FISHING. 145 



what was confined to the building in which it origi- 

 nated, that fact is no argument whatever against the 

 introduction of a steam fire engine, which the town 

 should have at once. 



The town, however, at its last annual meeting showed 

 signs of waking up to the needs of the hour. It was 

 voted unanimously to instruct the board of fire-wards 

 to contract w r ith the Wannacomet Water Company for 

 a supply of water for fire purposes for ten years. By 

 this action the town gains greatly; property will 

 appreciate, better rates of insurance can be obtained, 

 and every householder can rest easier. The sum of 

 $3,870 was appropriated for the fire department the 

 present year. 



Fishing. 



For the disciples of old Izaak Walton, Nantucket is 

 certainly a paradise. 



Bluefish, scup, flat-fish, plaice, cod, eels, haddock, 

 perch, pollock, herring, and smelt abound; tautog and 

 rock bass are sometimes caught, and at rare intervals 

 the bonita, Spanish mackerel, flying fish, and other 

 varieties belonging farther south, have been cap- 

 tured. Neither does the island lack for shellfish; 

 plenty of clams, quahaugs, scallops, lobsters, and crabs 

 being found on or near the island.* 



A few years since, Mr. Moses Joy, Jr., conceived 

 the idea of stocking the ponds with certain varieties of 

 fish unknown here. He placed thirty large black 



* Oysters are said to have been found here, years ago, in large 

 quantities, and they might be again cultivated with profit, 

 10 



