Residents in Black River were saddened by what they described as the worst tragedy to have hit their community. Nine port workers drowned after their boat capsized. Members of the community gathered to offer support and hope as divers searched for bodies.

Published: Saturday March 3, 1962

9 PORT WORKERS DROWN IN BLACK RIVER

A SURVIVOR SAVES FOUR COLLEAGUES

THE greatest tragedy in the history of Black River Harbour occurred yesterday morning when a boat conveying 72 port workers capsized by the side of a ship about a mile off shore, and nine men were reported to have drowned.

Black River, (capital town and chief port of St. Elizabeth parish), together with its environs, was thrown into a state of mourning as many of the victims came from outlying districts.

A particularly sad feature of the tragedy arose out of the fact that one man, Headley Daley, was actually saved by a fellow port worker, but when placed on the last rung of the ship’s ladder, he was too exhausted to stay there and he rolled back into the water and was lost.

The boat was carrying the men from the wharf at Black River leaving at 7 a.m. and was being towed by a launch. On reaching the Royal Mall ship Escalante, where sugar loading was to begin fifteen minutes later, the launch eased off the tow tape and the labourers’ boat then began to drift down the side of the ship. Bilge water from the ship began to pour into the boat, and to avoid being doused the men all retreated to the stern of the boat, causing it to capsize.

Names of those reported missing by the police are: Donald Robinson, of Brompton; Lester Myrle of Black River; Lester Bailey of Fyffes Pen; Joseph Powell of Parrottee; Erwin Shakespeare, 10, of Black River; Herman Marks  of Black River, formerly of Savanna-la-Mar; Headley Daley of Kilmarnock; and O. Robinson of Black River. Calvin Lewis, about 16, of Black River, was said to be missing.

Two men were taken to hospital: Alexander Griffith, of Shillington district, and Wilfred Watson of Fyffes Pen.

BOAT DRIFTED

One of the survivors, 31-year-old Herman Baker, married with four children, told The Gleaner of the labourers’ boat leaving Royal Mail agents, Messrs. Hendricks and Company. As they reached the Escallate, he said that there was no “guest wap” (a rope) to tie the boat to. After being cast loose, the boat drifted under the bilge water being dumped from the ship.

The men in the bow of the boat were trying to prevent the water from wetting them, and all went to the stern, causing it to submerge. The boat came up again half full of water, but all the men had been spilled out and several of them could not swim.

Baker said he managed to save four men: Septy Allen, Jubert Vassall, Alexander Griffiths, and Wilfred Watson. He saw another man sinking but failed to reach him in time, he said.

Baker described how a man called Headley Daley was rescued and put on the gangplank but was so exhausted that he fell back into the water and disappeared.

Baker also described how the last man he saved nearly caused his own death by hanging on to his neck and almost pulling the both of them under. Baker said he had been a port worker for about eight years.

Cecil Davies, foreman at Hendricks and Co, said that he was in the motor launch that was towing the labourers’ boat. Reaching alongside the ship, the launch took the boat past the gangway, causing it to go under the ballast water. The boat then began to take in water and the men began to jump overboard. The launch came back and began taking up men, rescuing twelve in all.

HE LOVED THE GARDEN

Two of the missing men were from his own household -Thompson Herman Marks, 32, and Irving Shakespeare, 19, Mr Davies said.

With tears in his eyes, Mr Davies told of how the lad loved the very attractive garden around the house and had tended it lovingly. Miss Ina Davies, his daughter, said that only that morning, Shakespeare had got up at 4:30 to water the garden before leaving for his work on the ship.

Wilfred Watson, 39, father of three children, related, from his hospital bed, the harrowing experience they went through. The sea was calm at the time of the accident, he said. When the ship’s bell rang, life belts were thrown from the ship, and this helped many to survive. Mr Watson said he owed his life to Mr Baker.

Alexander Griffiths also said from a bed in hospital what a frightful ordeal it had been, and he said that but for Mr Baker, he would certainly have drowned.

The labourers’ boat, owned by Mr Joseph Blackwood of Black River, was later towed into the wharf, but work on the loading of the ship was suspended. The master of the Escalante is Captain Wingate. The ship arrived in Black River at 6 o’clock the same morning from Kingston and was due to leave for Bowden on Monday but announced that  it would be delayed owing to the accident.

SEARCH FOR BODIES

Until dark yesterday, three launches were searching for bodies.

All about Black River, little knots of sad-faced people discussed the tragedy that had struck the town. It was said to be the worst fatality in the district within living memory.

Robert Scott, 42, and father of eight children, was one of the men saved. He told of losing his false teeth in the accident but was thankful to have had his life spared.

The PWD staff, Black River, telegraphed to The Gleaner last night a message of deepest sympathy to the bereaved family of Donald Robinson, one of the victims.

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