The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-28
One Days Experience In a Fishing
Smack Among the Three Hun
dred and Sixty-6ve Islands
OF CascO Bay.
The Mackerel Trade. Its Profits, Advantages
and RoguefieS.
Our Harpswell Correspondence.
HARPswgiL, Me-, August l, 1895.

Finding myself in Boston during my summer wander.
ings among the different watering places the thought
struck that il would be delightful change TO visit
some one or places consecratcd to the mackere
fishery obtain passage on one of the smacks engaged
in the business SEQ how the fish caught assist in
their capture ascertain all about the business and en-
dcavor to have the result of my observations published
in the NEW YoRK HERALD. On making inquiries at my
hotel was informed that considerable business trans
acted in the modern Athens in mackerel. as well as In
free-lovesm strong minded womenism Fenianism. Athe
ISM Deism Purtanism and Iother isms too numerous to
mention the advertisements of fancy goods have It,
was told however that il wished TO participate in the
sport toll of mackerel catching had better be off to
Gloucester. In compliance with this advice, armng my
self with card bearing the names of several gentlemen
Of the last named town who was informed could put
me on the track of obtaining my DESIRE took the cars
for Gloucester where duly arrived putting up at the
Webster House-a small caravansary paraking more Of
the nature of boarding house than of hotel.
GOLDFISH.
Dinner over hired carriage to wait the gentlemen
whom accredited and succeeded so far as to be
directed to another gentleman largely interested in the
fishery The approach to his place Of business was
through lane, in which my ofactores saluted by
can ancient and ash-like SMELL the cause Of which
soon explained At the end of the lane more open
space was reached close the beach Here erected
a sort Of PLATFORM the flooring made OF laths, upon
which were number Of boxes about three feet sx
inches in length two feet in breadth and as many In
height, each with sloping top like the roof Of house
On inquiry learned that the ath platform used for
drying cod which thereon exposed to the and
that during the night and the approach Of rain tho
fish piled up In small heaps and each heap covered
with Of the boxes There no fish In process Of
curing at the time but those that had undergone the
saline treatment and been removed certainly left rather
inconvenicnt portion Of their aroma behind.
WHERE THR MACKEREL ARR CAUGHT.
From the gentleman to whom referred was
certainly a most extensive one, employing some two
hundred and forty schooners Of from thirty TO hun
dred and fifty tons burdenaveragng about eighty tons
each But, unfortunately for me, they had all sailed
This was a soro disappointment further learned that
vessels of such dimensions usually went far the Gulf
OF St. Lawrence and the Bay OF Fundy where the mack
erel are plentiful during the season. although
smaller vessels sometimes left Annisquam and Rockpor
places adjacent Gloucester short trips during tho
season. returning times with good haul Of fish, caught
close into the coast.
STATUS OF AMATEUR FISHERMEN.
On making further inquiries In other quarters was
told that the boss fishermen are very shy in admitting
strangers the business board their vessels They
look on all amateurs and persons requiring practical in
formation az green hands, who take up Improbable
space on board Thor desideraum is experienced and
active fishermen whose labors will be source OF profit
to the vessel and the hands work the principle OF
halves tho more Of them who are effective tho better
In the course Of conversation 1t ranspircd that juve
milo limb OF the law from New York had once paid ty
dollars for the privilege Of fishing trip on one OF the
smacks and was mentioned settled rule that an
interlOper such myself when admitted on board as
great favor only tolerated the payment Of sum
Of money and the renqushng Of all right and title to
whatever fish he might catch Ny expression Of willing
ness 10 comply with such terms OF no avail for the
boats were all gone.
''QrExR FISH,"
There being no chance of carrying out my designs In
Gloucester made up my mind to start for Rockport in
the morning. but happening TO be glancng over local
paper saw paragraph containing an account OF some
extraordinary hauls Of mackerel of Portland The con
sequence was arrived there on the following day. when
received information that as At Gloucester so at Port
land and aaloDg the coast, the great majority OF the
vessels had left for the distant fishing grounds
A few had not yet started, but TO all my appli
cations the answer they were full; nor could
any nducemen any one in charge OF vesse
| TO take a supernumerary on board One man was &C
tually amazed the idea OF newspaper man" taking
the trouble 10 travel all the way from New York for the
'eN 'ns""''en' P"P'ee"' P''e
| q common subject ms mackere, on which, because az
happened to be familiar even TO CONTEMPT he thought
The whole world ought TO be posted: and shall nevc
forget the smile OF mingled pity and disgust with whci
MARY in supncs;nc that ANYTHING could write Thereon
would intercs, ANYBODY sufficiently 10 induce him Il
| read a.
| IN ROUTE FOR HARrswnI.
Pursuing nv inquiries in a more iptelligent quarter
was to take the nine o'clock boat at Frank
lin wharf and 20 to Harpswe pleasant place twelve
miles from Portland n direct line from when place
mackerel boats 90 out fishing every day Following th
advice nine O'Clock morning found me at the wharf
which found crowded with barrels OF rackerel newl,
cured which coopcrs busy heading up, and which
we're otherwise in OF preparation for the market
| rHH THREE HUNDRED AND axryrrvE IsLASDs
| The run from Portland TO Hsrpswe is very pleasan
| one Passing across the spacious harbor which ha
depth Of water sufficient TO float the Great Eastcrn-a
certain spectators Of the city know TO their costan
giving new fort in course Of erection wide berth
| the right, you in the ipricacies OF grou
Of islands situated In Cssco Bay. These island