ABUNDANCE OF THE SQUETEAGUE. 363 



1870, when it was no longer to bo met with, and for several years it was entirely unknown in these 

 waters; so much so, indeed, that fishermen of many years' experience were totally unacquainted 

 with its ehanicteristies. In 1807 or 18G8, however, scattering individuals were taken on the south 

 coast of Massachusetts, and in 1870 they were quite a I mm lam and have since held their own.' 



This variation in their numbers is ascribed by writers generally to the action of the bluetish, 

 wliieli, by its constant attacks, is supposed to influence their abundance. Some cause or other 

 produced a similar influence upon the bluefish, which became scarce in turn; thus the Squeteague 

 was rnabled to recover its ground, and to resume its place in the food economy of the coast. To 

 what extent this disappearance or reappearance of the Squeteaj;ue is actually connected with that 

 of the bluetish, it is impossible at present to state. It is quite likely ihat other causes, at least, 

 are concerned, with which we are now unacquainted. 



\\ e have intimations, in the writings of the early historians of New England, of the disap- 

 pearances and returns of the Weak-fish, like those referred to in the present century. 



The Squeteague, as well as the bluetish, varies in size with the locality. While on the coast of 

 New Jersey they do not average much over one pound, they are stated to occasionally attain the 

 weight of from six to ten pounds, and have even been known to weigh thirty. 



Although essentially a coast and still-water lish. they occasionally run up tidal waters, and 

 are thought on the coast of New Jersey to prefer the vicinity of the mouths of fresh-water streams, 

 where they can find a mixture of fresh water. In the vicinity of Beasley's Point, where at times, 

 in consequence of drought, there is more fresh water brought down into Egg Harbor than usual, 

 they are known to move to a considerable distance up towards the headwaters, and to leave, to a 

 great measure, their ordinary grounds more seaward. 



The Squeteague in the South is a resident fish, although said by Holbrook to be most abun- 



'A GREAT CATCH OF FISH -WHAT THREE STEAM SMACKS CAUGHT OFF KOCKAWAY. A groat Catch of Weak-fish 



was made yesterday about two miles off Rockaway Beach, by the s earn smacks " E. T. De Blois," Capt. J. A. Krone; 

 ' Leonard Brightman," Capr. Elijah Powers, and " J. W. Hawkins," Capt. J. W. Hawkins. These smacks are engaged 

 iu the menlmdeu or "moss-bunker" fishery for the oil-renilerimj and fish-scrap works on Barren Island, and were 

 cruising off Rockaway yesterday in search of schools. About noon a vas school of what the fishermen supposed at 

 first to be menhaden was discovered stretching along the coast for miles. To borrow their language, "The water was 

 red with tin- fish, but they didu'i break the surface as menhaden always do." The boats weru lowend, the seines 

 spread, anil then it was discovered that the school was of Weak-fish and not n:euhadi n. " I have been in the business 

 for twenty years," said the n ate of the Brightman, "and I never saw anything like it before." Tin- fish varied in 

 length from one and a half to three feet, and in weight from three to seven pounds. The "De Blois" took over 200 

 barrels, th-- "Hawkins" 150 barrels, and the " Brightman" SCO barrels. The rut ire catch was estimated at somcthiug 

 over 200,000 pounds, which, at the ordinary market price for Weak-fish a vcn cents a pound would amount to 

 $14,000. lint, of coarse, the market price could not be maintained in the presence of such a catch as this, and it was 

 said ye.turday afternoon that a strong effort was being made by the wholesale fish-dealers of Fulton Market to prevent 

 the greater part of tho fish from being put on sale. The captaiu of the "Hawkins," which landed nt Pier No. 22 

 East River, foot of Fulton street, obtained a promise from a Fulton Market dealer to take part of his catch, and then 

 made ..venures to Mr. Eugene G. Blackford, of E. G. Blackford & Co.. Beekman street, to sell the remainder. At 

 soon, however, as the Fulton Market dealer learned of the offer to Mr. Blackford, he refused to take any of the fish. 

 The captain of the "Brightman," however, had better luck. H. -M. Rogers &. Co., of No. 11 Fulton Market, engaged 

 to take his entire catch of 350 barrels, aul immediately put two men in charge of tbe boat. The "De Blois" meanwhile 

 had made fast against the bulkhead at the foot of Beckmau street, and i aptain Keeno failing to come to terms with 

 the Fulton Market dealers, engaged P. Owens, of No. 104 South street, who manages the peddling trade for the Fulton 

 Market dealers, to dispose of his fish. A crowd speedily gathered about the boat, and the fish sold almost as fast as 

 they could be handled at twenty-five cents a pair. The pressure of the crowd became so great at one time that polite 

 assistance was invoked, and Officer William Brown, of the steamboat squad, was detailed to stay on the boat. While 

 Owen was selling the fish at twenty-five cents a pair, an attempt to break the price was made by two well-known 

 "longshore "characters, Jack Sullivan, the shark-catcher, aud T. Long, alitu "Blindy," who bought one thousand 

 pounds of the fish at one cent per pound, and stood on the street retailing them at twenty cents per pair. 



Fish-dealers say that there will be no difficulty in selling all the fish this morning at from one to three cents per 

 pound. Friday morning, they say, is tke best iu tho week for the sale of fish. Tons of ice were cracked last evening 

 and pnt on the fish to keep them fresh until to-day. .Vew York Time*, 1881. 





