Jeff’s Blog

“PORTUGUESE TO HOLD ANNUAL FESTIVAL at POINT LOMA SUNDAY – To Commemorate Feast of the Holy Ghost with Series of Ceremonies – There will be feasting and revelry at Point Loma next Sunday by the local Portuguese element, in commemoration of an olde country observance which they call the Feast of the Holy Ghost. Beginning at 9:00 a.m. the Portuguese people will form in Procession at the Point Loma hall (in those days, I *presume* on the property of Mr. MANUEL F. CABRAL Sr., [then on San Antonio Ave.] in La Playa and march to the Point Loma Catholic Church [i.e. St. Agnes Church], since I don’t know if the Cabrillo Pavilion in Roseville had been built yet? – ed.), where three Priests will receive them and conduct services. At the close of the religious celebration, the congregation will return to the banquet hall and will then begin the famous celebration of the ‘leílão’ (i.e. “auction” – ed.) festival, supposedly known throughout every Portuguese settlement in Europe.

A part of the festival consists of auctioning articles that are contributed by members of the Portuguese Catholic society known as the I.D.E.S. (Irmandade do Divino Espírito Santo – aka. the Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Spirit – ed.). Music will be furnished by a band and there will be dancing until late at night. The Portuguese dances are called the ‘Chamarita’ (aka ‘Chamarrita) and somewhat resemble the familiar quadrille.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Wednesday, May 22, 1912 – Pg. 10)

*Dance Side Note: Whether spelled “Chamarita” or “Chamarrita”, this dance may be fun to explore. It is unknown (but interesting to speculate) how many families owe their very existence to encounters at Chamarritas, danced at the various Portuguese celebrations over the centuries (and where romance often flourished!). Just as in square dancing, the chamarrita has a “caller” who calls out the “Mandos” (aka. instructions) which guide the dancers. Note: The clip in which the gentleman is making the calls could be confusing to some beginners because he says things that are not actual “Mandos“, but are instead placeholders or embellishments placed in between the “Mandos.” Things like “esta e outra“, “so mais uma,” and “tudo certinho,” (which just means to continue doing what you were already doing). They make the dance more beautiful, but are not totally necessary; especially when people are just learning.”

*Editorial Dance Note: Aside from the calls, the step is also important it is easy to see the step in the video when they are dancing in place. It is called a “box step”.

Other YouTube examples you may want to watch include:

“PORTUGUESE CLUB TO ARRANGE FESTIVAL – Celebration to Be Held at St. Agnes Church, Roseville, Sunday – The Irmandade de Devino Espirito Santo (i.e. I.D.E.S. – ed.) club has arranged for the annual Portuguese festival, which will be held at St. Agnes Church, at Roseville, Sunday. The services will commence at 9:00 o’clock in the morning, when the celebrators will form a Procession and march to the Hall to the music of a band. Dinner will be served, followed by dancing. In the evening the fancy offerings and gifts will be auctioned for the benefit of the club. The dancing program will include both Portuguese and American dances. Four hundred attended the festival last year, and it is expected that an even larger number will be present Sunday.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – May 10, 1913 – Pg. 10)

“FAVOR THE MONUMENT – Chamber of Commerce Directors Hear Plan for Plaza Statue of Cabrillo – At yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Directors the Board was waited upon by a Committee representing the newly organized lodge of the Portuguese Union of California (U.P.E.C.), who submitted the following communication from the Supreme President of the organization:

San Diego, California – January 14, 1904

*Letter to Mr. H. P. Wood, Secretary of Chamber of Commerce, San Diego, California:

‘Dear Sirs – Representing the U.P.E.C. (Portuguese Union of the State of California), a fraternal organization, and wishing to perpetuate the discovery of California by Cabrillo, the great Portuguese navigator, by erecting a monument in his honor on the shores of the magnificent Bay of San Diego, which he was the first to discover and enter, do hereby ask of your honorable body your hearty cooperation in caring on this good work.

Very truly yours, Mr. JESSE H. WOODS, Supreme President of the U.P.E.C. (Portuguese Union of the State of California)

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“The U.P.E.C. Supreme President has been in the city in connection with the organization of the local branch of the U.P.E.C., but was called north and so was unable to be present at the meeting. Secretary Wood, to whom he had explained the project of the monument, however, in turn explained it to the Directors.

Communications have been sent to Senator Perkins and Congressman Needham asking that the proper authority be secured for the erection of a large statue of the discoverer by the union. The figure would undoubtedly be of much interest to tourists. The Board decided that every age should be given to the society that possibly could be given, and with that end in view referred the whole matter to the City Improvement Committee, consisting of Mr. J. N. Newkirk, James MacMullen, and E. E. White.

