Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    William Wakeham , Richard Rathbun

  • In the late 19th century, the U.S. Fish Commission conducted numerous interviews with fishermen throughout the northeast U.S. including cod and mackerel fishermen from New York, New England and Nova Scotia. Most fishermen interviewed in the 1890s by the commission were over 50 years of age and recollected changes in the marine environment during their lifetimes. These interviews, or oral histories, are an excellent source for observations of Gulf of Maine fisheries. They provide first-hand accounts and observations of fish behavior and fishing activity on specific fishing grounds such as Stellwagen Bank. Most interviewees discuss the migratory patterns and behaviors of mackerel on the east coast. In addition, the fishermen offer descriptions of fish and catch sizes as well as theories for the decline in cod and mackerel in the 19th century. 

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Interviewee Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
William M. Hartly Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with fisherman William M. Hartly of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

 William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun , Hugh M. Smith Gloucester, MA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
William J. Hudder Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Date above approximate. Interview with fisherman William Hudder of Gloucester, MA by members of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

 Unknown Gloucester, MA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
William H. Greenleaf Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with fisherman William H. Greenleaf of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

 William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun , Hugh M. Smith Gloucester, MA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
W.S. Jordan Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with W.S. Jordan & Co. of Portland, Maine, by Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

 Richard Rathbun Portland, ME U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
W.L. Zwicker Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with fisherman W.L. Zwicker, an agent of the Fisheries Intelligence Bureau, Lunenburg, N.S. by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

 William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun Lunenberg, Nova Scotia U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
W.G. Pool Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with fisherman W.G. Pool of Gloucester, MA by members of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

 Unknown Gloucester, MA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
Vinal N. Edwards Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

The interviews contained in "Canada" are part of Volume I of the Joint Fisheries Commission's investigation in 1893 of the fisheries in New England and the Canadian maritime provinces. William Wakeham and R. Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission traveled along the coast to speak with fishermen, businessmen and mill owners between Cape Cod and New Brunswick.

 William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun Barnstable, MA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
Thomas C. Parish Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with fisherman Thomas C. Parish of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

 William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun , Hugh M. Smith Gloucester, MA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
Solomon A. Rowe Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with fisherman Solomon A. Rowe of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun and Hugh M. Smith of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

 William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun , Hugh M. Smith Gloucester, MA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
Sol Jacobs Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with Captains Sol Jacobs, John Chisholm and Joseph Smith of Gloucester, MA by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun. Interview contains information on New England mackerel fishery.

 William Wakeham, Richard Rathbun Gloucester, MA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
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