The Men of the Marauder The New Generation

I happened to look out the kitchen window and noticed that the Puratich have some of their nets in the driveway ready to be taken for loading on their boats for the summer fishing season.  It reminded me that it would be a good time to revisit another of the early fishing families of Gig Harbor.  With that in mind, here is Lee Makovich’s story.

The Men of the Marauder 

The New Generation

(Out of The Past by Lee Makovich)

The Fishermen’s News February 2002

“In the operation of their combination-fishing vessel Marauder, Joe and Bob Puratich characterize a new age in the modern, commercial fishing industry.  These men demonstrate a truly impressive representation of the new generation that has risen to the forefront in the fishing community.  Joe piratic is the talented skipper of the versatile, Gig Harbor based Marauder, and his brother Bob is an equally important contributor in the vessel’s operation.

“I’m the skipper,” says Joe, “but Bob handles just about everything else.  He takes care of the maintenance of the boat and all of the fishing gear.  He also deals with the bookkeeping that is involved in the operation and he is an equal partner in the boat.  It’s a fifty-fifty partnership, and as skipper, I probably receive more credit than I deserve for the accomplishments we achieve.  But along with that, I also take the blame for anything that might go wrong.  We consider ourselves to be a low profile operation, but we have a good relationship and we’ve done pretty well over the years.”

“The Marauder is as finely equipped and as modern a fishing vessel as any in the industry.  And Joe might like to refer to his operation as ‘low profile.’  But I think that could be a bit of a stretch, considering the success these men have experienced in an expanding fishing industry.  No, not low profile Joe.  Everyone in the fishing community, from the Shumagin Islands to Southern California, is aware of the success the Marauder and the Puratich brothers have achieved.

“Joe and Bob Puratich are recognized leaders in this new generation of commercial fishermen.  They are men who surely represent the new, but they also continue to represent a legacy and a tradition of a past generation.  A tradition which was handed down from father to son, to son, for nearly a century.  The Puratich family has been continuously involved in the fishing industry from a time, long before most of us were born.  From the mid teens to the present day, there has never been a time when a Puratich owned vessel was not engaged in a commercial fishery of one kind or another.  More on that in a moment.

“The 58’ seine style Marauder was built by Delta at the Duwamish Waterway in 1991.  She was one of the latest models of the vessels that Delta produced at the time and she was the third boat of that design to be built at the facility.  She was powered by a 3412 Caterpillar diesel and her Alaska limit length allowed her to be an even more versatile fishing boat.  The Alaska limit length is somewhat of a deception in the configuration of this capable fishing vessel.Of course, a side view of the Marauder reveals a rather short appearing boat.  But a view of the bow, when she’s heading straight toward you, for example, is truly impressive.  From that position, she looks like a mighty battle ship.

“I had the pleasure of a recent tour of this extraordinary example of modern innovation and technology.  Aboard the Marauder, one has the feeling of being on a much larger boat.  The pilothouse is spacious and bright, with enough room for an array of electronic equipment and hydraulic controls.  Also, visibility from the steering station is truly exceptional.  On deck, there is an ample area for all of the equipment necessary to participate in a variety of fisheries.  

“And in the working area for the crew, one finds an open and strategically configured arrangement.  All of the gear and rigging is situated in easily accessible locations, allowing the crew to work in a relatively safe and extremely productive manner.  And for this writer, I must observe that the mighty Marauder  is as efficient and effective a fishing vessel as I have ever been aboard.  If a new and innovative advancement of some kind is introduced into the industry, you will surely find it aboard the Marauder.  Joe and Bob Puratich will make sure of that.

“When I spoke to Joe recently, he and Bob were readying the Marauder for a trip to the Shumagin Islands for the first fishery of the year.  ‘We’ll have a brief opening for a pollack fishery,’ Joe said, ‘and then we will concentrate our efforts in fishing for Pacific cod out of Sand Point, Alaska until early April.  The pollack is a mid water trawl operation and the cod is both a mid water and bottom fishing operation.’

Joe Puratich iPhoto from article 

“Each year is different for Joe and Bob and some years are busier than others for various reasons.  But very often, there have been times when the Puratich brothers have kept the Marauder working for nearly 11 months out of the year.  It is not an unusual occurrence for the Marauder to work the cod fishery out of Sand Point, Alaska and to also participate in sardine and squid fishing operations in Southern California just a short time later.  Never mind that the two fishing areas are a mere few thousand miles apart.

“And then of course, the men also participate in salmon seining in Southeast Alaska, along with working an occasional, brief salmon opening in Puget Sound.  Oh, and I almost forgot. Joe and Bob might also engage in a bit of sardine or pilchard fishing out of Astoria, Oregon as well.  Did I mention that the Puratich brothers’ Marauder is a very versatile fishing vessel?  I think that perhaps I may have.

“As I mentioned earlier, the Puratich family’s commercial fishing tradition goes back for nearly a century.  Joe and Bob’s grandfather, Paul Puratich, had migrated to the Northwest from what was then known as Yugoslavia in the early 1900s.  He settled in Gig Harbor and became involved in the fishing business immediately after his arrival.

iPhone Photo of Paul Puratich from original article

“The date of his first venture into the industry remains unknown.  But we are aware that Paul was a crew member aboard pioneer skipper Andrew Skansie’s purse seiner Spokane as early as 1917.  It is believed that the senior Puratich worked as a crewman aboard other fishing boats for several years prior to that time.

“What is known for certain, is that Mr. Puratich’s first fishing vessel, the 62’ purse seiner Emancipator, was launched from the Skansie Shipyard at Gig Harbor in 1918.  His first venture into boat ownership was a major undertaking to say the least.  There is no question that the Emancipator was a substantial and effective purse seiner for her time.  The trim vessel was originally powered by a 50 h.p. Frisco Standard gas engine.

“The total cost of the Emancipator’s  construction, including everything necessary to go out fishing, amounted to the mind-boggling sum of almost $6,000.  But that was a very substantial investment for a brand new vessel in those early days of the commercial fishing industry.  Now owned by the Barhanovich family of Everett, Washington, the Emancipator remains active as a fish buyer and packer in the Puget Sound area.

