Phil Ashworth
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.
Janice Gadaire Fleuriel
Phil Ashworth is a 49-year-old former fisherman of European American descent, residing in Dartmouth, Massachusetts]. He was born and raised primarily in New Bedford and its surrounding areas. Ashworth comes from a family with a rich history in the city of New Bedford. His grandfather served as the chief of police in the 1950s and 60s, and his father was a fisherman and a state trooper. Ashworth himself has a deep connection with the sea, having spent a significant part of his life as a fisherman. He is also a fisher poet, expressing his experiences and the life of a fisherman through his poetry. His home port for fishing was New Bedford.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with Phil Ashworth, conducted by Janice Gadaire Fleuriel on September 23, 2007, provides a detailed account of Ashworth's life as a fisherman and his experiences at sea. Ashworth shares his family history, his personal experiences as a fisherman, and his respect for the Coast Guard. He also recounts several incidents from his fishing days, including practical jokes played on fellow crew members, and a near-death experience during a storm at sea. Ashworth's vivid descriptions of life at sea, including the dangers faced by fishermen, provide a unique perspective on the fishing industry in New Bedford, Massachusetts. His recollections of storms, injuries, and the camaraderie among crew members offer a glimpse into the challenges and rewards of a fisherman's life. The interview also includes Ashworth's poetry, which further illustrates his experiences and emotions related to his fishing career. His respect and admiration for the Coast Guard, who he credits with saving his life, are also a significant part of the discussion. This interview provides valuable insights into the life and work of fishermen in New Bedford, as well as the dangers they face and the strong bonds they form.
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.