Party Fishing Boats Page 14

1 PENNSY, Brielle, NJ – 1961 The "PENNSY" from Bogan's Basin, Brielle, NJ circa 1961. Higgins Industries Inc. built her in 1944 at New Orleans, LA as the World War II PT Boat "PT-457". The Bogan family converted the boat and operated her as the party boat "PENNSY". She later became Captain Al Wirth's "FALCON" from Atlantic Highlands, NJ. After being stored at a Staten Island, NY boat yard for a few years, she was dismantled in 1991. Photo courtesy of Captain John Bogan Jr.	2 RANGER II, Brooklyn, NY – 1961 Captain Mike Scarpati's "RANGER II" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1961. She was built in 1959 at the Scott McBurney Boat Yard, Brooklyn, NY. Replaced by a larger vessel in 1963, she was sold to Captain Billy Tuveri who renamed her "TRAVELER II" and sailed from Pier 1 at Sheepshead Bay. She last sailed as the "DELMAR IV" before being dismantled. Photo courtesy of John Cairns.	3 ROYAL FLUSH, Wildwood, NJ – 1961 Captain Edward Royles' "ROYAL FLUSH" is seen here underway as she heads out for a daily deep sea fishing trip from Wildwood, New Jersey. The "ROYAL FLUSH" was built 1954 by the W. H. Sable Boatyard at Ruark, VA. She was later sold to Captain George Sinn and become one of the many vessels named "FLAMINGO" that he operated.	4 SEA PIGEON III, Perth Amboy, NJ – 1961 The brand–new party boat "SEA PIGEON III" in 1961. She sailed from Perth Amboy, NJ under Captains Marty Haines Sr. and Jr. The "SEA PIGEON III" was built in 1961 at Stevenson Boat Works, Staten Island, NY and sunk at its berth during Hurricane David in September, 1979. After re-fitting, she continued to sail from Perth Amboy until 1986 when she was replaced by the "SEA PIGEON IV" (Captain Al Coley's "BETTY W III" from Sheepshead Bay, NY.) The "SEA PIGEON III" was sold to Captain Al Hilliard and became the party boat "PROWLER" from Atlantic Highlands, NJ.	5 SPRAY II, Belmar, NJ – 1961 The "SPRAY II" from Belmar, NJ and skippered by Captain Pete Saro Sr. circa 1961. She is shown passing under the Route 35 lift bridge on her way back to her slip at the Belmar Marina. She was built in 1914 and sailed as Captain John Michaels' "AMERICA" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY.
6 STARFISH, Sea Isle City, NJ – 1961 The "STARFISH" from Sea Isle City, NJ circa 1961. Built in 1960 by Price Boatyard, Deltaville, VA, she was owned and operated by Captain Charles Schaffer. She later relocated to Fortescue, NJ where she became the "BONANZA", and than sailed as the "FORTESCUE QUEEN". She was remodeled and is currently sailing from Fortescue as the "SALT TALK".	7 ZUBER'S E–Z FLEET, Brielle, NJ – 1961 Captain William Zuber's "E-Z FLEET" from Brielle, NJ circa 1961. The picture shows the party boats "E-Z", the "E-Z II" and the "E-Z III" berthed at Zuber's Seacoast Basin. All three of these vessels were built at Burgess, VA.	8 ANNA M III, Captree, NY – 1962 Captain George Mahr's "ANNA M III" from Captree, NY. She was built in 1962 by Stevenson's Boat Works, Great Kills, Staten Island, NY, and is shown here "fresh from the yard". Captain Mahr's "ANNA M II" was one of the original three boats that sailed from Captree Marina when it opened in 1954. Photo Courtesy of Captain George Mahr.	9 BLUE HERON, Riviera Beach, FL – 1962 The framing of the "BLUE HERON" takes shape at Gillikin Boat Works, Harkers Island, NC in 1962. She was later renamed as the "SOUTHWIND" and then became the "HAPPY" and afterwards, became the "OCEAN EAGLE II". If you look carefully in the background, you can see the wheelhouse of the "CAPT. JOSEPH" that would head to Captree, Long Island upon completion. Photo courtesy of Ed Keefe Jr.	10 BRONX QUEEN, Bronx, NY – 1962 The "BRONX QUEEN" from Bronx, NY circa 1962. She was built in 1942 by the Mantis Yacht Building Company in Camden, NJ as the US Navy Submarine Chaser "SC–635". After the war, she was sold as surplus and became the party boat "YANK" from Point Pleasant, NJ. She was sold to Captain Henry Williams in 1958 and became the "BRONX QUEEN". Captain Edwin Berlin took over the operation in the early 1970s. She sank on a gray and stormy December 20, 1989 while on her way home from a fishing trip for Whiting and Ling. Photo courtesy of Captain Dan Berg Wreck Valley Collection.
