John Nathan Cobb : founding Director of the College of Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle

Marine Fisheries Review, Summer, 2003 by J. Richard Dunn

Plans were then laid by the U.W. to begin instruction in fisheries in the Department of Zoology in the fall of 1914. Landes wrote Cobb that the U.W. would present a proposal for establishing a fisheries department to the Board of Regents in July 1914. He further informed Cobb that the U.W. would be able to start instruction soon, but it might be 1 or 2 years before the University could obtain the necessary money to cover later years of the course. (43)

The concept of a "fisheries school" at the U.W. was heartily endorsed editorially by Pacific Fisherman. The journal announced in their June 1914 issue that the U.W. was to open a fisheries school that fall, with a 4-year program (Anonymous, 1914b). The journal credited Kincaid and Smith as the impetus behind the establishment of the School (Anonymous, 1914e). The local and national press gave a favorable reception to this concept (Anonymous, 1914f, g).

The possibility of such a school was actively reported by the Pacific Fisherman in articles likely written by Cobb. In the October 1914 issue, the magazine announced the "first School of Fisheries in the United States." Rather than a "school" of fisheries, as previously reported, the magazine indicated that the course would for the present be taught in the Department of Zoology. The journal indicated that Kincaid had outlined a different program of study to embrace fisheries and that three students had already enrolled in these classes (Anonymous, 1914e). The U.W. course catalog for 1915-1916 listed courses in ichthyology and in pisciculture as offerings of the Department of Zoology. Ichthyology (Zool. 11, 12, for 2 credits each) was to be taught by Kincaid, and Smith was listed as the instructor for Pisciculture (Zool. 107, 108, 2 credits each). (44)

The insecurity caused by World War I apparently delayed the establishment of the fisheries school (Stickney, 1989; Webb unpubl. (1)). Evidence suggests, however, that planning for the school continued (Anonymous, 1915), and its establishment was supported editorially in the Pacific Fisherman (Anonymous, 1916). Evermann (1917) called for government supported fishery experiment stations to conduct research of value to the commercial fishing industry, keeping the general subject alive in the pages of the Pacific Fisherman.

Cobb became more visible in the Northwest fisheries and conservation scene and maintained contact with the U.W. administration (Stickney, 1989). (45) He was apparently considered for membership in a proposed committee to search for a director of the new fisheries school. (46) Cobb likely was an early candidate for the position of director of the proposed school.

Cobb wrote a letter to Henry Suzzallo (1875-1933), President of the University of Washington, on 23 June 1916. (47) His 13-page letter began "In compliance with your personal request of some time ago, I submit herewith an outline of a general plan for a Fishery School at the University, and a part of the equipment of same." In a carefully crafted letter. he emphasized his knowledge of what a fisheries school should be. Cobb began with a justification for the proposed school and included a letter from Commissioner Smith to Cobb, supporting the establishment of such a school. (48) Cobb listed a number of items to be considered, including possible subjects to be taught: preparation of fishery products, laboratories, fishery products, navigation, engineering, shipyard boat building, workshops, and museum.