Lobsters
Lobsters, a marine crustacean with five pairs of jointed legs, the first often bearing large pincer like claws of unequal size adapted to crushing the shells of its prey. The California spiny lobsters are actually marine crawfish (Panulirus interruptus); they lack claws but have sharp spines on the carapace. The stout-bodied, sometimes brightly colored squat lobsters are close relatives of the hermit crab; their broad abdomens are usually tucked under their bodies, as in crabs, but can be extended and used for backward swimming, as in the true lobsters. The segmented body of the lobster consists of a large cephalothorax (made up of14 segments) and a moveable, muscular abdomen (composed of 7 segments). It is covered with a chitinous exoskeleton that is dark green in the living animal and bright red when boiled. As the lobster grows, the exoskeleton is periodically molted and a new, larger one is formed in its place. Lobsters have 20 pairs of gills attached to the bases of the legs and to the sides of the body; the gills are protected by the carapace, the large area of the exoskeleton covering the back and sides of the cephalothorax. In addition to the legs, the appendages consist of 2 paired antennae, 6 pairs of mouth parts, and the small swimmerets attached to the abdominal segments. In the female the eggs remain attached to the swimmerets for 10 or 11 months until they hatch into free-swimming larvae. The larvae swim for about a year, molting between 14 and 17 times before they settle to the bottom and begin to take on adult characteristics. Lobsters crawl briskly over the ocean floor and swim backward with great speed by scooping motions of the muscular abdomen and tail, but are clumsy on land. They are scavengers but also prey on shellfish and may even attack live fish and large gastropods. Over a period of five years they grow to an average weight of 3 lb (1.4 kg). Lobsters are caught in slatted wooden traps, or “pots,” baited with dead fish. Lobsters are classified in the phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Crustacea, order Decapoda, family Homaridae.
California spiny lobsters are found from the intertidal zone to depths of 240 feet from Monterey to Mexico. Evidence shows both Native Americans and Spanish settlers ate them. Along the Santa Barbara coast, lobster camps were established as early as the 1880s. By the turn of the century, gasoline-powered boats were employed in the fishery, and lobsters were picked up from fishermen at various island camps. The camps were bases from which fishermen would work from skiffs, hand-pulling lath traps baited with fish or abalone and weighted with rocks. United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries for the Year 1888 shows a map with crawfish grounds established on the east end of Santa Cruz Island. For the Year Ending June 30, 1896, the Commission reported a Santa Barbara County yield of 154,850 pounds of lobster in 1892 and 304,650 pounds in 1895. The lobster canning industry grew at the end of the 19th century. However, canning lobster was an uncertain business, with many of the hand packed and hand soldered cans going bad easily. In addition, canned lobster did not travel or ship well once it was packed.
» Catalina Conserving Company; San Pedro Canning Company
In the News~
April 5, 1876 [SBDP]: “…Crawfish of a very large size are found in great numbers along the shores [of San Nicolas Island].”
November 30, 1878 [SBDP]: “The fishermen are doing quite an extensive business in the crawfish line just now. They have made several shipments to San Francisco this month.”
March 16, 1883 [SBDP]: “About lobsters. Many lobsters are taken from the ocean in this vicinity, the business being pursued in these waters both by islanders and fishermen from neighboring ports… The traps used here differ somewhat in size and shape from those employed in Eastern grounds. A light frame of pine, from three to four feet in length and from one to two feet in width and depth, is covered by laths or other light slats, placed about half an inch apart. A funnel-shaped mouth of pointed slats or netted cord is made at one end large enough for the ingress of a lobster…”
October 29, 1883 [SBDP]: “Italian fishermen say that crawfish are scarce at this time of the year.”
February 16, 1884 [SBDP]: “Fishermen were setting crawfish traps on the other side of the kelp today.”
December 27, 1884 [SBDI]: “Nothing but crawfish are being caught nowadays.”
June 15, 1886 [SBDI]: “Captain Larco shipped several hundred pounds of crawfish to San Francisco on the Orizaba. They bring him 75 cents per hundred pounds.”
