Tag: 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

Blogs by Philip, San FranciscoLeave a comment

Emily F. Whitney: The Untold Stories of a Downeaster Ship

Philip Chiao

The wooden full rigger, Emily F. Whitney, an American downeaster, had a long and interesting history: The clipper ship was built in East Boston by Abiel Grove in 1880 for J. H. Flitmer of Boston & Leonard Whitney of Watertown Massachusetts, & L. A. Roby of Nashua New Hampshire. Her first commander was Captain Henry B. Rollins. It was 1207 net tonnage and 193 feet in length, with a 37.8 ft breadth and 23 ft depth. For her first 17 years, she was managed by J. H. Flitner & Co. of Boston and was in trade to San Francisco and … Continue reading Emily F. Whitney: The Untold Stories of a Downeaster Ship

Alaska, APA, Blogs by Kristin, historyLeave a comment

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

Blogs by Jim, WashingtonLeave a comment

My Trip to Seattle, Nov. 2024

jimchiao

Wa left Union Station in Portland early in the morning, and arrived at King St. Station in Seattle some three and half hours later. We stepped out of the station, and arrived at a city that was so familiar and yet strange to me. It was familiar because I spent four years at University of Washington in Seattle from 1969 to 1973. It was strange because the city landscape has changed so much over the past 50+ years. Before the 3-day trip, I have set a goal to visit the following three places in Seattle: 1. University of Washington, 2. … Continue reading My Trip to Seattle, Nov. 2024

Alaska, Blogs by KristinLeave a comment

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

Alaska, Blogs by Kristin, California, history, San FranciscoLeave a comment

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

Alaska, Blogs by JimLeave a comment

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

Blogs by Jim, San FranciscoLeave a comment

Grant Ave. SF, now and 100 years ago

jimchiao

Two weeks ago, on Nov. 15th, I visited San Francisco downtown. It was my first visit to downtown area since the start of the pandemic, and it just happens to be during the week of Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). I decided to trace the route on Grant Ave as described in Max Stern’s 1922 articles The Price of Salmon, which my brother & I re-published as a book last year. Stern was an investigative newspaper reporter who was assigned to join a Chinese gang and sailed to Bristol Bay to work in Wood River salmon cannery — in an effort … Continue reading Grant Ave. SF, now and 100 years ago

Alaska, Blogs by Kristin, Chinese Contract System, history, San FranciscoLeave a comment

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