456 GEOGRAPHICAL EBVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



flsli taken in the pound-nets of the eastern shore, and of the very extensive pound-net fisheries 

 that cluster around New Point, Va. The spot seine fisheries of the bay shore, the fresh-water 

 fisheries of the bays and swamps that lie around the head of Currituck Sound and Elizabeth 

 River, and the large shad and herring fisheries of the Albemarle, Pamlico, and Croatan Sounds all 

 send their products to the same place. Among the principal dealers in Norfolk engaged in this 

 business are O. E. Maltby & Co., and Howard Brothers. The fish caught on the eastern shore 

 and those coining from New Point reach Norfolk by sailing vessels. The product of the spot 

 seines of the bay shore go by carts across the country, while the great fisheries of the Albemarle 

 and Croatan utilize the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad, the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, 

 and the Dismal Swamp Caual for the same purpose. Norfolk is also becoming a formidable rival 

 with Baltimore in the oyster-packing industry, and it is probable that when she possesses direct 

 and prompt connection with the West she will equal, if not outstrip, the latter city. At present 

 the oysters shucked in Norfolk go almost exclusively to the Northern and Northeastern States. 

 They are obtained, as a rule, from James River and its creeks and coves, and from the Rappahan- 

 uock River. A small proportion of the supply is also obtained from the Broadwater on the ocean 

 side of the eastern shore. The planting in the Nausemond, James, and Lynn Haven Rivers con- 

 tribute a considerable proportion of the fancy stock which goes north in the shell to supply the 

 restaurants. 



ELIZABETH CITY COUNTY. Elizabeth City County occupies the southern extremity of a 

 narrow peninsula lying between the York and James Rivers. It fronts on Hampton Roads and 

 the Chesapeake Bay, and is intersected by numerous salt-water creeks. The surface is level and 

 the soil fertile; some of it is highly so. The population in 1880 was 10,792, an increase of 25 per 

 cent, in 10 years. "Trucks" are considerably raised. The following is a statistical summary of 

 the fisheries and the industries dependent upon them: 



Men employed in the canning of crabs 226 



Men employed in the ale wife fishery 130 



Men employed in the oyster fishery 550 



Men employed in the hook- and-line fishery 200 



'Total number employed in the fisheries 1,100 



Money value of crab-canning 16, 800 



Money value of menhaden fishery (oil and scrap) 31, 620 



Money value of hook-aud-liue-fishery 7,500 



Product of oyster industry (in bushels): 



From the rocks...." 317,000 



From plants 30,000 



Tot al number of bushels produced 347, 000 



Money value of the oyster fisheries l>9, 400 



Money value of diamond-back terrapins 1,400 



RECAPITULATION. 



Value of crab-canning $16, 800 



Value, of menhaden fisheries 31,620 



Value of Jiook-and-line fisheries - 7i 500 



Value of oyster fisheries W),-ll 



Value of terrapin fisheries - 1,400 



Total value of products of fisheries in Elizabeth City County 120, :i-'0 



Hampton is the county-seat, and the only settlement of any size in the county. It is distinct- 

 ively a fishing village, more than one-half of the population deriving their living from industries 

 connected with the water. The large crab-canuiug firms of McMeuamiu & Co., and T. T. Bryce 



