Below is a close-up of the telegraph in the engine compartment of Evelyn J. Let’s imagine the captain rings out “OLOAD” and go to flank speed . . . in this case related to origin of the tug label for these vessels. I wish I had more fotos of fish tugs, but for now I have only some “detail” shots. For all the images and info to satisfy your curiosity, you have to travel to the Great Lakes–in spite of the rough weather and even a lake seiche–or go to the fantastic sites maintained by Harvey Hadland or the good folks at Northeastern Maritime, both now added to my blogroll. By the way, I have a friend from waaaay back to thank for the word “seiche.”
So . . . why are they tugs? Here I quote Harvey Hadland’s explanation: “The first fish tugs were large towing steam vessels fitted out for fishing by setting up the net lifting machinery on the forward deck. The nets were reset over the stern. As time went by, the tugs were partly enclosed for protection from the elements. By stages the boats were completely enclosed. As they now appear they have very attractive lines and are state of the art. Some boats have the pilothouse aft, and some have midship pilothouses with a raised shelter at the stern. The different designs are the owners’ personal preference. They are a unique design, found nowhere else in the world. The sad part of the whole situation is that it’s a dying industry, partly the result of political and sportsfishing pressures, and the changing times.” Below is the stack with forward curving exhaust on Judy Ann, pictured a few days back.
Mac Mackay writes from the Nova Scotia perspective as follows: “These boats were used to tow fleets of rowing/ sail craft out onto the lakes. Much like Grand Banks dory fishermen, the small boats caught the
fish. The tug took the fish and men onboard and towed the boats back to port. The first engines were too expensive to put one in every small boat, so fishermen economized by putting one engine in one big boat instead. In the late 1920s and early 1930s when diesel engines became affordable, the fishermen dispensed with the small open boats entirely and used their tugs to fish from. The enclosed deck allowed then to sort, gut and stow their fish sheltered from the weather. They are still called tugs – a unique use of the word tug as far as I am aware.” Below is a view of the bridge in Evelyn S. See the glossy foto lower right?
Finally, Daniel Meeter, from a sociological and linguistic perspective that befits the scholar he is, writes “Some of the nautical terms on the Great Lakes are isolated from the terms of the Atlantic (and therefore evolve), because some workers on the lake boats were later than the maritimers by at least one generation” and “There’s no reference to fishing tugs in the Oxford English Dictionary. But tug could be used for any boat that worked laboriously. The words tug and tow come from the same Old Engish word togian.
See the close-up of the glossy? Well, from the commercial fisherman/tug driver peering through Evelyn S‘s porthole and me, thanks to Harvey, Mac, and Daniel and all who read this. Oh, some stats on Evelyn S: 50′ x 13′ built in 1939 and an iron-sheathed hull to break lake ice up to 14 inches thick if needed.
Unrelated, thanks to Mike and Scott for sending me to Telstar Logistics, now also on my blogroll, and a post about a high-tech tug–non-fishing–that concludes with a stern view of one of Alice‘s sisters! Alice, by the way, is now off the coast of Ghana. If you’re new here and don’t know Alice, (Alice Oldendorff) type it into the search window.
Photos, WVD.
42 comments
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June 10, 2008 at 8:56 am
Bob Mackreth
Very interesting blog!
I’m the co-creator of the fish tug page you reference – my friend and colleague Harvey Hadland pointed me in this direction. I’m pleased to see that you find our site of interest, and appreciate the link.
I’m looking forward to exploring your blog, too. The topic holds great interest for me: I grew up on Long Island, and have early memories of sights like tugs pulling sand barges on the north shore, and reading the Newsday account of the wreck of the Gwendolyn Steers.
June 10, 2008 at 9:16 am
Mage Bailey
Facinating. With retirement now in my vocabulary, I had the time this morning to follow your links and their links. Thank you.