The San Diego branch of the (U.P.E.C.) organization was organized this week by the election of the following officers: President, MANUEL F. CABRAL, Vice-President J. S. MONTEIRO, Treasurer J. S. SOARES, Marshall J. L. MONTEIRO, Secretary J. L. MONTEIRO, Master of Ceremonies JOHN MONIZ, Guard MANUEL S. SOARES. No financial aid is sought by the society or union, which is composed of about 6,500 citizens of the state. They are amply able to carry the project through and will doubtless do so.”

(*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Saturday, January 16, 1904 – Pg. 3)

“FISHERMEN FIGHT ANTI-SEINE LAW – Declare Ignorant Legislation Has Thrown 250 Men Out of Employment – As a direct result of the arrest, trial, and conviction of Mr. Antonio Scorlich (age 42, a Croatian fisherman from Austria, married and living at 1694 Atlantic St. downtown, a Naturalized U.S. Citizen since 1896; and next door neighbor to PA Frank Goularte) because he unlawfully caught small fish in the bay with a net, a united and desperate effort is to be put forth by all the fishermen who have been engaged in the business at San Diego to have the anti-seine net law rescinded.

Since this law went into effect several months ago (i.e. April of 1907 – ed.) the fish industry has fallen off to an enormous extent, according to statements of persons interested. Hundreds of men have been thrown out of employment, it is said, and the law affects the fisherman directly and that it practically throws them out of work after they have invested large sums of money in boats and outfits. The fisherman, prior to the time that the law went into effect, secured all bait by means of nets in the bay. With the bait, including such fish as smelt, herring, and croaker, the fisherman secured the larger fish outside the bay. This law prohibits the fisherman obtaining bait, so they practically have to give up their occupation!

SHIPMENTS OF FISH 60% LESS

The fishermen are not the only ones affected, but the city itself suffers considerably, it is alleged. The fish industry, up to the time that the law went into effect, was very good. Hundreds of pounds were exported daily, but now there is barely enough fish caught to serve the local demands. This means a loss of many thousands of dollars annually in the exports of the city. This business has fallen off to such an extent that the Wells Fargo Express company is contemplating laying off one of its helpers at the Santa Fe Depot (railroad – ed.) office. This is according to a statement made last night by John R. Beardsley, the local agent for the express company. He said that the shipments of fish have decreased 60% during the past several months.

Mr. JOSEPH F. MADRUGA, one of the Managers of the National Fish Company, in a statement yesterday speaks the sentiments of all persons who are appointed with the situation.

‘When conditions become such in the state of California that for the pleasure of a very limited few, a very large and industrious body of citizens are deprived of making an honest living for themselves and their families,’ said Madruga, ‘It is time that the general public should be acquainted with the facts as they exist and that something should be done to remedy these conditions.’

RESULT OF IGNORANT LEGISLATION

‘It is also a deplorable fact, but nevertheless true, that there are a certain body of citizens, some private and some holding public office, who condescend to act in a matter of which they know nothing about and which needs expert investigation before legislation should be enacted to control or protect said interest. Their intentions were undoubtedly for the welfare of the community, but in the case which we are discussing they succeeded in doing considerable injury to a large and legitimate industry and an injustice to a great many of their fellow brethren, without doing any good to anyone.’

‘At the last regular session of the legislature of California a law was introduced and passed prohibiting the use of seines, nets, traps, etc., in the bay of San Diego, or in other words prohibiting the fisherman from fishing in the Bay of San Diego.’

ANTI-SEINE LAW BENEFITS THE FEW

‘The petitioners for this kind of legislation stated that the fishermen were catching all the fish and leaving none for the idle ‘sport’ and tourists who fish only for pleasure from the wharves, with rod and reel. ‘At the time the bill was introduced into the legislature the market-men and Fisherman were advised by a local Fish Commissioner that a Committee would be sent down from Sacramento to investigate and that they should present their case to this Committee. This was not done, however. In fact, the law was so unjust, unconstitutional, and so absurd, that we thought no body of sane men would uphold it; and therefore made no opposition. The bill was introduced, rushed through, became a law, and the harm was done.’

