Times Have Changed Over Mere 30 Years
ALEX POUTTU of Sointula sent along the accompanying picture of three Sointula fishermen on a "nice August morning away back in the year 1934." Here's his description of the picture:
"Three of the handpulling gillnet fleet trolling around Deer Island in front of the Port Hardy Airport after taking in the Rivers Inlet sockeye run.
"That's Ray Tanner standing in the stern of his power skiff, converted from one of those old cannery sail skiffs, with a 4 hp Easthope engine. Onni Pouttu in my boat is holding a nice coho in front of his Shaking Mermaid, powered with a 5 hp Palmer. No wonder, with all that power! She was also converted from an old cannery sailboat.
"That's me, Alex Pouttu, with a frying pan making a mugup for the boys. My boat is one of those gas boats built by the late John Anderson in 1927 with a 6 hp East-hope.
"Those were the good old days, as they say. Who would have dreamed how much time have changed? Only 30 years ago, with our small gasboats, we had all the water to ourselves.
"That place is no more for fishing boats, only for airplanes in various sizes that swoop down the way the eagles did before."
NORTHERN RIPPLES
Longline Welfare Fund Still Has Question Mark
WILL all 1 o n g 1 i n e r s be covered by the welfare
fund?
Although the longline welfare fund was started nearly a decade ago and many longliners have received benefits from it, very few Prince Rupert long-liners are even covered by the fund.
At the present time the UFAWU does not hold a long-line agreement with the Prince Rupert Vessel Owners so all longliners fishing on boats owned and operated by the Prince Rupert Vessel Owners have not been part of the welfare fund.
Discussions with the Prince Rupert Vessel Owners last weekend provided that all longliners will have the contribution to the longline welfare fund made on their behalf. However, we may still have a situation where some men on the boat will be covered and others not covered.
The Deep Sea Fishermen's Union and the Prince Rupert Vessel Owners have until April 25, 1965, to decide whether or not they want to be covered by the fund.
In any case, for the first time, all UFAWU members sailing on Rupert boats will be covered by
FISH AND SHIPS
By GEORGE NORTH
WE'VE put my name on Fish and Ships this week because I wanted to speak personally about my early association with Bill Rigby, friend and mentor. My first acquaintance with Bill was at Broadway Printers more than 22 years ago where we occasionally met while carrying out our respective work, his as editor of The Fisherman and mine as editor of the 756 Review, publication of Lodge 756, International Association of Machinists.
We had a lockout at Boeing Aircraft in 1943 and agreement was reached by the executive and shop stewards after hours of meetings that took us well into the night that a recommendation for a return to work should be made. Two of us were assigned to prepare a leaflet for distribution at a mass meeting the following day explaining why we should return to work. After working all night, we arrived at Broadway Printers with a draft that lacked enthusiasm, and was indeed weak.
I met Bill, showed him the copy and desperately asked his advice. Bill looked it over, coined the slogan "Back to Back the Attack", sharpened up the leaflet in other ways and later the same day we were among those at the gates of the Old Athletic Park distributing it. The leaflet was highly praised and so were we but it was unsung Bill who should have got a large share of the credit.
He finally prevailed on me, after some months of persuasion, to join The Fisherman as his assistant in 1944, and many times during the first year I had my doubts and even regrets. Bill was a hard taskmaster who remade pages in the middle of the night and left me to pick up the pieces. When he became secretary treasurer and I editor a year later, I could say I never worked harder nor learned more than in those 12 months under his expert tutelage. But he never gave less than he expected.
Bill had a brilliant mind. His one weakness of which he was always aware, was a tendency to write in the complicated manner in which his intellect operated. He made studied efforts to simplify his style and the result was often outstanding editorials and articles. Every hand written word and phrase was carefully considered.
His detailed, documented, and powerful arguments in early years of negotiation, in his briefs, and in fact in all the work he did, stand as tributes to his devotion to the cause he espoused.
But we wanted merely to recall briefly our very early association with him on the paper. The other story we have written elsewhere. We remember vividly his insistence on facts, on accuracy, and his admonition: "If in doubt, leave it out."
He is gone now, but he left a legacy of literary honesty that we hope is reflected in The Fisherman of today.
