Continuing Lecture Series
Press Release – February 3, 2005

Presentatation on the Downeast Sardine Industry – February 16, 2005

Many, if not most native Downeasters worked in the sardine industry or had parents, grandparents, and other family members who did. Beginning in 1878, jobs ranging from seining and fishing to factory jobs called flaker, cutter, packer, tin cutter, rimmer and bender, seamer, can maker, sealer and leak mender kept the local people – man, woman and child – employed during the annual summer herring runs. Practically everyone had a job at “the plant.”

In eastern Washington County, between Eastport and Lubec, there were eventually over 40 sardine canneries going full tilt. The last one in operation, Lubec Packing Company, shut down in July, 2001.

For a century and a quarter sardine packing was the leading industry in Downeast Maine. So what kind of jobs were these? Your grandmother was a cutter and her grandpa was a rimmer in the can shop. Were these “good” jobs? What exactly did the can maker, leak mender and cutter do? How was the pay? And the working conditions?

To help explore and define the growth, gradual decline and eventual demise of this important industry the Trescott Historical Society and Social Club has invited industry expert Peter Boyce, of Lubec, to answer these questions at its next speakers’ forum.

Following graduation from Maine Maritime Academy in 1966 Boyce spent the next six years at sea on freighters, and the next 23 years in management in Maine’s fish and sardine packing industries. Mr. Boyce was manager of Lubec Packing Company when the final curtain came down on the industry on July 18, 2001.

Peter Boyce will present his interesting story at the Lubec Memorial Library on Wednesday evening, February 16th at 6:30. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the talk. Snow date will be the following Wednesday, same time.

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Last updated: 2/03/05