In 1883 a radical advance along the line of artificial propagation was made, so far as the legislature was concerned, when the act incorporating the Samoset Island Association, of Boothbay, was passed.  Section 4 of the charter reads as follows: 

In order to secure a sufficient and regular supply of lobsters for domestic consumption on any land or islands under the control of said corporation, it may increase the number of lobsters within said limits by artificial propagation, or other appropriate acts and methods, under the direction of the fishery commission, and shall not be interfered with by other parties, but be protected therein, as said fishery commission may determine, and shall have the right, by its agents and tenants, to take and catch lobsters within 300 yards of the low-water line of the islands and lands owned or leased by said corporation, during each and every month, for domestic use.

In 1887 the legislature passed an act granting R. T. Carver the sole right to propagate lobsters in Carver’s pond, Vinalhaven.  Mr. Carver’s experiment was a failure, as he says the mud in the pond was so filthy that nearly all the spawn was killed.

LARGE AND PECULIAR LOBSTERS.

Since the inception of the fishery, stories of the capture of lobsters weighing 30, 40, and even 50 pounds have been common, but have rarely been well authenticated.  Especially is this the case in the early years of the fishery.  It is probable that in the transmission of the stories from person to person the lobsters gained rather than lost in size.  Among the most authentic cases in Maine are the following: 

On May 6, 1891, a male lobster weighing slightly over 23 pounds was taken in Penobscot Bay, southeast of Moose Point, in line with Brigadier Island, in about 3-1/2 fathoms of water, by Mr. John Condon.  The lobster had tried to back into the trap, but after getting his tail through the funnel he was unable to get either in or out and was thus captured.

According to Mr. F. W. Collins, a dealer of Rockland, in August, 1891, a lobster weighing 18-1/2 pounds was taken at Blue Hill Falls, in upper Blue Hill Bay, while in November, 1892, a female lobster weighing 18 pounds was taken at Green Island.

In January, 1893, Mr. N. F. Trefethen, of Portland, received a lobster from Vinal Haven which weighed 18 pounds.

According to R. F. Crie & Sons, of Criehaven, on September 7,1898, a male lobster weighing 25 pounds and measuring 25 inches from the end of the nose to the tip of tail, and 45 inches including the claws, was caught on a hake trawl by Peter Mitchell, a fisherman.  The trawl was set about 2 miles southeast from Matinicus Rock Light Station in 60 fathoms of water.

In August, 1899, the writer saw a live male lobster at Peak Island which measured 44 inches in length and weighed 25 pounds, according to the statement of the owner.  It had been caught near Monhegan Island, and the owner was carrying it from town to town in a small car, which he had built for it, and charging a small fee to look at it.