Today at 03:00, I was awakened by a telephone call. As are most 03:00 phone calls, this one was bad too. There had been a shooting and one of my crew was in jail; no other details. This is bad enough news in the U.S. but in a third-world crap-hole like this, it is a real eye-opener. I roused all my crew to do a head-count. That only left the crew aboard the Ellsbeth lll, in the Port at San Pedro de Marcoris unaccounted for. I immediately drove to the port and was greeted by the local Policia and the first-mate aboard the Ellsbeth. Billy Ray and Jacob went ashore for dinner last night and were accosted by armed bandits on their way back to the vessel. Shots were fired and Jacob went down. Billy Ray escaped but the bandits emptied a 92 Berretta into Jacobs back and head and stole all of 200 pesos; about $8.00 and a very promising young man is dead. A fine captain was shot down like a dog. Billy Ray was interrogated all night by the local policia without an interpretor and not a one of them spoke English. I called the U.S. Embassy just short of the rubber hoses and it is amazing how much cooperation I am now getting with this matter. Suspects have been arrested and a confession is imminant, though absolute culpability is questionable given the means local authorities use to obtain confessions. Captain Jacob Henry Riehm was my friend and a damned fine captain of salvage tugs. He leaves behind a young wife and two darling children. He was to turn 29 years old tomorrow. I’ll see you across the ditch, my friend.
SC, I am sad to hear that. I am sorry for your loss. Young Capt. Riehm, his family, and friends will be in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with you.
Man I hate hearing that SC.It's tragic when someone so young is cut down, and for such a worthless reason.I hope they get the punks who really did it and that justice is served.But nothing can replace a husband and father.My prayers go out to the family.
I will pass your kind thoughts and prayers on to his family as they are the ones in need of comfort. Me? I'm quite comfortable with my anger, but thanks non the less.
Seacowboys, prayers for his family and for the young man who survived. I am most sorry for your loss of a good friend as well.
Im truely sorry to hear of the loss, though glad to hear that you at least made it there in time and with the right folks to stop the situation from being compounded for the other crewman. Best wishes for the family and I hope the cops got the right guys and that they get all that they deserve.
What a senseless loss of a life that, from your description, held such promise. The grief that is being suffered by his family and friends won't be mended by our well intentioned words but words, and prayers, are the only two things we can offer. You take care of yourself out there Seacowboys.