1888 Report of the Commissioner, United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries (GPO: 1892) maps crawfish grounds on the eastern end of Santa Cruz Island.
May 26, 1888 [SBMP]: “Lobster’s Coming. An effort to introduce this shell-fish in Pacific waters. A lobster excursion party in a special car is the latest immigration note of interest to Californians. These desirable settlers will doubtless start on their way from Wood’s Hole, Mass, within the next two weeks… Professor Baird, the Government Commissioner, took great interest in the possibilities of lobster culture on the coast, and shortly before his death had arranged details for the shipment that is now to come…”
June 23, 1888 [LAT]: “San Francisco. The carload of lobsters from Massachusetts arrived here this afternoon, and was immediately forwarded to Santa Cruz. The lobsters will be placed in protected boats, where they will be kept for a few weeks to regain their normal vigor. Their final station has not yet been decided upon. Professor Davidson of the Coast Survey favors putting the lobsters in small colonies in coves down as far south as Piedras Blancas…”
November 27, 1888 [SBDI]: “Notice. Some party or parties unknown under the guise of fishermen steal from my crawfish pots by cutting them with a knife. This is to give notice that the robbers if caught will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. A. Larco. Fisherman.”
March 29, 1892 [SBDI]: “Captain Larco shipped a large lot of crawfish to San Francisco north yesterday on the Eureka.”
1892. The 1896 Report of the Commissioner, United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries (GPO: 1898) reports 154,850 pounds of crawfish taken in Santa Barbara County in 1892.
June 1, 1893 [LAT/SB]: “A San Francisco paper of Monday contains a write-up of the crawfish industry which flourishes in the Santa Barbara Channel. It says that a large catching and canning planting will be established in this city under the supervision of Captain Mullett who is well known here. The festive crawfish has long been one of the chief exports of this city, and many an Eastern chef christens it “lobster” and charges up the salad accordingly. If the industry can be established it will be a good thing for this locality, for there is an unlimited field for the crawfish-catcher in this channel and on the shores of the Channel Islands.”
June 5, 1893 [SBDI]: “The schooner Jennie Griffin from San Francisco arrived yesterday and anchored in the channel quite a distance out for a short time, sailing toward the south early in the afternoon. The schooner is one in which Captain Mullett is interested, and is on the way to San Pedro and San Diego where it will make preparations for an extensive business in crawfish. The schooner had on board crawfish nets and other apparatus for the capture of the lobsters. The headquarters of the new concern will be at either San Pedro or San Diego, and the crawfish will be caught around the islands. San Francisco provides a big market for the fish, and Captain Mullett expects to make considerable money out of the business.”
June 6, 1893 [LAT/SB]: “The fishing schooner Jennie Griffin dropped anchor in the channel Saturday afternoon, Captain Mullett in command. This is the new schooner which will engage in the crawfish business to cruise up and down in the Santa Barbara Channel, and supply the crawfish plant to be established.”
June 8, 1893 [SBDI]: “Forty sacks of crawfish were shipped to San Francisco yesterday by steamer. Shipments in this line have been heavy for several weeks.”
July 14, 1893 [SBDI]: “A few days ago the San Diego papers gave accounts of a disturbance of the elements at San Nicolas Island. Captain Mullett of the steamer, Jennie Griffin, was quoted as the authority for the statement, but nevertheless the story was given little credence. In the Los Angeles Herald the Captain says that every word of the report was true, and further states: ‘You ought to investigate this matter,’ said the energetic captain. ‘It will no doubt be investigated by the United States Government and scientists in time. Such an event is worth it. It was a tidal wave accompanied by earthquake shocks. The island is partially submerged, and that harbor is wiped out. It was filled up by sand rolling in.’ The captain appeared to be ready to take up the cudgels with anyone who disputes the accuracy of his account of the terrific disturbance on San Nicolas. He says he can be corroborated by thirteen or fourteen men who were there with them. The Jennie Griffen is in the service of a fish company and was at the island at the time of the disturbances for the purpose of getting crawfish for the San Francisco market.”
