Recertified Steward Shawn Fujiwara submitted the following article along with accompanying photo. Bosun Libby passed away May 9, 2002. He was 74.Seafarers and officers aboard the cable ship Tyco Decisive remembered the late Bosun Herb Libby on May 9, the first anniversary of his passing, when they scattered his ashes to sea. It was hoped that his home of 30 years, the cable ship Long Lines, would make one final voyage (and would be utilized for the ceremony), but the vessel was retired before that was possible.
Known simply as Libby to all who sailed with him, Bosun Libby joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1943, at age 15, because he wanted to be part of the war effort. He sailed in the North and South Atlantic, Pacific and Caribbean theaters. Libby was in two North Atlantic convoys, never losing a ship. He did see others go down, and said he was very fortunate.
After the war, Libby joined the ranks of the SIU, becoming a bosun in 1951.
Recertified Bosun Thor Young recalls that when he and Libby sailed together aboard the Long Lines, “he told me that I was going to be a lifer. That was 15 years ago, and I’m still with the cable ships. Libby instilled in me pride in the union and taught me many of the practices that I still use today.”
Bosun Libby and the Long Lines crew are featured in photographs at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
On Friday, May 9 at 1805 under dark clouds and setting sun, all hands gathered aboard the Tyco Decisive to pay their respects for a fallen shipmate. With the U.S. flag flying at half mast, Captain J.L. Sanders (who sailed with Bosun Libby on the Long Lines) gave last rites. Bosun Young reflected on their years of sailing with Libby, noting that he was a good shipmate and a great friend to all who knew him.
All hands then joined in bidding Libby an eternal journey to the deep. With “Amazing Grace” playing, his ashes along with a small barley chain which came from the Long Lines were returned to the sea at 6 degrees 46.9N Lat 94 degrees 33.8W, followed by three short blasts of the ship’s whistle.
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