Named afterNamed after the vessels "Emma".DescriptionApproved DOLA March 1990. Two ships named "Emma". During the 1840s, Captain John Thomas a pioneering Fremantle ship owner, played a prominent role in developing Asian trade. He had learnt his trade in colonial coasters and by 1845 sailed his own locally built 25 ton cutter, Emma, to Singapore with a cargo of sandalwood. Later he traded to Algoa Bay, Capetown and Mauritius. The Asian trades were important to the colonists as they brought tea, sugar and other staple foods. // A schooner built in Suffolk in 1859 and purchased by Walter Padbury, wa one of the fastest vessels to operate the North West. The Emma could complete the journey from Fremantle to Port Walcott in 19 days, wheras other vessels to 30 days.