Letters Sent from the Arctic Rose
June 27, 2002 -- Following are letters and e-mails sent home by members of the crew of the Arctic Rose during her last voyage. The fishing boat sank mysteriously in April 2001. All 15 men aboard perished.
Jan. 28, 2001 — E-mail From Capt. Dave Rundall to his Wife in Hawaii
Aloha, Kari Ann. I missed you when I called. We left town and the weather is still crap: blowing and snowing in Dutch [Dutch Harbor, an Alaskan port] like muthafk. This morning we will start fishing and try our new gear. I hope you all had a good weekend and doing good. I love you XOXO.
Feb. 5, 2001 — Letter From Rookie Fisherman Jeff Meincke to His Parents
Mom & Dad,
Things are going good. I'm over sea sickness now. We are almost halfway through our first trip. The fleet is having a hard time finding fish. It's not cold enough to drive the fish into the fishing grounds. I'm learning lots of new things out here. I'm practically a deckhand. I do everything the deckhands do & then go into the factory and do what the processors do....
The weather hasn't been bad, rather warmer than usual. Nothing extraordinary yet. The captain says there's a big storm coming in tonight, but it won't effect much. We are steaming to a different area so our nets won't be out, which means we have downtime?.
Things are good. It's exciting to really be fishing. A lot different than the barge. More fun so far. We have a good crew. If we find the fish soon we should make some money. Well gotta go start my next shift.?
Say hello to the beasties and my spider for me. Try not to scare my girlfriend please if you have any contact with her. She's really a nice girl and one I'd like to keep around for a while.
Till next time. I'll try to call when I can.
Love, JeffYour fisherman
Feb. 7, 2001 — E-mail From Dave Rundall to His Wife
Aloha, Kari. How's it, sweety? It was sure good to hear your voice today!... We did not fish today as we are in some stormy weather and just jogging into it. I got no sleep today and now got the headache thing going on. I love you and tell the boys to behave on their trip to Oahu. I hope they get time to check out some babes while they are there! I love you and miss you. D.
Feb. 27, 2001 — Letter From Jeff Meincke to his Girlfriend
Hi Princess,
Well I guess I get to talk to you sooner. We've just had one f--k't up night. Make that two in a row. Last night we had a bag full of sea sponges which filled our truck up (that's what we put fish in). The night crew had to push, kick, shovel, shove & all of the above to get the s--t off the back of the boat. We even used the crane like a back hoe to push the s--t around. It took 3 1/2 hours. That was last night. Tonight we got it worse. Our last haulback was small with lots of money fish but our net got caught around the outside of the reel & cracked the housing. We were outside in the snow, wind, waves & cold for 5 f--king long hours trying to fix the damn thing. Our captain f--ked up & made some bad decision. It sucked, a lot! So it's been a peachy evening.
The weather has been sh--ty. Last night we were in 40 ft. swells w/ 70-knot winds. Pretty nasty. As soon as we did our second haulback (bringing in the nets & gear), the owner split for an inlet & dropped anchor. I had to help pull a crab pot out of the net. It sucked because of the weather. We had to put on lifejackets just to go out on deck. Don't worry, I'm being careful. The last thing I want to do is die before I get to see you again.
March 5, 2001 — Letter From Jeff Meincke to His Girlfriend
Hi girlie,
Many days & no fish. The weather is as sh--ty as it can get. We're presently hiding behind an island to stay out of the worst of it. The wind is still blowing more than 70 mph. Jimmie & I are going insane just sitting around. I can't possibly sleep anymore.?
We had a safety drill today. They showed us how to throw the life ring & where the emergency equipment is. Same o' bulls--t. Today when we set the anchor I was being blown around like a rag doll. The wind chill factor was -6 degrees. Really f--king cold. With all this maddening boredom sets in. Thoughts of home and all the things I miss, mostly you?.
Love, JeffYour despairing fisherman
March 7, 2001 — E-mail From Dave Rundall to His Wife
Hey Honey. How's Kona? Did you have fun? I hope so.... Fishing sucks the big one. Can't find enough cod to feed a starving nun in Good Friday. Plus our trawl winches are screwing up. I love you and miss you, honey. XOXO. D.
March 30, 2001 — E-mail From Dave Rundall to His Wife
Aloha, Kar-bear. How's my sweety? We just left St. Paul, stopped by to take some fuel. We are headed to the NW where we were last summer. Flathead opens on the 1st so we hope for a good season. It's still cold out. Lots of ice floating around St. Paul harbor.... Party it up, it's aloha Friday!! Tell the kids to e-mail today. Send my love to them. I love you and miss you. Davy.
March 31, 2001 — E-mail From Dave Rundall to His Wife
Kar-bear.... Well, we started fishing up here today. Looks like it may be promising. First two tows were crap, but the last one looked better. Anyways, it's a start. I love you, honey, and thanks for e-mailing me.
April 1, 2001 — E-mail From Dave Rundall to His Wife
I love you. I love you and I miss you. I miss your pretty face.
Hi, honey. I'm thinking about you right now! We are catching a few fish here, but the weather is rough again. I love you and good luck with those muchachas back at school and lunches, etc. How's Max doing? Hey, get a muzzle for Buster. He can drink water but not kill chickens. Have you got any new hens yet? I got to go. I love you, sexxxxyyy girl. XOXO. D.