Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-08-25
THE MACKEREL FISHERIES.

Probably but few are aware of the great cx-
tent of the mackerel and other fisheries of this
country. 1t has been estimated that during the
summer months, or rather between June and
November, more than twenty thousand vessels
are constantly engaged in the different kinds of
fisheries employing no less than 100000 men.
BY treaty with Great Britain, American ves-
sells are allowed the privilege of fishing within
certain limits of the Gulf OF st. Lawrence, and
the quantity of fish taken from this place alone
is truly astonishing. The coast of Newfound-
land yields its Goldfish to the hardy sailor from
MAY until December, while the better class of
Mackerel are taken from August to October
Many mackerel, however, Of a proper class, are
taken along the Southern shore Of our own
country prior to this, but as a general thing
they are deemed worthy of little notice. The
Bay of Chaleur, along the coast of Prince Ed
wards Island, the Magdalen Islands and North
cumberland Straits, are considered the mackerel
grounds. Here the fleet ofvessels cOngregated
at one time will often amount to two thousand
sail, although as general thing, not more than
from two to four hundred vessels sail in COM
pany At nights, when the feet is safely an
chored, the lanterns lighted on each vessel and
swinging upon the shrouds, one may fancy they
are looking upon some huge city lying in re-.
pose, with its lamps all trimmed and burning.
The bait alone, which is ground up and
thrown to the fish to keep them about the yes
sci, is very large item in the expense of car
rying on the trade This is either herring, por-
gies, or clans, we'll sailed and cleansed, put up
expressly for the purpose. The average cost
of it is about three and half dollars per bar
REL at least two barrels of which are thrown
away per day in good fishing. Allowing at the
time we are in the Gulf there were two thou
sand sail, you then have $4,000 per day thrown
away to the fishes, or say one hundred dollars.
per vessel for each trip, which is below the ac
tual amount, and we thus have the enormous
sum of two hundred thousand dollars.
The method Of taking the mackerel is very
simple. The vessel is hove to-" and men.
are arranged on the windward" side as many
as can conveniently stand from bow to STERN
Each man is provided with four lines, only two.
can be used in fast fishing On each line is at
tached the hook which is sunk into an oblong
bit of lead called Gig" A barrel is placed
behind each man, into which the fish are " snap
ped" as caught, the jaw tearing out as easily as
though made of paper Owing to this tender
ness of the jaw, the fish must be hauled very
carefully though with great rapidity One
man stands " amidships," throwing the bait
which has been carefully ground, to keep the.
fish about the vessel, while the hooks are baited
with any tough substance, either pork rind, u
bit of liver, or piece of the mackerel ITSELF
When the fish bite rapidly, no sport is more ex-
citing; dozen men will often catch from thirty
to fifty barrels in an hour. When caught they
are split, gbbed, scraped, washed in three wa
tiers, and then salted-the whole being done
with astonishing celebrity.