December 19, 2012 — Candles remained lit by windows in homes from Gloucester to Deer Isle, Maine, Tuesday, a gesture of hope from family, friends, and even strangers that two missing fishermen would be found safe. But hope turned to sorrow by Tuesday evening, as items from their boat, missing since Saturday, washed up in waters of the Saugus River and on Nantasket Beach in Hull.
Fishing equipment belonging to the Foxy Lady II washed up in Nantasket Beach, while a survival capsule belonging to the vessel washed up in the Saugus River, said Coast Guard spokesman Adam Stanton. The empty capsule, which can hold up to four people, was found by members of the Saugus police and fire depart ments, he said.
The men, both from Deer Isle, set off from Gloucester on a daytime scalloping trip Saturday aboard a 45-foot boat.
The girlfriend of the 26-year-old boat captain, Wally “Chubby” Gray, reported the men missing Monday morning, setting off a Coast Guard search that covered more than 360 square miles from Gloucester to Provincetown, the last-known location of the boat, Stanton said.
Three Coast Guard cutters led the search Tuesday, but inclement weather grounded a helicopter that was ready to assist, Stanton said. Coast Guard officials hope the weather will improve enough Wednesday to allow it to widen the search by air. “Our emphasis will now be closer to shore,” said Coast Guard Commander Sean Carroll in Boston.
Gray set off Saturday with crew member Wayne Young aboard Foxy Lady II, a boat he saved to buy and named after his father’s boat, Foxy Lady I, said Gray’s cousin Jolena Rogers. They were supposed to return to Gloucester, where the boat is based, the same day.
“No one is thinking the worst right now, as hard as it is,” Rogers, of Gloucester, said Tuesday afternoon.
Young is a friend of the family and is married with three children, Rogers said. When reached by telephone, Young’s wife, Shirleen, said only, “We’re praying.”
Gray is the father of 3-year-old Wallace Gray III, whom he affectionately calls “mini me,” Rogers said.
Gray acquired his love of fishing from his father, Wallace, a lifelong fisherman who is well known in Deer Isle, said Steve Johnson, harbormaster in neighboring Stonington, Maine.
Read the full story in the Boston Globe