Sebastian Junger, an award-winning journalist and author of “The Perfect Storm,” was back in Gloucester on Thursday evening for the first time in two years to speak on the Lily Jean tragedy, his research into the Perfect Storm and his own experience with death to raise money for the Fishing Vessel Lily Jean Fund.
Junger was speaking at the Gloucester Stage Company in a sold-out fundraiser for the Fishing Vessel Lily Jean Fund. Prior to his talk, Junger spent the afternoon meeting and greeting people, including family members of those lost on the Lily Jean, at the Crow’s Nest on Main Street.
“I left Gloucester but it never really left me so when I come back it really feels like I’m coming home,” Junger said. “It’s wonderful to be back but I just hate what it’s for.”
He said his research into the Perfect Storm began at the Crow’s Nest when, as an outsider to the fishing community, he walked in and asked bartender Ethel Shatford if he could talk to her about the loss of the swordfishing boat Andrea Gail with all six hands in the October 1991 storm. Ethel’s son Bobby lost his life in the tragedy and her daughter Mary Ann went on to marry Gregg Sousa whose family owns the Crow’s Nest.
“I think she realized my intentions were good and sort of took me under her wing which signaled to everybody else, ‘he’s all right,’” Junger said.
Making its return to port, the 72-foot Lily Jean sank Jan. 30 about 22 miles off the Gloucester coast without making a mayday call. The Coast Guard was alerted by an emergency position indicating-radio beacon, or EPIRB; such beacons can activate without human intervention when they hit water. The seven crew lost were Capt. Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, Paul Beal and his son Paul Beal Jr., all of Gloucester; John Rousanidis and Sean Therrien, both of Peabody; Freeman Short, of the Scituate/Marshfield area; and NOAA fishery observer Jada Samitt of Rockport.
Junger, who has spent many years as a wartime reporter, said in his work he has “felt very guilty that (he) was making on living on someone else’s tragedy” but when Gloucester Stage reached out about the doing the fundraiser, the answer was a quick yes.
“This is how (I) can give back to the situation because when you’re making a living reporting on these tragedies, there’s a sort of moral issue there, even if the people you are talking to are thrilled you’re writing about it,” he said. “It feels like the right thing to do.”
At the Crow’s Nest were family members of those lost on both the Andrea Gail in 1991 and the Lily Jean, including Mary Ann Shatford.
“I think it’s important to be around people who understand,” she said.
Shatford said Paul Beal spent much of his time when he wasn’t out at sea in the Crow’s Nest and Paul Beal Jr. lived upstairs.
Also in attendance was Samitt’s uncle, Jeff Guild.
“It’s been wonderful to see the outpouring of community outreach,” Guild said. “Having Sebastian come up is just a wonderful way to sort of put this all to bed. I’ve been looking forward to hearing what Sebastian has to say.”
Gloucester Stage board member Sally Jackson said Junger was one of the first people she thought of when the Lily Jean went down. She said sold-out show should raise about $25,000 for the Fishing Vessel Lily Jean Fund, which was created to assist the families, with 100% of proceeds being distributed equally between them.
Anyone who wants to make a tax-deductible contribution to Fishing Vessel Lily Jean Fund can do so in the following ways:
— Online: Visit FVLilyJeanFund.org to make donations via credit or debit card, PayPal or Venmo. To maximize impact, donors are asked to increase their donation by one dollar because of processing fees.
— Checks: Checks can be made out to Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund or GFCPF, with “Lily Jean Fund” on the memo line, and be mailed to Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund c/o Cape Ann Savings Bank, 109 Main St., Gloucester, MA 01930.
— In person: Donations may also be made at any Cape Ann Savings Bank or any Bank Gloucester location.
Staff Writer Bobby Grady may be contacted at 978-675-2714 or bgrady@gloucestertimes.com.