34 AMBROSE ON ST. MARGARET S BAY FISHING GROUNDS. 



a mile from Peggy's Point, we approach what at the fishers' point of 

 view would be called a hill, rising from the plain to a height of 

 nearly 130 feet, and having a sort of broken level at top, of some 

 three or four hundred square feet, and at a depth of nine fathoms 

 from the surface of the water. This is called "Quidi Vidi," and 

 often affords excellent cod-fishing, as the rocky bottom on and 

 around it, is the resort of such fish as the cod seek for their prey. 

 After another space of deep soundings, we pass over a rocky shoal 

 called the •' Big Shoal," lying at a depth of ten fathoms, and afford- 

 ing good cod-fishing. We next pass over the " Nubbock," twenty 

 fathoms deep. Other rocky shoals lie in different directions out 

 here, having an average depth of about thirty-five fathoms around 

 them, but the summits of all lying at a safe distance below the keels of 

 commerce. At the distance of some eight miles from Peggy's Cove, 

 we cross the " Kidge," a long hill extending from abreast of Pollock 

 Cove to Green Island, some eight or nine miles. The east end of 

 this lies at a depth of about 60 fathoms, but the west end shoals off 

 to about 30 fathoms. The east or deep end consists of clay and 

 rock — a favourite bottom for cod ; the west end is rocky, also afford- 

 ing fair fishing. Next comes the " Inner Gulch" of black mud, 

 about 60 fathoms deep and a mile wide, — then level bottom of 

 sand and gravel, about 45 fathoms deep and two miles wide. We 

 now pass the " Outer Gulch" of black mud, 60 fathoms deep and a 

 mile and a half wide. Here are few or no fish, but a sort of large 

 flounder or turbot, which is good eating ; but for some unaccountable 

 reason is known among our fishermen as the "Skunk." Next we 

 pass " Cross Island Ridge," running parallel with the coast line, and 

 like the former " Ridge," deepening towards the east end. This 

 Ridge extends for a length of some ten or twelve miles,. Next 

 comes a gulch of black mud, 65 fathoms deep, and nearly 

 three miles wide. Next are the " ShoregSoundings," a sort of ridge 

 extending like all the rest in a line parallel with the shore, shoal at 

 the west and deep at the east end. The shoal part here, hoAvever, 

 is sixty fathoms deep. Bottom, rocks and clay at the east end, — 

 rocks at the west. Next we have the " Big Gulch" with a bottom 

 of black and fetid mud, so soft that the lead buries itself in it. The 

 depth here is about one hundred fathoms, and the width about three 

 miles. Then comes a ridge, lying deep and narrow at the east end 



