Legend of the Christine Dore Conclusion

Day 100


The first mate had gotten the launch ready to return to the ship and was trying to hurry Justice and his family back to the boat. They were already losing sight of the Christine Dore in the fog. It was a race against time. The seamen pulled the oars with all their might as the first mate fired his pistol to signal the ship. Lanterns were lit both fore and aft but the air was thick and the ship remained invisible. The captain fired a shot in return, the first mate set his course.

Harder and harder they pulled the oars, all hands watching for a glimpse of the ships lights.

"Ahoy! Launch off the port bow."

The fog relented enough for them to see their goal. Justice was confident; his wife sighed with relief. As they drew nearer the child stood to see and lost her balance dropping her doll over the side. Without thinking she leaned over to retrieve the doll and slipped into the icy water. All eyes were on the ship so as not to lose sight of her again.

"Maaa-maaa!", the girl called. The cold robbing her lungs of air as she struggled to stay afloat. But her clothes were heavy and they pulled her under. Her mother screamed out her name.

"Christine...Christine." There was no reply. The launch came about, steering toward the last place they heard the girl. Moving away from the ship.

"Please", her mother pleaded, "Do something."

"Christine", shouted Justice. "We've got to find her."

Another shot rang out as the launch had moved back into the fog and out of sight. The captain wouldn't abandon them and continued after them, though night was closing falling. Eventually the captain fired off a cannon shot but there was no response. During the search for the landing party the ship had maneuvered between ice flows. Too late the captain realized his mistake. With no escape the ice squeezed her until she broke like an egg shell. The second launch was put over the side and the crew abandoned ship.

A rescue ship was sent to try to find the launch and survivors. Nothing was found of the Christine Dore or Justice Dore or any of the landing party. Although some of the rescue crew reluctantly reported hearing a child calling to her mother. Over the decades since, there have been reports shots fired and the sounds of a ship in distress when no other ships were in the area. Some believe that Justice Dore and his wife still search for their daughter calling to them from the deep."

We were ordered to return to port and made good time. Upon our return divers were put over the side to check for anything that may have caused the banging noise. A submarine is useless if it is not silent. Divers did find a rotten wood plank attached to an old rusted chain caught in the anchor recess.

At the same time we opened the sonar access in the bow of the ship. What we discovered there was never reported. Inside we found hand prints in the dust and a rag doll wet with sea water.

Until tomorrow,

Ken