August 4, 1938
Fisherman Hurled From Masthead and Is Killed
By Fall
George Miller, Father of Two Children
Victim -
Accident Happens on Sworder 200 Miles off Point
Hurled 60 feet, from masthead to the deck,
caused instant death to George Miller, father of two small children,
Tuesday afternoon, aboard the local 80-foot auxiliary sch. Doris M. Hawes,
while swordfishing 200 miles southeast half south of Eastern Point, when the top of the
mast broke off, 15 feet from the top, although there was but little sea running, and no
breeze.
The Hawes was
brought back to this port, her American flag at half-mast, arriving at the Atlantic Supply
wharf, at 7.45 last evening, with Miller's body. They had 10
swordfish, all taken Tuesday forenoon. The Hawes with
Capt. "Mickey" Driscoll in command, left here Sunday. Miller,
a former gill net fisherman, was making his second trip in the craft. They had had
poor fishing until Tuesday when near the northern edge of Georges, Miller from the
masthead, aided by Andy Fay, Luis (Bowser) Francis, Charles (Pickaxe) Deveau
and Albert Deveau, in the network of rigging on the foremast, sighted 10
fish which Johnny Garron in the pulpit speared and the men secured for
the boat. Capt. Driscoll was at the wheel.
The tragedy occurred so quickly that the
skipper was unable to see just what did occur. The first thing he knew was the sight
of a man tumbling through the air to crash on the deck. It was Miller.
As the top of the mast split and toppled, the network of ropes entangled the four men
perched in the rigging. They were unable to get free themselves until Garron
climbed the mast and cut away the rope with a knife. Francis complained
of being bruised, but the others escaped injury.
Capt. Driscoll immediately
turned the craft to port, and arriving here, notified the police and Dr. Ira B. Hull,
medical examiner. The latter pronounced death accidental, due to a fractured
skill. Miller leaves a widow, Dorothy (Smith) Miller
and two children, Fred, 2 1/2 years, and Richard, 1 1/2 years.
Miller was born in Traverse
City, Mich., the son of George and Elizabeth (Tysver) Miller,
January 26, 1911. He went gill netting in the sch. Elizabeth and James,
Capt. James Parsons, and this summer swordfishing. He leaves his
parents, who reside in San Jose, Cal., along with two sisters, the Misses Patricia
and Nancy Miller, his widow and two sons. His uncle is Capt. Peter
O. Tysver, of Gloucester. |
