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A guide to the James L. Douthit photographs and oral histories, circa 1965-1975, 1989
P91-058 (SAFR 22588)  
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Collection Contents

Box 1, folders 1-11

Series 1.  Monterey clippers, boat builders and fisherman, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 3 volumes (231 items: 33 typed pages and 198 gelatin silver black-and-white photographic prints, sizes ranging from 3.5 x 10.5 in. to 8 x 10 in.)

Scope and Content Note

Includes photographs of various views of Monterey clipper fishing boats, fishermen and the fishing trade, and boat shops. Also includes transcripts of interviews with Monterey clipper boat builders and fishermen.
Processing Notes:
Photographs and transcripts were received in three binders, which were numbered by the staff as Volumes 1-3. All three of the binders contained black-and-white photographs in non-archival plastic sleeves and albums with self-stick pages. For preservation purposes, the materials were removed from the binders and rehoused. They have been kept in their original groupings (volumes 1-3) and left in their original order within each volume.
Some of the plastic sleeves and pages in the binders had red numbers (made with a label machine) attached to them. These numbers were assigned by Douthit and it is unknown what the numbers refer to. Not all of the photographs were assigned numbers. Since the sleeves were removed during rehousing, this information has been transferred to the back of the photographs. Where numbers were assigned by Douthit, they were noted on the back. All photographs have been numbered sequentially within each binder (volumes 1-3) in order to ensure that original order is maintained.

Biography/Organization History

From the time of the Gold Rush up until the twentieth century, the fishing fleet of San Francisco was predominantly comprised of lateen-rigged sail boats that were mostly operated by Italian immigrants. These boats were copies of vessels used in Italy and many of the boat shops that built these vessels were operated by Italians, Italian Americans, and their families. The second generation of fishing boats in San Francisco came with the introduction of the gasoline motor. These vessels are also known as Monterey clippers, or Put-Puts. These dependable small boats, not generally more than 30 feet in hull length, were all built of the same Monterey hull style. Many of the boats were named after saints or the wives of boat builders and fishermen. These boats were built from wood, usually with cedar planking and oak frames, and most had a one-cylinder gasoline engine. The gas engines enabled fishermen to be on the water more days out of the year, to add distance to their travel, and to add power for hauling in their nets and lines. Eventually, as fishing with small boats became less profitable, the Monterey hull design was used for the building of recreational vessels.
The Monterey clippers were first used to fish for shrimp, but then they were used for gillnetting for local bay fish, trolling for ocean fish, and pulling in crabs. In the 1920s, there were as many as 500 Monterey clippers working out of San Francisco. Starting in the 1930s, the sardine trade was profitable and more canneries sprang up in the San Francisco Bay Area. Monterey clippers were vital to this industry. Up to World War II, it is estimated that 2,000 San Francisco fishermen were employed in the trade, being a primary industry for Italians and Italian Americans living in and around San Francisco. The last Italian boats were built in the San Francisco Bay Area by around World War II. By the 1950s, when the sardine trade was in decline and larger commercial fishing boats were in favor, there were as few as 200 boats that remained and estimates from 2006 speculate that there were as few as 25 Monterey clippers remaining at Fisherman's Wharf at that time.
Sources: "History of Fisherman's Wharf." Accessed on January 24, 2012 from http://web.archive.org/web/20060615210338/http://fishermanswharf.org/History.htm "Tiny boats that made the Wharf are sinking." Carl Nolte. 3 July 2006. San Francisco Chronicle. Accessed January 24, 2012 from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/03/BAGVFJOAEI1.DTL

Arrangement

Arranged into two subseries: Subseries 1.1: Photograph albums of Monterey clipper fishing boats, boat builders, and fisherman and Subseries 1.2: Oral Histories and photographs of the interviewees
Box 1, folders 1-9

Subseries 1.1.  Photograph albums of Monterey clipper fishing boats, boat builders, and fisherman, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 2 volumes (185 gelatin silver black-and-white photographic prints, sizes ranging from 3.5 x 10.5 in. to 8 x 10 in.)

Scope and Content Note

2 volumes of photographs of fishing boats and boat builders, some of which contain duplicate images. In both volumes, nearly half of the photographs are stamped with "Marine Photos; by 'Skipper Jake' Jacob Krurath."
Both binders that originally housed the photographs had labels inside the front cover: James L. Douthit; 304 A St. Apt 3; S San Fran CA 94080-4438; (415) 952-4745.

