South Pacific Milk Run : Origin of the name ?

[pmx]

Hi all,

I just stumble on the "the South Pacific Milk Run", or "Coconut Milk Run" name.
This is obviously a well know route, but not that much to most European cruisers.

Numerous maps show this route, linking the islands of the South Pacific.

But I wonder what are the origins of the name ?
Maybe related to the trade routes during the clippers and square-rigged sailing chips area?

Thanks in advance!
Pierre.

[dcondit]

The term "milk run" is generally thought to originate from military combat flying to describe an easy mission with little risk. After looking at the flying schedule, if I got assigned the mission to fly the general to some rear-echelon place instead on deep into the shooting area I'd call that a milk run and be pretty happy (most of the time). I believe it was coined in WWII with RAF pilots referring to similar risk of the milk delivery guy.


The route in question would be considered a "milk run" because it's low risk compared to other routes.

[JPA Cate]

I'm not sure of this, but I believe we owe it to Richard Spindler, former editor/owner of Latitude 38, originally a free, California-based sailing magazine.

And it is called that, because it is easy, warm comfortable sailing with air that feels soft on your skin.

Ann

[pmx]

Thanks to all for the quick replies !
Makes sens...

Pierre.

[Martkimwat]

Probably slightly off the topic, but did you ever have home milk delivery in the US? They are slowly coming back, particularly in our rural areas in UK. Much more eco friendly having milk in Bottles which can be reused up to 16 times and are just recycled into new glass bottles when they are too far gone, plus the delivery vehicles were the original eco friendly electric vehicles going back more than 70 years and the origin of the term as used for an easy run as they only did about 10mph max (plus the delivery was around 4 to 6 am when no one else was around)

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted by Martkimwat

Probably slightly off the topic, but did you ever have home milk delivery in the US? They are slowly coming back, particularly in our rural areas in UK. Much more eco friendly having milk in Bottles which can be reused up to 16 times and are just recycled into new glass bottles when they are too far gone, plus the delivery vehicles were the original eco friendly electric vehicles going back more than 70 years and the origin of the term as used for an easy run as they only did about 10mph max (plus the delivery was around 4 to 6 am when no one else was around)

Yes, that was common in the US years ago. There are some dairies that still offer the service to houses in their local area.

[Shrew]

Originally Posted by pmx

Hi all,

I just stumble on the "the South Pacific Milk Run", or "Coconut Milk Run" name.
This is obviously a well know route, but not that much to most European cruisers.

Numerous maps show this route, linking the islands of the South Pacific.

But I wonder what are the origins of the name ?
Maybe related to the trade routes during the clippers and square-rigged sailing chips area?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_run

The 'Milk Run' reference has nothing to do with sailing, or sailing in the South Pacific. The phrase 'milk run' may not be as well known in Europe, however the route should be well known world wide.

[Sailnav]

During the Vietnam War, when flying our air-refueling tanker from Hawaii to Guam, we’d always bring a couple of cases of real milk to our friends stationed there. At the time, Guam’s groceries only sold powdered milk reconstituted with coconut oil.
Literally, a milk run.

[bensolomon]

Here, milk run is a term used to define a delivery or route that stops at every single point, as in a milk delivery truck, or a local bus that stops at every bus stop on every corner (not express) or a local train that does the same.

I always interpreted the Pacific milk run as a route that one takes while stopping at all the little atolls and islands on the way to the larger destinations.

[Bent Bugle]

Here in Oz a milk run means you stop at every point on the journey...and it usually (but not always) implies that it's a fairly easy trip...

[goboatingnow]

It’s of ww2 origin. Well before widespread sailing

In the U.K. it means a journey of little danger

I think in the us it means more a journey will lots of stops

[piebuss]

A "milk run" is basically a "cake walk" on a "postman's route" right? 🤷

[pmx]

Hi all,
thanks for all the replies.
Interesting discussion.


So it can be either :
"Piece of cake" (...with a glass of milk )
or
an omnibus style journey.


I've never been in the Pacific, North or South, but it seems that both applies to this particular route.



Pierre.