Richard A. Gerl Drowns in Bay
Boat Upsets While Fishing
Accident Occurs in Brussels, Door County
Richard A. Gerl, 56, 1233 South 14th street, lost his life Sunday morning at 9:30 when the boat in which he was fishing with his
brother, William, and two other local companions overturned in the choppy waters of Green Bay, a short distance from Brussels
in Door county.
Gerl, the third of five brothers to drown, had left Manitowoc at 6:45 Sunday morning with his brother, William A. Gerl, 1809
Wollmer street, Conrad (Connie) Althen, route 2, Manitowoc, and Luke Mrotek, route 5, Manitowoc, arriving at the Schadaux
docks near Brussels about 9 a.m.
According to William Gerl, the party went about three blocks into the bay in their 18-foot Thompson outboard motor boat, dropped the bow anchor overboard and fished for about 20 minutes. Then Gerl said, the water became a bit choppy and they threw the stern anchor over the side bringing the craft broadside into the waves. This, he admitted, was a mistake as the waves immediately filled the boat, turning it over and throwing the four men into the water. Richard Gerl, unable to swim, was forced about 15 feet away from the overturned boat but managed to grab onto an oar and an inflated cushion. The other three men clung to the sides of the boat.
Sank From Sight
Richard managed to stay above water for about 15 minutes, his brother said this morning, "but the waves prevented any of us from going to him and he eventually sank from sight."
Mrotek then swam to shore, retrieved his clothing and started to swim back to his companions. In the meantime William Gerl and
Althen had managed to cut the ropes from the anchors and continued to hang onto the sides until it drifted into the beach, a matter of only a few minutes. Shortly thereafter Richard's body was washed ashore within 25 feet of where the boat came in. William said that his brother's body was still warm and that he opened his eyes. Several Manitowoc men, also fishing in the bay, applied artificial respiration in an effort to revive him, but were unsuccessful. Responding to a call, U. S. Coastguardsmen from the Sturgeon Bay station arrived with a small boat—but no pulmotor. William said that he himself was completely exhausted upon reaching shore and could not have hung onto the boat more than three minutes more. He was taken to a nearby home, suffering from exhaustion and bruises received when dragged cross rocks near the beach. Although exhausted from their ordeal, neither Mrotek nor Althen were reported to have suffered any physical injury.
Two Brothers Drown
About 31 years ago, Julius Gerl, then 22, lost his life while swimming in the Manitowoc river at the foot of 21st street. Edward Gerl, another brother, was lost at sea in May, 1918, when the American troop ship, upon which he was being sent to the fighting in France, was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in the English channel.
Richard Gerl, an employe of the Rahr Malting company here, was born in this city in 1891, the son of the late Andrew and Katharine Gerl. He attended local graded schools and the county training school for teachers. He had always resided in this city except for six years when he made his home in Milwaukee. Gerl entered military service in May, 1918, serving in France as a
combat infantryman with the (Continued on Page 12, Col. 6)
RICHARD A GERL DROWNS IN BAY
(Continued from Page 1).
53rd infantry until his return to this country in June, 1919. Funeral On Tuesday In August, 1919, following his army discharge, he married the former Elizabeth Handl of this city who survives him along with the brother, William, another brother, Frank, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Fricke, all of this city. The couple had no children.
Funeral services will be held at the Pfeffer funeral home at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Alfred Pritzl, pastor of the St. Boniface Catholic church, officiating. Burial will take place in Calvary cemetery. The firing squad of the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct military rites at the graveside. The body may be viewed at the funeral home this evening and until the
time of services Tuesday afternoon.
Manitowoc Herald Times, September 15, 1947 P. 12
Boat Upsets While Fishing
Accident Occurs in Brussels, Door County
Richard A. Gerl, 56, 1233 South 14th street, lost his life Sunday morning at 9:30 when the boat in which he was fishing with his
brother, William, and two other local companions overturned in the choppy waters of Green Bay, a short distance from Brussels
in Door county.
Gerl, the third of five brothers to drown, had left Manitowoc at 6:45 Sunday morning with his brother, William A. Gerl, 1809
Wollmer street, Conrad (Connie) Althen, route 2, Manitowoc, and Luke Mrotek, route 5, Manitowoc, arriving at the Schadaux
docks near Brussels about 9 a.m.
According to William Gerl, the party went about three blocks into the bay in their 18-foot Thompson outboard motor boat, dropped the bow anchor overboard and fished for about 20 minutes. Then Gerl said, the water became a bit choppy and they threw the stern anchor over the side bringing the craft broadside into the waves. This, he admitted, was a mistake as the waves immediately filled the boat, turning it over and throwing the four men into the water. Richard Gerl, unable to swim, was forced about 15 feet away from the overturned boat but managed to grab onto an oar and an inflated cushion. The other three men clung to the sides of the boat.
