“OPERATIONS EXTENDED TO ECUADOR – The ever-increasing range of San Diego’s tuna fleet operation has been extended with the departure of the 115’ yellowfin tuna clipper ‘PATRIA’ under Capt. JOE MEDINA, for fishing banks in the vicinity of the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of ECUADOR, nearly 3,500 miles from Point Loma (San Diego, CA). The vessel, which was once rammed by an oil tanker in Mexican waters, carries a crew of 12. — A few years ago, tuna vessels of the SAN DIEGO FLEET ventured only a few miles from Point Loma (San Diego, CA), but as the long-fin tuna, the albacore, disappeared suddenly, journeys were lengthened to the fishing grounds of the upper coast of BAJA CALIFORNIA (Mexico). Soon, larger boats were built and the trips were lengthened to approximately 1,500 miles southward. — This trip of the ‘Patria’ is expected to STRENGTHEN THE CREDIT of San Diego fishermen at west Mexican coast ports. — *Arrangements have been made whereby the ‘Patria’ can REFUEL AT MANZANILLO, MEXICO; nearly 1,600 miles from here (San Diego, CA). — If the ‘Patria’ carries out the plans for discovering additional yellowfin tuna schools in and near the region of the Galapagos Islands, Capt. Medina, in calling at Manzanillo for refueling of Diesel oil, will inaugurate a procedure that may become a REGULAR FEATURE of San Diego’s fishing fleet’s long voyages during the later part of this and the following seasons, according to local fishermen. — *Note: The ‘Patria’ originally was known as the ‘Mariner’ and was formerly owned by JOSE & MATTHEW MONISE. It has been rebuilt and equipped for long voyages down the lower coast since it was rammed and towed back to San Diego 18 months ago.” (*Source: April 1930 The West Coast Fisheries magazine – Pg. 29)
*****************************************************To UNDERSCORE the above opinion regarding the ‘Patria’ voyage in making logistical fueling arrangements at Manzanillo, Mexico; and *ALSO* the clear hand-in-glove arrangements between various cannery companies & Captains ramping up production for LONG-RANGE tuna fishing.
****************************************************“CAMPBELL BUILDS 3 – Trio of New Tuna Clippers Now Under Construction – The Campbell Machine Co. at San Diego is working at top speed in the building of three new tuna clippers, all well over 100’ in length, and plans call for the launching of ALL of them in May. — For J. JOSE & COMPANY Campbell’s are building a boat of 115’ in length by 25’ across the beam, which will be powered with an Atlas Imperial 350 h.p. Diesel engine. The total cost of this new vessel will be approx. $77,000 (equivalent to $1,296,969 today – ed.). When completed, she will fish for the WESTGATE SEA PRODUCTS CO.. Jose is the present owner of the tuna boat ‘Lisboa’. — MANUEL & ANTHONY MONISE are having built a vessel of similar dimensions, which will be powered with a 350 h.p. Union Diesel engine, to go into the service of the CALIFORNIA PACKING CORP. The cost will be about $78,000 (equivalent to $1,313,800 today – ed.). — The largest of the three boats is the 120’ craft being built for MANUEL SILVA and associates. The vessel will be practically a duplicate of the ‘Navigator’. She will be powered by a 400 h.p. Union Diesel engine, and will cost $94,000 (equivalent to $1,583,300 today – ed.). Silva will fish for the COHN-HOPKINS, INC. cannery. ~~~ (*Source: ALSO the April 1930 edition of The West Coast Fisheries magazine – Pg. 29)