Tjark Evers

Tjark Ulrich Honken Evers (c. 21 December 1845 – 23 December 1866) was a sailor from the German North Sea island of Baltrum. His tragic fate by drowning in the Wadden Sea made him notable soon after his death and he became known beyond his native region of East Frisia. Tjark Evers was born in December 1845 on Baltrum island to shipmaster Honke Eilts Evers. His family had strong ties to the island. His brother Eilt Honken Evers became a captain as well as head of the parish and community of Baltrum. Also Tjark became a seaman and would attend a navigator's school at Timmel (now a part of Großefehn) in mainland East Frisia during wintertime to prepare for his navigator's exam. At Christmas 1866, Evers wanted to pay a surprise visit to his parents in Baltrum and boarded a small rowing boat early on 23 December at the harbour of Westaccumersiel. A man from Langeoog island went also on board. Both of them should be ferried to their respective islands. In a thick fog, the crew first rowed to the beach of Langeoog and delivered their first passenger. From there, they intended to row to a Baltrum beach. Convinced to have reached the latter island, they berthed at a sandy shoreline and Tjark Evers departed the vessel. The boat then rowed away in the mist. Soon Evers noticed though that he had not reached Baltrum but had been left at a shoal in the Accumer Ee gat which would submerge during high tide. Realising that he was about to drown without any hope of being rescued, Evers wrote a farewell letter into his notebook. He sent greetings to his parents and siblings and wrote down prayers and thoughts. His letter reads as follows (translated from the original): Dear mother!...