Mystic in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)
Fish Flake
How did people in Cincinnati, Ohio, get saltwater fish for their chowder in the days before refrigeration and canning? They probably bought a small box of salted, dried fish caught in the Atlantic months before.
Fishermen on the L.A. Dunton and other New England vessels split, gutted, and salted down their catch at sea, stacking several tons in each ship's hold. Once ashore, the fish were temporarily stored in barrels before being "kenched" or pressed to train excess water. Laid on top of large wooden platforms called "flakes," the fish dried into stiff slabs that were packed, shipped, and sold to American and European consumers.
The flake's trianglular wooden strips maximized exposure to the air. On hot days, a canvas covering kept the fish from burning. At night or in bad weather, flaking boxes protected the fish from dew and rain but allowed airflow underneath.
Erected by Mystic Seaport Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 41° 21.583′ N, 71° 57.895′ W. Marker is in Stonington in Southeastern Region, Connecticut. It is in Mystic. It can be reached from Greenmanville
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Connecticut Shoreline, in Greater New London, in Mystic and the Eastern Shore, and in the Thames River Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New London County and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Restoring the L.A. Dunton (a few steps from this marker); L.A. Dunton (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named L.A. Dunton (a few steps from this marker); Live Oak Log (a few steps from this marker); Compound Steam Engine (a few steps from this marker); "Hobey's Dock" (within shouting distance of this marker); Mast of the Cutter Nebula (within shouting distance of this marker); Oyster Sloop Nellie (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stonington.
Other markers no longer nearby. Live Oak Log (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Compound Steam Engine (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 156 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 29, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
