162 NEW ENGLAND FISHERIES 



which was destined to last only one-third as long as its 

 predecessor before it was discarded with no more ceremony 

 than its own provisions necessitated. 



The year 1819 was of importance in the history of the 

 fisheries not only because it was the first in which the pro- 

 visions of the Convention of 1818 went into effect but also 

 because it was marked by the passage by Congress of a law 

 that fixed the "bounty," or allowance to vessels employed 

 in the fisheries, at a higher rate than had previously existed. 

 The act, which continued in operation for forty-seven years, 

 provided for bounties to the owners of fishing vessels em- 

 ployed at sea four calendar months exclusively in the cod- 

 fishery under the following regulations. 



Compensation to fishermen for their service must be by 

 division of fish, or share in the proceeds of the sale of the 

 fish; no person except the cook could receive wages. The 

 master and three-fourths of the crew must be citizens of the 

 United States. Fishing vessels had to be examined by an 

 inspector as to their sea-worthiness, their equipment, and 

 the number and nationality of the crew before sailing on 

 a voyage on which allowances were to be paid. A regular 

 log-book had to be kept on board day by day, setting forth 

 the principal events of the voyage, which later was sub- 

 mitted to the collector of the home port. Arrivals and de- 

 partures had to be recorded by the master or owner with 

 the proper officers, but the required time of four months 

 at sea did not have to be in continuous voyages. Vessels 

 could engage in the mackerel or other fishery in their sea- 

 son if the masters so wished; these voyages, however, had 

 to be distinct from the codfishery voyages. Allowances 

 were paid as follows, according to the size of the vessels : 



If measuring more than five tons, and not exceeding 

 thirty tons, three and one-half dollars per ton. 



If measuring more than thirty tons, four dollars per ton. 



If measuring more than thirty tons, with crew of not less 



