Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 80

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360

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At Montauk Point, some of the ponds contain white perch, which afford fair fishing; and the German carp has been introduced at various points upon the Island within the past year or two. The especial value of this last-named fish is its rapid growth, and the little care re- quired in its cultivation. It is largely a vegetable feeder, and will live in localities where few other kinds of fish will thrive, such as semi-stagnant ponds, ditches, &c., where there is a moderate depth and little motion in the water, moderate temperature, mud and vegetation. In favorable situations, they have been known to attain to a weight of five or six pounds in one season. Very little interest has been manifested, until within a year or two, in the preservation and increase of the food species of the coast waters. This has been due largely to the fact that most of the fishermen resent any inter-

ference with what they consider their vested rights- the privilege of gathering indiscriminately, and at all seasons, from the vast supplics of the ocean, and liberty to make use of those implements of capture, by means of which they can the most readily circumvent their prey and fill their vessels and pockets.

Many of the mnen and some intelligent ones, too, claim that, whatever may be the case with the fresh-water species, it is utterly impossible for man, by any means at his disposal, to materially diminish the number of fishes which swarm the ocean. This ques- tion is one which does not admit of hasty generaliza- tion; it requires a vast amount of careful, systematic study before a safe conclusion can be reached. Espe- cially is this true, in view of the fact that certain species, after apparently having been fished out, will suddenly appear in incredible numbers, and it may even happen that, during most of a season, the catch of some particular fish will be so light that the entire time spent in fishing seems thrown away, when suddenly the waters will be actually alive with this particular species, and in a short time the catch will nearly compensate for months of idleness.

But even admitting this to be true, statistics show that it pertains almost entirely to those species which spawn in the open sea, and not to those which come into the bays, inlets and rivers of the country to deposit their ova; and it is very probable that extended statistics would show, and perhaps may be made to do so in the future, that much of the irregularity of the catch, and the consequent irregularity of profit, is due to an actual diminution of the " off-shore " fishies, consequent upon indiscriminate and wasteful fishing. This is the view of some at least of those who advocate the necessity of the artifical propagation of the sea-fishes; and many of the fishermen are forced to admit to-day that they can- not make the money or catch the number of fish they could years ago. Those species, which are of parti- cular interest to the people of Long Island, because quite common in our waters, and hence more especially worthy of careful attention, are the striped bass, the Spanish mackerel, the blue-fish, the cod, the flounder and the oyster.

In the spring of the year, large striped bass, of from 30 to 50 pounds in weight, are caught in the neighbor- hood of Freeport; and, in the fall, specimens are taken off Montauk Point, weighing sometimes as much as 75 pounds. About 1871, 8,000 pounds of these fish were taken at a single haul at Montauk; and in 1881, 4,000 pounds were taken at a single haul at the same place. In July and August, Spanish mackerel are taken in con- siderable quantities in Gravesend and the Great South Bays. But where formerly five to ten thousand pounds could be taken per day, one hundred pounds per day now in Gravesend, and twenty-five or thirty pounds per day in the Great South Bay, would be a good yield. In the spring, flounders are taken at various points along

