Paul Bruun was captain of the Manuel J. Cobos for about 18 months before he started trading with the Norge. The island community was dependent on the old schooner to obtain provisions from the continent. Delays and fuel shortages proved fatal for Bruun, her former skipper. When this photo was taken in 1934, the schooner had been re-named San Cristóbal.
Products were moved between the islands and mainland on two boats, the “Manuel J. Cobos” and “Josefina Cobos.” Both are variously referred to as a sloop (balandra) or pilot’s boat (pailebote), a smaller double masted schooner. The "Manuel J. Cobos" served as the principal means of communication with the mainland.
