The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-08
DARE AND ITS VAST
FISHING INTERESTS
The County as Compared
With Three States.
ANY ONE OF THREE
When Quantity and Value of It's Fish.
cries Are Considered.
WHERE RALEIGH'S COLONY LANDED
Roanoke Island, Where the Health Seeker and
the Sportsman Find an Inviting and
Attractive Home. Prof able In.
dus.ries Of Dare.
LEADS ANY ONE Of THREE
When Quantity and Value of Its Fish
cries Are Considered.
WHERE RALElGh'S COLONY LANDED

ouSlfioS OF UdIe'
Like the earth, Dare county's surface
consists of about one fourth land and
three fourths water, the greater portion
of the former being a vast swamp on
the mainland in the western portion of
the county, uninhabited, save by deer,
bear and immense numbers of smaller
game and reptiles and almost impene-
trable. This is owned by big lumber
company and contains cypress, pine,
juniper and other timber in almost mex
haustible quantities and furnishes en-
ployment to many people, engaged in get
ting, saving and rafting timber.
But the occupation Of the principal
part of the native male population is
upon the water, and but for inclosing
harbors for their vessels and boats,
furnishing place to dry their nets and
pack their catches of fish and upon
which to rear neat cottages for their
wives and little ones where, during the
intervals between the fishing and oys-
tering seasons they may find rest and
home comforts free from raging winds
and buffeting waves, they would have
but little use for land. Roanoke Island,
about twelve miles long and three wide,
surrounded by Albemarle, Pamlico,
Croatan and Roanoke Sounds, contains
nearly one-half of the population of the
county and is an ideal summer and
winter resort for those seeking health
or pleasure.
The latest comparative statement of
the fishing industry in the South Atlantic
States, consisting of North Carolina,
III =,
contained in the report of the United
States Commissioner of Fish and Fish
cries, issued in 1900, and based on the
result of operations during the year
1897. That year the total number of
persons employed in the various kinds of
fishing in these four States was 7,1S5
of which 12045 were in North Carolina.
The total capital invested in fisheries
was $1,S2S,S32, of which 81 ,21S,4 was in
this State. The entire fishing product
of these States was so, $780, 65 pounds,
valued at $1,S33,155, of which North
Cardinals share was 64,234, PSF
pounds, valued at $1,316,017. Comparing
this statement with the preceding report
of 1890, we find an increase in the num-
Der of persons employed in this State of
1928 per cent, a decrease of EOS per
cent in the capital invested, and an in
crease of 24.01 per cent in the value of
products.
We find from this report that twenty
six counties are represented in the COM
mercial fisheries of North Carolina, OF
which II have frontage on the ocean
or on the sounds tributary thereto.
Dare county, with 1882 men employed.
S251 ,515 capital invested, and a product
valued at $290,225, takes precedence in
the value of her output and is second to
Carteret in the number of men employed
and amount of capital invested, the lat
ter county having 1.S44 persons engaged,
1921 ,448 capital invested and her products
valued at 1924, GAL In these two coun-
ties the fishing interests are greatest
further examination of the report
referred to, shows that Dare county ex-
ceeds either South Carolina, Georgia or
Florida in the quantity and value Of
the product of her fisheries and is nearly
equal to the two last named combined
Shad is the most important species in
the North Carolina fisheries, the catch
for 1897 being S,963,4SS pounds, valued at
$685., 81 of which Dare county caught
STAT, 12S pounds, valued at $133,017 or
more than one-third of the product of the
entire State, and far exceeding the
catch of any other county in it, The
number of vessels engaged in fishing was
10, vessels transporting fish "a, boats
fishing 765. gill nets 39,364, pound nets
391, and shore property of the value of
$26,440. This does not include minor
nets and other appliances used in catch
Ing fish. Comparing the foregoing fig
w l.
seen that there has been an increase in
the number of fishermen engaged and
the capital invested in this county of
from 20 to % per cent and that the value
of the fishery products has increased
even more, the catch of 1891 being vari-
ously estimated as worth from 35 to so
per cent more than in 1897
box Of shad consists, usually of so
roes or 70 bucks, More than half the
catch from this county is shipped from
Skyco on the west side of Roanoke
Island, via the Old Dominion Steamship
Company, to various Northern markets.
though large quantities are taken in
sailing vessels from various pats of the
county to Elizabeth City and shipped
from there. The shipment from Skyco
during last shad season was 1883 pack
ages, and for the entire year was more
than fifteen thousand boxes of fish of
all kinds. This, with the quantities car
ried on sailing vessels to the railroad
for shipment, would indicate that the ag-
gregate amount of last seasons catch
exceeded that of any former year The
largest shipment of the present season.
from Skyco, up to this writing was this
morning when more than one thousand
boxes were loaded on the steamer Neuse.
Owing to the similarity of occupations.
the equality of the results therefrom
and the absence of speculative teuden-
cies among our people, we have no ex-
tremes of wealth and poverty. All are
assured good living from natures
bountiful store house and none may rea-
sonably expect to amass colossal for
tunes from the fishing Industry. The most
prominent fisherman and wealthiest in
dividual in the county is Mr.. E.. R.
Daniels, of Wauchese. 1t is said that
about twenty years ago some fishermen