Tag Archives: Swans Island
Seventh-generation fisherman Carlton Elbridge Joyce of Swans Island, Me. has passed away
Carlton Elbridge Joyce peacefully left for his heavenly home on Sunday, May 5, 2024, while his family kept vigil at MDI Hospital. Though strong at 85, he could not overcome an aggressive bladder cancer that was diagnosed in February. Born on March 17, 1939, in Rockland, to Robert McKay Joyce and Roberta Laverne (Simmons) Joyce, Carlton was raised on Swan’s Island with his younger siblings Sharon, Bonnie, Laverne, and Matthew. He joined the military and was proud of his service with the United States Army. His favorite stories from his time in Germany included his first captivating glance of the beautiful Army girl from Hawaii. On May 24,1962, he married the love of his life and brought her to his island on the other side of the world. Together for 61 years, they built a life they loved in a place he called paradise. His undying devotion and admiration for his wife is a legacy of love for his family. A seventh-generation fisherman, Carlton had a passion and keen instinct for lobstering and the fishing industry. He loved everything about his life on the water. His last boat was designed for Pacita’s comfort and together they lived out their working days with a tenacity that sustained their fishing career through the fall of 2023. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 11:38
Maine fishing pier damaged in January storms put up for sale
Kent’s Wharf has been listed for sale through an open-ended online auction. A minimum bid of $1.4 million has been set for the property, which includes two wooden piers and assorted buildings on approximately 1.25 acres. However, the suggested value is more than double that, at $2.9 million. While the reasons for the potential sale are unclear, it comes as advocates for Maine’s working waterfronts worry that some private pier owners may give up on repairing expensive storm damage and instead try to sell their properties, to the detriment of the overall fishing industry. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:41
Donnie Carlson found his niche on Swan’s Island
Many people in the lobster industry see fishing as a birthright. They fish because their father fished, and maybe his father before him. Donnie Carlson started on that familiar path, but took an unexpected turn 30-plus years ago. As a boy, Carlson, a life-long resident of Swan’s Island, worked as sternman for his father during lobster and scallop season. Unlike most island boys, though, he suffered from terrible motion sickness. While he loved working outdoors, he decided early on he wouldn’t have a career on the water. >click to read<10:41
“Maritime Women on Swan’s Island” – Swan’s Island honors women who fished
Betsy Philbrook’s grandmother, Melita Staples, was up for anything except cooking and housecleaning. “She used to bait tubs when she was younger,” said Philbrook. “She was much happier driving a dumptruck or working on a dock than staying home.” As a child, Philbrook, whose family goes back on Swan’s Island to its first settlement, learned how to set lobster traps from her grandmother. She went on to become a sternman for her father, went off to college, bought her first little lobsterboat in 2001, and has been sterning for Dwight Colbeth since 2006. >click to read<13:48
Swans Island sisters forge careers on the sea
Lesley and Leah Ranquist, sisters in their early 20s, were first introduced to fishing when they were mere kindergarteners. Now they are among the 4 percent of women currently holding commercial fishing licenses in the state of Maine. Lesley and Leah’s story isn’t just noteworthy because they’re young women making a good living in an industry dominated by men; their introduction to lobster fishing started with a grandfather who fished with only two fingers and a thumb. Read the rest here 10:10