Sank From Sight
Richard managed to stay above water for about 15 minutes, his brother said this morning, "but the waves prevented any of us from going to him and he eventually sank from sight."
Mrotek then swam to shore, retrieved his clothing and started to swim back to his companions. In the meantime William Gerl and
Althen had managed to cut the ropes from the anchors and continued to hang onto the sides until it drifted into the beach, a matter of only a few minutes. Shortly thereafter Richard's body was washed ashore within 25 feet of where the boat came in. William said that his brother's body was still warm and that he opened his eyes. Several Manitowoc men, also fishing in the bay, applied artificial respiration in an effort to revive him, but were unsuccessful. Responding to a call, U. S. Coastguardsmen from the Sturgeon Bay station arrived with a small boat—but no pulmotor. William said that he himself was completely exhausted upon reaching shore and could not have hung onto the boat more than three minutes more. He was taken to a nearby home, suffering from exhaustion and bruises received when dragged cross rocks near the beach. Although exhausted from their ordeal, neither Mrotek nor Althen were reported to have suffered any physical injury.
Two Brothers Drown
About 31 years ago, Julius Gerl, then 22, lost his life while swimming in the Manitowoc river at the foot of 21st street. Edward Gerl, another brother, was lost at sea in May, 1918, when the American troop ship, upon which he was being sent to the fighting in France, was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in the English channel.
Richard Gerl, an employe of the Rahr Malting company here, was born in this city in 1891, the son of the late Andrew and Katharine Gerl. He attended local graded schools and the county training school for teachers. He had always resided in this city except for six years when he made his home in Milwaukee. Gerl entered military service in May, 1918, serving in France as a
combat infantryman with the (Continued on Page 12, Col. 6)
RICHARD A GERL DROWNS IN BAY
(Continued from Page 1).
53rd infantry until his return to this country in June, 1919. Funeral On Tuesday In August, 1919, following his army discharge, he married the former Elizabeth Handl of this city who survives him along with the brother, William, another brother, Frank, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Fricke, all of this city. The couple had no children.
Funeral services will be held at the Pfeffer funeral home at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Alfred Pritzl, pastor of the St. Boniface Catholic church, officiating. Burial will take place in Calvary cemetery. The firing squad of the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct military rites at the graveside. The body may be viewed at the funeral home this evening and until the
time of services Tuesday afternoon.
Manitowoc Herald Times, September 15, 1947 P. 12
Richard A. Gerl Drowns in Bay
Boat Upsets While Fishing
Accident Occurs in Brussels, Door County
Richard A. Gerl, 56, 1233 South 14th street, lost his life Sunday morning at 9:30 when the boat in which he was fishing with his
brother, William, and two other local companions overturned in the choppy waters of Green Bay, a short distance from Brussels
in Door county.
Gerl, the third of five brothers to drown, had left Manitowoc at 6:45 Sunday morning with his brother, William A. Gerl, 1809
Wollmer street, Conrad (Connie) Althen, route 2, Manitowoc, and Luke Mrotek, route 5, Manitowoc, arriving at the Schadaux
docks near Brussels about 9 a.m.
According to William Gerl, the party went about three blocks into the bay in their 18-foot Thompson outboard motor boat, dropped the bow anchor overboard and fished for about 20 minutes. Then Gerl said, the water became a bit choppy and they threw the stern anchor over the side bringing the craft broadside into the waves. This, he admitted, was a mistake as the waves immediately filled the boat, turning it over and throwing the four men into the water. Richard Gerl, unable to swim, was forced about 15 feet away from the overturned boat but managed to grab onto an oar and an inflated cushion. The other three men clung to the sides of the boat.
Sank From Sight
Richard managed to stay above water for about 15 minutes, his brother said this morning, "but the waves prevented any of us from going to him and he eventually sank from sight."
Mrotek then swam to shore, retrieved his clothing and started to swim back to his companions. In the meantime William Gerl and
Althen had managed to cut the ropes from the anchors and continued to hang onto the sides until it drifted into the beach, a matter of only a few minutes. Shortly thereafter Richard's body was washed ashore within 25 feet of where the boat came in. William said that his brother's body was still warm and that he opened his eyes. Several Manitowoc men, also fishing in the bay, applied artificial respiration in an effort to revive him, but were unsuccessful. Responding to a call, U. S. Coastguardsmen from the Sturgeon Bay station arrived with a small boat—but no pulmotor. William said that he himself was completely exhausted upon reaching shore and could not have hung onto the boat more than three minutes more. He was taken to a nearby home, suffering from exhaustion and bruises received when dragged cross rocks near the beach. Although exhausted from their ordeal, neither Mrotek nor Althen were reported to have suffered any physical injury.
