In the summer of 1994, a sense of loss befell the community of Prince of Wales, Alaska. On July 21st, 30-year-old David Irving Nathan, an American Indian/Alaska Native man, was enjoying time on the water in a skiff. At a point approximately one mile northeast of Eek Point and Hydaburg, an unforeseen event occurred, and David fell overboard into the chilly Alaskan waters. The suddenness of the incident left little time for reaction. At the time he went into the water, David was reportedly wearing a gray shirt, black pants, a green jacket, and white tennis shoes. Crucially, he was not wearing any type of personal flotation device, a factor that significantly increased the peril of his situation in the open water.
The moments following David's submersion were filled with urgency and fear. As the skiff was left without him, the alarm was raised, and a search effort was initiated. The vast and often unforgiving waters of the Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area were scoured by those hoping to find any sign of him. Rescuers and community members likely held onto hope as they navigated the area, searching the surface and shorelines. Despite their dedicated and thorough efforts, the search proved unsuccessful. The challenging conditions and the lack of a flotation device made the task of locating him incredibly difficult. As time passed with no sign of David, the hope of a rescue began to fade, replaced by a grim reality.
The official investigation into David Nathan's disappearance was handled by the Alaska State Troopers. With no evidence to suggest he made it to shore, and based on the witness accounts of him falling from the skiff without a life vest, the prevailing theory is that he tragically drowned. The search efforts were eventually suspended, and the case transitioned from a rescue mission to a missing person investigation, leaving his family and community without closure. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of the water. The case of David Nathan remains an unresolved disappearance, a story of a man lost to the sea, whose absence is still felt by those who knew him.
Last Seen: Jul 21, 1994
