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HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



TRAPS. The ordinary semi-cylindrical lath traps are commonly used, but there is a smaller 

 rectangular or " square pot," as it is called, which is extensively employed by many fishermen, 

 who claim that they can work to better advantage with it on account of its being more easily 

 handled. These traps are furnished with the same kind of funnel openings as the lath traps to 

 the north. Other more complicated forms of the round-top trap, said to possess several improve- 

 ments, and costing about $5 each, are sometimes constructed by the fishermen. The old -fashioned 

 hoop net pot, made of an iron barrel hoop, is also occasionally used. Although it is customary to 

 haul the traps every morning, it sometimes happens, because of stormy weather, that those off- 

 shore cannot be visited for several days or a week at a time. The average number of pots set 

 by each man in this State is comparatively small, ranging from ten to thirty, but sometimes 

 reaches fifty. 



SMACKS AND BOATS. The registered Rhode Island lobster smacks are five in number. All 

 engage directly in the fishery, setting traps in Narragansett Bay, about Block Island, and on 

 Brown's Ledge, and carrying their catch to Newport and Providence. These smacks also engage in 

 other fisheries. Their total catch for 1880 was 116.250 pounds, making a gross stock of $4,068. 



The ordinary Newport lobster boats used for visiting the traps are cat-rigged, and average in 

 value about $100 each. They are also employed, to a certain extent, in other fisheries, principally 

 for tautog, blue-fish, squeteague, and bass. Fifty of these boats are owned in Newport. 



BAIT. The bait usually consists of refuse fish, called shuck fish, which is obtained from the 

 home markets and the fishermen, and is also shipped back from the New York markets at half 

 price. Fish heads are also employed. 



It is customary with some of the Newport fishermen to retain their lobsters in the cars three 

 to five days before selling, or until it is thought that they have become "cleansed" of the food or 

 bait last eaten. They are then considered more wholesome, and often bring a higher price. 



MARKETS. The catch by Newport fishermen is sold mainly at Newport, Providence, and Fall 

 River, from which places many neighboring towns are supplied. A portion of this catch also 

 goes to Boston and New York, by railroad. The Bristol catch is entirely consumed at that place, 

 and that of the west side of the bay, including Wickford, Dutch Island Harbor, and Narragansett 

 Pier, is sold mostly to the numerous summer hotels and the local trade. Prior to 1881, when no 

 law existed for the protection of the lobster fishery, lobsters of all salable sizes were brought to 

 market by the fishermen. Those smaller than 10 inches long could not be shipped out of the 

 State, and were, therefore, considered inferior in value. This gave rise to two grades of lobsters 

 in the markets, those above 10 inches being rated in 1879 at 3 to 3J cenjs a pound, and those 

 under 10 inches at half price. Few were regarded as salable under 9 inches in length. In 1880 

 the prices ranged from 3J to 4 cents a pound. Lobsters are generally shipped to distant places 

 by railroad, packed in barrels. The retail price of lobsters in Newport is about 5 cents a pound. 



List of the Ehode Island lobster smacks. 