April 10, 1894 [SBDI]: “Large shipments of crawfish are being made by each steamer to San Francisco. For several months past up to a few weeks ago, the catch had been very light.”
April 18, 1894 [SBMP]: “The sloop Restless, Captain Burtis, has returned from Santa Cruz Island after taking over a party on a craw fishing expedition.”
May 2, 1894 [LAT/SF]: “The crawfish, or California lobster, is to be found in all the markets of San Francisco… Some months ago a company was organized to land the crawfish here in quantities. A station was opened on one of the islands off San Diego, where they were to be caught, and the schooner Jennie Griffin chartered to bring the fish alive to this market. The scheme was a failure… A station was erected on one of the islands in the Santa Barbara Channel over a month ago, a force of fishermen employed, and the first consignment was received here on the Pacific Coast Steamship Company’s steamer last Friday.”
May 3, 1894 [SBDI]: “A fishing camp has been established at the east end of Santa Cruz Island engaged in pickling crawfish in vinegar.”
January 18, 1895 [LAT]: “Facts for housekeepers. Did you know that lobster is poisonous if it is not boiled alive?”
April 8, 1895 [LAT]: “The new game law of this State, passed by the legislature, which went into effect on March 27 last… every person who, in the State of California, shall take, catch or kill, or sells, exposes, or offers for sale, or has in his possession any lobster or crawfish between the 15th day of May and the 15th day of July of each year shall be guilty of a misdemeanor…”
July 23, 1895 [SBDI]: “Sixty sacks of crawfish were shipped to San Francisco on the Mexico last night. The crawfish season opened July 15th, and this is the largest shipment up to date.”
August 18, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “A new industry in the way of pickling crawfish for shipment is about to be started in Santa Barbara. The undertaking will be under the management of Mr. Johnson. This gentleman has already received large orders for pickled crawfish from parties in San Francisco. The boat Emm is being fitted out to make trips to the islands to get the fish, where they abound in great numbers.”
September 16, 1895 [LAT/SB]: “The Larco boys have taken up the crawfish-pickling industry, and their first shipment of twelve casks will be sent to San Francisco tomorrow.”
December 5, 1895 [LAT/SM]: “Tobe Thompson was arrested today on a complaint sworn out by A. G. Fletcher under a new statute of 1895. It provides that it is a misdemeanor to catch or have in possession lobsters or crawfish of less than one pound weight…”
1895. The 1896 Report of the Commissioner, United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries (GPO: 1898) reports 304,650 pounds of crawfish taken in 1895.
June 12, 1896 [LAT]: “Underwood lobster. Large can 25¢.”
July 5, 1896 [LAT]: “For several years the government fish commission has been trying to propagate Atlantic Coast lobsters on the California coast…”
March 6, 1897 [LAT/SP]: “There is a new industry in town which, although at present operated on a small scale, promises material development, called the Catalina Conserving Company. Its work at present is confined to the canning of lobsters. This is said to be the first establishment of its kind on the Pacific coast. It is claimed that the meat of the lobsters caught here is better than that taken from the Atlantic waters. The lobsters are caught about the islands, nets and traps being used for the purpose. S. W. Waring is the superintendent. The present daily output of the plant is said to be from one-half ton to one ton of fresh lobsters as caught. Such an amount will furnish in the neighborhood of ten cases of four dozen one-pound cans each. From May 15 to July 15 the season will be closed. It is announced that the company will then build and arrange to do the work by a steam process, the plant to cost about $2500. The company has adopted a copyrighted label, which shows the goods to be a California product, and describes in brief the places where they are caught about the islands. It is said that the new plant will furnish employment for twenty people.”
March 23, 1897 [SBDN]: “We are favored by nature in being possessed of an abundance of one of the most palatable and dainty crustaceans in the whole world — the Santa Barbara Channel crawfish. This great animal finds its market in San Francisco instead of being consumed at home.”
December 11, 1897 [LAT]: “A carload of lobsters has arrived at San Francisco from Massachusetts, and been deposited in the ocean near the Farallon Islands.”