Two Brothers Drown
About 31 years ago, Julius Gerl, then 22, lost his life while swimming in the Manitowoc river at the foot of 21st street. Edward Gerl, another brother, was lost at sea in May, 1918, when the American troop ship, upon which he was being sent to the fighting in France, was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in the English channel.
Richard Gerl, an employe of the Rahr Malting company here, was born in this city in 1891, the son of the late Andrew and Katharine Gerl. He attended local graded schools and the county training school for teachers. He had always resided in this city except for six years when he made his home in Milwaukee. Gerl entered military service in May, 1918, serving in France as a
combat infantryman with the (Continued on Page 12, Col. 6)
RICHARD A GERL DROWNS IN BAY
(Continued from Page 1).
53rd infantry until his return to this country in June, 1919. Funeral On Tuesday In August, 1919, following his army discharge, he married the former Elizabeth Handl of this city who survives him along with the brother, William, another brother, Frank, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Fricke, all of this city. The couple had no children.
Funeral services will be held at the Pfeffer funeral home at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Alfred Pritzl, pastor of the St. Boniface Catholic church, officiating. Burial will take place in Calvary cemetery. The firing squad of the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct military rites at the graveside. The body may be viewed at the funeral home this evening and until the
time of services Tuesday afternoon.
Manitowoc Herald Times, September 15, 1947 P. 12
Boat Upsets While Fishing
Accident Occurs in Brussels, Door County
Richard A. Gerl, 56, 1233 South 14th street, lost his life Sunday morning at 9:30 when the boat in which he was fishing with his
brother, William, and two other local companions overturned in the choppy waters of Green Bay, a short distance from Brussels
in Door county.
Gerl, the third of five brothers to drown, had left Manitowoc at 6:45 Sunday morning with his brother, William A. Gerl, 1809
Wollmer street, Conrad (Connie) Althen, route 2, Manitowoc, and Luke Mrotek, route 5, Manitowoc, arriving at the Schadaux
docks near Brussels about 9 a.m.
According to William Gerl, the party went about three blocks into the bay in their 18-foot Thompson outboard motor boat, dropped the bow anchor overboard and fished for about 20 minutes. Then Gerl said, the water became a bit choppy and they threw the stern anchor over the side bringing the craft broadside into the waves. This, he admitted, was a mistake as the waves immediately filled the boat, turning it over and throwing the four men into the water. Richard Gerl, unable to swim, was forced about 15 feet away from the overturned boat but managed to grab onto an oar and an inflated cushion. The other three men clung to the sides of the boat.
Sank From Sight
Richard managed to stay above water for about 15 minutes, his brother said this morning, "but the waves prevented any of us from going to him and he eventually sank from sight."
Mrotek then swam to shore, retrieved his clothing and started to swim back to his companions. In the meantime William Gerl and
Althen had managed to cut the ropes from the anchors and continued to hang onto the sides until it drifted into the beach, a matter of only a few minutes. Shortly thereafter Richard's body was washed ashore within 25 feet of where the boat came in. William said that his brother's body was still warm and that he opened his eyes. Several Manitowoc men, also fishing in the bay, applied artificial respiration in an effort to revive him, but were unsuccessful. Responding to a call, U. S. Coastguardsmen from the Sturgeon Bay station arrived with a small boat—but no pulmotor. William said that he himself was completely exhausted upon reaching shore and could not have hung onto the boat more than three minutes more. He was taken to a nearby home, suffering from exhaustion and bruises received when dragged cross rocks near the beach. Although exhausted from their ordeal, neither Mrotek nor Althen were reported to have suffered any physical injury.
Two Brothers Drown
About 31 years ago, Julius Gerl, then 22, lost his life while swimming in the Manitowoc river at the foot of 21st street. Edward Gerl, another brother, was lost at sea in May, 1918, when the American troop ship, upon which he was being sent to the fighting in France, was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in the English channel.
Richard Gerl, an employe of the Rahr Malting company here, was born in this city in 1891, the son of the late Andrew and Katharine Gerl. He attended local graded schools and the county training school for teachers. He had always resided in this city except for six years when he made his home in Milwaukee. Gerl entered military service in May, 1918, serving in France as a
combat infantryman with the (Continued on Page 12, Col. 6)
RICHARD A GERL DROWNS IN BAY
(Continued from Page 1).
53rd infantry until his return to this country in June, 1919. Funeral On Tuesday In August, 1919, following his army discharge, he married the former Elizabeth Handl of this city who survives him along with the brother, William, another brother, Frank, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Fricke, all of this city. The couple had no children.
Funeral services will be held at the Pfeffer funeral home at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Alfred Pritzl, pastor of the St. Boniface Catholic church, officiating. Burial will take place in Calvary cemetery. The firing squad of the local post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct military rites at the graveside. The body may be viewed at the funeral home this evening and until the
time of services Tuesday afternoon.
Manitowoc Herald Times, September 15, 1947 P. 12
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