★ * ★
Olaf Wick, a crewman on the Camaano Sound during the past herring season, and who plans on being part of the crew on halibut, had the misfortune of suffering a very bad cut to his right arm while slashing bush along the fence at his home. Olaf was using a tool similar to a bait chopper or heading knife at the time. He apparently severed muscles, tendon and a nerve as a result of the cut but hopes to be able to go out on halibut.
★ ★ ★
A brief note comes from Lars Larson of Ladner along with money for his classified ad in The Fisherman. Lars had a gill-netter for sale and says "Thank you. We did get results."
★ ★ ★
We're thinking of following the example of the Vancouver Times and reserving space for an advertisement that never comes. We won't mention the name of the firm at this moment but we will urge all readers to deal with engine companies which advertise in The Fisherman.
★ ★ ★
The brand, spanking new Shoal Bay Lodge on Thurlow Island offers many attractions to commercial fishermen, probably the most important being that the fleet will always be welcome. As a sign of this attitude, Bert Holliday and Bob Graham, who are in charge, have installed shower and laundry facilities especially for fishermen. In addition, they have a well stocked general store, complete marine facilities, and report that new floats are soon to be installed. Harold Abbott, former member of the UFAWU, is mechanic. The lodge has 12 rooms with full hotel facilities, and that, fisherman Fred Henke tells us, includes licensed premises, no small attraction in that part of the country. In addition to the lodge itself, there are four cabins. It sounds to us as though this may well become a popular stopping off place for all sections of the fleet.
★ ★ ★
John Karen of Ladner, an old time gillnetter and honorary member, suffered a stroke while on his way to se Aag Koppe-rud in the Fishermen's Settle-
ment Service about his income tax. John is 77 years old and gillnets a bit each season. He formerly owned the gillnetter Bobby which he sold in 1960. His present boat appears to have no name. John is now in B6, Heather Pavilion, where his condition is reported as "satisfactory."
★ ★ -k
Matti Laukkanen recently returned from Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories after spending several years logging and doing one line trolling in a small boat. He found it too much for him and decided to try his hand trolling on the west coast. Trolling here is a new experience and he hopes he can make it a success. He bought the troller C Hawk from R. Guldberg of Vancouver. Matti subscribes to The Fisherman.
★ ★ ★ Veteran Union member Magne
Rabben, halibut fisherman and tenderman, is in Shaughnessy Hospital.
★ * ★
We missed Lars Dahl, old time Union member and halibut fisherman, when he dropped in to the Fishermen's Hall Thursday. Lars was boat delegate on the Sentinella last season but He has now retired and is living with his daughter in Vernon. We wish him the very best.
★ ★ *
Paul Benson of Vancouver, recently purchased a new Penta diesel and keel cooler from Northern Engine and Equipment Ltd. He himself installed the engine in his 40 foot troller William Paul. Chris Gallagher of the troller Bora towed Paul's boat into Osborne Shipyard where he will have the keel cooler installed. The two boats will be leaving for the grounds soon.
★ * *
Alex Cheredaryk of Vancouver sold his gillnetter Wild Goose a few years ago and acquired the 42 foot troller Commander. Alex has had some hard luck with the sinking of his boat and later breaking in as a troller. He hopes this year will prove more profitable.
★ ★ ★
Paul Strom will try his hand at trolling for a change. Paul purchased the 35 foot troller Martha a few months ago from Lawrence Peterson who has now retired. Paul is a well known halibut skipper, reporting a fair season on the Alla-verdy last year.
★ * ★
Hal Griffin has been a flu bug victim this past 10 days, but we expect him back next week.
the longline welfare fund. However, if a vessel is sunk and the crew loses personal belongings, those covered by the long-line welfare will receive benefits while others will not. One thing is certain and that is that there will be misunderstandings and hard feelings.
Why should some members of one crew be covered while others are not? This can be explained to the crew members concerned perhaps, but what happens if the accident is worse and instead of explaining the difference to crew members, the explanations have to be made to the widows?
Naturally the hope is that the Deep Sea Fishermen's Union and the Prince Rupert Vessel Owners will decide to participate in the welfare fund.
One further problem caused by this half baked situation is in the medical plan for longliners.
All UFAWU members are required to participate in the medical plan, that is all those not covered by a herring plan or those covered in the Co-op fishermen's group plan.
