Luka Kuljis

Luka Kuljis was born in Milna, Brac, Croatia in 1886 and immigrated to New York in 1904 aboard the “Julia Treiste” working his way to Biloxi, where he married Tadica Pitalo. Together, they would raise six children.

While initially fishing using a seine net, Luka took ownership of the CAVALIER, which he found unclaimed in the swamps of Louisiana. He converted the 50-foot schooner, built circa 1900, into a shrimping vessel and operated it with his brother Sam.

Luka would later open Kuljis Oil Dock and Luka Kuljis Grocery. In addition to being a captain, grocer and marine fuel supplier, he was also a skilled trawl maker. He served the Biloxi community as 2nd President of the 1st Savings and Loan, a charter member of the Slavonian Benevolent Association and participated in the building of the St. Michael Catholic Church. Captain Luka Kuljis would be the first to reign as Biloxi Shrimp King in 1956. He passed away in 1965.