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
[Illustration: =Scallop Dredge=,--"=The Scraper.="--This implement
has the form of a triangular iron framework, with a curve of nearly
90° at the base, to form the bowl of the dredge. On the upper side a
raised cross bar connects the two arms, while at the bottom a strip
of iron 2 inches wide extends across the dredge. This narrow strip
acts as a scraping blade, and is set at an angle so as to dig into the
soil. The top of the net is fastened to the cross bar and the lower
part to the blade. The usual dimensions of the dredge are: arms, 2½
feet; upper cross bar, 2 feet; blade, 2½ feet. The net varies in size,
usually running from 2 to 3 feet in length and holding between 1 and
2 bushels. Additional weights can be put on the cross bar when the
scalloper desires the dredge to "scrape" deeper. A wooden bar 2 feet
long buoys the net. The scraper used at Nantucket has the entire net
made of twine, whereas in other localities the lower part consists of
interwoven iron rings.]
[Illustration: =The Oyster Dredge.=--This is the type of oyster dredge
used on the large gasolene boats. The photograph was taken on board the
oyster boat of Mr. James Monahan of Wareham. The dredge consists of a
net of woven iron rings attached to an iron framework. From each corner
of the framework rods extend, converging at a point some feet away,
where the drag rope is attached. The blade, resting horizontally on the
surface, is armed with large teeth which rake the oysters into the bag.
When this bag, which holds from 8 to 15 bushels, is full, the dredge is
raised by a gasolene hoist.]
[Illustration: =The Basket Quahaug Rake.=--This style of basket rake
is used at Edgartown and Nantucket. The whole rake is made of iron,
no netting being required, as thin iron wires 1/3 of an inch apart
encircle lengthwise the entire basket, preventing the escape of any
marketable quahaugs, while at the same time allowing mud and sand to
wash out. This rake has 16 steel teeth, 1½ inches long, fitted at
intervals of 1 inch on the scraping bar. The depth of the basket is
about 8 inches. Short poles not exceeding 30 feet in length are used,
as the raking is carried on in water which does not exceed 25 feet in
depth. Only the iron framework of the rake is shown.]
[Illustration: =The Claw Quahaug Rake.=--This rake varies greatly in
size and length. Its use is chiefly confined to Nantucket. The general
style has a handle 6 feet long, while the iron part, in the form of a
claw or talon, with prongs 1 inch apart, is 10 inches wide. A heavier
rake, as here shown, is sometimes used in the deeper water.]
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