June 10, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Nolwandle
A friend of mine Gavin, with Peter as crew, was sailing “Dolphin” from Dassen Island to Hout Bay when they were hit by a ship called the “Magdelena Oldendorff” north of Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela spent 20 of his 27 years in jail). Dolphin nearly sank, but they managed to pump her and make Cape Town harbour. I wonder if the “Magdelena Oldendorff” is a sistership of the “Alice Oldendorff”?
June 10, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Nolwandle
Correction to the above post – the name of the ship that hit “Dolphin” was the “Gisela Oldendoff”. Its reported at
Click to access 100-20-04-2005b.PDF
The “Magdelena Oldendorff is ice strengthened and a regular caller here in Cape Town on her way to and from the Antarctic.
June 10, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Kennebec Captain
seiche – That’s when you are on gangway watch in the middle of the night and suddenly, without warning, the ship starts walking away like someone put the engine in dead slow ahead without throwing the lines off first. I first heard about it from the in-bound pilot in Manzanillo Mexico and saw one in action later that same night. I didn’t put two and two together until later. Water sometimes behaves in unexpected ways.
November 17, 2009 at 6:17 pm
A. McIntosh
my grandfather was the captain of the tugboat Gwendolyn Steers. I found your site via links that I have been searching. Due to the devastating nature of his death I have been unable to access very much info through my family as they unfortunately didn’t save much. Do you have any suggestions or info that you could share w/ me? I have tried in the past to garner information from various websites and local maritime museums w/ very little success. Any help you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
September 24, 2012 at 11:28 am
Loary Milanese Gunn
My name is Loary Milanese Gunn, you can see my posts on this Tugster blog re: the Gwendoline Steers. Steve Knox and I have since created the Facebook Page in Memory of the GS. We are having a memorial wreathe-laying ceremony to honor the 50th year of the sinking. I want to invite all of the crewmen’s family members. Would you please forward your email to me so I may extend to you and your family a proper invite? Loary.
November 19, 2009 at 10:24 pm
J. Tonna
Gwendolyn Steers, a tugboat I first visited underwater in 1978. She was younger then but remains today still as strong as she was when taken by the New Years Eve gale of ’62-‘63. I was diving her decks yesterday afternoon and visit her quite often throughout the year. She is still a great vessel and an even greater reminder of the men that were lost. I spent on average an hour and a half on a rebreather in her cool dark dirty water. I swim thru her pilot house and explore her lower deck. She still proudly boasts a smoke stack worthy of her age. Almost always in the silence of her shallow grave, I think of her captain and mates and wonder what the good days of being her crew must have been like. I also have always felt uneasy as I think of the widow of Capt. Herbert Dickman. I don’t know what he was like but I choose to imagine him as larger than life to be the Captain who braved that historic weekend winter storm. I often say to my dive buddy as we head back into Northport Bay that just a little bit more and they would have made it to port. It is in fact tragic that they were so close to shore and safe harbor that Sunday and yet never made it in. My best regards go to his grandson A. McIntosh and family as you search for the history that belongs to you. Respectfully, msnchirodoc
December 23, 2009 at 12:45 pm
steve knox
My dad Robert E knox was a deck hand on the Gwendolyne Steers and worked with your grandfather on that new year’s eve in 1962. Adam Groham has an excellent book, “Claimed by the Sea”. you can contact adam’s website @ http://www.adamgroham.com, or for more info http://www.uhrs.org. life magazine (new york extra inside) feb. 1st, 1963 with alfred hitchcock on the cover, life magazine jan. 11 1963 with ann margret on the cover, has photos and articles about the sinking. you can get these old magazines from 2Neat Magazines @ http://www.2NeatMagazines.com, or Brenda@Woodenski.com. there were numerous newsday articles and i have a great photo of the tug which i can send you copies also! you can contact me at steveknox54@hotmail.com. good luck with your search A. McIntosh it’s been a long time and i hope i can answer any questions you may have. have a great day, steve
