182 



GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



less platform or balcony 6 feet square. Here two men stand to receive the loaded tubs of oysters 

 as fast as they are hoisted (by horse-power) out of the vessel's hold. When a tub comes within 

 reach they seize it, overturn it into a wheelbarrow, made of one-third of a strong cask, mounted on 

 a wheelbarrow frame, and one man sends it down while the other goes and empties the barrow, 

 returning in time to help when the tub comes up again. The ordinary method is for two men to 

 receive the tub upon the first floor, carry it away, lift it up, and overturn it upon the table, while 

 two others hand back an empty tub and repeat the operation. This requires four men and much 

 lifting. The Newcombs, however, dispense with two men and all the laborious lifting, by receiving 

 their oysters on the upper floor and dumping them from a wheelbarrow down shutes that lead to 

 different portions of the shucking-lable, or to the 'cool room,' where they can store 8,000 bushels 

 at a time, if desired." 



Statistical recapitulation of the oyster business of Salem and vicinity. 



Number of wholesale dealers 3 



Number of schooners engaged 2 



Value of same $10,000 



Number of men hired by dealers 25 



Semi-annual earnings of same $2,500 



lumber of restaurant servants 20 



Annual earnings of same $12,000 



Total number of families supported 25 



Annual sales of 



II. Chesapeake "plants" bushels.. 40,000 



Southern, by steamer bushels.. 5,000 



Value of same $40,000 



III. Fancy stock bushels.. 500 



Value of same $750 



Total value of oysters sold annually $40,750 



E. THE DISTRICT OF MARBLEHEAD. 



64. REVIEW OF THE DISTRICT. 



PRESENT CONDITION OP THE FISHERIES. Marblehead is well known as one of the most 

 important fishing ports in the early history of Massachusetts. Its inhabitants are now chiefly 

 dependent on manufactures. In this district are included the fisheries of Marblehead, Swamp- 

 scott, Nahant, and Lynn. The fish industry of these places now employs five hundred and thirty- 

 seven persons; the capital invested is $207,706, and the value of the product is $230,942. 



STATISTICAL SUMMATION FOR 1879. The following statement gives in detail the extent of 

 the fishing interests of Marblehead district: 



Summary statement of persons employed and capital invested. 



a Cash capital, $15,000; wharves, shorehouses, and fixtures, $30,000. 



