THE BANK HAND-LINE COD FISHERY. 



129 



This list illustrates the ordinary variations in the catch of different men in the crew: 



The following extract from the Gloucester Telegraph of October 26, 1870, shows the result 

 sometimes obtained by dory hand-lining : " Schooner Lizzie Lee, of Trenton, Me., has had extraor- 

 dinary good luck thus far. She is about 90 tons measurement, and for the first and second years 

 she brought home 1,700 quintals of fish each year, and this year she has a fare of 1,800 quintals. 

 Captain Stubbs, of Bucksport, has had command of her for the three years." Some of the large 

 vessels from Provincetown have in several instances brought home fares of between 3,000 and 

 4,000 quintals. 



The Expert, of Stonington, is said to have been the first "Bank fisherman" ever fitted from 

 Connecticut. She returned in 1815 with 1,000 quintals.* 



5. THE CARE OF THE FISH. 



The manner of dressing and salting the fish corresponds precisely to that on board the 

 trawlers. 



A correspondent of the Cape Ann Advertiser, writing to that paper January 23, 1863, over the 

 signature of "Antiquarian," gives some very entertaining reminiscences of the fishing carried on 

 from the port of Gloucester at the beginning of this century. He says : 



"There were about 70 sail of vessels engaged in the Grand Bank fishery at that time, all low- 

 decked vessels, very similar in model, built with high quarter decks, which extended nearly half 

 the length of the vessel, about 4 feet higher than the main deck, and reached by a flight of steps. 

 There were no bulwarks around the main deck, the waist, 14 inches high, being the only protection. 

 The rigging was not especially neat, the spars being short, with clumsy caps and cross-trees. The 

 bowsprit was pitched at an angle of 45 degrees, being lashed to a huge gammon-knee underneath. 

 The cabin was quite spacious, and contained an immense chimney and fire-place stoves not then 

 being in use while the entrance to the forecastle served the double purpose of chimney and com- 

 panionway. This was considered the most comfortable part of the vessel, but in very rough weather 

 the crew were obliged to put on the scuttle and retreat aft to safer quarters.t The vessels at that 

 time made usually three trips yearly, starting for the Banks about the 1st of March and ending 

 th season by the middle of November. The crew consisted of seven men, who generally went on 

 their own hook, each man furnishing his own provisions, which consisted of hard crackers, salt 

 pork, molasses, &c. fish being the principal dish while on the Banks. 



"On their arrival in port 'washing out' was the first ceremony. This was effected by hauling; 

 the 'pound' alongside a large square pen, half-filled with water, which was attached to the vessel 



"Alexander Starbuck. 



t The old Manchester is cited as the last of the old fleet. She was sold from Gloucester about 1843, and in 1863 

 was still employed in the coasting trade. 



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