1953: McFadden's death (1 of 2)

MISSING U.S. ARCHAEOLOGIST Searchers disturb suspected smugglers "Cyprus Mail" Reporter. 22-4-53

Little hope can now be held out for the American archaeologist Mr. George MacFadden, who disappeared with his boat near Phanari on Sunday. I understand that the two-day search is now likely to be called off.

It appears that Mr. MacFadden went out from Phanari in his 12 ft. flat-bottomed boat, the "Sail Flash", about seven miles west of Limassol. Conditions were a bit unsuitable, weather conditions being in the gusts, a strong offshore breeze. Mr. MacFadden is thought to have been trying to make the shore.

The "Sail Flash" boat can best be described as a kind of flat-bottomed sailer for swimming purposes.

After lunching together at Bamboula, Mr. MacFadden and Mr. Chudleigh, of the Arab Broadcasting Station went out in the boat. Onlookers observed them riding in the sea for several minutes, when the boat was seen suddenly to capsize. They then seen to right the boat again, drifting several times, meanwhile drifting further and further from the shore.

Mr. Chudleigh found themselves in these difficulties he and Mr. MacFadden decided to try and swim ashore. Both the boat sailing around. Mr. MacFadden was pushing the boat with his waist when they attempted to get back on board.

Mr. Chudleigh ... that Mr. MacFadden had tied the sail down before setting out, made that way catching the wind.

One More Attempt

Mr. Chudleigh was by this time becoming exhausted and felt that he could not go on and that he had to make one more attempt to sail the boat ashore.

As this type of boat is only...