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‘I have to go … to identify the dead’
By Iris Goings Snipes
Published July 27, 2003
My father, Clyde A. Goings, then 38, was chief inspector on the Corps of Engineers dredge boat Galveston.
When a tropical storm was brewing, my mother, sister and I were sure the Galveston was safe in port. We later learned the dredge boat had been sent out into Galveston Bay.
We were not aware the Galveston had sunk.
Thank goodness we had not turned the radio on for storm news.
Our landlord had heard the radio news that the Galveston had sunk and lives were lost. He and his wife were coming across the front yard to tell us the news and to be with us until we had word from the Corps of Engineers.
As they were coming to the front door, my dad came in our back door. He was soaking wet and covered with sand.
He told us “The Galveston was wrecked and some men had drowned. I’m OK, but I have to go immediately to identify the dead.”
When he returned, he was physically and mentally exhausted.
He told us when the dredge sank, he was able to grab a piece of a door.
The huge waves would wash him toward shore where he could see lights in houses and then the waves would wash him out again.
He finally reached shore near a home on the Bolivar Peninsula. The family brought him home to Galveston.
He later said his strong faith in God, love of his family and strong will to survive brought him through the harrowing experience.
He continued to work for the Corps of Engineers and later worked as a cement inspector when the seawall was extended.
Iris Goings Snipes Galveston
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