Category: Alaska

Alaska, Blogs by Kristin, history1 Comment

Canned Salmon During World War I

Kristin Wong

This image, from around 1913, offers a glimpse into the operations of a salmon cannery situated in either Oregon or Washington. It features eight men engrossed in the precision-driven task of manually weighing one-pound cans of salmon, a process essential to maintaining consistent product quality and compliance with industry standards. The backdrop reveals neatly stacked cans of salmon, a testament to their laborious efforts. This snapshot captures the rigorous, hands-on nature of food processing in the early 20th century, emphasizing the reliance on human skill and meticulous attention to detail during an era when automated machinery was limited. Beyond its … Continue reading Canned Salmon During World War I

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The Star of Bengal Shipwreck 1908

Kristin Wong

The Star of Bengal was a 263 foot three-masted iron-hulled bark that was acquired by the Alaska Packers Association (APA) in 1905 as part of their fleet of ships. Those outside of the seafood industry were converting from iron-hulled and wooden ships to steam powered vessels which were faster and more reliable. However, the APA sought to save money by using these older vessels because it was cheaper to operate and they were suited for the harsh Alaskan waters. On September 19, 1908, the Star of Bengal was the last ship to depart from the Wrangell cannery in southeastern Alaska, … Continue reading The Star of Bengal Shipwreck 1908

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The Silver Horde Film

Kristin Wong

I thought that it would be interesting to watch this movie because it took place in Alaska at a salmon cannery in the 1920s and was loosely based on the real life adventurer, Crescent Porter Hale (1872-1937). He had built 9 salmon canneries in Bristol Bay, Alaska in which 2 of them remain open (Peterson Point and Ekuk canneries). He also acquired other canneries over the years and became a prolific businessman in the salmon canning industry. I really did not know what to expect from the movie or know how much of it would take place in an actual … Continue reading The Silver Horde Film

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“Illness among Chinese recently returned from Salmon Canneries of Alaska” -October 30, 1900

Kristin Wong

The journalist Max Stern, of the book “The Price of Salmon” edited by James and Philip Chiao, may have given the readers of the San Francisco Daily News in 1922 his own first hand accounts of the horrible living conditions aboard the Emily F. Whitney as it travelled from Pier 29 in San Francisco to the salmon cannery in Bristol Bay that summer. He went on to describe the the unsanitary conditions, segregation by ethnicities, and the awful food that they were given. It seems like things did not change by the time he boarded that ship because 22 years … Continue reading “Illness among Chinese recently returned from Salmon Canneries of Alaska” -October 30, 1900

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San Francisco Maritime Museum “The Price of Salmon” Book Presentation

Kristin Wong

On June 2nd, 2024, James, Philip, and I were invited by the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park to participate in their Labor History Talks Series, which focuses on the nuances of … Continue reading San Francisco Maritime Museum “The Price of Salmon” Book Presentation

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San Diego Maritime Museum- Star Of India

Kristin Wong

Star of India was built by Gibson, McDonald, and Arnold in 1863 in Ransey, Isle of Man in England as was one of the first to use iron in the hull rather than the usual wood. This vessel was originally named Euterpe after the Greek muse of music and poetry. She made several voyages between Great Britain and India carrying cargo. Then in 1872 she was sold to Shaw Saville Line of London and was used to transport emigrants and cargo to New Zealand and Australia. Between 1872 and 1898, she eventually travelled the distance equal to circumnavigating the globe … Continue reading San Diego Maritime Museum- Star Of India

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1952 ILWU Yearbook

jimchiao

For the last 4-5 years, I have established a friendship with Fred Wong, the legendary foreman who had worked in Alaska canneries for more than 50 years, starting in 1953 when he was 18 years old. Except for two and half years service in the army, he continued his work in Alitak cannery from 1954 to 2008. I have never met him in person, but I love to chat with him about his experience and trade cannery stories. We have communicated by phone, through Zoom and emails over the years. I have also exchanged holiday greetings with him the past … Continue reading 1952 ILWU Yearbook

Alaska, Blogs by Kristin, California, Chinese Contract System, history1 Comment

The California Schooner Sails to Klawock, Alaska in 1878 with 18 Chinese Laborers

Kristin Wong

With the first salmon canneries set to open in southeast Alaska in 1878, the transcontinental railroad labor contractor Sisson, Wallace, and Co. in San Francisco created a new company called the North Pacific Packing and Trading Company. They intended to transform some of the existing fish salteries in Alaska into salmon canneries. They prepared the schooner California with needed supplies and also Chinese laborers which they had plenty of from the completion of the railroad construction. This included 120 tons of equipment for a steam sawmill and cannery, 50 tons of tin, along with the first 18 Chinese laborers to … Continue reading The California Schooner Sails to Klawock, Alaska in 1878 with 18 Chinese Laborers

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Alaskan Salmon Canneries Open in 1878

Kristin Wong

The Alaskan territory was purchased by the United States from Russia on October 18, 1867 for a mere $7.2 million. Many were starting to discover the abundant natural resources that were there. Before the very first salmon canneries opened in Southeast Alaska in 1878, there were already a few cod and salmon salteries in Klawock, located on the west coast of Prince of Whales Island. In 1869, one was operated by George Hamilton and was called Hamilton’s Fishery, where they caught and brined the fish in salt which were then packed into barrels and sold. They also produced cod oil … Continue reading Alaskan Salmon Canneries Open in 1878

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Orca Cannery, Cordova

jimchiao

This is an 1899 photo shows buildings of the Orca salmon cannery along the shore, mountain background, waters of Orca Inlet in foreground. The cannery was constructed by the Pacific Steam Whaling Company in 1889 in Cordova, and moved to its present location in 1895. I worked at Orca Cannery in 1971, and it was an unforgettable experience. Before Orca, I had worked in Waterfall (SE Alaska 1970), and Egegik (Bristol Bay 1971), but none of them prepared me for the one month at Orca in 1971. It was July 1971, towards the end of the season, I was working … Continue reading Orca Cannery, Cordova