11 CAPT. JOSEPH, Captree, NY – 1962 The "CAPT. JOSEPH" getting its finishing touches in March 1962 at Gillikin Boat Works, Harkers Island, NC. This 65-footer was built for the Joseph family (Captain Bill Joseph and his sons, Captains Bobby and Stanley) and had three GM 6-71 diesel engines. She later became Captain Bill Huntley's "JULIE C" from Point Judith, RI, and then the "MISS FRANCES" from Point Judith, RI, and then as Captain Anthony Gregory's "CAPT. GREGORY" from Captree, NY. The boat presently sails as Captain Tony Notaro II's "LUCKY LADY" from Clinton, CT. Photo courtesy of Ed Keefe Jr.	12 CHIEF, Brooklyn, NY – 1962 The "CHIEF" from Pier 5, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1962. Captains Phil Wright and Sid Wilsey operated her and they later sold her to Captain Harold Wrege. The "CHIEF" was a converted 110–foot World War II Subchaser and had four GM 6-71 diesels (she was built as the "SC-1355" in 1942 at Stamford, CT.) She sailed daily at 10:00 AM and most of her customers arrived by subway. Interestingly, the crew gave each customer an embroidered "CHIEF" towel to use as a fish rag during the trip. The crew also laundered the dirty towels in the on-board washing machine at the end of each day. Photo courtesy of Ken Ekberg.	13 COCK ROBIN, Point Pleasant, NJ – 1962 A brand-new "COCK ROBIN" is shown prior to making her maiden voyage in 1962. Built in 1962 by Stevenson Boat Works at Great Kills, Staten Island, NY, she was owned and operated by Captain Ralph Pennel. She was later renamed the "BIG-2" and then sailed as the "RANGER II". She last sailed as the "SEA QUEEN" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY and finally fell victim to a pier fire in 1994 that destroyed her.	14 FLASH KING, Highlands, NJ – 1962 This advertising postcard of Captain Ed Qualey's "FLASH KING" is from 1962. The "FLASH KING" was part of Roxy's Flash Fleet that sailed from the Shrewsbury River at Highlands, NJ. The boat was built in 1949 by Peterson Boatyard at Great Kills Harbor, Staten Island, NY as the "SUNBEAM III". She later sailed as the "MISS WATERLOO" from Oswego, NY as a sightseeing vessel on Lake Ontario.	15 GILLIKIN BOAT YARD, Harkers Island, NC – 1962 Inside the shed at the Gillikin Boat Yard, Harkers Island, NC. Shown in various stages of completion is the bow section of the "BLUE HERON", the "MISS TAMBO" in the center and in the background, the "BEACH QUEEN". Photo courtesy of Ed Keefe Jr.
16 GILLIKIN BOAT YARD, Harkers Island, NC – 1962 Another view of inside the Gillikin Boat Works shed at Harkers Island, NC circa 1962. Shown in various stages of completion is the stern section of the "BEACH QUEEN", the "MISS TAMBO" in the center and in the background, the "BLUE HERON". Photo courtesy of Ed Keefe Jr.	17 GLORY, Brooklyn, NY – 1962 A 1962 photograph taken during a show commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Works Projects Administration's improvements to the Sheepshead Bay waterfront. The "GLORY" displays the banner "…Sheepshead Bay… Million Dollar Fleet". Today, the same million dollars will buy about one boat. Photo Courtesy of Bryant Martin.	18 HAPPY, Atlantic Highlands, NJ – 1962 The "HAPPY" from Atlantic Highlands, NJ circa 1962. She was built in 1948 for Captain Tom Spitznagle by Peterson Boatyard, Great Kills, NY. The fare was $5.00 for a full day of fishing (bait included.)	19 HOLIDAY, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – 1962 Captain Jack Endean's "HOLIDAY" is nearing completion at Deebold Boat Works, Atlantic City NJ circa 1962. She later became the "QUEEN MARY 2".	20 HOLIDAY, Point Pleasant, NJ – 1962 The "HOLIDAY" from Spike's Fishery Dock, Point Pleasant, NJ circa 1962. She was owned and operated by Captain Jack Endean. This newspaper photo announces the addition of the "HOLIDAY" and Captain Ralph Pennel's "COCK ROBIN" to the Point Pleasant party boat fleet. You could go on an evening Bluefishing trip for $2.50.
