On 11/02/07 C. Somers
said:
Well, gosh. I hope the Q. River crews are and have done well. Jim R. What the hell...? I
don't remember a hot 'cook' I remember some'hot' .... but.... Mikey the cook wasn't... hot. Mr.
Bosley never spoke of hot (aside from his own wifey) ahh... anyway... hope all are doing well!
FLA is calm..!
On 08/07/07 Matt Hume
said:
I was at the Q, quite a bit in 96-98 while I was in the sea cadets, I was in fact scheduled
to go back the day after the accident. I miss everyone there and my heart will always be there with
my friends. Dave, Clint, and Matt i still think about you everyday and thank you for the wonderful
oppertunities. Master Chief Leforge I have always wanted to thank you especially. And for those that
remember me HI! I remember you all FE, Ben, Z, Byrd, Keller, o'mera. I miss everyone! Hey has Tiny's
boat sank for good or are we still pumping it out?
On 04/27/07 Jim R.
said:
I was stationed from 1991-1994, my best memories were having sex in the watch room with
the hot cook.So tell us, what was his name? /s/ Fred
On 04/27/07 Joe S.
said:
I loved Quillayute River, it was soo cool, I wish I could go back.
On 10/21/06 Mike Lord
said:
Greetings to all who served at Q.R.I served there between 1980 and 1981.I'm one of the
brick owners .I helped in the move from the old station to the present one.Best wishes to all-
Michael Lord (Lad)
On 09/25/06 Falicia (Brantley) DeMel
said:
is the CG planning anything for the 10th anniversary of the accident
On 08/09/06 Shamus Metzger
said:
Hello all... im just for anyone I was stationed with at LA Push from 97-98
On 08/05/06 Vanessa Ormiston
said:
Hi everyone! I was stationed at Quillayute from 97-98. Good times.
On 08/04/06 gene edmisten
said:
amlooking forthe members of a boat crew that made the rescue of an elderly couple that
ran out of fuel at umatilla reef in a storm in the spring of 1960 or 61, would like to chat with any
of them that might still be around, I took the distress call at neah bay
On 05/04/06 Ephraim Schwab
said:
Update on the old '44 footers, 44363 and 44393: 363 was scrapped after it's accident a
few years ago, 393 is in the Seychelle Islands. See http://www.44mlb.com/ for some cool pics and
info.
On 04/29/06 Martin Combs
said:
Quillayute was my first station in 1987. Dennis I ran into Don Pate Up in Alaska about
ten years ago. I'm retired now on the east coast.
On 05/10/05 Mike
Prosser
said:
Hello all, I was just wasting some time, and found this page... I was stationed at Gray's
Harbor from '96-'98. Just wanted to say hello and all that jazz. I still have some very deep
feelings of the 363 Incident, and always will. We were in Yaquina that night, bringing the 399 back
from Umpqua, and got woken up by our XO 'Ski' who was with us. Although I never met any of the crew,
I did go to Boot Camp w/ Johnston from Hickory, NC. I heard that he got knocked around pretty hard
by some debris on the beach that night... Our Station was called upon by Group Astoria to get
underway and assist with the rescue. Due to the 30+ surf at Gray's that night, it would have only
made things worse. It puts you in your place to know that you are only human!
On 02/28/05 Dennis
said:
Hey Don Pate!!! Where are you??
On 02/14/05 Martin
said:
Hello, I was on the 44393 the night the 44363 was lost. What a night!!!
On 01/29/05 Dusty Larsen
said:
Hello... I was stationed at LaPush 89-90 as a FN then went to AD 'A' school. I now fly for
the NC Air National Guard as a flight engineer. Some of my best memories while in the Coast Guard
were at Quillayute River. Everything from going over the ceilling tiles into SNBM Pates room while
he was on leave and filling his toilet full of fecal mater (over the course of 10 days) and never
flushing it, to station keeping off of beach 1, to the night cliff rescue that SN Torrance and I
completed for two stranded kids. I was assigned to 44363 to help Dennis Fialho maintain the 6V53 318
Detriot Deisels. I was sad to here about the loss of the 3 brave crewmen of the 363 and my heart
goes out to the families as well. As I said... some of the best times in the CG was at Q River.
