The Iconic Winds of Fortune ~ A Photographic Tribute to Captain Wayne Magwood
Once there were dozens of shrimp boats lining the docks at Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant. Now, sadly there are barely a dozen that continue to work the waters off the Eastern Seaboard and call Mount Pleasant home. One of my favorite shrimp boats to photograph has been the 68 foot trawler Winds of Fortune.
For 32 years, Captain Wayne Magwood captained Winds of Fortune. He was a beloved figure in town. He worked in all kinds of weather, putting in long hours from 4 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon. I imagine he survived many a storm and had many a story to tell. He had just retired and continued to be active in the fishing industry. Tragically, his life was taken while crossing the street when hit by a passing vehicle. He was just 67 years old.
It’s ironic and sad that this fisherman was safer at sea than on land. The shrimping business is a tough, dirty, and dangerous job. So much so that Mike Rowe from the TV show Dirty Jobs filmed an episode with Captain Magwood. After learning of Captain Magwood’s passing, Mike Rowe posted a beautiful tribute, which I will include in this post below.
I always liked the name of the boat, Winds of Fortune, and wondered where the name came from and what it meant. Was it that the wind would be at his back and bring him good fortune? Every time I saw him returning to dock with a full load of shrimp I thought of the good fortune not just for him, but for everyone who loves shrimp.
The pelicans would always follow him into Shem Creek, excited about the possibility of stealing a free meal. As you know I love watching, photographing, and painting Brown Pelicans, so seeing the pelicans so actively swarming the Winds of Fortune was the best of both worlds.
I thought it would be my way of saying goodbye to someone who will be missed by so many, by sharing my photographs of his 68 foot trawler, Winds of Fortune.
Thank you for reading my journal and for your interest in my art. Remember to buy local shrimp if you can. Cheap imported shrimp has damaged the local shrimp industry and is the main reason for the disappearance of the many shrimp boats that used to line Shem Creek and other fishing villages.
“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion…”
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Drawing by William R. Beebe