158 



GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



that and other banks. The relative quantities of fresh halibut taken by Gloucester vessels on 

 George's in distinction from that caught on the Grand, Western, and other fishing banks, since 

 1875, is recorded as follows by the Cape Ann Advertiser: 



In addition to the above quantities landed fresh, a large amount of salt or flitched halibut has 

 been brought home and sold to the smoking establishments. 



THE GREENLAND HALIBUT FISHERY. Since about 1870 a few Gloucester vessels have been 

 accustomed to visit the west coast of Greenland in pursuit of halibut which are brought home 

 salted in flitches to be smoked. This fleet has never numbered over six or eight sail, and in 1879 

 there were only three vessels the schooners Bunker Hill, Herman Babson, and Mary E. The 

 last-named vessel fished for a few weeks on the Flemish Cap, whence she sailed for Greenland. 

 The fishing grounds have been off the village of Holsteinberg. In 1870 the schooner Caleb Eaton, 

 Capt. John S. McQuinn, landed 177,300 pounds of flitches taken at Greenland, and stocked 

 $20,000. 



THE WINTER HADDOCK FISHERY. Gloucester is largely interested in the winter haddock 

 fishery, supplying the Boston market annually with nearly 12,000/00 pounds of haddock that are 

 sold fresh throughout New England and New York. This enormous catch of fish, which is about 

 seven-eighths of the total quantity of haddock brought to Boston, is talren between November and 

 April by a fleet of some fifty sail of first class craft, averaging CO tons burden, manned by nearly 

 600 men. 



During a recent season the fleet was unusually successful, for although numbering only 

 thirty-eight sail, the average stock of the vessels was $6,000, and the total catch was 14,000,000 

 pounds of fish. The high line of the fleet landed nearly 600,000 pounds of fish, valued at $11,232, 

 and captured 90,000 pounds in thirteen hours' fishing, on a single trip. 



Haddock vessels are of the best class, such as are employed in the mackerel and bank fisheries 

 the balance of the year. They are equipped with dories and trawls, and provisioned for trips of 

 from two or three days to a fortnight's duration. The catch is iced in the hold, and marketed as 

 soon as a fair amount is secured. The fishing grounds are principally offshore, from 75 to 200 or 

 300 miles from port, on Cashe's, La Have, and George's Banks. Fifteen years ago, haddock were 

 abundant inshore, so that smaller vessels could engage in the business, but now the fishery has 

 become essentially an offshore one, requiring large and able craft to carry it on. 



Fishermen share differently in (his fishery from any other, going on what is called "fourths" 

 or "fifths." The vessel, with anchors and sails, is furnished by the owners who receive one fourth 

 or one-fifth of the net stock after the stock charges for wharfage and towage are deducted. The 

 remaining three-fourths of the net stock is shared equally by the crew, who provide dories, fishing- 

 gear, bait, ice, and provisions. The captain receives a commission or percentage from the owners 

 in addition to an equal share with the crew. 



Prior to 1864 this fishery was confined chiefly to boats from the shore or to the smaller vessels. 

 In that year, a schooner of 66 tons was fitted out for haddocking under Capt. Daniel Douglass, 



