Archives Center, National Museum of American History
United States Fish Commission Records
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Transportation
United States Fish Commission
NMAH.AC.0256
Archival Resource Key
4.66 Cubic feet
20 boxes, 1 oversize folder
1871-1892
English
.
United States Fish Commission Records: 1871-1892
Scope and Contents
Most of the collection consists of drawings, both pen and ink and pencil, photoengravings and photographs and blueprints of fish, fishermen, fishing gear, nets, traps, seines, fishing vessels both small and large, and fish processing. Some are identified by type, some by location; others lack specific identification. Many carry comments and directions for reduction. These may have been illustrations for annual or other reports and publications. Many of the photographs were taken in the 1880's and 90's. The key to a number of them is in U.S. National Museum Bulletin No. 27, which consists of descriptive catalogues of the collections sent by the United States to the International Fisheries Exhibition held in London in 1883.2 Where a photograph has been identified in Bulletin No. 27, a notation of the appropriate page number has been made on the back of the photo.
Also included is a bound, handwritten journal of the Commission with entries that relate to official actions such as its establishment, its appropriations, and Congressional authorizations for specific activities. These identify the statute or House or Senate journal entry that is applicable. The entries run from February 9, 1871 to December 24, 1892. There is an index by subject. There are some handwritten notes about fishing vessels made by Captain J. W. Collins and his partial draft manuscript describing fishing vessels. A draft of his annual report for 1884 is also included. A small amount of correspondence relates to descriptions of fishing vessels as well.
Preferred Citation
United States Fish Commission Records, 1871-1892, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution.
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Collection donated by the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Interior, circa 1940.
About 1940 when the Bureau of Fisheries became part of the Department of the Interior and was renamed the Fish and Wildlife Service, most of these photographs were given to Mr. Frank Taylor of the U. S. National Museum, Department of the Interior. The collection was transferred to the Division of Transportation of the NMAH in 19 _. The collection was transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Transportation on April 10, 1987.
Many of the photographs, particularly those identified in Bulletin No. 27 of the U. S. National Museum were taken by Thomas W. Smillie on the staff of the Smithsonian and also of the U.S. National Museum.
Historical Note
The United States Commission of Fish and Fisheries, established in 1871, launched and carried out the first sustained study of marine biology in the United States. It was instrumental in the artificial propagation of fish, thus increasing the country's fish resources and in concentrating attention on the preservation of natural resources. In 1877 the Commission initiated the collection of detailed and reliable data on American commercial fisheries, their modernization and improvement.
The immediate origin of the Fish Commission lay in a dispute in southern New England between the owners of traps (nets, weirs, or other means of capturing large quantities of fish) and a much larger group of fishermen who fished from small boats or the shore with single lines. Accusations that traps were responsible for the diminution in the supply of coastal fish raged. Spencer Fullerton Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, with a keen interest in marine biology had followed the dispute closely. He recognized that the practical work related to its solution would contribute to proving the utilitarian value of science and provide excellent opportunities for basic marine biological research. Backed by prominent friends and his own knowledge of the political dynamics of Washington he sought a congressional appropriation for an extended investigation of coastal fisheries.
At the request of Henry L. Dawes, chairman of the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives to whom Baird had turned for help, he outlined in a letter of January 3, 1971 the dispute in southern New England, including a proposal for a commission charged with determining the scientific reason for the decrease in coastal species and headed by a mediator empowered to consult with the states and seek a fair solution. As it shortly emerged from Congress the resolution established the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries. This created a body with no time limits, and without restriction as to area, thus opening the way to a national investigation. The head of this new agency was to be appointed by the President, to be an officer of the government and to serve without additional pay. With its basic authorization assured, a $5,000 appropriation was quickly approved and Spencer Baird, Assistant Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, was appointed Commissioner by President Grant. He took the oath of office on March 8, 1871.
While its appropriations for the propagation of fish far exceeded those for research, the Commission on Fish and Fisheries was influential in promoting scientific development in the federal government. In 1881 the Congress at Commissioner Baird's request, appropriated $190,000 for a sea going vessel, the Albatross, especially equipped for marine biology. He settled on Wood's Hole in Massachusetts as the site for a permanent scientific station and arranged for the purchase of the land by private subscribers such as the Johns Hopkins University, Princeton University and Williams College. Such institutions had a right to send a specialist to the station to do research. The marine biological laboratory at Wood's Hole developed into a world famous research institution.
In 1903 the independent commission became the Bureau of Fisheries in the Department of Commerce and Labor. The Bureau was transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1939 and in 1940 was merged with another bureau to become the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Robert harding and Grace Angle, 1988
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Transportation (now Division of Work and Industry).
Fishing
Fishes
Fish and fisheries
Cyanotypes
Photoengravings
Drawings -- 1870-1910
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Transportation
Actions Relating to the United States Fish Commission-Appropriations, Authorizations, Appointments, etc.
