FISHERIES OF THE NEW ENGLAND STATES. 
159 
$17,591. It is hardly necessary to remark that no other New England fishery, with 
the possible exception of the Pacific whale fishery carried on by vessels of New Bed 
ford, now yields such large average returns. In 1880, when there were 61 Rhode Island 
vessels engaged in taking menhaden, the average catch was 1,126,128 pounds (against 
7,036,250 pounds in 1889), and the average stock was only $2,815. There has been 
a gradual substitution of steam for sail vessels since 1880, with the striking improve- 
ment noted. 
Sixteen vessels also engaged in the capture of swordfish; their tonnage was 232.43 
and their complement of men 64. The result of the fishery was 165,990 pounds, for 
which the fishermen received $7,417, an average of $464 per vessel. 
The fisheries for oysters, quahogs, soft clams, and scallops were followed by 17 
vessels with a tonnage of 180.17, and with crews numbering 44 men. The oyster was 
the most valuable species taken, representing $76,705 out of the aggregate sum of 
$79,745 accruing from all molluscan fisheries. The large average stock in 1889, viz, 
$4,691, was due to the employment of steam vessels in taking oysters. 
A single vessel of 5.45 tons, carrying 2 men, engagedin the lobster fishery in 1889, 
taking 8,500 pounds of that product, valued at $595. The vessel lobster fishery is 
much less important than that followed with small boats. 
Two tables covering the vessel fisheries of Rhode Island, classified by fisheries, 
are presented. 
100. — Table showing the number of vessels engaged in each fishery in Rhode Island in 1889, together with their 
tonnage, value, and number of crew. 
101. — Table showing by fisheries and species the yield of the vessel fisheries of Rhode Island in 1889. 
Fisheries and species. 
Shore : 
Bluefish, fresh . . 
Bluefish, salted . 
Cod, fresh 
Cod, salted 
Haddock, fresh . 
Haddock, salted. 
Total 
Mackerel : 
Mackerel, fresh . 
Mackerel, salted 
Total 
Founds. 
Value. 
5,500 
$350 
1,800 
90 
216, 940 
6, 538 
52, 276 
1,570 
98, 120 
2, 207 
10, 640 
212 
385, 276 
10, 967 
26, 612 
2, 581 
182, 000 
15, 555 
208, 612 
18, 136 
Fisheries and species 
Menhaden : 
Menhaden, fresh 
Swordfish : 
Swordfish, fresh 
Crustacean : 
Lobster 
Molluscan : 
Clams (soft) 
Quahogs 
Scallops 
Oysters 
Total 
Grand total 
Pounds. 
Value. 
112, 580, 000 
$281,450 
165, 990 
7, 417 
8, 500 
595 
3, 000 
25, 200 
2, 700 
401, 345 
165 
2, 575 
76, 705 
432, 245 
79, 745 
113, 780, 623 
398, 31o1 
