Kennebec River

Gardiner, Maine Salmon Fishery, 1780s.

"Major Seth Gray built the first wharf and Gen. Dearborn established the first ferry in 1786. He was accustomed, as were others, to draw a seine around the mouth of Cobbossee and incredible numbers of shad, herring, salmon and sturgeon were taken every spring ... Jonathan Winslow used to relate that he captured 16 noble salmon one Sunday before breakfast."

Source: Manuscript of Henry S. Dearborn (b. 1783): in Hanson, J.W. 1852. History of Gardiner, Pittston and West Gardiner. William Palmer, Publisher. Gardiner, Maine.

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