The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1886-11-25
Capt. Atwood's Career.

a MAN WHO BECAME SCIENTIST IN SPITE
OF DISCOURAGEMENTS.
Mr.. Nathaniel f. Atwood, who died at
Proyincetown on Sunday, at the age of 70
years, was only 8 years of age when he began
to work with his father, who was fisherman.
Though anxious to become a scholar no
books nor schooling could be afforded him.
Occasionally, in short intervals of rest, upon
returning to the shore the father, who could
rot read, but could cipher, drawing sums
upon the smooth sand of the beach with a
stick, gave the son the only lessons in aritll-
metic he ever received from a teacher. The
entire period of his attendance at school was
three weeks Despite the absence of oppor-
tunity and serious dscouragemcntS. the lad,
by force of native ability and desire for i'm
provement, acquired an amount of learning
and knowledge of natural history, espe-
cially in the department of chthyology, that
assured him a credtable position in this
science. AS practical ichthyoogist. he not
only long enjoyed national reputation in
his own country, but his name, in connection
with this branch, has for many years been
known by scientific men in Europe. At the
age of II, graduating from the fish boat, his
father shipped him as cook on a fishing vessel
that made voyage to the coast Of Labrador.
Continuing those voyages three years later
he was trusted to ship himself in vessel
several voyages as seaman, and subsequently
as master, in the coastng and fishing trade.
Returning to fishing, he continued in this
calling till the age of 60, twice cncountering
Shipwreck during this period. Endowed with
rare powers of observation, with a rctentiye
memory and a temper favorable to study an
investigation, he began i'll early manhood to
acquire knowledge of the characteristics of
the species and habits of sea fishes in the
waters of New England, of the Gulf of st.
Lawrence and of the Grand Banks. Having
been informed by the natives Of the Azore
islands that large mackerel abounded in the
vicinity of Flores, he made voyage to that
Island, only to ascertain that the fish
described to him We're a species of bonito.
In 1872, Louis Agassiz. impressed with the
value of Mr.. Atwoods contributions to ich-
thyology, visited him in his home upon Long
Point. Proyincetown, and there began an az
quantance that shortly ripened into warm,
lifelong friendship. Their correspondence
respecting fishes was constant, and continued
through the professors life 1t was at his
suggestion that Mr.. Atwood was employed in
the winter of 1859 to deliver a course of II
lectures upon food fishes before the Lowell
Institute of Boston. The course proved re-
markabIy popular, attracting an audience
that completely filled the lecture room in
Marlboro Chapel every night of the course.
lie lcctlred in other towns and cities, where
his lectures were well received. In 1871 he was
chosen member of the Boston Society Of Nat
uraI History. In lS5G he was appointed COM
missioner of inland fisheries, and the same year
was elected member of the Essex Institute of
salem. lie was subsequently chosen a member
of the Institute of Technology in Boston, and
of the American Academy Of Arts and Science.
In 1891 he was sent a representative to the
legislature, and returned tie following year.
In 1869, 20 and II he was member Of the state
Senate. serving chairman of the committee
on fisheries. The deceased was sent to Wash
ngton by his fellow townsmen . urge upon the
war department the necessity of fortifying
Provincetown harbor and later to represent the
interests Of the fisheries to the congressional
committee on ways and means. For the -
Years ending in lSS2 he was an officer of the
revenue in ProVincetOWn. The death Of no
man in Provincetown, in this generation at
least. has produced more general or sincere re-
grct than has his,