Name/TitleThe Greek Fishing Fleet - Broughton Island

About this objectThe Greek fishing fleet moored in North Harbour on Broughton Island.
In the early 1900s two Greek merchant mariners, Nick Catsicas and Spiro Spathos, made their way to Nelson Bay and Broughton Island in particular as it was the closest they could find to their Greek Island homeland.
Using their skills and knowledge of the sea they turned to fishing and lobstering to make a living and established, with other predominantly Greek fishermen, a small settlement behind the sand dues on North Beach, Broughton Island. The site, which they referred to as “Little Salonika”, being a reference to a region on the Aegean Sea, was well chosen as it gave protection from all winds and was adjacent to safe mooring for their boats.
Other Greek fishermen were attracted to Broughton Island and the little community continued to grow with the arrival of Dimitrios Karageorgis, Nicholas Dennis, Hovis Kotrakis, Jack Orpanoas, Nick Vapos, Charlie Stavros and Johnny Pandaleon and oddly enough, a Danish master seaman, Jens “Jack” Jensen.
Despite many setbacks, including fires that twice destroyed their homes on the island the Greek community continued to work the rich waters that surrounded the island well into the 1960s.

Maker RoleShipwright

Formatjpeg

Object TypeFishing Vessel

Subject and Association KeywordsFishing - commercial

Subject and Association KeywordsBoats

Subject and Association KeywordsBroughton Island

Subject and Association KeywordsLobstering

Object numberTMA2021.00101

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