On 12/03/04 LEONARD BOOTH
said:
STATION AT DESTRUCTION ISLAND 1965 AND 1968 .USED TO WORK SAR CASES WITH LA PUSH BOAT
CREWS *** SAD TO HEAR ABOUT 44363
On 04/13/04 Dennis Fialho
said:
Hey! I was at Quillayute from 88-90. Knocked over than SNBM Shields Copenhagen cans.
Plenty of fun but commited effective crew at the same time, miss you all.Bosley: rest in peace knew
you on your 1st tour @ Quillayute from the Marines. Knew 44363 intimately as well. Was very proud to
have been given the duty to keep those 6V53s runnin.I have been back to visit a couple times. Would
be a nice surprise to here from any of my shipmates.
On 02/12/04
Somers
said:
Another year.
On 09/29/03 Jim Huffman USCG Retired
said:
Just finished reading Dennis Noble's 'The Rescue of the Gale Runner. Death, Heroism, and
the U. S. Coast Guard.' Great book and a very moving documentary on the loss of 44363 and 3 of
her 4 gallant crew members. Definately recommended reading for everyone ever stationed at
Quillayute River Life Boat Station. I was there as an Apprentice Seaman, Seaman 2nd Class and
Seaman 1st/Class in 47-48-49 and can still vividly remember night bar crossings in the 36
ftr's either going on a rescue or trying to get a fishing boat off the spit. Had 2 great boat
coxn's 1st Class Surfman Dick Debraugh and 1st Class Engineman Bob Rice. Cannot remember the bar
too rough for the 36 ftr's.
On 06/28/03 BMCS Tom Dye uscg/usn r
said:
BMCS(retired)uscg/usn Tom Dye was stationed at Quillayute river back at the old station in
78,79,80. I remember my old 'bear dog' a big black lab that was born on the beach. when I was
released from the guard BM-1 Darr asked me at my last Quarters If I was going to take 'bear dog' to
alaska... I said 'no bear belongs to Quillayute and he lived a long happy life there with steak on
wednesday. I miss him... but he is immortalized on the station wall... I ran the 44363 on a call to
destruction Island in the summer of 79 in the fog to hook up 11 kicker boat rentals from Harley's
Resort and the Chinook resort.. a whole train behind the 363... lost in the fog... what a sight
coming into the river dodging nets and bouys. another time we used the 44363 to tow the shrimper
'sunset Charge' sideways through the water to pull her outriggers up to the mast. she was 70 plus
feet and took a 13+ tide and the use of both the 44363 and the 44393 to 'tug' the bugger into the
boat basin.. I was with Buzz Sturdivent and william Standeven when we put the big dent in the bow of
the 44363 after wiping out a log and sliding 90 degrees for hundreds of yards before the props
caught green instead of foam.. recovering close enough to the 'wash rock' by James Island to step
off on it... I had the Priveledge of maintaining all 13 district small boats at 'Modutec Marine'
when we had the contract from 85 to 88 I was at the memorial in 1997 and was really hit hard by the
loss of our brothers and a wonderful boat.. I was there when Jerry Boss was oic .. was with him at
Tillamook Bay in 74,75,76, I salute all the surfmen and their families. I love All you guys. BMCS
Tom Dye
On 06/23/03 Adam Dever, MK3
said:
Stationed at QR from March of 2000 til now. We've had some pretty good crews since I have
been here. We've also had a few..How to put this...not so good or bright crewman..... Ah well.
I'm kind of going to miss this place when I transfer...
On 02/27/03
Sean A. Smith
said:
I got my start at Quillayute in 1980 I still reguard the men that I was privlaged to serve
with as some of the best and many I still keep in touch with. Although I haven't been back in over
twenty years I still think of it as a destination worth taking the family to see.As a few of you
know I tried to get a reunion of QR station brick owners together last Thanksgiving however my
underway schedule put a nix on that. I for one would really like to get that reunion going sometime.
If anyone else is interested let me know. Sean A. Smith
On 02/12/03
Eric Shields BM1(RET)
said:
I can't believe it's been 6 years since the accident on 12FEB97 with the 44363. Anyone
who has ever been stationed in La Push knows the nerve required to cross that bar at night in the
Winter. My hats off to anyone who has ever served at La Push. I spent a total of 5+ years there
and have some great memories (And not so great)...
On 06/20/02 Tom
Doucette
said:
My first MLB station was QR in 1980, learned a lot, laughed, cried and got plumb tired.