January 1, 1898 [LAT]: “…lobsters at 10 cents per pound…”
January 11, 1898 [LAT]: “The Redondo Breeze says: ‘Eight thousand pounds of crawfish have been shipped from San Pedro during the last two weeks…’ It is, however, of interest to note that a carload of lobsters was recently brought from the East and placed in San Francisco Bay, with the idea of propagating the species on the Pacific Coast.”
February 2, 1898 [LAT]: “Can Underwood’s lobster, 2-lb tins. 30¢.”
March 31, 1898 [LAT]: “Will pickle lobsters. The Catalina Conserving Company incorporated yesterday with a capital stock of $60,000. Of this amount, $40,370 has been actually subscribed. The company will engage in the packing and pickling of lobsters, and will build a packing house at San Pedro for that purpose. The directors are W. A. Ready, A. L. Hall, S. W. Waring, R. W. Kemp and Luke Kelly.”
April 6, 1898 [LAT/SP]: “It is announced that the Catalina Conserving Company, recently incorporated, will build a cannery in East San Pedro, and commence operations in canning lobsters in about three months.”
July 3, 1898 [LAT]: “San Pedro promises soon to be an important point for fish packing. The latest new departure in this direction is the building of a lobster packing establishment for the Catalina Conserving Company on the west side of the inner harbor. Apparatus for making cans will be installed. The lobsters will be packed in flat cans, in pound and a half sizes, and in ordinary cans. A twenty-four-ton schooner has been purchased, with a gasoline power engine, to be used in gathering the lobsters. It is expected that the plant will be in operation by the middle of this month. It is expected that about nine carloads of packed lobsters will be put up annually, the plant employing about twenty people.”
November 4, 1898 [LAT/SBer]: “The lobster-packing company, in order to reach the deeper water of the inner harbor channel, built a wharf out beyond the line of the channel, as defined by the government, and was required to remove the projecting portion. The company now unloads its lobster boat with a lighter.”
December 30, 1898 [LAT/SP]: “The powerboat Clemente arrived this morning with a ton of San Clemente lobsters for the Haniman Fish Company.”
December 17, 1898 [LAT/SP]: “…The Lizzie Belle W has a tonnage of about twelve tons, and was built here nine years ago by Captain D. W. Wedlt, her present skipper… Captain Weldt had a rough experience in bringing the craft in on her last trip from Santa Cruz Island. He had a cargo of five tons of lobsters aboard, when last Tuesday the engine gave out…”
January 8, 1899 [LAT/SP]: “The Catalina Conserving Company’s powerboat Lizzie Belle W, which was damaged by a gasoline explosion, is being repaired. The engine was not greatly injured and can be repaired. The boat is used as a lobster transport.”
March 25, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “The largest catch of fish crawfish for the season was brought in by Sebastian Larco yesterday.”
March 30, 1899 [SBMP]: “The San Pedro Times announces the arrival of a vessel from Santa Cruz Island with eight tons of lobsters for the Catalina Conserving Company, and add that it expects to receive thereafter fifteen tons a week. The number of men and schooners engaged in the lobster trade have heretofore been limited to a comparatively small number, but it appears that their number has materially increased since the removal of the game warden. Owing to the close proximity of Santa Cruz Island to this city, the matter should be investigated by the proper persons to ascertain if the ordinances of this county governing the fisheries of those islands is being lived up to. If this matter of shipping a large number of tons of this fish from these islands each week is not restricted or prohibited, excepting in the open season, it will not be a great while until the waters will be entirely drained of this species of fish.”
April 4, 1899 [SBMP]: “The sloop Big Loafer left for Santa Cruz Island on a crawfish expedition yesterday morning.”
April 6, 1899 [SBMP]: The largest shipment of crawfish ever made from this wharf was night before last — 93 sacks being sent in one shipment to San Francisco fish markets. The fishermen engaged in this business report a plentiful supply just beyond the islands and more big hauls are expected.”
