Don Hammond Missing Person Case

Jan 01, 1970

Jan 01, 1970

Don

Hammond

47

White / Caucasian

Male

In the late summer of 1986, a sense of unease settled over the coastal region of Northwestern Alaska. On August 10th, 47-year-old Don Lee Hammond, a Caucasian male, and his companion, 39-year-old Rodney Howarth, embarked on a journey that would become a lasting mystery. The two men were aboard the "Seagull II," a 56-foot converted landing craft, navigating the waters between Kotzebue and Deering. Their vessel was laden with a portable drill rig and pilings, essential equipment for their work. Hammond was reportedly wearing dark blue coveralls, and he may have had on either brown leather boots or red tennis shoes. A white and blue baseball cap with "ANC Auto Electric" on it was also among his clothing. The trip was expected to be routine, a familiar passage in the vast and often unforgiving Alaskan seascape. As the days turned into a week with no word from the "Seagull II," concern grew among family and authorities. The vessel and its two occupants had vanished without a trace. An official report was filed with the Alaska State Troopers on August 11, 1986, initiating what would become a protracted and ultimately fruitless search. The vastness of the Chukchi Sea, known for its unpredictable weather and challenging conditions, presented a formidable obstacle for search and rescue efforts. Despite extensive searches, no sign of the "Seagull II," its cargo, or the two men aboard was ever discovered. The complete absence of wreckage or any form of debris only deepened the mystery surrounding their disappearance. The case of Don Lee Hammond and Rodney Howarth remains one of Alaska's many unsolved missing persons cases. Decades have passed since their last known departure from Kotzebue, and the passage of time has offered no new leads or definitive explanations for their fate. The disappearance of the "Seagull II" serves as a somber reminder of the inherent dangers of maritime travel in the Arctic. With no final answers, the story of the two men is one of an unfinished journey, leaving their families with unanswered questions and a profound sense of loss in the face of the vast and silent Alaskan wilderness. The investigation, though now considered a cold case, remains open, a silent testament to two lives that seemingly vanished into the cold northern waters.

Aug 10, 1986

Kotzebue

Alaska

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07/18/2026