250 MEN ARE AFFECTED

‘Now, whom does it affect? It affects approximately 250 men, and their families, in San Diego. This includes the fishermen, the market men and their employees, the fish peddlers, the retail fish stalls, the boat builders who build the fisherman’s boats, the machinists who install and repair their engines…, in fact, the hotels, restaurants, and general public who use fish are ALL more or less affected by this unjust and discriminating law.’ Statistics for 1907 will show what the fish industry means to San Diego and it is threatened with speedy destruction through this law. ‘We are deprived of getting such fish as smelt, croaker, herring, and even sardines, which are used only by the fisherman for bait, with which to go out to the ocean and get rock cod, sole, albacore, bass, etc. The fisherman and market men have many thousands of dollars invested in this business (Some of the boats costing over $2,000[equivalent to $68,914 today – ed.]), and they are threatened with ruin if these conditions continue. These fishermen are hard-working, law-abiding citizens, well able to take care of themselves and their children if they are only given a chance.‘

OTHER PORTS GETTING TRADE

‘Mostly all the fish that come into this bay are of the migratory class; they only come in season, in schools, stay here a while, then go to San Pedro, Monterey Bay, San Francisco Bay, Eureka, and Humboldt Bay. At these places they are caught; while we are barred from doing so here. Every year thousands of pounds of herring, etc., in various other places. We are in direct competition with these places in shipping to the interior, and they are getting the trade away from San Diego because they can offer a better variety. And their hotels and residents are supplied with choice varieties of fish, while ours can just…, do without. Is this American Justice? A thousand times, NO!’

TO BACK UP ANTONIO SCORLICH

‘This state of affairs has become so intolerable that we think that the time for action has arrived. We are going to help the fishermen in the case of the People vs Antonio Scorlich, and are going to try to have this obnoxious law stricken out. We therefore ask for the moral support of everybody, because it directly concerns everyone; from the large transportation companies to the consumer. These are not biased statements – it is a statement of conditions as they exist. We do not ask for special privileges or concessions – we only ask for justice and the inalienable rights of American citizens to pursue a legitimate occupation and earn an honest living.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Saturday, February 29, 1908 – Pg. 14, plus background via: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Friday, February 21, 1908 – Pg. 8)

*EDITORIAL NOTE+: On Tuesday, May 5, 1908 San Diego Superior Court Judge Conklin ruled that the decision rendered (and a $30 fine was accessed – equivalent to $1,035 today – ed.) against seine net using fisherman Mr. Antonio Scorlich by Justice Thorpe earlier. So the decision will be upheld, and the LAW REMAINED INTACT; greatly disappointing many local fishermen.

*The broader and perhaps (?!?) more interesting point may be; Did this simple 1908 San Diego Court judgment (which essentially hindered the local seafood/fish business) also inadvertently act to *accelerate* the local fishing fleet going more, and farther, outside and AWAY from our bay for bait and/or to fish?!?…, into Baja, Mexico (and beyond!) waters for tuna and other migratory fish, ever farther off our coast, and (perhaps especially tuna) and as such essentially “kicking off” what would eventually grow into an enormous international commercial fishing industry (now worth more than $40,000,000,000 annually!)?

*Fun Facts* (11 Years Later…): – FISHERMAN DUMPS LOBSTERS IN SEA – Keen-Eyed Inspectors Detect Action; Man Grins, but Not After He’s Arrested – When Antonio Scorlich came in from his daily fishing trip yesterday he did not head his boat straight for the fish markets at the foot of E Street. Instead, he made a wide detour down the north end of the bay, and moored a small rowboat that he had been towing. Keen eyes watched him from the shore…

Then, while Antonio was at the fish market selling his catch, another powerboat put out from shore and the occupants of it inspected the contents of the rowboat. From the rowboat they took two lobsters that were smaller than the size allowed by law. Then the inspectors hid…

Soon Antonio returned. He re-fastened the rowboat to the stern of his fishing yawl and started for his home near the north end of the bay. The Inspectors gave chase. Antonio saw them and grinned. He had been caught with undersized lobsters just two weeks before and had paid a $40 fine (equivalent to $720 today – ed.). When the inspectors were just a few yards away, he emptied a bag of undersized lobsters overboard. Then he laughed. ‘You won’t find any little lobsters in my possession,’ he said. But Game Warden Webb Tema then held up the two lobsters that had been previously extracted from the bag, and Antonio wilted. He pled guilty to the charge before Justice Keating yesterday afternoon, and paid (another! – ed.) fine of $40. Next time the penalty will be a jail sentence, Judge Keating warned him.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Wednesday, November 26, 1919 – Pg. 12)

And finally…, Mr. Antonio Scorlich’s OBITUARY (Not just ‘another scofflaw’ – ed.)

“SCORLICH DIES; CAUGHT FIRST SWORDFISH HERE – Mr. Antonio Scorlich, age 91, a former San Diego fisherman who is believed to have caught the first swordfish in the San Diego area, died April 25^th in Yugoslavia, it was learned here yesterday. Scorlich, who lived here from 1900 until he returned to his native country, Yugoslavia, in 1953 for a visit, was the first President of the Fisherman’s Association here. He was also one of the founders and first President of the UNION FISH COMPANY of San Diego.

