hubert howe bancroft - Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History ...

FISHING AND CANNING. 88
fifties Capt. Davenport, an old whaling master, organised a company at
Monterey to pursue the passing whales in boats. His success led to the formation
of other parties at different points, notably in 1855 of 17 Portuguese
at Monterey, who obtained 24,000 barrels in three years. In 1862 the Carmel
Co. was formed. Mont. W. Herald, Aug. 1,1874; Sac Union, June 11,27,
Nov. 14, 1855; Oct. 2, 1856; 8. F. Bull, Nov. 12, 1855; Cal Jour. Ass., 1856,
30-1; 1860, ap. 3, p. 68; Id., Sen., 1860, ap. 3, p. 72; 1867-8, ap. 3, p. 104-7;
Hayes' MonL, 137-55; Id., Ang., v. 56-73; Id., S. Dieqo, i. 40-2; Col. Agric
8oe~, Trans., 1864^5, 229; 8. F. Herald, Nov. 30, 185&; U. 8. Com., passim;
L. Ana. Co. Hint., 70; Hayes 9 Emig. Note, 461-4; Alia Col, Sept. 30, 1856;
Nov. iS, 1857; Savage'* Coll, MS., iv. 262-3; 8. F. Post, Nov. 1, 1883, with
allusions to stations at Crescent City, Bolinas, L. Angeles, S. Diego. The
stations are now restricted to Monterey, S. Simeon, Pt Conception, and San
Luis Obispo, each employing about a dozen men and obtaining 500 barrels,
Tne gray whales, which provide the main supply, yield only 20 barrels on an
average. Between April and Sept. the men are engaged in farming. The
Cenau, 1880, places the total value of Cal. whaling at $202,000. Sharks are
caught at Humboldt, Sta Catalina, and Anaheim, chiefly for their fine liver
otL Cal Cknm., May 20, 1856.
Oysters were first brought from Shoalwater Bay, in 1850, by Capt. Feltstead,
but spoiled on the way. A. Ludlum succeeded better in 1851, after
which the supply became regular. With the opening of the overland railway,
fresh oysters were brought for transplanting, or rather for fattening, in the
shallows of S. F. Bay, as the spawn does not thrive. In 1888 four companies
owned 600 acres of beds, with a capital of $300,000. In the third year they
reach the sue of 200 to the bushel. Canned oysters are imported to the
amount of 400 tons, and the transmission in ice is increasing. The total sales
r«acb $1,250,000 a year. 8. F. Bulletin, March 13, 1868; Aug. 14, 1871; Jan.
27, 1875; 8. F. Call Aug. 1, 1874; March 4, 1875; Com. and fnd., 362-4.
In connection with oyster-planting should be mentioned John S. Morgan,
a native of Westfield, N. Y., and a Cal. pioneer. In 1853 he brought to San
Francisco the first cargo of oysters from Shoalwater bay, and later explored
the entire coast, from Puget sound to the gulf of Cal., for the purpose of finding
oysters fit for transplanting. Between 1860 and 1869 his operations were
limited to the culture and sale of native oysters from Shoalwater bay; but on
the completion of the overland railroad be began the importation and transplanting
of eastern oysters.
Nearly 300 species of fish have been reported in Cal., 130 being in S. F.
Bay, 25 pertaining to fresh water. Some of them lack the flavor of the
Atlantic varieties, of which many of the most desirable are absent. Under
the incentive of a congressional act creating a fish commission, to import
and distribute food fishes, three commissioners were appointed for CaL Statutes,
1869-70, 663^5. A dozen varieties were accordingly introduced, all of
which promise fairly, save the eel. A standing arrangement was made to
put from a half to two million salmon every year into the tributaries of the
Sac., and a hatching establishment on McLeod River yielded, about 1888,
from 600,000 to 10,000,000 fish annually, saving 50 fold above the former rate
of survival. It is the most extensive institution of the kind, and sends eggs
to every part of the globe. N. Y. Tribune, Nov. 16, 1878. It seems that a
species of salmon, suitable for warmer waters, is developing. The catfish
thrives best of all, and in 1888 was found throughout the state. Of shad,
over half a million were placed in the Sacramento prior to 1882, and are fairly
abundant, but they need protection. Several rivers have been well stocked
with trout. Whitefish was among the early introductions, but is not yet
profitably abundant. Shad, bass, lobsters, and carp are promising. The last
is bred with success in ponds and lakes for the market, as by the Lenni fish
propagation company, which also deal in trout and frogs. 8. F. Bulletin, Oct.
13, 1881; Lake Co. Hi*., 155. See, further, Overland, xiiL 228-33, 311-15;
rir. 79-85; Cal. Jour. Sen., 1873-4, ap. 68-9; 1875-6, ap. 3, 53; 1877-8,
ap. 21, 54; Sonoma Co. Hist., 461-4; Fisheries, Rept Com., for different
years; U. 8. Oov. Doe., Cong. 42, Seas. 3, Sen. Misc. Doc. 74; Cong. 44,
8ess. 1, food fishes; Cong. 45, dees- 2, Sen. Misc., iii. 797-810; Cong. 47,
1. id., iii. 1063-84.