Bernice Calnan
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project is an ongoing oral history project documenting the history and culture of the commercial fishing industry and other port trades. The project was begun in 2004 in conjunction with the Working Waterfront Festival, an annual, education celebration of commercial fishing culture which takes place in New Bedford, MA. Interviewees have included a wide range of individuals connected to the commercial fishing industry and/or other aspects of the port through work or familial ties. While the majority of interviewees are from the port of New Bedford, the project has also documented numerous individuals from other ports around the country. Folklorist and Festival Director Laura Orleans and Community Scholar/Associate Director Kirsten Bendiksen are Project Leaders. The original recordings reside at the National Council for the Traditional Arts in Maryland with listening copies housed at the Festival's New Bedford office.
Laura Orleans
Bernice Calnan, a resilient and dedicated woman, has spent her life closely intertwined with the fishing community of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Born and raised in a fishing family, Bernice has carried on the traditions and values of the maritime lifestyle through her roles as a fisherman's daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her connection to the ocean and the fishing industry runs deep, shaping her experiences and outlook. As the daughter of a boat cook on the dragger F/V Adventurer, Bernice grew up in the heart of the fishing world. Her childhood was marked by stories of encounters with a German submarine during World War II, highlighting the challenges and risks faced by those involved in the fishing trade. Her husband, Donald Calnan, worked in mills before becoming a skilled fisherman, captain, and boat owner. Bernice played a pivotal role in the New Bedford Fishermen's Wives Organization, an influential group that advocated for the 200-mile fishing limit.
Scope and Content Note
Bernice Calnan shares insights into her life and her deep connection to the New Bedford fishing community. This conversation covers various aspects of Bernice's life, including her role in championing fishermen's rights and sustainability, her involvement in designing elaborate floats for the Memorial Day Parade, and her experiences balancing parenting responsibilities with her husband's fishing career. Bernice also delves into her observations about the fishing industry's evolution, technological advancements, safety at sea, and the relationships between commercial and recreational vessels. Overall, the interview captures Bernice Calnan's dedication to her community, family, and advocacy, highlighting her contributions to New Bedford's maritime heritage and the challenges faced by those involved in the fishing industry.
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