Archival Resource Key
1
1
J. W. Collins Annual Report
Archival Resource Key
1884
1
2
J. W. Collins Miscellaneous Memoranda
Archival Resource Key
1
3
J. W. Collins Notes on Fishing Vessels
Archival Resource Key
1
4
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
September 15, 1881-October 13, 1892 and undated
1
5
Correspondence
Archival Resource Key
June 20, 1906-June 22, 1906; February 4, 1915
1
6
Description of Fishing Vessels, handwritten
Archival Resource Key
1
7
Description of Fishing Vessels, draft manuscript
Archival Resource Key
1
8
Fishing Vessels, pencil sketches
Archival Resource Key
1
9
Fishing Vessels, photoengravings
Archival Resource Key
1
10
Guide to Photographs
Archival Resource Key
1
11
Miscellaneous
Archival Resource Key
1
12
Negative Numbers, Negative Catalogue
Archival Resource Key
1
13
Note Regarding Unidentified Photograph
Archival Resource Key
1
14
Fishing Trap Patent, H. Webb
Archival Resource Key
May 6, 1877
1
15
U. S. Department of Agriculture Bulletins, Personnel Administration,
Archival Resource Key
April 15, 1938; June 20, 1938; February 28, 1939
1
16
Fish Processing Pen and Inks
Archival Resource Key
2
1
Fish Processing Pen and Inks
Brown, the champion fish skinner, Shute & Merchant, Gloucester, Massachusetts [drawing]
Archival Resource Key
United States Fish Commission
1 Item
Ink on paper.
9.9" x 15.9"
September 1882
English.
2
1
Brown, the champion fish skinner, Shute & Merchant, Gloucester, Massachusetts [drawing]
Local Numbers
AC0256-0000006 (AC scan no.)
Scope and Contents
Artist H. Elliott.
Fishing
Fishing industry -- Massachusetts
Drawings
Fishing, Indians, Aleuts, Eskimos and Others
Archival Resource Key
2
2
Herring, graphics
Archival Resource Key
2
3
Sea Elephants
Archival Resource Key
2
4
Sea Scallops
Archival Resource Key
2
5
Seals
Archival Resource Key
2
6
Walrus, Sea Otter, Manatee
Archival Resource Key
2
7
Whales
Archival Resource Key
2
8
Gear, I
Archival Resource Key
3
1
Gear, II
Archival Resource Key
3
2
Miscellaneous Sketches, H. W. Elliott and J. W. Collins
Archival Resource Key
3
3
Nets
Archival Resource Key
3
4
Nets, other countries
Archival Resource Key
3A
1
Nets, United States
Archival Resource Key
3A
2
Trawls
Archival Resource Key
3A
3
Unidentified Diagram
Archival Resource Key
3A
4
Fishing Crews
Archival Resource Key
4
1
Fishing Vessels and Boats identified in U. S. National Museum Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
4
2
Fishing Vessels and Boats I
Archival Resource Key
4
3
Fishing Vessels and Boats II
Archival Resource Key
4
4
Fishing Vessels and Boats III
Archival Resource Key
4
5
Fishing Vessels and Boats, diagrams
Archival Resource Key
4
6
Fishing Vessels and Boats, sketches by H. W. Elliot and J. W. Collins
Archival Resource Key
4
7
Boat Models, identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
5
1
Boat Models, not identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
5
2
Fish and Fishing
Archival Resource Key
5
3
Sailing Vessels
Archival Resource Key
5
4
Gloucester I, identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
6
1
Gloucester II, identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
6
2
Gloucester III, identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
6
3
Gloucester, blueprints identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
6
4
Gloucester
Archival Resource Key
7
1
Salmon
Archival Resource Key
7
2
Shad
Archival Resource Key
7
3
Fishermen, identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
8
1
Fishermen, not identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
8
2
Fishermen, not identified in Bulletin #27
[Group of Whaling Skippers cyanotype.]
Archival Resource Key
United States Fish Commission
1 Item
Silver gelatin on paper.
10.0" x 8.0".
1882
English.
8
2
[Group of Whaling Skippers cyanotype.]
Local Numbers
AC0256-0000005 (AC scan no.)
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Scope and Contents
Four African American captains shoreside in New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Whaling
United States Fish Commission
Whalers -- African Americans
Massachusetts -- New Bedford
Cyanotypes
Fishermen's Houses, identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
8
3
Fishermen's Houses, identified in Bulletin #27
[Tenement House for Fishermen's Widows : black and white photoprint.]
Archival Resource Key
United States Fish Commission
1 Item
Silver gelatin on paper.
8.2" x 10.2".
1882
English.
8
3, photo 2046
[Tenement House for Fishermen's Widows : black and white photoprint.]
Local Numbers
AC0256-0000004 (AC scan no.)
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
United States Fish Commission
Tenement houses -- United States.
Widows -- United States.
Fishers' spouses
Fishing -- New England
Photographs -- 1880-1890 -- Black-and-white photoprints
Fishermen's Houses, not identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
8
4
Detroit, Michigan
Archival Resource Key
9
1
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit fishermen [photoprint.]
Archival Resource Key
United States Fish Commission
1 Item
Silver gelatin on paper.
7.9" x 9.4"
Circa 1882
English.
9
1
Detroit fishermen [photoprint.]
Local Numbers
AC0256-0000001 (AC scan no.)