Scorlich went to sea as a cabin boy at the age of 13. His career on the sea took him to all parts of the world as a sailor and first mate of windjammers. He first visited San Diego in 1871, when he was just 17. After a stint in the Austrian army when he was 23, he eventually made his way back here. Scorlich sailed and fished from San Diego from 1900 until 1938, when he retired. He is said to have caught the first swordfish here in 1900. Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. M. J. Tomas, of 4377 Ridgeway Rd., and three grandchildren: Mrs. A. T. Arguello and Mark A. Tomas of San Diego, and Mrs. L. C. Kinney Jr. of Del Mar; and four great-grandchildren.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Friday, June 1, 1956 – Pg. 15)

OBITUARY – “LAWRENCE OLIVER, 90, DIES; RETIRED BUSINESS EXECUTIVE – Mr. Lawrence Oliver (aka. Lourenço Oliveira – ed.) of 815 Armada Terrace, a retired San Diego business executive, philanthropist, and leader of the local Portuguese Community, who worked his way up from a delivery boy to President of a company, died Monday in his home. He was 90 years old. A naturalized U.S. Citizen from Calheta Nesquim, Pico, Azores, Portugal; Mr. Oliver came to this country in 1903 (having paid $5 to be smuggled out when he was a 16-year-old – ed.) and worked in cotton mills in Massachusetts, and then on a farm in Chico, California, before arriving in San Diego in 1906. He received his education at the local public schools and worked for banking concerns, and later the Western Metal Supply Company (delivering, and now part of the third-base line of Petco Park, home of the MLB Padres – ed.) before going to AMERICAN FISHERIES, a wholesale fish market at the foot of E Street, again working as a delivery boy. He rose to the position of Manager of the company (now known as AMERICAN PROCESSING CO.), and later purchased an interest in the firm and became its President in 1922.

Mr. Oliver later served on the Board of Directors of several illustrious firms, including; the San Diego Gas & Electric Co., the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the San Diego Zoological Society, the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, and U.S. National Bank (now Crocker National Bank). He was also well-known for his raising of prize Hereford cattle at his Descanso Ranch.

A past President of the United Portuguese Society (U.P.E.C.? – ed.) of California, Mr. Oliver also was active in the San Diego Elks Lodge, Knights of St. Gregory, San Diego Rotary Club, St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, and U.P.E.C. (i.e. União Portuguesa do Estado da California, or Portuguese Union of the State of California – ed.) and I.D.E.S. (i.e. Irmandade do Divino Espírito Santo, or Brotherhood of the Divine Holy Spirit – ed.), the latter both Portuguese-American organizations (He was the 1940 founder and first President of the Portuguese-American Social & Civic Club, our U.P.S.E.S. Hall’s oldest tenant – ed.). Mr. Oliver also served in the U.S. Navy during World War I (and late in life, self-published his autobiography book “Never Backward”, a worthy read for several reasons – ed.).

Surviving are his beloved wife, MARY (MILLER) OLIVER, a daughter, Mrs. DORIS PORTO of San Diego; two sons, Mr. NORMAN OLIVER of San Diego, and RICHARD OLIVER of Colorado Springs, CO.; and a sister, Mrs. MARY L. BRUM of San Diego, and 12 grandchildren.

A celebration mass will be at 9:00 am today in Holy Cross Mausoleum Chapel with the most Reverend Leo T. Maher, Bishop of the San Diego Roman Catholic Diocese, as celebrant. Entombment will follow in the mausoleum under the direction of Goodbody’s Ivy Chapel.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Thursday, September 29, 1977 – P. 14 w/Pic)

Editorial Comment: With apologies for yet another “insert” into this Obituary (primarily meant for respectful remembrance rather than a complete history), it is nevertheless necessary to mention that for 40 years (1922 to 1962) Lawrence Oliver sponsored the so-called “Downtown Festa”, an annual event centered in Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church “downtown” at the corner of State & Date Sts. This celebration occurred each year 1 week *after* our annual Pentecost Sunday “Festa do Divino Espírito Santo” event on Point Loma; and is said to have stemmed from the smaller, but perhaps older Portuguese-American colony that was then based “downtown” (the Manha brothers, various Fish Markets, boat builders, etc.). Nowadays, this “downtown” celebration is known as Trinity Sunday; and is celebrated at the U.P.S.E.S. Hall on Point Loma, in the Roseville neighborhood.