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

the south coast, although the principal gathering point is at Amagansett, at the eastern end of the island. The Long Island flounder is considered much superior to those from other points, and it has not been uncommon in past years to receive at New York, through the agency of the Long Island Rail Road, ten tons of floun- ders per day. Cod-fish are taken along the entire south coast of the island, from the Ist of November until severe eold weather and storins prevent farther fishing. This is one of our most valuable food-fishes, and off Rockaway as many as twenty tons have been taken in a single day. Blue-fish are spring and summer fishes, and afford great sport in their season, when there are any in the water to be taken. The following synopsis of blue- fish eatching in the Great South Bay, is taken from Forest and Stream of August 9, 1883. " 1877-78, fish- ing 7 times, eatch 194 fishi, average 28 fish each day; 1879, 9 times, eatch 470 fish, average 52 each day; 1880, 7 times, catch 267 fish, average 38 each day; 1881, 8 times, cateh 56 fish, average ; each day; 1882, 6 times and no fish." The above records, as will be seen, per- tain more particularly to fish upon the south side of the Island, but some, if not all of these fish, were formerly abundant on the north side of the island; but as a rule they are absent or very scarce there at present. Just what has caused this scarcity, and what are the reasons for the growing rarity and irregu- larity of the fishes all around the island, may be ques- tions which might receive numerous answers, as eer- tainly many causes have been in operation during the past decade or longer, tending in this direction; bnt there seems to be no question that some effort should be made to remedy the evil. The Commissioners of Fisher- ies of the State, or at least one of them, came to this con- chision some time ago, and in 1881, Mr. Fred Mather was sent to look over the island for a place which would be suitable for the prosecution of such work as in all likelihood would be required to be done at a sea-side hatchery. Mr. M. reported upon a location at Cold Spring on the north shore of the island, and in 1882, the Commissioners made arrangements to locate a hatching-house there. This has now been in operation, with Mr. Mather as superintendent, since January, 1883, but only very recently has any work been under- taken upon the sea fishes. This work will, however, without doubt, be carried on somewhat extensively this coming season and more vigorously in future years, as arrangements have now been made, whereby salt-water is brought directly from Cold Spring harbor into the hatching-house. Something will also unques- tionably be done in the direction of oyster propagation, since the oysters of Long Island waters form one of our most valuable sourees of food supplies; and their exter- mination is merely a question of time, if nothing is done to prevent the waste and proteet the extensive oyster beds. Perhaps the only effort ever made on Long Island by a private individual in the direction of the

cultivation of any of the sea fishes, was made last season (1882) by Mr. Donnelly of Gravesend. He caught abont 75 small striped bass and placed them in a large pen construeted in one of the streams flowing into Gravesend Bay. For a time, nothing was seen of them; and finally, thinking they had escaped in some manner from the pen, a seine was dragged in the enclosure, and at the first hanl some 40 of the bass were taken, when it was found that there had been an average increase in weight of about 2 of a pound. This was very gratifying to Mr. D., as the fish were very small when they were penned, and it offers an instructive example for others who have the opportunity of eaging this fine fish. Very interesting results may be expected if Mr. D. is able to keep them until they are large and old enough to breed.

It may not be out of place to notice here the oc- currence of white-bait along the shores of the Island, and especially at Gravesend Bay. This delicate little titbit was first brought to the attention of the fish-loving public by Mr. E. G. Blackford in 1878, and was served in this country at a special white-bait dinner at the Manhattan Hotel, Coney Island, on May 15th, 1878.

It is now regularly placed on sale at the Fulton Market in New York, during the spring months, and meets with a ready sale.

Fish culture on Long Island can boast thus far of sneeess, only in the direction of the propagation of trout and black bass, with excellent intentions in more ex- tended fields. It is to be hoped that, during the next decade, the most sanguine anticipations for snecess in these progressive efforts may be more than realized.

EUGENE G. BLACKFORD, New York State Fish Commissioner. -Our times have originated a class of men, limited in num- ber, peculiar to American enterprise and intelligence. While actively engaged in business pursuits, they have applied a knowledge and experience therein obtained to purposes of the highest public importance. No person stands more prom- inent and more useful in this class than Eugene G. Black- ford, one of the Fish Commissioners of the State of New York, and the leading fish dealer in the city of New York.

First and always a business man, he is also conspicuous for his efforts in scientific and practical pisciculture (or fish- culture). He has applied his intelligence with great compre- hensiveness to the study of fish and their propagation by artificial means; and, at the same time, with rare enterprise. has sought a supply of every variety of wholesome fish- food for the markets and our tables. Scientific men and m- stitutions look to him for information, statistics, and speci- mens, and through his business, he makes the same knowledge of immediate and practical benefit to the people. It is sel- dom that two such relations as this can exist. and when they do, the individual who creates them is certain to be of marked and unusual character.

Engene G. Blackford was born at Morristown, N. J., Ang. 8, 1839. Ilis father, Gilbert L. Blackford, was a carrisce builder at that place, and finally removed, with his family to New York, and entered into other business. Both a grandfather and a great-grandfather of our subject were Baptist ministers, He was an infant when his father re-

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FISH CULTURE ON LONG ISLAND.

loved to New York, and his entire career has been passed this city and Brooklyn.

