Drowning of Three Teenage Brothers and Hero Remembered

57 years ago, Coast Guard member died trying to save three brothers.

Tuesday was quiet and peaceful on the waters of Lake Superior. But fifty-seven years ago, the winds were vicious and the swells high. Four would die.

The annual ceremony to remember those who drowned took place Tuesday at the Duluth pier.

It marks the 57th anniversary of the tragic drowning that took the lives of the three Halverson family teenage brothers, and the man who drowned trying to save them.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Edgar Culbertson jumped into the waves but perished during his rescue effort.

All four were remembered during the morning gathering. Every year four roses are placed near their plaque.

The officer in charge of the Duluth station said the work of the Coast Guard can sometimes be taken for granted. He says seeing the interest and response to the ceremony is heartwarming.

“You know we have a Coast Guard hero that perished trying to save other people’s lives. We have a cutter named after him,” said Master Chief Justin Olson.

“He’s one of our own and I think it’s important for us to know that history and that lineage that carries on that long blue line that we should all honor. So, it’s been great bringing everybody together to talk about him,” said Olson.

Edgar Culbertson’s friend, Captain Tom Mackay, was one who pushed to get a cutter named after him. Mackay’s sister said he was also one who pushed early and hard to keep the memory of the heroic effort alive.

“When they put the plaque up, he took care of it every year. Every year we could come down here on this day, even if there were just a couple of us, and he’d tell the story to everybody,” said Mary Mackay-Gaidis.

“And when they re-did the pier, he went to the Corps of Engineers and got the plaque back out and had them put it up,” she said.

Master Chief Olson said one other thing he would like people to remember on this day is the power of Lake Superior, and how deadly its beauty can become.

A reminder of that came when four were swallowed up by its waters 57 years ago.