The Republican journal., 1910-11-24
MAINE FISHERIES.
Industry Dates Back Prior to MayAower
Days.

Industry Dates Back Prior to Mayflower
Days.
"The fisheries along the coast of Maine
was one of the great attractions of the
discoveries and early visitors to our
shores, says an article on fisheries in
the Directory of the Manufacturing In
dustrles OF Maine, recently issued by the
Bureau of Industrial and Labor Stats
tics.
These early navigators spoke enthusi-
astlcally of the abundance and immense
size of the cod and other fish they found
in these waters. In 1913, Captain John
Smith while cruising along the coast.
took possession of Monhegan island and
established headquarters there, from
which more or less extensive fisheries
operations were conducted.
I'm 1922, when the Pilgrims at Ply
mouth became reduced to a state of al
most starvation, it was to Monhegan
that Winslow came in his shallop for re-
lief. 1t was from this English settle
ment that his immediate wants were sup
piled, the generous-hearted fishermen
refusing pay for what they furnished.
OF this incident Winslow wrote: "We
not only got present supply, but also
learned the way to those parts for our
future benefit" On this visit Winslow
found 80 ships at Monhegan and Dana
riscove, ships of different nationalities,
some seeking way to the Indies, some
hunting for gold, while others were there
for fish and furs.
"The fisheries have entered into nearly
all the international negotiations in which
Maine has been at all interested. 1t is
only within the last few months that
some of the questions which had been
pending since the close of the Revolu-
tionary war have been brought to a final
adjustment.
lone author has said: 'The fisheries
of New England furnished our first
articles of export and laid the founda-
tons of our navigation and commerce.
We have seen through all the changes
and chances of our Colonial sub Mission
from its commencement to its termina-
ton; through the war of the Revolution
and in the negotiations for peace; in the
convention that framed, and in the State
convention that considered, the constitu-
Congress and in the negotiations at the
close of the war of 1872, that the fish
cries occupied a prominent place, and
were often the hinge on which turned
questions of vast importance
'From 1765 to 1775, Maine employed
in the cod fishery 60 vessels annually,
amounting to 1000 tons, and manned by
23O seamen; and exported annually to
Europe and the West Indies, about 49,
600 quintals, of value of $48, 900. Dur
ing the Revolutionary war this branch
of trade was nearly cut off, but from
17S6 to 1870 about 30 vessels were an
nually employed, amounting to 300 tons
and manned by 120 seamen. The exports
were, to Europe, 1000 quintals valued
at So 90 per quintal; and to the West In
dies $500 quintals at $500, total value
of $4,000.
From 1920 to 1926 inclusive, the total
fishing tonnage of the United States av-
eraged 60, 987 tons per annum, while that
of Maine averaged 1926 tons, being
~ Ia per cent, or nearly one-ffth of
the whole. 1t was estimated that this
Maine fleet gave employment to 1853
fishermen, and that the foreign export
of fish from Maine, based on partial re-
turns, amounted to $288, 600. The value
of the total catch at that time was esti-
mated at S470,987 annually, and the ex-
Passamaquoddy district alone was $780,
600.
''Since 1926 there have been great
changes in this industry. Some branch
es have been almost entirely abandoned,
while others absolutely unknown in the
early days, have grown up to take their
places. Maine was heavily interested in
the Grand Banks cod fishery up to about
1870, at which time it is said that nearly
every town along the coast had one or
more Bankers to it's credit. From that
time there was decline caused by the
withdrawal Of the Federal bounty in
1868, the expense and uncertainty of the
ventures, and the heavy competition of
the Canadian fisheries, which were aided
and encouraged by the Dominion govern
ment to the extent of $3.50, 900 annually.
''In 1896 it was estimated that there
were not more than ten Maine vessels
going to the banks and probably the
number has not been greatly increased
since. In place of the bank fishing the
great herring industry has been develop
ed. these small fish being the raw ma
terial for our immense sardine pack.
Lobster fishing also has of late assumed
large proportions, brought about by bet
ter protection to small Holsters, the use
of power boats, better regulations in
marketing, an increased demand from
lilt large CLUES dllu consequent nlgn6f
prices.
"In 1905, the year when the last sta
tistics were compiled by the United
States bureau of fisheries, So, 972, O49
was invested in the industry in Maine.
The product for the year weighed 1874
725, 7S6 pounds, or 81, 1862 tons, and was
valued at 50, 1856, 406 The leading prod
ucts with their weights and values are
as follows: HOLSTERS, 9,018, 759 pounds,
valued at 1899, 799; herring, 64,986, 100
pounds, valued at 500, 1853; cod, $1O, 1884,
OIL pounds, valued at $239, 1882; hake, A.
746. $50 pounds, valued at $14S, sos; had
dock; $3.50, 200 pounds, valued at $147,-
1877; clans, 372,8 $50 bushels, valued at
$l35, 100; smelts, 1885 pounds, valued
at Ga, 004; mackerel, 875, 25O pounds. val
ued at $50, 548. Other valuable catches
were cusk, halibut, shad, salmon and
scallops.
In the. Maine coast fisheries and allied
industries, Is, 881 persons were employed.
OF this number, LIPS were engaged on
fishing vessels; $50 were on transport
vessels; 5, 1856 in the shore fisheries, and
8,439 were shoremen employed chiefly in
sardine canneries, smoke houses, and
other wholesale fishing establishments.
According to the report of the Commits