THE LOBSTER FISHERY. 777 



Maine, but in colder weather the greater number come from the westward of Deer Isle and from 

 as far south as Chatham, on Cape Cod. Very large quantities of lobsters are received from 

 Portland, Me., where they are often reshipped by railroad from the smacks which bring them in 

 from the coast of Maine. No lobsters are sent to Boston from the westward of Chatham, the 

 entire catch of Southern New England being consumed at different places along that coast or 

 sent to New York City. Occasional supplies of fresh lobsters are received at Boston in summer 

 from the coast of Nova Scotia. Some of the Boston dealers anticipate that in the future they 

 will have to depend more and more on shipments from the British Provinces in order to supply 

 the ever-increasing demands. 



Larger lobsters are demanded by customers in summer than in winter, probably because iu 

 the former season larger lobsters, which come mainly from the eastward, are more abundant, and, 

 therefore, nearly always obtainable, while in the latter season the supply is much more limited. 



The outside markets for fresh and boiled lobsters from Boston are principally the New 

 England towns and New York City. The Middle and Western States also receive a certain 

 amount, but Chicago is about the western limit of fresh distribution. 



There are in Boston about six permanent establishments for receiving and distributing 

 lobsters, both fresh and boiled, and also several small occasional boilers. The lobsters, in either 

 condition, are generally shipped away in barrels, with or without ice, according to the season. 



According to the estimates of Mr. "W. A. Wilcox, of Boston, that city was supplied with lobsters 

 in 1880 as follows, the figures being by count : 



From Maine* 793,099 



From Boston Harbor, including Winthrop and Lynn 596,400 



From Hull 319,200 



From Nahant 50,000 



From north shore of Massachusetts Bay, including Cape Ann 300, 000 



From south shore of Massachusetts Bay, including Cape Cod 360, 954 



Total number 2,419,653 



Value of same at wholesale prices $169,758 



The well smacks carrying from Maine to Boston, in 1880, were about seventeen in number, 

 and belonged entirely to Western Maine. They ranged in size from 18 to 40 tons, and in value 

 from $300 to $4,000 each ; their combined measurement was 487 tons ; total value, $28,800, and 

 combined crew fifty men. 



One Boston firm is largely interested in the canning of lobsters on the Maine and provincial 

 coasts, controlling the products of many canneries. Statistics of these canneries have been given 

 in the coast review of the State of Maine. 



Summation of the lobster fisheries and markets in Boston district in 1880. 



Number of fishermen 86 



Number of marketmen 50 



Number of smacks 1 



Value of same $50 



Number of boats 92 



Value of same $5,275 



Number of lobster pots 8,290 



Value of same $8,290 



Total amount of capital invesled in the fishery $13,615 



Number of barrels of bait used 2, 780 



Value of same $1,390 



Quantity of lobsters taken and disposed of by the fishermen, in pounds 1, 390, 800 



* 507,554 being brought directly from the fishing grounds ; 213,355, forwarded from Portland by railroad ; and 

 72,190, sent by railroad from between Portland and Wells. 