“A NEW FISHERMAN – The new sloop ‘SANTA ROSA’, being built for Mr. FRANK MARSHALL (aka. Machado? – ed.) of La Playa, is having the planking put on by MADRUGA & DANIEL, the boat builders. The sloop is 36’ long with a beam of 8’ 8”, and will be equipped with a gasoline engine. She will be used in the fishing trade.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Friday, July 10, 1903 – Pg. 3)

“MONTIJO’S (aka. MONTEIRO’S) BOAT – The MADRUGA BROTHERS, boat builders, have the keel laid of a fine 30′ vessel which will be used by JOE MONTIJO (aka. MONTEIRO – ed.) of La Playa as a fishing boat. It is to be supplied with sails as well as with a gasoline engine. The hull is being put together in the north end of the old Jorres warehouse at the foot of F Street.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Thursday, March 26, 1903 – Pg. 6)

“CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR ROSEVILLE – New Edifice Being Constructed On Rosecrans Street Off Spaulding Boulevard – In Roseville there is now nearing completion a trim little church which is to be the home of the members of the catholic faith residing in the vicinity. These are mainly among the Portuguese and Mexicans who are engaged in the fishing industry and who have their homes either at Roseville or at La Playa, just to the south. Contractor Slaughter has the job of erecting the edifice. The church is situated just off of the Spalding Boulevard after it turns near the southern terminus of the graded portion of Rosecrans Street. It occupies a sightly spot, the view taking in the wide stretch of bay, with the city in the middle background and the mountains are farther back. The steeple of the church, surmounted by the usual Cross, is at the eastern end of the structure. The seating capacity will be about 200. At present Catholic services are held in a room at the store and residence of Mr. JOE LIAL (aka. Mr. JOSE LIAL MONTEIRO [1865 – 1932] – ed.), and are in charge of a Priest from the east side of the bay.

There is also being constructed at Roseville, near Rosecrans Street, a neat little building which is to be used by Postmaster Dixon as his headquarters.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Monday, March 1, 1909 – Pg. 6)

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“BISHOP CONATY WILL DEDICATE CATHOLIC CHURCH – Many San Diegans to Attend Services Across Bay Tomorrow Afternoon (i.e. March 14^th – ed.) – Dedication of the new ST. AGNES CHURCH at ROSEVILLE will take place tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 with impressive services to be conducted by Right Reverend Thomas J. Conaty, D. D. Bishop of Los Angeles and Monterey, which will include the dedication ceremony. At 10:00 am Reverend Joseph Mesny, the Pastor, will celebrate solemn High Mass. A large number of persons from San Diego will attend these services and ample accommodations for transportation will be provided. Roseville is reached by the Point Loma Ferry at the foot of H Street (now known as Market St., downtown – ed.) or by the drive around the bay. The new church, which has a seating capacity of 300, is it artistic design and will be an ornament to the pretty little town across the bay. Music for the afternoon service will be provided by the Choir of St Joseph’s Catholic Church.”

(*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Saturday, March 13, 1909 – Pg. 8 w/Pic)

“LOST S.D. TUNABOAT STRUCK SUB OR LOG – A San Diego tuna skipper whose vessel sank under him three days ago (i.e. Nov. 8^th – ed.) off the coast of Panama said in an overseas telephone interview yesterday it was possible his ship had hit either a submarine or a submerged log. Captain Joe M. Nunez, age 45, of 3110 Addison St. (now known as Avenida de Portugal – ed.), Point Loma, said, ‘It could have been a submarine or a heavy sunken log, but how it actually happened is really a mystery to me.’

CREW SAFE

His vessel, the 117’ San Diego tuna boat ‘KATIE LOU’ sank about 17 miles off the coast of Panama afternoon is and his crew had nursed it along for 3 days after the accident. None of the 12-man crew was injured in the accident. An estimated 100 tons of tuna or aboard. ‘The accident happened in the middle of the night’, Nunez said from Balboa, Panama Canal Zone, while awaiting air transportation to return to the United States.

200 MILES AT SEA

‘It was about 1:30 am when we were hit,’ he said. ‘The propeller and rudder were bent and a propeller shaft broke off.’ Nunez and his crew were fishing off the coast of Ecuador, about 200 miles from Panama with the accident happened. ‘About 17 miles from the Panama Coast we couldn’t keep the ship afloat any longer and had to abandon her,’ Nunez said. ‘We had to transfer to the ship’s motor skiff,’ he said. ‘We were in this gift for about 45 minutes before being (cont. next Pg.) picked up by the ‘SS Atlas’. Nunez said the‘SS Atlas’ commanded by a Capt. Waters is a vessel of the Panama Canal Company. He said the ‘Katie Lou’ was in 600’ of water when she hit the submerged object. Nunez is co-owner of the ‘Katie Lou’, as well as her skipper. Mr. GILBERT QUALIN of 4259 Chamoune Ave., the other co-owner; who was not aboard.

VALUED AT NEARLY $500,000

The ‘Katie Lou’, which was launched in January of 1947, was valued at between $400,000 and $500,000. (equivalent to approx. $4,613,091 today – ed.). Having a ship sink under him was not the first sea adventure for Capt. Nunez, reported to be the only Spaniard among the more than 300 captains of San Diego’s high seas fishing fleet.