Worked for Gerry Boss, Bert Morris, and Larry Ringenberg. The best people in the world.
On 03/06/02 Chip gusler
said:
I was there from 84 thru 87. The place grows on you. Learned a lot and will always
remember getting my Coxswain quals. Lots of good people, Mike Brockelsby, Mike Powell, Scott Jones
and many more.
On 09/26/01 Beaver Pelt
said:
Is this page dried up or what? Anyone remember polishing brass at six in the morning?
On 06/22/01 Chris Somers
said:
I was stationed there from Oct'94 thru Sept'96. I went to ET school from there. My
experience at Quillayute has been on my mind everyday since I left. I hated that place for some
time. I learned to love it with time however. It kicked my hind end for about a year and three
months until a case that broke my guts for good... I was a professional puker at this point and
rarely got sick after this. I also began to realize that I would soon be leaving something that I
had learned to love. The crew had put so much effort into something that was so harsh to them. The
station was a center of great pride yet it was hard to admit at the time. As a non rate engineer, I
was quickly introduced to a sense of humor that was bitter and hard. Being a pudgy fat kid who had a
hot rod stationwagon and just came from boot camp, they drop kicked me into order fairly quick.
Scott, Roy, Dave 'Ditz', and lupas you guy's helped me the most and I appreciate it. Dave, I still
have most of what remained of the 'wall of shame' with pictures of Salty the spotted dog, half dog
standing in the dumpster and more. I served with Matt Schlimme, Dave Bosley and Clint Miniken and
became friends with all. Clint had a clean Mercury Cougar and his dad had a Chrysler 300. He was
fairly new when I left however we had plenty to talk about. Dave was a man everyone knew on some
term and certainly had his way. He always meant well though and I remember that most about him. I
had become good friends with schlimme like everybody that knew him. He was a Ford fan and bought my
'71 Buick GS. He caught some hell. I miss everyone from that station. As with the others, I could
write a novel about the sea stories, jokes, and long hard hours we worked in order to keep the
station and boats, but it looks like I already wrote one here. I would like to here from any of you
if the chance should arise, drop me a line. Many of the crew had knicknames, Pickle, Lupas,Fe Fe,
Big Guns(battery low) Walley Waushugal, Buttlero. There were names from the stations past still
hanging around, Frank, Vern. I felt like I new some of these guys just because they were talked
about enough. Local stray dogs (the pack dogs) Frank dog, Frank Jr., Roy dog, False roy dog, Scar
dog(put out of misery by john law in front of the station while the crew was at quarters watching),
tit dog, mother dog, half dog, and more. I'm sure many remember Mr. Payne(Mr. Salty), Fat Nancy(I
was told Frank remembers her...), and Dom the Fisherman. I miss doing burnouts with my wagon down
by the crack house. That fat guy with the beard used to come out and yell at me from time to time.
What ever happened to 'Okum Man' and 'Mr. Salty' with his 'Hedonist'
On 03/02/01 WC Hall
said:
Was ET2 there in '68 & '69... served with & remember Byrd, Kroll and Eckel below. We
automated James and Destruction Isl's. Good times with Haddick, Mallory, Deer and the rest. Retired
as CDR here outside Toronto.
On 02/25/01 Tom
said:
I was the engineer on the 44393 the night of Feb 97 when the 44363 was lost. I don't think
I have ever been as scared and as sea sick as that night. I still miss Matt, Clint & Dave and always
will. Matt & myself were in the same duty section and made the best of our duty days. I retired in
98 and hope to visit Q-River again some day.
On 02/20/01 Scott Klassen
said:
Hey Eric and Chip, it's me, Pickle! I know I should have come here a while ago, but I
finally made it. You now have my e-mail so drop me a line!
On 06/21/00 Eric Shields
said:
I was stationed there twice. 88-89 & 93-96. If anyone remembers the dates I just missed
the 'Gambler' Case and the rollover in Feb-97. Good timing on both. I'm retired now and living in
Forks. If anyone knows where I could get any of the Station patches please contact me.
On 06/17/00 Glenn Hart
said:
I was at Quillayute 1960 as BM3/BM2 swapped jobs with Gary Carlson and went to the
WINONA.
