[UHIVERSITYJ 



THE SWOEDFISH FISHEEY. 323 



George's cod hook, with a 6-inch shank. Mackerel were used for bait. These were split down the 

 tail so that the shank of the hook could be entirely hidden in the gash. 



I have been told that they are also taken in this way about Block Island, and a similar method 

 of fishing is described by Italian writers. 



Within the past five years it has not been unusual for swordfish to become entangled in the 

 long lines of the halibut fishermen on the northern banks. The manner in which this occurs has 

 already been discussed above. 



I have collected several instances. In 1877, in thejnonth of August, Capt. Daniel O'Brien, of 

 the schooner Ossipee, of Gloucester, fishing in 200 fathoms of water, between Le Have and Western 

 Bank, caught, in one voyage, five swordfish. 



At about the same time Capt. E. L. Morrison, of the schooner Laura Nelson, fishing in 275 

 fathoms, on Sable Island Bank, caught three swordfish. Another vessel, in August, 1877, fishing 

 on La Have, in from 175 to 180 fathoms, caught twelve, as well as three or four more in September. 

 In August, 1878, Captain Greenleaf, of the schooner Chester E. Lawrence, of Gloucester, fishing in 

 140 fathoms, caught thirteen in one trip. I cannot learn that this manner of capture was ever 

 known before 1876, but it has since become so frequent that it excites no remark for a halibut- 

 catcher to unload several swordfish among its halibut. This manner of taking the swordfish is of 

 course purely accidental, and is rather a vexation than otherwise to the fishermen. It is probable 

 that the fish take the bait when the line is being set and they are swimming near the surface, and 

 they are involuntarily carried down by its great weight. 



9. FINANCIAL PEOFITS TO FISHBEMEN. 



I have before me record of a single schooner for the season of 1878, from which it appears that 

 in the season of four months eight trips were made, averaging about twelve days in continuance. 

 One hundred and sixty -three fish were taken between June 7 and September 20, weighing, in the 

 aggregate, in round numbers, about 47,000 pounds, dressed. These were sold at an average price of 

 3 cents per pound. The gross stock of the season would amount to about $1,300. From this must 

 be deducted the expense of living, the interest on capital invested, and the wages of the cook and 

 the boy. The remainder would probably not exceed $800 or $900. It is not probable that many 

 vessels stock as large a proportionate amount as did the Northern Eagle. And the profits are to 

 be divided among the two or three men composing the crew and the owner of the vessel. The 

 success of one New Bedford vessel in the season of 1878 was spoken of as extraordinary, the return 

 being $311 to each of the crew's share. 



The"price of swordfish is low, and the success of the voyage is always somewhat precarious. 

 A few small vessels with experienced skippers apparently succeed in making a fair living, but that 

 the profits are not great is clearly indicated by the fact that there is no great increase in the 

 number of vessels engaged, and that so many are constantly undertaking and abandoning the 

 swordfishery. 



10. HISTOEY OF THE AMEEICAN SWOEDFISH FISHEEY. 



There are few data upon which to found conjecture as to the time when the swordfish were 

 first regarded as sufficiently useful to be sought for by fishermen. The earliest record of its use 

 for food is found in the Barnstable Patriot of June 30, 1841, in which it is stated that the fishermen 

 of the island south of Cape Cod take a considerable number of these fish every year by harpooning 

 them, and that about 200 pounds a year are pickled and salted at Martha's Vineyard. 



Captain Atwood remembers seeing sword fish on the coast of Maine as early as 1826, although 



