Gunnar and Johan Gundersen
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project
This project documents the history and culture of the commercial fishing industry and other port trades. The project began in 2004 in conjunction with the Working Waterfront Festival, an annual, educational celebration of commercial fishing culture which takes place in New Bedford, MA. Interviewees have included a wide range of individuals connected to the commercial fishing industry and/or other aspects of the port through work or familial ties. While the majority of interviewees are from the port of New Bedford, the project has also documented numerous individuals from other ports around the country. Folklorist and Festival Director Laura Orleans and Community Scholar and Associate Director Kirsten Bendiksen are project leaders. The original recordings reside at the National Council for the Traditional Arts in Maryland with listening copies housed at the Festival's New Bedford office.
Millie Rahn
Erin Heacock
On September 23, 2005, Millie Rahn interviewed Gunnar and John Gundersen as part of the Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project. Gunnar and Johan Gundersen, father and son owners of Scandia Propellers and Supplies, share their experiences and insights regarding their business and the fishing industry.Gunnar describes his early years in Norway, his migration to the United States, and the establishment of Scandia Propellers and Supplies. Gunnar discusses the introduction of hydraulics technology in the New Bedford area and its significance for fishing boats. Johan Gundersen provides further details about his involvement in running the business and growing up in the waterfront community. He shares anecdotes about his grandfathers' experiences during World War II and their subsequent return to Norway. Johan highlights the changes in the hydraulics industry and the differences between east and west coast technologies in the United States. Throughout the interview, Gunnar and Johan touch on topics such as the Norwegian immigrant community in New Bedford, the role of women in socializing through the Lutheran church, and the involvement of different immigrant groups in the fishing industry. They also mention the challenges and advancements in hydraulics technology, the decline in fish stocks, and the future of their family business. Overall, the interview provides valuable insights into the history and operations of Scandia Propellers and Supplies, as well as the broader context of the fishing industry in New Bedford and the experiences of Norwegian immigrants in the United States.
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