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Berlin Man Missing From Ship Off Del.
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From the Democratic Messenger, Snow Hill, Maryland, Jan 11, 1951 (Image) Charles G. Massey, 48-year-old Chief Boatswains Mate in the United States Coast Guard and a well known resident of Berlin, who disappeared Sunday afternoon from the Overfalls Lightship, anchored nearly four miles off Lewis, Del., at the entrance to Delaware Bay, is "presumed lost at sea" a Coast Guard spokesman said last night. Massey an executive officer on the Overfalls Lightship, was temporarily in command of the vessel Sunday while the warrant officer in charge was on leave. Manned by a crew of 16 men, the 110-foot lightship rolled in a rough sea Sunday. The weather was foggy and periodic blasts from the lightship's loud forhorn (sic.) could be heard on shore. Members of the lightship crew said Massey went above to fasten a hatch Sunday afternoon. Around 4:30 p. m. a crew member called him to supper and then found the acting shipper missing. Coast Guard officials believe Massey lost his balance and fell overboard. Distress cries from a man overboard might have gone unheard because of the fog-horn wails. Monday the lightship was brought into Lewis, Del., harbor. The crew of 16 was placed under investigation. Search for some trace of the missing Coast Guardsman has been continued daily this week by Patrol Boats and Coast Guard planes without result. With 26 years of service. Massey had served in several Coast Guard stations along the East coast. He was an expert simmer (sic). He is married to the former Miss Hilda Jackson of Whaleyville. She lives in Berlin with their two small son, Nicholas, age 5 and Samuel, age 2 years. Another daughter by a former marriage, Mrs. Shirley Quillen, wife of Horace D. Quillen, also lives at Berlin. Also residing in Berlin is his mother, Mrs. Amelia Massey of Powellton Avenue and a sister, Mrs. Milton Hastings. Two brothers, William and Calvin Massey live at Salisbury. |