168 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [52] 



of schools by the phosphorescence thrown out by the movement of the 

 mackerel through the water. At this date the moon was so large and 

 the nights so light that there was no probability of seeing fish between 

 sunset and sunrise ; therefore few or no vessels staid out except during 

 the day. I bought a barrel of salt herring from Captain Terry, to be 

 used for the purpose of tolling mackerel, &c., as occasion might require. 



At 6 a. in. nearly the whole fleet was under way, working out of the 

 harbor with a light easterly air. 



At 11.56 a. m. we got under way, and stood out of Provincetown har- 

 bor. After passing Wood End we were in plain sight of the fleet of 

 mackerel catchers in Barnstable Bay. . The movements of the vessels 

 indicated plainly that no fish were being caught at that time.* 



These fish were undoubtedly caught in the day after we had left the 

 fleet. A few of the schooners were lying to, trying to toll mackerel up, 

 but apparently without success, for they were not "manned out," and 

 'the other vessels in company were either jogging, with jibs to windward, 

 or running out of the fleet towards Race Point, off and beyond which 

 were several of the mackerel catchers standing out to the eastward. 

 Feeling satisfied that nothing was being done in the bay, the ship 

 steamed out past Race Point and 10 miles beyond it on a northeast 

 course, an opportunity being thus afforded for noting the movements 

 of the vessels which had stood out to the eastward. 



It may be briefly stated that not the least indication of the presence 

 of mackerel was apparent. Many of the schooners, which had first gone 

 out to the eastward of Eace Point and the highland of Cape Cod, were 

 seen running back, some of them being 10 to 12 miles, at least, off the 

 land; others were still heading off close hauled on a wind while a few 

 were hove to, trying to "raise" fish, but without success. 



It being deemed advisable to learn all that could be gathered con- 

 cerning the whereabouts and doings of mackerel vessels in order to 

 judge more accurately of the movements of the fish, the ship was next 

 headed for Gloucester, where a portion of the fleet was supposed to be. 

 We passed over Stellwagen Bauk (" Middle Bank" of the fishermen) and 

 thence to Gloucester, seeing a few mackerel seiners on our way, none of 

 which, however, were catching fish, or, by their actions, gave evidence 

 in any way that mackerel had been seen. 



At 6.10 p. m. we anchored outside of Ten Pound Island, and I went 

 ashore to gather what information I could relative to the catch of mack- 

 erel, &c. 



The wind, which had been light during the forenoon, increased dur-j 

 ing the latter part of the day, and in the evening there was a fresl 

 southerly breeze. 



* The report of tlie Boston Fish Bur«au for Friday, October 19, states that ' 

 Thursday (October 18), the weather was favorable and a fair catch of mostly smalll 

 fish (mackerel) was made in and near Barnstable Bay ; 800 barrels arrived here fre8h| 

 this morning. " 



