Connecticut western news., 1885-05-06
THE MACKEREL SHIPPERS.
The Men who Go Down to the Sea After
 the Shining Fish.

The two lions of the maokerel fleet at present, says reporter, are Solomon Jacobs and Henry McKown. Jacobs halls from Gloucester, but Is looked upon as foreigner, because he has been there only fifteen or twenty years. A man in order to be genuine resident of one of the old fishing towns must not only be born there himself, but bis father and grandfather must have been born there, and he must be related in. rome way to every one in the place. Jacobs is @ Scotchman, and came from Newfoundland to Gloucester, as igno. rant of mackerel fishing as New York waiter. But in spite of these disadvan- tages he has gained the respect of every body, and the title of "Old Fiskhawk" into the bargain. His schooner, the Mollie Adams, is most frequently quoted as the fastest flyer on the coast, and is owned by himself. Besides this he owns another boat nearly as good, and is generally believed to have $50, 900 put away in some place where thieves and rust would have hard work to get at 1t. All the shippers are willing to admit that he can catch more fish than any body else, and sell for higher price.
 Henry McKown isn't as rich as Jacobs, although he owns a share in his boat, but he is just as popular, and catches very nearly as many fish. He Is said to have sold $40,000 worth of mackerel in three years, while in con- mand of the Eddie Pierce, which an- other brother of his now runs, and his men usually take as much money home as any crew in the feet Like all skip pers, McKown has the right to choose his own crew, and according to a custom which is universal, they are chosen from among the men who, when at home, live within stone's throw of his house, who were boys with him, who went to school with him, and perhaps thrashed him once or twice in the course of school term. In consequence there Is very little of rank or precedence aboard 8 mackerel boat, and any true lover of equality and freedom should board one and be refreshed. If a cap- tain's name is William his men usually call him "Bill." If his name is James and he is pockmarked he is apt to be known and hailed by the name of "Speckled-face Jimmy" The best man on 8 boat is the one who knows the most about fish, who can see & school furthest of, and judge best as to how it will pan out. If the captain isn't that man, some one else is sure to be more respected and to have more authority on all occasions than himself, and is pretty sure to become skipper before long. The fleets with 8 few exceptions are owned by rich old fishermen or their sons, who appreciate the judgment of men in the business and select those to take charge of their ventures who have earned the admiration of the men with whom they fish.
 Until now all mackerel fishing has been done with sailing craft, and fine Seamen have been trained in the exciting races to market. But change is soon to come. H. J. Boyce, large owner, is having constructed a steamer of 300 tons, which will cost $34, 900 and carry an unlimited quantity of mackerel. Sailing men are hoping that the screw will frighten the schools of fish away, or that something else will happen to save the sailing craft. Otherwise steam will drive sails out of the business, and all the good old times will be gone.