New-York daily tribune., 1858-07-22
A SUMNER CRUISE on THE COAST or
NEW-ENGLAND...
CorrssyoDdeIce of TIE ". Y. Tribune.

Corssp.Dde1ce of TIE ". Y. Tribune.
AT SEA, July II, 1859.
The Fourth Of July morning opened with un-
wonted stiffness Nothing could be beard in the
fox but the light washing of the waves against the
sdes of the sloop, and the low roar Of the surf
breskipg on Nahant and the rocky shore of the
main land. About six o'clock the skipper arranged
an iron furnace on deck just in front of the cabin
door, and began preparations for breakfast. His
first ID, which, so far in the cruise he has
ne7er neglected, was to slowly fl and light short
black pipe, with which stuck in his mouth, he went
about the more direct duties of getting breakfast,
such as emitting up kindpgs, aud bringing forth
charcoal from the dim recesses of the forepest.
Presently he intimated that we had better have
some fab for breakfast, aud producing line from
locker well stored with fishing tackle, directed me
to bait with clans, of which we had palful on
board, and fish for nippers. reminded him that it
was the Sabbath. He replied, with due gravity,
that fishing for food on the Sabbath was perfectly
lawful He would not fish for gain or for sport on
that day, but if we wanted fish for breakfast we
might take them with clear conscience. Perceiv-
ing this to be Orthodox doctrine baited and drop
ped line over the side, letting it go the bottom.
In quarter of an hour had caught dozen cum
perch the sea perch, but the fishermen of thi re-
gion seldom call them perch, but term them indif-
ferently cunners or nppers. Our skipper and the
pilot generally gave them the latter name, which is
obviously derived from their nippng bite. In New
York believe the Gunner is called the bergall, a
Dutch name, and is known also by its Indian name
chogset." Mr.. Perley of ST. John whose - Re
sport on the Sea and River Fisheries of New
Brunswick, printed at Fredericton in 1852, is
the best work yet published on American fish and
fisheries, SAYS that at Boston il is called " blue
perch" But have not yet heard that name given
10 IL in Massachusetts,, where it is universally
known along the shore.
The dozen that j caught that morning varied
greatly in size and color. They were from five to
ten inches IN length, and in color no two were ex-
acty alike. The general color was black mixed
with brown, with faint transverse bars of an uncer
tain dusky hue. One or two of the largest exbib-
tied light orange tint throughout the whole
body, with the head and g-c0yers of q chocolate
color mixed with Ugh. blue, and with blue ins l
have since caught specimens thirteen inches in
length, weighing pound, SO black as TO be hardly
distinguishable at first glance from the tautog or
black fish, while others, equally large, were through
out of vivid light yellow, varied With spots and
bars OF shades OF the same color.
The Gunner is found all along the Atlantic coast
Of North America, from Delaware Bay 10 New
foundand. They are caught most plentiiully near
tochl sholtt, anu dlC euPPpstu ~ lccu VuVnN vi
crustacen. They are very annoying 10 the fisher for
taurog or rock cod, as they swarm pentlfully and
take off with great readiness the bait intended for
larger prev. They make, however, an excellent
and iayortc pan th. and there are two or three old
fishermen at SwsmpScOtt who devote themselves
entirely TO catching cUuners in the Gunner season,
that Is from the middle of June 10 the middle of
September. found them very good eating, not IN
feuor To lautog when both are cooked in the same
manner.
Beside the cunners, caught cod weighing
pound and bait, which Went with them toto the
fryiDg.psn. The Professor, despisine cunner-fsh-
ng, was engaged in catching meduse with hand
net, as they aoa.ed past the sloop; but on seeing
the cod, he dropped his net baited a large hook
heavily with CLANS, and flung it overheard. In
moment he had bite and, pulling vigorously. drew
up large sculpn, or "grubby," IA the skipper
called it--toad-hsh. believe. 1t is called in New
York. For the heneft Of your inland readers, l
Will try to describe this monster who, if his size
were commensurate with his ugness, would be the
most frishtful of created things. The specimen We
caught was about twelve inches long, with big,
thick head, an immense mouth, great staring google
eyes, with black pupils and golden irides, inns and
tail vauously AM brightly cclored. and with about
hiy spDes AT :aesrees scattered over hin, chiefly