The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-09
CLAM DICCERS.
The Very Profitable Grams
ton Industry.
Large Revenues Apparent From the
Taxes Paid BY Diggers.
An Estimate of the Quantity of CLAIMS
Dug Along Shore.

Rhode Islands "clambak are known
| to moro than New Englanders.
thousands devour dishfuls of the steam
ing mollusks without knowing where
they come from and how and by whom
they are found.
Cranston, or more particularly that part
or Cranston called Pawtuxet, supplies a
large portion of the clans found in Nara
gansett Bay. The demands along our
shore are greater than the supply, and
consequently some are unprovided. The
clans brought in are found along the New
England shore, Massachusetts, and Maine.
IL IL stated by "old clammers" that 10, 600
bushels of clans are found in the bay
during the 10 weeks busy season of the
summer.
One man averages about Is bushels per
week, showing the large force necessary
to dig 1000 bushels per week.
From facts gathered Ii appears that the
Cranston dealers dig nearly 800 bushels
per week. This brings into Crantson $500
TO $500 per week, being sold by the dealers
for Il and 81. 20 per bushel. OF this sum
20 and 80 cents per bushel is paid to the
diggers.
"Clammers' also get quahaugs, for
which the digger receives II per bushel
Many houses in Pawtuxet are represen-
tative of money made in the clam busi-
ness.
Ira Il. Johnson, who has been in the
clam business for the past 80 years, is as
sessed for S11, $40. The father, Charles T..
Johnson, who is a partner with the son,
is assessed at sl2, 250, besides owning
property in Warwick.
The johnson firm employs IL men the
year round, gathering rock weed, clans,
quahaugs, and scallops. They take 1s0
bushels Of CLANS TO market weekly.
MIR. Alonzo Crandall, who for the past
rs years has supplied Fields Point with
clans, is assessed for $500. For last Sun
day Mr.. Crandall carried to Fields Point
40 bushels and 4c gallons. During the
week he carried daily to the Point 20 and
% bushels.
Mr. Israel Smith, dealer OF long ex-
perience, supplies Rhodes-on-the-Paw-
tuxet.
Mr.. Abner Hart, of eight years. expert
ence, Messrs. Ed. Williams, Peleg Rhodes,
Charles Hart, are all dealers of note.
The question is often asked, "Are the
clans as plentiful in our day as they
have been?' The "clammers" answer this
question in the affirmative. They say that
by common consent they do not dig two
consecutive years in the same place, but
change from place to place and thus
allow the CLAIMS time to grow.
The successful clammer is the man OF ex-
perience. There are many features about
the business that makes 1t a trade. The
clammer goes forth during low tide in the
afternoon, and returns as soon as the tide
changes. The clans he digs are taken to
market the next morning.
The stout, jolly set of Pawtuxet clammers
show from appearance and disposition that
"clamming" is an independent, healthful
occupation. The large number of clans
dug by Pawtuxet clammers, the numerous
real estate monuments erected with clam
money, and the comfort in which many
OF the families of the "clammers" live, de-
the fact that Cranston receives
quite a revenue from clans.
The bridge near the Cranston Print
Works is today receiving some much
needed repairs