“A FISHING BANK FOUND – A Portuguese from the La Playa fishing village, across the bay (from downtown San Diego – ed.), has been for some time trying to find a fishing bank, as the fleet has been in hard luck lately. Tuesday, he came upon a large bank a long distance out that yielded him 600 lbs. of WHITE FISH and ROCK COD. Yesterday he went out again prepared to ride the bank and settle its location so that others may find it. He says it is the LARGEST YET FOUND; and is covered with fish.”
(*Source: San Diego Weekly Union newspaper – Thursday, January 22, 1891 – Pg. 2)
*Editorial Note: Unsolicited suggestion and PERSONAL VOW! – From this day forward, I (Jeffrey L. Madruga) Do hereby both suggest & promise I will always be available to raise a toast and drink a salute each JANUARY 20th, in honor of this first ‘known’ (yet unnamed) local San Diego Portuguese fisherman who both found a newly profitable fishing bank to sustain the La Playa Beach fishing colony; AND then shared said information with same.”