312 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
RHODE ISLAND. 
The tables presented show many phases of the fisheries not similarly 
exhibited in the statistics of 1880; it is difficult therefore to institute 
comparisons in all cases. There has been a large decrease in persons 
employed, amounting to 26 per cent., and an increase of 73 per cent, in 
capital invested and 18 per cent, in the catch. This is due to the im- 
provement in the vessels, especially those employed in menhaden fish- 
ing, in the menhaden factories, and in the pound-net and trap fisheries. 
There is not much difference in the value of menhaden vessels ; in the 
aggregate fewer vessels are now employed, but these are of an improved 
type, and, with fewer men, perform the same work that was done by a 
larger fleet in 1880. 
There has been a gratifying increase in the menhaden industry, the 
manufactured products of which in 1880 were valued at $221,748, while 
in 1888 the amount was $334,686. This is the most important fishery 
of the State, taking the value of the manufactured products as a basis, 
but is excelled by the oyster industry, if we consider only the amount 
paid to fishermen for their catch. With the exception of the menhaden 
industry, there is no important vessel fishery ; the craft employed are 
generally small and engaged in shore or market fishing. 
48. Table of persons employed. 
How engaged. 
1887. 
1888. 
On fishing vessels 
364 
14 
915 
342 
1,635 
400 
17 
875 
411 
1,703 
On transporting vessels 
On boats 
On shore, in factories, etc 
Total 
49. Table of apparatus and capital. 
Designation. 
1887. 
1888. 
Ho. 
Value. ’ 
Ho. 
Value. 
Vessels fishi ng * 
5'5 
$171,400 
23, 281 
2, 550 
530 
64 
$194, 150 
29, 085 
3, 225 
510 
Outfit 
Vessels transporting t 
7 
9 
Outfit 
Boats 
743 
91,324 
10, 950 
1, 750 
749 
91, 679 
Apparatus of capture — vessel fisheries: 
Purse seines 
17 
17 
10, 800 
1,555 
TTa.nd lines and trawl lines _ _ _ 
Grill nets 
3 
30 
9 
90 
Harpoons 
20 
300 
32 
480 
Pots 
i 75 
350 
225 
450 
Dredges, rakes, etc 
72 
919 
75 
975 
Apparatus of capture — shore fisheries : 
Haul seines 
42 
2, 900 
180 
42 
2, 900 
179 
Hand lines and trawl lines ' 
Trap nets and pound nets 
160 
72 t 400 
166 
79, 870 
2, 670 
6, 090 
Fyke nets 
354 
2, 570 
6, 270 
7, 483 
6, 798 
12 
374 
Gill nets 
99 
96 
Dredges, tongs, etc 
999 
493 
2, 950 
Pots 
5, 600 
5, 450 
6, 723 
10 
Miscellaneous apparatus __ 
Shore property 
348, 264 
242, 500 
353, 485 
235, 000 
Cash capital 
Total 
992, 761 
1, 022, 876 
1 
* Tonnage in 1887, 1,221.21 ; in 1888, 1,349.60. t Tonnage in 1887, 105.30 ; in 1888, 131.91. 