April 6, 1899 [SBMP]: “The new warden will not accept a shot-gun policy… C. A. Loud, whom the Board of Supervisors honored by appointment as game warden, returned from Encinitas… Mr. Loud has not yet qualified, but his bond will be filed in a day or two, and then he can assume the duties of his office… The new game warden will also give attention to the crawfish and abalone interests…”
April 8, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “An effort is to be made by Charles A. Loud, game and fish warden of the county, to stop the shipment of crawfish under legal length to northern canneries. Nearly every steamer going north carries a cargo of crawfish from here, the shipments often going as high as 100 sacks. This trade will soon make the crawfish a thing of the past, and it is thought wise to put a stop to it at once.”
April 9, 1899 [SBMP]: “His first case. Game Warden Loud after the crawfish catchers. Four Italians charged with violating the game laws by shipping undersized lobsters… The names of the parties arrested are Augustino Mascarello, Nicola Olivera, G. B. Pucio and Francisco Maglio.”
April 10, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “Game Warden Charles A. Loud caused the arrest last night of four Italian fishermen who have for some time been doing a large business in the shipment of crawfish from the banks of the Santa Barbara lighthouse to San Francisco. These men brought in seventy 150-pound sacks of crawfish in the afternoon and billed them for shipment on last night’s steamer. Loud, who has been watching recent shipments, at once attached the sacks and found a very large number of fish to be less in length than the nine and one-half inches required for legal handling…”
April 11, 1899 [SBMP]: “Crawfish threatened. The game warden occupied some time yesterday morning in sorting over some 50 of the 71 crawfish which he had stopped the shipment of Saturday night. About 250 of the number of fish sorted over were found to be under size and were laid aside and the remainder which came up to the requirements of the law he permitted to ship. The four men who violated the fish law in endeavoring to ship undersized crawfish appeared in Justice Wheaton’s court yesterday afternoon and pleaded guilty and paid a fine of $20 each... The crawfish companies were located on Santa Cruz Island and composed of from four to six men who had established camps at Gold [Gull] Rock, south side of island, southeast side of island, east side, Chinese Harbor, Tenters Harbor, Cueva Valdez, and maybe more...”
April 12, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “The four Italians arrested for taking small crawfish were each fined $20 yesterday afternoon.”
April 12, 1899 [SBMP]: “It is believed by a great many fishermen on the channel that it would be a material benefit to all concerned if the spawning, or closed season for crawfish was lengthened out. The season should extend from April 15 to September 15, making a four months’ closed season. This would give the fish more time to deposit their eggs and they would be in better condition when taken.”
April 13, 1899 [SBMP]: “Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce… Game Warden Loud was present and addressed the board on the advantage and necessity of preserving the crawfish supply and asked the cooperation of the Chamber in enforcing the laws and securing the aid of the State Fish Commission in patrolling the islands. Mr. Loud gave some facts on the subject… what might be made a very important industry at home is being neglected, and a San Pedro company which gives employment to seventy-five or a hundred men allowed to violate the law and take crawfish from the Channel to the extent of fifty tons a week…”
April 15, 1899 [SBMP]: “Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara… In the matter of appointing a Fish and Game Warden for the County of Santa Barbara… supervisors voted ayes… on motion it is ordered that Charles A. Loud be and he is hereby appointed Fish and Game warden for the remainder of the term which commenced on January 1, 1899, at a salary of $50 per month, and $25 per month as expenses upon filing a good and sufficient bond in the sum of $1000…”
April 15, 1899 [SBMP]: “Captain Preston, of the Big Loafer, in commenting upon the recent article in the Press on the crawfish industry, says that vessels run direct from the islands to San Pedro, loaded with the fish, but that in recent years none have been taken direct to San Francisco. He does not know how many tons are taken weekly.”
April 23, 1899 [LAT]: “Crawfish… The gasoline schooner Lizzie Bell W came into the harbor Saturday with seventy-five crates of crawfish. They were caught in the kelp beds off Santa Cruz Island, a little over sixty miles from this port. A finer lot of crustaceans would be hard to find. Many of them will weigh over twelve pounds each. They will be canned by the Catalina Conserving Company, whose plant is located a few hundred feet south of the customs house. The whole lot would weigh nearly seven tons and represents less than a week’s work of four fishermen. Their earnings from this catch was over $30 apiece. A great many crawfish are captured off San Clemente Island, but fishermen claim they are smaller than those taken further north. The water is deeper and the little animals have less vegetable matter to feed on.”
