New Ways on the Banquero, 1981 Peabody Essex Museum Thomas M. Hoyne (1923-1989) Salem in History, 2006 New Ways on the Banquereau, 1981 Thomas M. Hoyne (1923-1989) Chicago Oil on panel Gift of Russell W. Knight M19032 H I S T O R I C A L C O N T E X T The Banquereau is region of about 2,800 miles in the northeast area of the Gulf of Maine (which extends from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia) where fishermen mainly catch cod and halibut; the schooner and trawler would be competing for the same catch. During the nineteenth century, the Gulf of Maine was heavily fished, and there are plentiful logbooks that doc- ument their activities. From about 1852-1866, a federal regulation required vessels fishing cod to account for their time at sea, and hundreds of schooner sailing from harbors in the area did so. This industry not only sup- ported the fishermen, but also many trade and craftsmen in related industries. Around 1900, however, the steam-powered fishing trawler was developed in Great Britain along with hundreds of other products of the industrial revolution. These vessels offered a far more efficient manner of fishing marine life near the bottom of the ocean than manual methods onboard fishing schooners. By the 1930s, however, the fishing industry realized the effect of such efficient harvesting of the sea; fish supplies rapidly diminished and the government eventually instituted restrictions over the fishing industry.

A R T H I S T O R I C A L C O N T E X T Tom Hoyne served on board fishing vessels and also as a naval officer. He began his career as an illustrator, and created advertising images such as the “Jolly Green Giant.” When Hoyne was diagnosed with cancer and doctors believed he had only two years to live, Hoyne gave up illustration and turned to marine painting. Remarkably, Hoyne survived 17 years, during which time he created a substantial body of work based on marine, particularly fishing, paintings. Hoyne carefully researched his subjects, which typically focus on the hard- ships of life on a 19th century schooner in the Gulf of Maine. This image depicts an old fisherman in a dory near his schooner looking out at a steam powered fishing trawler in the distance. His subject is a poignant reminder not only of the passing of the great fishing schooners, but also of the mid-twentieth century crisis in the fishing industry, which was dangerously depleting stocks. Low yields and government regulations forced many to change their livelihood, which in port towns, was often the traditional family employment for genera- tions. Thus, Hoyne’s painting is a sobering reminder of change over time.

SAMPLE GUIDING QUESTIONS • Examine the painting carefully. How does the artist suggest that the schooner is an older vessel than the trawler? • How do you think the fisherman standing in the dory feels as he looks out at the newer vessel? • Can you predict what will happen in the future to the livelihoods of the people who appear in this painting?

SUGGESTED LEARNING ACTIVITIES • View excerpts from the film, Captains Courageous (appropriate for young viewers), and ask students what skills fishermen must have in order to be successful. Ask them about their impressions about life at sea. • In 1852, Jonas Thissell sailed on a fishing vessel from Beverly, MA to the Western Banks; he specifically mentions the Banquereau (”Banquero”). Ask students to read entries his Journal (online at http://www.saleminhistory.org/IndustriousPeople/10-footers/thissell- shoes.htm). What are students’ impressions about the life of a fisherman? • Ask students to research current restrictions or debates regarding fishing industries. How does technology contribute to the issue today?

2003 Massachusetts History and Social Science Curriculum Frameworks: PreK-K.8, 5.11, USI.27, USI.28 Peabody Essex Museum Salem in History 2006