“3 FISHING VESSELS END LONG ARGUMENT WITH EXCITING RACE – Actions speaking louder than words, the ‘ST. AGNES‘, a local fishing boat, lived up to the boasts of her Captain, J. S. MONISE, and defeated both the ‘BOA VIAGE’ (under Captain M. O. MEDINA) and the ‘PACIFIC’ (under Captain MANUEL MEDINA) in a race from LA PLAYA to the CORONADO ISLANDS, and added a matter of $500 (equivalent to $10,000 today – JLM) to the Monise coffers. The rival captains have had long arguments on the ability of their craft, and finally decided to race. Starting from Beacon #2 in La Playa, they dashed for the northeast corner of the Coronado Islands, the ‘Pacific’ arriving in 1 hour and 30 minutes, just 4 minutes and 50 seconds ahead of the ‘Boa Viage’, with was 5 minutes and 20 seconds behind the winner; J. S. Monise’s boat, ‘St. Agnes‘.”
(*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Saturday, August 30, 1924 – Pg. 25)
************** THEN!… (Just to illustrate how fickle Fate can be, less than 90 days later) ***************
“TOW VESSEL INTO PORT FOR REPAIRS – Seriously damaged by more than 24 hours’ grinding on the reefs at TODOS SANTOS, the 8-ton lobster schooner ‘BOA VIAGE’ of the San Diego fishing fleet entered port last night upheld between the schooners ‘MAINE’ and ‘YVONNE’, which had pulled her off the rocks, it was learned today. The vessel entered port about 9:00 p.m., it was stated at the AMERICAN FISHERMEN’S PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION (forerunner to the A.T.A. – JLM). According to reports, much of the hull of the vessel had been torn away by contact with the jagged rocks. The vessel was driven to the rocks by high seas caused by terrific windstorms that raged along the Lower California coast last Sunday. Returning vessels yesterday reported the plight of the schooner and plans were made last night for the STAR & CRESCENT BOAT COMPANY’S launch ‘ESTRELLA’ to go to the scene of the stranding.
LOBSTER LOAD TAKEN OFF
When the preparations for the ‘Estrella’ to leave were almost completed, a telephone report was received that the vessel was entering port here and that she was being towed by two other vessels, the presence of *both* being necessary to keep the stricken craft afloat. The schooner ‘SAN ANTONIO’, which had taken from the crippled craft its load of about a ton of lobsters, also arrived last night. The ‘BOA VIAGE’ was on the ways here today for repairs. The vessel is valued at $5,000 (equivalent to $90,885 today – JLM) and is owned by MANUEL OLIVEIRA (aka. ‘M. O.’ – ed.) MEDINA of this port. It is 51′ long. Favorable comment was made upon the waterfront today for the fame fight made by the ‘Yvonne’ and the ‘Maine’ which resulted in the saving of the schooner. It was stated that the ‘Boa Viage’ probably would have been ground to kindling wood upon the reef in a few hours more had not the other San Diego boats rushed to her assistance.”
(*Source: San Diego EVENING TRIBUNE newspaper – Tuesday, November 25, 1924 – Pg. 6)