January 15, 1926
Catherine Lost Man
on Bank
Sch. Catherine,
Capt. Archie McLeod, arrived at the Boston pier with her colors at
half-mast this morning for the loss of Andy Murphy, one of her crew, who
was drowned on Monday last while the schooner was fishing on LeHave banks. Capt. McLeod
said that Murphy, who was 39 years old and single, was standing by the
rail of the schooner when she was struck by a puff of wind, the main boom swinging around
and before Murphy could duck, he was hit in the head and knocked
overboard
The sea was choppy at the time and he sank
from sight at once, and although the vessel cruised over the spot for some time, the man
never came to the surface.
January 16, 1926
Gives Details of Loss of One of Catherine's
Crew
Sch. Catherine,
Capt. Archie McLeod, arrived here late yesterday afternoon after
discharging her fare at the Boston Fish Pier, with her flag half-mast in respect to the
memory of Ansell Murphy, one of her crew who was lost on the trip of the
craft to LaHave Bank which ended yesterday.
With reference to the loss of Murphy,
Capt. MacLeod gave the following very definite account of the sad
accident.
Capt. MacLeod said:
"We were taking in mainsail at the time
and getting ready to jib. I sung out if all were clear to leeward and started to
jib over. No one knew that Murphy was there or where he was.
When the vessel came about, Murphy lost his balance, pitched
overboard. I don't believe anything struck him. The dogline passed right over
his shoulder but he made no effort to grasp it. We dropped a dory over and it was
not even four minutes before we got up to him, but he went down and was never seen
again."
The accident happened 150 miles east-southeast
of Boston lightship on Saturday, January 9, between 10 and 11 o'clock. Murphy
was a native of LeHave, N. S. He had been with Capt. MacLeod
in the Catherine off and on since the vessel was new, nearly 12
years ago. He was a good fisherman, a saving fellow and a good example of the
thrifty Gloucester fishermen.
[Andy's given name was Ansell] |
