Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Well unlike last year, this year on the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Daniel J. Morrell I made certain to watch my DVD videos I have of her and later I rang my ship's bell twice once for the lost and brave crew of the Morrell and another time of course for Dennis Hale himself. May he and his shipmates rest in peace. Glad also as I mentioned before to have been given the chance and honor to meet Dennis, purchase his books and have him sign them as well. Dennis my friend you are missed by all but never forgotten!

Jared my dad dove all through the 70s and 80s. One of the stories he always told us was how he met Dennis who then signed his Robert McGreevy paintings for him. During this meeting Dennis had asked him the same question about retrieving some of his personal items. My dad tried when they went back to the Morrell but it was impossible to get in because the wood walls and ceiling collapsed. He always talked of going back and removing the wood to gain access. It's interesting to hear that same story from someone else.

I have dove the wreck of the Morrell a few times and I am also good friends with the guy who found her. 3 years ago I was talking with Dennis along with Dave Trotter and he asked me if we could get into his old state room and retrieve some of his items that have been submerged for decades. We went back out to the wreck and prepaired to make a penetration into the wreck when we discovered that most of the forward cabins had collapsed, making it almost impossible to get into his cabin. Around the same time, Mike Fletcher was asked the same request and he got far enough in to see the porthole from Dennis's cabin, but the ceiling was collapsed right in front of him. It's hopeful that an ROV can get in there and shoot his cabin for the first time.

In this morning's Duluth News Tribune.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4 ... e-survival

Yes, in a book I read about Dennis Hale and the Morrell, he spoke of the vision he had of joining his shipmates while trying to survive on the raft in the storm. In this experience he is told by them: "It's not your time yet." I presume that might be what you're referring to...

Well Matt after losing track and forgetting about the Morrell and its anniversary last year and Not watching my DVD videos of her, I will definitely be ready for the 50th anniversary tomorrow of her tragic sinking and loss as I plan to watch the DVD videos of her tomorrow and to ring my ship's bell in memory of Dennis Hale and his lost shipmates. May God Bless Dennis Hale and his shipmates and may the legacy and legend of the Daniel J. Morrell and other ships lost on the Great Lakes and their brave crews live on forever! So glad to have met Dennis Hale and have him sign copies of his book for me as well. I'll never forget meeting him as long as I live.

Thinking of the Morrell and crew who were lost 50 years ago in the early hours of Nov 29,1966 and of Dennis Hale who has been reunited with his crew mates!