A Report upon the Mollusk Fisheries of MassachusettsMassachusetts. Commissioners on Fisheries and Game
Science
A Report upon the Mollusk Fisheries of Massachusetts
Massachusetts. Commissioners on Fisheries and Game
Shellfish fisheries -- Massachusetts
There are two methods of clam digging used in Massachusetts,--the
"wet" and the "dry" digging. Wet digging is carried on when water is
over the clam beds; dry digging, which is the common method, takes
place when the flats are left exposed by the tides. The only places in
Massachusetts where wet digging is carried on regularly are Eastham,
Chatham, Swansea, and in Katama Bay, Edgartown. In the lower end of
Katama Bay is found a submerged bed of clams which is one of the most
productive beds of this class in Massachusetts. These submerged clams
are taken with what is known locally as a "sea horse," which is an
enlarged clam hoe, with prongs 12 to 14 inches long, and a strong
wooden handle four feet in length. This handle has a belt attachment
which is buckled around the clammer. Two men are required for this
work. The sea horse is worked deep into the loose sand and is dragged
along by one man, who wades in the shallow water over these submerged
flats, while his partner follows, gathering the clams which the sea
horse roots out. Another method of wet digging is called "churning,"
and is based on the same principle as the above method, only the clams
are turned out under water by long forks or hoes. This method is not
used in Massachusetts to any extent. Excellent results are usually
obtained from wet digging.
The methods used in dry digging depend upon the nature of the soil.
The difference lies only in the kind of digger. The clam hoe of the
south shore, where the soil is either coarse sand or gravel, has broad
prongs, some even being 1¼ inches across. The usual number of prongs
is four, but occasionally three broad prongs suffice. The clam hoe of
the north shore, often called "hooker," has four thin, sharp prongs
and a short handle. The set of this handle is a matter of choice with
the individual clammers, some preferring a sharp, acute angle, and
others a right angle. This style of clam hoe is best suited for the
hard, tenacious clam flats of the north shore. At Essex spading forks
are used for clamming, but not as extensively as the hooker. For sand
digging the forks are said to be better, while for mud digging the
hooker is preferred.
_Outfit of a Clammer._--The outfit of a clammer does not require much
outlay of capital. A skiff or dory, one or two clam hoes and three or
four clam baskets complete the list. Occasionally, as at Ipswich, where
the clam grounds are widely scattered, power dories are used, and this
necessitates the investment of considerable capital; but the investment
of the average clammer does not exceed $26. Personal apparel, such as
oilskins and boots, are not considered under this head.
CLAMMING OUTFIT.
Skiff dory, $22.00
Two clam diggers, 1.50
Four clam baskets, 2.00
------
Total, $25.50
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account