Camp Morehead By-The-Sea
Virpetual*
Reunion Web Site
|
Camp Morehead By-The-Sea
|
|
|
Farewell, Captain Leroy Early this past Friday, a venerable icon of the Morehead City Waterfront crossed the bar for the final time after a lifetime of hard work from our shoreline. One of the last of that old-time, “original” breed of Charter Boat captains that helped make Morehead City famous during the post-WWII years, Capt. Leroyal Gould was literally born into the waterman’s life; destined to make the most of it as his father, the late Capt. Dave Gould had done also. Except for a tour with the Army in the Korean War, he spent well over 50 years plying the local waters, carrying fishing parties from all over the state and many from out of state as well. Farmers, factory workers, politicians, journalists, TV and Movie Stars, plain folks poor and rich were all treated alike; greeted by his wide smile and sun-squinted, twinkling eyes, welcomed to the coast and then brought aboard his immaculately maintained vessel for an unforgettable day of fishing. His simple rules were to treat everyone fairly, don’t “mommick” them if the weather was too rough-tell them the situation and offer a refund rather than have then make a trip they’d never want to repeat, don’t promise to catch fish, but put them on the fish if the fish are out there, take no chances with their lives or safety, don’t let them do anything to endanger themselves, and lastly, make sure they know their business is appreciated and welcome them back. A simple testament to his attention to detail and safety is the fact that in over 50 years on the water, he never once had an on-board injury or had to call for vessel assistance; indeed he completed every trip under his own power. This philosophy is one of the things that helped Morehead City gain and maintain its reputation as a “Fisherman’s Paradise”.
Though Capt. Leroy, as most knew him, made the job look easy and enjoyable, in fact it was brutal. Up by 4AM, on the waterfront by 5AM, fish all day and return normally about 4PM, disembark the party, display the fish caught for photos, arrange for fish cleaning, clean the boat, meet prospective parties, inspect every inch of bilge space and engine room for any irregularities, cleaning up as he went along, checking every wire, hose, clamp, seacock, belt, connection, and so forth. As Master of his vessel, he would delegate this duty to no one else. His engine room decking was painted white, and it always gleamed along with the chroming on his twin diesels. Coast Guard inspectors always delighted when assigned to inspect his craft. Back topside, he would promote the tourism trade to anyone who would listen, give advice to fellow Captains, (he helped many a one get their foothold) home for a quick dinner around 6PM, then back to the boat to talk to people and welcome them along the waterfront as they strolled along after dinner, always intoning “let’s go fishing”. Over the years, he has earned a reputation as big as anyone as a symbol of our waterfront, ranking right up there with the other famous Captains: Bill, Ottis, Tony, and Pappy Joe. He began fishing from his father’s boat, the Harriet L, and later his own boats: the Mattie G, and from 1960 until retirement, the Mattie G II. The boats were easily recognizable by the familiar paint scheme of International Buff and Sunset Cream, and the Mattie G II was immortalized by local artist Larry Burge in his famous painting “Carolina Classic”. The Mattie G II was one of the first boats in the area to run Gulf-Stream trips, first to be licensed to carry more than 6 passengers (up to 24), and was also one of the first to use monel “hold-fast” nails and have modern electronics and twin-diesel engines. His old AM-band ship-to-shore radio was powerful enough to be heard over 150 miles, and his call sign “WR8120” earned him the nickname “William Rogers” among the other Captains. During her construction every board, plank, nail, and bolt was personally inspected and approved by Capt. Leroy. Both Mattie G’s are still in service under other owners today. Sadly, the waterfront has changed much in the past few years, and the old-time ways are being lost, replaced by corporate-owned boats with salaried captains and hurried parties who want to race to the Gulf Stream, fish, and race back, forgetting that half of the pleasure of a journey is just getting there. Men like Capt. Leroy are scarce nowadays, and the waterfront will become whatever it becomes. His son, Capt. Terrell Gould, successfully operates the Carolina Princess. But the waterfront, and all of us along the Crystal Coast will always owe a debt of gratitude to those who brought us to the dance and paid the fiddler too; men like Captain Leroyal Terrell Gould and his ilk. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend many days of my youth fishing with him, learning from him, and I will always be grateful for the lessons and the memories. We will all miss him, and we wish him to have fair winds and following seas.
Sammy Hughes, Jr. The writer is a Lighthouse Specialist with the
US Coast Guard at Fort Macon, NC,
|
|
* Virpetual --> Virtual + Perpetual Comments/Suggestions: Webmaster
|
