1954 — Aug 31, fishing vessel Redstart founders in Hurricane Carol ~Davis South Shoal, MA–all 11

–11 USCG. Commandant’s Action on Marine Board of Investigation; F/V Redstart…1954, p. 1.

Narrative Information

U.S. Coast Guard: “….The motor fishing vessel Redstart, of 99 g.t., built in 1936 of wood construction, on 25 August 1954 departed from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, for the fishing grounds on Georges Banks with eleven crew members on board. On the approach of Hurricane ‘Carol’, a number of fishing vessels, including the Redstart, departed from the fishing grounds for port. At 1030 31 August 1954 the Redstart and other fishing vessels hove to and on this date a hurricane with tremendous seas overtook the fishing vessels. The Redstart was last seen lying to, 45 miles SSE from No Man’s Land Island, in no apparent trouble. Due to the force of the hurricane, propulsive power was required for safe vessel control purposes. Apparently the propulsive power of the Redstart failed and the vessel sometime after 1100 31 August 1954 struck Davis South Shoal and broke up before any boats or floats could be launched, and all persons on board perished. A prompt and diligent search for the vessel or any survivors therefrom was instituted when information was received that the vessel was overdue. This search continued until it was positively ascertained that the vessel was lost.” (U.S. Coast Guard. Commandant’s Action on Marine Board of Investigation; F/V REDSTART, foundering off Nantucket Island in vicinity of Davis South Shoal during Hurricane “Carol”, 1954 with loss of life. Dec 7, 1954, p. 1.)

Source

United States Coast Guard. Commandant’s Action on Marine Board of Investigation; F/V REDSTART, foundering off Nantucket Island in vicinity of Davis South Shoal during Hurricane “Carol”, 1954 with loss of life. Washington, DC: Commandant, USCG, Dec 7, 1954. Accessed at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/docs/boards/redstart.pdf Accessed also 3-22-2020 at:
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/INV/docs/boards/redstart.pdf