in 1905, at the age of twenty-three, walters became captain of his first schooner, the "minnie m. cook". he became known for the speed at which he completed voyages. in 1908 he launched his own boat, the "muriel b. walter", named after his sister. he remained captain of this ship for eight years. world war i made the life of a fisherman very difficult. walters sold the "muriel b. walters" and bought the "donald silver". he then bought the larger "gilbert b. walters", named after his sons. on this ship he set a record for the largest catch of halibut.