v;.:> g* m- • 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 447 
04. -STATISTICS RESPECTING CERTAIN FEATURES OF THE VES- 
SEL FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. 
[Prepared by the Division of Fisheries, J. W. Collins, in charge.] 
INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 
The statistical information presented herewith was prepared daring 
the years 1886, 1887, and 1888, chiefly in response to requests from Con- 
gress, the Executive Departments, and the International Fisheries Com- 
mission. In several cases the tables have been modified somewhat and 
made more comprehensive than they were originally. 
It is believed that the presentation of preliminary tables in this form 
(as distinct from the general fishery statistics of the years referred to), 
some of them being novel in arrangement and covering many brauches 
and phases of the vessel fisheries, will furnish much that is valuable 
and instructive to all who are interested in the subjects considered. 
And also, while a clear conception may thus be gained of the matters 
dealt with, the peculiar and specific kind of information required by the 
executive and legislative branches of the Government will be apparent. 
The data on which the tables are based were procured chiefly by 
special investigation and correspondence by the U. S. Fish Commission 
and by returns forwarded by collectors of customs on Treasury circular 
for obtaining statistics of the fisheries. 
EXPLANATION OF TABLES. 
Table I shows, by customs districts and States, the number and citi- 
zenship of men on vessels employed in the Hew England food-fish fish- 
eries in 1886, including lobster and menhaden, but not including oyster 
and other shell-fish. The men engaged on lobster and menhaden ves- 
sels numbered 538 ; 515 of whom were Americans, 2 British provincials, 
and 21 other foreigners. 
Table II relates to the vessels employed in the cod-fisheries that, dur- 
ing the year 1886, frequented grounds east of longitude 65° west. The 
fleets on each of the distant off-shore banks are enumerated ; and the 
vessels carrying hand-lines or trawls, or both, are shown separately. 
In Table III the vessels following the cod and halibut fisheries on off- 
shore grounds in 1886 are classified according to the localities in which 
the greater part of their catch was obtained, and also with reference to 
the kinds of bait used and the source of the bait supply. Each vessel 
is shown under the ground on which its principal fishing was done, 
thus explaining any apparent contradiction of Table II, which gives 
the fleets on the separate grounds. In winter, the vessels fishing for 
halibut, and those engaged in the cod-fishery on George’s, Brown’s, 