Biography/Organization History

These photographs are most likely from either a personal or professional project that Douthit was working on regarding the history of Monterey clippers.

Arrangement

Photographs were left in Douthit's original order within each volume.
 

File Unit 1.  Volume 1, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 volume (3 folders).

Scope and Content Note

Photographs include numerous Monterey clippers on blocks at boat shops, at anchor and dock, and underway. Some photographs show numerous vessels in unidentified marinas. Several photographs depict on-deck scenes of fishing or fishing equipment. The majority of photographs are of vessels, some with operators on board. There are also photographs of Svendsen's Boat Works, of Alameda, California; Genoa Boat Works, of San Francisco, California; and Monterey Boat Works, of Monterey, California. One photograph of a boat trolling for salmon is identified as being located off of Point Reyes, California. Most other locations are unknown. Identified vessels are ANNE, BABY SAL (Sal Balesteri's boat), BETSY, CATHERINE, DAGON, DONNA MARIA (Ron Melendy's boat), FOX, GINA MARIA, HELEN RUTH, IRENE, JACKIE BOY, JOHANNA, JOHN J., LITTLE ROSE, MARIA SABINA, MARIANA ANN, MIKE, NATALIE ("Doc" Cravello's boat, built by Genoa Boat Shop in 1941 or 1942), and SEA HORNET.
Box 1, folder 1

Item No. 001.  Genoa Boat Works building exterior, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

Photograph of the outside of Genoa Boat Works, San Francisco, California, where Monterey clippers were built. What appears to be the stem of a hull is in the foreground.
Box 1, folder 1

Item No. 025.  Little Rose (Monterey clipper) up on blocks, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

Port view of the vessel out of the water. The vessel is in a boat lot, perhaps at a marina or boat shop, with other boats around it.
Box 1, folder 1

Item No. 033.  Baby Sal (Monterey clipper) in line with other Monterey clippers, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

BABY SAL was the boat of Sal Balesteri, fisherman. The vessel is one among seven other vessels lined-up in an unidentified marina.
 

File Unit 2.  Volume 2, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 volume (6 folders).

Scope and Content Note

Many of the photographs show people fishing on Monterey clippers. Includes portraits of fishermen, views of preparing lines, hauling in fish, and weighing fish on the dock. Two photographs of Phillip Famalett and his Monterey clipper, GLORIA M. Also includes group photographs of the Yukon Gang, a group of fishermen that worked together from the 1950s-1970s: Joe Cravello (Pabst), Dan Cravello (Governor), Mario Balesteri (President), Duke, Tom Cramina, and Sal Balesteri. Photographs also include Monterey fishing boats at anchor, at dock and underway. Some photographs show numerous vessels in unidentified marinas. A few photographs show coastal landscape and one photograph shows Castagnola's in San Francisco. Most of the other locations are unidentified. Identified vessels include ARIES, BABY SAL (Sal Balesteri's boat), CHUM KETA, DAGON, CINDY, FLORENCE (Pete Beltrano's boat), GLORIA M. (Phillip Famalett's boat), GUISEPPE, JESSIE M., JOSIE M., LADY AUDREY, MARILEE, MARIA SABRINA, MOONLAKE, RASHER, ROYANEH, SHARON II, SKIP-A-LOO, VIRGINIA (Mike Mitchell's boat).
Box 1, folder 4

Item No. 014.  Unidentified fisherman working off his Monterey clipper, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

Starboard view of the vessel in the fog, with the fisherman standing and appears to be working the lines.
Box 1, folder 4

Item No. 017.  Unidentified fisherman preparing lines on deck of a Monterey Clipper, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

Lures and spinners being prepared for casting, at the bow of the boat.
Box 1, folder 6

Item No. 056.  Josie M (Monterey clipper) along side an unidentified Monterey clipper, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

The two fishing boats are seen side-by-side in an unidentified marina. The JOSIE M is on the left. The unidentified boat has a man visible on board and what appears to be a young adult along side the unidentified boat in a small craft.
Box 1, folder 7

Item No. 074.  Unidentified fisherman baiting lines, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

