Library Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Newspaper |
Object ID |
33.23 |
Title |
The Enemy Below |
Author |
Mary Coleman |
Publisher |
Island Reporter |
Published Date |
11/05/1987 |
Collection |
Early Captiva Residents Collection |
Search Terms |
World War II |
Summary |
World War II brought coastal blackouts almost immediately to Captiva, and intercoastal shipping was discontinued. During WWII, Alice O'Briends 75-foot yacht 'The Wonegan' was commandeered by the Coast Guard. Dottie Wakefield recalls that no-one went out at night for fear of being shot. The islanders were quite fond of the Coast Guard boys, with ladies on Sanibel sponsoring dances for them and the hotels baking extra pies. All island residents were fingerprinted and had to carry around an identification card. Bowman's Beach served as a target range for Air Force pilots, under the command of 2nd Lt. John Wakefield. Mrs. Wakefield recalls finding out after the war that there were more submarines in the Gulf than anyone realized. Mrs. Stewart remembers the Red Cross auctions that were held during the war. One year, she said, the Captiva auction raised more money than the entire quota for Lee County. Capt. Mike Fuery tells that there theoretically is a sunken submarine off Boca Grande. |
People |
O'Brien, Alice Wakefield, Dorothy Price Wakefield, John T. Beals, Elizabeth Fuery, Mike |