At the age of fourteen he went into the office of Captain sa W. Welden, in South street, who conducted a ship- rokcrage business. The old gentleman sought to give ugene a commercial education, and was much distressed lien he accidentally discovered that the youngster kept in a cret place certain materials and appliances for chemical xperiments. In fact, Eugene had, even then, a love for ience, and especially chemistry, and continued to turn his tention so much in that direction that he was declared by le old captain unfit for a business life, and discharged. bout this time Eugene also took some lessons in water- lor painting. He was three years and a half in the employ : Captain Welden.

However, he found that, whatever tastes of this nature he light have, be would be obliged to follow some business cupation. He passed several years as a freight clerk, con- ected with the Hartford steamboats, and then served with le Camden and Amboy Railroad Company. After this he as two years with A. T. Stewart, at the great store, corner Broadway and Chambers street. Mr. Blackford attrib- tes much of his success in business to the training he re- ived in Mr. Stewart's establishment.

His next employment was as book-keeper for Middleton, arman & Co., fish dealers in Fulton Market. When he left em he began business for himself in the market, and he as continued it up to this time. He began, rather unexpect- lly to himself, by having a stand offered to him on very tvorable terins. He had only one hundred and ten dollars in ash, but he was allowed to pay for the stand at his convenience. He at once threw his whole energy and tact into the busi-

ess. From one stand it has grown to thirteen, doing an nmense retail business, under the sole name of Eugene . Blackford. Opposite the market, in Beekman street, is the rm of Blackford & Co., wholesale fish dealers and commis- on merchants; at barge 7, foot of West Tenth street, is ill another firm-Blackford & Stringham, wholesale and tail dealers in oysters and clams. Blackford & Co. are gents for the Chalker Shad Co., and the Dennison Shad Co., f Saybrook, Conn., and receive a large part of the catch of e Connecticut river. The Blackford Fish Company, E. G. lackford, treasurer, lease five miles of the shore at Mon- tuk, Long Island, and fish are sent daily to Fulton Market. For many years the Fulton Market was in a most dilapi- ated condition, from absolute age and decay. Largely rough the efforts of Mr. Blackford an appropriation of 180,000 was obtained to rebuild the structure, which is now ompleted. The building occupies an entire block, and is 06 feet by 171 feet and 161 feet, and in its remodeled form is n imposing building of brick. The building is considered ne of the best and cheapest public edifices ever erected in ew York.

At the corner of South and Beekman streets, Mr. Black- ord has fitted up the most magnificent series of fish stands, ffices, etc., to be seen in the world. The purchase of the ight in the stands and fixtures represents an outlay of wenty-two thousand dollars. Entering from the general parket, you are struck by a large mirror of plate-glass, occu- ying a window twenty feet high. On each side are win- ows of stained glass, containing numberless handsome de- igns of aquatic flowers, fishes, and amphibious beasts. At onvenient places are tanks of glass and Portland marble, ontaining live brook trout and other choice fish and plants. n sonie fish-hatching jars are shown young trout, and the are and strange axolotl from the aquaria of M. Carbonnier, f Paris, though of Mexican parentage.

The stands for the display of fish have marble tops, and are otherwise elaborately finished. All the upper finishing is in hard wood and glass, and the elegant offices, cooling-room, and other apartments are all finished in the same manner. Taste, art and utility have all been applied here, literally " without regard to expense." In such a place as this one sees and appreciates fish as in no other, and it is also one in which you at once conclude that the proprietor is a man of both refined taste and large liberality.

One of the fine towers of the building is also leased by Mr. Blackford, and will be prepared for advanced research in all departments relating to fish. He has one of the best libraries on this subject ever collected, and it will be placed here for the use of all. Models and paintings of rare fish and everything useful for the student of ichthyology, will form parts of the collection.

Few persons realize the value of the sea and inland fish- eries. Those of the entire world reach an aggregate of one hundred and twenty millions of dollars. In 1873, the sea fisheries of the United States were reported at over eleven millions of dollars, and the value of the mackerel, herring, shad, white fish, oysters, etc., sold in the coast and lake mar- kets of the United States is over seven millions. The amount of fish sold in Fulton Market, from March, 1879, to March, 1880, was something over thirty-four millions of pounds. The sales at this port have now reached forty-five millions of pounds, and the sales at Fulton Market are ninety per cent. of the whole. During the year 1880, Mr. Blackford's statistics show the sale in the New York markets of 1,330,000 shad. The total amount of Hudson River shad sold was 445,000, about half of the entire catch of the river. In two years there were 53,609,000 young shad placed in this river alone by the State Fish Commissioners.