The Deep Sea Fishermen's Union and the Prince Rupert Vessel Owners will have to decide as an organisation if they want to participate in the long-line medical plan.
During clearances, we find many Deep Sea members who want to be in the plan but may not -be able to depending on the decision of their organisation. The problem is that members may be misled unintentionally.
All Deep Sea and Vessel Owners Association members are required to fill in the medical plan form which will be held until word is received
from their respective organisation, as to their participation.
These crewmen are being told that even though they sign a medical plan form they will only be enrolled if a favorable decision is made by their organisation. In other words, you may be covered and you may not. Don't get sick or don't let any members of your family get sick until you are sure you have the coverage.
As a result of last weekend's discussion, each individual vessel owner is signing a separate memorandum.
It is hoped that negotiations will soon be underway with the Prince Rupert Vessel Owners on a proper basis, and final agreements will be worked out with the Deep Sea Union so all longline fishermen whether in Prince Rupert or elsewhere will be covered by the longline welfare fund and the longline medical plan.
★ ★ ★
Prince Rupert Fishermen's Local secretary treasurer, Ken Harris, will be in Steveston on April 14 turning in one gillnet boat and taking out another. The Granville Rock will be turned in and we understand the Barrett Rock will come out in its place. Ken intends to fish Area 2 halibut and later Skeena sockeye and pinks.
★ * ★
Manual Costa of BC Packers Seal Cove plant is still in Prince Rupert Hospital. He went into the hospital about three weeks ago because of poor circulation in his legs.
★ * ★
Fran May, fresh fish worker at the Prince Rupert Fishermen's Co-op is also spending some time in the hospital. We hope your stay in there won't be for too long.
WINJO WRITES
SOME people just never will learn that the elements are not, something to fool around with, especially this time of the year.
I heard of an incident that could have turned into a very tragic fishing trip. All it takes to prevent such a trip is to phone the weather office and get information on the weather for that day. This could save an awful lot of tossing around,
and perhaps a serious accident. It is one thing to be caught in a blow, but it is not a wise thing to go looking for trouble by deliberately going out when the Gulf is rough, or going anywhere when it's blowing. ★ ★ ★
ON FRIDAY EVENING, April 2, I took a trip up to Sunbury, sort of to visit old friends and perhaps chew the fat for a while.
Well it turned out to be quite an evening. The first place I stopped at was at Ornof Stega-vick's. I met his charming wife and family. From there we went on to their new hall. This is the first time I was ever in this hall, and you can bet that the Sunbury residents did themselves proud in building it.
It is a fine piece of work, and I understand all the labor was voluntary. They are mighty proud of this building.
Last Friday evening was the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Flew-welling. Quite a large crowd was there, a lot of whom I knew. Of course, the one person I looked for was an elderly gentleman who is a sort of trade mark in Sunbury, Ingman Iverson.
It was many years ago when I met Ingman Iverson, during my skiff fishing days in the
early 1930s. It was then that I met two other skiff fishermen, two of his younger sons—the late Walter Iverson and Bruce Iverson.
Many a meal I had on Ing-man's gillnetter. He used to feed his two sons and I looked hungry so he sort of adopted me. Maybe he figured I wasn't eating too well. Of course, the facilities on a skiff were poor— a little primus stove that did not work too well, and it was pretty hard to keep dry on these skiffs. If it didn't rain, the water would come in through the cracks in the bottom, so no matter how it came in it was pump, pump, pump. It was a rough way to make a living but we managed to survive.
Those days I will always remember, but most of all I will never forget Ingman Iverson. I was a stranger, but that made no difference to him. "You look hungry, young fella, come aboard and have something to eat with us." These things one does not forget.
★ * ★
AT THE WEDDING ANNI-versary party I mentioned, I was asked a question that has been asked of me many, many times this past few weeks: "WHO IS THE DUCHESS?" Well, I haven't seen nor heard from her in a long time, so I don't know where she is or how she is, and I can't tell you who she is.
But I wish her well, and I hope all of you do too. So that's all for now.
COMING EVENTS
OLD TIMERS' DINNER Saturday, April 24
FISHERMEN'S HALL
HALIBUT DINNER Friday, May 14
FISHERMEN'S HALL
Adults $1.25 Children 75c
THE FISHERMAN - April 9, 1965