86 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 
ticular time, for the good prospects which we had for obtaining a fine fare of ‘halibut are thus 
ruined in an hour, since we have not cable enough left to ride in deep water. After we got the 
cable in, we set bank-sail and worked back to our gear. There was not more than a whole sail 
breeze at this time, but the sea still ran very high and sharp. As it was too late to haul the 
trawls before dark (with such a rough sea the gear would be liable to part, even if the dories did 
not upset), I concluded to keep under short sail through the night and “jog” around the Dolliver 
and Williams, the latter of which lay a berth to the northward of the Dolliver. I did not dare 
anchor for fear it might blow up; in which case we should certainly go adrift and thus lose all 
chance of getting our gear. By keeping under sail we can, if it blows up, run on the Bank into 
shallow water, only a short distance from our gear, and anchor. When it moderates we can then 
heave up and run back to it. 
I went aboard of the Dolliver at 4 p.m. The skipper said he left home the Ist instant, was in 
Halifax the 3d, where he saw the Howard, which was in there for repairs. She had been knocked 
down in the gale of the 26th and 27th of January, had her deck swept, losing anchor and 80 fathoms 
of cable, also some of her dories. The Dolliver went adrift in the late gale. I returned to the 
Marion at 5 p.m. Barometer at 5.30, 29.90. Hazy looking in the WSW., but clear elsewhere. 
Since there was a fresh breeze at this time we double reefed the foresail and took the bonnet 
out of the jib, in order to have the vessel under easy sail for the night. At 8 p. m. it was very dark, 
and we came near getting afoul the Doliiver’s bow. Special orders had been given the watch 
not to cross her bow unless it was at a long distance. They mistook the distance until it was too 
late to keep off; the wind moderated just then, and the tide setting to leeward came near drifting 
us afoul of her. As it was, we cleared her by about a vessel’s length. We then set the whole 
foresail, and giving strict orders to the watch not to cross her bow at all, I went below and 
turned in. 
Friday, February 14, 1879.—The first part of this a. m. it was very moderate, wind backing to 
the SW. ‘The wind, which was very light in the morning, finally died away calm at 9a.m. We 
had light showers of rain and hail in the morning; sky overcast, dull, and rginy looking. 
At 5 a.m. called all hands, put the bonnet in the jib, and set the staysail. Barometer at this 
time, 29.95. As soon as it was fairly light we “hove” out the dories, and the men started for the 
trawls. We got all our trawls and two and a half skates that we had previously lost, on which 
were 4,000 pounds of halibut, besides what we reserved for bait. The object 6f saving some for 
bait was because if the weather looks favorable we shall make a set under sail to-morrow. The 
last dory was aboard at 1.30 p. m., at which time there was a light southwest air springing up, so 
we kept off to run to the northward, as it is my intention to go as far as Green Bank, if the wind 
is favorable. The Dolliver and Williams both got under way and ran in the same direction. 
The last part of the afternoon we had light westerly airs and calms. Since there were some 
indications of an easterly wind, I was in doubt for a while what to do, whether to start for home at 
once or stop longer on the Bank. At last I concluded to have another trial, and we baited twelve 
skates of trawl for that purpose just before dark. Barometer, at 7 p. m., 30.00. 
Saturday, February 15, 1879.—At 3 p. m. the wind, which had been out as far as E., backed to 
N. by E., snowing very thick. We hove to for awhile to await developments. The N. H. Phillips 
spoke us at 4.30 a.m. She was under bank-sail, heading to the NW. We stood along with her, 
and just before daylight sounded in 65 fathoms, muddy bottom. Barometer, at Ba. m., 29.90. As 
soon as it was daylight the Phillips set her mainsail. We did the same, and headed to the west- 
ward on a wind. Soon after that I saw another vessel about 7 miles to windward, under whole 
