384 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
In December of 1890, the schooner Gertrude Summers (61.19 net ton- 
nage), of Noank, Conn., Benjamin Latham captain, made a trip to these 
banks, and in two days’ fishing, with seven men, took 22,000 pounds of 
red snapper. On the first day the catch amounted to 14,000 pounds. 
These fish were rather large, the average weight being about 10 pounds 
each. In expectation of obtaining smaller fish in shoaler waters, the 
vessel was sailed nearer the shore. During the second day’s fishing 
Capt. Latham was not much more successful in obtaining small fish, but 
took 8,000 pounds of mixed size. With this fare he sailed to Galves- 
ton. On account of their large size and the fact that the market was 
not accustomed to so large a quantity of these fish, they were not dis- 
posed of at a good price. : 
In January, 1891, this vessel made another trip to the Campeche 
Banks, securing 15,000 pounds of fish. In the same month one trip 
was nade to the reefs located about 85 miles south of Galveston Island, 
from which about 5,000 pounds of fish were obtained. 
The attempt to market red snappers from Texas ports has not met 
with the success expected. This is due to several reasons, among which 
might be mentioned the large size of the fish and the orders not having 
been secured from the inland markets before their arrival. 
Mr. Heck, who at present has a retail fish market in Corpus Christi, 
states that he has fished from Vera Cruz in a 52-ton smack, with four 
men, and obtained 16,000 pounds of red snappers in about five hours. 
There is every reason to suppose that the development of this fishery 
offers special inducements both to fishermen and capitalists. 
From some of the ports along the Texas coastthe entire country west of 
the Mississippi River may be cheaply reached and supplied with this 
excellent fish. J’or this purpose Galveston affords superior facilities, 
its freight and express accommodations being superior to those of any 
other port on the Gulf of Mexico west of New Orleans. 
At Galveston, under the present conditions and prices, the fish may 
be taken from the vessel, iced, packed, and delivered in carload lots by 
fast freight to points within 1,000 miles, and even to Chicago, for 14 
cents per pound.* Neither Pensacola nor Mobile could readily com- 
pete with Galveston in supplying the western half of the United States. 
THE FLOUNDER FISHERY. 
The taking of flounders by means of spears is engaged in during the 
summer months by a few persons living at Galveston, Aransas Bay, 
and Corpus Christi. This fishery is prosecuted mostly at night. The 
men wade out in the shallow water carrying lighted torches and using 
flounder spears or some similar instruments of capture. Many forms 
of spears are used. Some of the fishermen employ an ordinary table 
fork fastened to a stick, while others and probably the most successful 
*At Galveston the price of ice ranges from $4 to $8 per ton. Fast-freight rates 
from Galveston to Chicago are about $120 per carload. Besides ice, etc., one car 
carries about 18,000 pounds of fish, 
