32 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 
were unable to dress their catch, but had to throw the fish in the hold just as they came from the 
water. Mr. Pew relates an instance of this kind that happened on board of the pinkey Paul Pry, 
which he commanded, in the spring of 1837. The vessel lay at anchor on George’s Bank. Early 
in the morning halibut were found to be very abundant, and, notwithstanding the prevalence ofa 
strong easterly wind and a thick snow storm, the men kept on fishing. The weather was so rough 
that the fish were thrown in the hold as fast as they were caught. After the day’s fishing was 
over, a full fare having been secured, the vessel started for the land. The wind was free for the 
little pinkey, and she was driven along at her utmost speed. Since it continued, however, to blow 
nearly a gale while the passage was being made, the fishermen were unable to take the halibut 
on deck, and consequently carried the fish into Boston without being dressed. 
From 1828, for a period of twenty years, the halibut fishery was carried on almost exclusively 
upon George’s Bank, but after the immense captures of 1847 and 1848, which resulted in the 
establishment of the Gloucester Fishing Company, and its collapse on account of the great over- 
supply of fish, the quantity of halibut on George’s began to fall off rapidly, and after 1850 or 1852 
the fishery ceased to be remunerative. From this time to 1861 the fisheries were prosecuted chiefly 
on the shallow parts of the Seal Island Ground, Brown’s Bank, and Western Bank. More or less 
halibut have, however, always been taken on George’s by the hand-line cod fishermen from Glouces- 
ter, even up to the present time, and’this bank has been resorted to in the spring by the halibut 
trawlers from the ports on Long Island Sound. 
The general character of the fishery upon George’s Bank during the first decade of its exist- 
ence may be appreciated from the following account of what was at the time considered a very 
remarkable trip, as well as from others previously quoted: 
“In March, 1833, Capt. Chester Marr went to George’s Bank in the schooner Clarion. "He left 
Gloucester Harbor on Friday at 1 p. m., and on Sunday at 1 p. m. was again at anchor in the harbor, 
with a fare of 17,000 pounds of fish. From this trip he realized about $500. Two years later he 
brought in a cargo consisting of 17,000 pounds of fresh halibut and 5,000 weight of salted flitches, 
which he sold for $38. Captain Marr began halibut fishing on George’s in 1832. 
“We have succeeded,” writes Mr. George H. Procter in 1873, “in obtaining a carefully compiled 
statement of the doings of the winter fishing fleet on George’s during the season of 1846. There is 
such a contrast between the business then and now that we feel assured the details will be of interest 
to the reader. 
“The entire fleet which followed winter fishing at that time comprised twenty-nine vessels, a8 
follows: Schooners Mount Vernon, Clarissa Story, Oregon, Hosea Ballou, Huntress, Columbia, Ade- 
line, Champion, Union, William Wallace, Hannibal, Clarion, Alabama, Concordia, H. A. Holbrook, 
Canton, Centurion, Constitution, Clinton, Pilot, Richmond, Sarah, Napoleon, Zanoni, William Penn, 
Emerald, Revenue, Cinderella, and Science. Their average measurement was 62 tons [old measure- 
ment]; average value, $2,800, and were considered the staunchest vessels belonging to the port. 
The greater number of these vessels have either been lost or sold from this district. The first ten 
of the above list left for George’s January 5, and averaged five trips each during the season. Their 
net stock amouuted to [a total of] $11,870, and the average net earnings of the vessels were $151.50. 
The largest fares brought in were the first two trips of the William Wallace, Capt. James Pattillo, 
amounting, respectively, to $500 and $610. The arrival of these trips produced quite a sensation, 
and was the theme of conversation in the stores, on the wharves, and on the street. The William 
Wallace was the lucky craft, and to her captain and crew was accorded the honor of being high 
liners of the Georgesmen. She stocked $2,135 for her season’s work. 
‘“‘ The next eleven vessels of the list did not go so early in the season, but deferred their departure 
