Princeton by the Sea

Seven Pittsburg Men Form Fish Cannery Co. for Half Moon Bay

1945, Half Moon Bay Review

“The Princeton Packers, recently organized by seven Pittsburg men, has started construction of a Fish Canning Plant at Princeton-by-the-Sea, Half Moon Bay, which will cost, when completed, more than $150,000, and will have this cannery in full operation by August 1st, so they will be able to can sardines during this season. The cannery will be able to pack 3,000 cases of sardines, or about 200 tons of fish daily.

“The canning building will be 60 x 140 feet, and equipped with the latest machinery.

“The fish used by the company will be brought in by suction pumps from the fishing boats into the old warehouse, now standing, which will be used as a cutting room and from there into the main canning room.

“Besides the main building and the cutting room, a building 50 x 60 feet will be erected and will be used exclusively in caring for the by-products of fresh fish, after they have been prepared for canning. The by-products will be made into fish oil and fertilizer.

“Sardines will be the principal product of Princeton Packers although the cannery may expand later to handle other products.

“Approximately 100 persons will be required to operate the plant and personnel will be recruited among Half Moon Bay and vicinity residents.

“A.M. Patrick, President and Manager of the Princeton Packers, said, ‘Government orders will absorb most of the sardine pack handled by the company.’

“Name of Princeton Packers was derived from the town of Princeton, near Half Moon Bay, William M. Wilson revealed.

“We hear that the [Henry] Cowell wharf, now owned by the new company, will be extended 150 feet, making the pier extending in the bay 600 feet.”

There were several owners of Princeton Packers; here’s a little info on A.M. Patrick from the Half Moon Bay Review, 1945

“”Ending 20 years with F.E. Booth Company, A.M. Patrick, San Francisco production manager, who recently submitted his resignation, is President and Manager of the newly organized Princeton Packers. He is a native of Berkeley. Patrick lived in Pittsburg until two years ago when he was promoted from superintendent to production manager.

“‘Pat’ as he likes to be called by his friends lives in Berkeley, with his wife and two daughters, Margaret and Kathleen.

“William M. Wilson, former accounting department employee of Columbia Steel was transferred to the Booth firm about two years ago.

“With the Booth plant oil refinery department in Pittsburg only two years, Wilson worked for Columbia Steele Company’s accounting department about 15 years. He makes his home in Half Moon Bay with his wife and three children, William, James and Sally Ann.

“Vincent Carusa is the father of three sons and a daughter. Vincent has two children in service, Corporal Irving Carusa in the Aleutian area 18 months, and Bernice Carusa, a yeoman, third class in the WAVES, based at San Francisco. Walter Carusa is married and makes his home in Pittsburg, Calif., while Stephen Carusa, is a student at St. Mary’s College, following his recent graduation from Pittsburg High School. He expects to enter service on his 18th birthday.

“Vincent and his brother Steve Carusa founded several of the Pittsburg’s business firms and were responsible for Pittsburg’s first mortuary, dray business and ice and fuel plant; the latter of which they sold to Union Ice Company in 1934.

“Steve, and his brother, Vincent, who pioneered several of the Pittsburg’s major business firms, are stockholders in the corporation, as is James J. Davi, owners of James Jewelers, and now in Coast Guard services, based in Alameda. James Jewelers is now being operated by his wife, the former Victoria Daniele.”