On July 30, 1966, The Fiji Times reported an intriguing maritime journey as Louise Myers, a trailblazing woman sailor, arrived in Suva aboard her 38-foot ketch named Porpoise. Known as “a woman in a man’s world,” Myers began her sailing adventure at a young age on American lakes and had purchased the Porpoise in 1964.
Setting off on her voyage just a month prior, Myers had navigated her way from Honolulu to Apia and Niuafo’ou before making her way to Suva. In an interview with The Fiji Times, she expressed her belief that there should be more women skippers, stating, “There is nothing particularly difficult about it.” Myers recounted the surprise of shore authorities who were not initially convinced that she was indeed the captain.
Accompanying her on this exciting journey were crew members Gordon Hooper and Peter Quackenbush from California, as well as her youngest child, Chuck, who was just 11 years old. Myers confidently recounted how her directives were respected by her crew, despite their initial hesitation in accepting orders from a woman.
The Porpoise remained in Suva for several weeks, allowing the crew to explore the local area before setting sail again to some of the outer islands. Following their time in Fiji, Myers planned to chart a course towards Pago Pago, with aspirations to reach Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines, and Japan within two years before returning home to Honolulu.
Louise Myers’ journey is not just a remarkable feat of navigation but also a significant moment in the history of women in sailing, showcasing her pioneering spirit and challenging the traditional gender norms of her time. Her story serves as an inspiring reminder of the barriers that women can break, paving the way for future generations to pursue their passions without limitation.
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