Mr. Ed Warner, a native of Hampton Bays and a fifth-generation bayman, possessed an unparalleled knowledge of the town's history and its people. Born in 1925, Ed Warner grew up in Hampton Bays, fostering a deep sense of loyalty and pride for his hometown. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he returned home and became a bayman. Ed possessed an intimate understanding of the best fishing spots, techniques to maximize his catch, and where to find the largest clams. Ed Warner served as a member of the Southampton Board of Trustees for 27 years, spanning 13 re-elections.

Scope and Content Note
In an interview conducted on July 24, 1997, Nancy Solomon sat down with Mr. Ed Warner Sr. to delve into his extensive knowledge of baymanship and life in Hampton Bays.  Ed Warner shares his early experiences in the industry. He reveales that he began working as a bayman at the young age of 12 or 13 and had been involved in the trade ever since. Ed recounts his endeavors in catching fish, particularly porgies and weakfish, through haul seining in Peconic Bay. These catches were shipped in butter tubs and sold for around $4 to $5 per bushel to the Bluepoints company. Having served in the Navy during World War II, Ed returned to Hampton Bays and resumed his work in the bay. He mentions his success in catching 32 bushels and shared insights into different types of clams. Hard clams, also known as round clams, and steamers, referred to as long clams by his grandfather, were part of his expertise. Additionally, Ed discusses his involvement in eeling and the use of smelt nets. Married in 1957, Ed reveals that his house was situated on his grandfather's farmland, highlighting the deep roots his family had in Hampton Bays. He expresses his connection to the land as a fifth-generation Warner. The interview also delves into the productivity of different bay areas. Ed shares that the biggest set of hard clams he witnessed was in the 1940s, specifically in Moriches Bay during the late 1930s. He mentions other productive spots such as Red Creek Pond, Albert's Creek, and the Peconic River, where he could harvest up to 15 bushels per day. Ed also acknowledges the cyclical nature of scallop availability, with some weeks experiencing no scallops at all. As a trustee in Southampton, Ed Warner sheds light on various tools and techniques used by baymen. He mentions the use of mud rakes and banana rakes, also known as Jersey rigs, with 38 teeth. Other methods included scratch rakes, tongs, and long-lining, which involved creating a half-circle formation. Ed also discusses scoop nets used for clamming in Shinnecock. He highlights the continuation of long lining by baymen such as Ken Mades and George Schellinger, and the historical contributions of baymen like Don Warner, Dan Squires, and Ray Jackson. Ed Warner shares memories of the 1938 hurricane, which brought an abundance of clams to Shinnecock Bay due to the brackish water caused by the breached inlet. He also mentions various bay locations known for their productivity, including Cold Spring, West Neck-Sebonac, North Sea Harbor, Cow Neck Point, Noyac Creek, Mill Creek, Sag Harbor Cove, and Wooly Pond. Ed provids insight into the historical significance of Jamesport, which was known as a mud hole that yielded chowder clams in the early 1900s. He notes that older clams would develop a blue color inside, and that Peconic Bay was known for having scallops earlier than other parts of the estuary. In discussing the tools used by baymen, Ed Warner mentions the use of sloops towed on one side and dredges. Finally, he describes the dimensions of the dredges as wide, measuring 36 feet long and 14 feet wide. Each man would typically gather around 10 bushels on a boat. The design of the boats allowed for easy pulling of the dredges, as they were low to the water.