An online project under the direction of the CAPE ANN MUSEUM
Fishing
View related Fitz Henry Lane catalog entries (5) »
Fishing in Lane's time saw the height of hand-lining gear use and the introduction of multi-hook fishing (trawling) for ground fish (cod, halibut, haddock, hake, etc.). Then new to the mackerel fishery was the purse seine, which allowed a whole school of mackerel to be caught in one "set" instead of hand-lining over the rails, one fish at a time. These changes in fishing technology, in time, brought new life to the fishing industry on Cape Ann, which had ceded her leadership in the New England fishing industry to Maine. (1)
Lane would not live to see Cape Ann's restored dominance in the fisheries, nor did his late work document the process of change in any significant way. Apparently content with what he saw and depicted in the 1840s and early '50s, he did little to explore later developments and focused more on other types of merchant vessels in other harbors.
– Erik Ronnberg
Reference:
Wayne O'Leary, Maine Sea Fisheries (Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1996), 160–79.
Related tables: Cod / Cod Fishing » // Gill Netting » // Hand-lining » // Mackerel Fishing » // Statistics »
Chart
Fishery Industries of the United States, Sect. 3
Also filed under: Penobscot Bay »
Stereograph card
Cape Ann Museum Library & Archive
"Said schooner was captured about the first of September, 1871, by Capt. Torry, of the Dominion Cutter 'Sweepstakes,' for alleged violation of the Fishery Treaty. She was gallantly recaptured from the harbor of Guysboro, N.S., by Capt. Harvey Knowlton., Jr., (one of her owners,) assisted by six brave seamen, on Sunday night, Oct. 8th. The Dominion Government never asked for her return, and the United States Government very readily granted her a new set of papers."
Also filed under: Historic Photographs » // Schooner (Fishing) » // Waterfront, Gloucester »
Newsprint
From bound volume owned by publisher Francis Procter
Collection of Fred and Stephanie Buck
"A Prize Race—We have heard it intimated that some of our fishermen intend trying the merits of their "crack" schooners this fall, after the fishing season is done. Why not! . . .Such a fleet under full press of sail, would be worth going many a mile to witness; then for the witchery of Lane's matchless pencil to fix the scene upon canvass. . ."
Also filed under: Newspaper / Journal Articles » // Schooner (Fishing) »
Newspaper
This article details a War Correspondence and an argument against the retrenchment of the Gloucester fishing business.
Also filed under: Newspaper / Journal Articles »
Newspaper
"They remarked, that if the fishing business is to be continued in the town of Gloucester, and followed successfully, there must be a retrenchment in the outfits..."
Also filed under: Newspaper / Journal Articles »
Newsprint
Cape Ann Advertiser
Collection of Fred and Stephanie Buck
"VISIT TO LANE'S STUDIO.
We called at the studio of this artist a few days ago, and found several new paintings had been added to his collection since our last visit. The first that arrested our attention was a view of Good Harbor Beach. . . .
A scene outside Eastern Point, during a fresh sou'wester, is full of life, and faithfully portrayed on the canvass. . . .
A fancy sketch, representing a storm scene, is also on exhibition. . . .
The Artist has now on his easel a large picture 36x60, just commenced, which we should judge would be his master-piece. It will be on exhibition when finished, and we forbear a description of it at this time. Mr. Lane, as a marine painter, ranks first in the country, and we are pleased to chronicle his success in producing such life-like pictures."
Cape Ann Museum Library & Archive
Diorama of Gloucester fishing boats, which includes several models now in the collection of the Cape Ann Museum
Also filed under: Historic Photographs » // Ship Models »
Wood, wicker, cordage
19 1/2 x 23 in.
Cape Ann Museum (2089-3 G/O EARR)
Used at wharfside for carrying fish and small fishing gear.
View related Fitz Henry Lane catalog entries (4) »
Also filed under: Mackerel Fishing » // Objects »
In G. Brown Goode, The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office)
Cape Ann Museum Library & Archive, Gloucester, Mass.
Also filed under: Gill Netting »
1873 Gloucester City Directory (1)
"The design is very pretty and appropriate . . .In the centre of the seal is a representation of a fishing schooner anchored on the banks, copied from a picture painted by that talented artist, the late Mr. Fitz H. Lane." (2)
References:
1. Gloucester City Directory. (Gloucester, MA: Sampson, Davenport, & Co., 1873), front page.
2. "The Town Seal": designed by Capt. Addison Center," Cape Ann Weekly Advertiser, February 9, 1872.
Cape Ann Museum Library & Archive
Also filed under: Historic Photographs » // Waterfront, Gloucester »
Stone, oak wood and twine
Sandy Bay Historical Society and Museum, gift of Jack Lawson (1310)
A type of anchor used in dory fishing.
View related Fitz Henry Lane catalog entries (2) »
Also filed under: Objects »
In G. Brown Goode, The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office)
A vessel having returned from the fishing grounds with a fare of split salted cod, is discharging it at a fish pier for re-salting and drying. The fish are tossed from deck to wharf with sharp two-pronged gaffs, and from there to a large scale for weighing. From there, they will be taken to another part of the wharf for washing and re-salting.
– Erik Ronnberg
Also filed under: Cod / Cod Fishing » // Drying Fish » // Georges Bank, Mass. »
Wood, cordage, acrylic paste, metal
~40 in. x 30 in.
Erik Ronnberg
Model shows mast of fishing vessel being unstepped.
Also filed under: Burnham Brothers Marine Railway » // Schooner (Fishing) »
In G. Brown Goode, The Fisheries and Fishery Industries of the United States (Washington, DC: Government Printing Office)
See pl. 45.
Underrunning cod gill-nets in Ipswich Bay, Mass.
Also filed under: Gill Netting »
Also filed under: Drying Fish »
Cape Ann Museum Library & Archive
View shows Main Street Fish Market, Gloucester, Mass.
Also filed under: Gloucester – City Views » // Historic Photographs »