“Like his grandsons, the elder Puratich was also a commercial boat owner who believed strongly in the diversification of his fishing operations.  He was not only a proficient skipper in salmon fisheries, in both Alaska and Puget Sound, but he was also an early participant in the heyday era of California and Oregon sardine fishing.  Several of the fishing boats Paul Piratic would later own were constructed specifically for the purpose of being employed in a number of different fisheries.

“In 1924, Mr. Puratich became involved in a brief partnership, along with pioneer skippers, Mike Katich and Andrew Gilich, in the ownership of the 65’ purse seiner Mt. Tacoma.  At once point in time, the Mt. Tacoma was used as a packer and trap tender while she was owned by the famed Buchan & Heinen Packing Company.  The vessel’s name was eventually changed to Pansy and she was later acquired by Donald McCallum of King Cove, Alaska.  The Pansy foundered in a fierce storm near Pavlof, Alaska, while under charter in 1973.

“Just two years later, Mr. Puratic had the substantial, 69’ purse seiner Venus constructed at the Conrad Anderson Shipyard in Gig Harbor.  Shortly after the vessel slid down the shipyard’s ways, in the spring on 1926, she was fitted with an extremely advanced engine for the time.  Puratich chose a magnificent, 90 h.p. Atlas Imperial diesel to supply power for his new fishing boat.  That four-cylinder diesel was a truly innovative engine selection in the mid-1920s.  Puratich retained the Venus for just a couple of years.  She was then sold to the Snug Harbor Packing Company and many years and many owners later, she was left to die on a lonely beach at Halibut Bay, near Sitka, Alaska in about 1973.

“Perhaps one of the most classic of the various fishing vessels Mr. Puratich owned was the sleek, 66’ combination purse seiner Lone Eagle.  The vessel was of course, named in honor of Charles Lindbergh’s trans-Atlantic flight with the Spirit of St. Louis.  Well, Puratich’s Lone Eagle may not have traveled across the Atlantic Ocean as the other “Lone Eagle” did, but she surely covered a wide area of the Pacific Ocean during her tenure in the fishing industry.  Sadly, the good old Lone Eagle was lost when she collided with the United States Navy destroyer Crosby, 18 miles northwest of Point Arguello, California on April 8, 1940.  Thankfully, there were no injuries or loss of life reported in the accident.

“The Lone Eagle was also the training ground for Joe and Bob’s father, John Puratich.  There are several nostalgic photographs that show John aboard the Lone Eagle at a very young age.  Like Joe and Bob, John (Johnnie) Puratich, literally grew up aboard his father’s fishing boat.  In 1945, Paul and John Puratich decided to combine their resources in the construction of a new sardine seiner.  The California sardine fishery was booming and the men wanted to have a vessel built which would be able to compete with any fishing boat on the entire West Coast.

“The goal was surely accomplished when the brand new, 86’ Puratich sardine seiner slid down the ways of the Peterson Shipyard in Tacoma in the winter of 1945.  This new vessel was truly as fine a sardine as any that had ever been employed in the fishery, past or present.  Powered by a state of the art, 400 h.p. Enterprise diesel, the new vessel was capable as well as one of the most beautiful fishing vessels I have ever seen.  She was named Marauder, a name used again some 46 years later, when Joe and Bob had their new seiner laughed at Delta on the Duwamish Waterway.

“As we are all aware, the sardine fishery fell on extremely hard times just a few years later after the original Marauder was built.  Consequently, and perhaps fortunately for the Puratich family, the sleek beauty was sold to California interests and she never returned to the Northwest.  Her name was changed to Southern Explorer and she continued to operate in several fisheries in Southern California and Mexican waters for the next 18 years or so.  She met her demise when she reportedly ran aground and sank near the breakwater at Los Angeles on October 23, 1968.

“  Paul Puratich eventually retired and his son John acquired the 70’ purse seiner St. Anthony in the late 1940s.  The St, Anthony was built at the Skansie Shipyard at Gig Harbor in 1930 and was one of the last of the heyday vessels constructed at that facility.  She was powered by a 135 h.p. Washington diesel and she was also a versatile vessel, fishing for sardine and salmon along the West Coast for a number of years.  She was also used as a packer on several occasions, prior to the time John Puratich acquired the vessel.

“I should mention here, that Paul Puratich was lured out of retirement in 1947 by top producing, seine skipper Spiro Babich.  Paul was persuaded to go along with Spiro’s son, the late Pete Babich, and help out in Pete’s first year of running a purse seiner at the Salmon Banks.  Pete skippered the Invincible that summer and he once told me that Mr. Puratich was a great help to him in his first year as a skipper.  ‘He never told me how to run the boat,’ Pete said, ‘but he would offer advice and encouragement on many occasions.  I admired him very much for his assistance, and he certainly helped to make my job easier.’

“As for the versatile St. Anthony, she was soon repowered by a 343 Cat diesel and Puratich sold the vessel a few years later.  John purchased the limit seiner St. Janet and he and his sons operated that vessel until the launching of Joe and Bob’s current fishing boat, the Delta built Marauder.  A terribly tragic event occurred in the mid-1960s that caused the demise of the St. Anthony, along with the loss of her entire crew.  After she was sold, the St. Anthony became involved in the Alaska king crab fishery.  All aboard were lost when she foundered during a violent storm off Puale Bay, Alaska on December 3, 1967.

St. Janet - Harbor History Museum SmugMug Bfsh-209-GH.jpeg

“The late John Puratich was a pioneer in the Northwest hake fishery as well.  And typical of the Puratich fishing operations, he kept the St. Janet busy for most of the year.  Bob and Joe went out fishing with their father when they were very young.  Bob was just seven years old when he first spent time aboard his father’s fishing boat and Joe began when he was about eight years old.  These men have never known any other way of life since they were practically babies and they have no intention of changing that way of life at any time in the near future.  Joe and Bob Puratich have a great boat to work with and then of course, they are the men of the Marauder, the new generation.”

