140 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [24] 



by Mr. Henry Wells and Messrs. Preston & Eaynor, the latter being 

 known as the Sterling Works." 



The next one visited was the IsTeamoug Oil Works, situated at Bunker 

 City, Shelter Island, and owned by Hawkins Bros., who made the fol- 

 lowing statement, viz : 



" These works have been in constant operation for eighteen years, and 

 employ 6 steamers carrying 8 gangs. We have caught up to date 

 7,000,000 of fish. Last year's catch amounted to 19,000,000. We re- 

 ceived the first fish on the 15th of May. The factory closed on the 6th 

 of J!?rovember. There were some fish here after that date. We do not 

 know anything about mackerel. There are more menhaden this year 

 than have been known for the past three years. Fish have gone far- 

 ther east than usual this year. We think that the temperature of the 

 water governs them altogether. This firm makes an annual report to 

 Professor Baird at Washington." 



On the same date. Captain Almy visited the JSTovelty Oil Works, lo- 

 cated at Promised Land, Napeague Bay, Long Island. The proprietor, 

 Mr. James Smith, made the following statement, viz : 



" These works have been in continuous operation since 1879, employ- 

 ing two steamers with single gangs. We have caught up to date this 

 season 2,700,000 fish. Caught last season 7,003,000. Eeceived the first 

 fish on May 16. Closed last year on the 16th of November. The pre8-_ 

 ent yield is two gallons of oil to the thousand." ' 



Mr. James Smith also informed us that the factory of E. Tuthill & 

 Co., located near here, corresponded nearly with his own in regard to 

 the number of gangs at work and in most other respects. 



Captain Almy remarks that there is one point upon which they all 

 agree, which is the great abundance of fish. Those who have been 

 longest in the business contend that if fish are not in this locality they 

 are in some other; that they go where their food is most abundant in 

 the same manner as do other fishes ; and that their natural enemies 

 destroy thousands where men with all their modern appliances catch 

 one. 



On the same date, J iy 11, the Excelsior Oil Works located upon 

 Hicks Island, Promised Land, j!^apeague Bay, was visited. The super- 

 intendent, Mr. O. H. Bishop, made the following statement, viz : 



"These works have been running four years, employing two steam- 

 ers, each, carrying one gang. We have caught this season up to date 

 2,100,000 fish. Last year's catch was 6,300,000. The first fish was 

 caught in a purse-seine on May 19. Last year these works closed upon 

 the 23d day of November, and we received fish up to that date, the 

 biggest catch of the season being on that day. The yield of oil so far 

 this season has been 1 gallon to the 1,000. I believe that some grades 

 of these fish are spawning constantly every month that they are on this 

 coast. Fish do not show in schools until the temperature of the water 

 is about 54° Fahr. There are more fish here this season than have been 



