Gunnar Gundersen and Johan Gundersen are a father and son duo who were interviewed on September 23rd, 2005. Gunnar Gundersen, the father, is the owner of Scandia Propellers and Supplies, a business located in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. Gunnar and his wife immigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts from Norway in 1951. Gunnar had worked in the shipyard, Noratlantic Diesel, for ten years before purchasing Thompson Propellers and changing its name to Scandia Propeller Service and Suppliers in 1961. Gunnar brought hydraulics technology to the New Bedford area, making his business one of the first to provide hydraulics for fishing boats in the region.

Johan Gundersen grew up in the family business and has been running it for approximately 20 years at the time of the interview. Johan has been involved in the day-to-day operations of Scandia Propellers and Supplies and has witnessed the changes in the hydraulics and propeller industry. He mentions his family's connection to Norway and the experiences of their grandfathers, who fished in the United States during World War II while the rest of the family stayed in Norway. After the war, when the Norwegian economy improved, they returned to Norway. Scandia Propellers and Supplies has been serving various types of boats, including fishing boats, passenger vessels, and pleasure boats. The business has a strong presence in New Bedford, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod. Gunnar and Johan have witnessed the evolution of fishing boats, noting improvements in size and safety. However, they also express concerns about the decline in fish stocks over the years.

Scope and Content Note:
The interview conducted on September 23rd, 2005, features Gunnar and Johan Gundersen, owners of Scandia Propellers and Supplies, sharing their experiences and insights regarding their business and the fishing industry. The interview captures Gunnar's 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.