Abalone: San Nicolas Island
Abalone: San Nicolas Island
In the News~
September 13, 1873 [SBG]: “The schooner Calambers arrived from San Nicolas Island with abalone.”
March 26, 1876 [SBDN]: “The schooner Matinee came from San Nicolas Island yesterday with 142 sacks of abalones. They will be shipped north.”
November 1, 1876 [SBDP]: “The schooner Matinee, Captain Chase, arrived from San Nicolas Island last evening loaded with abalones.”
July 23, 1878 [SBDP]: “The H. W. Almy, after an unusually long voyage of three days, arrived this morning from San Nicolas Island with a cargo of five tons of dried abalone, six tons of abalone shells, and ten Chinese passengers.”
August 9, 1878 [SBDP]: “The schooner Surprise left here last evening for San Nicolas Island for abalone shells.”
October 25, 1878 [SBDP]: “The schooner Surprise from San Nicolas Island loaded with sheep and shells arrived this morning....”
November 15, 1878 [SBDP]: “The schooner Surprise arrived this morning from San Nicolas Island, loaded with abalones.”
January 27, 1880 [SBDP]: “The schooner Surprise has gone to San Nicolas Island after abalone shells.”
February 26, 1880 [SBDP]: “The schooner Surprise arrived from San Nicolas Island this morning and discharged 100 sacks of abalone shells and meat. She will depart tomorrow for San Miguel Island for seal oil and skins.”
June 18, 1880 [SBDP]: “The schooner Surprise from the island San Nicolas, arrived today with a lot of shells and abalones. She sails this evening on her return with supplies for the sealing camps.”
March 12, 1883 [SBDP]: “The Convoy has on board 250 sacks of abalones and shells from San Nicolas Island. Larco’s schooner is also in port with a cargo of abalone shells, seal skins and otter skins from San Miguel Island.”
March 17, 1883 [SBWP]: “Several schooners arrived in the channel Saturday and are now anchored near the wharf. The Convoy has on board 250 sacks of abalones and shells from San Nicolas Island, Larco’s schooner is also in port with a cargo of abalone shells, seal skins and otter skins from San Miguel Island...”
October 8, 1883 [SBDI]: “Captain Larco sailed Sunday for San Nicolas Island to carry over a party of Chinese abalone fishers.”
October 27, 1883 [SBDI]: “Abalones. A peculiar article of commerce of Southern California. An odd source of wealth… Parties of Chinese fishermen were on the various Channel Islands most of the year. Messrs. Rogers and Brothers of this city sent out today for San Miguel, a party of five men for abalone, seal skins and oil. The number of abalone to be obtained by such a party is impossible to estimate. Low tide being the only time when they can be gathered and the lower the tide, the more are exposed to view… San Miguel, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Nicolas, Catalina and Santa Barbara Islands, all found being protective points of supply. Messrs. Rogers and Brothers of this city sent out today for San Miguel a party of five for abalones, seal skins and oil. The number of abalones to be obtained by such a party is impossible to estimate. Low tide being the only time when they can be gathered, and the lower the tide the more are exposed to view…”
November 3, 1883 [SBWI]: “The abalone business is carried on more or less along the sea shore of the semi-tropic, but at this place on the islands of the Channel the occupation is conducted, though quietly, upon larger scale than any other locality further south. The abalone is a greater success than the egg in point of natural economy, in that the shell also is materially viable. The meat is taken by the Chinamen and dried. The dried abalone is esteemed as a great dainty and is worth in San Francisco six cents per pound. It is exported from that point in large quantities to China and gourmets of that frugal people do not hesitate to pay the heavy price it commands in that Empire after first cost, freight and handling are added. The particular charm that this dried meat has for the celestial palate is not apparent to the barbarian tooth. The Independent reporter found it much resembling in consistency, color and odor a piece of veteran sole leather... San Miguel, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Nicolas, Anacapa, Catalina, and Santa Barbara islands are all productive points of supply. Messrs. Rogers and Brothers of this city sent out today for San Miguel a party of five for abalone, seal skins and oil. The number of abalone to be obtained by such a party is impossible to estimate, low tide being the only time when they can be gathered, and the lower the tide the more exposed to view. It would seem that the practical mind of the American should be able to find some manner of preparing this healthful article of food in a manner acceptable to the taste of white men.”
