Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-12-03
HOW OYSTERS ARE CAUGHT.

When we call tor six on the nan
SHE'LL" at Durar's, or half dozen fried
at Parkinson s, we have but an indefinite
idea of the way in which these interest
ing bivalyes are fshed out of the
deep, to supply their plates and satisfy
their appetites. A New York paper
says some may imagine they are picked
off the rocks, like the Irishman's gold
dollars from the streets; others, that they !
are the mysterious product of the res !
taurants. obtained by merely knocking
apart their shells; while many have
some indefinite notion of planting oysters
in the mud, in shallow water! to be pro-
cured, when wanted, by dexterious man
ipulations Of rakes or tongs, like potatoes
| from hill. This latter mode of catch
ing oysters is the one most common in
Northern waters,-the oysters having
first been brought from the South, and
"bedded' here; as it is thought that, by
this transportation, they are much inn
pro, Ell in flavor. There are, however,
some varieties of the native oysters that
are held in the highest esteem by cpl
being Of extraordinary size and
superior flavor; and as these are to be
found only in deep water, rendering the
process of catching them quite laborious,
their market value is much enhanced
+ OF native oysters, the "East Rivers"
are most in favor-ihe market prices for
which range from $3.50 to So per hun
dred. These are caught by 'dreds sing." ."
During the autumn months, the attention
of travellers on Long Island Sound is in
variabIy attact, d by the large fleets oi
sailing craft that never fail to meet the
eye, when the wind is fair, tacking hilh-
and thither, and stitching away on eitL Ell
side, as far as the limits of vision extend
Frequently. upwards of one hundred
may be counted at once, under canvass,
= and presenting beautiful appearance
OF these. many are coasting vessels
which may always be seen dotiing the
o blue waters of the SOund-but The great
er number are fishing-sn acks, dredging
f for oysters. Such fleets are encountered
at intervals, all the way from Throg':
neck to Whileslone and Norwalk-whicl
points embrace the fishing ground fol
! EAST Rivers" The "Jredge" is son
of drag net, made of the stronges
. materials, and holding about two bushels
This is lowered to the bottom, and tow
! ed after the vessel by stout rope, vary
ing from six to twenty five fathoms il
length, according to the depth of the
! water. Frequently, as many as half a
, dozen dredges are employed at the once
: each one being hauled in every ter
f minu:es, and emplied Of its contents o
oysters, mud and stones, which it may
+ have scOOped up, while dragging on the
bottom. The process is slow and labori
. Gus, as hauling in SO great a weight
= with the vessel sailing under three OF
, six knot breeze, is no slight task, and no
less than four or FIVE days constant labo
are required to complete full load. 1
is customary for the smacks to start ou
o on Monday, and deliver their cargoes a
y market on Friday or Saturday; IhOugl
= shorter trips are sometimes made. o.
q the best grounds, one hundred bushels
! per diem are taken; but the averag'
yield is far less. This mode of catching
oysters is also practiced in the waters o
. the Chesapeake, whence are taken tn
O greater part of the oysters brought tC
y the North to be planted-thousands o
: cargoes of which are shipped hithe
9 every year-Pha. Sun.