The little coastal town of Astoria sits right at the spot where the mighty Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean. The port town became an important site for salmon fishing and canning in the late 19th-century. It also became one of the most dangerous places in Oregon -- and, more broadly, n America.
In 1880, Astoria was a thriving community with a vibrant fishing economy.
But while there was a lot of money to made in the salmon industry, working as a salmon fisherman was one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.
Fishing crews worked on small, 24-foot boats that didn't have motors.
They cast their nets out to catch fish near the mouth of the river. The closer they got to the bar, the more fish they caught. But... the closer they got to the bar, the more dangerous conditions were. If they ran aground as the tide came in, humungous, 40-foot-high breakers crushed their boat, and survival was nearly impossible.
On May 2, 1880, a huge storm hit the coast near Astoria. It caught fishing crews by surprise, and many were killed. The next day, more crews headed out during a lull in the storm, which then returned to its full, destructive force. Between those two days, more than 60 fishermen were killed.
Estimates vary, but during 1880, between 200 and 350 salmon fishermen lost their lives.
The rate of death for these men was 1 in 15 - much higher than even the death rates of loggers and mill workers.
The fishing industry in Astoria continued to be the most dangerous job in the country for years.
Around the end of World War I, fishing boats were equipped with motors that helped them pull away from the bar and through the breakers, and the endeavor became a little more safe.
Though fishing continues to be one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, in Astoria, 1880 it was about as bad as you can imagine. For more information about the history of salmon fishing in Astoria, take a look at this article by Finn J.D. John in Offbeat Oregon History.
If you're interested in seeing more photos depicting Oregon's history, take a look at this article with photos taken during the Great Depression.
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