Search for the truth
- Your comments and thoughts

As the facts and stories emerge about the survey aboard Seisranger I have received many messages from all over the world about the ongoing mystery of The Gaul. It is a mystery I have shared with you since February 1974. I have often written about it, agonised about it and shared your thoughts, fears and theories about what happened. Now The Seisranger is on her way home, a journey The Gaul never made. With her come the remains of six of your loved ones and it is agonising to think that only a small number of The Gaul families are to at last have the peace of knowing that you, at least, can let them rest in peace.
For all of you there will still be unanswered questions and doubt. I share that with you in many ways. These pages are for you and anyone who has been touched by the mystery of The Gaul. Use them freely with your e-mails, telephone calls or whatever. Send me your contributions and thoughts either by e-mailing graham@mediaworldnews.co.uk
or call 0870 7571677.
There is much to do yet.
Graham Smith

Hello Graham.
I have been reading your web site about the latest findings on the Gaul. I wonder how significant it will turn out to be. I suppose this has all gone on for so long ,no one really expected it to ever happen. Although, as we know , I am not directly involved, but the story sent shivers down my spine.It’s been a long road for the relatives and now, hopefully, some families will have an ending to their long ordeal.
Its also been a heavy slog for you I know, and I really admire your tenacity.
Hope you are keeping well and happy.
if you speak to Sheila ,please tell her I’m thinking of her, it must be a terrible time

Florance Lund

Florance is the widow of Alan Waterworth, the man who said he saw John Doone, The Gaul’s radio operator, in South Africa in 1978. GS

Thursday, July 25

Dear Graham,
I am reviewing all the latest information via Mediaworld News. Your efforts are remarkable and of course extremely interesting. I hope that those six remains can be identified rapidly. It does amaze me that any remains are there at the bottom. I always assumed that even bones would eventually dissolve in the sea water chemicals, or be picked up by the
currents and deposited elsewhere around the world.
Looking forward to learning more about the search. As always, we ask why this did not happen years ago? I recall being kicked out of MP Prescott's office (about 1980 or possibly 1982) along with retired SOGAT Pressman John Lawrence because we were pressing on
too much about The Gaul and the government's investigation.
Well, what goes around, comes around.
Awaiting more information. Congratulations all round on this one. Bravo MediaWorld!
Yours,
Barbara Futterman
NYC NY
A lady who helped with our research over 20 years ago, now in New York. GS

From Andy Atkinson, chairman of The Gaul Families Association

Firstly I’d like to point out that its more than 48 hours since the story broke of the findings on board The Gaul. As was agreed by all committee members 48 hours was the amount of time that should be given for an embargo, the reason for this was for everyone to take this news on board, try to come to terms with it and prepare for the Press to publish it for the world to view.
Unfortunately at least two committee members leaked this to the Press causing great embarrassment for several people including myself. I’ve had more than 25 calls from the Press last night and today included. My line to each and every one of them has been:” No comment, & dont you think you should show some sort of respect to the 36 families involved in this tragedy?”
Not only do I represent my family, as chair I speak on behalf of you all. Now is the time to take a step back not get too emotive, and let the bigger picture unfold. When Mr Fenton, Mr McCombie and Mr Coleman give us a debriefing we can start to put together the pieces of what could be the last part of the jigsaw. If you feel that you can’t represent the families by sticking to a simple rule, then don’t. As committee members we all get elected to speak as one, on behalf of all.

Yours A. G. Atkinson [ Chairman GFA ]

Not final
Whilst I endorse and respectfully thank all the efforts put into this new survey, on a personal level, the fact that a thigh bone and possibly some other remains have been found, does not constitute a final conclusion to me and my family.
The questions still remain, why did she sink, how did she sink, and where are the rest of the crew? And their personal effects? I’m sure ,and I hope it will, bring, some peace of mind to whoever the remains belong to, but this is not the end, we now await the official report from the experts. Then we can decide a positive way forward for all concerned to get to the TRUTH.
WOULD JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THE I, IN MAX GOLD’S PRESS RELEASE, "I HAD OBTAINED EXTENSIONS "SHOULD ACTUALLY READ WE, AND REALLY SHOULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO GARETH PIERCE (SOLICITOR FOR SPURGEON AND NELLIST) WHO ALSO CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO OBTAINING THE EXTENSIONS.
I’M SURE IT WAS JUST A SLIP.
THANK YOU.
MIKE SPURGEON (Family member)

The families have now been briefed by their representative on the survey, Norman Fenton, and experts. What they have heard has not been encouraging and comments are now beginning to come in from many of them. Mediaworld is happy to give a voice to The Gaul Families Association and you can read the latest letters, e-mails and statement by clicking HERE