ABOUT LOBSTERS 121 



claims, we believe we are doing a fine job in selecting 

 our clientele. 



Our insulated air packages hold fifty pounds of 

 live lobsters, which must be considered a minimum 

 order. Live lobsters are sized from one to five pounds 

 each. 



Consolidated Lobster Company also reports on air ship- 

 ments : 



The airplane companies will assume responsibility 

 for loss of lobsters if the plane is forced down from 

 mechanical failure, but not if due to an unscheduled 

 landing due to weather. As a result, we watch the 

 weather reports before shipping. If the weather is bad 

 either at Boston or on the route, we delay shipping. 



About 10 per cent of our shipments of lobsters are 

 by air. 



We no longer use a canned refrigerant. It was too 

 bulky and heavy. We now use the plastic bag contain- 

 ing ice and a chemical powder which lowers the tem- 

 perature of the ice to 0°F. 



Our air shipments are mostly to Florida and west 

 of the Mississippi River. 



The loss in weight which always occurs in any method 

 of shipping lobsters is due to the drainage of water from the 

 gill chambers of the lobsters. This lost weight is recovered 

 if they are stored in sea water after arrival. 



The lobster industry owes much to American Airlines 

 for its pioneering of air shipments. This company is usually 

 credited with developing in conjunction with box manufac- 

 turers the modern corrugated-board waterproof container. 

 American Airlines also promoted the sale of air-shipped 

 lobsters to restaurants on the West Coast, offering them in a 

 freshness never before possible. 



Packing with Shavings. Several years ago, two Belgian 

 seafood importers introduced the scheme of packing lob- 



