Who, in your estimation, was the best boat captain, during your time growing up in Treasure Beach, or fishing?
Why do you believe this person was the best?

The best boat captain of all time would have to be my uncle, Withworth Moxam, better known as "Staggerlee" or "Stagga," for short. People whose actions enhance their trade make it easier for all those to follow. He was fearless but also had a healthy respect for the dangers of the deep -- enough to keep him safe, anyway. He and Maas Raleigh "Ransome" Senior (God rest his soul) discovered the Pedro Bank together and by God it's still feeding Treasure Beach and much of the rest of Jamaica to this day! Stagga started his fishing trade in Forka with his older brothers, my father, Carl Moxam,my uncle, Gosten Moxam and Uncle Hartwell (Mr. Murrie)and they taught him well. But he was an explorer. Not content to come back to Calabash Bay and do just the "near sea" fishing, Stagga and Ransome knew instinctively that beyond the horizon where, from the seashore, the sky and the sea seem to touch, there were more fertile waters and so, like Marco Polo, they embarked on an expedition and indeed found what they were looking for, returning to set out a pot set. News of their catches caught fire from beach to beach along our coast and fishermen from Great Bay to Billys Bay and beyond, went in droves to "de Bank" to capitalize on the new discovery. They were all brave; unfortunately we lost many but we also know that along with the thrill of adventure comes the danger of nature and of machine as well. But a trail blazer doesn't let that stop him. Trail blazers are risk takers and none took more risks than did Stagga The Lion-hearted. Because of illness he had to leave the sea prematurely but he certainly changed it forever.
They don't make 'em like Stagga anymore.

Moxcom well said, remember those great boat builders, making boats from cotton tree - no electrical tools all manual. Curly better known as GSHARP was one of the best boat builder in Treasure Beach. Remember a boat called Certain Sure- prettiest boat ever built.

Maybe we should all select members of our families and friends, that would make for an excellent competition. So Moxams will chose Moxams and so on.....

I can't wait to find out which family ends up winners...

We got enough division/competion going on no more please-lets just have fun.

Canada I second that.

I third it!

TRue man no more nonsense - pure positive vibe

Each person holds someone special in their memory as it relates to a subject. As such if someone is not in agreement with that person's choice, instead of having something negative to comment, find someone special in your memory or keep your "clappers" shut. We do not have room for negative only positive vibes and fun.Earl, continue to keep the ball rolling.

My father was the best capt. of all. I can remember him standing against the wind when he came into shore. What a picture, what joy to see him alive. Sometimes with just an empty boat; nothing to show for his labor because someone had stolen his pots at sea.

I guess even when the subject is being strayed from it is allowed for this particular thread. Negative comments can only be directed towards some people. What a positive and objective website! I will not be surprised if this post gets thrashed, my last one certainly was, what hypocrisy!

i think the best boat captain was my uncel cecil- manny- he was one of the best. may his soul rest in peace.

The best boat captain in my youth days was my uncle Willard Gordon,he go to all the banks, but what make him the best is the speed he work at when he is handleing his fish pot,i dont know how he empty. and bate. and set them back so quick, i been there with him a lot may his soul RIP.The next good captain at sea was maas Lansel Graham he was good. been to sea with him too and he did pay me good Bless him,

Zadie,
I have to second that. My brother Cecil James was the best boat captain of all times. He followed in my father's footsteps. My Dad taught him everything he knew about the sea. May both their souls rest in peace.

i think all the captain was very good they all came home. brave men.

Nice one Kitty I second that

In every."the good old days"were a myth.No one ever thought they were good at the time.For every age has consisted of crises that seemed intolerable to people who lived through them.

i think the best captain of all time was bundy from great bay,he captain for oral, ma lus,lenny,george ford may his soul rest in peace ma cars you name it he was their and in all weather,a case of red stripe and skipper bundy was away

Everyone were good in their own way.I personally do not think one was better than the other.Some might/may have more speed because of their physical strength but I gave/ give them all my blessings to go so far sometimes in bad weather not only to put food on their tables but others also.The younger generations have it somewhat easier than the Grandfathers of many of us because they never had big boats and powerful engines,they depended on the wind/sail and ores.It was "Row,Row,Row Them Boats".

Best Boat captain right no for me is waggie and Harry uno sell off...............

None of these boat captain is better than the other they are all good.The journey these fishermen travel back and fourth to sea.I think they are all wonderful captain.Happy new year guys keep healthy and safe on the water.
Love you all.

Rebecca how about some pictures of those great boat builders, Author James, Curly James. some of the boat builders has passed on. When we think back of the struggle back then, building boats with no electricity.

Hi guys not to be rude.can we change the topics on this matter enough is enough.

It's nice to talk about the great people of the past, why can't everyone here be positive. Please if you have to be negative just don't use the site. I find this site so informative I check it everyday to see the happenings from home.

There are just some people who gets on this site to be negative. some to brag,I think the webmaster is trying there best,I wonder how they approve some things sometime.. I guess like they say they are unsure of the underlying meaning. MAN IT'S 2008 start on a positive NOTE NUH!!!!.There are so many other sites to visit and be negative.

HI POSITIVE VIBES THATS WHAT THIS SITE IS FOR.

Hi positive vibes I noticed that when chickens quit quarrelling over their food they often find that there is,enough for all of them I wonder if it might be the same way with the human race.

WE ALL THINK THAT ALL OUR LOVE ONE IS ALWAYS THE BEST FISHERMEN THERE IS.ITS NOT EASY BEEN A FISHERMAN SO TO ALL OF YOU. YOU GUYS ARE VERY BRAVE.GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU AND ALWAYS A SAFE JOURNEY HOME EACH AND EVEY DAY LOVE YOU ALL.

Rosco from Sandy Bank, Jah Mike from Calabash Bay,Moses From Sandy Bank, Bargie Clark, Raymond Smith, Subrand James.Wetty From Great Bay, Waggie,Gara {Clinton Sanderson}.Howard Moxam. Just need to be around those days to hear the other fishermen paying respect. from experience.

I think BeBe is the MAN!