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Scope and Contents
Belle Isle in the Detroit Rivier. Image identified in the US National Museum Bulletin Number 27, 1894.
Fishing
Fishers
Photographs -- 1880-1890 -- Black-and-white photoprints
Detroit fishermen [photoprint.]
Archival Resource Key
United States Fish Commission
1 Item
Silver gelatin on paper.
7.9" x 9.4"
Circa 1882
English.
9
1
Detroit fishermen [photoprint.]
Local Numbers
AC0256-0000002 (AC scan no.)
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Scope and Contents
Belle Isle in the Detroit Rivier. Image identified in the US National Museum Bulletin Number 27, 1884
Fishing
Fishers
Photographs -- 1880-1890 -- Black-and-white photoprints
Eastport, Maine
Archival Resource Key
9
2
Oxford, Maryland
Archival Resource Key
9
3
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Archival Resource Key
9
4
Rockport, Maine
Archival Resource Key
9
5
Tiverton, Rhode Island
Archival Resource Key
9
6
Other Locations, identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
9
7
Other Locations, not identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
9
8
Buildings Related to the Fishing Industry
Archival Resource Key
10
1
Gloucester, not identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
10
2
Pelagic Sealers
Archival Resource Key
10
3
Purse Net Fishing, identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
10
4
Views from Other Countries
Archival Resource Key
10
5
Fishing Vessels, identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
11
1
Miscellaneous Photographs and Blueprints identified in Bulletin #27
Archival Resource Key
11
2
Miscellaneous Photographs and Blueprints identified in Bulletin #27
Wharf of D. C. & H. Babson in Gloucester, Massachusetts [photoprint.]
Archival Resource Key
United States Fish Commission
1 Item
Silver gelatin on paper.
7.9" x 10.0"
Circa 1882
English.
11
2
Wharf of D. C. & H. Babson in Gloucester, Massachusetts [photoprint.]
Local Numbers
AC0256-0000003 (AC scan no.)
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted research use by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Scope and Contents
Fish drying on the wharf. Image identified in the US National Museum Bulletin Number 27, 1884
Fishing
Wharves
Fishing industry -- Massachusetts
Fishers
Photographs -- 1880-1890 -- Black-and-white photoprints
Miscellaneous Photographs identified by subject I
Archival Resource Key
12
1
Miscellaneous Photographs, identified by subject, II
Archival Resource Key
12
2
Albatross I
Archival Resource Key
13
1
Albatross II
Archival Resource Key
13
2
Albatross, blueprints
Archival Resource Key
14
1
Fishhawk
Archival Resource Key
14
2
Fishing Vessels
Archival Resource Key
14
2
Grampus and Lookout
Archival Resource Key
14
3
Launches, blueprints
Archival Resource Key
14
4
Thetis
Archival Resource Key
14
5
Wood's Hole
Archival Resource Key
14
6
Catamarans, Dugouts, South America and West Indies, blueprints
Archival Resource Key
15
1
Outriggers and other Native Boats, South Seas Expedition of Albatross, 1899 1900
Archival Resource Key
15
2
Fishing Vessels, Foreign Models
Archival Resource Key
15
3
Fishing Vessels, Foreign Models, Berlin Exposition I
Archival Resource Key
15
4
Fishing Vessels, Foreign Models, Berlin Exposition II
Archival Resource Key
15
5
Alaska Investigation, 1894 1895, blueprints
Archival Resource Key
16
1
Alaska Investigation, 1908, blueprints
Archival Resource Key
16
2
Alert, photographs and blueprints
Archival Resource Key
16
3
Blueprints, identified by subject
Archival Resource Key
16
4
Blueprints, not identified by subject
Archival Resource Key
16
5
New England Fishing schooners from D. Foster Taylor, and Chesapeake Bay Bug Eyes
Archival Resource Key
16
6
Boston Wharves
Archival Resource Key
17
1
Fish Processing
Archival Resource Key
17
2
Fishing Vessels
Archival Resource Key
17
3
Fulton Market, New York
Archival Resource Key
17
4
Miscellaneous Blueprints, identified by subject
Archival Resource Key
17
5
Wharves and Buildings
Archival Resource Key
17
5
Miscellaneous unidentified photographs I
Archival Resource Key
18
1
Miscellaneous Unidentified photographs II
Archival Resource Key
19
1
Miscellaneous Unidentified photographs III
Archival Resource Key
19
2
Sailing vessels in groups
Archival Resource Key
20
1
Fishing vessels and boats V
Archival Resource Key
20
2
Fishing vessel and boats VI
Archival Resource Key
20
3
Bureau of Fisheries Poster, "Eat More Fish"
Archival Resource Key
1
Bureau of Fisheries, Statistics of Shrimp Industry, 1916
Archival Resource Key
2
Canned Shrimp, Saturday Evening Post
Archival Resource Key
3
Diagram, unidentified
Archival Resource Key
4
Discharging Fresh Halibut, pencil
Archival Resource Key
5
Halibut Schooner, pen and ink
Archival Resource Key
5
Menhaden Steamer, pen and ink
Archival Resource Key
5