December 30, 2009 at 9:52 pm
steve knox
Hi J Tonna, I was wondering if any underwater photos or artifacts exist of the gwendolyne steers? my dad was a crew member on the tug that day back in 62. thanks alot, steve
January 25, 2010 at 9:33 pm
J. Tonna
Dear Steven, I have no artifacts in my possession, however, I have come across many of them in the local community over the years (The old “Mariners Restaurant” in Northport L.I. was one who honored the history of the G. Steers. But, like many things with time, they no longer are in business. There dock no longer exists and those that remember are scattered to the winds. I remain today a shy observer underwater (being in the service of the US Navy, I learned as a young man to respect and be reverent of the vessel of those like your dad that have braved the waters (especially as N.Y. Tugsters) and who gave there life to the sea. Your father, his shipmates and there Captain deserve that respect, as does, the wreckage. For those who are family to her, I say that the artifacts that can still be had today (although few there may be) belong to those like you. If I can serve any of you in your search with a memory of your dad’s tug it would be an honor to provide you with such an artifact. I am not a professional photographer but on a very special day with conditions right, perhaps my team could get a shot to your liking. Please feel free to contact me at msnchirodoc@msn.com
January 3, 2010 at 10:27 pm
R Nolan - Ferrari
My father died on the Lady Gwendoline Steers that night of Dec 30-31, 1962. His name was Robert E. Nolan and was the captain. His was the last body to be recovered the following April. He was 50 years old. His identification was found in his buttoned shirt pocket, although he never carried it there. It is believed that another ship had hit the sucken tug and dislodged his body from the wheel house.
The company who owned the tug was Steers Sand and Gravel.
February 5, 2010 at 10:32 pm
Lori Barrus
My grandfather, Raymond Harrison, worked in the engine room of the Gwendolyn Steers and also perished on that stormy day in December 1962. I was only a 1 1/2 yrs old at the time but I remember all through my growing up years, my mother talking about her father and how he would get on the train in Providence, RI to go to work in NY on the tug, and he would be gone for periods of time. She always kept those LIFE magazines (that Steve Knox referred to) tucked away in a box with the family bible and from time to time would bring the pictures out. When I was really young she would just put them away but as I got older I was able to spend time reading the story and taking in the tragic visuals. From the account of the day from people who witnessed the Gwen in the waters, I always wondered why when the tug was almost at it’s destination it would turn around and head back out, into the storm. Also, there were some inconsistencies about how many men were actually on board and how many were found. This could actually be non-factual reporting (and I believe this was reported in the Providence Journal), but my greatest interest has been how the report from LIFE mentioned that the bodies that were found showed no signs of violence…..did they suspect foul play? And did any of this have to do with the Longshoremen’s strike that had just begun 2 weeks before the tragedy? Something to ponder.
My grandfather was also one of the last bodies to be found. I can remember my mother saying he died just after Christmas and his body wasn’t found until April, I think the 11th of that year, on Good Friday. I have to say, how interesting to find all of these very recent posts from various family members of the crew. Such sadness for families that live with tragedy and loss.
February 6, 2010 at 9:11 am
tugster
lori– thanks for writing and sharing your family’s perspective on this tragic event.
March 30, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Patricia Reid Florenco
Hello everyone, My father was the chief engineer on the Gwendoyln Steers. His body was the one found in the life boat that hit every newspaper and magazine around. You could imagine our family’s shock when they saw the picture and no one called us from the paper or magazines. My brother has been tring to find out about the inqury by the US Coast Guard held at the US Customs House back around the time everyone perished. Any ideas where we can find such? Thank you and God Bless. It still hurts.
