M/V Captain Dean IV, 6th mailboat of Capt. Ernest A. Dean on the Sandy Point Abaco run


M/V Captain Dean IV, apparently taken in Florida shortly after her launch, from “Island Captain,” by Captain Ernest A. Dean, page 107 (White Sound Press, 1997)

MAILBOAT NAME: M/V Captain Dean IV

PAST NAMES: none
DIMENSIONS: c.90′ on keel, c.18′ beam, c.5′ draft, 16 passengers, a large Caterpillar diesel engine (same dimensions as the Captain Dean III)
CONSTRUCTION: built in St. Augustine Trawlers by Jerry Thompson, St. Augustine, Florida
YEAR BUILT: 1974
EARLY CAREER: mail and crawfish and conch cargo Nassau, Berry Islands, Abaco
BAHAMAS CAREER: Nassau – Bullock’s Harbour Berry Islands, Sandy Point Abaco, Mores Island, Sweetings Cay Grand Bahama
CAPTAINS: Capt. Ernest Dean, Capt. John Dean (his son)
FATE: c. 1977 ran aground intentionally in sinking condition on the banks near Sandy Point Abaco under the command of John Dean. The crew were rescued by US Coast Guard helicopter.
OWNERS: Captain Ernest Alexander Dean, Sandy Point Abaco

Source: “Island Captain,” Capt. Ernest Dean & Gary Woodcock, White Sound Press, Decatur, IL, 1997