Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-10-25
GlOuchcster Fishermen.

The native American goes no longer
to the fishing banks, preferring to re-
main at home, fit out, handle the pro-
ducts, and transact other necessary
business of the city, His place is now
supplied by men of the provinces and
by waits and strays from all nations.
There is quite colony of Portuguese
from the western islands. who occupy
quarter by themselves, and areworthv
and industrious citizens. There ale
Irish, Swedes, Norwegians and Danes,
but exceeding all others the Bluenoses
from the maritime provinces of the
Dominion. These men are born fisher
men reared to that occupation in lack
of any other. Naturally shrewd, the
swift-launched, well-appointed vessels
of Yankee shippers. and their improved
methods of fishing. early attracted their
! attention and led TO their shipping of
them when opportunity occurred.
There has been for years steady
stream of these, hardy fellows flowing
| into the port. They make excellent
fishermen; marry there, settle down,
and add much to the towns prosper
| ity. There are others, again, to whom
more of romance attaches-men of
birth and education from England and
| the CONTAMINATION some youthful
error or wrongs have driven into exile
| Others seem to have adopted the bust
ness because of its danger and adven-
ture. A volume might be made of these
tales told IN town of men of this char
acter, who are now, or have been, fore
castle men Oh the cod and mackerel
catches.
Like sailors, the Cape Ann fishermen
are quite superstitious; one finds the
study of this trait quite interesting.
The superstition against beginning Il
trip on Friday is strong with them
When vessel sails near enough to
Halfway Rock, on the Bank voyage,
the crew are apt to pitch coppers and
nickels upon it ''to bring them good
luck. They believe that if n sea-bird
alights on vessel blown out TO sea, it
is bad omen-If bee or land bird, a
good one; and some have been known
from such mishap to put back to port
and change the trip. The more ignor-
ant believe in witches and the numerous
spirits of flood and fell. Tho locale of
Captain Kidd treasures is often under
discussion in the forecastles. But their
most singular and widespread belief is
in "Jonahs. These may be animate
or inanimate, men or things: but that
some are unfortunate, while others
bring good luck, is the firm belief of
the true fisherman, and he has an ar
ray of facts to fortify his belief He
will tell You of a certain builder that
has turned off twenty schooners from
his stocks and not enc of them has
cleared their owners a penny. He will
instance another vessel that in five an
nual trips brought in five of the largest
fares known TO the port, and that never
misses a full fare. He will point to
one man-an able seaman and expert
fisher-who always brings bad luck to
the crew he ships with. while the same
crew, on getting rid of him, finds its
former good fortune return. A valise.
violin, checker board, toy boat, bucket
on deck, half full of water, dropping
q hatch into the hold. breaking "a look
ing-glass, drying sails on Sunday, are
all Jonahs. There are few fishermen
who will not whistle for breeze when
it is calm. OF stick knife in the after
side of the mainmast to bring a fair
wind, and it is well-known fact that
If hook is stuck in the hand, thrusting
1t Immediately into piece of pine will
prevent soreness of the wound. But it
Is IN the matter of dreams and pre-
monitions that the fishetman's SUPER
stltion finds readiest channels. Columns
might he filed with the dreams that
nave come true to the knowledge of the
Old Shippers who abound in the port
/ Cor. N. Y. Ereuiag Past