As we have stated, Mr. Blackford is the leading dealer. In his ice-vaults can be seen tons upon tons of frozen fish that he can keep perfectly fresh for years. He has a freez- ing station in Canada, where the salmon are frozen as fast as they are caught. They are then packed in refrigerator cars, and sent to New York. Shad and pompano do not keep well. Spanish mackerel, according to Mr. Blackford, " the best fish in the world," are frozen-each wrapped in a separate piece of paper. Frogs come mainly from Canada. Two hundred pounds of frogs' legs are often sold daily at Mr. Blackford's stands. In the eel tanks 10,000 pounds of eels can be seen at one time, which fish is now raised for market. Mr. Blackford sells all the terrapins lie can obtain, and is the largest receiver of green turtles, of which piles in a frozen condition can be seen in his vaults.

He introduced the salmon from the Restigouche river, the catch of which he largely controls, and sells in Fulton Mar- ket, in forty-eight hours after they are caught. He imports sole and turbot in the refrigerators of ocean steamers from England. He holds the opinion, however, that the fish of the American waters are the best that swim.

In November, 1881, a very extraordinary catch of striped bass was made by the Blackford Fishing Company, at Mon- tauk Point, L. I. Some 4,000 pounds of fishi were captured (the larger proportion weighing from 50 to 75 pounds each), while, perhaps, as many more escaped from the nets.

In August, 1881, Mr. Blackford received the first live gou- ramie ever received in the United States, having been sent by M. Carbonnier, of Paris. The color of this fish is a beautiful blue, with yellow spots. It was sent immediately to Professor Baird, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Later Mr. Blackford received a black bass from Georgia which weighed fifteen pounds. It was sent to the Smithsonian Institution, to be preserved in the shape of a plaster cast. In January, 1882,

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

lie received from Bremen two tin cans containing sixty blue carp.

Some of the American fish introduced to the New York public by Mr. Blackford have become popular. Among these is the red snapper from Florida. This fish has received its scientific name from him, as will appear by the following let- ter:

" WASHINGTON, May 19, 1878.

"MY DEAR MR. BLACKFORD :

"You will be surprised to hear that the red snapper has never been scientifically described. I had suspected it for some time, and a thorough examination by Dr. Bean and myself confirms it. We have been looking for a namesake for yon, and, if you consent to be godfather, this beautiful fish shall be Lutjanus Blackfordii-Goode & Bean. I am glad to have a share in such a memorial of your services to ichthy- ology.

" Yours sincerely, " J. BROWN GOODE."

Mr. Blackford was the first to discover that we had in American waters a fish identical with the famous English white-bait. In 1875 he first conceived the idea of his grand April trout exhibition, which now annually draws crowds to behold the display, many coming from distant parts of the United States. Specimens of tront from distant countries and many of our States, and of cultivated trout from all the lead- ing fish culturists and fish commissioners of the United States, are displayed. The last exhibition cost Mr. Blackford $2,500, besides a great deal of labor. A beautiful and highly artistic invitation to the "Grand Opening of the Tront Season " is issned by Mr. Blackford. The exhibition lasts three days, and is considered one of the " sights" of New York.

It was in 1872 that Mr. Blackford began to give attention to the history and propagation of fish. He then made the ac- quaintance of Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Institu- tion, and who became United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries in 1871. The American Fish Culturists' Asso- ciation was organized, of which he became a prominent member, and has for seven years been the treasurer. At the annual meetings important papers are read, and the Asso- ciation has accomplished much for fish culture. "White-bait in American Waters" was the title of a paper read by Mr. Blackford at the annual meeting, March 25, 1879. An annual fish dinner also takes place, and at the one held in the Cen- tennial grounds, October 6, 1876, the menu included some fifty-eight varieties of fish from all parts of the globe. Mr. Blackford undertook the immense work of collecting and preparing the fish, The first line of the bill of fare reads: "Green Turtle, a la Blackford." Ile was also in charge of the fish exhibit at the Centennial.