In 1959 Nunez made a pioneering fishing cruise to the west coast of Africa. When he returned he reported, ‘The Atlantic is alive with tuna!’ On that 110-day voyage he was skipper of the tuna clipper, ‘CHICKEN OF THE SEA’. He reported that he and his crew of 17 men caught 450 tons of tuna in one period of 14 days of fishing. Nunez and his ‘Katie Lou’ also were seized in November of 1955 by an Ecuadorian Patrol Boat for alleged violation of that country’s fishing laws. He was later freed by the Ecuadoreans without penalty. The ‘Katie Lou’ was reported to have been 20 miles off the coast when she was seized.

FAMILY AS CREW

Then in 1956 the ‘Katie Lou’ became the first vessel of its type type ever to pass through the Panama Canal partly manned by the family of its skipper. On that voyage Nunez (with the cooperation of Panama Canal authorities) was permitted to take his wife, Connie, his daughter, then age 12, and his two sons, Joseph Jr., then 14, and Manuel, then age 5, on a voyage from Balboa, in Panama’s Canal Zone; to Ponce, Puerto Rico. Because the ‘Katie Lou’ was not licensed to carry passengers, Mrs. Nunez signed on as cook, and daughter signed on as an assistant cook. Eldest son Joseph Jr. was hired as a seaman, and younger brother Manuel as an apprentice seaman.

Nunez was born at Muroa, Coruna, Spain, and was brought to San Diego by his parents while still a baby. His father, Mr. Fidel Nunez (), was one of the last of the hardy mariners who came to the Pacific Coast via Cape Horn. While in grammar school student Nunez began going to sea during vacations with his father. He began his seafaring career on the large clippers as a crew member of the ‘CITY OF SAN DIEGO’.”

(Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Sunday,November 11, 1962 – Pg. 76/77 Pics)

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“TUNABOAT’S CREW IS PRESUMED SAFE – The co-owner of the San Diego tuna clipper ‘KATIE LOU’, which sank Thursday off the coast of Panama, last night said the 12 San Diego area crewman are presumed safe. Mr. GILBERT QUALIN of 4259 Chamoune Ave., part-owner of the 117’ purse seiner, said Panamanian authorities had reported that the crew left the vessel before it sank. The crew consisted of: Mr. Joe Nunez of 3110 Addison (now known as Avenida de Portugal – ed.) St., the skipper and co-owner of the clipper. Qualin identified the other crewmen as Jasper R. Allen of Escondido; Donald Moffatt of 122 Mitscher St., in Chula Vista; James Murphy of 4057 Epanow Ave.; Ira T. Smith of 817 Denby St.; ALFRED A. BRAGA, of 1977 Chatsworth Blvd.; ANTHONY QUALIN, of 4360 Gila Ave. (the co-owner’s brother); Leo Navarra of 2443 Kettner Blvd.; Gregoria S. Gomez of National City; Lorenzo Valazquez of 3681 Z St., Frank Tarantino of 410 M. Ave. in National City, and ERNEST P. SILVA of 3009 India St.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Saturday,November 10, 1962 – Pg. 16)

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Editorial Note: It may be of interest to readers to know that Mr. Gilbert F. Qualin (age 21) was married to Miss Helen Nunez (age 18) in San Diego, California on Tuesday, September 13, 1938. Helen Nunez is the sister of the above Capt. Joe Nunez of the vessel ‘Katie Lou’.

A PAGE FROM HISTORY: TUNAMAN’S MEMORIAL EVOKES A STORIED ERA ON POINT LOMA’S PAST by Mr. Eric Duvall in Point Loma / OB Monthly newspaper – March 15, 2024 –

A Page from History: Tunaman’s Memorial evokes a storied era of Point Loma’s past

“The tuna fishing industry had a profound influence on the Roseville community, also known as ‘Tunaville’. Those who remember it have tales to tell. Commercial fishing can be a lucrative business. It also can be a very dangerous business. The tuna fishing industry has had such a profound influence on the development of Point Loma’s “Roseville” community, (aka.“Tunaville“) that the area was once widely known as the “Tuna Capital of the World.” But in San Diego these days, the industry is largely referred to in the past tense.

Just south of the public fishing pier on Shelter Island stands the dramatically beautiful TUNA MAN’S MEMORIAL (aka. T.M.M. – ed.) sculpture. An enormous Pacific bluefin, several hundred pounds at minimum, breaches the surface of the water wildly, but its battle is already lost. The great fish is hooked by a three-pole rig. The three fishermen brace themselves in the rack, frozen in unison, seconds before they, as one, swing the big tuna onto the deck of their boat.

