PRESENT CONDITION or THE BOAT-FISHERIES. With the exception of the early Grand 

 Bank fisheries, boat-fishing has been the chief occupation of the people. Mr. Studley places the 

 height of this business in 1864, when $35,000 /worth of fish were taken by fifty men, the "high- 

 liner" stocking $1,600. Few, if any, lobsters were taken prior to 1876, and now only eight men 

 are engaged in this fishery. The catch is sold largely to the Portland and Boston smacks. 



There are now about 150 inhabitants on the island. In 1879 forty-two men and eight boys 

 engaged in the boat-fisheries, while several others fished from the two small schooners that com- 

 posed the Monhegau vessel fleet. The quantity of fish cured was 3,460 quintals, the greater part 

 of which were sold in Portland. 



33. DAMARISCOTTA AND ADJOINING TOWNS. 



DAMARISCOTTA. Damariscotta is situated at the head of navigation ou the Damariscotta 

 River, about 15 miles from its mouth. Originally a part of the Peniaquid patent, it was separated 

 from Bristol and Nobleborough and incorporated in 1847. Its present population is 1,332. The 

 principal village, bearing tho same name, is situated on the river two miles below the head of tide- 

 water. It has long been engaged in ship-building, the work being confined chiefly to vessels of 

 large size, and only five fishing vessels and four menhaden steamers have been built during the 

 past twenty years. 



The town has never been engaged to any extent in the sea fisheries, and though small parts 

 of several menhaden steamers are owned by the residents, neither steamers nor schooners make 

 their headquarters in Damariscotta, and they may be properly considered as belonging to other 

 localities. 



The fish dealers get their supply of fresh and salt fish at the mouth of the river in summer, 

 but in winter all of the fresh fish are shipped by rail from Portland and Gloucester. 



Quite a number of farmers and mechanics visit the fishing grounds once or twice each sea- 

 son, combining pleasure aud profit. They usually catch and salt enough fish to supply their 

 families during the greater part of the year. In addition, some of the inhabitants of the place 

 engage extensively in the winter smelt fisheries of Broad Bay, near Damariscotta Mills, sending 

 their catch to New York aud Boston. 



DAMAEISCOTTA MILLS. Damariscotta Mills is a village of 200 inhabitants at the head of 

 tide-water on the Damariscotta River, two miles above the city. It is located on the stream that 

 connects Damariscotta pond with the river. This pond a sheet of fresh water twelve miles long 

 by one-fourth to one and a half miles wide has long been a favorite breeding place for the 

 alewives. During their spring migrations great quantities are caught by means of dip-nets, one 

 man frequently dipping 2,000, and occasionally as many as 10,000 fish in an hour. In 1879 it is 

 estimated that about 600,000 fish were taken, the town letting the fishing privilege for $2,000. 



There is a very extensive smelt fishery in the bay just below the village. Mr. T. J. York 

 informs us that about 25 tons are taken yearly, four-fifths of them being shipped to New York and 

 Boston for a market. 



Eels are also taken from their winter quarters in the mud by means of spears. 



The above are the only fisheries of note from the place, as it is too far from the fishing or clam- 

 ming grounds to admit of a profitable business. Occasionally some of the farmers aud mechanics 



