76 



GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



annually. Later a further increase was noticeable, and from 1874 to tbe present time the trade 

 with fishing vessels alone has averaged $1G,000. 



In 1840 an anchor foundry was built at Bath. This from the first depended largely on its 

 trade with fishing vessels. In 1850 its sales to this class of vessels had increased to about 

 *5,000 yearly. The anchors averaged 100 to 150 pounds each, the largest made here up to that 

 time being 211 pounds. This was considered too large for use by the fishing fleet, and it was held 

 for over a year before a purchaser could be found. About 1850 the demand for larger anchors be- 

 gan, and by 18G4 those of 700 pounds weight were sometimes made. During the height of the 

 business anchors were shipped extensively to the principal fishing ports of Massachusetts, the 

 sales amounting to $20,000 annually. Little is done in this line at present, and the firm has turned 

 its attention to the trade with the coasting fleet. 



PHIPSBUEG. The town of Phipsburg occupies the western bank of Kenuebec River between 

 Bath and the ocean. It is an agricultural region with few commercial interests, and has no vil- 

 lages of importance. Several small fishing vessels are owned in the town, these being employed 

 in the shore fisheries, the captains selling their catch to the Georgetown dealers or "running if 

 fresh to Bath and Portland. A number of weirs arc built for the capture of salmon, alewives, and 

 other river species, and a few parties fish for lobsters and cod along the outer shore during the 

 summer months. Aside from this, the fishing interests of the town are at present quite limited, 

 though in former years they were of considerable importance. 



J. THE DISTRICT OF PORTLAND AND FALMOUTH. 



42. GENERAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES OF THE DISTRICT. 



RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF THE FISHERIES OF DIFFERENT LOCALITIES. The Portland and 

 Falmouth district includes the coast-line between Cape Small Point and Cape Elizabeth, which 

 mark the limits of Casco Bay. This region, like many other portions of the State, was early visited 

 by people interested in the fisheries. For many years fishing was the principal occupation, and 

 the fishermen were distributed along many portions of the coast and on the principal islands, so 

 that all sections were equally interested. Since 1840 the fisheries of the central portion of the dis- 

 trict have decreased greatly in importance, while those of Portland have increased enormously, 

 and this city now practically controls the fishing interests, not only of the district, but also of the 

 greater portion of Western Maine. The people of Harpswell still continue to engage in the shore 

 fisheries to a considerable extent, and the fisheries of that town are to-day nearly as important as 

 at any time since its first settlement. 



STATISTICAL RECAPITULATION FOR 1880. The following statement shows, in detail, the 

 extent of the fisheries of the district : 



Summary statement of persons employed and capital invested. 



Amount. 



$343, 92(h 



45, 421 



a ICO, COC 



755,951 



a Other fixed and circulating capital. Cash capital, $86,800; wharves, t ore-houses, :>nd fixture*, $^'.'4,600; factory buildings and appai-.itus, 

 $55,000 ; total, $366,600. Of the $55,000 for factory buildings and apparal us $1 ,00 is for menhaden all and guano factories not in nso since 1878- 



