James Ulysses Carter
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project
The Working Waterfront Festival Community Documentation Project is an ongoing oral history project documenting the history and culture of the commercial fishing industry and other port trades. The project was begun in 2004 in conjunction with the Working Waterfront Festival, an annual, education 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/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.
Laura Orleans
James Ulysses Carter is an 82-year-old African American male born in Northern County, Virginia. He is a retired commercial fisherman and a musician with the Northern Neck Chantey Singers. Carter's career in the fishing industry began after he completed the eleventh grade. He became a captain in 1963 and served in that role for two years before returning to the position of mate. He retired from fishing in 1989. Carter's experiences in the fishing industry spanned a period of significant technological change, from the use of coal to power steamers to the use of crude oil, and from the absence of bathrooms and showers on boats to their inclusion along with other modern amenities.
Scope and Content Note:
This interview with James Ulysses Carter, conducted by Mike Petillo on September 24, 2011, at the Fairfield Inn during the Working Waterfront Festival, provides a first-hand account of the changes in the fishing industry over several decades. Carter discusses the shift from coal to crude oil as a power source for fishing boats, the extension of the fishing season due to technological advancements, and the evolution of living conditions on fishing boats. He also reflects on his personal journey within the industry, from his start after leaving school to his time as a captain and his eventual retirement. The interview offers valuable insights into the social and cultural characteristics of the fishing community, the role of music, and the impact of technological advancements on the industry.
Please Note: The oral histories in this collection are protected by copyright and have been created for educational, research and personal use as described by the Fair Use Doctrine in the U.S. Copyright law. Please reach out Voices@noaa.gov to let us know how these interviews are being used in your research, project, exhibit, etc. The Voices staff can help provide other useful resources related to your inquiry.
The NOAA mission is to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts, to share that knowledge and information with others, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources. The Voices Oral History Archives offers public access to a wide range of accounts, including historical materials that are products of their particular times, and may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes.
Voices Oral History Archives does not verify the accuracy of materials submitted to us. The opinions expressed in the interviews are those of the interviewee only. The interviews here have been made available to the public only after the interviewer has confirmed that they have obtained consent.