Evening star., 1951-09-02
IS Feared Dead
As Boar Upsets
Off Long Island
19 Pulled From Ocean
As Fishing Vessel
Cupsizes in Riptide
By the Assoeia,ed Pres,

MONlAUh, N. Y, sept. IA
party fishing boat, caught with
a dead engine in a boiling riptide,
keeled over in the stormy Attain
tic today with a possible death
toll of 35.
The 45-foot Pelican, with 81
holiday week-enders on board,
capsiZed about a mile off shore
when a giant wave hit her broad
side.
Tonight there were only 10
known survivors. The bodies of
nine victims have been recovered.
The disaster occurred at 2:l5
pm. (EDT) just off Montauk
Point, the northeasternmost tin
of Long Island about 125 miles
from New York City.
Shivering survivors taken
aboard rescue craft said the Peli-
can "just rolled over" without
warning.
Frequent rain squalls and a
thick haze interfered with the
Coast Guards search for survi-
vorS.
Darkness Slows Search.
When the Coast Guard finally
located the capsized craft, they
got line aboard and began tow
ing her to shore.
The Coast Guard spotting
planes and helicopter were
forced to quit the search for sur
vivors after dark.
All available Coast Guard boats
searched through the night under
the glare of Searchlights.
Coast Guardsmen feared MANY
lost their lives when they were
trapped below deck, where they
had gone for shelter from the
squally weather. Strong north
easterly gusts were blowing at
the time.
The Pelican, one of many char
ter boats at this popular fishing
ground, set out this morning from
Fishangra-La. a fishing club, de-
spite Small-craft warnings up all
the way from Block Island, r. l.,
to Delaware Bay.
Engine Is Crippled.
John Valonne of New York City,
one of the survivors, said the
Pelican was crippled by engine
trouble and was drifting broad
side of the storm when the wave
struck.
I'VE were caught in the rip
tide" reported John Griffin Of
Brooklyn, another survivor. "A
large wave came from the east.
hit us and We tipped to As de-
grees. Another wave came and
we went over.
Il had put on a life preserver
a few minutes before. was
trapped in the cabin. don't
know how I got out.
Il saw another fishing boat
nearby. held up my arm and
waved to it, 1t came nearby. A
wave pushed me against the boat,
They pulled me aboard"
Nipper Is Missing.
Edward Carroll. skipper of the
boat, was among the missing.
Albert Snyder. a survivor. said
he last saw Capt. Carroll clinging
to the overturned craft.
A lot of other persons were hold
ing onto the boat, crying for help,
Mr.. Snyder said.
Another fishing craft, the Betty
Anne, picked up five men and one
woman and brought them to
shore.
The seas were pitching" re-
ported the Betty Anne'S skipper.
H. Rogers Bishop.
There was a heavy following
sea. We were about 200 feet ahead
OF the Pelican coming in. When
she was about half mile from
shore, one wave raised her stern
SO high that her nose dipped deep
AlCo IIlS Le4C swell.
She turned over. saw at
least rs persons in the water and
another IS clinging to the keel
of the capsized boat.
Lines Foul Propeller.
I raced back and we threw
overheard every preserver and line
we had. The lines fouled our own
propeller. We picked up five men
and one woman. She was in bad
shape. figured that we'd better
head for land. Enough other boats
were around by that time so that
we could take off,"
-Four hours after the tragedy
the bodies of the first seven victims
had been brought ashore. They
(See BOAT, Page A-3.)