Donald A. Ashley

Michael Ashley described his brother’s death:
“The winter of 1970-71 was extremely cold, producing significant ice which led to a late opening of the shipping season. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) commander was anxious to get the system ‘up and running’ as the weather had caused the opening to be ‘delayed twice already’.

“Three coastguardsmen departed DeTour Village Harbor in a 16-foot tender with limited supplies. The ice was breaking up, but they reached their destination safely, scaled the ladder 20+ feet to the platform, and chipped the winter accumulation of ice off the entry door to the tower. They entered the structure and started the power generator to initiate another season of manning and running the DeTour Reef Light.

“Don Ashley volunteered to go back to DeTour Harbor by himself for more supplies and to pick up another crewmember. On his way to shore, the tender was caught between ice flows and capsized. Don was thrown into the water. His two fellow USCG mates heard his distress call but had no rescue equipment available. They watched him make progress towards the lighthouse while swimming for about 20 minutes. After a large wave wash over him Don never resurfaced.

“The Drummond Island Ferry answered the emergency call to no avail. A USCG helicopter was dispatched with divers, but it was judged too dangerous to search for his body at that time due to ‘conditions’. Because of an ongoing stretch of harsh weather and significant ice conditions, there was no river traffic for the next 14 days.

Don’s remains were never recovered. The date was March 30, 1971. His tour of duty with USCG began in 1969. He was 22 years old.”