April 7, 2010 at 11:43 am
steve knox
Hi Patricia, A friend of mine is going to Washington D.C. to try to find that 1200 page report filed by Capt. Frederick Artz of the U.S. Coast Guard. A week before that Dec. 30th incident, the Gwendoline Steers went in for repairs in Hoboken N.J. on it’s damaged hull from hitting a sunken barge. Maybe after the repairs were done, the hull started leaking. The president of Steers Sand and Gravel didn’t want the tug to be raised. Maybe the damaged hull would be seen!! Dr. J Tonna, who has commented on this blog site, has dived the Gwendoline Steers many times, and has said he has not seen any evidence of a damaged hull. Witnesses have said they had seen the tug going back out into the Sound. I think by that time the tug was without engine power, and was at the mercy of the weather. Many years have gone by and most of the leads have grown cold. memories have faded, and people have passed on. Alfred Sforza has a great book, “Portrait of a small Town ll”, and a few pages are devoted to the Gwendoline Steers. They are the recollections of Patrolman Jack McCrickert. Patrolman McCrickert was on duty the day they found my dad’s body in a canal at West Meadow beach in Stoney Brook. If i hear anything Patricia, I will let you know. And if you get any new infromation I would appreciate it if you would let met know also. My new email address is, steveknox354@hotmail.com. it’s been many years now, and yes it still hurts, but we will never forget.
June 28, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Loary
I was 7 years old when the Gwendoline sank, on my brother’s fifth birthday. I can still remember when the news came out that a tug was in trouble and possibly lost; my Dad and the other men in the neighborhood walking down to Brown’s Beach to keep vigil. (We lived right up from the beach.) My Dad still says, “That afternoon, the telephone poles along West Shore Rd. were encased in ice.” I was always fascinated and haunted by the tragedy, expecially the photos in Life Magazine. There were actually other similiar photos at the Huntington Historical Society, but, when I examined their files, I found them to have beenstolen from the archives. My sister and I started reseaching the sinking over 10 years ago as we wanted to write a book about it. There are alot of unanswered questions. We were planning to go to Washington to look at the 1,200 page report. However, once we started putting out there that we were investigating, I got a weird email from a Coast Guard officer asking alot of questions about what we were doing and what we had found out so far. That pretty much scared us off. Anyone more brave can request to view the document through Freedom of Information. You would have to pay for copies. Back then you had to appear in person; i don’t know if that’s true today. My condolences to all of you on this board who lost loved ones in the tragedy. I wish you the best in finding answers.
July 6, 2010 at 6:53 pm
BILL KELLY
HI I AM A FRIEND OF STEVE KNOX I AM A BOATER AND KNOW THAT THE COAST GUARD HAS TO RESPOND TO A MAYDAY THEY DROPPED THE BALL I AM INVESTIGATING THE CASE FOR STEVE I WILL GO OUT TO THE SITE AND REPORT WHAT I FIND!! I WILL NOT BE TURNED AWAY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS!! STAY TUNED!!!
August 7, 2010 at 7:41 am
Allan Wyman
I am Capt. Herbert Dickmans oldest grandson he was a big man a giant among men everyone loved him my grandmother suffered every day since that vessal sank . The real tragedy was the company never notiffied us we heard the news on the morning radio having breakfast,I think grandads dog chips knew first ,he acted very strangly that morning.Ive searched for years for any printed word but I do know from my research and my memories of the hearings the coastguard did drop the ball on this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 7, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Regina Nolan Ferrari
I always thought my father, Robert Nolan, was the captain of the Lady Gwendoline, because he was a licensed captain for Steers, Co. However, on that fateful trip he was acting as First Mate. They took turns like a pilot and copilot. Any way, my mom heard that a tug called the Lady Caroline had gone down on the late, late news. She knew there was no tug by that name so she feared for the Gwendoline. She called the company and spoke to the dispatcher. He told her that the news had made an error, and yes, it was the Gwendoline. He had talked to my dad. My father called in the mayday, but the Coast Guard could not get to them. The high winds prevented them to use ships or helicopters. I don’t blame them at all. Newsday reported the winds to be between 80 and 95 miles an hour. Any rescue party surely would have perished. The real negligence came with the tug itself. It had run aground shortly before and had been in for repairs. That is the reason that Steers gave settlement money to the families. It went according to salary and more was given to small children. They put that money for my brother and me in an account handled by the Surrogate Court. My mother got a settlement for herself as well.
