This article was taken from a Boston paper probably either the Herald or Globe.

1911

Rev. Frederick Norton Johnson of Swans Island, off the Maine Coast, Supplements a Meager Salary as Pastor by Toil On the Waters With the Fishermen and Trappers of Lobsters – Cruises Along Shore and to Rockland in a Launch He Made Himself—His View on the Saw Governing Fishing.

The wind had veered around to the northeast, and a sudden snow flurry offered the premonitory symptoms of an approaching blizzard. The outer harbor at Rockland, Me., in an instant was blotted from view, and the dull booming of the breakwater fog signal told mariners that there was danger abroad.

Out of the gathering darkness there suddenly emerged a powerboat well known to the habitues of the waterfront.

"There comes the parson!" exclaimed a longshoreman.

"Aye, it takes more than a nor’ester to keep him in port," said another. And there was some force to his remarks, for the steamboats were tied to their docks, and even the fleet of scallop boats, ready to take almost any hazard rode at anchor in the sheltering coves.

Eventually the newcomer reached an anchorage. "Crustacean," read the name on the bow.
A man of medium build, clad in an oil coat covered with frozen sleet, sprang nimbly up the ladder, with a hearty handclasp and cheery smile for all. "A bit nasty outside," was his only comment.

"That’s Johnson" explained a bystander. "Rev Fred N. Johnson of Swans Island a fisher of men and a fisher of the sea." Swan’s Island is about 25 miles east of Castine. It is in Hancock County, is about five miles long by 2 ½ wide, and the people living there are largely engaged in fishing.

Rev Frederick Norton Johnson had no objection to telling the modest story of how he supplements a meager pulpit salary in a small island community with the fruits of the sea, toiling every weekday like his brothers, and on the seventh carrying spiritual greetings to those who care to hear the Gospel preached.

Born at Machiasport, almost within sight of "the jumping off place," as the downeaster expresses it, he will be 45 on the third day of February. He is a son of Abram N. and Emily S. (Bryant) Johnson. His father was a sea captain in the coastwise trade.

When Fred was four years old his father gave up seafaring and moved to Vinalhaven, working there several years at the granite trade, and later at Dix Island, when the stone was being cut for the New York postoffice. From Vinalhaven the family moved to Houlton, where the led had two years of schooling and thence to Calais. In Milltown across the border he went to fixer in a cotton …. This job he gave up six years later because of ill health.

Back to Vinalhaven he went, firmer that ever in the conviction that there was another field for him – the ministry. His stock in trade was meager enough, consisting of a scant education picked up mainly by his own efforts, and a pair of hands that were willing to labor unstintedly for the material welfare.

A theological education, so far as it related to school or college, was quite out ot the question, but the young man’s will was indomitable, and he went steadfastly at work on the task of gaining self-education for the ministry. The basis of threat education was the Bible, and the candle spluttered in its socket many a night before the future clergyman was content to call his day’s work done.

English Literature and historical works occupied a prominent place in his curriculum. The works of Longfelllow, Whittier, Scott and Shakespeare came in for some share of his attention, and made a strong impression upon a receptive mind. In Shakespeare’s works he finds much to admire, and some things that in his opinion are not quite so commendable.

The new minister was ordained at Rockport, where, almost unaided, he organized and Adventist church, and with only 12 core members as the nucleus of his working force built the handsome little chapel, which was dedicated in 1892. Its seating capacity is 200, and it was nearly filled to the doors a nearly every service. He also organized a Sunday school of 60 members. During his three years’ pastorate many were converted and joined the church

For a third time Rev. Mr. Johnson moved to Vinalhaven this time as pastor of the Adventist church. John L. Sellers, one of the deacons, says: "His first sermon was an investment in God’s hands that brought many to Christ." He baptized 16 persons most of whom became permanent members of the church.

His two pastorates in Knox county were followed by itinerant evangelistic work in Massachusetts, with headquarters at Peabody. This work bore good results.

Returning to Maine, he was pastor two years at Bridgton, resigning against many requests to stay and declining two calls which the church extended to him after he left town. Mr. Johnson has held his present pastorate at Swans Island 10 years. Although the community is a small one and has two other churches, Mr. Johnson has a flock of 52 members and an average congregation of 125.

For two years, after going to Swans Island he engaged in lobster fishing and subsequently became state agent for a concern dealing in gas engines and supplies. Still there remained time on his hands which e was unwilling to sacrifice to idleness, and he took up the task of boat building.

May 15,1910 he laid the keel for his new power boat which measures45 feet over all, 12 feet beam and 4 feet draft. The motive power is a 12-horse power engine. The boat was put in commission Aug 15, and in her many trips across the bay has become familiar.

The Crustacean’s wells have capacity for 3800 lobsters. Mr Johnson collects from the fishermen, but when the shellfish are scarce he occasionally makes a trip along the coast. This work brings him into contact with nearly 100 fishermen, not a few of whom are regular members of his congregation.

Any smackman who purchases lobsters along the Main coast in such wholesale quantities subjects himself to the risk of violating the law, no matter how hones his intentions. Mr Johnson never knowingly buys a lobster that does not conform to the 4 ¾ inches body measure.

He believes the present law the best the state has ever had. "The supply must have increased as the result of the law’s protection," says Mr. Johnson, "because the number of men engaged in the business has doubled and trebled, and all are doing something. Lobsters less than 10 1’2 inches long should not be taken if we are to cultivate the industry upon which so many depend.

"The bait question is one of the most serious with which we have to deal. During the …. The demand of the factories kept the price of herring so high that many fishermen could not afford to stock up. Now the weirs are nearly al down and that source of supply is denied us. In my opinion the herring supply is diminishing, and wholesale slaughter is the cause of it. I am dead sure there are not so many herring on the coast as there used to be. Gill netting is a thing of the past. A fisherman could not get enough herring that way to buy a biscuit and butter it in good shape."

He Crustacean has had some rough experiences. Recently while crossing the bay the craft became temporarily disabled and heavy seas threatened. Mr Johnson’s companions were forced to bail steadily. Mr. Johnson was captain, cook and crew during the summers and met no mishap. On one occasion he made a hasty trip to Rockland to ring an injured quarryman to the hospital. Sunday work is strictly tabooed on the Crustacean. No mater how great the demand for lobsters, or how tempting the price the boat remains at her moorings and the fisher of the sea is that day the fisher of men.

Mr Johnson is a staunch believer in the principles of prohibition. His is a republican. He was married 25 years ago to Julia Smith of Calais. They have Six children. The oldest son, Harry A. Johnson, is a student at Bates college. The oldest daughter, Ethel M is teacher in the Chelsea, Mass. Public schools. The other children, Laura, Myrtlle F., Marion and Frederick Jr. live at home.