Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1905-11-25


For daring and enterprise, for bold
TESS in the face of danger, the hardy
fishermen who wrest livelihood from
the perilous Arctic seas are not sur
passed by any on the globe.
At this moment hundreds of these
men are battling with storm and ice,
fog and treacherous currents in the
frigid waters of Labrador, Greenland
and Iceland.
Setting out from home ports some
times as early as April, by August
they reach the northern limits of their
fishing grounds and, perhaps. have al
ready encountered extraordinary
hardships and perils.
The cargoes of Goldfish and halibut
they bring back to stock the markets
of the United States are often secured
at great cost in suffering and even
life
Innumerable are the dangers of the
fishing fields. Work must be done oft
times amid icebergs and drift packs;
treacherous fogs descend, and many
fishing vessels are cut down by some
rushing liner and sent to the bottom
with all hands.
A greater percentage of these men
are lost than in any other calling, not
excepting that of arms. 1t has long
been said that the history of the Glou-
eester fisheries is written in tears.
Gloucester, Mass, is the recognized
and time-honored home port of this
fishing fleet. At times it's harbor is
crowded with staunch schooners that
have known many battle with the
wind, wave and threatening ice.
Were it not for the skill and daring
of these hardy men, the fish markets
of the United States would be lacking
a large percentage OF staple that has
become almost indispensable.
AS early as April the captains cour-
ageous" of Gloucester start out. They
make their way northward, fishing all
along the Newfoundland coast, bat
Ting with foes and bergs, lodging
passing steamers, watching for disas-
ter amid fogs, but busily fishing all
the while.
Straight into the teeth of the ice
that is coming southwark they press.
until they reach the halibut banks
about the mouth of Hudson bay, or
the fishing grounds along the shores
of Greenland.
One July morning an American
schooner was setting out her fishing
llHeS III AICllC waters Wien lue Willie
wall of an advancing ice foe was seen
coming swiftly along on the bosom of
the relentless Labrador current. 1t
was a lone, terrifying barrier, brist-
ling with jagged points and blocks of
ice twenty feet high.
In this massive grip the ship was
caught, her rudder was smashed and
her seams opened. Ice closed around
her like some giant band of destiny
and immense blocks crashed upon her
deck
BY setting all her canvas, at the
risk of having her spars torn out, the
vessel finally worked clear. For six
days the weary crew toiled without
ceasing at the pumps, until they made
| ST. Johns harbor.
Very fortunate they felt in escaping
so easily. Hundreds of vessels had
| been caught in similar ice packs and
crushed to pieces.
This instance is cited as illustrating
| common danger of the fishing
+ Grounds. Hundreds of vessels have
had similar experiences, while many
| unfortunates have never returned to
| tell the tale.
1t is danger that swoops down
with startling swiftness. One hour
may see the ocean comparatively free
| of distractions. and a number of yes
| sells busy with their fishing lines; the
| next, all may be encirc1ed by an ice