576 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



Neck (where the beds seem to stop). The fishing ground lies in the channel to 35 feet in depth. 

 This ground is known as the North Shore or Apponaug grounds. 



III. On the south and east shores of the bay are found the most extensive and profitable 

 beds. These begin about one-fourth of a mile north of Potowomut Rocks in about 13 feet of 

 water, extend eastward to the channel, and then curve gently southward, going outside of 

 Hunt's Ledge ; in fact, they may be said to take in almost the entire flats west and southwest of 

 the main channel. These beds also extend southward as far as Quanset Point, a distance of about 

 5 miles, but not south of Pojack Point. The grounds are of little value in comparison to the Green- 

 wich Bay beds proper. 



The Chippauogset grounds are considered to be the best, as they seldom give out. "When this 

 occurs the remainder are sure to be of no account. 



It appears that Greenwich Bay has not always been the home of scallop and scallop fishing. 

 In Hie East Greenwich Palladium of November, 1867, some quotable statements appeared. 



"Only a few years ago Cowesett Bay * * * contained but few scallops or oysters. 

 Clams and quahaugs were from time immemorial abundant along its shores. * * * Some six 

 years ago it was found by a few fishermen that large quantities of scallops had planted themselves 

 upon the sand-bars and grassy flats in the bay, and that they were approaching a size suitable 

 for table. The next year they were taken in small quantities. Subsequently the scallop fishery 

 was carried on extensively, employing, perhaps, fifty boats and nearly one hundred men from 

 September to May. Hundreds of bushels were caught daily, cut out, and sent to order from all 

 points of the compass to market. Many thousand gallons were disposed of last year * * * at 

 prices that well paid the fishermen." 



Later it was said : " The scallops have had to retreat from the bay to a great extent. * * * 

 A new bed of 50 acres lying between Warwick Neck, the Middle ground, and the Spindle, in the 

 shape of a triangle, has just been discovered, where the scallops are large and plenty, and where 

 every pleasant day a score of boats may be seen." 



My information is, that in the winter of 1879-'80 there were ninety boats in the fleet. But 

 Mr. Kumlien, relying upon the estimates of Mr. William Wilson, a large dealer, gives the number 

 of boats as eighty, and intimates that additional boats from Massachusetts and elsewhere often 

 dredge in the bay. These boats are nearly all cat-rigged, there being only two or three sloops 

 and several small sharpies. At an average valuation of $150, they would sum up $12,000 as a. 

 total. 



To man these Greenwich boats and " cut out" the meats employs about one hundred hands, 

 twenty-five or thirty of whom are women and girls. This is in 1880; in 1879 less were employed 

 in catching, but nearly double the number in opening for market. The previous year (1878) was 

 an unusually good one in this business, and Mr. Wilson alone employed about twenty hands. 



There are several methods of conducting this fishery here. The man who owns the boat may 

 catch for himself or on shares with his companion. Shippers often furnish boats, dredges, &c., 

 and pay various prices, at a certain rate per bushel, from 10 cents upward, according to the abun- 

 dance or scarcity of the stock. The opening is rarely done in the boats, since the throwing over- 

 board of the offal and waste matter (here known as " gauch ") is considered injurious to the beds, 

 and the practice gives an opportunity for fraud under the State law, as is charged against some 

 Providence craft. Moreover, there is sale for the shells to neighboring oyster planters, to be used 

 as " stools" for oyster spat to catch upon. 



A law of the State of Ehode Island alluded to, specifies in respect to Greenwich Bay that 



