On a November day in 1996, 29-year-old Brian Monty Spencer vanished into the waters of the Clarence Strait, south of Ketchikan, Alaska. He was aboard the 33-foot fishing vessel, the Tamra Dawn, when it was reported to be sinking. The boat, a sea cucumber and urchin dive boat, was near Dall Head, about 20 miles southwest of Ketchikan, when it went down. Spencer, along with two other men, Lee Spencer, 26, and William Tyler, 39, were all lost to the sea that day and are presumed to have drowned.
The circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Tamra Dawn remain largely unclear from publicly available information. It was reported that the vessel took on water before it sank. The waters of the Clarence Strait are known to present challenging conditions for mariners. At the time of his disappearance, it is believed Brian Spencer may have been wearing a dry suit. All three men were on a dive trip for sea cucumbers when the tragic incident occurred.
The disappearance of Brian Spencer, Lee Spencer, and William Tyler is a somber reminder of the perils faced by those who make their living on the waters of Alaska. Despite the passage of time, the case remains a painful open wound for the families and the community of Ketchikan. The lack of a comprehensive public investigation report into the sinking of the Tamra Dawn has left many questions unanswered. The case, handled by the Alaska State Troopers, serves as an overview of a day that began with the promise of a routine fishing expedition and ended in a heartbreaking loss that has endured for decades.
Last Seen: Nov 26, 1996
