276 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 
1, FISHING GROUNDS. 
The grounds frequented by the mackerel-hookers, as the fishermen call them, were as follows: 
THE GULF oF SAINT LAWRENCE.*—In the early part of the season the favorite fishing 
grounds were in the southwestern part of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, from Cape Gaspé to the 
North Cape of Prince Edward Island, especially off Point Escuminac, Pigeon Hill Ground, or the 
west shore lying along the coast from Miramichi to Point Miscou, Bank Bradley, Bank Orphan, 
and Bay of Chaleur. Later in the season, in July, August, and September, the principal fisheries 
were carried on upon the grounds just mentioned, also around the Magdalen Islands and along 
the north side of Prince Edward Island. Occasionally, too, in August and September, vessels 
fished on the south side of Prince Edward Island from Georgetown to East Point. In September 
and October fishing was carried on at the Magdalens, Prince Edward Island, in the Bay of Saint 
George, between Cape Saint George and Port Hood, and on the northwest shore of Cape Breton, 
from Port Hood to Cape North. Favorite localities were about Margaree Island and Cheticamp; 
also, on the east side of Cape Breton, in Aspee Bay, and about Sydney. About 1858 and 1859 
several successful fares were made in the estuary of the Saint Lawrence, from Cape Gaspé to Cape 
Chatte, and about the Seven Islands and Mingan Islands on the coast of Labrador. In the year 
1877 a Gloucester schooner obtained 200 barrels of mackerel at Port au Port, on the west coast of 
Newfoundland.t Bird Rock, situated east of the Magdalen Islands, has occasionally been a 
favorite ground, since the mackerel taken there were almost always very large. 
GULF OF MAINE.—From June to November there was excellent fishing in various parts of 
the Gulf of Maine. Early in the season mackerel were taken all the way from Cashe’s Ledge 
to the Bay of Fundy; from the middle of June to September the favorite localities were in the 
vicinity of Monhegan Island, Matinicus Rock, and Mount Desert Rock. From about 1830 to about 
1845 some fishing was done in the Bay of Fundy, north of the island of Grand Manan. When the 
autumnal migration of the mackerel begins the vessels follow them as they proceed southward. 
Favorite fishing grounds are then off Portland; later, about Boone Island, off Cape Ann, and the 
waters of Massachusetts Bay, and along the outside of Cape Cod, the latest catches being gener- 
ally obtained off Chatham and the eastern part of Nantucket Shoals. Fishing here continues 
sometimes until the latter part of November. 
GEORGE’s BANK.—Mackerel were in some years very abundant on George’s Bank, especially 
on the southern portion from June to September. Later in the season the weather was generally 
unfavorable for fishing in this region. The mackerel caught here were recognized, as now, to be 
of very fine quality. 
*Mr. Daniel Cameron, of Southport, Me., thinks the first American vessels went to the bay in 1832. This year 
four went, among others the schooner Galen, Captain Pate, of Freeport. These schooners averaged 60 to 70 tons, 
carried about 250 barrels, and filled up in four or five days. The first vessel going to the bay from this section of 
which we learn was the pinkey Olinda, Capt. Joseph Maddocks, of Southport, in 1837. Captain Atwood states that 
in 1834 the New England fleet in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence consisted of six vessels, three of them from Province- 
town. The Cape Ann Advertiser of May 13, 1859, refers to: “the custom which has grown up within a few years of 
going to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence for mackerel, where already the supply is lessening.” 
tA LUCKY STREAK.—The schooner William T, Smith, Capt. Henry O. Smith, the last of the baymen, arrived 
home on Monday, bringing a good fare of mackerel, of which about 200 barrels were caught off Newfoundland, as 
already mentioned in our columns. These fish are of good size and prime quality, and will command a ready sale. 
Captain Smith struck a streak of luck when he ventured into untried waters in pursuit of mackerel, and his voyage 
will prove a profitable one, which is an anomaly in this branch of the fishing industry the present season. (Cape Ann 
Advertiser, November 23, 1877.) 
In the fall of 1849 one of the authors had the opportunity of seeing a fleet of mackerel schooners fishing off 
Chatham, The number of vessels in the fleet was variously estimated from 500 to 700 sail—a beautiful and interesting 
sight. 
