The Wilmingtonian., 1885-07-11
ADVERTISING RATES:
P0RPOIsE FISHING.

Porpoise Fishing, there has been great |
deal of interest awakened on this subject |
and many inquiries have been made. In |
answer to these inquiries we give our read.
ers the following facts about the business,
which can be relied upon as correct.
While porpoise fishing is comparatively
new industry in this country, it is an old
and thoroughly established business in Eu-
rope, especially along the coasts of England
and Brittany. For many years company in
Brittany, employing large capital and
many vessels has been successfully engaged
in porpoise fishing. Their stock is not III
the market at any price, but is held as
permanent investment.
Every portion of the porpoise is utilized
and turned into money. OF course the
most valuable part is the skin, whith makes
beautiful soft leather. 1t looks and feels
like the best French Calf, but sells for near
ly double the price, being held firmly at S4
pound, or 20 cents an ounce, by the whole
skin. The skin when tanned aud finished
weighs on All average of eight pounds
This leather is put to a multitude of uses;
as boots and shoes, shoe-laces, hitching-
reins, halters, brides, reins, hame-straps,
belt thongs, ETC.
1t is said to be the favor;to leather among
cavalry. men in Europe, for boots costing
$50 pair, and lasting five years. 1t never
cracks or becomes hard. The strength of
porpoise leather is something wonderful,
pair of porpoise shoe-laces often out lasting
two or three pairs of shoes, and hitching
rein one inch wide, will bear a strain of 700
pounds, equal to trace chain.
The next most valuable product of the
fish is the oil, of which they yield an aver.
age of ten gallons, which is in demand at
remunerative price. The jaw furnishes two
or three ounces of watch oil, which is eager
ly sought for at good price. The flesh OF
the porpoise makes savory and wholesome
food. 1t is red and tender like beef, and
mild in flavor. In France it is called tile
poor peoples beef and commands ready
sale. Dried, it can scarcely be bedistinguished
from dried beef Or venison The refuse and
bones make valuable fertilizer.
But the question is, can this huge and val
liable fish be caught in sufficient numbers to
make it profitable? 1t is to be admitted thai
tile taking of ueh powerful fish, weighing
from $50 to 1900 pounds requires a perfect
knowledge of the habits of the fish, great
skill and experience. 1t has also been dem.
onstrated that there are very few points
along the coast OF Europe o. the United
States that arc adapted to porpoise fish
ing.
Having learned these facts the Whining
ton Oil and leather Company realized at the
very outset that their success was depend
ent upon securing suitable fishing grounds
and experienced fishermen. Both these ad-
vantages they have fortunately secured on
the coast of North Carolina The inhabi-
tants of that locality, numbering about
1000, have followed porpoise fishing for a
livelihood for three or four generations.
They only utilized the oil, knowing nothing
of the value of the skin, or the other p1o-
ducts before last season.
Last winter they caught 1900 porpoises,
using the most primitive appliances. Tie
prospect is that the Wilmington Oh and
Leather Company will make a very large in
crease on this catch, during the coming
season. Their seines which are now being
made on the grounds, will be twice the
length and strength of any nets ever used al
that fishery, and they will have two fisheries
in operation by October next, employing
about sixty experienced men.
The outlook for the company is most fat
tering. Their location is by far the best OF
the United States coast, which they entirel,
control, by deeds of purchase from the in
habitants. Their Fishing Superintendent is
native, in the prime of life. Born within
sight of the fishery, he has been famila
with the habits of the fish, the method o
taking and handling them since childhood
As man of ability. integrity and inauenc,
he enjoys the highest reputation wherever
he is known. He is a stockhoder in tn,
company, and the new enterprise has n,
better friend, one more loyal to its interests
or more confident of its success.
Thus in every practical matter looking t,
the success of the enterprise, the compan,
has been exceedingly fortunate from the be
ginning, fully justifying the general esti
mate Of the wisdom and sagacity Of the pro
moters Of the undertaking. Another thin!
in its favor is that the market is unlimited
and every product is iu large demand at re
muneratiNe prices.
Besides catching porpoises, which only oc
cupies six or seven months of the year I'll,
company, in order to keep their hands en-
ployed and prevent their works from stou
ping, have arranged to employ their fore
proiitably in another direction the rest o
the year Their works will consist of suita
bic buildings and such machinery and an
pliances as may be required to utll ze full
all the several products, in the most econon,
ical manner, together%ith seiuos, boats an,
other approved accessories.
To obtain working capital, the company
set aside 1000 shares of stock to he sold a
So share, which is deemed ample to pro
vido the necessary outfit and the running
expenses for the entire season. Most o
the 1900 shares offered are already disposed
Of, and when all are sold the company will
put the price up to $40, and it is not improb
able that it will be difficult to obtain it, evel
at this price.
1t is expected that dividend will be lie
clared early in the coming year, as the com
pany safely estimate that they will have
caught, by that time. several thousand fish
which will yield liberal revenue from the
sale of oil alone, which will be Immediately
available; besides the hides-the most i'm.