Captain killed in collision.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Brian, just looking at that photo someone must care as the flowers are relatively fresh so should be you would think a local? Hope the mystery is solved. Richard

In my home town the town council are responsible for the grave yards, it may be worth enquiring further with your local council or the body responsible. They should at least be able to ask the grave owner or family to contact you.

Some info at: Bolton Council LINK: https://www.deceasedonline.com/servl...=BOLTON&lang=E

?

K.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Just noticed the free search - they do have him recorded.

LINK: https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch

K.

[yankee tango]

Mr Kuusik was NOT the captain of the Lady Rhoda, BUT HE WAS ON DUTY AS 1ST MATE AND IN CHARGE ON THE BRIDGE WHEN THE TRAGEDY OCCURRED.
He was bought on board by the shipping company as a relief 1st mate an hour before the Lady Rhoda sailed from Portugal on her final fatal voyage to Watchet (A regular run for the Lady Rhoda and her crew & loaded with her usual timber) Mr Kuusik had worked for the shipping company in the past but had left a few years previously but was asked back by the company for this one trip as a relief 1st mate.
The Lady Rhoda's Captain and crew in the few hours they had known him described him as ''a big man and rather slow''(The Cypriot company was just a 'management' company, she was owned and run by a well known British shipping company in Rochester Kent, all their ships were called lady's ) The incident happened quite a few hours after the vessel left Portugal, after the vessel had reached open water and after the Captain had gone off watch, when Mr Kuusik was left in charge of the vessel. (The incident took place within the hour of Mr Kuusik being left on watch) Eyewitness reports said Mr Kuusick jumped from the bridge to save his own life, but he then had a heart attack in the water, hence why his body was recovered.
Two engineers survived, one who had come off watch some time earlier and was on deck and the other engineer who was on duty who was also on deck. There was no mayday call.
The Lady Rhoda's Captain and sailors did not stand a chance, they were off duty and in their cabins most likely doing paperwork or asleep. They went down with their ship trapped like rats to a watery grave. 0300 hrs British Summer Time 23rd June 1989, where the ship and their bodies remain till this day.
On recovery of MR KUUSIKS BODY, HE WAS IDENTIFIED BY HIS FALSE EYE! which was unbeknown to the shipping company, the Lady Rhoda's captain and crew. This is all in inquest and court documents which are lengthy and substantial. And yes it is correct that the Melouia was impounded and crew arrested on entering British waters, part of enquires which spread over quite a few years and many countries. There was no fog, it was a clear night. The Melouias captain vowed at the time never to return to sea he was so distraught.

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Yank.
Well done mate, I'm sure Brian will appreciate your effort.
Cheers Des

[John F Collier]

I heard that that cemetery is the dead centre of Bolton,Brian.
Personally, I really try my best to keep out of such places.

I can't really say "You wouldn't see me dead in one of those places" though ,because there's every likelihood you would!
Me being a Lancashire - bred(Hovis? ) man, Bolton(other Lancashire towns are available),the rain ,and cemeteries sound so familiar.When I was sweating it out in the Red Sea I used to dream of such homely exotica.Ah me !
Have a nice day !

Gulliver

Well at least the neighbours are quiet gulliver

[Captain Kong]

Many thanks for that information YT,
That clears up the Mystery, and the event.
The grave stone refers to him as Captain. and he was 63 years old at the time.
So maybe he was a retired Master having a one last voyage for old times sake.

Thanks again for the info.
Cheers
Brian

[yankee tango]

A selfish act, should have stayed 'retired'. He was the lucky one, he has a grave.

[Captain Kong]

I would not call him a Sefish Man.
He was just doing a Seafaring man`s job. as we all did.
Here is a photo of his grave.

[yankee tango]

I would not call him a Sefish Man.
He was just doing a Seafaring man`s job. as we all did.
Here is a photo of his grave.

Why in gods name would i want to see a picture of that grave, like i said he was the lucky one, jumped ship from the bridge to save himself and identified by his false eye! In my opinion a selfish act, not honorable.
The captain and crew drowned trapped on the ship, why dont you go take a photo of their grave too, in their rusty tomb, encrusted by time and eaten by the scavengers of the deep. Men taken unjustly and far too soon. There is certainly no roses on their graves.
I find in quite disturbing that you take photos of a dead mans grave, especially a recent departed, 1989, may seem like a long time ago to you , but do you not think of the families of those lost and of those who survived, the wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, the children all the men had families...they are still alive and the memories of what happened that day im sure as raw as if it happened yesterday. I am deeply offended by the photograph and ask you to pay respect to the living and the dead!

[cappy]

Why in gods name would i want to see a picture of that grave, like i said he was the lucky one, jumped ship from the bridge to save himself and identified by his false eye! In my opinion a selfish act, not honorable.
The captain and crew drowned trapped on the ship, why dont you go take a photo of their grave too, in their rusty tomb, encrusted by time and eaten by the scavengers of the deep. Men taken unjustly and far too soon. There is certainly no roses on their graves.
I find in quite disturbing that you take photos of a dead mans grave, especially a recent departed, 1989, may seem like a long time ago to you , but do you not think of the families of those lost and of those who survived, the wives, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, the children all the men had families...they are still alive and the memories of what happened that day im sure as raw as if it happened yesterday. I am deeply offended by the photograph and ask you to pay respect to the living and the dead!

##i thought the photo added to the whole story .....i think your letter is not in the fraternity we have on the site .....you have a right to your view ......but so has brian and everyone else ....how do you know he jumped from the bridge that is a guess...so i for one dont agree with your post ....cappy