In the spring of 1978, a sense of tragedy befell the small communities of Prince of Wales Island in Alaska. On May 6th, 18-year-old William R. Hamilton, Jr., a male of American Indian or Alaska Native descent, vanished into the vast and unforgiving Alaskan waters. He was not alone; accompanying him were four other men: Verne Edenshaw Jr., Glenn Cook, Delbert Kelley, and Victor Burgess. The group was making the approximately 30-mile journey by boat from Hydaburg to Craig, a trip that should have been routine but ended in lasting mystery and sorrow. The last time anyone saw them alive was at the Waterfall Resort, a location roughly 15 miles outside of Craig. The five individuals and their two skiffs departed, heading into the unknown expanse of the surrounding waterways.
The initial hope that the men were simply delayed or had sought shelter from inclement weather soon faded as time passed with no word. A search was launched, and what was discovered painted a grim picture of their fate. One of the small boats they were traveling in was found submerged in the waters of San Alberto Bay, near Cruz Island. The second skiff was located in a different area, ominously tied to a rock in Canoe Pass. These discoveries confirmed that something had gone terribly wrong during their voyage, but the exact circumstances of what transpired on the water remain elusive. The men were never seen again, and despite the efforts of searchers, their bodies were never recovered from the cold Alaskan sea.
The disappearance of William Hamilton Jr. and his four companions has left a void in the lives of their families and the close-knit island communities. With no remains found, the official presumption is that all five men drowned in a boating accident. The case serves as a somber reminder of the inherent dangers of maritime travel in the rugged and often unpredictable environment of Southeast Alaska. The discovery of their empty vessels tells a silent story of a journey cut short, leaving behind unanswered questions and the enduring pain of loss for those who knew and loved them. The incident stands as a significant tragedy in the region's history, a day when five lives were claimed by the powerful forces of the Alaskan wilderness.
Last Seen: May 6, 1978
