Near the east side of stunning Sand Beach rises
Great Head, a massive granite prominence that abuts the Atlantic Ocean. At 144
feet in elevation it is the highest cliff on America's east coast, which makes
it very attractive to hikers and rock climbers. Perhaps it was due to these
rugged features that six young men, ages 19 and 20, from Wakefield, MA on a weekend
camping trip to Acadia found themselves there one fateful Saturday in November,
1969.
Nineteen year old David McKinney
and five friends were exploring a cave at Great Head, when a wave broke on the
rocks and pulled him into the ocean. According to the Bar Harbor Times, a local newspaper, they were hiking around Great Head and had stopped to explore a cave near
the water’s edge. After looking around the cave, they moved down to the rocks
in front of the cave. McKinney was about 20 feet in front of the others. A
large wave broke on the rocks soaking two of the young men while McKinney was
pulled in by the current and disappeared. Heavy rain, excessive fog and 30-foot
high sprays of surf rendered any rescue work impossible. His body was never
recovered.
 |
| The cave |
The McKinney memorial plaque is
located about 100 feet off the Great Head Trail southwest of the Great Head
summit and Satterlee teahouse ruins. It is affixed to the edge of a rock ledge above
the spot where he was swept away.*1
 |
| Memorial site |
The inscription reads:
IN MEMORY OF
DAVID PHILLIPS
MCKINNEY
MARCH 10, 1950 - NOVEMBER 8, 1969
WASHED OUT TO SEA FROM
THE MOUTH OF THIS CAVE
 |
| Great Head |
*Footnote:
1 Memorial GPS coordinates: N44° 19.592' W068° 10.612'
This is a good description of what happened that fateful day, 49 years ago. The waves seemed to merge, and the sea rose up to a terrifying height. The second man, Steve Murphy, was pulled in but was able to get back to safety. Dave's face appeared above the surf momentarily, looking dazed and strangely peaceful, as a second wave crashed against the rocks, and he disappeared. Steve, who was a very strong swimmer and life guard, never quite forgave himself for not being able to rescue Dave, altho it would have been suicide to go in again. I have spent a fair amount of time on the ocean since that day, and always remember with respect how powerful the sea can be. Thanks for your record of those events.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment.
ReplyDeleteHi Don,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog about 35 years after I came across this plaque. I was in my 20's, scrambling around the cliffs and rocks of Great Head and came across the cave and the plaque. I was so startled I raced back up to the safety of the trail. The only part I could remember "washed out to sea from the mouth of this cave" has haunted me ever since and I finally got around to searching for it and found your blog straightaway.
Thank you for the great blog. The content is impressive, as is the meticulous attention to detail.
Dan Zucker
Moretown, Vermont
Thanks, Dan, for your comment. Much appreciated.
ReplyDelete