CLAM HUNTING - Revision history

Randylyon at 16:07, 1 September 2021

2021-09-01T16:07:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:07, 1 September 2021
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	[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]		[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]
	When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell. In 1910 the water level fell so low that many clam hunters simply scooped them up with their hands. Low water level, however, made dredging in the ~~channel~~ almost impossible. (1)		When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell. In 1910 the water level fell so low that many clam hunters simply scooped them up with their hands. Low water level, however, made dredging in the [[CHANNEL]] almost impossible. (1)

	The original clam fishing area existed between Muscatine, Iowa and Red Wing, Minnesota. (2) Overfishing led to the near extinction of clam beds south of McGregor. In 1901 a surprising number of fresh water pearls were discovered north of McGregor. The size ranged from pinhead to a nickel and were round, oval, flat or half-round. In two days, one buyer paid $2,500 for pearls. Prices ranged from $25.00 to several hundred dollars. (3) The fancier shells which brought the best prices were sent to Europe for manufacturing. The "river run" which did not have the irridescense were sold to American factories in 1920 for $45 a ton. (4) The rush of new fisherman to the area led to the formation of the Clammers Union of Harper's Ferry to prevent encroachment. The plan of the Union was to lease all the land along the shore and the islands in the Mississippi on which clammers would need to land to prepare their shells.		The original clam fishing area existed between Muscatine, Iowa and Red Wing, Minnesota. (2) Overfishing led to the near extinction of clam beds south of McGregor. In 1901 a surprising number of fresh water pearls were discovered north of McGregor. The size ranged from pinhead to a nickel and were round, oval, flat or half-round. In two days, one buyer paid $2,500 for pearls. Prices ranged from $25.00 to several hundred dollars. (3) The fancier shells which brought the best prices were sent to Europe for manufacturing. The "river run" which did not have the irridescense were sold to American factories in 1920 for $45 a ton. (4) The rush of new fisherman to the area led to the formation of the Clammers Union of Harper's Ferry to prevent encroachment. The plan of the Union was to lease all the land along the shore and the islands in the Mississippi on which clammers would need to land to prepare their shells.
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	[[Category: Industry]]		[[Category: Industry]]
	[[Category: Postcards]]		[[Category: Postcards]]
			[[Category: Channel]]

Randylyon at 04:28, 5 April 2018

2018-04-05T04:28:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:28, 5 April 2018
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	[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]		[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]
	When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.		When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell. In 1910 the water level fell so low that many clam hunters simply scooped them up with their hands. Low water level, however, made dredging in the channel almost impossible. (1)

	The original clam fishing area existed between Muscatine, Iowa and Red Wing, Minnesota. (1) Overfishing led to the near extinction of clam beds south of McGregor. In 1901 a surprising number of fresh water pearls were discovered north of McGregor. The size ranged from pinhead to a nickel and were round, oval, flat or half-round. In two days, a buyer paid $2,500 for pearls. Prices ranged from $25.00 to several hundred dollars. (2) The rush of new fisherman to the area led to the formation of the Clammers Union of Harper's Ferry to prevent encroachment. The plan of the Union was to lease all the land along the shore and the islands in the Mississippi on which clammers would need to land to prepare their shells. ~~(3)~~		The original clam fishing area existed between Muscatine, Iowa and Red Wing, Minnesota. (2) Overfishing led to the near extinction of clam beds south of McGregor. In 1901 a surprising number of fresh water pearls were discovered north of McGregor. The size ranged from pinhead to a nickel and were round, oval, flat or half-round. In two days, one buyer paid $2,500 for pearls. Prices ranged from $25.00 to several hundred dollars. (3) The fancier shells which brought the best prices were sent to Europe for manufacturing. The "river run" which did not have the irridescense were sold to American factories in 1920 for $45 a ton. (4) The rush of new fisherman to the area led to the formation of the Clammers Union of Harper's Ferry to prevent encroachment. The plan of the Union was to lease all the land along the shore and the islands in the Mississippi on which clammers would need to land to prepare their shells.

	Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.		Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.
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	Clamshells are shipped to Tennessee or Japan. Bits of shell, surgically implanted into oysters, are used to stimulate the formation of cultured pearls. Occasionally a lucky hunter may find a freshwater clam containing pearls-some valued at over one thousand dollars.		Clamshells are shipped to Tennessee or Japan. Bits of shell, surgically implanted into oysters, are used to stimulate the formation of cultured pearls. Occasionally a lucky hunter may find a freshwater clam containing pearls-some valued at over one thousand dollars.

	Heavy clam harvesting (first warned about by [[BOEPPLE, John\|John BOEPPLE]]),~~chemical~~ poisoning of the river, and silting of the river bottom have all caused the populations of clams in the river to decline.		Heavy clam harvesting (first warned about by [[BOEPPLE, John\|John BOEPPLE]]) led to portions of six Iowa rivers being closed to clamming from February, 1926 until 1931. (5) While clamming on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]] had always been open between Iowa and Wisconsin, restrictions had been placed in 1923 on the industry between Iowa and Illinois. When some clam hunters were arrested in 1926, it was discovered that the original restrictions had never been published and were therefore not valid. A temporary rush of clam hunters into the area resulted until the problem was corrected the same year. (6) These restriction were finally lifted in September, 1930. (7) Chemical poisoning of the river and silting of the river bottom have all caused the populations of clams in the river to decline.

