The Way We Were

Jan. 1, 1925

The Commercial Club took up the matter of new Stikine commercial fishing regulations. The new regulations stipulate that commercial fishing for salmon shall be conducted solely by drift gillnets which may not exceed 200 fathoms in length. Local fishermen are unanimous in declaring that it is impossible to fish the strait with 200-fathom sets, the undercurrents being so strong that a 200-fathom net would almost immediately become so bunched up as to be useless. All net fishing done in this locality heretofore has been with nets 350 to 600 fathoms in length. Fishermen state that fishing on Puget Sound was once restricted to 200-fathom nets, but very soon thereafter officials became convinced that it was not possible to fish on the sound with 200-fathom nets and the regulation was modified so as to permit the use of nets of 350 fathoms. The Commercial Club in its communication sent to Washington, D.C., requested that the Stikine regulations be modified so as to permit the use of nets at least 350 feet in length.

Dec. 30, 1949

Ninety-seven Christmas baskets were delivered to 56 families by the Stocking Fillers last weekend. Filled with foods, clothing and toys, the baskets were made possible by funds collected from organizations, churches, businessmen and individuals the past two weeks. A total of just over $550 was collected and the cost of the baskets was $338.18. A few minor expenses will probably add another $20 to the total bill. Surplus funds will be carried over and it is planned to have a meeting of committee members shortly after the first of the year to decide what type of permanent organization should be set up to administer the fund.

Dec. 24, 1974

Construction could begin as early as next summer on a new 350-foot-long deepwater wharf for Wrangell, capable of handling the largest tour ships now operating in Alaska waters, Port Commission Chairman Leonard Campbell told the chamber of commerce on Thursday. Campbell said passage of the $22.5 million state port bond issue in November virtually assures the major portion of financing to carry out Wrangell’s plans to build a timber and concrete wharf branching off diagonally from the waterfront between the approach to Wrangell Wharf (which will be retained) and the Stikine Inn; to rebuild the present wharf, which Cambell said was in “basically sound condition;” and to add a barge-loading bridge and approach and a “skiff harbor” where scows and skiffs can be pulled onto individual ramps. “We believe work can start on the dock this spring,” said Campbell, “and, with a little luck, it could be ready by the 1976 tour boat season.”

Dec. 30, 1999

Another step forward toward the construction of Heritage Harbor was completed last week with the authorization of the project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The next step in the process is for Congress to appropriate funds for construction; ideally, Congress would take action by fall of 2000. The federal money would cover 80% of the cost of building the breakwater, with the city responsible for the other 20%. The city and state would be responsible to fund construction of the harbor floats and ramps. In December, the city council approved the start of engineering design work, a process which is expected to take from 12 to 18 months. The council and port commission will hold a workshop this month on how to fund the harbor project.