302 GEOGRAPHICAL KEVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



persons employed is 263. The products in 1880 are valued at $36,824, and consist of 748,720 pounds 

 of dry cod, 300,000 pounds of fresh fish, 120,000 pounds of refuse fish for manure, 6,000 pounds of 

 lobsters, 3,250 gallons of fish-oil, and 24,000 pounds of Irish moss. 



HISTORY OF BLOCK ISLAND. The earliest records of this island date back to the year 1524, 

 when the French navigator, Yerazzano, reported to Francis I, King of France, that the island was 

 in shape triangular, about three leagues from the mainland, lull of hills, covered with trees, and 

 well peopled, for "we saw fires all along the coast." 



This opinion of Block Island was doubtless formed at a distance from the island itself, for the 

 first record obtained of a landing was dated 1614, when the Dutch explorer, Adrian Block, 

 explored the coast and gave to it its present name. In 1636 John Oldham, a trader from Boston, 

 while landing to trade with the Narragansett Indians, was murdered by them, for which act an 

 expedition was sent under Col. John Eudicott, to punish the Indians. After executing their com- 

 mission they explored the island and established a claim by right of conquest. 



The Indians who first dwelt on the island called it Manisses, after the name of their tribe. 

 The first explorer called it "Claudia," in honor of the mother of his king, Francis I. The Dutch 

 maps of 1614 have it marked "Adrian's Eyland." About the same time appeared the name Block 

 Island. In 1672 it received the additional name "New Shoreham," at which time also a charter 

 was given to it by the Rhode Island assembly. The island was once covered with trees, but they 

 have well nigh disappeared, so that now only a few scattering trees can be seen. 



A town record of April 14, 1702, states: 



"Capt. John Merritt brought before us one John Meeker for being a delinquent for absenting 

 himself from out of said Merritt's employment, being his servant for the fishing season, for 40 

 shillings a mouth, with 6 pounds of bread and 6 pounds of pork a week, for the which considera- 

 tions the said Meeker did promise to him his faithful service till the middle of June, or there- 

 abouts, as by witness on oath doth appear before us. We, therefore, determine and give our 

 judgment that the said Meeker shall perform the said conditions as above said. The 40 shillings 

 per month is to be paid in current money of this colony, with cost of court, which is 1 shilling for the 

 constable's fee, and 2 shillings for other charges which said Meeker is to pay. 



"Given under our hands. 



"SIMON RAY, Sen. Warden. 

 "EDWARD BALL, Dep. Warden." 



In 1670 the legislature first took action for the improvement of the harbor for "incouragiug 

 fishing designs," and in 1723 the legislature again granted aid in building a new pier "for the 

 encouragement of the navigation of the colony, especially the fishery." 



In 1695 one Robert Carr was engaged "to be forward in making a harbor and promoting the 

 fishing trade." In later years storms swept away the piers, which were in 1816 replaced with 

 w-hite oak poles, or small piles driven into the beach. These offered little protection in rough 

 weather, and the fishermen on stormy days were compelled to use oxen in hauling their boats out 

 of danger's reach. The piles above alluded to were 12 to 15 feet above water, and were far 

 enough apart to allow small vessels to pass in between. As business increased more poles were 

 added, until in 1876 there were 750 of them, hence the name "Pole Harbor," the first object of 

 attraction to every stranger. To these relics of old times the fishermen still make fast their 

 boats; but the old piers are superseded by substantial breakwaters of granite, built by the Gov- 

 ernment. On February 1C, 1870, Congress appropriated $30,000, and on October 22 of the same 

 year the work was commenced. In 1871 an additional appropriation of $75,000 was made, and in 



