Smith and Greenhalgh

John James Smith (73) and George Greenhalgh (67) left Safety Bay at 9am on Wednesday 6 July in an 18 foot auxiliary launch owned by Mr. Oscar Unmack. They intended to fish near “Dago” reef situated six miles off shore. They were last seen alive about 10:30am by three Fishermen, Albert and his son Alan Warne and Frank Dean. Dean lived on Penguin Road near Smith. Greenhalgh had a residence in Mosman Park but had been living on the beach in Safety Bay. After reaching the reef the two men anchored about a quarter of a mile west of the reef. Warne and Dean returned home on account of bad weather and swell that was running at the time and had warned the others of the treacherous conditions.

On Wednesday night when the two men had not returned a party searched the beaches as far as Becher Point without finding any trace. On Thursday morning Dean sighted the mast of the missing vessel and some small pieces of wreckage in the vicinity of the reef. At 9am Warne found the body of Smith and half an hour later located that of Greenhalgh. The bodies were half a mile apart in about 50 feet of water. An Aero Club Tiger Moth which had been chartered by a good friend of Greenhalgh, Stan Nicholas of Safety Bay, arrived a little after the bodies have been brought back in Warne’s boat. A large letter “F” was marked on the beach to indicate that the bodies had been found and the plane returned to Perth.

As a result of the tragedy, a group of local fishermen gathered on the shore and agreed that the name of the district should be changed to “Unsafety Bay” on account of the number of boats that had been caught by “dumb rollers”, waves from 30 to 40 feet which loomed up at irregular intervals and took fishermen unaware.

Smith left a widow, Louisa Jane, and four married children, Thelma, Norman, Grace and Rita.

Greenhalgh left behind a widow, Maude and two married children, Eileen and Norman. He was well known in yachting circles and built various 18 foot yachts for racing. Some of his boats included Westana, Eileen, Theola, Georgette and Theodore. The Greenhalgh Memorial Trophy was dedicated to his memory at the Safety Bay Yacht Club.

Both men were prominently connected with the Safety Bay Progress Association and were well known in the area. Their funerals were largely attended.