Don Kearsley
Long Island Traditions
Folklorist Nancy Solomon has documented the maritime culture of Long Island through these interviews spanning the years 1987 – 2016. The collection includes baymen, fishermen, boat builders and other maritime tradition bearers.
National Capital Contracting
On May 10, 1987, Nancy Solomon interviewed Don Kearsley as part of the Long Island Traditions oral history project. Don did not come from a family of fisherman, but was interested in learning because he lived close to the water near Atlantic City. He developed his fishing under the mentorship an experienced fisherman. The interview covers the traditional methods of clamming and offshore fishing, the evolution of fishing equipment, and the transition from using cotton and linen nets to nylon and poly nets. Don describes the challenges he faces, including dealing with nature's unpredictability and the importance of understanding weather patterns and marine electronics. He also recounts his experiences working on different types of boats, including scallop and clam boats, and the camaraderie and mutual support among fishermen in the Freeport community.
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