Thanks for starting this thread. The foolin' around on the political threads does not compare to the pleasure I take in finding real-life stuff. I can't always, but it gives me a sense of tremendous satisfaction when I can do something to help.
The last 'maritimer' I met was from Burin, Newfoundland. He took me out into a very heavy fog and taught me how to jig for cod. We couldn't see the shore (I had no idea where it was or where we were) but he took the boat--I call them all boats--to a jigging place and I had a fish on the fifth or sixth jig. His name to me was Uncle Bill; that was Uncle Bill's name to everyone except his kids. His family told me stories of stuff that man had done, and it was mind-boggling. I don't know where the courage of these people comes from, but my gawd they have lots of it. That man and two of his nephews had gone out to rescue an overdue neighbour. Wouldn't have been a big deal except there was a gale blowing and it was as dark as the earl of hell's waistcoat. Found them and brought the fellow, his son and his boat back. It wasn't until I left Newfoundland that a friend of the family told me Uncle Bill had saved over a dozen lives at various times, and always in very hairy, dangerous circumstances. The motto of the American Coast Guard: "You have to go out. You don't have to come back" seems to be a creed maritimers live by. Makes one proud to be human.
I am very comfortable in the bush--can't get lost and can get along very well. However, when it comes to the ocean, I may as well be in diapers for all I know. I wish you success with your search, Bob. Any story of courage and sacrifice deserves to be remembered, and I really hope you get the facts put together. Please let us know the results, OK?