THE MENHADEN FISHERY. 



409 



quently I started for Greenport ; we had a strong breeze from the SW. ; set the sail aud arrived at Greenport at 

 4.30 p. m. Tuesday, 5th: A stormy day; we carted the seine in the lot; it cleared off and we tarred the new seine 

 in p. m. Wednesday, 6th: We hauled the E. S. Newins out on the railways in a. m.; we worked on the seine in 

 p. m. Thursday, 7th: A part of the crew went to the Suffolk County fair, but those of us that staid in Greenport 

 worked on the seine and helped put on the condenser. Friday, 8th: We finished the new seine and carted it down, 

 and stowed the old one away in a. m. ; we launched the steamer and went down to the oil works and coaled up in 

 p. m. Saturday, 9(A : Did not lish. Monday, llth: Went out in Gardiner's Bay and caught at three sets 54,400 fish, 

 which we took to the Miaruogue Works ; weather good. Tuesday, 12th : We went up sound and off Mattituck Creek ; 

 made two sets ; caught 18,400 iish, and a squall of wind and rain came up, eo we started for the oil works, where we 

 arrived just after sundown; wind blew hard from the N. Wednesday, 13th: We hauled out the steamer to fix the 

 condenser again. Thursday, 14th: We went out and worked at the fish in the deep water off Gardiner's Point; set 

 the seine six times and caught none; they dive the seine; a pleasant day. Friday, 15th: We went out, but could find 

 no fish, except in the tide-way where the water was deep ; we set the seine twice and caught none; weather good, 

 but we were in bad humor. Saturday, Kith : Did not go out ; I went home. Monday, 18th: The wind blew hard from 

 the NW. ; we made one set in Gardiner's Bay and caught 16,400 fish, which wo took to the Miamogue Works ; weather 

 continues pleasant. Tuesday, Wth : We went down to Watch Hill and then through Fisher's Island Sound; made one 

 8 et just west of the Dumplings, but the wind breezing up strong from the SW. we went into New London. Wednesday, 

 20th : Went into Gardiuer's Bay; made three sets and one "stab;" caught 83,600 fish, which we took to the Miamogue 

 Works; light wind from the E. Thursday, 21st: Went out in Gardiner's Bay; made one set, then went to Fort 

 Pond, then up sound as far as Faulkland Islaud, then to the oil works; had 12,800 fish; wind SSE. and looks like a 

 storm. Friday, 22d : Wo went out in Gardiner's Bay ; wind E. and storming ; made two sets and caught 39,200 fish, 

 and went to the works with them early ; got them out and arrived at Greenport about 3 p. m. ; the wind blew and it 

 stormed hard. Saturday, 23d : We went down as far as Fort Pond ; wind blew quite hard from the W. Monday, 

 25th : Went down to Fort Pond, but saw no fish ; then came up to the Miamogue Works and coaled up ; wind blew 

 quite strong from the NW. Tuesday, 26th : The fire-box to the steamer has cracked and they are putting a patch on 

 it. Wednesday, 27th : In Greenport at work on the fire-box. Thursday, 28th : Went down to Fort Pond, then up sound 

 to Morton's Point, then back in Gardiner's Bay; made one set, but caught none; pleasant day. Friday, 29th: Went 

 out, but caught none. Saturday, 30th: I went home; it stormed in p. m. 



November 1st, Monday: Went down around Gardiner's Island, then up to Plum Gut; made one set, but caught 

 none; weather fine. Tuesday, 2d : Did not fish; attended election. Wednesday, 3d: Went out in Gardiner's Bay; 

 made two sets and caught 42,400 fish, which we took to the Miamogue Works ; a pleasant day. Thursday, 4th: Went 

 down as far as Fort Pond, but saw no fish; then came to Jamesport ; wind ESE. and cloudy. Friday, 5th: Wind 

 east, and stormy; we lay in Greenport. Saturday, 6th: Foggy; we went down in Gardiner's Bay and caught, at 

 three sets, 52,800 fish, which we took to the Miamogue .Works. Monday, 8th: We went down in Gardiner's Bay; 

 made one set aud caught about 1,000 fish; then went to Fort Pond, but could find no more, so came to Greenport; 

 the wind blew strong from the NW. Tuesday, 9th : Went out in Gardiner's Bay and then to Fort Pond, but could 

 find no fish; so went to the Miamogue Works and decided to quit for the season; then went to Greenport and 

 stripped sail and rigging from the steamer. Wednesday, 10th: We started very early in the morning for Jamesport, 

 and left boats and seine, and most of the crew to cart the seine in the lot to dry ; I went back to Greenport with the 

 E. S. Newius and fixed her for the winter, and came home on the cars, and the fishing season of 1880 with us is ended ; 

 two or three gangs staid out about two weeks longer, and had a few days of good fishing about the middle of Novem- 

 ber, and caught some fat fish. 



CATCH OF MENHADEN BY A LONG- ISLAND FISHING CREW FROM 1852 TO 1880. 



The following table shows the number of menhaden taken by Captain Conkliu and his crew 

 during each year from 1852 to 1880, as recorded in the preceding journal. It will be seen that in 

 the early years of the fishery the season began later and ended earlier in the year than during 

 recent years. In 1878 and 1879 a few fish were taken in April, as follows : In 1878, April 22, 55,200 

 fish ; April 26, 153,600 ; April 27, 4,000 ; April 29, 182,000 ; April 30, 136,400. In 1879, April 21, 

 54,800 fish; April 23, 113,600; April 28, 120,800. 