We may mention that Mr. Blackford is a great caterer for fish dinners, whereat he can also make a good "after-din- ner" speech. He is also a member of the Ichthyophagous Club, which has an annual dinner composed of fish strange to the palate as well as that of an edible kind. Here are some of the former from a menu before us: "Consomme," of shark-tin a la chinoise; Razor clams farcis, a la Nelson : Tar- teletts of horse-shoe crabs, a la Belle Helene," etc , etc.

In May, 1879, Mr. Blackford was appointed by Governor Robinson one of the four Fish Commissioners for the State of New York. He has served with a great deal of zeal and use- fulness. The twelfth annual report has just been sent to the Legislature. The state hatching-house is at Caledonia, and is in a flourishing condition. The operations in shad-hatch- ing on the Hudson River usually commence abont May 15, and the work is continued until about the Ist of July. A fishing camp is established at some point below Albany. The netting must be done in the night time, as shad never spawn in the daylight. It is hoped this year to turn off from |

6,000,000 to 8,000,000 of fry. Under a law passed by the Legislature in 1879, Commissioner Blackford was appointed a committee to examine the streams of Long Island, and tc take reasonable steps for the propagation of trout. After much search, Commissioner Blackford secured eight acres at Cold Spring at the nominal rent of one dollar a year for ter years. At a meeting of the commissioners held January 11. 1882, a resolution was passed to establish a hatchery at ('oll Spring, and appropriating $3,000 to equip and conduct it under the direction of Commissioners Blackford and Roose- velt.

In February, 1882, an interesting experiment of stripping the cod-fish of the spawn was made at Fulton Market. Mr. Blackford suggested the matter to Professor Baird, and took efficient means to carry the plan to success. Two employeer of the United States Commission came from Washington for the work, which was under the personal supervision of Mr Blackford. By March, over eleven millions of eggs had beer obtained and forwarded to Washington. After hatching, the fish were placed in the water near Fortress Monroe.

Mr. Blackford collected and shipped one hundred and thirty tons of exhibits to the International Fishery Exhibi tion held in Berlin in 1880. He received a silver medal for his own exhibit, as he did at the Centennial. He sent a fine exhibit for the Fish Exhibition which opened in Edinburgh Scotland, April 12, 1882. We could give many other particu lars of Mr. Blackford's efforts in behalf of the fish intereste generally, but space will not permit it.

He was married at the age of twenty-one to Miss Frances L. Green, of New York, and has three children. Their mar- ried life has been a very happy one. He was baptised and married by the same clergyman, the late Rev. Ira R. Stew ard. He joined a Baptist church at an early period, and i: now a prominent member of the Washington Avenue Bap tist Church of Brooklyn. During 1876, 1877, and 1878 ho was president of the Sunday-School Association of the East ern District of Brooklyn. He acted as grand marshal of the largest Sunday-school parade iu the world, being composer of 25,000 children and teachers in solid column. He has re sided in Brooklyn for many years. He is also a liberal frient of the Howard Mission and Home for Little Wanderers in New York.

Mr. Blackford is of an erect and full figure. His head 1 large and his features are refined and expressive. His manner. are easy, self-possessed and sincere. To be a gentleman i natural to him, and he appears as one under all circum stances. No man comes more in contact with opposite classes of his fellow-men, and no one can better adapt him self to each individual. He is frank, courteous, and goodl natured, always showing that consideration for others which commands it toward himself. His kindness of heart, and his constant desire to please and ohlige, endear him to those who know him intimately, and impress the most casual ac (maintance. In the world he is pre-eminently a popular man with the high and the humble; while, in his private walks, he is beloved for manifold virtues and thoughtfu evidences of personal regard. In his home he extends a lib eral hospitality, brightened by his own cheerful nature, and made charming by his surroundings of comfort and luxury

Ilis life. yet in its full vigor, has been remarkable for it! well-directed efforts and success. No matter where you ser him he is found a busy and useful man. Alert in all private enterprise, and eager to promote the public good, he has made integrity and morality the rule of his whole career.

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Civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the County of Kings and the City of Brooklyn, N. Y., Part 80

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : Munsell Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : Munsell
Number of Pages: 1360