For much of its early history Massachusetts colonists proved highly dependent on the sea for survival.
Provisions from England were often barely enough to sustain colonists under ideal conditions, crop failures were common,and a rapidly growing population placed an extreme burden on early settlements. The sea offered a solution to all of these problems. By the 18th century, this subsistence fishing turned into an opportunity for economic growth and expansion that would last until the late 20th century when over fishing and regulation led to a major decline in the industry. |
Hand Lines
In the beginning, fisherman relied on hand lines which would be used to bring in two fish at a time. These lines would be baited with bait fish, or scraps from a previous catch, in order to attract the type of fish a crew was hoping to catch.
This proved a timely process, and the extra time at sea impacted both profit margins and increased the vessel's risks at sea. |
Dory Fishing
By the 1850s the use of Dories, a type of small boat, and trawl lines became common place. Schooners like the Ada K. Damon would carry a handful of dories on deck, and launch them when they arrived at the intended fishing ground.
This allowed for more fish to be caught in a shorter amount of time, which increased profits and minimized time on site for fishing. Unfortunately, such as in the case of the Ada K. Damon in 1893 , these dories were easily separated from the schooner in inclement weather - which could prove fatal to the crew. |
Fish Flakes
After a successful fishing trip, ships would bring their cargo back to port for processing and sale.
In the days before refrigeration, this required the setting up of fish flakes, or stages, on which fish would be laid open, salted, and placed in the sun to dry out before being packaged and delivered to market. By the 1870s the market had begun shifting towards ice boxes for storing fish. It's unclear how the Ada K. Damon's hold was configured. |
In the end, the success of New England fishermen and technological advances in the field of fishing led to massive over-fishing and a rapid decline in fish populations by the 1930s.
Though researchers advised conservation efforts, demand led to an even greater increase in fishing. By the 1970s the effects had become obvious, and the United States government has been scrambling to protect and promote the once prosperous fisheries that families have relied upon for centuries.
Though researchers advised conservation efforts, demand led to an even greater increase in fishing. By the 1970s the effects had become obvious, and the United States government has been scrambling to protect and promote the once prosperous fisheries that families have relied upon for centuries.
Sources and Further Reading
- Vickers, Daniel, and Vince Walsh. Young Men and the Sea: Yankee Seafarers in the Age of Sail. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005.
- "On the Water." - Fishing for a Living, 1840-1920: Commercial Fishers Atlantic Cod. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater/exhibition/3_4.html.
- "History of the Gloucester Fishing Industry." The Schooner Adventure. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://schooner-adventure.org/history/gloucester-fishing-industry/.
- "History of the Groundfishing Industry of New England." History of the Groundfishing Industry of New England. Accessed July 29, 2016. http://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/history/stories/groundfish/grndfsh2.html#pp.