THE FROZEN-HERRING INDUSTRY. 443 



full fares, and, at certain times, the principal fisheries of the region have been prosecuted from the 

 various harbors and coves along its eastern shore. 



Gradually, however, the fisheries of the main shore have become more important, and the bulk 

 of the catch is taken there, few, if any, of the vessels going to Grand Manan for their cargoes. 



The fish arrive off the southern head of Grand Mauan during the month of July, where they 

 remain until the middle of September. Late in October other schools gradually approach the 

 shore of the main land, in the vicinity of Campobello Island, just opposite Eastport ; as the season 

 advances the numbers increase, until, in midwinter, the waters between Eastport and Le Preau 

 are literally filled with herring, great numbers of them entering and remaining in Saint Andrews 

 Bay until late in the spring. 



The fishing begins in a small way as soon as the fish arrive, but it does not become extensive 

 until the weather is sufficiently cool to freeze the catch. During the first of the season the bulk 

 of the herring are usually taken in the vicinity of Deer Island and Campobello ; later they are 

 more abundant about Beaver Harbor and Point Le Preau, while in the spring the fishing is often 

 extensive in Saint Andrews Bay. This rule is not constant, however, as the fisheries of the differ- 

 ent localities vary greatly from time to time, one particular section being much less important in 

 one season than another. 



Herring also occur in considerable numbers along other portions of the coast, and trips have 

 been taken at various points along the shores of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, but there is no 

 extensive fishery in these places. 



3. THE VESSELS AND THEIR CREWS. 



The vessels engaged in the frozen-herring trade are those that have been employed in the cod 

 and mackerel fisheries during the summer months; many of these are among the largest, strongest, 

 and swiftest of the fleet. In visiting Newfoundland vessels are obliged to encounter the roughest 

 weather, and to be exposed to the strongest winter gales. In addition to this they often encounter 

 vast fields of ice, and are frequently detained for weeks at a time. For this reason only the largest 

 and most able vessels have been engaged in the Newfoundland fisheries, the average of these 

 ranging from 80 to 100 tons. 



In preparing a vessel to engage in this fishery it is usually brought to the wharf, after which 

 the fishing gear and salt are removed and the hold is thoroughly cleaned. After this is done, from 

 20 to 50 tons of dirt or stone are usually placed in the hold for ballast and properly secured. 

 Those vessels which have been engaged in the mackerel fisheries, however, retain their summer 

 ballast, but usually put in a few tons additional. 



After the vessels are ballasted the owners purchase a large amount of provisions, including 

 flour, beef, and pork. In addition to this they usually carry a considerable quantity of kerosene oil, 

 oil clothing, rubber boots, and other articles worn by the fishermen. These goods are exchanged 

 with the natives for herring, the bulk, or even all of the cargo, often being paid for in this way. 

 After the goods are properly stowed, it frequently occurs that the vessel takes a considerable 

 quantity of fruits or vegetables to be sold along the coast of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND FLEET. Vessels visiting Newfoundland usually start by or before the 

 middle of December. Those sailing first secure their cargoes and return home during the latter 

 part of January, while those sailing later are sometimes detained until the middle or last of March. 



The crews are usually hired at $20 to $25 per month to sail the vessel. The captain is some- 

 times hired outright, but more frequently he has an interest in the trip. Only enough men are taken 

 to manage the vessel on the voyage, six to eight able-bodied seamen being a fair average. These 