Those waves were full of solid ice: it’s believed it was the ice that weighed down the tug. My oldest brother who was 22 at the time said there was a witness to the sinking. The tug was so close to shore and a teenage boy, looking out his window, saw that last huge wave cover the tug and bring her down, once and for all. The Coast Guard had very little time and no true means of reaching them. My father told my oldest brother that if his I.D. or wallet was buttoned in his shirt pocket, it meant my father knew he was going down. That would be a way of identifying him. His wallet was buttoned into his shirt pocket when they found him, finally, in April.
Even if the tug had been repaired properly, the same scene would probably have occured. My question has always been this: Why did they not come in sooner? Both the captain and first mate were seasoned veterans. My dad was 50 and Captain Dickman was close to that age or older. I’m not going to start blaming them. The storm probably got really bad, really quickly and there just wasn’t enough time. It’s probaby just that simple.
email me if you want. Hi Steve!
August 9, 2010 at 8:56 am
Loary
I was sharing the information about the sinking with a (very) seasoned Northport lobsterman. He was 18 when the Gwendoline sank. He told me that the theory of the old-timers in Northport was the following: Gwendoline had electronic steering. They believed one of the forward hatch doors along the topsides of the vessel had swung and frozen open; which allowed the waves to pour into the cockpit and thus knock out the steering. And from there, she was overcome & dragged down by the waves.
August 8, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Allan Wyman
to Regina Nolan Ferrari :Please E mail me at apw77@comcast.net
August 8, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Patricia Reid Florenco
After reading the blogs above I too was looking for information the the Gwendolyn Steers and no luck. At this point I don’t think anyone of us will find out the truth other than the sea took them. Anyone who works on the tugs lives on the sea and will die on the sea, it’s in their souls. I know my father left the business for a brief period of time but the salt water flowed through his veins and he decided “it’s time to go back”. My father decided to change his schedule to let a man with young children enjoy the holidays from what I recall. I sinerely, hope that some day we all find the peace we are looking for. Steve my brother and I appreciate your efforts to find the truth. Do you think it will ever be found?
August 8, 2010 at 7:16 pm
Patricia Reid Florenco
PS To: Allan Wyman
My mother found out from the news on the radio also. You are not alone with your hurt
To:Regina Nolan Ferrari
Extra money was not given to me nor brother (we were older) and my mother was given a small lump sum. The company took advantage of a grieving widow. I recall that day clearly but I was in shock, I just lost my father, my mother is crying and my brother was numb. Need I say more.
August 9, 2010 at 11:05 am
Regina Nolan Ferrari
Thanks for the comments everyone. I forgot to include something that may be important. The dispatcher told my mom that fateful night that the tug was just about to shore when a call came telling them that some barges were banging up against a pier or something, and the tug went back out to secure them. My mother never understood why they went if the weather was so bad. She said my dad had been doing this for 30 years and would never “cowtow” to the dispatcher or anyone else for that matter. After all, the responsibility of the crew belonged to him and the captain. They were both too old to be intimidated; they knew the sea. The irony is that they went down in the calmest waters in NY state.
My dad worked the Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario) for years. The seas were very rough. He left his previous job and went to work for Steers since they worked in the calmer waters of the sound.
My mother kept asking “why” they went back out until the day she died. I guess she knows now, if it’s even relevant.
Also, every family should have gotten some money. I’ve talked to one of the deck hand’s son and he said his family got 25 grand. If a family member of one of the crew didn’t get something, that is very odd. This crew member had to have been very young, with a beginning pay grade, and not alot of experience. I can see how those family members got jipped. But still, there should have been something for those poor kids.
