18 Others Saved as Vessel Grounds Off Mass. Coast
OWN FAULT OF VICTIMS
Those Who Lost Lives Returned To Ship To Get Belongings—Another Daring Sea Rescue Reported
Gloucester, Mass., Feb. 10 (AP)—Three members of the fishing schooner Ralph Brown‘s crew lost their lives today when the vessel was driven ashore in the blizzard off Briar Neck. Eighteen others, including the captain, reached shore safely. Although all suffered from exposure and cold.
Had Returned To Boat
The three men who lost their lives were drowned after they, with other members of the crew, had gone back to the schooner to get their clothes and other belongings after she had been washed to tho shore. The others managed to get off before a huge wave struck the 100 foot craft and drove her farther out to sea, but the victims found themselves helpless as the ship was battered by the roaring breakers. The vessel was pounded to pieces.
The men who were killed were John Gravata, John Lopes and Manuel Mitchel. As the other men watched their plight from the shore they saw Gravata and Mitchel grab a line which they apparently thought led to the shore. As they started to work their way out on this line a wave struck them and they never were seen again. Lopes stood by on the deck, hoping for rescue, but the ship was wrecked before help could reach him.
Washed Close To Shore
The schooner was washed ashore early today in the blizzard. She was so close to land that all the members of her crew escaped safely and, seeing that she looked safe, they decided to re-board her and get their belongings. All of the men managed to land safely again with the exception of the three who were drowned. They were making ready to return to the shore when the wave hit the vessel.
The survivors made their way to the home of Henry Spates, although some of them went to other nearby cottages and for a time the fate of these men was uncertain.
A huge tractor tore through the snowdrifts to make way for automobiles filled with rescue parties but by the time these had arrived the Ralph Brown had been smashed to pieces. The surviving members of the crew were returned to their homes In Gloucester.
New Britain Herald, New Britain, CT, February 10, 1926