Beaufort in Carteret County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Menhaden Fishermen Monument

The Beaufort Fisherman

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 4, 2012

1. Menhaden Fishermen Monument

Sides one and two

Inscription.

Menhaden Fishermen Monument. The Beaufort Fisherman. In loving memory and recognition Menhaden Fishermen Past , Present , Future . This is their livelihood, this is their life , they know the sea, can read God’s weather chart: sun, moon, and stars from memory. The compass points are there within each heart. , Crews of brave men, all ages, crafts and stands together: one strong back , and calloused hands. They toil in icy cold, in heat or rain, following the fish, searching for school’s dark stain. Reading the ocean. , Finally there they are. Poagies off the port bow. Lower the purse boats. Pull on the oars ... , The catch landed. Foam reaches high. Gunnels down. Returning to safe harbor, families, and Beaufort-town. Fueling an industry, they are constant as beacons of light unaware of the pages of maritime history they write. , , , , , , . Fog encircled, she moves ahead ... Her bow splitting the narrow cut. Her gunnels barely visible, moving towards the smoky clouds that rise of pure white vapor. , Her silvery mound of fish spilling from her hold lay stilled, losers of an age old battle. , The crew weary but conquerous, wave and call out to the townspeople who line the breakwater along the way. , Names of captains, crews and boats inscribed in both heart and mind as much a part of our lives as this beloved Beufort by the sea. , All salute your gallant lives and are forever indebted to the memory of your courage and your faith in man. , Yours was a daily communion taken upon the waters and administered by the Almighty to the chosen few who fished these waters. , , , , , , . They plied these waters in eternal hope. Their simple ways belying their strength and passion for the calling. , Toiling beneath the heavens, eyes sharply trained to the darkened patches of flicking trails and silver streams of the quick elusive catch. ... A breed apart, their lives governed by wind and tide, they signed on, young and old, side by side to the ever changing sea on which the crafts of men forever sail. , Dedicated by the citizens of the Town of Beaufort, in appreciation for these gallant men who helped found Fish Town those many years ago. And to the watchers on the shore, the brave who waited for the safe return of loved ones. , Oh God! Thy sea is so big and my boat is so small. ......... , , , , , , . The Beaufort Fisherman. Struggling daily, time on end Never knowing what lies around the bend. Working ’til the catch is safely ashort Hoping tomorrow’s catch will be more. Extending to comrades a helping hand Appreciating their struggle on sea and land. Leaning on their strength to endure. Answering the call of the ocean’s lure. , Many set out to make a living Finding the weather unforgiving. Some return, others make their last haul. Their lives were not lived in vain. Their spirit lives on in sunsets, wind and rain. Their simple ways etched upon these shores. Their voices heard in the ocean’s roar. Our heritage forevermore. , Here we are at Taylor’s Creek Where young and old come to meet. Enjoying the view and gentle breeze At Fisherman’s Park in Fish Town Held so dearly within our hearts. ,

In loving memory and recognition
Menhaden Fishermen
Past — Present — Future
This is their livelihood, this is their life — they know the sea, can read God’s weather chart: sun, moon, and stars from memory. The compass points are there within each heart.

Crews of brave men, all ages, crafts and stands together: one strong back — and calloused hands. They toil in icy cold, in heat or rain, following the fish, searching for school’s dark stain. Reading the ocean.

Finally there they are. Poagies off the port bow. Lower the purse boats. Pull on the oars ...

The catch landed. Foam reaches high. Gunnels down. Returning to safe harbor, families, and Beaufort-town. Fueling an industry, they are constant as beacons of light unaware of the pages of maritime history they write.
——— ——— Fog encircled, she moves ahead ... Her bow splitting the narrow cut. Her gunnels barely visible, moving towards the smoky clouds that rise of pure white vapor.

Her silvery mound of fish spilling from her hold lay stilled, losers of an age old battle.

The crew weary but conquerous, wave and call out to the townspeople who line the breakwater along the way.

Names of captains, crews and boats inscribed in both heart and mind as much a

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part of our lives as this beloved Beufort by the sea.

All salute your gallant lives and are forever indebted to the memory of your courage and your faith in man.

Yours was a daily communion taken upon the waters and administered by the Almighty to the chosen few who fished these waters.
——— ——— They plied these waters in eternal hope. Their simple ways belying their strength and passion for the calling.

Toiling beneath the heavens, eyes sharply trained to the darkened patches of flicking trails and silver streams of the quick elusive catch. ... A breed apart, their lives governed by wind and tide, they signed on, young and old, side by side to the ever changing sea on which the crafts of men forever sail.

Dedicated by the citizens of the Town of Beaufort, in appreciation for these gallant men who helped found Fish Town those many years ago. And to the watchers on the shore, the brave who waited for the safe return of loved ones.

Oh God!
Thy sea is so big
and my boat is so small. .........
——— ———
The Beaufort Fisherman.
Struggling daily, time on end
Never knowing what lies around the bend.
Working ’til the catch is safely ashort
Hoping tomorrow’s catch will be more.
Extending to comrades a helping hand
Appreciating their

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 4, 2012

2. Menhaden Fishermen Monument

Side three

struggle on sea and land.
Leaning on their strength to endure.
Answering the call of the ocean’s lure.

Many set out to make a living
Finding the weather unforgiving.
Some return, others make their last haul.
Their lives were not lived in vain.
Their spirit lives on in sunsets, wind and rain.
Their simple ways etched upon these shores.
Their voices heard in the ocean’s roar.
Our heritage forevermore.

Here we are at Taylor’s Creek
Where young and old come to meet.
Enjoying the view and gentle breeze
At Fisherman’s Park in Fish Town
Held so dearly within our hearts.

Topics. This historical marker and monument is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 34° 42.789′ N, 76° 39.496′ W. Marker is in Beaufort, North Carolina, in Carteret County. Marker is on Frontage Street (Front Street) near Gordon Street (Local Highway 1312), on the right when traveling west. It is at Fisherman’s Park at the foot of Gordon Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Beaufort NC 28516, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Marine Research (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shackleford's Wild Horses (approx. ¼ mile away); Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 4, 2012

3. Menhaden Fishermen Monument

Side four, “The Beaufort Fisherman”.

(approx. ¼ mile away); Dividing Line Between Old & New Town (approx. ¼ mile away); John G. Newton (approx. 0.4 miles away); Michael John Smith (approx. half a mile away); Old Burying Ground (approx. half a mile away); Our Confederate Heroes (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beaufort.

Menhaden Fishermen Monument in Beaufort, South Carolina image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, February 4, 2012

4. Menhaden Fishermen Monument in Beaufort, South Carolina

Close-up 1, Menhaden Fishermen Monument image. Click for full size.

5. Close-up 1, Menhaden Fishermen Monument

Close-up 2, Menhaden Fishermen Monument image. Click for full size.

6. Close-up 2, Menhaden Fishermen Monument

Menhaden: The fish that built Beaufort. image. Click for more information.

via Beuafort Hotel, unknown

7. Menhaden: The fish that built Beaufort.

Beaufort Hotel website entry
Click for more information.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 265 times since then and 12 times this year. Last updated on June 15, 2023, by Michael Buckner of Durham, North Carolina. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 2, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 7. submitted on March 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.