	---		---
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	Source:		Source:

	1. "~~A New Eldorado~~," Dubuque ~~Daily~~ Telegraph, ~~August 5~~, ~~1901~~, p. 5		1. "1910 Record May Go Into Discard," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald,'' July 12, 1911, p. 10

	2. ~~Ibid~~.		2. "A New Eldorado," ''Dubuque Daily Telegraph'', August 5, 1901, p. 5

			3. "Clam Diggers Don't Need Pearls to Get Rich," ''Telegraph-Herald,'' September 12, 1920, p. 1

			4. "A New Eldorado"

			5. "Forbid Clamming in Iowa Rivers," ''Telegraph-Herald'', February 26, 1926, p. 9

			6. "Romance and Hard Work Are Part of Clamming Trade," ''Telegraph-Herald'', July 18, 1926, p. 12

			7. "Ban on Clamming Is Lifted by Iowa," ''Telegraph-Herald'', September 3, 1930, p. 11


	[[Category: Industry]]		[[Category: Industry]]
	[[Category: Postcards]]		[[Category: Postcards]]

Randylyon at 01:54, 27 June 2014

2014-06-27T01:54:40Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:54, 27 June 2014
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	When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.		When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.

	The original clam fishing area existed between Muscatine, Iowa and Red Wing, Minnesota. (1) Overfishing led to the near extinction of clam beds south of McGregor. In 1901 a surprising number of fresh water pearls were discovered north of McGregor. The size ranged from pinhead to a nickel and were round, oval, flat or half-round. In two days, a buyer paid $2,500 for pearls. Prices ranged from $25.00 to several hundred dollars. (2) The rush of new fisherman to the area led to the formation of the Clammers Union of Harper's Ferry to prevent encroachment. The plan of the Union was to lease all the land along the shore and the islands in the Mississippi on which clammers would need to land to prepare their shells.		The original clam fishing area existed between Muscatine, Iowa and Red Wing, Minnesota. (1) Overfishing led to the near extinction of clam beds south of McGregor. In 1901 a surprising number of fresh water pearls were discovered north of McGregor. The size ranged from pinhead to a nickel and were round, oval, flat or half-round. In two days, a buyer paid $2,500 for pearls. Prices ranged from $25.00 to several hundred dollars. (2) The rush of new fisherman to the area led to the formation of the Clammers Union of Harper's Ferry to prevent encroachment. The plan of the Union was to lease all the land along the shore and the islands in the Mississippi on which clammers would need to land to prepare their shells. (3)

	Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.		Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.

Randylyon at 01:52, 27 June 2014

2014-06-27T01:52:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:52, 27 June 2014
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	[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]		[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]
	When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.		When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.

			The original clam fishing area existed between Muscatine, Iowa and Red Wing, Minnesota. (1) Overfishing led to the near extinction of clam beds south of McGregor. In 1901 a surprising number of fresh water pearls were discovered north of McGregor. The size ranged from pinhead to a nickel and were round, oval, flat or half-round. In two days, a buyer paid $2,500 for pearls. Prices ranged from $25.00 to several hundred dollars. (2) The rush of new fisherman to the area led to the formation of the Clammers Union of Harper's Ferry to prevent encroachment. The plan of the Union was to lease all the land along the shore and the islands in the Mississippi on which clammers would need to land to prepare their shells.

	Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.		Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.

	[[Image:clamdiggers.png\|~~right~~\|thumb\|250px\|Clam diggers camp.]]Because freshwater clam flesh is inedible, dead clams are worth more--as much as twenty cents a pound in the late 1980s. Clams are cooked and then loaded into metal tumblers perforated with holes. The flesh, dropped out of the holes as the clams tumble in the drum, is used as animal feed or thrown away. A good catch, up to seven hundred pounds daily, has earned a hunter up to three hundred dollars.		[[Image:clamdiggers.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Clam diggers camp.]]Because freshwater clam flesh is inedible, dead clams are worth more--as much as twenty cents a pound in the late 1980s. Clams are cooked and then loaded into metal tumblers perforated with holes. The flesh, dropped out of the holes as the clams tumble in the drum, is used as animal feed or thrown away. A good catch, up to seven hundred pounds daily, has earned a hunter up to three hundred dollars.

	Clamshells are shipped to Tennessee or Japan. Bits of shell, surgically implanted into oysters, are used to stimulate the formation of cultured pearls. Occasionally a lucky hunter may find a freshwater clam containing pearls-some valued at over one thousand dollars.		Clamshells are shipped to Tennessee or Japan. Bits of shell, surgically implanted into oysters, are used to stimulate the formation of cultured pearls. Occasionally a lucky hunter may find a freshwater clam containing pearls-some valued at over one thousand dollars.

