Bio: Carl Schwab – Lifelong commercial fisherman and founding member of the Port Clyde Fisherman’s Co-op. Read more below.
Carl Schwab Interview Part 1
Carl Schwab Interview Part 2
Carl was born in Manhatten New York in 1934. His father was a prominent civil rights lawyer who died when Carl was eight. Carl and his mother came to Monhegan in the summer of 1944, returning to the city for school in the fall. During summers on the island, Carl spent his time watching and getting to know the fishermen working from the town wharf. In 1947 Carl was invited by Capt. Levi Hupper to come aboard his boat for a fishing trip on the Marie H. a dragger and herring seiner boat based in Port Clyde This invitation became an informal apprenticeship for Carl who soon became a regular member of Capt. Hupper’s crew on the Marie H. and brought Carl to Port Clyde where he bought a house, married, raised a family and lives today.
Commercial fishing around Port Clyde in the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s was a year round and often “round the clock” business and involved many types of fisheries that do not exist today. In the winter, Carl worked on Port Clyde boats staying in Portland herring seining off the Isle of Shoals and dragging for shrimp and whiting. In the summer back in Port Clyde, Carl was herring seining and ground fishing as crew on local draggers while hauling lobster traps with his own smaller lobster boat. Carl also made several trips on large draggers based in Rockland to the Grand Banks and other distant fishing grounds.
In 1972, Carl and other leaders of the fishing community worked successfully to form the Port Clyde Fisherman’s Co-op to guarantee working waterfront access for commercial fishing in Port Clyde. Carl continues as an active member of the Co-op and is proud of their accomplishments.
Carl Schwab Photo Gallery
Carl’s son Brett on Sardine Seiner “Silver Mink” Captain “Junior” Ed Benner.
Carl’s daughter Kimberly on Sardine Seiner “Silver Mink” Captain “Junior” Ed Benner.
Carl D. Schwab mends a shrimp net from local newspaper.
View of Port Clyde from Carl’s house.
Another view of Port Clyde Harbor from Carl’s home.
Carl on the left. Port Clyde Fishermen Coop. 1974
Earliest photo of Carl on Monhegan
Schwab home while still part of old store. Purchased 1980
Kathy and Carl’s first rental 1956-1980. Carl and the crew of Marie H built 4 room apartment over Hupper Store. Torn down for Monhegan Boat Parking.
Levi Hupper. Owner/Captain Marie H. Built in Port Clyde 1947. Tied up at Monhegan probably 1949. Crew Nilly Morse.
Carl’s “crew mates” 1947. Marie H. with Capt. Levi Hupper. Tied up at Monhegan 1947 Shannon Cushman, Jim White, Wilber, Spinner Cushman
Penobscot Marine Museum’s Atlantic Fisherman Collection The first boat fished by Carl Schwab, 1947 Marie H. featured in the St. George Dragon Newsletter Nov. 20/2014
Cover of Ocean Delight Sardines from Port Clyde Maine. 1962
From Bangor Daily News 1991. Donald’s Wharf towards cold storage.
Carl’s first boat lobster skiff 1957
Florida yacht “Incredible” with Bertie Simmons
Florida yacht “Incredible” Paul Anderson and Bertie Simmons Port Clyde “boys”
Herring Seining – “stop seining” Hugo Lehtenen’s crew. Carl with red hat in shiff September 1965
Summer 1956 in Portland, ME. Whiting fishing Marie H. Capt Levi Hupper Port Clyde
Summer 1956 Portland Mary and Helen
Stop seining herring. “Drying up the twine” by hand from a dory sardine carrier in background waiting to be loaded. Capt. Levi Hupper 1950s.
Port Clyde Packing Company. Sardine Plant. Port Clyde 1964 Maine Industrial Review Edition Courier Gazette, Feb 22 1964
Carl operating a winch aboard the FV Dauntless winter/spring 1957
From Maine Lobstermen’s Association newsletter June 2010. Story of Carl andt he formation of the Port Clyde Fisherman’s Co-op.
A Fisherman’s Life Story from Courier Gazette focus on Carl Schwab