70 FISHERMEN OF THE UNITED STATES. 



families of our fishermen are almost always identified with some religious sect, andthe churches 

 of fishing ports are as well supported as those in any other section of the country.* In the whaling 

 fleet where, as a rule, morality among the men is at low. ebb, Sunday is rarely observed. It is a 

 matter of history, however, that during the present century the masters of several whalers sailing 

 from the eastern end of Long Island, although they came in with full cargoes of oil, lost their 

 commands because they would not go in pursuit of whales on Sunday. 



At two successive annual meetings, those of 1880 and 1881, the United States Menhaden Oil 

 and Guano Associations unanimously passed a resolution to the effect that the steamers and other 

 vessels belonging to members of this association should not be allowed to fish on Sunday. 



Shore fishing is almost entirely suspended on Sunday in New England, and it is believed 

 that the same practice is prevalent throughout the whole length of the Atlantic coast, extending 

 even to the shad fishermen of the rivers. In fact, many of the laws which have been framed for 

 the protection of shad in our rivers, provide a close time every week, from sunset Saturday 

 night to sunrise Monday morning, taking advantage. of the well-known practice of refraining from 

 fishing on the Sabbath day. 



The shad fishermen of the Saint John's Eiver, Florida, fish on Sundays, though there is a 

 general sentiment against this practice among the fishermen who are forced into it by the example 

 of one or two of the most powerful capitalists. 



Peofanb LANGUAaE. — The use of profane language is extremely prevalent among fiishermen, 

 and there are but very few vessels from any part of the coast on which oaths are not constantly 

 heard ; particularly is this so on Gloucester vessels. A few of the masters are opposed to the 

 practice and endeavor to restrain it, but ordinarily no effort is made in this direction. Almost as 

 common is the use of vulgar and indecent words. The atmosphere of the fishing vessels is full of 

 coarse language, and the ears of young fishermen become so habituated to it that, not being 



*One said to him, "Well, Jud, how many fish have they caught to-day at Star?" Jud looked askance, and 

 answered like one who did not wish to be trifled with, "We don't go a-fishing Sundays." — ^Thaxter's Isles of Shoals, 

 1873, p. 102. 



"While Mr. Brock resided at the Shoals he persuaded the people to enter into an agreement that, besides the 

 Lord's day, they would spend one day in every month together in the worship of God. On a certain day, which, by 

 their agreement, was to be devoted to the exercises of religion, the fishermen came to Mr. Brook and requested that 

 they might put by their meeting that day and go a-fishing, because they had lost many days by the foulness of the 

 weather. He pointed out to them the impropriety of their request, and endeavored to convince them that it would 

 be far better for them to stay at home and worship God, according to their agreement, than to go a-flshing. Not- 

 withstanding his remonstrance, however, five only consented to stay at home, amd thirty determined to go. Upon 

 this, Mr. Brock addressed them thus: 'As for you, who are determined to neglect your duty to God and go a-fishing, 

 I gay unto you, catch fish if you can. But as for you, who will tarry and worship the Lord Jesus Christ, I will pray 

 unto Him for you that you may caieh fish till you are weary.' Accordingly, the thirty who went from the meeting, 

 with all their skill, caught through the whole day but four fishes, while the five who tarried and attended divine 

 service, afterwards went out and caught five hundred. 



"To a poor man who had lost his boat in a storm Mr. Brock said, 'Go home, honest man; I will mention the 

 matter to the Lord; you will have your boat again to-morrow.' Mr. B., now considering of what consequence this 

 matter, that seemed so small otherwise, might be among the uutractable fishermen, made the boat an article of his 

 prayers, and behold, on the morrow the poor man came to him rejoicing that his boat was found, the anchor of 

 another vessel that was undesignedly cast upon it having strangely brought it up from the unknown bottom, where 

 it had been sunk. 



"During the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Moody at the Shoals one of the fishing shallops, with all hands on board, 

 was lost in a northeast storm in Ipswich Bay. Mr. Moody, anxious to improve this melancholy event for the awak- 

 ening of those of his hearers who were exposed to the like disaster, addressed them in the following language, 

 adapted to their occupation and understanding : ' Supposing, my brethren, any of you should be taken short in the 

 bay in a northeast storm, your hearts trembling with fear, and nothing but death before you, whither would your 

 thoughts turn? What would you dot' 'What would I do,' replied one of these hardy sons of Keptune, 'Why, I 

 should immediately hoist the foresail and send away for 'Squam.' " — Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc, vol. vii, 1st series, pp. 

 247-252. 



