Thomas Galbraith
The Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Hudson River Commercial Fishermen’s Oral History Collection
The Hudson River Maritime Museum’s Hudson River Commercial Fishermen’s Oral History Collection consists of interviews with commercial fishermen conducted in the early 1980s and early 1990s. Locations discussed range from New York City to Albany and time periods from the 1920s to the 1990s. The focus of these interviews is primarily on the decline of the commercial fishing industry, including changes in fishing techniques and gear, changes in water quality and pollution, economic and market changes, and changes in fishing populations, including government regulation.
Content note: Some of the terminology used in these interviews reflects the time period and personalities of the people being interviewed and not that of the Hudson River Maritime Museum or New York Heritage.
You can explore this collection and others at: https://nyheritage.org/collections/oral-histories-hudson-river-commercial-fishermen
On July 11, 1993, Marguerite Holloway interviewed Thomas Galbraith in Croton, New York, for the Hudson River Maritime Museum. In this interview, Galbraith reflects on his experiences as a commercial fisherman on the Hudson River, starting in the late 1970s. He discusses learning the trade under the mentorship of Henry Gourdine, including the construction of fishing boats and techniques for shad fishing. He details the economic challenges of shad fishing, the changing population of fish, and the environmental and regulatory pressures that shaped his career. Galbraith also recounts his transition to sturgeon fishing, sharing insights on fishing techniques, net construction, and the processing and marketing of caviar. He describes the camaraderie among fishermen, his interactions with the Department of Environmental Conservation, and his observations on the environmental health of the Hudson River. Galbraith comments on the declining participation in commercial fishing and its implications for the river’s heritage.
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.