The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

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  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Jennifer Murray
  • The Fishing Industry of Newport, Rhode Island: 1930-1987 oral history project was implemented under the auspices of the Newport Historical Society and the University of Rhode Island Sea Grant Program. The interviews document the fishing industry from the point of view of its complex traditions and changes. These interviews provide a body of unedited primary source material focusing on priority issues of local concern and those beyond the geographic area under study. Interviews were conducted by Jennifer Murray of the Newport Historical Society and transcribed at the Center for Oral History, University of Connecticut. Copies of tapes and transcripts are available for research at the Newport Historical Society. As stated in the release form, which accompanies each transcript, the memoirs are to be used for scholarly and educational purposes only.

    Interviews conducted by Jennifer Murray of the Newport Historical Society Interviews were conducted between 1987 and 1988. Copies of tapes, releases, and transcripts are available for research at the Newport Historical Society http://www.newporthistorical.org/. Copies of transcripts are also accessible on the National Sea Grant Library website http://nsgd.gso.uri.edu/.

Interviewee Sort descending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Anthony Bucolo, Part 1 The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

 In 1945, Anthony Bucolo's father, a fish peddler, became part owner of Talman and Mack Fish and Trap Company in Newport, R.I. Anthony Bucolo's association with Newport's fishing industry began at that time. In 1956, Mr. Bucolo started his own business, Anthony's Seafood; in 1986, his business was sold. His operation played an extremely important role in Newport's fishing industry. Mr. Bucolo's business progressed from the handling of lobsters, to lobsters, fish, retail and wholesale, to the addition of a seafood restaurant. Mr.

Jennifer Murray Portsmouth, RI Newport Historical Society
Anthony Bucolo, Part 2 The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

In 1945, Anthony Bucolo's father, a fish peddler, became part owner of Talman and Mack Fish and Trap Company in Newport, R.I. Anthony Bucolo's association with Newport's fishing industry began at that time. In 1956, Mr. Bucolo started his own business, Anthony's Seafood; in 1986, his business was sold. His operation played an extremely important role in Newport's fishing industry. Mr. Bucolo's business progressed from the handling of lobsters, to lobsters, fish, retail and wholesale, to the addition of a seafood restaurant. Mr.

Jennifer Murray Portsmouth, RI Newport Historical Society
Christopher Lutyens The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

Christopher Lutyens began his work in the lobster industry in Southwest Harbor, Maine at age sixteen. He came to Newport one year later after reading an article about Newport's offshore lobster industry in the magazine, National Fisherman. Mr. Lutyens has worked in both the inshore and offshore lobster industries in Newport. He offers valuable information about the work of lobstering, lobster boats and equipment, lobster grounds, catch size, and the condition of the lobster stocks. He expresses concerns about the future of the fishing industry in Newport, R.I.

Jennifer Murray Newport, RI Newport Historical Society
Ellen Kaplan The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

While she was in her early twenties, Ellen Kaplan worked in the fishing industry for approximately two years. This included work on offshore lobster boats, an offshore scallop boat, and an offshore dragger. Her manuscript contains valuable information about life and work at sea, the life style of working in the fishing industry, changes in the offshore lobster industry, and conflict between tourism, development and the fishing industry in Newport, Rhode Island.

Jennifer Murray Newport, RI Newport Historical Society
George Mendonsa, Part 1 The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

Mr. Mendonsa's transcript contains 4 interviews from 1/30/1987, 1/4/1987, 2/10/1987, and 2/11/1987. George Mendonsa was born in Newport, R.I. in 1923. His father came to Newport from Madeira, Portugal in 1910 and supported his family by working as a trap fisherman. He passed on his knowledge and pride in his work to his son, George, who has worked in the floating fish trap industry in Rhode Island waters for his entire life. George Mendonsa's manuscript is an important document of the floating fish trap industry in Newport, R.I. from the 1940's to the present.

Jennifer Murray Middletown, RI Newport Historical Society
George Mendonsa, Part 2 The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

Mr. Mendonsa's transcript contains 4 interviews from 1/30/1987, 1/4/1987, 2/10/1987, and 2/11/1987. George Mendonsa was born in Newport, R.I. in 1923. His father came to Newport from Madeira, Portugal in 1910 and supported his family by working as a trap fisherman. He passed on his knowledge and pride in his work to his son, George, who has worked in the floating fish trap industry in Rhode Island waters for his entire life. George Mendonsa's manuscript is an important document of the floating fish trap industry in Newport, R.I. from the 1940's to the present.

Jennifer Murray Middletown, RI Newport Historical Society
George Mendonsa, Part 3 The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

Mr. Mendonsa's transcript contains 4 interviews from 1/30/1987, 1/4/1987, 2/10/1987, and 2/11/1987. George Mendonsa was born in Newport, R.I. in 1923. His father came to Newport from Madeira, Portugal in 1910 and supported his family by working as a trap fisherman. He passed on his knowledge and pride in his work to his son, George, who has worked in the floating fish trap industry in Rhode Island waters for his entire life. George Mendonsa's manuscript is an important document of the floating fish trap industry in Newport, R.I. from the 1940's to the present.

Jennifer Murray Middletown, RI Newport Historical Society
George Mendonsa, Part 4 The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

Mr. Mendonsa's transcript contains 4 interviews from 1/30/1987, 1/4/1987, 2/10/1987, and 2/11/1987. George Mendonsa was born in Newport, R.I. in 1923. His father came to Newport from Madeira, Portugal in 1910 and supported his family by working as a trap fisherman. He passed on his knowledge and pride in his work to his son, George, who has worked in the floating fish trap industry in Rhode Island waters for his entire life. George Mendonsa's manuscript is an important document of the floating fish trap industry in Newport, R.I. from the 1940's to the present.

Jennifer Murray Middletown, RI Newport Historical Society
Hedy Bennett The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

Hedy Bennett is the wife of offshore lobsterman, Paul Bennett, who was also interviewed as part of this oral history of the fishing industry in Newport, R.I. Mrs. Bennett is the land-based partner in the work and way of life she and her husband share. She conveys what it means to be the wife of a commercial lobsterman and describes what makes the family life of a young fishing family both special and demanding. Mrs. Bennett delves into the many changes that have taken place in the offshore lobster industry since she's been involved in it.

Jennifer Murray Newport, RI Newport Historical Society
James Violet The Fishing Industry in Newport, RI 1930-1987

James Violet worked as an inshore lobsterman in Newport for much of his working like. Of Greek lineage, he learned his trade from Greek lobstermen who came to Newport from Skiathos, Greece. Mr. Violet reminisces about those Greeks who were an important and colorful part of Newport's waterfront. In addition, Mr. Violet describes the Newport fishing industry during the 1930's, the 1938 Hurricane, overfishing, the 200 mile limit, and the impact of tourism and development on the fishing industry in Newport. On page 6 his transcript (page 12 of the pdf), he references making a list of names.

Jennifer Murray Newport, RI Newport Historical Society