The daily gazette., 1883-06-12
.gpRlNrEp FRoM YEsrERpAY
MARYLAND FISH RlEs.
A Duh Season on the North East Rive
Seine HnnIlng at Cnrpenter,s Point

A DUH Season on the North East River
Seine Hauling at Carpenters Point.
Correspondence Philadelphia Press
So far tits season fishing in the head Of
the Chesapeake Bay and North East River
has not been successful. The hauls have re-
suited 10 small amount of FISH compared
with the yields Of previous years, and ex.
perieneed men say this is the dullest season
for the past half century. No positive pa-
son can b. given for the state of affairs. The
largest haul in the neighborhood this year
was that made at "Gridiron" a few DAYS
ago, when 10000 herring were landed.
Carpenters Point, Bulls Mountain, Red
Point, "Gridiron," White Point, Greenbank
and Reaches Point ar the prominent fish
ing batteries along the North East river
Where | write, Carpenters Point, is shore
OF two miles extent, aud its history as a
fishing battery dates back to the infancy Of
the present century. BY looking over some
old records found that in 1924 9, 176 shad
were caught here in day. Fish were very
cheap then, as shad sold for a nickel, and
a dime purchased 100 herring. To-day,
traders paid Is cents for a shad and herring
cost as cents per 100 Fifty-nine years
since labOrers were paid Sl4 per month AT
present the two score negroes who assist on
the same shore receive 81 per day each for
their aid. The largest catch of shad ever
made here at one haul was in 1875, when
2,5l6 were secured.
SEINE HAULING By STEAM.
The old style of drawing In the seine by
capstan and horse power is now a thing OF
the past, aud the steam engine drew In the
mile ana half OF seine to day. When the
net was landed on the stony shore shad,
rock, herring, sun, perch and other mem
bers Of the inny family leaped, tapped and
danced in the bright sunlight, while numer-
GUS eels endeavored to escape By wriggling
about in the hope of entering the waters
again. A sixty pound rock fish graced the
haul, and perfect beauty 1t was OF It's
class.
A fishing shore Is the place to study hu-
manity in male attire, and the types to be
generally drives one horse to a white-cov-
cred wagon, inside OF which are supplies for
himself and sorry looking beast while en-
route for the shore. The animal logs
slowly over the rough roads while its driver
talks to himself. is face bears the imprint
of time, exposure to weather and bad
whiskey. He mostly halls from all sections
of Chester, Lancaster, Berks and other
counties in Pennsylvania Not frequently
does he come from Reading, 20 miles dis
tant.
river, and the lights in their boats resemble
huge jack o. lanterns. Indistinct lines of
the opposite shore are observed. Far in the
distance shines the light of Turkey Point
Lighthouse.
On the water rising and falling lies the
large barge containing the big seine. In the
morning, long before the stars have ceased
shining, a score or more of darkies will lay
out the net in hopes of big catch. Scores
Of empty wagons waiting to be loaded with
fish stand on the green sward over which !
walk.
I'pass by the long, low house, in which
the tired darkies are sleeping. Through
open windows comes the sound of the deep
breathing of the weary blacks. In little
shanty, close to the waters edge, l ate my
supper with honest fishermen, while the sun
was setting and lighting the heavens to
briiliancy.