An item referred to the magazine Proc. dated October 1938 reporting the so-called around 80 Tuna-clippers, fishing vessels active along the American West coast between San Diego/San Pedro as far as the Mexican and Central American waters. These vessels had a length varying between 80 and 165 feet and were fitted out with 200-500 ihp diesel engines allowing a speed of 8½-9½ knots. Their crew numbered 10-20 men and all vessels had wireless telegraph devices on board. Using the vessels as a core became it possible to create a very useful fleet of auxiliary ships.
