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
Joseph O'Brien Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with Harbor Inspector and Fishery Overseer Joseph O'Brien of St. John, N.B. Interview contains descriptions of New Brunswick fisheries, St. John County, saw mill and tanning industry, factories, industrial pollution and salmon populations.

 Unknown St. John, New Brunswick 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
J.N. Gardner Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with fisherman J.N. Gardner of Yarmouth, N.S. by William Wakeham and Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains information on Nova Scotia mackerel fishery.

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

Interview with fisherman N. Orchard of Boothbay, Maine, by Richard Rathbun of the U.S. Fish Commission. Interview contains descriptions of the mackerel fishery.

 Richard Rathbun Boothbay, ME U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
John E. Gorman Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

Interview with fisherman John E. Gorman 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
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
Joseph Graham Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

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

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

This interview with Captain Benjamin Payson of Gloucester, MA took place on November 16, 1893. William Wakeham and Hugh M. Smith conducted the interview in an effort to gain information on the mackerel fishery. At the time of the interview, Payson had 40 years of experience and was captain of the vessel S.F. Macker out of Gloucester, MA.

 William Wakeham, Hugh M. Smith 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
John J. Pentacost Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895

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

 William Wakeham, Hugh M. Smith East Gloucester, MA U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Archives II , New England Regional National Archives
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