2024 Independence Day Edition

Welcome to the 2024 Independence Day Edition of Mike's Maritime Memorabilia!   Over the last twenty years we have posted more than 2,400 vintage photos for all to enjoy and our Independence Day Edition includes 25 exceptional photographs of party fishing boats and the men behind them dating from 1919 through 2023.   The photo captions illustrate some of the rich and interesting history that surrounds them and simply put, this is our fishing heritage – enjoy and celebrate it as we also commemorate our Day of Deliverance with solemn acts of devotion to God, parades, picnics, sports, music, festivities and fireworks from this time forward forever more.    Special thanks go to Keith Apman, John Bogan Jr., Rich Hamel, Richie Mansfield, Andrew Nazzaruolo, Jamie Quaresimo, Sam Rescigno, Joan Richards, Skip Tonks and Bob Ziegler Jr. for generously contributing some of the fine photographs and background information for our 2023 Independence Day Edition.   May God Bless America!

EVELYN and INDOLENT, Brooklyn, NY – 1919
“All in the Family”. The “EVELYN” and "INDOLENT" from Sheepshead Bay at Brooklyn, NY are seen here anchored in 1919. The “EVELYN” was owned and operated by…
COMANCHE Business Card, Brooklyn, NY – 1931
A business card for Captain Lou Dodge’s “COMANCHE” sailing from Pier 2 at Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1931. At the time the “COMANCHE” was the “Late…
KLONDIKE, New Rochelle, NY – 1931
An advertisement for Captain Jon Petter Persson's original "KLONDIKE" from New Rochelle, NY circa 1931. This 55-foot wood vessel was built in 1931 at Brooklyn,…
PARAMOUNT II, Brielle, NJ – 1940
The Bogan family's "PARAMOUNT II" from Brielle, NJ circa 1940. She was built in 1937 by Ernest Fiedler's Bergen Beach Boat Works at Brooklyn, NY. At the time…
IRMA B, Cape May, NJ – 1944
Captain Lavallette Buck's "IRMA B" from Cape May, NJ circa 1944. This 60-foot "steamer type" boat was built in 1922 at Wildwood, NJ. In 1972, she became Captain…
Captain Bob Ziegler Sr., Brielle, NJ – 1944
Captain Bob Ziegler Sr. from the "DIANA" from Brielle, NJ is seen here in this 1944 photo in his U.S. Navy uniform. The "DIANA" was appropriated for coastal…
Perth Amboy High School Anglers Club, BELL BOY III, Perth Amboy, NJ – 1953
This 1953 photo depicts the Perth Amboy High School Anglers Club aboard Captain Jimmy Carves' “BELL BOY III” from Perth Amboy, NJ. The “BELL BOY III” was a…
AMBERJACK III, Brooklyn, NY – 1958
Vincent Ardolino's "AMBERJACK III" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY circa 1958. During World War II the Electric Launch Company (Elco) Naval Division of the…
Highlands VFW / FISHERMEN Truck, Highlands, NJ – 1964
Members of the Highlands, N.J. VFW Post 6902 pose in front of the “FISHERMEN” truck in this photo taken on July 4, 1964. These heroes were likely veterans of…
JO-ANN IV Fare Ticket, Highlands, NJ – 1965
A fare ticket from Captain Ed Qualey”s “JO-ANN IV” sailing from Bahrs’ Landing at Highlands, NJ circa 1965. She was built 1965 by Deebold Boat Works at Atlantic…
CAPT. JOHN BOATS Pool Pin, Plymouth, MA – 1966
A Second Prize Pool Pin from the “CAPT. JOHN BOATS” at Plymouth, MA circa 1966. At the time, the “CAPT. JOHN BOATS” was owned and operated by Captain John…
QUEEN MARY Fare Ticket, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – 1968
A fare ticket from Captain Harvey Brown's "QUEEN MARY" from Point Pleasant Beach, NJ circa 1968. The vessel was built in 1961 by Gillikin Boat Works at Harkers…
COCK ROBIN, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – 1972
Captain Ralph Pennel's "COCK ROBIN" from Point Pleasant Beach, NJ circa 1972. Built in 1962 by Stevenson Boat Works at Great Kills, Staten Island, NY, she was…
Sheepshead Bay Captains, Brooklyn, NY – 1973
Captain Andrew Nazzaruolo, Captain Dennis Miano and Captain Mike Scarpati Jr. in the wheelhouse of the "TAMPA IV" from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, NY after a…
CAPT. APPLEGATE Advertising Poster, Atlantic City, NJ – 1974
An advertising poster for Captain Andrew Applegate's "CAPT. APPLEGATE" from Atlantic City, NJ circa 1974. She was built in 1974 by Gulf Craft at Patterson, LA…
SS MISS BELMAR, Belmar, NJ – 1976
Captain Al Shinn’s “SS MISS BELMAR” from Belmar, NJ is seen here passing through the Route 35 drawbridge on the Shark River in 1976. She was built in 1973 by…
KLONDIKE VI, New Rochelle, NY – 1977
Captain Pete Pearson's "KLONDIKE VI" from New Rochelle, NY with a big catch of Pollock circa 1977. She was built in 1975 by Lydia Yachts at Stuart, FL. The boat…
Captree Fleet, Captree, NY – 1979
This photo taken in April 1979 shows part of the party and charter boat fleet sailing from Captree State Park at Captree, NY. Seen here are the “ODIN”, the…
SEA RAIDER Postcard, Wildwood, NJ – 1990
An advertising postcard for Captain Ronald Bucsek's "SEA RAIDER" from Wildwood, NJ circa 1990. She was built in 1971 by Leslie Davis at Morehead City, NC as the…
STARLIGHT, Wildwood, NJ – 2000
Captain Jim Cicchitti's "STARLIGHT" from Wildwood, NJ circa 2000. The boat was built in 1977 by Breaux's Bay Craft at Loreauville, LA as the "BLUE HERON III".…