Harold H. Smith papers, 1911-1933

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Smith, Harold H., of King Cove, Alaska
Title
Harold H. Smith papers
Dates
1911-1933 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.18 cubic feet (1 box)
Collection Number
0240 (Accession No. 0240-001)
Summary
Log books and reminiscences documenting the voyage to and the daily operations of the Pacific American Fisheries cannery at King Cove, Alaska. Also included is correspondence, most of which also documents operations at the cannery, as well as the May 1918 issue of the Pacific American Fisheries newsletter, The Shield.
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Harold Hugh Smith was born in April 1882 to Helen Primrose Spratt and Robert Ambrose Smith. As an adult, Harold worked at the Pacific American Fisheries (PAF) in every capacity, from pitching fish to loading cars. His uncle, E.B. “Ed” Deming was manager of PAF’s operations and a managing partner in Deming and Gould, the agency that sold the PAF’s products. Harold married Florence Hermine Abbott in June of 1909. The next year the PAF assigned him the superintendent of the proposed cannery in King Cove, Alaska. Smith sailed from Bellingham in April 1911 to begin construction of the cannery. The cannery was completed by June 1, 1911. The cannery was immediately successful, and ended its first year with 45,000 cases of newly canned salmon. He served as superintendent from 1911 through 1915. Afterward, he worked for the Carnation Company from 1918 to 1923. Harold Hugh Smith died in 1941.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Log books and reminiscences documenting the voyage to and the daily operations of the Pacific American Fisheries cannery at King Cove, Alaska. Also included is correspondence, most of which also documents operations at the cannery, as well as the May 1918 issue of the Pacific American Fisheries newsletter, The Shield.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated by Helen Pabor, 6/20/1962 and 10/30/1989

Processing Note

Merger of accessions 0240-001 and 0240-002.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Log BooksReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/1
Log Book
10 March - 24 December 1912
1/2
Log Book
15 March - 28 August 1913
1/3
Log Book
21 February - 22 August 1915
1/4
Log Book
31 January - 27 August 1916

CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/5
Smith, Harold H. to Uncle Ed [Deming]
Copies of two letters providing a detailed account of the journey to King's Cove and daily occurrences at the cannery
1911
1/5
Supt. Kin to W. Shields, Superintendent of Schools
Letter regarding the replacement of Japanese and Chinese laborers with native help
10 March 1916
1/5
Letter of recommendation for Harold H. Smith from the Superintendent of Carnation Company
4 November 1933

ReminiscencesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/6
Reminiscence by Harold H. Smith
undated
1/6
Reminiscence by Florence Smith
undated

NewsletterReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder
1/7
The Shield, published by the Employes [sic] of the Pacific American Fisheries and Allied Companies
May 1918

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Asians--Alaska
  • Canned foods industry--Alaska
  • Cannery workers--Alaska
  • Fish canneries--Alaska--King Cove
  • Foreign workers, Asian--Alaska
  • Salmon canneries--Alaska
  • Supervisors, Industrial--Alaska

Personal Names

  • Smith, Harold H., of King Cove, Alaska

Corporate Names

  • Pacific American Fisheries Company (King Cove, Alaska)
  • Pacific American Fisheries Company (King Cove, Alaska)--History

Geographical Names

  • Bellingham (Wash.)

Titles within the Collection

  • Shield

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)