On 04/20/00 Ephraim Schwab
said:
I was stationed there Jan '85 - Sept '86. It was my first duty station, and some of the
best times of my life. Brett Weideman, Dave Baudek, and Stu Slesh, the Lighter Side Guy. I
remember Brad Leach, and sadistic 'Kermie' McCormick puffing his nasty cigars underway. What a
crew! As a boatkeeper for the '363, and would never have believed that that tough ol' boat wouldn't
pop back up. What a sobering and terrible wake-up call. I can still remember days (and nights)
crossing that tiny river bar, looking up at 20 to 30 foot rollers, and the hair on my neck stands on
end. Terrifying, but I wouldn't trade those times for anything. Good Luck, Quillayute River Crew,
old and new! '85-'86 crew, look me up!
On 03/31/00 Bill Byrd
said:
Stationed at Quillayute from Feb 68 thru Aug 73, SA to BM2. Boats attached over that
period 36503, 36554, 44363 and 44393. Loss of the crew and 363 was a shock to all Coasties and more
so to those who served at Quillayute. One hell of a place to be stationed, but there was always a
good crew and friends for life. Would not trade those years for anything.
On 01/03/00 chip connor
said:
I was stationed at Q-river from 91-93. It was extremely isolated, but we had a very good
crew. I was in total disbelief when I heard what had happened to the crew of the 44363 and when I
turned on the news that day it just brought it all home. I made some good friends at this station
and we were like family. Dysfunctional, yes, but family none the less. Even though I did'nt know
anyone on that boat crew, I still have a feeling of loss. It is by far the most dangerous job in
the Coast Guard, in my opinion, to be a crewmember on a Motor Lifeboat, but I would'nt have traded
it for the world. Does anybody else feel the same?
On 07/19/99 James Browning
said:
What in the wide world of sports is goin' on here?
On 03/08/99 fe
said:
just updating my previous listing with an e-mail address......also anybody remember me,
please e-mail.
On 02/20/99 Zandra Ballard
said:
I was stationed back at the 'Q' from 7/96-2/98. I had a great time there and met some of
the most wonderful people. Miss you all!! If anyone happens to ever come to Guam..come find me!! :)
:) Z :)
On 02/14/99 Brad Leach
said:
I was stationed at Quillayute River from 82-86 as the SS1.
On 01/01/99 Carl Thomas
said:
I was stationed at Q-river from 76 to 78 as a MK3. Started off as a scared, wet, cold,
snot nose punk engineer and departed for ADschool a seasoned SAR veteran, still wet, still cold, and
loving it. Now that I'm retired I miss the flying but...., I miss the 44'stoo. I didn't think I ever
would.
On 11/04/98 Ken Fridley
said:
Stationed at LaPush from 1977-1978 as an SA/SN before going to AE school. Does anyone
know the whereabouts of Steve Berry?
On 09/25/98 Michael W. Keller
said:
Was there from June 96 til March 98. Dave, Matt and Clint are still on my mind.
On 07/17/98 CWO Darel McCormick
said:
Stationed fron 84-86 under BMC Smith. First small boat station, but wasn't the last. Even
saw Brett Weideman's name WEED in the hall. Can't believe your still around. Taught me how to make
my own fun through life, and never lip off to the OIC.
On 07/02/98 Falicia DeMello(Brantley)
said:
I was stationed here from 04/96 - 09/97 as a sea(women), just wanted to stop by and say hi
to everyone: Mike Charlie, Miss Melva, Somers, Wingo, O'Meara, Trev, Tre, Nessie, Lynn,& Pooh.
Better known as FE, I'm at ISC Seattle now, look me up in the galley guys.Much luv Matt, I
remember.
On 05/02/98 Brett Weideman
said:
Stationed at Quillayute 85 thru 86, Good fishing hole, lousy weather, lonely place, but a
great crew!
On 03/19/98 TTCM Bob Eckel
said:
Although not stationed at Quillayute River Station I was in Group Port Angeles and my unit
was responsible for the landlines linking the station to the real world fr 1969 to 1972..I remember
when the 44363 was delivered and BMC Johnson and BMCM Hoffman (Neah Bay OINC) took it out to shake
it down. If memory serves me the pitch polled it that day and few of them got hurt.
On 03/01/98 Bob Kroell
said:
My crew and I brought the 36 footer from Neah Bay and spent a few weeks at Quillayute
River in December of 1968. The manhole cover gaskets had been removed from our boat and we were
full of water. When we came in past the jetty water was almost going into the blower on the engine
and we were dragging bottom. At the time I was a BM3. Those life boat stations were a pretty
lonely place to serve, but I loved every minute of it. Some day I hope to come back and bring my
family.
