FISHERY INDUSTRIES. 



59 



CLAM CANNING. 



The only reported clam canning in Alaska in 1919 was carried on 

 by thi'ee companies in the central district. Two of these, the Pioneer 

 Packing Co., at Cordova, and the Pinnacle Rock Packing Co., at 

 Boswell Bay, Hincliinbrook Island, continued operations in accordance 

 with the custom of preceding seasons, obtaining their raw product from 

 the beds between Hinchinbrook Island and the mainland from Cordova 

 to Katalla. The Surf Packing Co., a new concern, opened a cannery 

 at Tuxedni Harbor, on the west shore of Cook Inlet, and made a 

 small pack. It operated in virgin territory where clams were said to be 

 fairly abundant, but on this point there is no trustworthy information 

 at hand and notliing is known of the size of areas occupied by the 

 clams. As that company was also engaged in the canning of salmon, 

 it is shown in that category and not listed as a clam cannery. It is 

 also indicated elsewhere in this report that the Pioneer Packing Co. 

 entered the salmon-canning business for which reason its classification 

 was changed from the clam to the salmon industry, and the invest- 

 ments entered accordingly. Tliis leaves the Pinnacle Rock Packing 

 Co. as the only concern engaged exclusively in the canning of clams. 

 The Lighthouse Canning Co., the pioneer clam-packing concern of 

 central Alaska, sold its cannery at Cordova and ceased to operate. 

 The Hillery-Scott Co., its successor, did not pack clams. Aside from 

 the changes in the character of operations as noted above, the smaller 

 pack in 1919 in comparison with that of the two seasons immediately 

 preceding would presage a diminution in the supply of clams. 



The investment in this industry in 1919 was .$147,167. Employ- 

 ment was given to 237 persons, an increase of 55 over 1918. The 

 total pack was 33,765 cases as against 43,575 in 1918. The products 

 were valued at S184,363, as compared with $214,504 in 1918, a de- 

 crease of S30,141. 



Investment, Persons Engaged, and Products of Alaska Clam-Canning 



Industry in 1919. 



o 48 per case. 



<> Cases. 



