The lifeline that saved the crew of Marie Brenda
Imagine being in a situation where your only chance of survival is to jump into raging, frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean. That is exactly what happened to the crew of Marie Brenda on Feb. 1, 1949.
Early that evening, Captain Orlando ‘Buddy’ Lace anchored his ship off Isaac’s Harbour to shelter from a storm. But refuge was not in the cards. At 4 a.m., Marie Brenda dragged her anchors and was being blown toward rocks. All efforts to avoid crashing onto the rocks failed. The vessel was taking on water. Worse yet, the radio died; they could not call for help. The seven-man crew would have to abandon ship if they hoped to survive.
The seas and winds were fierce. Attempts to launch their two dories were futile. They resolved to wait until help arrived. After all, they were only 40 yards from shore. Other fishing vessels had also
sheltered in Isaac’s Harbour, so surely someone would notice their plight and help would come.
Three hours later, soaked and frozen, on a vessel now listing severely, the crew could wait no longer. They would have to rescue themselves or perish. Crew member Joe Fry tied a line around his waist and jumped in, hoping to reach something he could hold onto. He didn’t, and not being able to swim, the others had to haul him back.
The situation was dire. Marie Brenda’s 23-year-old skipper was out of options. He decided to attempt swimming ashore. He threw a grapnel with a line. It snagged on rocks about half-way to the shoreline. He jumped into the stormy, freezing waters and dragged himself hand over hand along the grapnel line to the rocks. Taking a moment to gather his strength, he then swam to shore carrying the heavy line of rope, reaching not a gentle beachfront, but a rocky cliff. The young captain was hurled onto the rocks three times before he was able to secure his grip. He tied the line to a tree, creating a lifeline.
Perilous as it was, the crew now had a lifeline to safety.
One by one they made their way to shore.
This story exemplifies will and courage and tells the tale of a hero named Captain Orlando ‘Buddy’ Lace.
Hilda Russell is the curator of interpretation at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.
The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic & Bluenose II are proudly managed by the Lunenburg Marine Museum Society. For more information on the LMMS and to become a Dory Mate visit https:// fisheriesmuseum.novascotia.ca/ about-museum/dory-mates.