Throwback Thursday: Ballard’s fishing industry roots

In honor of the return of the North Pacific fishing fleet to Fishermen’s Terminal in the next couple weeks, here’s a look back at the fishing industry of yesteryear.

20030010055

Salmon Bay fishing fleet in March, 26, 1944. Nets are dried in long rows on the piers. In right foreground are glass floats used instead of scarce cork. Flags at the left are net markers.

knut

Knut the Emigrant in 1890 standing on a dock near some fishing nets, holding two fish.

sailfish

Sepia photo of a small boat and two fishermen in 1904. Back of photo reads, “The dorys (boats) in which the men went out and removed the fish and sometimes many were lost at sea in stormy weather. This was also from the vessel, San Juan Steamer.”

fishterm

Fishermen’s Terminal in 1915 looking north from Emerson St. The stacks of Ballard’s many mills can be seen in the background.

All photos courtesy the Ballard Historical Society

Leave a Reply