The location commands an unobstructed 180-degree view of downtown San Diego, Naval Air Station North Island, the Submarine Base, Ballast Point, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma’s “Old Spanish” Lighthouse, Mexico’s Coronado Islands, and … open ocean. Isn’t that remarkable? Almost every vessel that enters or exits San Diego Bay, from aircraft carrier to sabot, passes the Tunaman’s Memorial. The monument displays an inscription that was the vision of tunaman, sea captain and historian Mr. ANTHONY MASCARENHAS: “Honoring those that built an industry and remembering those that departed this Harbor in the Sun, and did not return.”

Local resident Ron Machado told me that Mascarenhas worked for years to make the monument a reality. “He had this vision for that monument and he just knew he could make it happen,” Machado said. Tony’s son Michael Mascarenhas, a friend John Rabello and the Portuguese Historical Center helped Tony raise over $100,000 (equivalent to $297,848 today – ed.) to bring the vision to life.

Mr. Tony Mascarenhas was born in Provincetown, Massachusetts (his parents emigrants from Fuseta, Portugal – ed.), and he was a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Michael said the famous statue of the Gloucester Fisherman, known as “The Man at the Wheel” — a memorial to thousands of Gloucester, Massachusetts fishermen who lost their lives to the sea — had made a strong impression on his father when he was young. He believed the tuna industry on the West Coast deserved at least the same attention,” Michael said.

Jeff Madruga told me that Tony’s many contributions to the Portuguese Historical Center were “never anything less than exemplary.” He remembers the elder Mascarenhas as “a masterful and persuasive salesman” who would routinely pull people out of the United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall to show them a model of “The Man at the Wheel” (*Small Note: This is an error – The statuette model in Mr. Mascarenhas’ car truck was always, and only the statuette of the Tunaman’s Memorial Monument as it exists on our Shelter Island. Sorry for the confusion – Jeff Madruga) that he kept in the trunk of his car. “He hoped those two monuments would be bookends to each other,” Madruga recalled.

As early as the 1860s, a small community of Chinese fishermen called Roseville home. They fished from junks they built onshore and dried their catch on racks near what is now the foot of Talbot Street near the San Diego Yacht Club.

Portuguese fishermen began to work the waters of San Diego Bay and Point Loma in the first years of the 20th century (more accurately, a decade or two before 1900 – ed.). They had sailing fishing boats, 20-24 feet long. If you’ve seen the famous “Butcher Boy” at the San Diego Maritime Museum, you have some idea of what those boats looked like. Museum volunteers recently finished a complete and lovingly detailed restoration of “Butcher Boy”, which was built by MANUEL F. MADRUGA and MANUEL GOULART here in 1902.

San Diego’s first tuna cannery, Pacific Tuna Canning Co., opened in 1911, canning albacore seasonally. Eleven canneries were operating in Southern California by 1914, six of them in San Diego. The tuna industry prior to World War I, using bamboo poles with baited lines, was dominated by Japanese fishermen. By 1924, over 400 commercial fishing boats were operating out of San Diego Bay, and the Van Camp Cannery had consolidated four of the smaller ones.

When captain M.O. MEDINA left San Diego with a crew of four to fish for tropical tuna off the coast of Mexico in 1919, “little did they realize at the time that they had created a new fishery for the United States and a new fishing technology and a vessel design that was to be imitated throughout the world,” according to Mr. August Felando, former President of the American Tunaboat Association. Mr. M. O. Medina, a mainstay in Point Loma’s Portuguese community, was later President of the U.P.S.E.S. HALL (União Portuguesa – Sociedade do Espírito Santo – ed.) for 51 years.

The tuna fishing industry was a major part of San Diego’s economy for a half-century, employing at its peak thousands of fishermen and cannery workers. But the industry was plagued by boom-and-bust cycles due to advances in technology, political intervention and the vagaries of tuna migration.

With the U.S. entrance to World War II following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, 49 of San Diego’s largest tuna boats and more than 600 fishermen went into the Navy. Nearly half those boats did not return from the war. The industry suffered some lean years in the early and mid-1950s as cheap, duty-free, frozen Japanese (& Peruvian – ed.) tuna flooded the U.S. market. San Diego’s tuna fleet declined more than 80% during that period, but rebounded significantly in the 1960s (with the adoption of the hydraulic “power block” and purse-seining with nylon nets – ed.).

People who grew up in Roseville’s Portuguese community during that era remember their disappointment when their fathers would put out to sea, and the excitement upon their return. Sisters Christine Xavier Speed and Carolyn Xavier Orcutt recall hiding little surprises for their dad to find after he had left port. “We’d put a tin of Almond Roca in his sea bag,” Carolyn said. “And Baby Ruths,” said Christine. “He had a real sweet tooth.” The girls remembered the excitement of going on watch with their dad aboard his boat at the Embarcadero when he returned to port. “He would always bring something back for us,” Christine recalled. “Maracas!,” said Carolyn. “All Portuguese kids had maracas, and seahorses and llama slippers!” But when the men were gone, the families were left behind in “a community of women and children that we palled around with,” Carolyn said.

