‘Buoying up the spirits’ of Port Rowan fishing families

Illustrations of a machine invented and patented by Port Rowan’s Charlie Becker, the Becker Puller was at one time a popular device used by local shore-based fishing families and businesses to pull in their fishing nets.

Luke Edwards

Advocate Correspondent

Heritage association to host pavilion fundraiser in May

A piece of the area’s fishing history will soon be on public display for all to see.

Norfolk County council approved a request from the Port Rowan/South Walsingham Heritage Association to have them build a pavilion at Port Rowan Lions Park. Once complete, the pavilion will house the Becker Puller, a device invented by a local man and which was once used by people working in the area’s fishing sector.

“It is our hope as a heritage association that the people who use the Lions Park in Port Rowan would gain a greater understanding of this fascinating local history,” said association member Heather Smith in a presentation to council at the Feb. 11 meeting that sought approvals.

Councillors were eager to support the project, not just for the chance to showcase a piece of local history but also because of the price tag associated with the project. Under the proposal, the heritage association would cover all the costs of the capital project. The county would only have to cover the future operating and maintenance costs, as well as insurance. Together, staff estimate it would be less than $1,000 a year.

The association also requested waiving of the building fee permits.

“I just want to tell you this was a wonderful deputation that was incredibly fascinating and really well delivered. And you’ve checked all the boxes because you’re not asking for money and you have a wonderful plan,” said Coun. Alan Duthie.

Invented and patented by Port Rowan’s Charlie Becker, the puller was at one time a popular device used by local shore-based fishing families and businesses to pull in their fishing nets. The device the association hopes to showcase was actually brought in from Gravelly Bay and Smith said is unique in that it remains largely unchanged from its original state.

“It wasn’t used at Gravelly Bay into the present era so it remains very original, it hasn’t been modified very much,” Smith said.

“So this one is quite original, which is great for us.”

Alongside the artifact, Smith said they hope to provide some information to visitors on Becker as well as how his machine worked. Becker had an interesting life beyond inventing his puller. He was the great grandson of a United Empire Loyalist, ran undertaking, furniture and gun repair businesses in the area, and invented other devices, including an automatic weatherstrip for doors, the folding ironing board and a stove pipe damper.

His great aunt was Abigail Becker, known as the Heroine of Long Point, so named because she is reputed to have saved the lives of eight sailors who were shipwrecked during a nasty Lake Erie storm in 1854.

Even before getting approvals and starting the project, Smith said discussions have been met with excitement locally.

“We’re really kind of buoying up the spirit of fisherman families because their history is being celebrated,” Smith said.

Once built, the County will take over ownership of the pavilion, though Smith said the heritage association will retain ownership of the puller. The cost of the project is estimated to be $87,000. The association is targeting funding support from a few foundations and service clubs and have received a letter of support from the Long Point Lions Club.

They’ll also be hosting fundraising events, including one planned for May 31 at the Port Rowan Legion. It’ll include music from local performers as well as a silent auction. There will also be food, including a stew that Smith said is a local delicacy.

DOUGLER STEW

A dougler is a white fish that was caught in seine nets, says Smith.

“It was sometimes cooked in a pot placed in the cooling reservoir of (an engine) used to haul in the nets. It's a vegetable base that is cooked for a few hours and then the cleaned fish is placed on top of the boiling stew only until the fish is cooked. This has been being made by fishermen and their families in Port Rowan for generations.”

According to French Cooking Academy, Fish Dugléré was a classic French fish recipe created by renowned chef Adolph Dugléré in the 1800s. Fish Dugléré is freshly filleted whitefish cooked in a fish stock that may include shallots, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and the fish bones produced during filleting. The sauce includes diced tomatoes and parsley.