April 29, 1899 [SBMP]: “A factory may be established in or near this city [Santa Barbara]... At San Pedro, a lobster cannery is very successfully conducted, and the lobsters used are the Santa Barbara Island crawfish...”
May 5, 1899 [SBMP]: “Fishermen defy the law. Warden Loud goes to the islands to investigate. Game Warden Charles Loud and Constable Hopkins started for Santa Rosa Island yesterday, but had to put back to the shore after laying outside the kelp all day. They will make another attempt this morning to reach the island. Warden Loud has been ordered by the state fish commission to investigate reports of illegal crawfish catching, that is said to be carried on extensively in island waters. It is reported that one company alone has a contract to furnish a San Pedro firm forty tons of fish a month, that are taken at the islands. Five companies, the report that reached the fish commission says, are shipping fish from the Channel Islands.”
May 9, 1899 [SBMP]: “Constable Hopkins returned at 10 o’clock last night from Santa Cruz Island with three more fishermen arrested for violation of the new county ordinance against taking crawfish. The officer left for the island Saturday morning and began the return trip Sunday, but was becalmed in the channel all day and night and succeeded only yesterday afternoon and evening in completing the trip. These arrests, A. J. Kilger, George Cozens, and one whose name was not given, complete the force of men in the employ of the San Pedro Canning Factory whose depredations were called to the attention of the State Fish Commission and the game warden. Five were already under arrest, of whom two have pled guilty and paid fines and the trial of another is set for today…”
May 9, 1899 [LAT]: “Santa Barbara County’s new game warden is finding something to do, and if he keeps up the lick at which he has begun, will earn a good deal more than his salary. His latest movement is against fishermen who, he alleges, are taking crawfish from the waters about Santa Rosa Island.”
May 10, 1899 [LAT]: “Deputy Sheriff Hopkins and Game Warden C. A. Loud arrived at midnight last night from Santa Cruz Island with three more fishermen arrested for having violated the State and County game and fish laws. These, with five others who were brought over several days ago, have been shipping tons of crawfish to San Pedro from these islands in violation of the law. Twenty cases of fish, containing about ten tons, were captured. The men pleaded guilty.”
May 10, 1899 [LAT/SP]: “The lobster fishermen who are supplying the Catalina Conserving Company, which has a packing plant here, have a grievance against the Santa Barbara County Supervisors. The cause of the trouble is an ordinance in effect in that county making it a misdemeanor to catch lobsters between April 15 and September 15. That makes the closed season much longer than the one prescribed by the State law, which period lasts only from May 15 to July 15. Nearly all of the lobsters packed by the Catalina Conserving Company are taken from Santa Cruz Island, which isolated territory is claimed by Santa Barbara County. Two of the fishermen arrested for taking lobsters from the shores of that island have each paid $20 fines rather than contest the case, and six more are on trial at Santa Barbara today. A representative of the company said today that exaggerated reports had been circulated in Santa Barbara to the effect that the company had been taking from twenty-five to thirty tons of lobsters per week. This, he said, is not true, for the capacity of the plant is only ten or twelve tons per week. The fishermen supplying the Santa Barbara trade with fresh lobsters, he was sure, had no just ground for grievance, as the quantity taken by the company had not reduced the supply sufficiently to hinder the Santa Barbara fishermen from taking lobsters from that island also…”
May 11, 1899 [LAT]: “Constable Hopkins and Game Warden Loud of Santa Barbara are making an energetic fight against the fishermen of the San Pedro cannery, who have been taking crawfish from the water around Santa Rosa Island in violation, it is alleged, of the ordinances of the Santa Barbara County Supervisors. The owners of the cannery will contest the matter in the courts, but as the Santa Barbarians are not likely to ‘crawfish,’ it is not apparent how the fishermen can defend themselves.”
May 11, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “Peter Lynn, charged with catching crawfish during the closed season, ended this afternoon in a mistrial, the jurors standing six and six. He will be tried again on Friday. Two other men, who pleaded guilty of violating the fish and game laws, paid fines today.”
