The Sea

This poem was written shortly after the tragic deaths of these two fishermen, by the late Hubert Deagle of St. Margarets. It was widely distributed and most recently published in The Beacon on April 20, 2000
Drowning at Chepstow
December 18, 1937
It's a story that's sad but a lesson to heed
Of two boys from Chepstow, who were lost in the sea
One evening at sunset in sight of their home
Sailing along in the blue breakers foam.
Their boat was small and laden with gear
So late in the season the last of the year
When they hauled for the shore the tiller rope broke
And their boat it capsized in the breakers quick stroke
Two other brothers sailed in just before
Hauled up their boat then stood on the shore
Only to see their dear brothers go down
Watch them so sadly 'til both of them drown.
A few minutes later their boat came ashore
There stood Walter and Ronald just as before
Not a thing could they do this story is true
In a gale like was blowing on the wild ocean blue.
Early next morning at rise of the sun
The neighbors with grapnels their work begun
With unceasing efforts they all toiled along
To recover the bodies of those who were gone.
For two day they worked tired weary and cold
This is the story that I have been told
The third day at noon their work it was over
And both of the bodies were landed on shore.
Bernard MacDonald and his brother Charlie
Are the names of the boys who died in the sea
This story is true and will always recall
What happened at Chepstow so late in the fall.
THE CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN, MONDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1937
DEATH: MACDONALD
TWO BROTHERS ARE DROWNED NEAR SOURIS
Tragedy Occurs As Brothers Look Helplessly On
Bernard And Charles MacDonald Of Chepstow Perish When Motor Boat Capsizes In Heavy Seas
Bernard MacDonald, 27, and Charles MacDonald, 23, brothers, were drowned within sight of their home at Chepstow, three miles east of Souris Saturday afternoon when their motor boat capsized as they were attempting to land on a surf-swept beach. The accident took place 50 yards off shore. Two brothers Walter and Ronald MacDonald who had landed a few minutes previously and were preparing to assist their brothers were eye witnesses of the tragedy.
The bodies had not been recovered last night. Mounted Police directed dragging operations yesterday and a police cutter assisted.
The two victims of the accident had gone out on a 22-foot boat about 9 o’clock Saturday morning to fish cod off North Lake, 15 to 18 miles from their home at Chepstow.
Snow squalls began from the south-east at 11 o’clock and the wind increased in velocity and at noon Walter and Ronald MacDonald, two brothers, took a 28-foot boat and went to join their brothers. Both boats approached the shore about 4:30 in heavy seas and snow. The larger boat went in first, landed on the beach and the two occupants pulled it out of the surf with a capstan which fishermen in the section use for the purpose. The men in the smaller boat were given the signal to come ashore and began to turn towards the beach. Suddenly the watchers on shore saw a huge wave strike the boat and overturn it. As the capsized craft lifted on the crest of the next wave one man was seen clinging to the bottom but when the boat lifted again he was gone. The brothers on shore were unable to launch a dory in the heavy surf and stood helpless while the overturned boat drifted on. They seized it and dragged it out of the surf but both brothers had disappeared.
All night the shore was watched for the bodies and yesterday dragging operations were unsuccessful. They will begin again today if the sea is not too rough.
The deceased were sons of Mr. Allan J. MacDonald and the late Mrs. MacDonald of Chepstow. Charles was well known in boxing circles in the province. Last summer he took part in the Maritime amateur boxing championship tournament. His brother, Bernard, was under treatment inthe Charlottetown Hospital for a considerable time last spring. Both men were unmarried.
Surviving besides their father are four brothers and three sisters, Walter, Francis, Ronald and Herbert MacDonald, all of Chepstow; Mrs. Arthur Dixon and Mrs. Harold Dixon of Fortune, and Bernetta MacDonald of Little Harbor.
The sympathy of the entire province will go to the family in their great bereavement at this season of the year.
THE CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1937
RECOVER BODY OF BERNARD MACDONALD
Dragging Operations At Chepstow Continue For Second Victim
The body of Bernard MacDonald, 27, drowned within sight of his home at Chepstow Saturday afternoon when a motor boat capsized, was recovered from the sea about 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon. Dragging operations Sunday and yesterday failed to locate the body of his brother, Charles MacDonald, 23, who lost his life also when the boat capsized 50 yards off shore as they attempted to land in heavy seas.
It was believed by those carrying on dragging operations that Charles’ body had become entangled in fishing gear from the overturned boat and that the tide had carried him out into deeper water beyond where the body of his brother was found, 100 yards from the spot where he was drowned. Dragging will continue today if weather conditions permit.
Coroner A. Ross, M.D., Souris, last night announced that an inquest was not necessary.
The victims of the tragic accident were returning from fishing cod off North Lake, 18 miles east of their home. Two brothers, Walter and Ronald MacDonald, stood helpless off the shore as they saw their brother’s 22-foot craft overturn. Heavy seas prevented them launching a dory to attempt a rescue. They had landed their boat a few minutes previously and were preparing to assist their brothers. One of the men from the overturned boat clung to its bottom for a few moments before dropping off into the swirling seas.