January 17, 1885 [SBDP]: “The Ocean King went to San Nicolas Island day before yesterday for shells and abalones.”
January 19, 1885 [SBDI]: “The sloop Ocean King has arrived from San Nicolas Island with a cargo of abalone shells.”
May 1, 1885 [SBDP]: “The Ocean King is provisioned, and as soon as a wind springs up will set sail for San Nicolas Island, with a number of Chinese abalone hunters.”
September 17, 1885 [SBDP]: “The sloop Ocean King yesterday brought over from San Nicolas Island forty five sacks of abalones.”
November 4, 1885 [SNDP]: “The Ocean King took a party of Chinese abalone hunters to San Nicolas Island yesterday.”
1886. “…The California Indians were large consumers of these native shell fish, as the many kitchen middens, or shell mounds, testify. The largest abalone shells the writer has seen were from the shell mounds of San Nicolas Island, where, according to Dr. S. Bowers, ‘Millions multiplied by millions would be but a beginning, in enumerating the vast number of shells in the heaps, of which the Haliotis predominates.’” [Williamson, Mrs. M. Burton The Haliotis or Abalone Industry of the Californian Coast: Preservative Laws (7), 1906.
Historical Society of Southern California 1(7), 1906, pp. 22-30. [Bowers. 9th Annual Report Cal. State Mining Bur., 1890.]
January 13, 1893 [SBMP]: “The schooner San Mateo came over yesterday from San Nicolas Island bringing a load of abalone shells.”
January 15, 1893 [SBMP]: “The schooner San Mateo left yesterday afternoon for San Nicolas Island for a cargo of abalone shells.”
January 27, 1893 [SBMP]: “The schooner San Mateo came in Wednesday night from San Nicolas Island with four hundred sacks of shells.”
January 28, 1893 [LAT/]: “Four hundred sacks of abalone shells were brought in from San Nicolas Island Wednesday night for shipment east.”
August 13, 1894 [SBDI]: “The sloop Restless arrived from San Nicolas Island Saturday night with a load of shells and abalones, being the property of a party of Chinamen who have been camping there.”
May 25, 1897 [SBMP]: “Captain Burtis’ schooner Restless left yesterday with a gang of Chinese abalone hunters for San Miguel Island. On his return he will take a band of horses for Mr. E. Elliot to San Nicolas Island.”
March 7, 1898 [LAT/SB]: “The schooner Santa Cruz came over from Santa Cruz Island with eight hundred sacks of abalone shells and the Restless arrived from San Nicolas Island with three hundred sacks of the same freight.”
March 19, 1899 [LAT/SB]: “The Restless has arrived from San Nicolas Island with a cargo of abalones and shells.”
