BS: Boat Tragedy??

Subject: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 09 Oct 04 - 05:15 PM

Does anyone remember a fishing boat tragedy that occurred about 1952-1953, on the Washington Coast, USA.?

It happened at Westport, on the Grays Harbor bar. There were about a dozen of us small fishing boats that left the docks before dawn. We headed for the fishing grounds about 20 miles out. As we set up to fish, a storm hit us. This was before the days of much weather information and our radios were very crude.

The Coast Guard station at Westport sent out the 85' cutter "McClenden" (sp?) and ordered us to stay outside, as the bar was too rough for any of us to make it in. After three days, we began to run out of fuel. Things were getting tense when the Westport station sent out two "crash boats" to escort us in.

We had no knowledge of the new crash boats, and we had no communication about them. They organized us into 5 boat lines and escourted us in, over 45' waves on the bar.

One crash boat led and the final boat in the procession was another crash boat. The sixth boat in line, was a 56' trawler. I don't remember the name. The skipper looked over his back and saw that the last boat, a CG "Crash Boat" had turned around to head back out.

As he broadsided, a huge wave caught him and he rolled three times before he righted himself and headed back out. The skipper of the last boat did not know that the self bailing scuppers on the "crash boat" would keep it safe.

The skipper of boat five also turned around, to save the guardsmen. He also broached. He sank and five men drowned.

The next morning, after we were all home, all the Finnish fisherman of Westport (Westhaven, in those days) surrounded the Coast Guard Station at Westport with rifles. They orderd the C.G. commander out so they could shoot him. He didn't come out.

The then Governer (Rossilini?) called out the state militia and the war ended.

I've researched the places I know how, and I can't find this incident in print. I know it happened, I was there. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone, especially around these parts, could give me a clue.

CHEERS, Bob (ain't MUDCAT great!!)

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Peace
Date: 09 Oct 04 - 05:35 PM

[e-mail]

The above e-mail addy may be a place to start asking questions, Bob.

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Peace
Date: 09 Oct 04 - 05:41 PM

www.uscg.mil/hq/g-cp/history/STATIONS/Grays_Harbor.html

No mention of the incident, but some names that may provide a trail.

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: dianavan
Date: 09 Oct 04 - 07:00 PM

That is so sad and so indicative of bureacracy.

Up here they are getting rid of lighthouses because the big boats don't need them anymore. What about the rest of us?

d

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Oct 04 - 07:10 PM

dianavan, I don't understand the relevance of 'bureaocracy"?

Deckman, could you access the archives of the Seattle newspaper?

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 09 Oct 04 - 07:55 PM

I have searched, to the best of my ability, all the local newspapers of that time. I just got a family lead to a local (Westport) paper that might be able to help. But, as I recall, in the early fifties, the local paper was printed in Finn and only came out when it felt like it ... just like most Finns I know today! Thanks for all you help and advice. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 08:48 AM

brucie, I just sent you a PM. Thanks again, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: MZ Drifter
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 12:11 PM

Speaking of Lighthouses, they are nice to look at but a GPS device is the item to have. Wouldn't leave shore without it.

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 01:31 PM

Bob that's a very dramatic story. Are you writing a song?

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: dianavan
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 01:46 PM

Ebbie - Communication was a problem but it to me that can also be termed a bureaucratic bungle.

"We had no knowledge of the new crash boats, and we had no communication about them."

and

"The skipper of the last boat did not know that the self bailing scuppers on the "crash boat" would keep it safe."

MZ Drifter - Not everyone has GPS, especially the locals. Thats fine for commercial boats but what about you average Joe?

d

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 01:56 PM

Am I writing a song? Good question. I 'dunno. Everytime I try to write a song, my wife leaves me, the cats find other homes, the fish quit biting and my neighbor starts to tell me just how much he loves me ... again.

But, based on my memory, I know there's one hell of a story there. But first I have to check my memory against the facts. I just e-mailed the local Westport historians regarding this incident. Brucie listed a VERY good contact for this story. I hope to learn something. Thanks for all your interest.