Regina Nolan
August 23, 2010 at 4:35 am
Patricia Reid Florenco
Regina, Yes we got “something” like a token amount. From what I recall a lot of the others got a substantial (of course, this does not make up for the lose of life). My brother and I did not receive a penny. My mother got this “token” amount and I assume it was to keep her from going to an attorney. A settlement after all is a settlement, if you get my drift. My Dad worked for the company on and off for years and had more time then I can recall on the tugs.
August 26, 2010 at 7:18 am
steve knox
To all the families and friends of the Gwendoline Steers crewmen, There is a facebook site called, “The Gwendoline Steers and her Crew in Memoriam”. It is a site to post your thoughts, feelings, photos of the crew, and recollections of Dec. 30th, 1962. If you have any photos of your loved ones, or anything associated with The Gwendoline Steers, please feel free to use this site as you choose. I hope you find this site a comforting place to visit and remember.
August 26, 2010 at 9:48 am
Loary
Thank you, Steve, what a great idea and tribute to the GS & her good crew!
August 26, 2010 at 11:59 am
Charles Reid
I am Patricia Florenco’s brother,My father was engineer on the Gwendoilne Steers,My whole family worked on the tugs,Dad was Chief engineer on the J.Raymound Russell,my grandfather was a cook on her,my brother was the oiler, I was the oiler after him. My uncle worked for Russell Bros also.I worked on the Russell#7 too.
There was not enough infomation given out about the sinking to suit me.
We are generations of tugboaters,My grandad owned the company before selling it to the Russell Brothers. And something just don’t sit right with me.
August 27, 2010 at 9:20 am
Regina Nolan Ferrari
To Charles and Patricia Reid,
My dad also worked for Russell Brothers for many years. But they worked the Great Lakes, and Dad left to work in the calmer waters of the Sound. Definite irony here.
I TRULY believe that no one is hiding info. here, the company or the Coast Guard. Newsday reported winds up to 95 mph for that night. My big question was why they headed back out. Perhaps they didn’t think it was as bad as it really was (the weather) or the storm hit its peak as they were returning. What was going through their minds is what I would like to know but never will. The Coast Guard definitely was called but could not get to them because of the ice and wind. I would welcome the name of someone in the Guard to contact about it. I know the tug was in for repairs, but in that weather, would it have mattered? Besides eye witness reports said a wave overtook her, the boat did not sink as if taking on water. The ice made her heavy as well and not easy to maneuver.
August 27, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Patricia Reid Florenco
Hi Regina, I don’t think we will ever know what took place. It is a guessing game and eye witnesses not always see the same thing no matter how many there were. I read, and can’t recall where, that the tug’s bow was loaded with ice and she just went to the bottom. I contacted the Coast Guard but never got an answer from them. I’m happy that you are at peace with the idea that no one is hiding anything. We are all entitled to our opinions. I was too young to remember the whole thing but if my brother Charles Reid said there is something more to this whole thing than I have to believe him. He worked on the tugs and I haven’t the slightest idea what takes place on one. Newsday can report winds at 95mph, but where is the wind measurements taken from? Here in Florida where I live the measurements are taken at the international airport. These are all questions that will never be answered no matter how hard we try. God bless their souls.
August 27, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Charles Reid
I worked on the Erie Canal,All the Great lakes,I have been in some weather on the lakes I know what a boat like the J.raymond can take Plus I have seen the Coast Guard go out in very heavy weather. I was out the night the gwendoline went down, Yes it was bad weather,But I have been out in heaver weather and saw the GG going out in it.
I am not saying that they did not do there job, I was not there,But if she was coming back in ,they could not get to her? If she did not spring a leek like I heard She would have made it on her own? Sorry But I worked with my dad,lived with my dad,He was my Friend and Father.
August 28, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Charles Reid
Regina Ferrari. Coast Guard Capt.Fredick k. Artz of Garden City was conducting the inquiry at the United Customs House in Manhattan. inquiries made by the family were never answered. my sister had tried to get more infomation not to long ago. nada.
