THE OYSTER INDUSTRY OF MARYLAND. 
285 
The following table exhibits by fiscal years the receipts and disbursements of the 
State “oyster fund” since the origin of the general license system: 
Receipts and disbursements of the State oyster f und, since the origin of the general license system. 
Fiscal 
year 
ending 
Sept. 30. 
Receipts 
from 
dredging. 
Total re- 
ceipts. 
Disburse- 
ments. 
Balances. 
Fiscal 
year 
ending 
Sept. 30. 
Receipts 
from 
dredging. 
Total 
receipts. 
Disburse- 
ments. 
Balances. 
1865 
$12, 111. 20 
$14, 030. 20 
$14, 030. 20 
1881.... 
$40, 589. 98 
$44, 925. 71 
$38, 403. 62 
$219, 304. 75 
1866. . . . 
48, 463. 22 
22, 515. 29 
56, 561. 97 
70, 592. 17 
1882.... 
52, 582. 05 
57, 751. 05 
39, 070. 59 
237, 985. 21 
1867.... 
28, 778. 65 
$80.* 85* 
99, 289. 97 
1883. ... 
48, 841. 64 
56, 075. 32 
54, 114. 13 
239, 946. 40 
1868 
32,535.90 
45, 326. 87 
21, 321. 91 
123, 294. 93 
1884.... 
45, 127. 65 
67, 650. 78 
62, 704. 83 
244, 892. 35 
1869 
46, 800. 86 
61, 301. 49 
28, 186. 80 
156, 409. 62 
1885.... 
69, 528. 72 
79, 704. 17 
127, 089. 56 
197, 506. 96 
1870.... 
38, 675. 80 
50, 098. 74 
32, 381. 79 
174, 126. 57 
1886.... 
49, 631. 59 
51, 057. 74 
106, 600. 62 
141, 964. 08 
1871.... 
41, 587. 46 
53,136. 96 
23, 675. 29 
203, 588. 24 
1887 
52, 411. 68 
55, 561. 73 
67, 221. 88 
130, 303. 93 
1872.... 
39, 039. 62 
50, 782. 27 
23, 076. 17 
231, 294. 34 
1888.... 
48) 675) 54 
53, 236. 69 
67, 913. 13 
115, 627. 49 
1873.... 
54, 159. 46 
65,490. 55- 
24, 770. 75 
272, 014. 14 
1889.... 
57, 928. 72 
61, 562. 08 
63, 306. 09 
113, 883. 48 
1874. . . . 
30, 227. 77 
36, 278. 65 
36, 882. 97 
271, 409. 82 
1890.... 
52, 945. 27 
58, 178. 67 
70, 955. 91 
101, 106. 24 
1875.... 
42, 355. 58 
43, 560. 53 
67, 484. 87 
247, 485. 48 
1891.... 
50, 275. 03 
52, 260. 33 
73, 645. 81 
79, 665. 11 
79, 720. 76 
1876.... 
48, 468. 68 
50, 764. 78 
48, 368. 00 
249, 882. 26 
1892 
44, 744. 73 
46, 652. 83 
46, 708. 48 
1877 ... 
1878.... 
49, 837. 46 
37, 408. 39 
51, 078. 76 
38, 426. 83 
50, 136. 76 
41, 683. 86 
250, 824. 26 
247, 567. 23 
1893.... 
44, 781. 72 
48, 437. 12 
91, 302. 03 
3, 847. 57 
1879. . . . 
1880.. .. 
31,173. 29 
18,606.50 
31. 969. 12 
19, 411.04 
44, 379. 76 
41, 784. 97 
235, 156. 59 
212, 782. 66 
Total . 
1, 252, 030. 80 
1, 430, 051. 63 
1, 426, 204. 06 
The State fishery force . — Prior to 1865 the enforcement of the oyster regulations 
was left to the care of the sheriffs and constables with the assistance of the posse com- 
itatus and such vessels or steamers as they might desire to impress into their tem- 
porary service, the same being at the risk and expense of the State. When the license 
system was adopted in 1865 all captains and employes of licensed vessels and boats 
were constituted officers of the State, with full powers of sheriffs in the enforcement 
of the oyster laws. In 1867 (ch. 184) the comptroller of the treasury was authorized, 
at such times as he might think the interests of the State required, to charter a 
steamer properly manned and equipped to cruise in the bay for special periods of 
time not exceeding ten days, to overhaul and examine the vessels engaged in oystering, 
and to arrest offenders. All of these methods proved so ineffectual that in 1868 
(ch.406) provision was made for an “oyster police force, ” now officially designated the 
“State fishery force,” but popularly known as the oyster navy; and an appropriation 
was made for the purchase of one steamer and two sail vessels to be kept constantly 
cruising in the waters of the State where violations of the oyster regulations might be 
expected. The control of this force was vested in the “ board of public works,” 
consisting of the governor and certain other officials of the State. This board was 
authorized to properly equip and provision the vessels and supply them with com- 
petent officers and men. 
The fleet obtained consisted of one steamer of 113 tons burden and two fast-sailing- 
vessels well equipped with boats and with 5 men each. Both steamer and sail vessels 
were supplied with cannon and ammunition, which they were authorized to use in 
enforcing the oyster regulations. One of the sailing vessels patrolled the Chesapeake 
and tributaries above the Patuxent and the other one below that point, while the 
steamer was kept cruising over the entire bay and tributaries. In 1874 six addi- . 
tional vessels were added to the force, at a cost of 120,000; in 1882, 1883, and 1884 
additional vessels were added, and in 1885 two steamers were obtained at a cost of 
$62,000. In 1888 the old steamer was disposed of and additional sail vessels added. 
