Page 22. MAINE COASTAL NEWS August 2009
Maritime History:
News From Jan. 1895
The following is various articles from the same quantity of fish could be taken in must start from the harbor between 7 P. M., ocean. Still the sad fate of any of their
the “Industrial Journal” from January the old way, it can be readily understood that and midnight according to the wind, so as to comrades does not serve to deter the others
1895. it was a much less hazardous and reach the grounds by daylight next morning. from following the occupation of deep sea
troublesome task for a sail to handle eight Frequently on arriving there no work can be fishing. As in all similar cases their familiarity
THE FISHING INDUSTRY. hooks over a schooner’s side than to handle done on account of thick or tempestuous with its dangers produces contempt or at
The Perils and Labors of Those Who Go 3000 hooks or more from a frail cockle shell of weather. If the day is fairly suitable, the least disregard for them. When a crew of
Down to the Sea to Fish. a dory. The labor of preparing for a fishing vessel drops her dories at proper intervals, fishermen have returned to port and received
Few landsmen when they are trip has also been vastly increased by the and the men set their trawls, marking them their share of the proceeds of a trip, all the
breakfasting on a toothsome mackerel, trawling system, for the work of baiting his with buoys and row back to the vessel for perils and labors they have undergone are
dining on a prime codfish or halibut or 4000 hooks, and coiling the lines in their tubs breakfast. They then start out from the forgotten and they are as willing to venture
discussing a savory finan haddock for occupies each man from 8 to 10 hours before vessel again and haul their trawls beginning out on the harsh and treacherous Atlantic in
supper, realize in any degree, says a writer in setting their trawls. at the weather end, and transfer their catch midwinter for another fare, as though the trip
the Portland Express, the hardships and Each trawl is about three and a half miles tot he vessel which cruises round in the were only a summer yachting cruise.
perils the toilers of the sea endure who have in length, and has some 4000 hooks neighborhood. Each dory load of fish must
hauled the finny victims of their feast from distributed along it at a short distance apart be thrown on board the vessel with A GREAT ICE COMBINATION.
the depths of the ocean. attached to short lines. The hooks chiefly pitchforks, a task that is by no means an easy The Bath papers contain information of
The majority of those even who are used are of English and Scotch manufacture, one when the sea is rough. A crew of 12 a big ice deal on the part of a former Bath man,
accustomed to see the trim fishing all of which are imported in this state by fishermen will occupy with their trawls, a none other in fact, than C. W. Morse, who is
schooners starting out to sea, with their Messrs. Sargent, Lord & Skillings of space on the water one and one-half miles in at the head of the Consolidated Ice Company
hardy crews hoisting their sails to the Commercial wharf. The hooks of British width and three and one-half miles in length; of New York City, capital stock $12,500,000,
accompaniment of hearty nautical shouts, make, though slightly dearer than those of and when the weather is fair and fish plenty and which aims at the establishing of a
and the sharp rattling of blocks, have only a American make, are of superior quality, each may average for one hauling of the monopoly in the ice business of the great
misty notion of the labors and dangers the being of tougher temper and better finish. To trawls 3,000 pounds of mixed fish, consisting American metropolis as great and as
fishermen must undergo before they return temper the steel of hooks so that it will be chiefly of cod and haddock. When the absolute as other combinations now in force
again to port with a fare of fish in their hard at the point and tough at the bend and weather is unfavorable or the fish scarce, the in other lines of business.
vessel’s hold. shank is an art that has been mastered by catch is of course considerably less. Mr. Morse, who is a great pusher and
The fishing schooners are notably long practice by those across the Atlantic. The greatest danger to which fishermen has had extended experience in the ice
staunch and speedy craft, of fine models The hooks are made of steel wire that is fed are exposed is in the liability of the weather business, both on the Kennebec and the
designed and built to stand the roughest into a machine which cuts it into lengths to shut in thick with snow or fog while they Hudson, has for some time been getting hold
weather, to carry an ample cargo, which it bends into shape. The hooks are are out in their dories and so prevent them of one after another of the various important
accommodate a large crew and make quick afterward japanned and pointed singly. In finding their vessel. The plight of a man adrift ice concerns in New York City, until finally
trips to the fishing grounds and back to port. America the latter important portion of the on the ocean in a dory amidst darkness, five were under his direct management as
Boothbay, Maine, and Essex, work is done with a file, and in Britain with a storm and cold is enough to appall the president, and he then started out for the
Massachusetts, turn out some of the finest stone which is another reason for the stoutest heart. Usually men thus lost are calculating move that should make him “The
specimens such as the LILLA B. FERNALD, superiority of the foreign hooks. Vast found by their vessel which stands by until Ice King,” by seeking to buy the
the ELLA M. DOUGHTY, the ROBERT AND quantities of them are used during the year the weather clears, blowing horns and Knickerbocker Ice Company, capitalized at
CARR, the EMMA and similar smart vessels. to replace those lost or spoiled by rust. showing lights; sometimes after enduring $2,000,000. His first efforts, judging from an
Trawl fishing from dories has developed When a vessel is bound for a trip to desperate hardships they are picked up by extended article in the Ice World, were not
with the last 30 years. Before that period the Kettle Bottom, Cash’s Banks, New Ledge, or other vessels, sometimes alas, they perish successful, as he offered the Knickerbocker
method followed was fishing by hand lines any of the home fishing grounds, which lie from cold and hunger, or go down helpless people $350,000 in cash and $1,000,000 in
from the vessel’s deck. Although not nearly about 60 miles southeast of Portland, she and alone into the merciless maw of the stock in the Consolidated, but they didn’t
Help Save this 102 Year old former Reading Railroad Tug
Join the "Friends of Saturn" for as low as $25.
We have moved to Brewer where she has spent the winter. Now spring is coming at work will begin in ernst, some by volunteers and some
by Kustom Steel. Plans are to paint her from keel to top of pilothouse, get heating system ready for next winter and begin engine work!
SATURN is a 117-foot railroad tug built as the BERN for the Reading Railroad in 1907. She is one of the last railroad tugs in existence and
should be saved for future generations to enjoy. For further information : (207) 223-8846 or make out check to: Friends of SATURN, P.O. Box
710, Winterport, ME 04496.
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