Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1874-11-12

CATCHING THE SWAPPING NACREREI By THE TON
HOW THE FISHERMEN TREAT THE SHARKS
DIVIDING THE spoIIs AFTER DAYS FISHING
IMPROVEMENTS ON THE ISLAND.
Especial Correspondence OF the Commerclal.l
McMAKISs ATLANTIC HOTEL,
CAPE MAY, Nov. ..
Fishing has been quite good here the past
week, and immense numbers ST swapping mack
erel have been taken in gill nets floating outside
the breakers, dropped from large surf boats.
The ilsh poke their heads through the meshes
with such force, and are such vicious biters that
the Irvine has to be cut to loose and shake them
into the boats. Capt. Hildreth was severely Bit
ten on the hand by one. Over one Thousand
were taken, on Thursday, measuring two to three
feet in length, and seven to fourteen pounds,
each, making about
FIVE TONS OF FISH AT A SINGLE CATCH.
The boats pulled ashore several times loaded,
and left the fish on the beach, Numerous marks
were caught OF about four feet in length, and
one of the crew broke the back bone at the tail
and twisted the ilukes across the body, instead
Of up and down, and let them go. They cannot
dive or guide themselves, and can only swim in
straight line on the surface OF the sea, and
butted their heads against the nets, buoy keg,
boat, &c The long, pointed nose of others was
broken and bent upwards, and they could not
dive or sink. This cruelty il reprclensible, but
sailors and surfmen always kill shark as they
teem him ferocious enemy of man besides.
by their great strength they tear tile nets badly.
Many were brought on shore, and one, measuring
feet inches, had a moose slipped over his tail
and was lifted into the boat, which he took pos
session of, swapping at the crew, leaping and
foundering about until exhausted He was lar
ger round than a flour barrel, and contained
swapping mackerel % inches long, 10 bony fish,
and perch abOnt Il foot long, and an enormous
eel. HIS liver was taken to try into shark oil,
yielding about three gallons, and useful fer har-
ness and similar purposes and is said to have
some medicinal virtues as liniment.
When the fish appear of the Island
leaping ard skipping after their food the, bony
fish, all liz hubbub and excitement Nets arc
piled quickly but carefully on back of the boats
which are run down the beach to the sea and a
crew tumbles in, pell nell, composed of anybody
who happens to be present and can pull an oar
through the dangerous surf. A perfect seaman
must steer-that is inperative-buts sailors surf
men, mechanics, school boys or any one, man the
oars, pull out TO sea, chase the school, and sur
round them with the net which il 100 fathoms
long or more, and when sufficient fish are cap
tured they are removed, the boat loaded with all
it will bear and brought ashore, about 300 nsh
or one ton coming in each trip When all are
secured, the net il hauled into tho boat and they
return. Then comes
THE DIVISION OF SPOIL.
The fish are divided into as many heaps as there
are men in the crew and one for both boat and
net beside. One man turns his back on the fish,
and one of the crew points to pile and asks,
the crew and that is his, and so all get their
share. The fish exceedingly good, now,
tasting precisely like the finest shad. They sell
here for soc to 25c each. One young bricilay-
er made s20.75 for his days work, Thursday.
Another,a young Wilmlngtonian, had 70 immense