Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 Excerpt:... of the U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, whose long experience and intimate acquaintance with all the circumstances of the case render his opinion of great value. Captain Collins says, in a letter dated Washington, April 12,1889: "So far as any plan is concerned to secure the safety of fishermen upon the Banks by the recommendation of definite lanes of travel for ocean steamers, I give as my opinion that it would add much to the safety of fishermen if lanes could be established during the greater part of the year which would take the steamers south of the Grand Banks. From March to November there is a large fleet fishing upon the Grand Bank, aggregating somewhere from 500 to 700 Vessels, belonging to the United States. British North American Provinces, France, and Portugal. A comparatively small number of vessels, principally from the United States, fish upon the Grand Bank throughout the year. The fishing-grounds extend from about 42 57' north latitnde, which is practically the southern limit for halibut, to the northern margin of the Bank, and some times even beyond it. I appreciate the obstacles which might bo met with in an attempt to prohibit steam-ships from crossing tho Grand Bank, since I realize the force of your statement that the Banks can not be 'fenced in.' I think however, that, considering the danger incident to the crossing of the Banks in tho spring, summer, and autnmn, when fogs are prevalent, it would be vastly to the advantage of tho fishermen, and an act of humanity, if the steam-ship lanes could be arranged to pass south of the Grand Bank from March to November. In winter, the vessels fishingupon the Grand Bank are generally collected about its southern extremity, where they go to fish for halibut. I would say that at that...