New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-16
FISHING ON THE B1NKS.
SOMETHING ABOUT THE PERIL AND PRIyATIoN
THAT FISHERMEN UNDERGO.

SOMETHING ABOUT TIE PEEiL AND fhifAiiVN
THAT FISHERMEN UNDERGO.
A sea captain from the Maritime Provinces
OF Canada. was formerly commander OF one OF the
largest fishing schooncrs that sailed out Of Gloucester
talking with TRIBUNE reporter recently IN regard
the fishing on the Grand and Georges Banks this
year.
"More fishing vessels have been fitted out In Nova
Scotia this year, said he ethan ever before Many new
vessels also from Cape Cod and Gloucester Had
1t for the storms the present sea-
would have been the most profitable that has been
known for years among the fishing fleets"
"what vessels have the best reputation among the
fishing feets"
"Oh the American vessels, by far. They are, as q
rule larger and always better fitted up than the ves'
sells of nations The capital invested is greater
and the larger American fishing vessels
than any other Then they have the best crew. and
officers ahoat."
What the of fishing vessel and her httiDgsP'
"The largest fishing schooner that think of present
is that sails out OF Provincetown She cost ABOUT
100000 and the cost OF fitting her out for the season
must be about 900 more The of this vessel are
paid wages believe and the captain and mate are on
shares The schooner came back from the Banks about
three weeks ago with Full fare. and the owner Will
probably clear So 900 hls investment of $4,000"
"Of what nationality are the olicers and crews OF
American vessels a rule -
The vessel Is almost always commanded " an
American sometimes FRENCH Ianaulan' hho my eo"'
from the Maritime Provinces is captain but never that
have known, OF any other nationality mad TO
take out naturalization papers as an American citizen
before could command American vessel, or course.
The largely made up OF Americans, thougn
large number OF hardy fishermen from Cape Breten the
Isle Madame and Nova Scotia come every spring 10
the States and ship aboard the American fishing vessels
OF late years there have been large settlements Oh
Portuguese fishermen Cape Cod. and some Of them
will be found among the crews OF American fishing ves-
ses But as a rule the Portuguese fish in small boats In
the waters near their homes.'
"Are tue fishermen paid wages do they fish for a
certain percentage OF the profits OF the seasons catchF
"Generaly the crews fish for pcrcentase-on shares,
as IL IL caedOut in some OF the American vessels the
men are paid fixed wages"
"Do the men fish in boats or In dOriesP
"Generllly in dories That is, they 90 out from the
schooner In dOres aud set their travis trawl con-
ssts OF couple OF buoys connected by long line from
which depend fish lines with baited hooks The men 90
out from fishing vessels in little sharppOned dories
Of deep draught that Will STAND almost any amount OF
sea and set their travis the morning. anu at night re-
turn to the vessel their days caca Frequently IN
the thick ogs that almost always hang over the Grand
Banks doy gets lost trying to return TO the schooner
and it's occupants float about IN the horrible gloom OF
fogcoyered ocean until they picked upby sOmo oher
vessel rde OF thirst Ihey TAX OF i
| law prrhaps they have done 80 already; nave noi
hearn compelling every master OF hshing sessei Ina
sails out OF an American port 10 supPh NE % ,nou
food aud water certain number OF DAY se'eI hoi
ing when they leave the schooner III Il were done,
large number OF lives would be saved yearly wltnOu
dogbt Enew Of a case wncre two fishermen, Que OF
whom is now master Of fishiDg vessel SAILING on. ~
Goucester were lost the fog for oilr days anu our
nights without fooa Iney pulled 10 the west
ward all the line hopes OF reaching iahd or ianDR 10
with vessel On the evening OF the fourth day one ol
tne men died. aud when the next day tue dory was
cast upon the snores OF Newfoundland near Cae race
his had scarcely edodgh strength lei 10 pun
he nody un ond tao reach of the waves He tried
a that day with feeble hands u cover tue Iorn VI
his dead communion with sand, but rs was growing
dark tell beside the unfinished grave lhtl
evening fishing vessel that was snOrt OF water lah ~
near tbe coast the fog having Hted, and sent poa'
ashore TO n their casks from spring tha can uo"n
| fr,m me cins. The was secured ana WIN ihuon
diucntv brought to consciousness again. An! pelIe'o
me- great deal OF peril aud prvauon goes TO produce
| endnaL-balln