An Incredible Survival Tale: The 11-Year-Old Lost at Sea
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Chapter 1: The Duperrault Family's Dream Vacation
The Duperrault family, including 40-year-old Arthur, his wife Jean, and their three children—14-year-old Brian, 11-year-old Terry Jo, and 7-year-old René—were excited for a week-long cruise from Florida to the Bahamas. Arthur, a successful optometrist from Green Bay, Wisconsin, had long aspired to take this trip. However, gathering the necessary funds to charter a yacht and hire an experienced captain took time.
Finally, in early November 1961, the family arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they chartered the 60-foot sailing ketch named the Bluebelle for $515. They also enlisted the help of 44-year-old Julian Harvey, who was to act as the captain for $100 a day. His wife, Mary, a former stewardess, joined as the ship’s cook.
For the next few days, the family relished their time visiting various spots like Bimini and Sandy Point, engaging in fun activities such as snorkeling.
In a shocking turn of events on November 13, 1961, a crew member on the Gulf Lion oil tanker noticed a man drifting in the sea and calling for help, claiming he had a dead baby aboard. The man was identified as Julian Harvey, and rescuers discovered the body of 7-year-old René Duperrault in a life jacket, having drowned.
Authorities in Nassau began questioning Harvey, whose composed demeanor raised suspicions. He claimed that the Bluebelle was struck by a sudden storm, which caused catastrophic damage and left him as the sole survivor. Julian alleged that after the ship capsized, a fire broke out, prompting him to escape in a dinghy. He said he found René’s body and tried to revive her, keeping her with him out of respect.
Despite Harvey's account, questions lingered. His version of events was the only one available, and the authorities were skeptical. A large-scale search by the Coast Guard ensued, looking for any other survivors.
Section 1.1: The Discovery of Terry Jo
After three days of searching, 11-year-old Terry Jo Duperrault was discovered adrift on a cork raft by a Greek freighter. Having spent almost four days at sea without food or water, she was in dire condition and collapsed shortly after her rescue.
While this was unfolding, Harvey was in Miami being questioned. Upon learning of another survivor, he reportedly exclaimed, “Oh my God,” before quickly regaining his composure and saying, “Isn’t that wonderful?” He then abruptly left, claiming exhaustion, and checked into a motel under an alias. The following day, he was found dead in his room.
Chapter 2: Unraveling the Truth
On November 20, Terry Jo awoke and was able to recount the harrowing events of that night. She detailed how the family had decided to end their vacation and that she had gone to her cabin around 9 p.m. to sleep. It was the last time she saw her family alive.
Awakened by screams and heavy footsteps, Terry Jo