LAMP Visitor Discusses Florida Commercial Shrimping Industry

Brendan Burke, a maritime archaeologist for the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum, has studied Florida’s commercial shrimping history with the museum’s research wing, the Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program (LAMP). Together with Ed Long, he co-authored Shrimp Boat City in 2013 to provide a “conversation starter” concerning shrimping and wooden boat building in Florida. His visit to ECU’s Program in Maritime Studies detailed his research concerning the history of these vessels.

ABSTRACT: During the early 20th century, a new type of boat was born in Northeast Florida. Forged from Greek, Italian, Norwegian, African-American, and native Floridian hands, the Florida-style trawler became one of the most important boats in the history of the state. From 1919 until the mid-1980s, Florida supplied the world with shrimp trawlers and commercial fishing boats of all types. Northeast Florida was alive with the buzz of saws and the banging of hammers and the enterprise grew into a multi-billion dollar industry that contributed to over 23 foreign fishing fleets. Ultimately, Florida would be responsible for the largest purpose-built wooden fishing fleet ever assembled. This presentation brings together stories, pictures, and the people from the halcyon days of catching shrimp and building boats in the Sunshine State.

Brendan Burke received a B.A. in history and anthropology from Longwood University and an MA in anthropology from The College of William and Mary. Our thanks go to Brendan for visiting and sharing his research with students and faculty alike.

Please check out this link for more information regarding the book and the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum:

http://www.staugustinelighthouse.org/ourstories/local/shrimp_boat_city

Fall Field Schools, 2014

This year, ECU held simultaneous field schools: one in Michigan and one in Florida. You can read about the field schools in the 2015 issue of Stem to Stern, but please enjoy some photos here.

First up is the field school in Michigan. The participants stayed on Mackinac Island and conducted surveys in chilly Lake Huron.

Next up is Biscayne National Park. The participants of the Florida field school stayed on Elliott Key and excavated and mapped an 18th century vessel believed to be of Spanish origin.

Photo credit for the Michigan photos goes to Ivor and Mateusz. The Florida photos were taken by Melissa, Dr. McKinnon, Dr. Harris, and Charles Lawson of the National Park Service.

Stem to Stern 2015

The newest issue of Stem to Stern is out. Stop by Eller House to pick up your very own copy. You can also access it online via this link:

http://www.ecu.edu/cs-cas/maritime/Maritime-Studies-Program-Stem-to-Stern.cfm

Oh the Horror!

This blog submission comes a bit late but here are some photos from the Halloween party. Thanks to Nick, Ryan, and Jeremy for hosting. Thank you also to everyone who helped set up and clean up, and thanks to those who brought food. Without your help, this party could not have happened!

Check out these awesome pumpkins!

Jeneva was the winner of the costume contest!

Great job on the costumes everyone! Photo credits go to Hannah, Melissa and Dr. Harris. If you have other photos you would like to see on the page, send them to msa.eastcarolina@gmail.com