Solo Sailing-tragic loss years ago

This is from the "multihulls list" ( multihulls@steamradio.com ) and written by Derrick Kelsal. It is one of the saddest stories I've read in a long time-although very short:

"The sailors lost is another, very sad side of the story. I had a long list of solo sailors some time back but it would be testing my memory now.
The saddest of all was Mike McMullen, newly married shortly before OSTAR
1976. Preparing Three Cheers the day before the start, his wife, Liz
was helping scrub the bottom. An electric drill rolled off the deck
into the water. She picked it up and died. I met Mike walking round
the harbor very early the next day. He had not decided whether to go
or not at that time. He did sail, but not to be seen again. I believe
part of the boat was found off Nova Scotia."

 

It was sad, they came to the conclusion from the damage to the debris that was recovered that Mike was run down by a freighter while asleep.

 

Very sad story. Thanks for sharing it still.

 

Shame, the most innocent action turned out deadly.

Some people live for certain things. If you take it away from them there is no sense in life.