Oh ... and as to the "GP" things. I'm no longer a boater, but ALL of my friends up here who do have boats have them. I guess they're better than sliced bread!! Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 02:40 PM

A song could be based on your memory I guess If you don't name places or names.

You're wife and pets leave you? You must have been writing country songs. ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: GUEST,Lyle
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 02:54 PM

This site:
http://www.pacificcohistory.org/columbia.htm
has a lot about that area. There is nothing about 1952, but the timeline history lists the following for 1953. I thought the references listed might be of some help.

Jan. 8, 9, 1953 -- Astoria area cut off from rest of Oregon in storm. Wind gust 95 mph at Clatsop County airport, heavy rain (Astoria Budget, Jan. 9, 1953, p. 1)

Jan. 31, 1953 -- January rainfall in Grays Harbor beats 1914 record (Workman, p. 112)

Feb. 2, 1953 -- -- Seaside rainfall beats record for January, at 30.03 inches; Astoria 3rd wettest January at 26.35 inches (Astoria Budget, Feb. 2, 1953, p. 1)

Feb. 9, 1953 -- 32 day rain spell ends in Clatsop County (Astoria Budget, Feb. 9, 1953, p. 1)

Mar. 2, 1953 -- snowstorm, Grays Harbor (Workman, p. 112)

Sept. 28, 1953 -- gale, Grays Harbor (Workman, p. 113)

Dec. 10, 1953 -- heavy rain, 55 mph gale, Grays Harbor (Workman, p. 113)

Dec. 21, 1953 -- heavy rain, 60 mph gale (Workman, p. 113)

Good luck!

Lyle

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Peace
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 03:50 PM

Bob,

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?

Thanks, Bob.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 03:59 PM

CHEERS brucie. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: mg
Date: 10 Oct 04 - 09:02 PM

off the subject but when I was looking for somehting else on internet, I found a site listing the causes of death for Finns in Aberdeen, WA. Fascinating. It was around 1915-1920. Needless to say, they were mostly from getting hit in the head from logs. Some drownings..some stomach diseases. You could tell when the flu started to hit. I'll post the URL soon. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 11 Oct 04 - 05:48 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Burke
Date: 11 Oct 04 - 08:46 PM

Deckman,
I have access to a newspaper archive from work.

I found a really short article about a boat named Victoria sinking with the rescue cutter named McClean. It was in Tri City Herald - 12/30/1957
Pasco, Washington Monday, December 30, 1957. The sinking seems to have been Dec. 29.

I know the dates are off, but Rossellini only became govenor in 1957 & date memories can be really bad.

Send me a PM with your e-mail address & I can send it to you. I will be away for a week, though so it won't be quick.

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 11 Oct 04 - 11:52 PM

Burke ... I just P.M'd you. Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: dianavan
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 01:40 AM

Deckman - My uncle used to pilot boats across the bar. He was with the coast guard but has since died. I'll contact my cousins to see if they remember this.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: open mike
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 01:44 AM

i have a membership in ancestry and can search for newspapaer
archives...it would especially help ifyou have any NAMES to
look for...i wil see hwat i can find...Laurel

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: open mike
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 01:51 AM

esp. if you know names of anyone who drowned there...
i can look up obit..

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 02:05 AM

I agree that a song may be in order, Deckman Bob.

Judy and cat will remain I bet, though their howling in the backround might need some explaination to that neighbor of yours.

..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 01:48 PM

Burke. Thanks muchly for sending me that story. That was NOT the event. But thanks to help from this thread, I think I'm getting close. I've been able to locate and contact several historical organizations that are looking for the facts.

It's rare that my memory fails me regarding the time frame of events that happened years ago, but in this case it has. Part of my problem was that in those years (I was a teenager) I fell madly in love with a Finn girl and various events are scrambled in my memory. Isn't that always the way that first loves effect you!

So ... time will tell. CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: open mike
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 02:31 PM

maybe that is the event you should write a song about...
if the cat and the wife are o.k. with it, that is.
(perhaps the wife IS that finn girl?)