Crew of St. Janet - Harbor History Museum SmugMug BC-002-GH.jpeg

• Out of The Past by Lee Makovich, The Fishermen’s News February 2002
• iPhone Photo 

Note:

• Out of The Past by Lee Makovich, The Fishermen’s News February 2002

  

© 2012 Harbor History Museum. All rights reserved.

Nick Jerovich Jr., A Third Generation on the Oregon Coast

Out of the Past 

Lee Makovich

Nick Jerovich Jr., A Third Generation on the Oregon Coast

September 2002

I watch Nick Jerkovich Jr. skillfully guide his Delta seiner Pacific Raider under the Megler Bridge in Astoria, Oregon and out across the Columbia River Bar into the mighty Pacific Ocean.  The sardines are back in the area again, you know, and one can be damned sure that Nick and his Pacific Raider will corral their fair share of today’s market.

Pacific Raider 

Nick Jerkovich has been a top producer in practically every known fishery, from the Bering Sea in Alaska to Southern California.  But this is a different and exciting adventure for Nick and his Pacific Raider, an opportunity to become involved in a harvest of a new fishery.  Nick will take full advantage of that opportunity to be sure.  No Southeast Alaska salmon scales aboard the limit seiner Raider the last couple years.  Sardine fishing is Jerkovich’s prime focus recently.

But a brand new fishery?  Wait a minute here.  Nick’s grandfather John Jerkovich Sr. was crossing the Columbia River with his first purse seiner Washington and fishing for sardines, or pilchard, here over 76 years ago.  No, this is not a brand new fishery.  We all know that.  But so many years have passed since the sardines abounded in such great numbers out of this Oregon port, that only an older generation will vividly recall the excitement of those prosperous times in another era of the fishing industry.  More on that in a moment.

John Jerkovich Sr. and Mary Castelan's wedding with Family

Once the Pacific Raider is beyond the bar and out in the ocean, Nick is in constant contact with the pilot of his spotter plane.  This is strictly a daytime fishery, unlike sardine fisheries off the California Coast those many years ago.  The pilot will watch for brown spots and “flippers” in the ocean.  Those indications of the presence of sardines may occur just a short distance beyond the bar perhaps, but at other times the signs may appear in a more distant area.  

Once the fish are spotted, the pilot will direct the Pacific Raider to that precise location, even indicating to Nick, exactly where the net should be dropped.  A basic round haul is made at that point, with no towing of the net unless a problem might occur.  The spotter pilot has replaced a lonely and daring man of another era.  A man who was positioned precariously in the crow’s nest, high atop a swaying mast, performing the task which the airplane pilot routinely  does so easily these days.  Yes, perhaps not a brand new fishery, but certainly a modern and advanced version of one long past.

The Pacific Raider is a modern and advanced participant in a modern and advanced fishing industry.  In the expansive pilot house, the array of electronic and computerized equipment makes me wonder if I haven’t accidentally wandered onto a set of a Star Trek movie.  Computers, plotters and other innovations that would surely have made Nick’s grandfather’s head spin in disbelief.  The elder Jerkovich first crossed this bar in 1926, with only a small compass and a foghorn to assist him in working this demanding area of the West Coast.  Yes, John Jerkovich Sr. would not have believed it was possible. 

And how does one begin to learn to make use of all this hi-tech stuff I wonder?  But for Nick Jerkovich Jr., it’s simply another aspect in the handling of his productive fishing operations.  No big deal for Nick Jr.  It is readily apparent that this is a young and determined man who knows what he is doing.  Perhaps a slight indication of why Nick is considered by his peers to be one of the top skippers in the fishing industry.

And although all the modern equipment aboard the Pacific Raider may not have been available to Nick’s grandfather in those early days, the vessels of the Jerkovich fleet have consistently continued to be state of the art for their time.  The family has always believed that in order to be successful, it is necessary to be in a position to challenge your competitors with the finest boats and equipment available.  Throughout the fishing community, it is well known that the Jerkovich family will settle for nothing less, in striving for their ultimate goals.  It’s first class all the way.  

“The sardine operation is a very efficient and clean fishery here.” says Nick Jerkovich.  “There were several boats fishing for sardines this summer and we had an observer on board at least a dozen times.  The by-catch is practically non-existent and we work together with the observers to try and affect a continued and expanded fishery.  We deliver our fish to the Astoria Holdings Company in Astoria.  The sardines are used almost exclusively for longline tuna bait and the product is shipped literally around the world.”

Sardines - Possibly on the Pacific Raider

Nick spoke of the great care that is used in taking only the amount of fish needed to fill the day’s quota perhaps.  “There were times when we needed about 40 tons of sardines to complete the day,” Nick said.  “The spotter pilot would often lead us past a school of a hundred or more.  Soon, we would locate another school, which would provide us with almost exactly the 40 tons that was needed for our quota.  There is very little waste in this operation and all of us involved are doing our best to protect the future and the expansion of this fishery.”

Also, the freshness of the product, from the catch to its preparation for shipping is truly amazing.  “I take on 10 tons of ice every time I leave Astoria,” says Nick.  “There are times when we have been able to head out fishing and are back at the Astoria Holdings plant in just a few hours.  Working with other boats in our pool, one vessel is out in the early morning and one in the late afternoon.  The product is quickly unloaded and immediately flash-frozento insure quality.  It’s hard to imagine a fresher seafood harvest than that.”

