Friday, March 29, 2013

35. CAPTAIN WALLY MULLER




Captain W.G. Muller was an admirer of the navigational skills of Matthew Flinders, and followed in his wake aboard the three vessels he owned.  Riversong (1951? to 1967), Careelah (1967-1969), Coralita (1969-1990), a scuba  charter boat.
Powerful movie light for finding rare live sea shells at night.
Wally and youngest son, Alexander Muller 


The starfish plague "two reefs east of Mystery Cay - The Swain Reefs".


Youngest son, Alexander Muller was to accept his father's entry into the International skindivers hall of fame, Cayman Islands 2016.


Roy  Muller


Careelah was Wally's first charter boat after his beloved 'Riversong".

M/V 'CAREELAH' (means Southwind)
(Originally M/V Norman R.Wright)

66 feet  15 foot beam
Built in 1949
120 HP Cat.
Harwood bottom
Huon Pine  waterline to deck
Deck was Beech





In the 1960s it was very unusual for a pro fisherman to learn to spear fish underwater.  Most were too wary of the sharks hazard.  Wally in The Swain Reefs 1967.


Famous picture by Ben Cropp in 1961.  Tiger shark caught by Wally Muller in The Swain Reefs. Diver is deckhand Ron Zangari who used a barb free spear to demonstrate penetration.


T-shirt for crew member with "The Deep" *(above) -  Hollywood required shark scenes for their movies and Wally Muller had experience as to where to find lots of Grey Reef whaler sharks - Marion Reef in The Coral Sera.  Other film producers and cameramen followed. 'Sharks Treasure' with producer-actor Cornel Wilde.   


Alexander (aka 'Boo'and Roy Muller - sons of Wally Muller














CHESTERFIELD REEF EXPEDITION (1971) Fathom

Chesterfield Reef (1971)

SOLOMON ISLANDS SALVAGE - Wally Gibbins