The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-01-07
A mAcKEReL SCHOONER.
A Pursuit Full of Fun which Furnishes Oc-
cunatinn to ThousandA.


Mackerel-fishing is the chief occupa-
ton Of thousands who live along the
coast Of New England and on the shores
of the Canadian maritime provinces.
The fisherman who fits himself out for
Notwithstanding in the spring seldom
follows" any other Ash, his tackle,
nets, seines and traps being adapted for
mackerel only. AS the fish is taken al
most entirely In salt water, IL shares
with the cod the distinction Of giving
employment only to men who are not
afraid TO venture far upon the high
seas. and TO do battle with stubborn
tides and storms. The maekerel feet,
putting out 10 sea in early summer,
their sails. spars, rigging and hulls IN
perfect order, their crews singing gaiiy'
and the shippers keeping their eye o.
the weather and noting the movements
OF the sea birds, bring hundreds OF wo-
men and children 10 the docks 70 wave
handkerchiefs and wish their brave
fathers. husbands and brothers 4 sue
eessful voyage. Mackerel fishing is car
ried on In two wsys--in large craft or
schoouers, which 90 600 and 700 miles,
sometimes staying away from hons all
the summer, and in little open boats or
skis, whose owners 60 away from their
homes every morning al dawn, ranging
from three to ten miles during the day.
A mackerel schooner is usually from
sixty 20 sixty-Ave tons, built stursily,
OF good carry-eapacity, and with con-
siderable view 20 speed Her crew
ranges from ten 90 fifteen men, but
where she intends 20 carry OF large
operations with hook and line she viii
sometimes have seventeen hands Hook
and lire fishing for maekerel, as well as
for cod. has been steadily giving way IN
late years 20 train, Rst, seine and trap
fishing. which is more profitable, though
requiring a far greater outlay.
The crews are as happy IN these
schooaers as Il they were in their owE
houses When the mackerel-groundi IS
reached, they come 20 anchor and pre-
pare for work They do net always. or
even often, get into a que: karSor %
moor, bat run their anchors n the open
sea, where they IFS softly when there
j. only q smooth roll, and tug AID surge
u their chains when TIE wiEd blows u
me storm il too heavy, and they are
dragging or afraid 70 De sWznped. they
hoist reefed sails and scue away for
shelter.
Life on board 81 uackerel schooner
during smooth summer weather y ztsout
the hsppiest known 20 men who live
upon the SEA- IL a trns tBeY rlSs from
taetr little bunks an hour before dawn
but they retire JUS, a. darkness settles
and toe sea BIRDS step their cry n
They bres xf2st On fired Hse&erel, rHeas
PORK and bot cakes, with steam 20 {,
bowls u Soueaoag tea Euyestsse4 vita
nolassez TIE sine sozi, vhica 4s
;ovyed zstern Of tie schooner - hseisd
up alongside. -. crew gets into =. AID
away hey g. bending % ineir loa%
spruce oar tbs skipper o. atsersFa2n
directing
The s&iE ranz~s zlozg foy niles. ise
.xipper peerinZ through sc asrS vstsr
lss1A 5sa, fg- Eah. @ sweeping the sag
face ~ - ga for bresehiag usss <sfT.-
Wheu snf3ei-nt nzmo1T % Esa
=5ghfsss - jasfsfy fAs laoo-1oss tasz -
'-eas. NJ. the skippes directs fAs ers~
= bere 81 row. @s5 tie s~tDe. a hsge
taEaz vseszhisg .kest essJ rsouaGs. =
siarozxn usx in the form OF , circle he
sesns consists 81 aasss@1 swlze. a. E--.