The man is baiting two large sets of line with bait fish on the deck of a Monterey clipper.
Box 1, folder 7

Item No. 079.  Fisherman holding up two of the day's catch, circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

Unidentified man holding a fish in each hand as he stands on an unidentified fishing dock. The Monterey Clipper, SKIP-A-LOU, is seen in the background.
Box 1, folder 7

Item No. 088.  Five Monterey Clippers at dock outside of the A. Romeo Fish Co., circa 1965-1975

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

There is a man standing on the deck of one of the unidentified ships. The ARIES and MARIA SABINA have names in view.
Box 1, folders 10-11

Subseries 1.2.  Oral Histories and photographs of the interviewees, 1973

Extent: 1 volume (46 items: 33 typed pages and 13 gelatin silver black-and-white photographic prints, 8 x 10 in.)

Scope and Content Note

10 interviews of Monterey clipper boat builders and fishermen, some are identified as members of the Yukon Gang. Includes 13 photographs of the interviewees.
Transcripts of interviews with: Barber of the vessel FAITH (first name not given; possibly Wally Barber?), Joe Beviacqua (who was once chief shipwright for the GGNRA National Maritime Museum), Mike Coleman, Dan Cravello, Dominic Ghio and Tony Ghio (3 copies), Joe Jerome of the vessel LUCKY LADY, Joe Maggi of the vessel ANNA M., Frank Maniscalpo, Vaughn Melendy (also a member of the Yukon Gang), David Morrison (2 copies), Carl Rafello, Ed Wetton (2 copies). Includes photographs of Pete Beltrano, Joe Beviacqua, Joe Jerome, one unidentified man, and the vessel CORNUCOPIA. It appears that Pete Beltrano was not interviewed, but his photograph was in the volume with the other oral histories, so it was left in place.
It is unknown where the original interview audio tapes or reels are; the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park only holds these transcripts.

Biography/Organization History

These photographs and transcripts are most likely from either a personal or professional project that Douthit was working on regarding the history of Monterey clippers.

Arrangement

Interviews and photographs arranged alphabetically by last name of interviewee, in two separate folders.
 

File Unit 1.  Volume 3, 1973

Extent: 1 volume (2 folders).
Box 1, folder 11

Item No. 001.  Portrait of Joe Beviacqua, 1973

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

Beviacqua is wearing a hard hat and appears to have naval plans in front of him. Beviacqua was a shipwright foreman at the former San Francisco Maritime State Historical Park.
Box 1, folder 11

Item No. 002.  Portrait of an unidentified Monterey Clipper fisherman, 1973

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

The man is wearing an Alaska Independent Fishermen's Marketing Association (AIFMA) hat, and he is sitting on what appears to be a dock.
Box 1, folder 11

Item No. 003.  Portrait of Joe Jerome, Monterey Clipper fisherman, 1973

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

Jerome was the owner of the LUCKY LADY.
Box 1, folder 11

Item No. 007.  Portrait of Pete Beltrano, operating his Monterey Clipper, Florence, 1973

Extent: 1 photograph.
Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 8 x 10 in.

Scope and Content Note

Beltrano, a San Francisco Bay fisherman, is seen in the cabin, operating his boat.
Box 1, folder 12

Series 2.  Northern California and Oregon vessels, lighthouses and cities, 1989

Extent: 8 photographs (8 gelatin silver black-and-white photographic prints, 8 x 10 in.)

Scope and Content Note

Contains views of Fort Ross, California; Umpqua River lighthouse in Oregon; Battle Rock at Port Orford, Oregon; COLUMBIA (built 1950; lightship: museum ship) at Astoria, Oregon; Point Arena, California; MARY D. HUME (built 1881; steamer) at Gold Beach, Oregon; Point Cabrillo lighthouse, California; and Coquille River lighthouse at Bandon, Oregon.

Arrangement

Arranged in numerical order, using the photographer's numbers.

Provenance

These photographs were taken when Douthit was traveling through California and Oregon in 1989, conducting oral histories about steam schooners. The oral histories that he conducted on this trip are held in the San Francisco Maritime Museum Oral History collection (SAFR 21848). The list of oral histories that he conducted can be found in the "Related Materials" section of the front matter in this finding aid.