This Logbook Will Simply Amaze you - The mystery and history of the White Eagle that sailed out of Canarsie NY in the 1930's-

[george]

It was in the mid-1990s that I was given this logbook to make sure it was kept safe. So I safely hid somewhere so well that is was missing for over 20-years. I always found myself looking for it, and of course, it took my wonderful wife to find it yesterday. I am so relieved as I was always mesmerized by its contents.

I'm not sure when it dates back to, but it is an amazing work of art in its own right. It also gives us a peek into what it took to be a charter captain, back then. There are references to the 1930s in it. I really need to know more about this boat and its Captain. I found a photo of the White Eagle II on www.mels-place.com but that was the best I could do. Below the photo, you will see just the first 3-pages of a logbook that describes in detail what it was like to be a Party Boat owner in the good old days of Brooklyn!

Just read between the lines and you will see a picture of what it was like to navigate to bottom pieces, predict weather and so much more. The book is old and fragile so I'm taking care to take a clear pic of each page so I can have my wife store it for me this time.

If anyone has any info, on this vessel please let me know. I will follow these up with more in the coming weeks. It looks like they were using a totally different type of GPS and bottom finder than we have today.

 

[WhatKnot]

It was in the mid-1990s that I was given this logbook to make sure it was kept safe. So I safely hid somewhere so well that is was missing for over 20-years. I always found myself looking for it, and of course, it took my wonderful wife to find it yesterday. I am so relieved as I was always mesmerized by its contents.

I'm not sure when it dates back to, but it is an amazing work of art in its own right. It also gives us a peek into what it took to be a charter captain, back then. There are references to the 1930s in it. I really need to know more about this boat and its Captain. I found a photo of the White Eagle II on www.mels-place.com but that was the best I could do. Below the photo, you will see just the first 3-pages of a logbook that describes in detail what it was like to be a Party Boat owner in the good old days of Brooklyn!

Just read between the lines and you will see a picture of what it was like to navigate to bottom pieces, predict weather and so much more. The book is old and fragile so I'm taking care to take a clear pic of each page so I can have my wife store it for me this time.

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If anyone has any info, on this vessel please let me know. I will follow these up with more in the coming weeks. It looks like they were using a totally different type of GPS and bottom finder than we have today.

A work of art in its own right; indeed.

 

[WhatKnot]

Any thought to having it restored and have it exhibited in an appropriate venue? Maybe have it didgitized and put on the Website? Just some random thoughts. It’s a gem.

 

[george]

I'm not sure about having it restored as it is fragile. I would love to connect with his family, they should have it. I do plan to take a photo of each page individually and making it available here.

Here's another one. Far from the apps, we have today.

 

[cany]

Very cool

 

[WhatKnot]

Be careful George, you may be accused of ’spot burning’

 

[captmike28]

This a great piece of history and when you realize the Captain's of this era had virtually no electronics to find their "hotspots" it really proves what great navigators they were. On a clear day they could use shore ranges (still no easy task) but when visibility was limited they had to be really precise with their compass headings and running time.

I am also amazed at this guy's penmanship. It looks as neat any modern computer printout!!!

 

[WhatKnot]

That’s what it was like way back in the day.

 

[george]

This truly is a look into the mind of a Charter Captain of an error come and gone.

I 'm curious how many of these rigs we still use today? And how many new ones since?

 

[JackPrintMD]

what A great share, thank you.

I have often viewed mels place as well and find that site very interesting and a great way to resource historical boats and outstanding locals

 

[captmike28]

While it seems that currently many of these "old time" rigs have been fine tuned, there is no doubt in my mind that these set ups would still catch fish today in the hands of a skilled angler. My only concern he would be the use of "cat gut" leaders and "cord" which I assume refers to the older dacron lines of that era.

Actually, the Sea Bass High/Low rig is almost identical to what I use today when bait fishing and I know plenty of Fluke fisherman who still drag bait with the same rig described here.

The Blackfish rigs also look pretty similar to our current bait fishing approach, although many of us have switched to much more efficient and deadly hook styles to improve the hook up ratios. The big surprise to me was the use of Virginia Style hooks for Flounder. My earliest recollections were the old style long shanked chestertowns and those ridiculous "coat hanger" style spreaders!

This is great stuff and I can't wait to see the next page!!

 

[Roccus7]

Love it!!

 

[Jack_Daniels]

Amazing how much care was put into creating that. Look how perfect the writing is. Almost like a piece of art in itself. Awesome piece of nostalgia.

 

[george]

Here is another example of the amount of detail this Captain had. Zoom in on the notes. It tells the story.

 

[WillD]

That is so awesome

 

[DD8194]

Unreal. Helps to be able to sketch.

 

[george]

I love these two. I've come to discover that he was considered one of the best of his time with books like this. I wonder, was he doing a rough sketch at sea and then a cleaner copy when he returned. Notice the detail on the number of poles. I'm not that familiar with the inshore and offshore of the Grave Yard, Sea Bright NJ, but these sure intrigue me.

 

[Double Trouble]

Amazing! Not much else to say.

 

[captmike28]

Hi George,
We had discussed ways to research this vessel and it's talented Captain. I mentioned articles by the old favorite from the LIF, Matt Ahern. I checked my stash of old issues but only had a few with articles by Matt and none referred to the White Eagle. Of course I have the one nearly everyone recalls about the day in 1928 when Matt fished with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig!!

Then I remembered that in the early 90's a book was published containing many if not all of Ahern's articles. Apparently it is now out of print but I saw it offered on Amazon for about $50 (ouch!!) I see it is also downloadable for free as part of a trial subscription to receive other online books. Those cute little traps always make me nervous.

However, I wonder if any of our members has a copy of this book and can check the table of contents. Maybe they can find an article Matt wrote that could shed a little more light on this great piece of history you have uncovered.

I hope this helps.
Mike

 

[WhatKnot]

Matt Ahern and the LIF, what a kick in the memory that was.