Pondering
Balboa (Part II The Drowning)
The son's story as he told it went something like this: Using a small canoe, Dick and his son would go to the BALBOA after dark; with only a coil of thatch rope a basket and flashlight. The search was for small items which could be put in the basket and hauled to the surface. The son would remain on the hull with the flashlight and hold the end of the rope, while Dick took a deep breath, dived into the murky depth with the other end of the rope and the basket. Working very quickly anything small was put in the basket, then he would return heading for the dim beam of the flashlight and safety. This went-on for nearly a week, until the night in question when the rope apparently snagged on something making it difficult for the son to pull the basket and guide his father to the opening. The excited son dropped the flashlight on the hull, probably breaking the bulb; with a snagged guide rope and no light beam at the hole, Dick without a face mask or helmet and only a lung full of air, must have become confused, panicked, lost his way and drowned. The son, unable to pull the rope while crying and shouting "Papa-Papa", remained huddled on the hull until daylight, and then with much effort he was able to paddle the canoe to shore, where he told his story.
The Receiver of Wrecks with a party of helpers, and diving equipment went to the BALBOA, here the diver found Dick's body and brought it to shore for eventual burial. For many years after the drowning, no one would venture close to the BALBOA after dark fearing that the wreck was haunted by Dick's ghost.
Now, in these days of modern scuba diving equipment, face masks and flippers I ponder has anyone encountered Dick's ghost where only rusted iron and equipment marks the site of the BALBOA. Remember, the wreck of the BALBOA is a popular location for night diving.
Readers of this "ponderings" may find additional information about the storm (in general) in the book "THE '32 STORM", and the BALBOA in particular on pages 105 107, 109, 131 135, 169 171; the book is available at most George Town book stores.