190 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 
In early days, when the George’s vessels were smaller, the crew consisted of six to eight men. 
The vessels now in the fleet carry ten or twelve, occasionally thirteen, though not more than twelve 
or fifteen vessels carry so large a number as that last mentioned. In summer, when it is often 
hard to obtain men, vessels sometimes go out with smaller crews. ; 
The successful result of a trip to George’s Bank for codfish is largely dependent upon the exer- 
tions of each individual; men are, therefore, required for that fishery in whose natures is combined 
hardihood, doggedness of purpose, and bravery. Owing to the fact that each man’s success 
depends in a great part on his individual efforts, the Portuguese and Ivish have a special fondness 
for this fishery, though many others engage in it. 
Many of the best fishermen and most capable skippers follow the George’s fishery; but, as a 
rule, the crews are considered intellectually inferior to those employed in the mackerel and halibut 
fisheries. The results obtained depending so much on the individual efforts of the men, a vessel 
inay make a successful trip under the control of a skipper who would be totally incapable of com- 
manding a halibut schooner or one employed in the Grand Bank cod fisheries, 
4. THE VESSELS. 
The George's vessels, like those in the fresh-halibut fishery, are the stanchest and best of the 
Gloucester fleet.* : 
Their size is smaller, however, the average George’s-man registering about 60 tons. In the fleet 
there are some vessels of 45 tons to 50 tons and a few of 80 tons and more. In the winter, as a 
rule, the George’s-men carry no main-topmast and jib-boom, being rigged “snug.” In summer the 
regular George’s-men carry main-topmast and staysail, but rarely, if ever, a flying-jib. 
Until within a few years a peculiarity of the vessels of this fleet was, that when riding at 
anchor they set a “balance-reefed mainsail” to steady the vessel and keep heras nearly head to the 
wind as the tide would permit. When the mainsail was “ balance reefed” only a small portion— 
perhaps a fourth or fifth of its area—was exposed, and it then answered the same purpose as the 
riding-sail used at the present time.t 
The average outtit of charts and instruments is less complete than on board of a halibut 
schooner. 
The outfit of a George’s schooner is in many respects very different from that of a halibut 
schooner. The cable is shorter, since the vessels fish in shallower water, its ordinary length being 
about 225 fathoms; the cable is generally also smaller, usually about 8} inches in circumference, 
though some are 73, 8, 84, or even, though rarely, 9 inches. The cable is stowed in the same manner 
as on the halibut schooner, but of course occupies somewhat less space. The anchors, of which 
there are three, are of the same type, but usually lighter, weighing from 400 to 500 pounds. 
There are no checker-boards on the deck, but instead two or three oblong bins, which are called 
gurry-pens. These are made of 14-inch to 2-inch plank, and are about 3 feet in height. They are 
divided by transverse partitions into two or three compartments, and small sliding doors are placed 
*No class of vessels are better calculated for a battle with the storm-king and no braver souls tread the deck, 
but the contest is an unequal one, and many a stanch craft and gallant crew go down in the conflict. In a single 
storm, on the night of February 24, 1862, 15 Gloucester vessels and 120 men were lost, leaving 70 widows and 140 
fatherless children to mourn for the loved ones who would return no more. Last year 200 vessels were engaged in the 
George’s fishery at some time during the year; a large fleet followed the business the greater part of the year, and a 
total of 1,348 fares were landed at Gloucester. (Gloucester and its Fisheries. ) 
t The peculiarity of a ‘‘ balance reef” is this, that when the mainsail is “ balance-reefed,” the foot-stops are cast 
off and the foot of the sail raised from the boom , being attached to the boom only at the clew and tack, and by a reef- 
strap passing through the reef-crinkle. In other respects it is like a three-reefed mainsail, 
