276 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



1. FISHING GEOUNDS. 



The grounds frequented by the mackerel-hookers, as the fishermen call them, were as follows: 



THE GULF OF SAINT LAWRENCE.* In the early part of the season the favorite fishing 

 grounds were in the southwestern part of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, from Cape Gasp6 to the 

 North Cape of Prince Edward Island, especially off Point Escuminac, Pigeon Hill Ground, or the 

 west shore lying along the coast from Miramichi to Point Miscou, Bank Bradley, Bank Orphan, 

 and Bay of Chaleur. Later in the season, in July, August, and September, the principal fisheries 

 were carried on upon the grounds just mentioned, also around the Magdalen Islands and along 

 the north side of Prince Edward Island. Occasionally, too, in August and September, vessels 

 fished on the south side of Prince Edward Island from Georgetown to East Point. In September 

 and October fishing was carried on at the Magdalens, Prince Edward Island, in the Bay of Saint 

 George, between Cape Saint George and Port Hood, and on the northwest shore of Cape Breton, 

 from Port Hood to Cape North. Favorite localities were about Margaree Island and Cheticamp; 

 also, on the east side of Cape Breton, in Aspee Bay, and about Sydney. About 1858 and 1859 

 several successful fares were made in the estuary of the Saint Lawrence, from Cape Gaspe" to Cape 

 Chatte, and about the Seven Islands and Mingan Islands on the coast of Labrador. In the year 

 1877 a Gloucester schooner obtained 200 barrels of mackerel at Port au Port, on the west coast of 

 Newfoundland.! Bird Eock, situated east of the Magdalen Islands, has occasionally been a 

 favorite ground, since the mackerel taken there were almost always very large. 



GULF OF MAINE. From June to November there was excellent fishing in various parts of 

 the Gulf of Maine. Early in the season mackerel were taken all the way from Cashe's Ledge 

 to the Bay of Fuudy ; from the middle of June to September the favorite localities were in the 

 vicinity of Monhegan Island, Matiuicus Eock, and Mount Desert Eock. From about 1830 to about 

 1845 some fishing was done in the Bay of Fundy, north of the island of Grand Manan. When the 

 autumnal migration of the mackerel begins the vessels follow them as they proceed southward. 

 Favorite fishing grounds are then off Portland; later, about Boone Island, off Cape Ann, and the 

 waters of Massachusetts Bay, and along the outside of Cape Cod. the latest catches being gener- 

 ally obtained off Chatham and the eastern part of Nantucket Shoals. Fishing here continues 

 sometimes until the latter part of November.f 



GEORGE'S BANK. Mackerel were in some years very abundant on George's Bank, especially 

 on the southern portion from June to September. Later in the season the weather was generally 

 unfavorable for fishing in this region. The mackerel caught here were recognized, as now, to be 

 of very fine quality. 



* Mr. Daniel Cameron, of Sonthport, Me., thinks the first American vessels went to the bay in 1833. This year 

 four -went, among others the schooner Galen, Captain Pate, of Freeport. These schooners averaged 60 to 70 tons, 

 carried about 250 barrels, and filled up in four or five days. The first vessel going to the bay from this section of 

 which we learn was the pinkey Olinda, Capt. Joseph Maddocks, of Southport, in 1837. Captain Atwood states that 

 in 1834 the New England fleet in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence consisted of six vessels, three of them from Province- 

 town. The Cape Ann Advertiser of May 13, 1859, refers to "the custom which has grown up within a few years of 

 going to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence for mackerel, where already the supply is lessening." 



tA LUCKY STREAK. The schooner William T. Smith, Capt. Henry O. Smith, the last of the bayrnen, arrived 

 home on Monday, bringing a good fare of mackerel, of which about 200 barrels were caught off Newfoundland, ;i.s 

 already mentioned in our columns. These fish are of good size and prime quality, and will command a ready sale. 

 Captain Smith struck a streak of luck when he ventured into untried waters in pursuit of mackerel, and his voyajjo 

 will prove a profitable one, which is au anomaly in this branch of the fishing industry the present season. (Cape Ann 

 Advertiser, November 23, 1877. ) 



tin the fall of 1849 one of the authors had the opportunity of seeing a fleet of mackerel schooners fishing off 

 Chatham. The number of vessels in the fleet was variously estimated from 500 to 700 sail a beautiful and interesting 

 sight. 