Nick’s latest seiner is the fifth of the Jerkovich family vessels carrying the name Pacific Raider.  And as mentioned earlier, Nick’s grandfather, John Jerkovich Sr., was operating a sardine seiner out of Astoria over 76 years ago.  He had the 70’ Washington built at the Skansie Shipyard at Gig Harbor in 1926.  She was powered by a 100 h.p. Washington diesel and was the forerunner of an eventual fleet of Jerkovich family fishing boats.  John was a leader in the sardine industry and in the later years, he would pass the benefits of his knowledge and experience on to his sons, the late Tom, Nick Sr. and John Jerkovich Jr.

in 1937, Mr. Jerkovich decided to upgrade his fishing activities and he had the 78’ seiner New Washington built at the J. M. Martinac Shipyard in Tacoma.  The durable Washington was sold and later became a fixture in dragging operations on the Oregon Coast for decades.  She is still based in Astoria and current owner Ken Johnson is taking good care of the venerable warrior.  The sleek, New Washington was powered by a 200 h.p. Washington dieseling Jerkovich would operate the vessel for the next five years.  She was last seen in Anacortes just a couple years ago.

The 82’ Corregidor was the next step forward in Mr. Jerkovich’s continual upgrading of his vessels.  Built at Pacific Boat yard in Tacoma, the Corregidor was powered by a 250 h.p. Atlas Imperial diesel and she was acquired by John’s brothers-in-law, Mike and Nick Castellan two years later.  And, then in 1944, possibly one of the most graceful appearing fishing boats ever constructed was launched from that same Pacific Boat yard.

The beautiful and substantial sardine seiner was fully 86’ in length and powered by a magnificent, direct reversing, 400 h.p. Enterprise diesel.  This classic sardiner was named Pacific Raider and, of course, her proud owner was none other than John Jerkovich Sr.  The Pacific Raider was as efficient a fishing boat as one could possibly hope to own.  As time went by, she was also a virtual training ship for John’s three sons, as well as a number of other fishermen who learned a great deal from this productive skipper.

The original Pacific Raider was the pride of the sardine fishing fleet for a number of years.  When the sardines disappeared some years later, the Pacific Raider, along with the Corregidor, was sold to Canadian interests.  The Corregidor is still operating in British Columbia waters.  The Pacific Raider returned to American registry just recently when she was purchased by an Alaska-based concern.  Her name was changed to Barren Islands and I saw her in Bellingham a few weeks ago.  She remains a classic and beautiful example of wooden boat construction that occurred in the sardine heyday.  And that good old Enterprise diesel is still below deck, still purring like a contented kitten after more than 58 years of excellent service.

After the original Pacific Raider was sold, the Jerkovich family concentrated their efforts in other fishing activities.  Before long, John’s sons were beginning to make a name for themselves in the industry, too.  Along with a number of other fisheries, the Jerkovich boats became positive forces in Southeast Alaska salmon fishing for decades.  As Nick Jerkovich Jr. mentioned a couple years ago, “With my being involved in Oregon sardine fishing this year, it will be the first time in 45 years that a Jerkovich isn’t fishing in Southeast Alaska.”

But the family has enjoyed an ongoing representation in Alaska with the leasing out of the packer Howkan and their limited seiner Legend.  For many years, John’s sons, Tom, Nick and John Jr. kept the family tradition alive and well, primarily with their Alaska fishing activities.  Although John Jerkovich Sr. was for the most part a sardine fisherman, the knowledge he imparted to his sons served them well in every fishery  they participated in.  John had taught them well and Nick Jerkovich Sr. taught his son Nick in the same effective manner.

Nick Jerkovich (plaid shirt) hands while mending net

And as for Nick Jerovich Jr., fishing and fishing boats have been his life since he was just a child.  He has never worked in any other endeavor, nor did he ever have any desire to do so.  He recalls going out fishing with his dad when he was just eight years old.  While Nick was still in high school, during summer vacation, he was again aboard his father’s purse seiner in Southeast Alaska.

Martin Skrivanich was running the Frisco that year for the Plancich family of Tacoma.  Martin suddenly became ill and had to return home for a few weeks.  Amazingly, although he was just a teenager, Nick took over as skipper of the Frisco and ran the boat until Martin was able to return.  Perhaps not so amazing after all, when you think about it.  Nick was literally born and raised in the fishing industry.

“The boat I own is expensive to acquire and very expensive to operate.” said Nick.  “But in order to remain competitive in any fishery, this is the kind of operation that is needed.  I keep the boat going in different fisheries nearly all year around.  Having the boat fishing 10 or 11 months during the year is pretty much normal.  And the Oregon sardine season is something I’ve really enjoyed.  It was a chance for me to do something different…something I haven’t done before.  It is also a great opportunity to keep the boat going while working in a totally new environment.  I’m glad I became involved here.”

Surprising to me was the fact that the Pacific Raider’s sardine operation is handled by just four men.  Just Nick and three of his crew members.  When John Jerkovich Sr. was fishing the first Pacific Raider out of the Port of Astoria those many years ago, there was a full, 10-man crew aboard.  But that was a time long before power blocks and drums were ever thought of.

Some of the boats working out of Astoria use the drum to retrieve the net.  By choice, Nick prefers to use a power block and it works out very well.  “I’ve had the same basic crew for a long time,” Nick said, “and fortunately one of my knowledgeable crew members, Mike Hull, runs the boat for me if I become too tired or need to take a few days off.”

“Two members of my crew are from Seaside, Oregon,” Nick added.  “They have traveled to Alaska and to California to fish for a very long time.  I’m very happy for these guys.  A fishery has finally come to them.  The plant in Astoria is just 18 miles or so from their homes.  We take turns in unloading the fish an sometimes they can head for home as soon as the boat touches the dock.  It’s a great situation and the men are glad it worked out for them in this manner.”

Nick’s sister Nancy is also involved in the family fishing business as part owner in the limit seiner Legend.  And of course , another sister, Julie Dahl, has been of great assistance to the Jerkovich fishing operations since she was just a child.  The late Tom Jerkovich’s son, Tom Jr., is known as a top producer in a number of Southern California fishing ventures.  Not much chance that a Jerkovich won’t be involved in the fishing industry at any time in the near future it appears.  John Jerkovich began a legacy those 76 years ago that is continuing into a new century.

When the weather and conditions change in this area of the Oregon Coast, Nick will likely head his Pacific Raider south to California for squid fishing opportunities.  That will keep the boat busy for a while.  But if all goes according to plan, Nick will be back, guiding the “Raider” out over the Columbia River Bar and his spotter pilot will be locating those schools of sardines in the mighty Pacific again next year.

