Name/Title
Eberhardt Rescue on Georgian Bay, Stayner Sun, 1944Entry/Object ID
2020.175.22Scope and Content
Copy of a newspaper article, "Russell and Ivan Everhardt Make Thrilling Triple Rescue From Georgian Bay Waters", Stayner Sun, May 25, 1944 and thank you letter from the Royal Canadian Air ForceContext
The article describes a rescue made after a plane crashed into Georgian Bay about 1.5 miles off Wasaga Beach. On Wednesday, May 17, 1944, Minnie Eberhardt telephoned her brothers, Russell and Ivan when she heard cries for help after a plane crashed into the waters. Russell and Ivan left shore near what was originally Main Street in a row boat while their father Charles and brother Ken went through the mouth of the river into the bay in a motorboat. There was extremely dense fog with near nil visibility. Russell and Ivan reached the 3 men in the water first by following their voices. They pulled them from the water as they clung to pieces of the wreckage and reached shore about an hour later. The Eberhardts had conducted at least 21 rescues from the river and bay prior to this although they noted this was the most dangerous rescue so far.
The Eberhardts received a thank you letter, dated June 10, 1944, from J.F. Barrett, Squadron Leader, for Air Officer Commanding, No. 1 Training Command of the Royal Canadian Air Force for the heroic rescue of the crash survivors. The letter indicates Pilot Officer Bundy and LAC McInnes were rescued from an Anson aircraft when it crashed into Georgian Bay on May 17, 1944 however the Eberhardts recount of the event indicate there were three survivors pulled from the waters at the crash site.Acquisition
Accession
2020.175Source or Donor
Eberhardt FamilyAcquisition Method
Gift
