68 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
33.-THE FISHERIES OF GLOUCESTER, MASS., IN FEBRUARY, 1887, 
WITH NOTES ON THOSE OF OTHER LOCALITIES. 
By W. A. WILCOX. 
During February tbe work of another year has been actively entered 
upon, although a large number of the fishing vessels will not sail until 
later. The month has been more than usually stormy, and unfavorable 
for fishing, and on that account the receipts have been below the 
average. A good and steady demand has called for all fish arriving, 
and for much of the old stock that was on hand. Prices have been 
reasonably low, yet enough higher than of late to give much encour- 
agement for the future. This feeling of confidence is indicated by the 
renewal of work at the formerly deserted ship-yards in Essex and 
Gloucester, where fifteen new fishing vessels and one whaler are now 
building. On George’s cod and halibut have been scarce, the receipts 
being much below the average. In Ipswich Bay cod of large size and 
fine quality have been abundant, both the trawl and net fishermen ob- 
taining good catches, although comparatively few nets were employed. 
Herring have not been as abundant as usual in the Bay of Fundy. 
The catch has been short all the winter, and as a result fewer vessels 
have been engaged. At Fortune Bay, Newfoundland, and vicinity 
herring have been very plentiful. The only vessels from the United 
States that engaged in the Newfoundland herring trade were from 
Gloucester. One vessel is frozen in at one of the harbors, but the 
others have secured full fares and most of them have already returned. 
With the close of the month the time is near for the early catch of 
mackerel to receive attention, and for vessels to begin preparation for 
their southern trips. The close season mackerel bill has been passed 
and signed. This bill goes into effect in 1888, and continues in force 
five years. This is, therefore, the last season for some time that any 
mackerel vessels can begin fishing before June, and no mackerel caught 
before that date by foreign vessels can be imported. The coasting 
schooner, S. M. Bird, at Philadelphia, from the South, reported having 
seen numerous schools of mackerel during the month, in latitude 33° 
49', longitude 76° 50'. As none were caught by the crew of the vessel, 
there is no positive proof that the schools seen were mackerel, and the 
Gloucester fishermen think they were some other species. 
During the month three fine vessels from Gloucester have been re- 
ported lost. The schooner Carthage, 67.27 tons, sailed from the home 
port November 30, 1886, bound for George’s Bank, and a fare of cod- 
fish. She has not been heard from since, and, with her crew of twelve 
men, has at last been given up. She was insured in home office for 
$3,403 on vessel, and $1,000 on outfits. The schooner Ocean King, 
75.81 tons, sailed from Gloucester on a halibut trip January 18. A few 
days later, while at anchor on St. Peter’s Bank, she encountered a 
