Glass Floats

Beach combing is a common holiday pursuit for the young, and the young at heart, where stray fishing gear remains a common find in amongst the kelp and washed up after winter storms. 

Glass fishing floats such as these were used extensively by Japanese fishing trawlers in the 1960s, before being replaced by plastic. These trawlers were once common in WA ports but are almost unknown now. One of the few to remain is Kiryo Maru I, which wrecked off Rottnest Island in August 1984.

This type of flotsam became highly prized as decorations for beach shacks and city pergolas. If you are fortunate enough to find a glass float marvel at its survival. It has been hauled on deck when the trawls are drawn in, slung over the side when the trawl has been deployed, and crossed hundreds of kilometres of open sea to wind up, intact, on a beach. Today, miniature copies can be found in garden centres and souvenir shops. 

For more information on Kiryo Maru I, visit our website.