The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1852-09-04
From the Y H. Statesman
THE FISHERMAN'S LIFE.
TIE NACkEREL CATCHER.

AS soon as the lro>lS Oh WINTER are Ills pcll-
ed and ice is melted and gone. the markcrcl
fishermen on Cape Cod and ..along shore.
are busy repairing their vessels and fitting
them for the fishing campaign. which thus ear
" commences They do not at first take
long voyages, but remain around the islands
and havS adiarcnt to Massachusetts. catching
what fish happen TO bite, and returning at
nightfall to a convenient harbor, or hearing
away for a market. The work at this early
season is tedious, hut there is possibility of
getting a double bounty besides the rrmr-
ncration arising from the fish sold. which
prompts the endurance of some extra hard
ships.
Their vessels are usually first rate <ailcrs.
and altogether gond sca-boats: many of them
being used durin. the winter to run south for
oysters, the most pcrious Of the VOYAGES un-
lcrtakrn by merchantmen, and many others.
engaged at the same season in the common
coa>,ng trad" The crew. avrragin~ thir-
teen thouch sometimes goin~ As hirh Is sin
teen Is generally shipped Ion shares" \
certain portion have half they catch. by pay
ING the owners per rcnta"r for expenses; :;
others. called whole hookcr>," have all thcv
catch, by hiring their board and paving an
alleged amount for the privilege: and still
other cradationS and conditions exist. 50 that
scarcely two are on the same footing Then
there is particular position. on the deck of
the vessel ASSIGNED to each one where he
must remain. while fishing during the vov-
are 1t is considered great advantage to be
in the middle of the rail. and proportonatc
Disadvantage to be Obliged To stand towards
either end These differences. though real
will not be appreciated bv those unexper-
cnred, perhaps. SO will omit anv explana-
ton. Each has to dress and cure his own
fish. 50 that when fish bite all are fishing.
ing them.
This VOYAGE is considered the most pleas
ant and safe of the variety of fishing trips
After the spring is advanced and heavy ralcS
have died away before the pleasant westerly
brrezcs annually visiting our land. the mack
erel fisherman takes leave of his home and
steers for the north. Cna>ting along the
shore of Nova-Scotia, and on to Cape Bre-
ton, he comes TO the beautiful and secure lit
tie strait called the "f'W ot Cmsau," which
he enters, and winds up its circuituous course
enjoying the prospect on either hand of YER
iant field and perennial shruhbcrv, as doe.
the navigator of an inland river. and at tn,
same time sheltered from the tcmpcstS liabl,
to occur, by the bold SUBMITS of hills anG
i mountains Now and then, coming in view
d from behind jutting headland, stands tn,
e cionS surrounded with those rural scene
2. which ever bring home memories with mourn
d full pathoS over the heart of the wan,lrrer
e beyond, still guiding his vessel up the chan
5, mel, the dark foliage of the forest shuts ou
Is the scene, and nought breaks the solemn still
- ness of nature but the croak of the raven an,
r the flight of wiId-towl But now he emerge
t. from this placid channel into the boiStcrou
d waters of the gulf of st. Lawrence, and al
e the creations OF fancy must give place to tn,
d duties before him. as his noble vessel one,
g more breasts the mountain wave. Sometime
a mackcrel men find encouragement in til,
V southern part of this gulf; at others il
e the WESTERN more generally, however. il
1t the northern, which strictly speaking, is tn,
n location of the Bay of Chaleur, though will
v fishermen the whole gulf goes by that name
IS More of the mackerel mans time runs t.
m to waste than either of the other two classes
r The fish he catches are exceedingly eccentr
re in their movements, often appearing in vas
as schools onl y to remain for an hour, or comm!
v in meagre lots, hardly worth attention. HI
d seldom ever has dav's continued good fish
id ing, but often has continual series Of provo
ID king failures. When fish are plenty, th
le deck Of the mackerel man presents most an
It: mated appearance. and the most earnest en-
at deavors are made by all to secure larg
70 share. II the numbe. ot "washtubs fail" A