Scuttlebutt was the basis for originally bringing the Falls of Clyde to Honolulu. Scuttlebutt is gossip or rumor, which turned out to be very important in this case. Drake Thomas, a Maui resident, was a crew member aboard the barketine California sailing out of Kewalo Basin on tourist sailings. He heard from friends in California that Falls of Clyde was to be scuttled for the purpose of a breakwater in Canada.
After discussing the situation with friends and finding little interest, Drake decided to call the newspaper and soon he was being applauded for his efforts to raise the knowledge of the ship’s situation. That recognition came from Bob Krauss of the Honolulu Advertiser. With Krauss’s interest stimulated, the result was a partnering with John Wright of Bishop Museum and the famous one million penny drive to bring the Falls of Clyde to Honolulu.
After discussing the situation with friends and finding little interest, Drake decided to call the newspaper and soon he was being applauded for his efforts to raise the knowledge of the ship’s situation. That recognition came from Bob Krauss of the Honolulu Advertiser. With Krauss’s interest stimulated, the result was a partnering with John Wright of Bishop Museum and the famous one million penny drive to bring the Falls of Clyde to Honolulu.