PREFACE
Reading edition
Treasure-ships, bearing richer cargoes than any galleons that crossed the Spanish Main, still sail over the ocean to-day, but we call them fishing smacks; heroism equal to that of any of the pioneer navigators of old still is found beneath oilskins and a sou'wester, but the heroes give their lives to gain food for the world instead of knowledge; and the thrilling quest of piercing the mysteries of life has no greater fascination than when it seeks to probe the unfathomed depths of that great mistress of mysteries—the Ocean. Just as to save life is greater than to destroy it, so is the true savior of the seas the Fisheries craft, not the battleship; so is the hatchery mightier than the fortress, the net or the microscope a more powerful weapon for good than the torpedo or the Nordenfeldt.
The Bureau of Fisheries for the United States Government, Mr. Chas. Frederick Holder and his associates for the anglers of America, and the sturdy and honorable class of commercial fishermen are raising to the utmost of dignity and value one of the oldest and greatest of all industries. Not till the waste of waters is tamed as has been the wilderness of land will their work be done, and the Fisheries Bureau must ever remain in the forefront of such endeavor. To reveal the incalculable riches of this vast domain of rivers, lakes, and seas; to show the devotion of those whose lives are spent amid its elemental perils and to point out a way where courage, skill, and youth may find a road to serve America and all the world beside, is the aim and purpose of
The Author.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
Marooned by a Whale 1
CHAPTER II
The Fight of the Old Bull Seals 39
CHAPTER III
Attacked by Japanese Poachers 75
CHAPTER IV
Catching the Sea Serpent 112
CHAPTER V
Clutched by a Horror of the Deep 152
CHAPTER VI
Defeated by a Spotted Moray 195
CHAPTER VII
Harpooning a Giant Sea Vampire 234
CHAPTER VIII
Finding a Fortune in a Pearl 278
CHAPTER IX
A Tussle with the Monarch of the Sea 314
CHAPTER X
Run down During a Squall 359
ILLUSTRATIONS
Stripping Cod at Sea on a Winter Morning Frontispiece
FACING PAGE
Whale Harpoon Gun Loaded Finback Whale Being Struck 14
Finback Whale Sounding Lancing Finback Pumping Carcass with Air Dead Finback Set Adrift 28
Spearing Seals at Sea 46
Holluschickie Hauling Up Old Bull Seals Fighting 64
Bull Fur Seal Charging Snapshotting an Old Beachmaster 78
Haul of Herring at Gastineau Channel, Alaska 90
Typical Seal Rookery Half Abandoned 102
Native Salmon Trap Modern Salmon Trap 116
Trout Fry. "Millions of These Hatched Yearly" 128
Hatcheries for Landlocked Salmon 138
Atlantic Salmon Leaping Pacific Salmon Leaping 146
Sea-Serpent Caught by Colin Sea-Serpent Stranded 154
Where the Big Tuna was Caught The Largest Sunfish 170
Octopus Caught at Santa Catalina Squid Caught at Santa Catalina 190
Headquarters of Fisheries Bureau Largest Seine in World 202
The Pool Where the Dog Was Devoured 224
Early Bird Passing the Aquarium 238
The Gorgeous Submarine World The Gardens of the Sea 250
Young Sponge on Cement Disk Sheepswool Sponge 264
Manta or Giant Sea-Devil 276
Winter on the Great Lakes Winter Work on Inland Streams 284
Clamming on the Mississippi Barge-loads of Mussels 296
Landing the Paddle-fish 306
Climbing up the Wheel Biggest Fresh-water Fish in America 318
The Blue Wing at the Fish Trap 328
Hatchery, Woods Hole Residence, Woods Hole 336
"What Shall We Get this Time?" "Here's a New One, Boys!" 346
Catching Swordfish with Rod and Reel 356
Clammer Raking for Quahaugs Oysterman Tonging 370
Testing the Ocean's Crop 378