It was Nick’s good fortune, perhaps, to have grown up in this fishing family and to have had the opportunity to pursue a career he loves so much.  But good fortune has little to do with the success that Nick has achieved in his years in the industry.  He learned well from his father but his determination and dedication allowed that knowledge to be combined with his own experiences and applied to a variety of fishing activities.

“Like my dad and my uncles, and everyone else I guess,” Nick said, “I suppose I’ll probably retire too someday.  But as I understand it, retirement means doing what you like to do best and doing it as often as possible.  We;;, if that’s true, then I guess I’ve been retired all my life.  I love to fish, whether it’s in Alaska or California or on the Oregon Coast.  And I intend to keep on fishing for as long as I can.”  Nick Jerkovich Jr., a third generation on the Oregon Coast.   

Nick Jerkovich, Jr. and his Mother, Pat, in Friday Harbor 1976

© 2012 Harbor History Museum. All rights reserved.

Puget Sound Herring Sales, Gig Harbor Herring Industry

We are very fortunate in that today’s blog has been research and written by none other than Gary Williamson.  Many people throughout the greater Gig Harbor community know Gary and their children, or perhaps even they, had Gary as their principal when they were in elementary school.  

So, sit back and learn about a lesser known fishing industry in our area.  Herring! 

PIUGET SOUND HERRING SALES

GIG HARBOR HERRING INDUSTRY

The herring fishing industry in Gig Harbor is alive and well, however, when it historically began is difficult to trace.  From the 1950’s there is a fair amount of material.

One recent reference was a 2011 report on herring information by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Service.  It covers the spawning areas of Puget Sound.  The closest documented areas to Gig Harbor mentioned in their report were Squaxin Pass, Wollochet Bay, Purdy and Quartermaster Harbor.  In many of the past years in the Gig Harbor area the favored fishing areas for local fishermen have been the Narrows near Salmon Beach, Shaw’s Cove near Green’s Point, and Gig Harbor Bay.

Also included in the Fish and Wildlife Services report was that the beginning of herring fishing in the Puget Sound, not necessarily Gig Harbor, was in the early 1900’s when the fish were mostly exported for human consumption.  Following World War I most herring caught were used for bait for commercial fishing of halibut, crab, and shark fisheries.  Since the 1940’s and early 1950’s herring fishing emphasis changed to supplying bait for commercial and recreational salmon fishing interests.

During the late 1950’s and into the 1960’s local herring sales for salmon bait flourished with large recreational fishing fleets in West Port, Ilwaco, LaPush, Seiku and recreational fishing sites throughout Puget Sound.

"Tan" unloading herring in Gig Harbor 6/6/1951

It was during the 1950’s that Rollie and Edith Smythe began Smythe Herring Sales in Gig Harbor.  Their business was located on Harborview Drive where the Russell Building is today and next door to the Tides Tavern.  There was the Smythe home on the property and on the water were several herring pens and a dock for their boat, “Sea Bird.”  There was also a heated work shed where several women packaged and refrigerated the herring for sales.

Sea Bird." Built by Martinovich for Pasco Dorotich in Dockton in 1909. Powered by 20 hp Frisco Standard gas; length 48'.  

Later owned by A.R. Bruger and named changed to "A.R.B.6"

Last registration unknown.

Rental cabins owned by Peter Skansie on shore across from Gig Harbor spit.

Home of Sam Jerisich family stands on hillside. It burned in 1946 while rented by Julia Van Waters.

Rowley Smythe next to his boat, with boy beside him, 6/4/1951

A few years after the purchase of the property, and setting up for the business, Rollie Smythe died.  Edith then took over the complete management with her two sons, Sonny Smythe and Bill Lindberg.  Sonny and Bill became the fishermen on the “Sea Bird.”

It was also during this time, that I, Gary Williamson, local school teacher, was employed during the summers of 1961 and 1962 by Edith to take care of the docks, sell herring to local customers, kill the herring through electric shock, and transport the herring to the women in the work shed for packaging and refrigerating the fish.

A favorite anecdote of mine while working for the Smythes involved elderly little Mrs. Lysell or “Ma” Lysell, as she was known.  She was an Alaskan native and the wife of a local fisherman.  On almost a weekly basis I could look up from my job on the docks and see “Ma” walking on Harborview Drive past Mike and Sophie Jerisich’s little home carrying her fishing pole over her shoulder with one hand and in the other was a large clean solve coffee can.  She would come directly down on the dock and would ask me for six live herring to be pt in her coffee can after I put tidal water in it.  With a small net I would scoop out six (plus) herring on each occasion.

Boy Lysell May 15, 1946 (Millie Lysell's husband who tragically fell from a boat and drowned in 1951)

Six herring the time were $.25 and there were always one or two situations.  “Ma” would either hand me $.25 or like most of the time she would say, “Oh, no money today.”  “Ok, “Ma,” I would say, “but next time remember, you owe $.25 plus the $.25 you didn’t have the last time.”  “ok” she would respond.  The she would pick up her fishing pole and take the coffee can by the bale handle and head down the street to the dock in front of the Tides Tavern.  She would set up her little space, put a live herring on her hook, drop iy in the water and wait for some action.  She frequently had action.  She would catch salmon right off the end of the dock and when she did she would yell, “Help me, Help me, fish on!”  Usually, a tavern patron would run out and help her reel in her catch, or if no one came from the tavern one of us on the herring dock would run over and help her.  When she was finished fishing for the day we would then watch her walk back down Harborview Dr. with the fishing pole and a bucket in one hand and a fish over her shoulder.  She would be back in a few days.

It was not long after 1960 that a Shoreline school custodian came to Edith to purchase live herring bait for a business he was starting in Seattle.  His name was Jerry Williams.  Jerry had a pickup and on the bed of the truck he built a wood and fiberglass box that would hold saltwater to keep herring alive.  He would show up at Smythe Herring Sales each Friday evening, fill his tank with salt water and buy several hundred dozen live herring to place in his tank.  He would then drive back to Seattle stay all night in a favored location on Aurora Ave. and sell live bait to sportsmen for their morning recreation fishing.

