(EDITOR’S NOTE: The Summer of 1942 brought wave upon wave of tragic news to the people of Gloucester and Mathews in the early months of World War II. A number of residents, captains and crews on merchant ships, fell victim to German submarines and mines. This story is of one remarkable seaman who lived to tell the tale.) From the Gazette-Journal,Thursday, July 2, 1942 There are no better seamen in the world than those who come from Gloucester and Mathews. Any ship’s officer will tell you that. He knows he can count on them be the weather fair or foul. These hardy fellows are born sailors. Before they are “knee-high to a duck” they are chasing soft crabs around the shores and with a sugar-bag sail on a plan, driving their mothers frantic racing each other up and down the creeks and rivers. Board a ship in any port and the chances are you will find on the bridge or in the crew one or more men from Gloucester or Mathews. Many of them go to sea upon finishing high school. They seldom serve...