By Christopher Manson
In 1925, the Jazz Age was in full swing, The New Yorker magazine published its first issue, and here on the Emerald Coast, a revolutionary fishing boat was about to launch.
On Saturday, May 3, the Destin History & Fishing Museum commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Primrose seine fishing boat. Locals and visitors got a look at the restored Primrose while the kids enjoyed cake, a bounce house and activities with the Emerald Coast Science Center.
The museum offered some historic games from the 1920s and there’s now new Primrose merchandise – hats and stickers – in the gift shop. They also raffled off a two-night “staycation” from Ocean Reef Vacation Rentals & Real Estate and a museum merchandise basket that includes the aforementioned Primrose swag.
“She was the last seine boat built in Destin and the first of her kind to have a motor installed,” says Destin History & Fishing Museum Executive Director Vivienne Williams of the Primrose’s significance. The Primrose functioned as a fishing boat until 1968, enabling local fishermen to hone their skills and serving as a bridge between traditional and modern methods of fishing.
“We have a volunteer at the museum who used to help tie fishing nets together.” The seine nets are five feet tall and 100 feet long.
The previous Primrose restoration happened in 2015, and the museum invited several of the people involved to the anniversary event, along with members of the Destin City Council.
Over a century ago, the Primrose was the brainchild of Captain John W. Melvin Sr., one of Destin’s local fishermen. His experience and know-how planted the idea of a bigger and better fishing boat.
Captain Melvin approached John George Maltezo in 1922. Maltezo knew his way around boats, but was unsure exactly how to build a craft like the Primrose. Melvin and Maltezo worked tirelessly for days designing and planning every detail of the Primrose’s length of 56 feet.
The Primrose was completed in 1925 and fitted with a Palmer Marine engine. It was the last seine boat to be built in Destin.
The 2015 restoration involved the participation of at least 10 groups, says Williams. The Primrose was then moved from the Destin Community Center to the museum where a “pole barn” was added to protect the vessel from the elements. Other groups, such as the Destin Chamber of Commerce’s Destin Forward classes, have helped with preservation projects over the years.
“I love being part of the community and its very rich history,” she says. “I like being able to maintain it and share it with everyone that comes to visit.”
In addition to the Primrose centennial, the museum hosted a Night at the Museum event in March to mark its 20th anniversary. “We had live music, a custom martini bar and raffles, and several area restaurants donated appetizers,” says Williams. “Food, drink and fun.” The “true” celebration is set for October and is still in the planning stages.
She adds: “We’ll be celebrating all year long.”
The Destin History & Fishing Museum is located at 108 Stahlman Ave. Learn more at destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org, and follow the museum’s Facebook page.
Photos courtesy of Destin History & Fishing Museum.
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