THE SWORDFISH FISHERY. 325 
Estimating the number of vessels regularly employed in wordfishing at forty, and puttihg 
estimating their annual catch at eighty fish each, which is only half the quantity taken by the 
Northern Eagle, as shown-in the preceding paragraph, the aggregate number of fish taken 
would be 3,200. 
Competent authorities estimate that each vessel in the mackerel fleet captures and brings in 
an average quantity of eight barrels of pickled fish, or perhaps eight fish each. The number of 
vessels in the mackerel fleet is at least four hundred. Allowing four fish to each, there is an 
aggregate of 1,600 fish. Estimating one for each vessel in the halibut fleet yearly, we add fifty 
more in the aggregate. 
Mr. Earll judged that in 1878, as for several years previous, 2,000 swordfish had been brought 
into Portland, Me. Allowing 1,000 of these to the regular swordfishermen and the mackerel 
vessels, we have a remainder of 1,000 taken by. the occasional fishermen of Portland already spoken 
of, and to be added to the aggregate, which now amounts to 5,850. 
Add 150 more for the coasters, sea-bass fishermen, and pound-tending vessels of southern 
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and the sum is 6,000. 
The average weight of a swordfish dressed is estimated by several persons, Captain Ashby, Mr. 
Earll, Mr. Thompson, and others, to be 300 pounds, and that this is not far from the truth may be 
seen by referring back to the records of the Northern Eagle. If the average weight is assumed to 
be 250 pounds, the aggregate weight of a year’s catch of swordfish amounts to 1,500,000 pounds, 
valued at $45,000, the average price being estimated at three cents per pound. 
To estimate the number of men employed is almost impossible, since the season continues only ~ 
four months, and many are employed for a much shorter period. The crews of the forty vessels 
number from one hundred and sixty to two hundred ; the number of men employed for shorter 
periods it seems scarcely necessary to estimate. 
In 1874 the annual catch for the United States was estimated, by Mr. E. G. Blackford, at 2,000 
fish, weighing 1,000,000 pounds. 
In 1880 the yield of this fishery was 965,450 pounds, distributed as follows: Fisheries of 
Maine, 50,000 pounds; New Hampshire, 20,000; Massachusetts, 731,950; Rhode Island, 90,000; 
Connecticut, 73,500. 
12, MARKETS AND PRICES. 
Mr. Thomson remarks: “ Previous to 1862 the market for fresh fish was limited to New Bed- 
ford, Fall River, Providence, and the adjoining towns, and a large proportion of the fish then 
taken was salted and shipped to the West Indies and the Southern States. This was especially 
the case with those taken about Noman’s Land and Martha’s Vineyard. Now nearly all are con- 
sumed fresh, and the average price is somewhat higher than formerly.” 
Mr. John H. Thomson writes: “At present the great bulk of the catch is sold fresh. Most 
of the fish are brought to this port, and a few are carried to New Londou. Until within a very 
few years nearly all were disposed of in this vicinity. About 1864 a few were sent to Boston on 
trial, and the consumption of swordfish in that vicinity has since rapidly increased. Still, the 
principal market for fresh swordfish may be said to lie between New London and the eastern end 
of Massachusetts. Providence, R. I., consumes a large quantity.” 
Mr. Earll writes: “About 2,000 swordfish, averaging in weight 300 pounds dressed, have been 
landed yearly in Portland for several years. Most of them are sent to Boston fresh, and the 
remainder are cut up and salted here.” 
Mr. Eugene G. Blackford informs me that swordfish are not much esteemed in New York 
market, and that in 1874 not more than 2,000 pounds in the aggregate were consumed. 
