1955 — ~Jan 13, New Bedford, MA scalloper Doris Gertrude lost off New England coast– 11

–11 USCG. Commandant’s Action…DORIS GERTRUDE, foundering…New England…, 1955

Narrative Information

United States Coast Guard: “On 26 January, 1955…the owner of the Fishing Vessel Doris Gertrude, telephoned the Rescue Coordination Center and stated that he thought his vessel was overdue, as other fishing vessels had arrived in port, and that his information indicated that the Doris Gertrude had not been seen since the 13th of January. Communication search followed by an extensive air and surface search failed to locate the Doris Gertrude. Accordingly, a Marine Board of Investigation designated by the Commandant convened in New Bedford, Massachusetts on 9 February, 1955, to inquire into the loss of the Doris Gertrude.

“After full and mature consideration the Board made the following findings:
….
“3. That on 11 January, 1955 the FV Doris Gertrude departed New Bedford, Massachusetts for Georges Banks to drag for scallops, with eleven men on board…

“4. That the FV Doris Gertrude was contacted by phone at 11:30 A.M., and again at 5:30 P.M., on 12 January, 1955 by the FV Marmax.

“5. That it was agreed that the Master of the MV Doris Gertrude and the Master of the FV Marmax would talk again after the 11:00 P.M. weather report. Captain [name blacked out] of the FV Marmax called several times and could not raise him.

“6. That at the time of the 5:30 P.M. call, on the 12th of January, 1955 the FV Doris Gertrude was on the north side of the Banks and the FV Marmax was on the south side.

“7. That on 13 January, 1955 the FV Linus A. Eldridge was in company with the FV Doris Gertrude on the south side of the Banks from 12:00 M. [midnight] to 3:00 A.M., the 13th January, at which time the FV Doris Gertrude stopped fishing because of weather conditions.

“8. That the FV Doris Gertrude was seen to take in the fishing gear at 3:00 A.M., on the 13th of January, 1955 and jog in location approximately 150 miles E x S of Pollock Rip Lightship. The FV Doris Gertrude then drifted out of sight of the FV Linus S. Eldridge and was not seen again.
….
“The Board expressed the following OPINIONS:

“1. That the FV Doris Gertrude was in a seaworthy condition when she departed on 11 January, 1955 from New Bedford, Massachusetts.

“2. That the vessel did reach the Fishing Grounds, Georges Banks, and did fish until the weather became too rough on 13 January, 1955.

“3. That the rough weather lasted several days.

“4. That there was no indication of the vessel being in any difficulty.

“5. That the Doris Gertrude disappeared some time subsequent to 0300, 13 January, 1955.

“6. That as no trace of the vessel or bodies has been found the entire crew may be presumed dead.
….
“10. That the loss of this vessel could possibly have been caused by fire; drifting onto a shoal spot, of which there are many on Georges Banks; that vessel could have, while dragging in rough weather with one drag out, be pulled down to a considerable list by her own gear and swamped; or the more remote possibility, could have been struck by a large vessel.

“The Board made the following recommendations:

“1. That the fishing fleet, through various associations or by agreement among owners and masters, exert some concerted effort among themselves toward checking on each other, so that an immediate search can be undertaken when vessels are reported to bd overdue, or fail to answer radio calls or signals when any such calls or signals have been prearranged….”

Newspaper

Jan 27, AP: “New Bedford, Jan. 27 (AP) – The coast guard today searched a wide area about 140 miles east of Pollock Rip Lightship for the New Bedford scalloper Doris Gertrude, which hadn’t been heard from for six days. The vessel’s owner, Joshua Murphy of New Bedford, reported her missing after fishing boats which left at the same time 16 days ago began arriving two days ago. The Doris Gertrude carries a crew of 11….

“The Doris Gertrude’s crew includes Capt. Joshua Murphy, Jr., Herbert V. Doucette and John F. Romanoff, all of Fairhaven; William deMoranville, Natick, R.I.; Joseph Vieira, North Dartmouth; Donald Tupper, John E. Bouse, James C. Vieira, Robert L. Short and Henry Julewski, all of New Bedford, and Clarence F. Goulding, Assonet [MA].” (Associated Press. “Coast Guard Hunts Lost Scalloper.” Fitchburg Sentinel, MA. 1-27-1955, p. 13.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Coast Guard Hunts Lost Scalloper.” Fitchburg Sentinel, MA. 1-27-1955, p. 13. Accessed 4-6-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/fitchburg-sentinel-jan-27-1955-p-13/

United States Coast Guard. Commandant’s Action on Marine Board of Investigation; F/V DORIS GERTRUDE, foundering off New England Coast subsequent to 13 January 1955 with eleven crew members on board. Washington, DC: Commandant, USCG, May 3, 1955. Accessed at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/docs/boards/dorisgertrude.pdf (Broken link in 2023.)
Accessed 4-6-2023 at: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/docs/boards/dorisgertrude.pdf