August 28, 2010 at 8:20 pm
Anonymous
Steve Knox shared his mother’s copy of Capt. Artz’ report that was given to the families, plus I read several newspaper articles about his inquiry recently. The bottom line was that no eye witness would attest to actually seeing the GS go down. They all said they were watching for a long time, turned away for a few moments, and when they looked back, she was gone. The newpapers and report also stated that the Coast Guard commander at Eaton’s Neck, Bannon, claimed that Capt. Dickman did NOT issue a mayday. He claimed that in Capt. Dickman’s last transmissions he had stated they were ‘taking on water’ but that they were ok. There was no statement as to how they were taking on water. No mayday at 4:32 p.m., and the ship’s clock stopped around 5:00 p.m.? Taking on water but no mayday? If that doesn’t seem amiss, I don’t know what does!
August 29, 2010 at 2:00 am
Patricia Reid Florenco
Anonymous, Your post brings all those questions to the surface. There were too many and’s, what if’s to this tragedy. My brother Charles Reid said no one would be out watching the tug go down in such bad weather so these witnesses would have to be in their homes looking out their windows. No Captain would put his men at risk nor his boat. A Captain would send out a mayday. So there really was something wrong here. Others stated that the tug was overcome by a wave and went down. If that was true like my brother said why did was the life boat put in the water? You are correct with all your statements! I’m glad you brought to light some more facts, thank you!
August 29, 2010 at 10:39 am
Charles Reid
anonymous. That is another thing,NOT all the Familes got reports, A copy of Capt Artz’s report was never sent to my mother. Nor any other report,I know this because I lived in the same house,And this was something we shared very close with each other. I have a copy of LIFE magazine With a picture of my dad frozen in the lifeboat, Newspaper clipings. But NO Coast Guard reports. That pic in life mag was how we found out about my father.
NICE huh. I had to go down and ID my father on jan 3rd ,The day of my brothers birthday,Who was killed in Korea. Does anybody have any idea what that did to my mother. All this and no answers.
August 29, 2010 at 11:19 am
Patricia Reid Florenco
My mother heard the news on the radio, a news flash. The picture was in Life magazine and we never were told about the picture or how our Dad died. We knew that men were lost and the tug went down but that was it. The picture was all the information we had about his death. We knew that the tug went down but had no idea our Dad was the only one in the life boat. Sounds confusing to say the least but it’s hard to explain. News flash, notification, Life magazine was the only real source of our Dad’s death.
September 6, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Ca Green
I was the first to arrive at the life boat. I was in the coast guard stationed at Eaton’s Neck. I found a seaman frozen in a block of ice . I chipped him out and turned him over to the police that had arrived. I was later informed that the person was the chief engineer and his name was Mr Reed. That is about all I know about the incident. I am very sorry for your loss
September 6, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Patricia Reid Florenco
Thank you Ca Green. My father was that person. It must have have been hard on you as well to do what you had to do. I understood that it was a police officer who chipped my dad out of the life boat. After all these years I come to find out it was a Coast Guard member. There is a lot of miss information. I just called my brother and he said there is a picture of a man with a tire iron in his hand. Was that you? Thank you. Patricia & brother Charles
August 30, 2010 at 1:31 am
Charles Reid
I just had a thought,I know my father when he was Chief on the J.Ramound kept a log which he filled out at the end of his watch, The same as the captian did, Has any one heard anything about such a log. There would have been two of them, One the captains one the engineers.
I am thinking being there were two people in the pilot house, One could have put something down in the log.As far as I know logs were never brought up at any time.Even if ruined by water, As far as I know there was no mention of logs in any Coast Guard report ever, Readable or not.
August 30, 2010 at 1:33 am
Charles Reid
PS. unless something comes up, This is my last word on this.
September 7, 2010 at 2:28 pm
steve knox
http://www.facebook.com/?sk=2361831622#!/posted.php?id=152881484728297&share_id=145818378790208&comments=1#s145818378790208-Here's a link to the Gwendoline Steers facebook site. Please share your photos , and memories of the crewmen.