Wes Birdsong

Location of Interview
Collection Name

Florida's Forgotten Coast

Description

Florida's Forgotten Coast oral history collection includes twenty-one interviews documenting the seafood industry in Franklin County, FL, with an emphasis on Apalachicola, plus two interviews relating to tupelo honey. Original Collection Housed at Archives & Special Collections at the University of Mississippi and online at www.southernfoodways.com.

Interviewer
Date of Interview
03-25-2006
Transcribers

Shelley Chance

Principal Investigator
Audio
Transcript
Biographical Sketch

Oringinally from Atlanta, Wes Birdsong and his wife sailed into Apalachicola in 1996. They docked their boat in town at the Deep Water Marina & Boatyard. It soon it became obvious to Wes that the marina needed some attention, so he took it upon himself to become caretaker of the place and help service the boats. Deep Water Marina, once the only working boatyard in the area, serviced all of the commercial fishing boats in Apalachicola. It was also a place for recreational boats to dry dock for repairs. In 2006 the Deep Water Marina & Boatyard closed. Shrimpers and fisherman are struggling to find a local place to service their boats. It will be hard for them to afford a water tow to another boatyard in the area, of which there are few. Once a commercial fish house, this marina is now relegated to the past--a story on the lips of the people who relied on it for decades.

Scope and Content Note
The interview is conducted with Wes Birdsong, who is the caretaker of a boatyard in Apalachicola, Florida. Wes discusses his background and how he ended up in Apalachicola. He talks about the history of the area and its connection to cotton and seafood industries. Wes explains the importance of the boatyard for the local shrimp boats and the negative impact its closure would have on them. He mentions the lack of good boatyards in the area and the difficulties faced by shrimpers in getting their boats repaired. Wes also discusses the economic challenges faced by the fishing industry due to competition with imported seafood. He predicts that if the boatyard closes permanently, several shrimp boats will sink in their slips due to the lack of maintenance and repair facilities. He discusses the boatyard's history and its role in the local fishing community. Wes highlights the employment opportunities provided by the boatyard and the potential loss of jobs if it shuts down. The interview touches on the attempts to set cement pylons in the land but facing difficulties. The interview also covers daily activities at the boatyard, rates for services, and the economic activity generated. WB questions the economic feasibility of hotel and condominium development in the area, criticizing the profit-driven nature of construction and its potential negative impact on the community. Overall, the interview provides insights into the importance of the boatyard for the local community and the challenges faced by the fishing industry in the area.


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