1962 — Dec 26, USN P5M1 Marlin Seaplane lost at sea 350M SW of San Diego, CA — 13

–13 Baugher. US Navy…Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (126257 to 130264) 8-26-2011.
–13 Eureka Humboldt Standard, CA. “San Diego Hunt…13 on…Seaplane.” 12-27-1962, p. 17.
–13 Press-Telegram, Long Beach, CA. “Navy Lists 13 Crewmen on Lost Plane.” 12-28-1962, 3
–13 Press-Telegram, Long Beach, CA. “Navy Abandons Hope for 13…Plane.” 12-31-1962, p3.
–13 Redlands Daily Facts, CA. “13 Crewmen on Missing Plane Give up.” 1-1-1963, p. 5.
–13 Star-News, Pasadena, CA. “Plane Debris Identified as Navy Craft.” 12-29-1962, p. 17.

Narrative Information

Baugher: “127712 (VP-42) lost at sea Dec 26, 1962, 350 mi SW of San Diego. 13 killed.” (Baugher. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (126257 to 130264) 8-26-2011.)

Newspapers

Dec 27: “San Diego (UPI) – Four sea planes from the North Island Naval Air Station [San Diego] and eight jets from Miramar Naval Air Station [San Diego] here began a search at daybreak today for a Marlin P5M1 seaplane with 13 officers and men aboard. The plane was scheduled to return to North Island shortly after midnight from a routine patrol. A Navy spokesman estimated fuel aboard the plane would be expended at 4:30 a.m. PST today….” (Eureka Humboldt Standard, CA. “San Diego Hunt…13 on…Seaplane.” 12-27-1962, p. 17.)

Dec 28: “San Diego (AP) – There was still no trace today of a Navy seaplane missing off the coast of Mexico since Wednesday night. Thirteen men were aboard. The plane, a P5M1 Martin Marlin, was attached to Patrol Squadron 42, which lost a plane in the Gulf of Alaska Sept. 24. Ten perished in that crash. Last, word from the seaplane was a position report from 350 miles southwest of San Diego….” (Press-Telegram, Long Beach, CA. “Navy Lists 13 Crewmen on Lost Plane.” 12-28-1962, p. 3.)

Dec 29: “San Diego – AP – Debris sighted about 280 miles southwest of here has been positively identified as that of a Navy seaplane carrying a crew of 13. Lt. Richard H. Martin, a pilot, said he spotted oil slick, a life raft and wing floats Friday. Martin said he circled the area five hours before identification was certain. The plane was last heard from Wednesday night. It disappeared without a signal of trouble while returning from a routine patrol. Navy and Coast Guard planes searched the area for 36 hours before the first wreckage was sighted. A Navy spokesman said the destroyer John A. Dole would make a thorough search of the area.” (Star-News, Pasadena, CA. “Plane Debris Identified as Navy Craft.” 12-29-1962, p. 17.)

Dec 31: “San Diego (UPI) – The Navy today abandoned its search for 13 crewmen of a twin-engine seaplane which crashed off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, on Wednesday, and said all 13 men aboard were presumed lost at sea.” (Press-Telegram, Long Beach, CA. “Navy Abandons Hope for 13 Aboard Plane.” 12-31-1962, p. 3.)

Sources

Baugher, Joseph F. US Navy and US Marine Corps BuNos Third Series (126257 to 130264) Aug 26, 2011 revision. Accessed at: http://www.joebaugher.com/navy_serials/thirdseries14.html

Eureka Humboldt Standard, CA. “San Diego Hunt Opens for 13 on Missing Seaplane,” 12-27-1962, 17. At: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=54453476

Press-Telegram, Long Beach, CA. “Navy Abandons Hope for 13 Aboard Plane.” 12-31-1962, p. 3. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=50195723

Press-Telegram, Long Beach, CA. “Navy Lists 13 Crewmen on Lost Plane.” 12-28-1962, p. 3, Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=50195651

Redlands Daily Facts, CA. “13 Crewmen on Missing Plane Give up.” 1-1-1963, p. 5. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=156920116

Star-News, Pasadena, CA. “Plane Debris Identified as Navy Craft.” 12-29-1962, p. 17. Accessed at: http://www.newspaperarchive.com/FullPagePdfViewer.aspx?img=52891187