Monday, April 13, 2020
Dear Darlene and your family - My name will mean nothing to any of you, but I was a good friend of Terry Delaney, and knew Jack by name only. He and I chatted on the phone back in 1995, when I told him that my young son and I were looking for the sunken Bristol in Baker Lake. It was just a "fun" project - we would pack a lunch and fly out to the lake for the day, with a primitive SS sonar, and armed with photos that positioned us right over the exact location of its final plunge.
Jack and I had a few chuckles as he told me of the offer he and Terry turned down shortly after they became the owners, and thought they had something of "great value" (if only they could find it!). He also mentioned that he was looking at the framed Bill of Sale hanging on his office wall as a reminder of that great business decision!
Anyway, at that time we were unsuccessful in finding it, but narrowed down where it had to be. With only the antiquated SS sonar at our disposal, we shelved the project for the time being. In 1999 we lost our airplane (a Beaver) in a massive hangar fire.
Now you fast-forward one generation, my son is an experienced pilot with his own float plane, and two buddies with modern equipment. They took up the search, and two summers ago found it, lying inverted in 140 feet of water, after being unseen for 50 years. With a modern underwater rover/camera they photo'd it extensively. My first thought was to call Jack, but I had misplaced his ph. no. (which I got from Pat in 1995) and couldn't remember his correct name.
Now, having tracked down you folks, I am very saddened to learn of Jack's recent passing. Will you please accept my condolences from "a stranger". I wish I had gotten to know him better. I sensed a wonderful personality over the phone 25 years ago!
If any of you would care to contact me, I would love to talk further about the Bristol, one of Jack's myriad of irons in the fire! (Also can send photos.)
Yours - Bob Cameron 867-667-2760 Whitehorse, Y.T.