March 27, 1900 [SBMP]: “A tale of suffering and death from San Nicolas Island. Piratical crawfish catchers appropriate the only provisions in an abalone hunter's camp… While the three Chinamen were absent, hunting abalones on the opposite side of the island, these sailors, who had been catching crawfish on San Nicolas, raided the Chinamens’ camp, stole their rice and 1500 pounds of abalone meat, and put out to sea. When the Chinamen returned, they found their provisions gone, but they were helpless, having no boat large enough to brave the sea that rages between them and the mainland nearly 100 miles away… During this time, Ah Jim, their employer at Santa Barbara, knew nothing of the robbery or of their suffering, but it was time for a cargo of abalones to come from the island, and for several weeks he had been looking for a schooner to make the trip... When the Dawn arrived off Corral Harbor there was no sign of life at the camp. The captain sent a skiff ashore, and in the old adobe house that the late Captain Kimberly built many years ago when he owned the island, were found two Chinamen, lying in their bunks, too weak to walk, and almost too exhausted to speak. But they weakly told of the theft of their provisions, how they had lived three months on abalone meat and what fish they could get, and how they had all sickened through lack of proper nourishment and one of them had already died... The dead Chinaman’s name was Ah King, a cousin of Ah Jim …” » Chinese
March 27, 1900 [LAT/SB]: “The schooner Dawn, which makes trips between here and the Channel Islands, arrived last evening from San Nicolas Island, bringing two Chinese who had been rescued from starvation. They were in a miserable condition and mourned the death of a companion, who perished on the island three weeks ago from lack of proper food. The Chinese, who were employed by an abalone firm here, went to the island about five months ago. They were after abalones, the dried meat of which is a Chinese delicacy, and abalone shells, for which there is a good market. As was the custom, the schooner in which they were transported to the island left as soon as the Chinese were set ashore. It was the understanding that the men should be called for about this time. After being on the island for about a month, the Chinese returned one day from a fishing trip and found that their camp had been robbed and that a large part of their supply of rice, almost their only food, had been stolen. They suspect fishermen from Santa Catalina Island or San Pedro of the crime. Starvation seemed in store. What rice was left was used in soup, but this diet could not keep up with the men’s strength. Shellfish were of course used as food, but so weakened did all become that one of the three died about three weeks ago. His death was absolutely a result of the theft of the rice. The others were found in such a piteous condition that it was at first feared that they would not recover, but they are all right today.”
August 11, 1900 [LAT/SB]: “It is reported that about two tons of abalones were stolen recently from the Chinese fishing camp on the east end of Santa Cruz Island. This is the second theft of the kind within four months. Early in the spring the camp was raided [on San Nicolas Island] while the three Chinese occupants were out fishing, and 1500 pounds of dried abalone meat were taken, with all the rice and provisions of the camp. Eight weeks later when the schooner Dawn called at the camp, one Chinaman was found dead and the other two had lain down to die. The Chinamen in both cases did not know the pirates.”
November 16, 1900 [SBMP]: “The schooner Restless left yesterday morning for San Nicolas Island with a number of Chinamen, who will remain there for several months gathering abalones and shells.”
March 20, 1901 [SBDI]: “The gasoline schooner Francis of San Diego arrived in port this morning with 295 sacks of abalone shells and meat from San Nicolas Island, consigned to local Chinese merchants.”
March 26, 1901 [SBDI]: “The sloop Olita, Captain Joe Arabus, left this morning for San Nicolas Island. The Olita will bring over a cargo of abalone meat and shells for local Chinese.”
July 27, 1901 [SBDI]: “The schooner Restless, Captain Burtis, sailed this morning for San Nicolas Island for the purpose of bringing to Santa Barbara a large gang of Chinamen who have been engaged in abalone fishing.”
April 14, 1902 [LAT/SP]: “The reformation of the abalones found a place among the industries flourishing about this seaport town… The San Pedro Canning Company is handling between two and ten tons of abalones per week, not counting the weight of the shell. The abalones are gathered about the Channel Islands and brought to this port on the power sloop Alta. Most of those that have been brought up to the present have come from Santa Cruz and San Nicolas islands. The meats are treated so that they become tender and are packed for shipment to the Orient. The company is expecting within a short time to pack them for American consumption.”
November 14, 1902 [LAT]: “San Nicolas Island is about ninety miles from the coast. The island, although once densely populated, is now a barren waste. It is visited only occasionally by fishermen, abalone gatherers and relic hunters. It is not safe for any one to wander to its bleak shores for any length of time without an ample supply of food and water, as it is entirely out of the beaten line of travel.”
October 1905: “At the end of October Ira went to bring Clarence Libbey and Frank Nidever back from San Nicolas Island. They had seventeen hundred pounds of crawfish, three tons of abalone and four tons of shells. They also had found some good pearls in the abalones, which they could sell for two or three hundred dollars. Abalones brought a good price in the market; they were boiled, dried and sold to the Chinamen, who shipped them to China for food and medicinal purposes. The shells were shipped to Germany and made in to jewelry and fancy articles…” [Eaton Diary of a Sea Captain’s Wife p. 26]
November 1, 1905 [SBMP]: “The launch Irene arrived yesterday morning from San Nicolas Island with a cargo of several tons of abalone shells and meat, which were procured by Clarence Libbey and Frank Nidever during the last few weeks. They will now engage in the craw-fishing business for the San Pedro Canneries.”
