ABUNDANCE OF THE SQUETEAGUE. 363 



1870, when it was no longer to be met with, and for several years it was entirely unknown in these 

 waters; so much so, indeed, that fishermen of many years' experience were totally unacquainted 

 with its characteristics. In 1867 or 1868, however, scattering individuals were taken on the south 

 coast of Massachusetts, and in 1870 they were quite abundant and have since held their owu.^ 



This variatiou in their numbers is ascribed by writers generally to the action of the blueflsh, 

 which, by its constant attacks, is supposed to influence their abundance. Some cause or other 

 produced a similar influence upon the blueflsh, which became scarce in turn ; thus the Squeteague 

 was enabled to recover its ground, and to resume its place in the food economy of the coast. To 

 what extent this disappearance or reappearance of the Squetea;iue is actually connected with that 

 of the blueflsh, it is impossible at present to state. It is quite likely that other causes, at least, 

 are concerned, with which we are now unacquainted. 



We have intimations, in the writings of the early historians of New England, of the disap- 

 pearances and returns of tke Weak-flsh, like those referred to in the present century. 



The Squeteague, as well as the blueflsh, varies in size with the locality. While on the coast of 

 New Jersey they do not average much over one pound, they are stated to occasionally attain the 

 weight of from six to ten pounds, and have even been known to weigh thirty. 



Although essentially a coast and still-water flsh, they occasionally run up tidal waters, and 

 are thought on the coast of New Jersey to prefer the vicinity of the mouths of fresh-water streams, 

 where they can flnd a mixture of fresh water. In the vicinity of Beasley's Point, where at times, 

 in consequence of drought, there is more fresh water brought down into Egg Harbor than usual, 

 they are known to move to a considerable distance up towards the headwaters, and to leave, to a 

 great measure, their ordinary grounds more seaward. 



The Squeteague in the South is a resident flsh, although said by Holbrook to be most abun- 



'A GREAT CATCH OP FISH— WHAT THREE STEAM SMACKS CAUGHT OFF EOCKAWAY. — A great Catcll of Weak-fisll 



■was made yesterdaj' about two miles off Eockaway Beach, by the s earn smacks "E. T. Ue Blois," Capt. J. A. Keene; 

 "LeoBard Brightman," Capt. Elijah Po-wers, and " J. W. Hawkins," Capt. J. W. Hawkins. These smacks are engaged 

 in the menhaden or "moss-bunker" fishery for the oil-rendering and fish-scrap -works on Barren Island, and were 

 cruising off Eockaway yesterday in search of schools. About noon a vas' school of what the fishermen supposed at 

 first to be menhaden was discovered stretching along the coast for miles. To borrow their language, "The water was 

 red with the fish, but they didu'i. break the surface as menhaden always do.'' The boats were lowertd, the seines 

 spread, and then it was discovered that the school was of Weak-fish and not nienhadm. "Ihavebeen in the business 

 for twenty years," said the n ate of the Brightman, "and I never saw anything like it before." The fish varied in 

 length from one and a half to three feet, and in weight from three to seven pounds. The "De Blois" took over 200 

 barrels, thi- "Hawkins" 150 barrels, and the "Brightman" 350 barrels. The entire catch was estimated at somethiug 

 over 200,000 pounds, which, at the ordinary market price for Weak-fish — s ven cents a pound— would amount to 

 $14,000. But, of course, the market price could not. be maintained in the presence of such a catch as this, and it was 

 said yesterday afternoon that a strong effort was being made by the wholesale fish-dealurs of Fulton Market to prevent 

 the greater part of the fish from being put on sale. The captain of the " Hawkins," which landed at Pier No. 23 

 East Eiver, foot of Fulton street, obtained a promise from a Fulton Market dealer to take part of his catch, and then 

 made ..vertures to Mr. Eugene G. Blackford, of E. G. Blackford & Co., Beekman street, to sell the remainder. As 

 soon, however, as the Fulton Market dealer learned of the offer to Mr. Blackford, he refused to take any of the fish. 

 The captain of the "Brightman," however, had better luck. H. M. Eogers & Co., of No. 11 Fulton Market, engaged 

 to take his entire catch of 350 barrels, anil immediately put two men in charge of t be boat. The "De Blois" meanwhile 

 had made fast against the bulkhead at the foot of Beekman street, and ( aptain Keene failing to come to terms with 

 the Fultou Market dealers, engaged P. Owens, of No. 104 South street, who manages the peddling trade for the Fulton 

 Market dealers, to dispose of his fish. A crowd speedily gathered about the boat, and the fish sold almost as fast as 

 they could be handled at twenty-five cents a pair. The pressure of the crowd became so great at one time that pyUue 

 assistance was invoked, and Officer William Brown, of the steamboat squad, was detailed to stay on the boat. While 

 Owen was selling the fish at twenty-five cents a pair, an attempt to break the price was made by two well-known 

 "longshore" characters, Jack Sullivan, the shark-catcher, and T. Long, alias "Blindy," who bought one thousand 

 pounds of the fish at one cent per pound, and stood on the street retailing them at twenty cents per pair. 



Fish-dealers say that there will be no difficulty in selling all the fish this morning at from one to three cents per 

 pound. Friday morning, they say, is the best in the week for the sale of fish. Tons of ice were cracked last evening 

 and put on the fish to keep them fresh until to-day. — New York Times, 1881. 



