Donovan Marine

Donovan Marine was founded in 1913 as Donovan Boat Supplies, an outfitter for New Orleans-area commercial fishermen and recreational boaters. In 1950 John Smallpage and Raymond Walker purchased the company from founder John Donovan, and an early line of credit to outfit prototype work boats for Louisiana's offshore oil industry set its course.

Recreational sales expanded from New Orleans to the Florida Panhandle in the 1960s and 70s. From the early 1980s Benton Smallpage focused the business on commercial and recreational segments and pursued acquisitions. In 2013, its hundredth anniversary year, Donovan Marine acquired Southern Marine of Little Rock, Arkansas, and John Benton Smallpage III became president.