November 3, 1905 [SBMP]: “The Irene came in yesterday afternoon from San Nicolas Island with a ton and a half of abalone shells, which were gathered on that island by Frank Nidever. Walter Stafford is in charge of the boat. Abalone shells are in demand at the present time, and they command a good price in wholesale markets. They are used in the manufacturing of jewelry and fancy articles.”
February 22, 1909 [SBI]: “George M. McGuire’s launch, Gussie M, is now four days overdue from San Nicolas Island, and unless news of this vessel is received in the next 24 hours, Mr. McGuire will probably organize a relief expedition and start for the islands. The Gussie M left one week ago today for San Nicolas Island, with a crew of three, and several abalone hunters. Captain Vasquez was in charge of the launch and party. He received instructions from Mr. McGuire to unload the hunters upon the island and return at once to this city. This ordinarily could be accomplished in three days…”
March 2, 1909 [SBI]: “The Gussie M has returned from San Nicolas Island after a stormy trip. The launch arrived off San Nicolas in a heavy sea and was unable to unload her cargo. An attempt was made to get the cargo ashore, but considerable of it was lost. After waiting several days, during which time she was prevented from blowing on the rocky reefs by three anchors, the Gussie M landed three abalone hunters and the part of her cargo remaining. She had a very stormy voyage back to Santa Barbara, but arrived with all hands safe and sound, much to the satisfaction of her owner, G. M. McGuire.”
September 28, 1911 [LAT/LB]: “C. B. Linton, who owns pearl and abalone concessions on San Nicolas and Santa Barbara islands, this morning purchased of Judge A. C. Lawson the launch Flyer, which he will use in transporting his shells to the mainland. Captain George Childs, formerly of the schooner Santa Rosa Island, will be in command.”
December 11, 1911 [LAT]: “Information has been received by President Newbert of the State Fish & Game Commission, that an abalone pearl farm established on San Clemente Island by private enterprise has proved successful and that several of the islands of Southern California may be devoted to the production of the pearls, which are said to be unusually large and beautiful… The abalone farm was established on San Clemente Island over a year ago by C. B. Linton of Long Beach, who has abalone concessions on that island, also San Nicolas, Santa Barbara and San Miguel islands. For years the abalones were almost cleaned out by Japanese divers, who were not generally known to have secured pearls. They sold the meat and shells and pocketed the pearls without ostentation, and it is only of late years that it has been discovered that the brown men have carried off fortunes in pearls.”
March 7, 1912 [LAT/LB]: “Abalones seized. Yesterday evening when the launch Flyer, owned by C. B. Linton Investment Company, came in from San Nicolas Island and landed at the city docks, she was immediately boarded by Deputy Constable Toler, who took charge of the boat and its freight, which consisted of several tons of abalone shells and meat valued at $8000. The confiscation was made on behalf of Assistant State Fish and Game Commissioner Pritchard, who asserts that the season has closed for abalones and shipment here is in violation of the law. The shells and meat were stored in a warehouse on the docks and will be held pending action by the authorities. The shells were gathered on San Nicolas Island where the Linton Company owns concessions.”
August 27, 1912 [LAT]: “Islands denuded. Clarence B. Linton of Long Beach, who was here today, and who has the abalone concession on San Nicolas and San Clemente islands, says that the accessible parts of the Channel Islands have been almost denuded of abalones, and that it will not be a very long while until the abalone shell and meat industry in Southern California will be a thing of the past. There are portions of San Nicolas and San Clemente islands where the mollusks are as thick as bees in a hive, but it is impossible to reach them , from either sea or land, owing to the threatening rock-bound coast. It is rumored, says Linton, that P. Sandoval is losing his hold on the abalone and fishing concession on the Lower California coast, and that several Californians are after the concession from the Madero government.”