Jerry Williams

In 1964, Edith decided to sell her entire business.  Jerry Williams bought it and moved his family; wife, Lois, sons, Bob, Steve and Jerry Jr. to Gig Harbor.  With Jerry Williams’ purchase the name of the business changed to Puget Sound Herring Sales.  Jerry’s sons Bob and Steve soon became the fishermen for the business after working  short time learning the trade with Bill Lindberg.  Their business did well.  Bob then took on the task of sales, bookkeeping, salaries etc., Steve became the fisherman while Sue, Steve’s wife and Jo Elaine, Bob’s wife were in charge of all processing and packaging.  Time elapsed, Jerry began moving toward retirement and sold the business to Bob, Jo Elaine, Steve and sue in 1980.

Nineteen years later in 1999 as the Williams family describe it, some men came to the company one day dressed in dark business suits and said to the family, “We are from the Russell Investment Company and we are interesting in purchasing your property.”  Negotiations progresses into 2000 when a price was agreed upon and the Russell Building was soon built…to the consternation of some in town and glee to others.

Changing business location to Peacock Hill Steve continued fishing while Sue and Jo Elaine remained in charge of all processing and packaging.  Steve subsequently grew the business by adding Bill Dotson, and independent fisherman, with his boat, “Osprey”, to help out.  Steve now had additional boats, “Wee Willie” and the “Night Hawk” both, built to his specifications.  It was about this time that Steven Jr. took over the helm of either the “Night Hawk” or the “Wee Willie” so that three boats with their crews could fill their holds with the lucrative bait.

I asked Williams when and where the “Wee Willie” and the “Night Hawk” were built.  No one could remember for sure so Sue and her sister-in-law Jo Elaine later met to try to recall about the building dates and location of construction.  Upon getting together they calculated the construction dates as they lined up when their children were born.  So, it turns out that one child was born as the “Wee Willie” was being built and outfitted in Hoquiam in 1967.  Another family birth coincided with the building of the “Night Hawk.”  Its’ hull was purchased in the 1980’s and was towed to Modutech Marine in Tacoma for outfitting.  It was finished in 1985.  The “Wee Willie” was sold later and Bill Dotson no longer fished, so the “Night Hawk” became the major herring vessel in the company.

In 2000 Steven Jr. became owner and president along with partners Doug Williams and Jason Bunch.  The catch each night of fishing on the “Night Hawk” goes to the Narrows Marina in Tacoma for sizing, packaging and distribution.

Steven Jr. reports that herring fishing in Puget Sound is diminishing.  He states that the main population of herring is within Gig Harbor Bay.  According to his experience all the eel grass where the herring lay their eggs has been disappearing.  Smaller catches of herring are now the norm.  He cannot say for certain what is killing the eel grass but his inclination is the many contaminants which are now in the water.  Industry throughout Puget Sound may be at fault as well as perfectly manicured and fertilized landscaping at new homes along the beaches.  Steven has a hunch that as much of the waterfront landscape is fertilized and irrigated, it also allows poison contaminates to leach into the bay water, thus killing the natural growing eel grass.  Steven Jr. also reports that legally protected seals and sea lions have caused a noticeable decline in the herring populations.

Steven Jr. further stated that because of diminishing herring populations the state established closure for fishing all bays from December to April.  During those months fishermen can travel from point but cannot set any nets in the bays because they are natural spawning areas.

When asked about unusual events that may have occurred during the family’s long tenure in the herring business the family smiled and began recalling some of their memories.  One such memory in their early career was called “Ball Fishing.”  This was described as an event that naturally occurs in the fall of the year when the herring begin spawning.  The herring form a giant ball, possibly in a three to four feet wide circle encompassing thousands of herring.  They cause a terrific turmoil in the water which is spotted immediately by overhead seagulls.  The seagulls dive for a quick dinner of herring.  In addition to the gulls invasion the herring fishermen will drop what they are doing and give chase to the “ball” to net the herring.  The commercial fishermen learned that the fastest boat is the victor in racing to the ball, so they many times tie a fast runabout onto their large fishing boat before proceeding to the fishing grounds.  When a ball is spotted in the distance all participants race to the herring ball and scoop into their boats as many herring as their nets can lift.  Today, ball fishing is rare as the herring predators, seal and sea lion populations have increased.

The Williams family has worked very hard over the years and can be congratulated for creating and maintaining a successful Gig Harbor business for over half a century, 52 years later.  Their continued dedication is a great asset to our community.  In addition it must be noted that during all these years of fishing each herring boat required at least three crew members.  Over the years the company employed many; too many to mention by name in this blog.

There are a few photos related to herring on the Harbor History Museum website  (Frank Shaw FIshing/Boats Gallery) (herring) being unloaded in 1951 from the boat “Tan”.  Gig Harbor dock location and boat ownership unknown.  Additional photos have just been added to the Gallery at the museum.  They are of the “Night Hawk”, Puget Sound Herring Sales Boat and Jerry Williams, original owner.  A mural including the “Night Hawk” can also be appreciated.  It is located on the wall inside the entrance of Ace Hardware.

Information supplied (by) Steve and Sue Williams, Steven Williams and Gary Williamson, 2016. 

Note:  “Tan”, a troller, was owned by Lars Peterson 

© 2012 Harbor History Museum. All rights reserved.

Puratich Netshed

Gig Harbor's Netsheds

(The Largest Inventory on the Puget Sound)

We know the commercial fishermen from Gig Harbor and the West Coast have been fishing for salmon that since the the mid-19th century. 

And, the salmon operations seem to over shadow the other major fisheries on the West Coast.  I believe it is time to pay the respect to these other fisheries that they deserve and recognize the fishermen from Gig Harbor that engaged in those operations.  By participating in these other major fisheries, our commercial fishermen became well-known and respected throughout the entire fishing industry.  And each of these fisheries had an effect on all those living on the West Coast and elsewhere in one way or another.  Just think about all the fish you eat in addition to salmon: crab, squid, cod, sole, halibut and tuna to name a few..

