Memorial in Lubec to honor fishermen who are lost at sea

When the All American sank off of Lubec this past March, Shelly Corey Tinker started thinking about a way to memorialize her neighbor Loren Lank, who was lost in the accident along with crew member Logan Preston. Tinker is no stranger to the perils of the sea, having grown up in Lubec and now the wife of a commercial fisherman. Driven to act after the Bottom Basher sank this fall, with the loss of three more fishermen, Tinker and her sister Wanda Corey approached the Lubec Board of Selectmen.

In the meantime, the family of Daryl Cline, who was lost when the Bottom Basher sank, had a fund established through the town of Lubec in Cline's memory. The family wanted a marker somewhere near the water to memorialize the lost fishermen.

Now a committee has been established to design a tribute to those fishermen and women from the area who have lost their lives to the sea. "For centuries, men and women have been lost at sea here. It's time we did it," Corey says in reference to the memorial.

In November the community pulled together to raise over $6,000 for the family of Joseph Jones, the captain of the Bottom Basher. Now the group has a goal of $100,000 to build a granite memorial at a setting near the Lubec breakwater, which the town owns.

"It's important for the fishermen to know that we appreciate them. Sometimes, they do it [fishing] for so little money. They are passionate; it's not the only thing they know how to do, it's the only thing they want to do. It's like the salt water runs through their veins," reflects Corey.

So far the group envisions a granite monument "that would last hundreds of years," perhaps a woman and child looking out to sea, according to Corey. The monument would have a pedestal base and be surrounded by granite benches and engraved stones with names of those who died at sea.

The group is seeking names of those lost at sea. Families are encouraged to submit an application for a name to be memorialized. The data will be verified before names are placed on the monument.

Seeking major donations at this time, the group has received a $500 gift from Wal-Mart. "We only need 198 other people to donate that," says Corey optimistically. The group is looking for donations of granite and has pledges for site work and master gardener services.

Corey believes, "People would make a special trip here to see it [the memorial]. Something like that even touches strangers."

Lubec selectman Bill Daye states that the project has the full support of the board of selectmen. "We are all in agreement that it's going to happen. It should reflect what the community and particularly the fishermen want it to be."

Selectmen Joanne Case, Justin Doran and Bill Daye join Tinker, Corey and Lisa Jones on the memorial committee. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 7, at 5:30 p.m. at the Lubec town office.

Those wishing to make a contribution can do so by sending a check to the Town of Lubec, 40 School Street, Lubec, ME 04652. In the memo line of the check please note "Fishermen's Memorial."