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: mg
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 02:52 PM

South Bend museum has some great historians and a wonderful publication..maybe give them a call. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: mg
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 02:56 PM

http://www.genealogia.fi/emi/emi3d20q1e.htm Causes of death in Aberdeen WA. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 03:40 PM

Mary .... I'll check that out also. I hear from Miken that you hosted a very good festival. You are to be congradulated!

Laurel ... No, I lost track of her years ago. Isn't that way it goes. But I recently have some leads on her and I fully intend to have a "kavi kuppa" (cup of coffee) with her and introduce her to "bride Judy."

In researching for this story, I'm reminded of just what horrors those early seafarers survived. This was NOT the only tale I well remember. Thanks for all you interest! CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: mg
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 05:44 PM

tele for pacifi   ounty historical society and museum is 360 875 5224. Address 1008 W. Robert Bush Dr., South Bend, WA..don't have zip code. They do know their shipwrecks there. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Bassic
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 05:54 PM

Have followed this thread with great interest Bob. Good luck with your research. Here are a couple of songs inspired by the life of fishermen in Hull, both are relatively contemporary. Hope they inspire you!


THE LUCKIEST SAILOR
(c)Linda Kelly, Oct 1999, Whitby

I've been fishing the seas since a lad of fifteen
There's not a stretch of the ocean where I haven't been
And I've seen northern lights and the whale fish at play
And I've slept through the dog watch, been fined half me pay
And I've prayed long and hard in a westerly storm
And I've dreamed of the young girls who had helped keep me warm
And I've sat with the old jacks and listened in glee
To the tales of the women, the drink and the sea

CHORUS:
I'm the luckiest sailor that I ever knew
When the Kingston ship sank with the loss of her crew
And I prayed for their lives and their sons and their wives
On the day that the Peridot perished

I was a young sailor with settle in hand
From trawling in Iceland with white fish to land
And I'm dressed to the nines in me "Ruckerback" tails
And I'm off down the "Stricky" to sink a few ales
Well I'll tell you a tale of the tax man and me
He's been robbing me blind since I first went to sea
And I says to the skipper I'll spend time ashore
'Cos I'm damned if the tax man will have anymore

Then a whisper was heard that a Hull ship was down
With no chance of a rescue her men had all drowned
And I supped up me ale and I knew in me head
That the Hull ship was my ship and me mates were all dead
And the coins in me pocket weighed heavy that day
And it took little courage to give them away
And me mind took me back to me long days at sea
And I asked the good lord, why me mates and not me?


Three day Millionaire

Mike Waterson 1975

Why, I left school Friday
And I started work on Saturday
To catch the early tide
And be a galley boy's me plan
On the fishin' grounds to roam
Eighteen hundred mile from home
I couldn't give a bugger, I'm a man

I shall get to deck a-learnin'
It's the bonus I'll be earnin'
And the money comes in handy
For the old ran tan
Brylcreme in me hair
Three day millionaire
I couldn't give a bugger, I'm a man

I sh'll get meself a suit made
To show I'm in the fishin' trade
I'll put me brothel-creepers* on
And swagger when I can
All me pots are pint-sized
Watch me gettin paralysed
To show the younger buggers who's a man

And when I get to skipper
I'll get married, have a nipper
I s'll take the lad to sea wi' me
And teach him all I can
I'll be a different sort of fella
Have a house out in Kirk Ella**
And I'll show the bleedin' neighbours who's a man

I'll be a different sort of fellow
Have a house out in Kirk Ellow
And I'll show the bleedin' neighbours who's a man

Greer Gilman's notes:
*suede shoes with crepe soles--Fifties swagger!
**posh suburb of Hull

Subject: RE: BS: Boat Tragedy??
From: Deckman
Date: 12 Oct 04 - 08:51 PM

Those are both very good songs, much in the tradition. Thanks for posting them.

I did hear today from another source. Looks like I've got a LOT of sleuthing to do. I must say that I am pleasantly surprised just how quickly this thread came together. A tip here and a tip there, a little research, and I'm off and running. All this speaks very to what a great resource MC is. Bob