684 GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW OF THE FISHERIES. 



at and near Salmon River. As the fish drew off into deep water the hand-line was called into play. In the use of 

 the seine a small boat was first sent chit to look over the ground, a water telescope being used. This was no more 

 than a small box, some 8 to 10 inches square, with a glass bottom. By putting it below the surface waves or ripple of 

 the water the bottom could be distinctly seen, and the cod, moving in schools, could be observed if on the fishing 

 ground. The cod seine was then brought out and thrown around them. The seine was usually 100 fathoms long, 55 

 to 75 feet deep, with mesh 3J to 3^ and 4^ to 4^ inches. After throwing around the fish the net was pursed up, as in 

 the mackerel fishery. From 2,000 to 12,000 codfish were taken at a haul. No other fish were caught with them. The 

 fish were always small, of an average weight of 4 to 5 pounds each. As a part of the cargo herring were often caught 

 in nets 75 fathoms long and 32 to 48 feet deep, with 1-J to 2-J inch mesh. The herring were caught near Bradore and 

 Assizes harbor. 



THE FISHERIES FROM 1857 TO 1860. In 1857 Newburyport had a mackerel fleet of ninety sail of vessels. The 

 Cape Ann Advertiser of September 23, 1859, quoting from the Newburyport Herald, says: " The Labrador fishermen 

 have done well. The Spring Hill, that arrived on Saturday, brought 190,000 fish, the largest number ever brought to 

 this port by one vessel. We believe she also had 200 barrels of herring. Favorable reports are received from the 

 vessels yet to arrive." 



According to the Cape Ann Advertiser of June 15, 1860, the Labrador fleet of Newburyport that year numbered 

 sixty vessels. 



It was stated in the Gloucester Telegraph of January '28, I860, that Newburyport was at that time beginning to 

 enter the Georges Bank fishery ; a new industry for that port. 



THE MACKEREL AND CLAM FISHERIES IN 1870. Concerning the prospect for the Saint Lawrence fishery of 1870, 

 and the Newburyport clam industry, the Gloucester Telegraph for April 20 and June 15, 1870, contained the follow- 

 ing paragraphs: 



"There will bo from twenty-six to thirty schooners sent from Newburyport this season for the bay of Saint 

 Lawrence. Last year the number was twenty-six, two of which were lost; but several new ones have been added to 

 the list, which will increase the number a little. The Race Horse, Hattie E. Smith, and a few of the larger-sized 

 vessels will go this year." 



"The clamming business at Newburyport is quite profitable and increases every year. During the three mouths 

 ending with March 31 about 7,000 bushels of clams were dng in the Merrimack for the dealers, besides what were 

 peddled and eaten in the city. The price, at 50 cents a bushel, amounts to $3,500." 



THE FISHERIES IN 1871. A statement in the Cape Ann Advertiser of January 5, 1872, says, concerning the New- 

 buryport fisheries for 1871 : 



"The fresh fish brought here for the consumption of the city and country in its vicinity during the past year 

 has amounted to over 1,000,000 pounds, valued at $30,000, for which the consumer has paid more than double this 

 amount." 



NEWBURYPORT FISHERIES FROM 1872 TO 1876. The Newburyport Herald of October 8, 1872, says: 



"Oar market at the present time is abundantly supplied with fish in all varieties, which are landed fresh from 

 the sea every day by tons. On Saturday a large lot of fresh mackerel were brought in by the market boats. Two 

 codfish were brought in by one of our fishing boats on Saturday which weighed 80 pounds each. The old fishermen 

 said they were the largest they had ever seen. One wherry also brought in about 400 pounds of handsome sea bass." 



The Newbnryport Herald of March 12, 1874, says : 



"There are twenty-two vessels in this port classed as fishermen, and which, in former years, have made trips 

 south and in the bay of Saint Lawrence ; five are now engaged in the West India trade and will not return till time 

 to fit out for bay of Saint Lawrence, and some four or five other vessels are for sale. The mackerel business has not 

 been profitable." 



In 1874 the Newburyport Labrador fleet consisted of two vessels, the Edward Lee and Edward Lameyer. 



In 1876 there were one hundred and thirteen arrivals of fishing vessels in Newburyport, the product lauded being 

 valued at $125,000. The fishing fleet this year consisted of six baymen, six shore vessels, and two in the Labrador 

 fishery. 



The Labrador cod fleet for five years previous to 1876 was not very successful. Before 1871 the average fare 

 was 1,500 to 2,200 quintals of cod, but in 1876 the average was only about 500 quintals of cod and 200 barrels of her- 

 ring. 



IPSWICH. 



SETTLEMF.NT OF THE TOWN. In the year 1614 the ground on which the town of Ipswich now stands, was marked 

 on the chart of Capt. John Smith by the name Agawam, an Indian word signifying "a place abundantly supplied 

 with fish." The same name is, for a similar reason, given to several places along the coast. This name was changed 

 by King Charles to Southampton. The colonial records of August 4, 1634, record a second change to its present name, 

 after the town of Ipswich, England, "in acknowledgment of the great honor and kindness done to our people, who 

 took shipping there." 



IPSWICH IN 1654. The following description of the town and of the character of its inhabitants in 1C34 appeared 

 in "Wonder-working Providence," published in London in 1654 : 



" This Towne is scituated on a faire and delightfull River, whose first rise or spring begins about five and twenty 

 Miles farther np in the Countrey, issuing forth a very pleasant pond. But soon after it betakes >ts course through a 

 most hideous swamp of large extent, even for many Miles, being a great Harbour for Bcares : after its coming forth 



