Princeton by the Sea Memories

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…from the “Half Moon Bay Review,” 1945

“Walter Rhode, traffic manager of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, also developed this point [see part 4 below] and presented the endorsement of his organization. Coast Guard officers withheld comment, but revealed that the air-sea rescue service now maintained at Princeton may be permanent and would be susceptible of improvement by building the breakwater.

“E.A. Holgerson, secretary of the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce, outlined the support given by other cities and communities, while Granville Browning of the Burlingame chamber predicted a huge new market for fish in increased Peninsula population in coming years.

“Speaking briefly were Supervisor Alvin Hatch and County Assessor Martin Flynn who mentioned the accrual of taxes possible to the county through the fishing industry and the unfreezing of tax lands through home development. Bert Weide of the county engineer’s office presented data and charts on erosion control.

“Among those present were civic and commercial officials of Monterey.

“……Among the afternoon speakers were John Kyne, local farmer, Frank Pavelek, Soil Conservation Service, George N. Keyston, local grain and livestockman, who had representatives from the San Mateo Boy Scouts, Chamber of Commerce, Youth Activities, all of whom gave very interesting and beneficial talks in favor of the proposal.”

…end…

CONNIE SWINGLE
09/24/1935 – 09/29/2007

Connie Swingle, 72, one of the true pioneers of drag Racing, passed away Saturday evening, peacefully in his home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the city of his birth. Connie had health problems for the last ten years and finally succumbed to Cancer. His faithful nurse, Virginia, was at his side.

Connie served a hitch in the US Army in Africa and when discharged moved to Tampa Florida. He arrived at Garlits Automotive Inc. in 1960 and started welding. He became one of the best welders in the world. Swamp Rat III-A had been started, so “Swingleâ€?, as he liked to be called, finished the project and took the new chrome moley car on tour. Swingle won many races with the car, the biggest being the big Riverside Drag race in 1962 at Riverside Raceway. Swingle was instrumental in the success of the Garlits Chassis business from 1961 through 1964. At which time Don Garlits relocated to Troy Michigan, a suburb of Detroit, Swingle went west and joined up with the “Old Masterâ€? Ed Pinks. Driving Pink’s “Old Masterâ€? AA/FD car, Connie enjoyed his biggest win at Fontana Dragstrip in the fall of 1965, when he beat Don Garlits in the final for the “Mickey Thompson 200 MPH Meet and took home all the “goldâ€?, about $10,000.00, a very large purse for that era.
When the weather “got to Garlitsâ€? in Detroit and he moved back to Florida, (Seffner), Connie returned from California and rejoined the Chassis business. Together Connie and Don Garlits built some outstanding Slingshot dragsters. The best and fastest one, Swamp Rat 13, blew the transmission at Long Beach in March 1970 and Garlits, Swingle and Lemons proceeded to build the Rear Engine car. Connie always referred to #14 as a “Front Driverâ€? car, which it technically was. After must frustration and many, many tests, Swingle said, “If you think the steering is too fast, why don’t we slow it down?â€?, the rest is history and the drag racing world now has the “Championship Rear Engine Dragsterâ€?. We can all give Connie Swingle a great big “Thank Youâ€? for his participation in this endeavor that took drag racing to the next plateau. Swingle finally wanted to slow down, so he opened a small shop in South Tampa and did small jobs to make a living. As I look back, he was probably getting sick then and didn’t have the energy to go the way I was racing. The last job that he did was the recreation of Swamp Rat IV, with the blown Dodge wedge on gas. He did a beautiful job, but I could see he was all done welding as his hands shook too much for welding. We all got together and moved him back to Oklahoma with his Mother and Dad, who have since passed away. Connie is survived by his son Theodore “Teddyâ€? Swingle, named after his Father Theodore “Tedâ€? Swingle.

Connie Swingle was installed into the Southeastern NHRA Drag Racing HOF in 1991, the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1998. He also won the Drag News Invitational in 1962, held at Dragway 42 in Ohio. He held the Drag News #1 spot several times and also the Drag News 1320 E.T Record of 7.88 seconds at 198.22 MPH. Connie was also my Crew Chief during the Drag Racer Magazine Number One Spot held at Half Moon Bay in 1966, which we won.
Connie was a tireless worker, could go for days without sleep and always had a new idea on how to go fast. He left his mark on our sport and he will be sorely missed.

Don Garlits
Founder
International Drag Racing Hall of Fame
13700 SW 16th Ave.
Ocala, FL 34473
352-245-8661

from the “Half Moon Bay Review,” 1945

“Nat Johnson presented similar data on behalf of the market fisherman, and said that 150 salmon trawlers now using the port of Princeton would be increased to 300 if the breakwater is built.

“A.M. Patrick, president of the Princeton Packers, Inc. told the hearing that the harbor would prove of inestimable value to the entire fishing industry and daily tonnages of sardines for a number of canning plants at Princeton were forecast by several speakers.

“F.A. Mosier, representing the federal coordinator of fisheries, enlarged on both the wartime values and post-war values of the harbor improvement, developing the fact that a partial unloading depot and haven of refuge for the sardine fleet in Half Moon Bay would add approximately five full days to the present 105-day season, covering an increase in production of as much as 35,000 tons for…[apologies, missing lines.]

“[missing lines]….of the merits of the proposed harbor, with respect ot yachting, swimming, sports fishing and cruising. He elaborated on his report at the afternoon session and pointed out the natural advantage of having the industrial developed at the northern end of the projected harbor while county recreational facilities and yacht anchorage would be located at the southern end without appreciable conflict.”

…to be continued…

From the “Half Moon Bay Review,” 1945

“The annual catch of sardines and market fish in the grounds off this area was computed at 621,800,000 pounds with a value of $4, 590,000 given to the sardine catch alone.

“The meeting was then taken over by [California Chamber of Commerce Fred C.] Tatton and [Half Moon Bay Bank of America official Chas.] O’Brien, who presented a communication from the International Fishermen and Allied Workers joint council which endorsed the plan. Victor B. Martin, executive secretary of this organization, appeared to supplement this endorsement and Mervin Rathborne, secretary of the California CIO council, who made known the support of that labor group.

“…missing a few sentences, my apologies.

” Charles White outlined the purpose of the harbor in lessening navigation dangers and revealed that 81 boats have been lost off the fishing grounds during the last 10 years. Fourteen boats went aground in the present harbor last year because of southerly blows, he said. White set the value of the purse seiner fleet which could utilize the harbor at $12,000,000 and said that from 8000 to 10,000 men are employed in this trade in the area between Monterey and San Francisco. Other purse seiner fleets add to this value in season, coming from as far as San Diego and Astoria, he said.”

…to be continued…

In the parking lot near Mavericks. Steve and Andrew, going out to catch some good waves to the north of Pillar Point.

You can choose from fresh greens on the harbor side–or, if you walk around Pillar Point to Mavericks, it looks like a seashore garden of unfurled purple cabbage.

located at Pillar Point Harbor.

Dave is originally from New York and he loves the Coastside. On my walks through the harbor I sometimes run into the owner’s dog, Ruby, a perky,  little Boston Terrier, that has won over my heart–but Ruby and her owner were not at the Kayak Co. today.

I learned from Dave that we have a young otter kicking back, enjoying life and the local fish in the harbor. Pillar Point Harbor, Dave told me, is a great place for the “juvenile” otter because it suffers no competition from the more experienced adults. If you visit the Kayak Co., someone will point out the Otter.

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“Rock the Block” concert Friday, Sept. 21, 2007 at Pillar Point Harbor. 4 p.m.