106 HISTORY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES. 



by several islands, is completely protected from the rough water, and is only exposed to the 

 wind on the side towards the strait, from which quarter there is scarcely ever a violent blow. The 

 harbor is large, and has a depth of 10 to 25 fathoms. The harbors mentioned are ninety miles 

 apart, and, as the best fishing we had was about half way between the two, we could easily have 

 run into one of them, whichever way the wind might have been. 



Previous to the summer of 1879, which was considered very mild, the fishing vessels went 

 . into harbor at least three times a month. This was due to the southwest and northeast winds, 

 which, combined with the strong tides and comparatively shallow water, would soon raise a "nasty 

 sea." These blows, though perhaps not extremely dangerous, would frequently occasion loss if an 

 attempt were made to ride them out, either by the breaking of some part of the rigging, or, if the 

 deck were filled with fish when the wind came, by the loss of a part or all of these. 



Nor are winds and waves the only things causing the vessels to seek the harbor. It is fre- 

 quently very convenient to leave some things on shore, so as to have more room on the vessel. 

 Thus the Bunker Hill left barrels of pickled fins on shore, and Captain Lawson left there, until 

 ready to return home, quite a cargo of codfish he had brought from the Grand Bank, but which 

 was in his way while fishing. New supplies of water must also be secured. The harbor of Hol- 

 steinborg is usually open by the middle of May, and perhaps fishing could be commenced by the 

 first of June, but the ice that is brought down the east coast of Greenland, besides blocking up 

 the more southern harbors, will probably render the passage north too dangerous before the mid- 

 dle of June. On this account, and because of the change in the weather about the 20th of August, 

 the fishing here mast be carried on in July and August. 



3. THE FISHERMEN. 



GENERAL CHARACTER OF CREWS AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS OF TRIPS. In choosing 

 fishermen for a salt halibut trip particular care is taken to secure only those whose disposition 

 and ability qualify them for a long trip and continuous hard work. A quarrelsome disposition, 

 bodily inability to stand long, continuous hard work, ignorance either of the proper management 

 of a sailing vessel, or of the methods of fishing employed, are great drawbacks to the financial 

 success of the voyage. 



The crew of the schooner Bunker Hill, during the season of 1879, consisted of 14 men, includ- 

 ing the captain and cook, and was considered one of the best that ever sailed from Gloucester. 

 They were certainly well acquainted with their business, and, as for disposition, there was no sign 

 of a quarrel during the whole summer. This last is especially remarkable, because of the absence 

 on board of the fishing vessels of the traditionally severe ship discipline. The captain was the 

 only ofiicer on board, unless the cook can be so called. The cabin was open alike to all, and as 

 the bunks, with the exception of the captain's and my own, were chosen by lot, each one of the 

 crew, providing he was sober when the lots were drawn, had as good a chance as his neighbor of 

 securing sleeping quarters there. 



The explanation of this general freedom is probably to be found in the co-operative nature of 

 the trip, the financial plan of which was about as follows: The owners of the vessel were to receive 

 46 per cent, of the net stock, and, besides the vessel, furnished food, salt, and fishing tackle, while 

 50 per cent, of the net stock, after deducting the cost of tarring the rigging, refilling medicine 

 chest, pilotage, &c., was to be divided into fourteen equal parts, according to the number of the 

 crew, one part going to each. The captain was to receive, besides one of the fourteen parts, the 

 remaining 4 per cent.* The arrangement was thus, in some sense, a partnership, the owners fur- 



* The captain's share is usually 4 per cent, of the net stock, but it may vary either one way or the other. 