Donna Alves-Calhoun remembers going to Shelter Island to watch her father’s boat come into port. “We had a neighbor who was a ham radio operator,” she told me. “He would get in contact with my dad’s boat, the ‘Toro Bravo’, and he would walk over to our house and tell us, ‘Your dad is just two hours out.’ That is such a vivid memory. I was maybe 8 years old. I remember waving and the crew waving back. It was so exciting.”

Ms. Zeca Rodrigues remembers seeing off her brother’s boat at 10th Avenue and then driving to Shelter Island to wave as the boat headed out to sea. “We always stayed there until we couldn’t see the boats anymore,” she recalled. “One time the boat seemed to slow down before it reached Ballast Point, and then it turned around. Right about then we started noticing that somebody was missing. “‘Hey, where’s Eddie?’ people were asking.” *Five-year-old Eddie Costa had stowed away on his Dad’s boat! “We were standing right about here,” Rodrigues said ‘right where the Tunaman’s Memorial stands today’.

The lawn of Shelter Island’s Shoreline Park is an ideal spot for the Tunaman’s Memorial. But did you realize that the monument was almost installed elsewhere? Tony Mascarenhas was working with San Diego Port Director Don Nay in 1981. The Director’s preference was to erect the monument at Embarcadero Marina Park downtown. His second choice was Seaport Village. How fortunate that those locations didn’t pan out, eh?

The Tunaman’s Memorial was dedicated October 26, 1986, a year and a half after Mr. Tony Mascarenhas left this world. The nearly 11,000-pound bronze sculpture is the work of Mr. Franco Vianello, an artist who was himself a commercial fisherman. The sculpture took Vianello a full year to create. The statue’s three fishermen, representing members of the Portuguese, Italian and Japanese fishing communities, have been imbued with a palpable sense of determination. The tips of their bamboo poles reach 21′ above the ground. The Portuguese Historical Center invites the public to the annual Tunaman’s Memorial Service of Remembrance on Sunday, March 17. Mass will begin at 11 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1145 Evergreen St. in Roseville. It will be followed directly by the Service of Remembrance at the Tunaman’s Memorial.

The Xavier sisters said they actually could see their dad’s boat leaving from their house. “Our dad kept homing pigeons,” Carolyn remembered. “He would take those pigeons on board with him either going out on a trip or going to Long Beach to unload. When the boat passed the end of Shelter Island, he would release those pigeons and they would always fly home.”

Mr. Eric DuVall is President of the Ocean Beach Historical Society. Thanks to Ron Machado, Jeff Madruga, Olivia and Blake Martz, Christine Speed, Carolyn Orcutt, Donna Alves-Calhoun and Zeca Rodrigues for their help with this story. Membership in OBHS, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is $25 annually. Visit obhistory.org.

Editorial Note: The “40 Years” referred to in the Timeline Title to this space refers to the 40-years between when this article was written (2024) and the 1984 closing of the last tuna cannery operation in San Diego. – JLM

“TUNA CREWMAN ASKS $110,000 FOR INJURIES – A San Diego fisherman yesterday filed a suit for $110,000 in damages (equivalent to $1,179,231 today – ed.) from 12 persons for injuries he allegedly received in an accident on the fishing platform of the tuna boat ‘MAYFLOWER’ on June 13^th. This suit was filed in U.S. District Court in behalf of Mr. Frederico Trujillo of 1927 Julian Ave. by Mr. William F. Reed, an attorney. Trujillo is reported to be in the San Francisco Marine hospital. Damages were asked from: J. O. Medina, Carl Oliver Medina, Henry Joseph Medina, Joaquin A. Medina, Gilbert Frank Qualin, Oliver Joseph Medina, Raymond Fernando Medina, George E. Campbell, David C. Campbell, Hazel V. Campbell, Roy B. Campbell, and Callie M. Campbell; identified as the ‘Mayflower’s’ owners, controllers, and operators. The nature of the accident was not specified in the lawsuit. Reed’s office, however, said Trujillo’s leg was caught when they gate on the boats fishing platform gave way. The lawsuit said the ‘Mayflower’ was 2 days out from Panama when the accident occurred. It said the fishing platform was negligently and carelessly maintained and was unsafe and defective. Since the accident the ‘Mayflower’ has been sold to VAN CAMP SEA FOODS CO., INC., Reed’s office said.”

(*Source: San Diego UNION & Daily Bee newspaper – Thursday, September 25, 1958 – Pg. 21)