The family built, maintained and continue to operate this week's netshed was one of these fishermen.  And, as you will see when you read the Historical Context of the City of Gig Harbor's Netshed Survey the family's legacy is on-going in several major fisheries.  By doing so, their fishing season (or time from home) is closer to eight or nine months rather than just three or four.  

Paul Puratich was born April 13, 1888 and came to Gig Harbor in the early years of 1900.; and in 1917 he was a crew member on Andrew Skansie's purse seiner "Spokane".  According to Lee Makovich in The Fishermen's News  February 2002   "It is believed that the senior Puratich worked as a crewman aboard other fishing boats for several years prior to that time."  

Paul's first boat was built by Skansie Shipyard in 1918 and was christened "Emancipator".  This first boat was very advanced for the time and cost, after fully equipped with everything necessary for fishing, was $6,000.  A lot of money in 1918.  In today's money, that is approximately $92,308.  And, has been maintained and used by the Barhanovich family in Everett since they purchased it in the 1920s.

Paul Puratich was an early believer in the diversification of his fishing operations; and his grandsons continue that philosophy today.  Paul was an active and proficient salmon fisherman in Alaska and the Puget Sound but he was also an early participant in Oregon and California sardine fishing.   Paul had his boats specifically constructed for the purpose of being employed in various fisheries.  Paul's son, John (Johnny) was a pioneer in the Northwest hake fishery; the "St. Janet" was used for this fishery and was kept busy for much of the year.  Robert (Bob) started fishing when he was 7 and Joseph (Joe) started when he was about 8; they both carry on the tradition as a commercial fisherman started by the Grandfather those many years ago.

Some of the Puratich family boats were:  "Favorite"; "Venus"; "Lone Eagle" (lost when involved in a collision with the destroyer "Crosby" in April 1940); "Alaskan"; St. Janet", "Marauder I" and "Marauder II".

I want to thank the City of Gig Harbor for allowing me to use material from the Historic American Engineering Survey on Gig Harbor Net Sheds.  The complete surveys can be located http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/page.php?id=689  

The PURATICH NETSHED is the eighth of 17 netsheds along Gig Harbor’s waterfront and will be the subject of this week’s blog.  A copy of the survey can be accessed at http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/page.php?id=1103.  The survey includes Engineered drawings in Plan and Profile thanks to funds provided by the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and the National Trust.  To view images of the Puratich Netshe go to http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/files/library/01c61c01c78fc500.pdf

You can also obtain a copy of a brochure for a self-guided tour of the 17 netsheds from the City of Gig Harbor, the Harbor History Museum, or the Chamber of Commerce or click http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/files/library/7ddc034fdcde1ad9.pdf 

To me and many others, the netsheds of Gig Harbor are a constant reminder of the first major industry here after the white settlers arrived.  It was the Europeans escaping hard times in their homelands that came to Gig Harbor and either took up fishing or continued fishing earning them and their families a livelihood on the water harvesting the bountiful fish in the surrounding waters.  The principle fishermen were Croatians, but there were many Scandinavians as well.

The 'netsheds' were built by the immigrants to provide a place to mend nets, repair their boats, provide a gathering place between fishing seasons and perform other jobs necessary to get their boats ready for the next venture at sea.  Fishing is a full time job otherwise known as "12-month job".  Many men fished the Pacific Ocean waters from the coast of South America to the Bering Sea.

Today's fishermen ranging in age from their 60s (maybe 70s) to their early 20s are still carrying on the traditions and values of their ancestors. Fishing is a living, thriving, industry - young people still enter the fishing profession after completing their education.   Over the past 36 years that I have lived in Gig Harbor I have seen many historic net sheds and fishing families properties disappear.  Some of these historic properties have changed hands and have been adapted to reuse and rebuilt retaining little if any of the original features.  

When you look at the west side of Gig Harbor Bay and you'll find  the 17 net sheds we are identifying in this and the other 16 blogs, you can see the remnants of what was one of the most vibrant working waterfronts on the Puget Sound.

Okay, so now I have encouraged you to check out a few of these structures -  how do you go about it? As I mentioned earlier, the City of Gig Harbor has prepared a brochure for a self-guided tour of all 17 net sheds.  Grab a copy and then decide how you are going to do it.  http://www.cityofgigharbor.net/files/library/7ddc034fdcde1ad9.pdf But remember that except for the Skansie and Ancich Brothers netsheds these netsheds are privately owned and you will need permission from the owner to enter unless they are operated as a business enterprise open to the public.

If you have a boat, that is the best way; it allows you to close your eyes and visualize how busy those properties were in their heyday.  But, though not quite as impressive, you can do the same thing walking along Harborview from the old Ferry dock at the mouth of the harbor all the way up to West Shore Marina.  

Tune in next week for the next in our series on the historic net sheds of Gig Harbor.

© 2012 Harbor History Museum. All rights reserved.

Shenandoah, Our Fishing History on Display

Shenandoah, Our Fishing History on Display

by Lee Makovich, maritime historian and author, was a lifelong resident of Gig Harbor, Washington.  

Lee wrote the following article in May, 2000 for The Fishermen’s News following the gift of the Shenandoah to the Harbor History Museum by Tony and Doris Janovich.  Perhaps you have been following the Shenandoah’s restoration lead by Nate Slater at the Harbor History Museum.  Perhaps you have even participated as a restoration volunteer.  

The Skansie Shipyard (now Gig Harbor Marina & Boatyard) built the 65 ft.Shenandoah in 1925 for Pasco Dorotich, and the last license shows 1997 which indicates use on the water for 72 years, but it also indicates that it was and is in pretty rough shape.

