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More than 100 years of Dory Fishing

Kris O’Donnell

In 1889, the beach cooperative known as the Dory Fishing Fleet was

founded in Newport Beach at what was then called McFadden’s Wharf. It

occurred when a dory man pulled his boat onto the sand and opened the

Dory Fisherman’s Market. Thus began a tradition that continues today

alongside Newport Pier.

It was during the 1890s that the custom arose of having the dory

men’s wives sell the freshly caught fish. The first booths were

beneath the wharf. Later, the women began to use the boats as shops

-- a tradition that continues today.

In 1939, the remnants of a hurricane necessitated the rebuilding

of the pier, as 500 feet of it was swept away. Today’s municipal pier

was built the year after the disaster.

With the exception of a mandated interruption of business in World

War II, dory fishers have continuously launched from the base of

Newport Pier.

The Dory Fleet fished off shore and on shore. Originally, oars

were used to breach the breakers -- overturned boats were

commonplace. Once through the breakers, small sails were used to

extend their reach out to sea, as it was a long haul to the fishing

beds. Fishing lines were, and still are, rigged according to the fish

they want to catch.

The original dories were about the same size and shape as they are

today, but they were cotton and treated with Tan Bark to keep marine

growth from rotting them.

Onshore Santa Ana Winds often impeded the return trip for the

rowing fleet. Today, oars have given way to outboard motors.

In 1967, according to the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum, the

Newport Beach City Council recognized the Dory Fleet as the last such

co-op in the U.S. The City Council deemed that the fish market

property should be preserved and given a sense of permanency.

At a cost of thousands of dollars, the city constructed a

protective screen of pilings around the marketplace, thereby securing

the property and enhancing the wharf-like appearance of the area.

In 1969, the Newport Beach Historical Society dedicated the Dory

Fleet and Fish Market as historical landmarks.

Therefore, it transpired that sons followed their fathers, who had

followed their fathers.

* LOOKING BACK runs Sundays. Do you know of a person, place or

event that deserves a historical Look Back? Let us know. Contact

James Meier by fax at (949) 646-4170; e-mail at

[email protected]; or mail him at c/o Daily Pilot, 330 W. Bay

St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627.

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