21 MISS TAMBO, Brielle, NJ – 1962 Builders are laying up planking on the "MISS TAMBO" at Gillikin Boat Works, Harkers Island, NC in this 1962 photo. Captain Ed Keefe Sr. sailed her from Harbor Inn Basin, Brielle, NJ. In 1984, she was sold and became the "VAMP IV" from Bower's Beach, DE. Photo courtesy of Ed Keefe Jr.	22 MISS TAMBO, Brielle, NJ – 1962 The "MISS TAMBO" from Brielle, NJ in October 1962. She was built in 1962 by Gillikin Boat Works, Harkers Island, NC for Captain Ed Keefe Sr. and sailed from Harbor Inn Basin, Brielle, NJ. She is shown during her first-ever haul-out at Johnson Brothers Boat Yard, Bay Head, NJ. Photo courtesy of Ed Keefe Jr.	23 PARAMOUNT, Brielle, NJ – 1962 The "PARAMOUNT" from Brielle, NJ circa 1962. This steel vessel was built by Blount Shipyard, Warren, RI in 1962 and had a lovely coat of white paint during her first year. The following year, the hull became rust-stained and it was painted black to hide the imperfection. She is now the "JAMAICA II" (it's now forty years later and the hull is still painted black.) Photo courtesy of Brielle Bait & Tackle.	24 PARAMOUNT II, Brielle, NJ – 1962 The "PARAMOUNT II" from Brielle, NJ circa 1962. Built in 1955 by Stowman Shipyards at Dorchester, NJ as the "PARAMOUNT", she was the first party fishing boat in New Jersey equipped with radar. She was renamed the "PARAMOUNT II" in 1958, and later remodeled and renamed the "MARINER". Afterwards, she became the "ATLANTIS" and in 1977, Captain Fred Bird purchased the boat. Captain Bird relocated the boat to Montauk, NY and renamed her as the "FLYING CLOUD". She still sails from there today and specializes in Fluke fishing during the summer and Porgy fishing during the off–season, making her one of the oldest active party boats in the fleet.	25 RANGER, Belmar, NJ – 1962 Captain John Kocsik's Price-built "RANGER" hauled out in the Spring of 1962.
26 SEA SQUIRREL, Point Judith, RI – 1962 Captain George Thompson's "SEA SQUIRREL" from Point Judith, RI circa 1962. Built in 1931 at Fairhaven, MA as the "SEA GULL", the boat later sailed as the "DAMARIS IV" before becoming the "SEA SQUIRREL" in 1959. In 1964, she became the "JULIE C" from Galilee, RI, and in 1970, she switched owners once again and became the "CAPT. PETE" from Narragansett, RI. She last sailed as the commercial fishing dragger "SHADY LADY" and was removed from official documentation in 1987.	27 TEAL, Great Kills, NY – 1962 The "TEAL" from Shoals Dock, Great Kills, Staten Island, NY circa 1962. She was built in 1961 by Gillikin Boat Works, Harkers Island, NC and was considered by many to be one of the nicest boats Gillikin ever built. The "TEAL" was powered by three GM 6-71 diesels and was considered a fast boat for her day. However, engine ventilation was still an unknown science back then… The three engines were very close together in the 18' wide engine compartment and didn't get enough air to operate at full power/throttle. Captain Freddie Moore once stated "If I had no passengers aboard, I could lift the engine room hatch in the cabin, and she would breathe and get up to 13 or 14 knots." Photo courtesy Ken Ekberg.	28 WHITBY, Brooklyn, NY – 1962 The "WHITBY" from Pier 8, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1962. Built in 1946 by Captain Sid Wilsey at Brooklyn, NY for Captain Franklin Hammer, she was one of the few 45-footers ever built with a steel hull. The "CHIEF" from Sheepshead Bay is in the background of the picture. While it is hard to discern in this picture, the hull of the "WHITBY" is painted a dark green. This was a 'trademark' of the original "WHITBY", A.K.A. the 'Green Dragon'. The "WHITBY" was one of the oldest names in Brooklyn party boat fishing (the original "WHITBY" began sailing from Canarsie, Brooklyn in 1909.)	29 AMERICA, Brooklyn, NY – 1963 Captain Jackie Michaels’ "AMERICA" from Pier 8, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1963. She was built in 1942 at the Electric Boat Company, Bayonne, NJ as a World War II US Navy PT boat (PT-314). Captain Michaels purchased the PT boat in 1961 and converted her for party fishing. She started fishing from Sheepshead Bay in 1962 and was the third vessel to bear the "AMERICA" name. The "AMERICA" was ahead of her time with her modern angled windows in her deckhouse. In 1990, she was sold and became the "SEA STAR" from Sheepshead Bay thus ending one of the oldest names in Sheepshead Bay (the "AMERICA" name dates back to 1914.) She was sailing as the "SENECA DREAMER" and fishing in the Great Lakes until she was dismantled in 1996. Photo courtesy of Ken Ekberg.	30 CLAIRE, Bronx, NY – 1963 The "CLAIRE" from Bronx, NY circa 1963. She was operated by Captains Howie and Edwin Berlin. Built 1944 at Bristol, RI, she was a converted 63-foot Air-Sea Rescue Boat and was powered by three GM 6-71 diesels. Photo Courtesy Ken Ekberg.