	Heavy clam harvesting (first warned about by [[BOEPPLE, John\|John BOEPPLE]]),chemical poisoning of the river, and silting of the river bottom have all caused the populations of clams in the river to decline.		Heavy clam harvesting (first warned about by [[BOEPPLE, John\|John BOEPPLE]]),chemical poisoning of the river, and silting of the river bottom have all caused the populations of clams in the river to decline.

			---

			Source:

			1. "A New Eldorado," Dubuque Daily Telegraph, August 5, 1901, p. 5

			2. Ibid.


	[[Category: Industry]]		[[Category: Industry]]
	[[Category: Postcards]]		[[Category: Postcards]]

Randylyon at 16:53, 6 July 2013

2013-07-06T16:53:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:53, 6 July 2013
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	[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].		[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].

	[[File:clamboat.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food.		[[File:clamboat.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]
			At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food.

	[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.		[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]
			When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.

	Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.		Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.

Randylyon at 16:52, 6 July 2013

2013-07-06T16:52:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:52, 6 July 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|~~350px~~\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].		[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].

	[[File:clamboat.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food.		[[File:clamboat.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food.

Randylyon at 16:51, 6 July 2013

2013-07-06T16:51:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 6 July 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].		[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].

	[[File:clamboat.jpg\|~~200px~~\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food.		[[File:clamboat.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food.

	[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.		[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.

Randylyon at 16:51, 6 July 2013

2013-07-06T16:51:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 6 July 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].		[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].

	[[File:clamboat.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food. When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.		[[File:clamboat.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food.

			[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.

	Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.		Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.

Randylyon at 19:40, 6 April 2013

2013-04-06T19:40:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 6 April 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].		[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].

	~~Clam hunters later~~ used ~~boats from which bars~~ with ~~hundreds~~ of hook~~-tipped lines were~~ pulled. ~~The~~ clams ~~snapped shut on~~ the ~~hooks and were pulled into~~ the ~~boats~~. Many ~~clam~~ hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.		[[File:clamboat.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food. When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.

			Many mussel hunters today, using an air compressor and long lengths of hose, dive into the river. With fifty-pound weight belts to hold them on the river bottom, divers collect clams in nets pulled up with motorized hoists.

	[[Image:clamdiggers.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|Clam diggers camp.]]Because freshwater clam flesh is inedible, dead clams are worth more--as much as twenty cents a pound in the late 1980s. Clams are cooked and then loaded into metal tumblers perforated with holes. The flesh, dropped out of the holes as the clams tumble in the drum, is used as animal feed or thrown away. A good catch, up to seven hundred pounds daily, has earned a hunter up to three hundred dollars.		[[Image:clamdiggers.png\|right\|thumb\|250px\|Clam diggers camp.]]Because freshwater clam flesh is inedible, dead clams are worth more--as much as twenty cents a pound in the late 1980s. Clams are cooked and then loaded into metal tumblers perforated with holes. The flesh, dropped out of the holes as the clams tumble in the drum, is used as animal feed or thrown away. A good catch, up to seven hundred pounds daily, has earned a hunter up to three hundred dollars.

Randylyon at 00:15, 20 February 2010

2010-02-20T00:15:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:15, 20 February 2010
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	Heavy clam harvesting (first warned about by [[BOEPPLE, John\|John BOEPPLE]]),chemical poisoning of the river, and silting of the river bottom have all caused the populations of clams in the river to decline.		Heavy clam harvesting (first warned about by [[BOEPPLE, John\|John BOEPPLE]]),chemical poisoning of the river, and silting of the river bottom have all caused the populations of clams in the river to decline.
	[[Category: Industry]]		[[Category: Industry]]
	[[Category: ~~Post Cards~~]]		[[Category: Postcards]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 6 July 2013
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	[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].		[[Image:ClamHunting.gif\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Camp of Clam Hunters. Photo courtesy: Cathy's Treasures, 156 Main, Dubuque]]CLAM HUNTING. Profitable business on the [[MISSISSIPPI RIVER]]. Clamming reached its economic peak in the late 1800s when several varieties, including the [[HIGGINS' EYE CLAM]] were used in the [[BUTTON INDUSTRY]].

	[[File:clamboat.jpg\|~~200px~~\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food.		[[File:clamboat.jpg\|250px\|thumb\|left\|A model of a clam boat with a crowfoot dredge. Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]] At the beginning of the industry, many methods of catching mussels were used including using ordinary rakes. In 1897 the "crowfoot" dredge was developed. This was a six foot pole or rod with many four-pronged hooks attached to it with ropes. Mussels resting on the mud or sand of the river bottom opened their shells to catch food.

	[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.		[[File:clamhook.jpg\|200px\|thumb\|left\| Photo courtesy: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. ]]When a hook was pulled over the shell, the mussel quickly snapped shut and was caught. By the start of the 19th century, the average clammer used two crowfoot dredges suspended from a boat. Drifting downstream, one dredge was being emptied of clams while the second was in the water catching more. On the best of days, this operation could result in the collection of as much as a thousand pounds of shell.