New-York tribune., 1874-08-27
THE FISH MARKET.
HOW NEW-YORK Is SUPPLIED.

EARLY MORNING SCENES ABOUT THE GREAT DEPOT IN
soUTH-sT.-TwO HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS
CONSUMED DAILY IN NEw-YoRK AND ITS VICINITY.
Fresh fish. as an article of trade in this city,
is OF far importance than many OF the consumers
would think The daily supply Of fresh fish is
estimated at not than 10000 pounds. and during
the seasons embraces every variety OF edible
fish kno wn this country. large number OF vessels
are engaged in the business, which, apart from those
who merely deal in fish article Of trade. gives en-
ployment 10 thousands Of persons At this time OF the
wear the fishing for the NewYok market is done along
the coast OF NewJersey northward to Nova Scotia and
embraces a great many varieties OF fsh, dinerlng IN
size weight and quality. As fish s pershabe article,
and the the present time uncertain. the fish
ereu at Of the consgn their goods TO
dealers who do generally about assuming the
responsibility OF the sale but in the colder season the
wholesale fish dealers generally order what they want
and make direct purchases regardless OF the chances at
tending the sale. Even IN the Winter however, con-
sgnmens often made TO the wholesale dealers for
sale on commission To ascertain some OF the details OF
this important trade TRIBUNE reporter visited the sh
market recently between midnight and noon The fish
was on brought TO the market by fishing
smacks propeers steamboats, and railroads The larger
quantity was however brought 70 this city by fishing
smacks which built 10 allow the nsh. IN certain
Of the year TO be brought 10 this city alive ar
rangements having been made 70 keep them alive even
after they have arrived in the waters OF the East River
The wholesale fish market the east sde OF sOuthst
between Fulton and Beekmansts, occupying the whole
block and from the rear looking 10 the river ITSELF
The market proper is about 100 feet long by 6O feet wide
with ceiling about high from the hoOr This is
divided into about of stands and at the eastern
end of each is small narrow office for the use OF the
dealers clerk, who occupies desk looking out BY
window on To the sales stands. Behind the Office, over
looking the river each dealer has iron from
which is suspended rope attached TO pulley blocks by
means Of which the fish hauled up from the waters
edge to the street level Each dealer also has series
Of cars square boxes with hinged lids, which noat
on the top the water and extend distance from
the buIkhead into the river. forming kind OF floating
platform pathway from tue slOops, which are moored
end the bulkhead. When the fish is not brought
alive market, they packed in the holds OF the
and surrounded with and. arriving at the
market the vessels are unloadeG into baskets which are
dragged over the floating patorms 70 the rear OF the
market building. where the baskets hauled up by
Of the crane and pulley ropes after which the
baskets dragged ts tue stands, each sh handler
being provided with IRON hook fastened what ap
pears he the upper portion OF the handle Of spade.
The cooeats Of The basket then empted into the
oag boz OF stand and tue fish then ready for sale
shoaa tue be brought alive the hinged lids Of the
boxes vbich trIn the floating platform raised and
the placed therein the "cars" or boxes being
coorived that the wafer h kept In motion within them
~ phe and faA Of the ude.
Each Wholesale dealer. In addition 20 the space allowed
On ss pasrbs fsR has the second feor OF the build
lnx q saspe<oera in vhach packed boxes. barrels
baskets and sp THINGS needfu IN the course OF
tae buuuess bat fsv vieh thfps vooId b< room ON
srsasd novr. Over his stand hatchway through
winch nssdsd articles be lowered the stair
being behind rhe clerks desk
Ia ts hts s before alluded TO- The dealers private
ufhCu l. q lee this floor.
Ifls
a'soat midnight ana began making preparations for un-
ioasAg tae&r os~ge OF nsa Soon litter this the whole
sale ss csers aud their began 20 arrive Ia
tse market aad tbs prccess oS unloading began Each
dealer was son enabled 20 ascertain what sh had TO
dispose o. snd be sound hs wanted for orders other
kinds Of n-h, systen Of exchange by agreements
Of purchase ensued before the market opened 20
general purchasers In tis each dealer was en-
abled 70 supply his regular customer notwithstanding
the fact he might not have the required con-
signed him for ssls Should there be demand for
particular kind Of nah and only dealer had IT, and