Northport Memories: We Remember the Last Days of '62

The song “The Wreck of the Gwendoline Steers” starts; “We remember the last days of sixty two.” For the nine families who lost their loved ones, in the December 30, 1962 foundering of the ninety-eight foot tugboat “Gwendoline Steers,” the words are profound and the memories haunting. The vessel was quickly swallowed up by the icy Long Island Sound waters in an unexpected mega-storm. A half century later, historians are still studying the event and examining documents in the Washington D.C. Archives. There is no record of the vessel ever having issued a MAYDAY” and the endeavor to answer questions seems to generate more questions. For the families of the lost souls, emotional wounds remain open and raw. For the friends of the families and those who remember the event, a nagging sadness persists.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the tug, just off Eaton's Neck, only two miles from safe harbor. This year, in tribute, Steve Knox whose dad perished that cold night long ago with eight other crewmen is planning a special observance to honor the loss of those souls and to help keep their memory alive. Nine bells will ring for those lost; Raymond Harrison, Herbert Dickman, Robert Nolan, Claude Markel ,John Iverson, Rasmus Nordvik, Hugh Reid, Roy Burnette and Robert Knox who paid the ultimate painful price in the pursuit of their work.

The tentative date for this memorial is Sunday, October 28, 2012 a time when hopefully the weather will allow a ceremonial wreath laying on the water directly above the wreck which still sits upright in forty feet of water. Gerard Thornton of Thornton Bros. Towing & Transportation, LLC and avid member of the Facebook site “The Gwendoline Steers and her Crew in Memoriam” is arranging to bring a tug out to Northport from Staten Island for the transport of the lost crew member families and close personal friends to the site of the wreck for a private ceremony. The whereabouts of crew members: Claude Markel, John Iverson, Rasmus Nordvik, and Roy Burnette families remains unknown and it is hoped that they will come forward for this ceremony. If anyone has any leads to help complete this loop, please contact Steve Knox at 1-336-561-5700. In addition, a public ceremony and plaque placement is tentatively planned for the same weekend at the Eaton's Neck Coast Guard Station. Those interested can learn more about the Gwendoline Steers by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/groups/152881484728297/

As plans progress for this, updates and specifics will be published so that all interested parties will have an opportunity to participate and pay their respects. The song, “The Wreck of the Gwendoline Steers” describing the event featuring lead guitarist Steve Knox can be heard on you tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDshp72o15g