On 08/06/97 Eric Shields
said:
Greetings from the Redneck!
On 05/15/97 BMC Harold Smith
said:
I served as OIC from 1982 - 1985, Good Station, Outstanding crew. Tough place to work.
On 05/09/97 Phil Ryder
said:
I'd like to add to the many condolences to the families of the men of the 44 at Quilleute
River. There's many an eloquent word that other guys could and have said about these sailors that
sacrificed the whole thing. Alot of us would like to think that we could be brave enough to tackle
that job. When I went there to fix their electronic gear I knew I didn't have what they had. I was
stationed at Port Angeles in '76-79 and we saw what weather these guys went out in to save lives
every day. These guys had guts. May they rest in peace.
On 02/28/97 Randy Dolence
said:
My deepest, sincere, condolences to the families, friends and shipmates around the world,
of our couragous and heroic colleagues from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River. I know the
dedication and service that they gave to their public citizens. The lost time away from family and
friends. The time and commitments that their families gave up. These were just part of the job that
they loved so much and knew so well I served with the Coast Guard at Station Quillayute River
from 1969 - 1971, My heart was as broken on that fateful day as it would have been 25 years ago. A
part of me was lost that day as was a part of every past and present Coastguardsman.
On 02/20/97 Jim Huffman RMCS (Ret)
said:
2200 Wednesday February 19, 1997 Just returned from LaPush and the Memorial Service for
the Crewmembers of USCG Motor Lifeboat 44363. Hundreds of people packed the Quileute Indian
Reservation Community Center. Coast Guardsmen, their families, The Quileute tribal community, The
Commandant, The New Secretary of Transportation, Local & State Law Enforcement Officers, Canadian
Coast Guardsmen, Representatives of the Gov of Washington and countless others. I would be happy to
copy and snail mail or scan and e-mail the Memorial Service bulletin to any x-Quillayute River
crewperson.
On 02/16/97 David Humphrey
said:
My wife and I wish to express our sincere condolances to the family, friends, and
shipmates of the courageous crew of the 44footer who lost their lives on February 12th. As a SN in
the CG from Jan '64 until Jan '68 and having ben involved in numerous SAR efforts from lifeboat
stations to COTP's, I know all too well the many dangers that face the gallant men and women who are
so dedicated to their mission. I commend all of you for your dedication, loyalty, and efforts. In
closing, although it has been quite some time since I have been on active duty, a tragedy like this
always hits too close to home regardless of the time. For deep down in my heart, I will always be a
Coast Guardsman and a member of the Coast Guard family. Semper Paratus.
On 02/15/97 Doug Claghorn
said:
My condolences to the families of the three Coasties who gave their all in that courageous
rescue attempt. I went through EMT school with Dave Bosley when he was just an SN. I was truly
shocked to hear of his passing. My hat is off to all brave souls who risk the breath of death to win
the gift of life. All of us have taken a great loss with this trajedy.
On 02/14/97 MKCM RON BRADLEY ret
said:
Dear Shipmates: Please extend my heart felt condolances to the familys and friends of the
lost shipmates. Any death of a Coastie is felt by all Coasties that have been there and done that. I
was the first Motor Life boat schools First Engineering class 1968!
On 02/13/97 Jerry Kirkpatrick
said:
Greetings and Condolances in the loss of your shipmates. The following is the text of a
letter I just sent to the SAR co-ordinator of District 13 (I didn't know where else to sent
it...I've been out of touch too long!): Subject: I just heard about the heroic efforts of the crew
of the 44 footer at mouth of the Quilayute River which resulted in the death of three of them and
injury to the fourth. Their dedication to duty is what makes the rest of us so proud to be, and to
have been, associated with the United States Coast Guard. Please pass this on to their families and
shipmates. Jerry Kirkpatrick, DC1, 1966-70 365318
On 01/18/97 Jim Huffman
said:
Reported aboard 11/47 Departed for Northwind in 1949.
On 12/03/96 Garth Tomic
said:
I am looking for Phil, Philip, or Phillip Chamberlin or Chamberlain that served at
Quillayute River around 1945. If you have any lead at all, please let me know.
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