Harry Merriam Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

May 09, 2024

Harry

Merriam

99

78

68 inches

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

In the small Alaskan community of Petersburg, the daily routines of its residents are often tied to the rhythms of the surrounding waters. For 78-year-old Harry Rodrick Merriam, a trip in his skiff was a regular part of his life. On the morning of February 11, 2005, he set out from the town's harbor for what was expected to be a routine 10-minute ride to his log house on Kupreanof Island. He was reportedly wearing green rain gear, hip waders, a ball cap, glasses, and size 7 Extra Tuff boots. The weather that day was described as miserable, with heavy snow, wind, and low visibility. When Harry did not return by his usual time of 2 p.m., concern began to grow, and by 4 p.m., he was considered late. His wife contacted authorities for help at 7 p.m. that evening, setting in motion a search for the missing man. The search for Harry involved multiple agencies, including the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department Search and Rescue team, Alaska State Troopers, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The day after he was reported missing, searchers made a significant discovery. Harry's 16-foot flat-bottom boat was found adrift on the northeast side of Sasby Island, near the mouth of Wrangell Narrows. The skiff's motor was in the upward position, and a life jacket was found on board. The boat appeared to have been beached by the tide. Despite the discovery of his boat, extensive searches of the area did not locate Harry. The circumstances surrounding Harry Merriam's disappearance have led authorities to presume he is deceased, though the exact events of that fateful day remain unknown. The challenging weather conditions likely played a role in whatever transpired after he left the harbor. The discovery of his boat with the motor raised and a life jacket still inside suggests a possible accident or emergency at sea. His case remains an open investigation with the Alaska State Troopers. The community was left with the unsettling mystery of a routine boat trip that ended in tragedy, a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Alaskan wilderness and the sea. The overview of this case is one of a sudden and unexpected disappearance, where the available evidence points to a likely accident at sea, but without a recovery, the final chapter of Harry Merriam's story remains unwritten.

Feb 11, 2005

Petersburg

Alaska

Petersburg Borough

No

77374

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

050011065

2005-02-11

Alaska State Troopers

8580

Brown

Blue

Blue

No

07/08/2026