May 13, 1899 [SBMP]: “Captain Hall of the steamer Coos Bay, that was in port yesterday, gave it out that he has organized a company that will open a crawfish cannery and smoked fish factory in this city. Captain Hall bought from Captain Larco a 32-foot whale boat that will be used in the fishing trade here.”
May 13, 1899 [SBMP]: “John Osterman found guilty by a Jury. He violated the county ordinance providing for a closed season beginning April 26. Twelve Santa Barbara jurymen yesterday vindicated the county when they disproved the assertion that violators of game laws will not be punished…”
May 14, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “All of the cases against San Pedro crawfishers have been disposed of. Peter Lynn pleaded guilty and paid a fine of $40, and N. Christopherson was dismissed, he having been the cook of the crawfishing crew rather than a fisherman. John Osterman was found guilty yesterday afternoon in the crawfish business and fined $50. All together $315 in fines has been paid since the season on crawfish closed a short time ago.”
May 14, 1899 [LAT/SCat]: “On the 15th inst. The season for catching lobsters, as they are indiscriminately called, closes. None must be taken or found in any one’s possession for a period of two months from that date.”
May 20, 1899 [MD]: “Fishermen of Santa Barbara have been arrested and charged with the violation of the county ordinance in catching crawfish out of season off the Channel Islands for the San Pedro cannery.”
May 21, 1899 [LAT]: “Wealth of the sea…There has also been recently established at San Pedro a packing-house for the canning of crawfish, often erroneously described as a lobster. This enterprise has also proved highly successful…”
July 27, 1899 [LAT]: “Santa Barbara shifts her peg up several points with a brand new crawfish cannery, and the business community of the whole south coast says: ‘Good for Santa Barbara.’”
August 4, 1899 [SBMP]: “The Big Loafer yesterday left for the islands on a craw fishing expedition.”
August 16, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “The Catalina Conserving Company’s new cannery opened its doors here this morning, and made a rest of its machinery. During the past month the company’s employees have been engaged in getting the plant ready for active operations. The season of crawfish opens today. On the Channel Islands are three crawfish camps. A cargo of fish may be expected tomorrow or Thursday. Canning persons will be given employment. The process of canning the fish will be the same as that used at the San Pedro plant. The fish, put into heavy wire crates, are killed by being dipped into boiling water. The shells are then taken off, and the meat packed into tin cans, it being protected by the tin by especially prepared medicated paper. The cans are then put into hot water and the crawfish cooked in the can.”
August 20, 1899 [SBMP]: “The gasoline schooner Magic, formerly the Lizzie Belle W, is overdue, and some apprehension is felt by the owners. The vessel belongs to the Catalina Conserving Company and will be engaged in bringing crawfish from the islands to the cannery.”
August 24, 1899 [SBMP]: “The gasoline schooner Magic, formerly the Lizzie Belle W, lies in three and one half fathoms of water in Rancho Viejo Bay, Santa Rosa Island... The Magic left this port Sunday morning with a cargo of camping paraphernalia and about ten fishermen, to establish a camp on the island. They went about Santa Cruz, but were unfortunate in not finding a suitable site for a fish camp, so on Tuesday morning they crossed the channel between the two islands, and about 10 o’clock landed at Santa Rosa wharf, where they went ashore and consulted with Mrs. Miller in regard to a permit to camp on Santa Rosa Island and fish for crawfish. This request was granted and they started about 11 o’clock for the Rancho Viejo where a camp was to be established. This is about eight miles from the ranch house and wharf. At one time the wharf of the island was at this point and there is a very good place to beach a boat... She belonged to Captain Larco of this city for some time, and was called Lizzie Belle W when he owned her. She now belongs to the Catalina Conserving Company, and it was their men who were aboard her when she sank. She has been used to bring over crawfish from the islands.”
August 29, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “The sloop Petrel has come in from the islands with a cargo of crawfish. The cannery is therefore working today in full blast. About twenty-five men are employed. Tomorrow the regular boat from the islands is expected with more fish.”
