Today's Bit of Ephemera: Tacoma is the namesake of First Official Tuna Boat in Australia
Maritime history became a little richer this week when it was announced that the restoration of the Tacoma, the first purpose-built tuna vessel in Australia, is complete. It will now make the journey from Port Lincoln (near Adelaide) to its birthplace in Victoria (near Melbourne). For readers as unfamiliar with the geography of Australia as this writer, both of those cities are along the south coast of the continent.
Apparently, the Tacoma played a key role in the development of the tuna industry in Australia. The 60-year-old vessel has its own historic organization – the Tacoma Preservation Society. For more on this story, point your browser toward Australia here.
Filed under: General
9 comments
T tom waits November 17, 2010
There is a fantastic joke somewhere in here. But I don’t want to be the first to attempt it.
T tom waits November 17, 2010
Gives new meaning to “Tacoma Aroma.”
R Rollie November 17, 2010
Tacoma has had a major part in vessel construction for the tuna industry. JM Martinac was an industry leader and companies like Tacoma Boatbuilding also built seiners. It comes as no surprise that a vessel was named the Tacoma.
J Jesse November 18, 2010
If it smells like fish, it’s a tasty dish! If it smells like cologne, leave it alone!
J Jose Carumba November 18, 2010
The “Tacoma” was built from plans provided by Hervey M. Petrich, and James F. Petrich a naval architect who ran Western Boat building Co. of Tacoma. I believe the plans were provided for free. The Haldanes, who built the boat were so pleased they decided to name the boat after the city.
Western Boat also built the “Western Flyer”, the fishing boat which John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts took from Montereyv to survey the Sea of Cortez. Steinbeck wrote about this.
In addition Western Boat built a seiner which was taken around to the east coast to try to sell west coast style seiners to the New England fishermen. The boat was sold to a Canadian and then conscripted into the Britsh Navy. It reportedly was involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk.
T tom waits November 19, 2010
I too appreciate the “useful” comments. I apologize for starting the joke thread. It lived longer than I had expected.
T tom waits November 19, 2010
not to suggest that it wasn’t funny….
O offbroadway November 19, 2010
Actually, tom, I think your ratio is exemplary.
T tom waits November 20, 2010
I don’t know what we’re talking about.