The Halibut Bank Misadventure
An ambitious fishing excursion turns into a comedy of errors, leaving local thrill-seekers more acquainted with seasickness than with their quarry.
The steamer Willapa left the Ocosta wharf Tuesday morning at 7:30 with a party of excursionists for the halibut banks. After crossing the bar and running out four miles, anchor was cast and fishing commenced. The catch was small, so the party moved four miles more to seaward. This time a few rock cod were caught. At 12:30 a start was made for shallower water to fish with Edm. Croft's sub-marine net. The net was lowered and dragged at the rate of two miles an hour; but when raised, it was found to contain only a few jelly fish. On the return to Aberdeen, large crowds gathered on the wharf to see if they could recognize the gay party of the morning in the dilapidated wrecks returning home. It was evident they could not; some had to be identified.
“Large crowds were gathered on the wharf to see if they could recognize the gay party of the morning in the dilapidated wreck returning home.”
The 'excursion party' is a recurring staple of Pacific Northwest life—a mix of optimism and hubris when facing the notoriously rough bars of Grays Harbor. While the technology has changed from steam to modern sport-fishing vessels, the tendency for townspeople to congregate at the docks to gauge the success (or failure) of the day's catch remains a classic harbor scene.
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