August 28, 1899 [SBDI]: “The sail boat Petrel arrived at two o’clock yesterday morning with a heavy load of crawfish for the Catalina Conserving Company. This is the first consignment of fish for the company’s plant in this city, and to William Bates, the owner of the boat, is due the honor of bringing the first crustaceans to be canned in Santa Barbara. The machinery was ready for use and, although it was Sunday, the works were put in operation as soon as the boat’s cargo had been unloaded. The fish were carefully examined and sorted, the dead ones being thrown away. All in perfect condition were boiled in a large tank and afterward removed to another department where a large force of workmen took the meat from the shell, neatly washing it with water and brush. The meat from the legs was also removed for canning. The meat was placed in a large press where all water was squeezed out. When the fish had been properly dressed and prepared in a manner that insures preservation, it was placed in cans of four different sizes which were at once sealed. The cans were then placed in vats and again cooked. The process is so thorough and scientific that the fish are warranted to keep forever in the sealed cans. The scrupulous cleanliness of the establishment is an important factor. The cannery is located at the foot of the railroad pier, near the lumber yard. Here the fish are prepared., the boxes and cans made and the packing for shipment effected. More than twenty-five men are given employment in this city alone, while a number are engaged on boats and in various camps on the islands. It has already been determined that our crawfish are superior to the Eastern lobster, and as the latter are rapidly diminishing, it is evident that a great industry is springing up in this city.”
August 29, 1899 [SBDI]: “The sloop Big Loafer arrived from the islands today with a cargo of crawfish for the Catalina Conserving Company.”
August 29, 1899 [LAT/SP]: “The powerboat Dawn leaves this port this evening to operate in the lobster-catching business for the Catalina Conserving Company in place of the Magic, which was wrecked last week.”
August 30, 1899 [SBMP]: “The gasoline schooner Dawn came into port about noon yesterday. She will be used to carry crawfish from the islands for the canning company, and if all goes well will return with her first cargo Thursday or Friday.”
September 9, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “L. James, manager of the Catalina Conserving Company’s cannery, was arrested this afternoon charged with having in his possession crawfish under the legal length. He pleaded not guilty. The trial is not yet set.”
September 15, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “S. James, manager of the local crawfish cannery, was tried in a justice’s court here this morning on a charge of having had a short crawfish in his cannery. The jury disagreed. Two were for conviction and ten were for acquittal.”
October 13, 1899 [ ]: “The schooner Dawn arrived from the islands this morning with a large cargo of crawfish for the Catalina Conserving Company.”
October 28, 1899 [SBDI]: “The schooner Dawn arrived in port at 6 o’clock this morning with a large cargo of crawfish for the Catalina Conserving Company.”
November 7, 1899 [SBMP]: “The schooner Dawn arrived from the islands this morning with a cargo of crawfish for the Catalina Conserving Company. Her continued whistling attracted a great deal of attention.”
November 7, 1899 [SBMP]: “The schooner Big Loafer returned from the islands with a party in search of crawfish.”
November 8, 1899 [SBMP]: “The gasoline schooner Dawn arrived from Santa Cruz Island yesterday with a large cargo of crawfish for the cannery.”
November 13, 1899 [LAT]: “A Santa Barbara cannery is advertising for four expert fishermen to take charge of its crawfish camps.”
November 25, 1899 [SBDI]: “The schooner Dawn arrived from the islands this morning with a cargo of crawfish for the Catalina Conserving Company.”
December 4, 1899 [SBDI]: “The schooner Dawn left for the islands this morning with a crew aboard in search of crawfish.”
December 11, 1899 [SBDI]: “The schooner Dawn arrived this morning with a cargo of crawfish for the Catalina Conserving Company.”
September 20, 1906 [SBI]: “The steam launch Victoria arrived in the harbor this morning from Santa Cruz Island bearing the largest crawfish catch of the season. She carried fifty sacks, all of which will be sent north tonight by the Wells Fargo Express company. Captain Falcone, who is in command, has five men at work for him on the island and asserts that the season is nothing out of the ordinary. The Victoria will return to the island tonight or early tomorrow morning.”