GHPHS WA HAER WA-178

“The Shenandoah has been a Gig Harbor based purse seiner since she slid gracefully down the ways of the Skansie Shipyard in the winter of 1925.  She was built for Pasco Dorotich, a pioneer Gig Harbor fishing boat owner and skipper.  She was originally powered by a 65 h.p. Atlas Imperial diesel, a somewhat advanced conception of marine power for fishing vessels in 1925.  The Shenandoah was operated almost exclusively at the Salmon Banks in the San Juan Islands but she also made several trips to Alaska in her early days.  

Shenandoah 1925

Shenandoah left and Home II right at Salmon Banks, San Juan Islands

“Pasco’s son, John Dorotich, took over the operation of the vessel in the 1930s and like his father before him, John was an extremely successful skipper.  An interesting observation here is the fact that from the first fish she ever caught, the Shenandoah was continually operated by a top producing, hi-line skipper.  Throughout the fishing community, there is no question whatsoever that Tony Janovich is certainly considered to be among that select group of top skippers.

“In 1947, the Shenandoah was reprowered by a bigger and more powerful engine.  John Dorotich was apparently pleased with the performance provided by the original engine manufacturer his father had chosen and he selected another Atlas Imperial diesel for his boat.  The 110 h.p. model Dorotich installed was reported to be one of the last, and quite possibly the very last, Atlas Imperial ever sold.

“When Dorotich passed away in 1966, the Shenandoah was part of the estate left to his sister, Lena Bez.  Janovich purchased the vessel from Mrs. Bez the following year and operated her successfully for the next 32 years, until his recent retirement.  When Janovich first acquired the Shenandoah, the entire family worked hard to bring her into tip top condition.  Many improvements and additions were made and a new color scheme contributed greatly to her becoming one of the best looking fishing boats in the entire fleet.

“When the dependable, but out-dated Atlas Imperial diesel’s time of efficiency came to a close, Janovich replaced the machine with a much more modern and easier to maintain D13000 Caterpillar diesel.  Continually seeking to improve his fishing operations, Janovich eventually repowered the boat with a V/12 Jimmy diesel which remains in the vessel today.

“A new, larger pilot house was fitted to the deck at the Art Glein’s Gig Harbor Shipyard (now GH BoatShop/Eddon Park) in 1948.  Long time, local shipwright Hugh Denny did much of the work on that improvement project.  New bulwarks were added by Henry Moller at the Skansie Shipyard a couple of years later and the Shenandoah had a complete new appearance.

“Janovich converted the vessel to a drum seiner some years ago in keeping abreast of modern innovations.  The drum and its accompanying attachments will be removed and the Shenandoah will regain the configuration of a power block seiner of the 1950s.  Janovich also donated the complete purse seiner net to the Historical Society.

And now, back to the first part of Lee’s article regarding the Janovich remembrances of ownership.  I changed the position of the article because I wanted you first to focus on the beginning of the Shenandoah’s life rather the ending where she came to belong to Harbor History Museum.  All ownership regardless of when is of equal importance.

Tony, Spiro and George Janovich

Tony and Spiro Janovich

“But I think that Toni (Bucky) Haydon, the Janovich’s daughter expressed the family’s position on the matter best.  “I fished aboard the Shenandoah as a cook for 11 years and dad was her skipper for a heck of a lot longer,” she said.  “All of us in the family felt that the opportunity for people to see the boat on display for years to come, outweighed any monetary considerations in disposing of her.  I’m thrilled to think that someday my children will be able to tour the museum, point to the Shenandoah and say, ‘That was my grandpa’s fishing boat.’  We are very grateful that the Shenandoah will be preserved.”

“Tony Janovich has known the Shenandoah for almost as long as he knew his mother and father.  Since his earliest remembrances, the Shenandoah, while moored in the harbor, was a part of the view from the family home on Rosedale Street.  “In the early days,: said Tony, “the Shenandoah was tied up in the harbor right along side of our family boat (the Monitor) during the off season.  I fished in the same area as the Shenandoah for practically my entire career and her owner in those days, Johnnie Dorotich, was my cousin.”  

“The Shenandoah became available in 1967, at exactly the same time Tony had decided to purchase another Puget Sound seiner.  He had recently sold his Alaska limit purse seiner Barbara S. in a decision to concentrate his fishing activities at the Salmon Banks in the San Juan Islands, an area much closer to home.

“I needed a boat and the Shenandoah was for sale,” Tony said. …..

“The timing was perfect and I was very proud to be the owner of a boat that I had known so well since I was just a kid.  The Shenandoah and I were both born in the same year in the same town.  She was born in Gig Harbor and it’s appropriate for her to end up in Gig Harbor.  I am pleased to be able to donate the Shenandoah to the historical society and see her restored and preserved.  When the occasion arose, I felt that it was a great opportunity to give something back to the community that I lived in for my entire life.”

“The Janovich family has been an active participant in the commercial fishing industry for over 85 years.  Tony’s father, Spiro Janovich, eased his brand new purse seiner Monitor around the jutting sand-spit, through the narrow channel and into the bay at Gig Harbor in the early spring of 1915.  It was another time and another era of the fishing industry but it was also the beginning of a legend and a legacy for Spiro and his family.

“In later years, the Shenandoah became a true family fishing operation.  Tony’s wife Doris (known to the family and friends as Lou) was the cook on the boat for a number of years.  Daughter Bunky took over as cook 11 years ago and Tony’s brother George was also a member of the Shenandoah crew.  Lou spoke of how deeply the entire family’s ties to the Shenandoah had become over the years.

“Our granddaughter Amanda, who is 11 years old now, has also been going out on the boat and fishing with us since she was only six months old.” Lou said.  “A few weeks ago, we were all sitting around the kitchen table and Tony remarked that after 58 years in the business he was retired now and wouldn’t go out fishing anymore.  Amanda responded ‘Yeah Poppa, and I’ve got 10 years invested in the fishing business too…and I can’t go fishing anymore either.’  We’ve had many great times on the Shenandoah” Lou added, “and now it’s time for others to get enjoyment from seeing her on display.”  

© 2012 Harbor History Museum. All rights reserved.