Rhode Island Picture Post Cards
Atlantic Tuna Derby - Galilee, Rhode Island Circa 1960
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This is a Chrome type Post Card from the late 1950s or early 1960s (unused). The photo shows the weigh-in of 4 Bluefin Tuna, (717 lbs, 542 lbs, 464 lbs, and 376 lbs respectively). 

There were two tuna derbies held annually in Rhode Island. The Atlantic Tuna Derby and the Rhode Island Tuna Derby. I can't tell from this postcard which tuna derby the photo shows, as I would need to know the actual date the photo was taken. 

My sister Candy's Godfather, Bob Linton participated in both of these derbies during this time period with his 45 foot Charter Fishing Boat, Mako. He won several of these contests, however, I can't remember exactly how many. I believe he won either 3 or 4 of them and he was usually in the running. Bob lived in Saunderstown, not too far from our house and was a top-notch fisherman. Many of the locals, (including myself) believe that Bob may have been the model for the character Quint in the book Jaws. In the book, unlike the movie, Quint was completely bald. Bob was also completely bald and fished sharks, tuna and swordfish. (And of course his boat, Mako was named after the shark of the same name.)

The Atlantic Tuna Derby began in 1953 and ran through the 70s; I don't know if it is still being held. The contest usually started during the week after Labor Day and ran for 3 days. The Largest Bluefin Tuna caught in Rhode Island waters weighed in at 1142 pounds and 12 ounces.

I don't remember too much about the other derby, (Rhode Island Tuna Derby) nor in what month it was held.