THE SWORDFISH FISHERY. B20 
George’s cod hook, with a 6-inch shank. Mackerel were used for bait. These were split down the 
tail so that the shank of the hook could be entirely hidden in the gash. 
I have been told that they are also taken in this way about Block Island, and a similar method 
of fishing is described by Italian writers. 
Within the past five years it has not been unusual for swordfish to become entangled in the 
long lines of the halibut fishermen on the northern banks. The manner in which this occurs has 
already been discussed above. 
I have collected several instances. In 1877, in the month of August, Capt. Daniel O’Brien, of 
the schooner Ossipee, of Gloucester, fishing in 200 fathoms of water, between Le Have and Western 
Bank, caught, in one voyage, five swordfish. 
At about the same time Capt. R. L. Morrison, of the schooner Laura Nelson, fishing in 275 
fathoms, on Sable Island Bank, caught three swordfish. Another vessel, in August, 1877, fishing 
on La Have, in from 175 to 180 fathoms, caught twelve, as well as three or four more in September. 
In August, 1878, Captain Greenleaf, of the schooner Chester R. Lawrence, of Gloucester, fishing in 
140 fathoms, caught thirteen in one trip. I cannot learn that this manner of capture was ever 
known before 1876, but it has since become so frequent that it excites no remark for a balibut- 
catcher to unload several swordfish among its halibut. This manner of taking the swordfish is of 
course purely accidental, and is rather a vexation than otherwise to the fishermen. It is probable 
that the fish take the bait when the line is being set and they are swimming near the surface, and 
they are involuntarily carried down by its great weight. 
9. FINANCIAL PROFITS TO FISHERMEN. 
I have before me record of a single schooner for the season of 1878, from which it appears that 
in the season of four months eight trips were made, averaging about twelve days in continuance. 
One hundred and sixty-three fish were taken between June 7 and September 20, weighing, in the 
aggregate, in round numbers, about 47,000 pounds, dressed. These were sold at an average price of 
3 cents per pound. The gross stock of the season would amount to about $1,300. From this must 
be deducted the expense of living, the interest on capital invested, and the wages of the cook and 
the boy. The remainder would probably not exceed $800 or $900. It is not probable that many 
vessels stock as large a proportionate amount as did the Northern Eagle. And the profits are to 
be divided among the two or three men composing the crew and the owner of the vessel. The 
success of one New Bedford vessel in the season of 1878 was spoken of as extraordinary, the return 
being $311 to each of the crew’s share. 
The price of swordfish is low, and the success of the voyage is always somewhat precarious. 
aA few small vessels with experienced skippers apparently succeed in making a fair living, but that 
the profits are not great is clearly indicated by the fact that there is no great increase in the 
number of vessels engaged, and that so many are constantly undertaking and abandoning the 
swordfishery. 
10. HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN SWORDFISH FISHERY. 
There are few data upon which to found conjecture as to the time when the swordfish were 
first regarded as sufficiently useful to be sought for by fishermen. The earliest record of its use 
for food is found in the Barnstable Patriot of June 30, 1841, in which it is stated that the fishermen 
of the island south of Cape Cod take a considerable number of these fish every year by harpooning 
them, and that about 200 pounds a year are pickled and salted at Martha’s Vineyard. 
Captain Atwood remembers seeing swordfish on the coast of Maine as early as 1826, although 
