Litchfield enquirer., 1875-08-12
A Week at Block Island.

S1On rates onered by the H. F. & r. k R. Go. three Plymoutheans started on We'd nesday last for Block Island. The pleas ant stay of week has convinced them that their neighbors, near and far. ought to know something of this beautiful Is- land "far, far, at sea. -'-- --''--'-
 The morning train from Hartford con- meets at New London with the steamer Ella. Those living of the line of the rail- road will have to stop over either at Hart ford or New London. We found the Metropolitan" at New London a good, plain. moderate-priced hotel. At 9:45 a. m. the boat is punctually at the old wharf. Stonington is the first landing, where Watch Hill passengers are trans ferred to smaller steamer, as the Ella cannot make the round trip and afford time for dinner and stroll on the Island without this change. The day was fine, though the sea was choppy, several in our part of the boat paying tribute to ''Nep."
 An hours ride brought Block Island in sight; it looms up like saddle at first, but gradually one can make out the head lands and the houses. Another hour brought us to the wharf built by the Fall River Steamboat Go. Those who have not visited Block Island for several years would find great improvements. The breakwater built by the government affords a safe landing at all times, and protects the fshermen's crafts. Passengers used to land in small boats, and the Islanders were obliged to have their crafts above the Sea swell. The work of docking is not yet finished. When the cross section of the breakwater is built there will be harbor in which large vessels can ride out any storm. The cost of the work so far has been S2OO, 900. An appropriation of S6O- 900 was granted last year. but the Engin- eer wishes larger sum, so the work stands still. -.
 On the dock were the usual hotel rum ners, and some of the people who open their houses for summer boarders. A bright boy of ten or twelve years attracted us by his prompt call: ''Good board for seven dollars week, try it, and if you don't like it. don't stay" We tried the boy. Loading our vallses in his wide gauge, heavy Rhode Island wagon we started. Jehu will have had 6 match in that boy, for the way he. .jostled us over the stones and around short curves was marvellous. We arrived at the house well shook down for dinner. The boy told the truth; we found good fare, clean rooms, and quiet surroundings. Ask for the ''Widow Roses house" if you go to Block Island. t.- .. r..t After dinner we started to see and learn. The wharf is the center of life. An inner basin near by shelters the fishing boats from the constant swell. Summer is not the busy time for cod fithing. yet we learned the whole process for catching, dressing, salting down to eating. To at- tempt a thorough description of this inn portant industry would require a book. A brief digest must answer.
 The fish are taken from seven to twelve miles off shore where the average depth of water IS about one hundred feet deep. Cod seek rocky bottom to feed, and by certain ranges on shore the fishermen find the spot with wonderful precision. We tried one day with an old. experienced fisherman. A strong breeze carried us the seven miles in about an hour and a half. The sea ran high, but the boats are very safe, being made life-boat fashion, sharp at either end. When fishing the foresail is lashed to keep the boats bow just near the wind, and then it is let drift A hundred feet of line is used, loaded with a sinker as large as a mans fist. The hooks are large, two being used. Bait is various; clans and fish. The bony fish, or Mehaden is the best bait, though blue fish are used in their stead. Cod do not bite as lively in summer as at other sea- sons, so one must keep his line in motion by a steady sort of jerk to hook the fish. This motion with the motion of the boat, and the hauling in now and theH, gets to be ,Oork after little. My partner. Fred. found his catch of two at once such work that it effected his stomach, and for a spell he fed the '.Mother Carey's chicks gloriously. He looked meditative for the rest of the morning, and think that he was glad when the boatman said that ..he must go Tn, bat all used up." Speaking of this little incident reminds me that we had the champion of last years trip to Block Island from Plymouth Hill. I'm inclined to believe that he and Fred were striving for that honorable title this year. Certain it is, you can't tell them much about the motions of the human stom- ach; perstaltic or otherwise. The event was little unfortunate for your humble servant, for he had to eat for three that day.
 Dressing the fish is the work of several hands: one sewers the head and passes the fish on to another who takes the livers out for trying into oil, and in turn passes it along to the man who bones the fish; then the fish are washed by still other hands, and carried to the sheds for salting.
 Block Island cod are considered the best in market, and the reason is that they are dressed while fresh, and put into pickle. ......... ', On the s'Banks'' boats stop out fol weeks, and the fish are not cured except
 in dry salt until the catch is over. It may
 be piece of information to tell youl
 readers that Block Islander don't con.
 sider fish fit to eat until it is e gear old,
 or year iH pickle, and then fish of ten
 to twelve pounds is held the sweetest,
 larger fish being rejected.